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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 9 Hansard (20 August) . . Page.. 2465 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

The draft variation was released for public comment in May last year. Five written submissions were received as a result of the public consultation, with four expressing support for the proposals included in the draft variation.

In response to issues raised, PALM requested further advice from Environment ACT in relation to public land categories at the proposed Mount Majura reserve in Watson. Environment ACT has undertaken a review of the existing public land categories in the vicinity of the proposed reserve.

PALM was advised that the area immediately to the east of the proposed reserve is currently classified as special purpose reserve including high-quality yellow box/red gum woodland. It is therefore proposed to change the public land category applying to this land to nature reserve.

The area to the south of the proposed nature reserve incorporates four horse paddocks that make up the eastern section of the Hackett public horse holding paddock complex. Except for a small westerly portion, the paddocks are included within the nature reserve overlay.

Environment ACT advise that the two northern paddocks are largely composed of high-quality woodland and are considered unsuitable for horse grazing. However, the two southern paddocks have limited tree habitat and good pasture suitable for grazing. It has therefore been proposed to amend the public land boundary so that the two northern paddocks are included entirely within nature reserve. At the same time the two southern paddocks would be included in special purpose reserve. The conservator has recommended that the Territory Plan map be revised to reflect the proposed changes, and this has been done.

Variation No 182 was submitted to the executive in May this year. It was referred to the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment in May this year as well. The committee considered the draft variation, and in its report No 6, of August this year, endorsed the variation. The committee also recommended that a draft variation to incorporate designated areas of yellow box/red gum grassy woodland located at east O'Malley into the Mount Mugga Mugga reserve be released as a matter of urgency. This matter is currently being addressed by PALM, and a draft variation is being prepared.

Variation No 164 to the Territory Plan is a variation to replace the existing community facility land use policy at part B4 of the Territory Plan written statement. The principal objective of the community facility land use policy is to ensure that adequate sites are available to meet community needs for community services and facilities in appropriate and accessible locations.

The identification and allocation of sites to this land use policy take into account the current and potential health, educational, intellectual, religious, cultural and welfare needs of the ACT community. To meet future needs that arise from changing demographics and changing service delivery policies, land set aside for community facility uses may stand vacant for several years.

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