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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2355 ..

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In my opening remarks, I referred to the importance of conserving our biodiversity. The ACT has an enviable record in environmental responsible town planning and land development. However, with the benefit of hindsight, we are not exempt from the legacy of some inappropriate or excessive land use practices and development decisions that have depleted our natural heritage. We are becoming increasingly aware that the Limestone Plains upon which we have built our city and grown our produce contain native species and ecological communities that occur nowhere else and are subject to increasing threat of extinction. There is little room for further environmental degradation.

The task of restoring species and ecological communities threatened with extinction is a central challenge to those committed to a sustainable natural resource base. The Government accepts this challenge.

In particular, the species and communities that make up our native grasslands and woodlands have been the subject of specific conservation attention. In response to expert advice from the Flora and Fauna Committee, I have formally recognised by declaration the threatened conservation status of natural temperate grasslands, yellow box/red gum grassy woodlands and several of their component species. Conservation Action Plans are now being developed to meet the conservation needs of these "at risk" elements of our biodiversity. Action Plans for two grassland species and the natural temperate grassland ecological community will be released for public comment within coming months. A further seven draft Action Plans will be available by the end of this calendar year.

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