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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 8 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2237 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

maintain areas of a size and ecological diversity essential to retain the birds and other animals typical of that sort of woodland.

The proposed development at east O'Malley was the subject of a thorough examination in the preliminary assessment undertaken during 2001. The preliminary assessment noted the existence of other extensive areas of yellow box woodland elsewhere in the territory. The government is now looking to ensure that the contribution these areas can make at the regional conservation scale is fully considered during the preparation of the spatial plan for Canberra.

The woodland at east O'Malley was identified in Action Plan 10 as one of several areas warranting further study. And that happened, Ms Tucker-that further study happened. It occurred. The action plan was followed. This was carried out as part of the preliminary assessment and detailed design work for the proposed development. As Mr Corbell has indicated, as a result of the extra study, the area of woodland to be protected was increased by nine hectares. Of the 89 hectares originally shown in the Territory Plan for urban expansion at O'Malley, 62 hectares, or 70 per cent of the area, is to be added to the Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve. A further two hectares is to be retained as urban open space connecting the reserve to the existing hilltop open space park.

I come to my point, Ms Tucker, about your perception of what the review of this action plan means. We don't all have the same perception of what is meant by a review. The review is intended to see how we are progressing, how we are implementing the action plan, how that is done. It doesn't take us right back to taws, to start all over again. We are doing that. We assessed the implementation and, as required in that action plan, the woodland at east O'Malley received further study. The action plan was followed-east O'Malley was reviewed. And while this is happening, this whole action plan-the whole lot of it-is going to be looked at. We will be asking, "Is this working? Are we implementing this well enough? Are we doing those points well enough? Are these concepts right?" That is the review. It is not to say that we have to go back and review east O'Malley again.

We implemented this part of this action plan and I think when the review is received in something like four to six months it will probably, if it attends to it, say the process at east O'Malley was well done-it was done thoroughly, it was done carefully and it was done in accordance with the action plan. So just understand what is meant by a review of Action Plan 10. I have explained what that means. Bear in mind that that is what that review was about. I hope I can allay any concerns-and I understand those concerns-that some people might have.

The land to be protected at east O'Malley fulfils the commitment in Action Plan 10 to review the most appropriate boundary for residential development adjacent to O'Malley. As a result of all that planning and following the action plan, the commitments in Action Plan 10 have been met and the area of yellow box woodland to be protected is 20 hectares larger than the 42 hectares originally provided for in Action Plan 10.

Action Plan 10, at page 20, puts forward a proposal to protect a certain area, and the review increased the area to be protected. So I think that things have been done properly and I do think there is a bit of a misunderstanding of terminology. The proposed development will maintain existing ecological connectivity and animal movement

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