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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2356 ..

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In addition to these specific initiatives, the Government undertook major redesign of the Gungahlin Town Centre and urban precincts to reduce threats to native grassland and legless lizard habitats, and provide for their reservation as nature reserves. During 1995, approximately 500 hectares of grassland was set aside as nature reserve at considerable development opportunity cost. This action was recognised nationally in 1996 with the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia awarding the Government its New Reserve of the Year Award.

In May of this year, I announced an additional grassland reserve in the new suburb of Dunlop. The reserve will protect a remnant of native grassland which contains the best remaining example of its type in the ACT. Special management measures are warranted to maintain drainage regimes and buffer the site from external sources of damage. Boundaries currently are being determined to accommodate management practicalities and incorporate catchment protection requirements in open space above the suburb. A draft variation to the Territory Plan to establish a nature reserve at Dunlop of approximately 100 hectares will be released for public comment by September this year.

Mr Speaker, Members will be aware of the importance of a strategic approach to management of environmental issues based on expert information and a sound appreciation of community values and expectations.

To assist the Government in this endeavour, I established the ACT Environment Advisory Committee in August of 1996. One of the primary functions of this expert Committee is to provide advice to me on emerging and current issues relating to the ACT environment and its protection.

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