Page 9 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2008
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become lessee of block 17, section 102, Symonston, which is currently managed by the territory.
The committee notes that the proposed variation to the territory plan is an interim step in the land swap arrangement. However, block 17, section 102, Symonston, is recognised as grassland habitat for the endangered grassland earless dragon, and any development by the lessee on the site is likely to have a significant impact on that threatened species. Similarly, there are concerns for the wellbeing of the Narrabundah Long Stay Caravan Park residents if the land swap does not take place following initial moves by the lessee of block 8, section 97, Symonston, to evict residents and potentially redevelop that site.
The draft variation itself does not directly result in the disturbance of the grassland earless dragon habitat or the displacement of the Narrabundah Long Stay Caravan Park residents. However, it facilitates the land swap agreement and enables the lessee of block 17, section 102, Symonston, to submit a development application for that site.
The committee notes that any development undertaken on block 17, section 102, Symonston, would be subject to separate statutory development assessment procedures and would need to comply with the commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The major concerns, such as the social and environmental impacts on the locality, the neighbouring facilities and the amenity of the area will be considered through the development assessment process and if and when the lessee submits a development proposal for block 17, section 102, Symonston.
The committee understands that the concept of sustainable development involves the recognition and the integration of social, environmental and economic considerations in decision-making processes. In the situation at hand, the committee considers that there is a need to strike a balance between the conservation of the grassland earless dragon habitat and the social consideration for the welfare and security of tenure of the Narrabundah Long Stay Caravan Park residents.
Mr Acting Speaker, the committee appreciates that block 17, section 102, Symonston, is a grassland earless dragon habitat area, although it constitutes only 1.5 per cent of the GED habitat in the Jerrabomberra Valley and is of lesser quality grassland than areas further south. The committee also notes that the current grassland earless dragon population on block 17 is unknown. The potential future development of block 17, section 102 and associated damage and/or destruction of grassland earless dragon habitat on that site also appear to be mitigated to some degree by the proposed establishment of two grassland and woodland nature reserves in the Jerrabomberra Valley, around 200 hectares each, which may promote ongoing survival of the grassland earless dragon.
The committee also notes that the choice of block 17, section 102 for the land swap deal will also minimise the risk of further fragmentation of the grassland earless dragon habitat and edge effects. The committee considers that the proposed draft variation to facilitate the land swap arrangement is a reasonable compromise in the application of sustainable development in Canberra, and the committee recommends that this proposed variation to the territory plan proceed.
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