Page 3271 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
management options, further detailed ecological bushfire management and economic work will also be undertaken prior to government committing to a specific option.
The Standing Committee on Planning and Environment considered draft variation 281 in August. In its final report the committee made 16 recommendations in relation to draft variation 281, among which was a recommendation that the variation proceed. The government has considered the issues raised and I am pleased to advise that it has agreed to all or part of the committee’s 16 recommendations. I will now provide a statement on the government’s response to the committee’s report and each of its recommendations.
At 6.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MR BARR: The committee’s first recommendation is that the proposed variation to the territory plan proceed, subject to the committee’s other recommendations. The committee’s second recommendation is that the ACT government retain and manage remnant pockets of yellow box-red gum grassy woodland in east Molonglo for conservation purposes. This recommendation is supported. The ACT Planning and Land Authority will plan for the retention of the remnant pockets of existing yellow box-red gum grassy woodland in east Molonglo, where possible. Detailed woodland mapping in east Molonglo is programmed for 2008-09.
Topographical constraints and ecological value are some of the issues that will be used to establish specific patches for highest priority conservation. Responsibility for the land management of the urban open space within which the remnant patches exist lies with the Department of Territory and Municipal Services. It should be noted that the remnant pockets can be retained as part of the urban ecology—that is, urban open space—and will be unlikely to retain the characteristics of any yellow box-red gum grassy woodland community.
The committee’s third recommendation is that the Kama nature reserve be expanded to provide a more significant wildlife corridor. This recommendation is supported in part. Consultants Biosis Research recommended an expansion of the Kama reserve boundaries to achieve a width of 1,100 metres. The proposed Kama reserve, as shown in draft variation 281, had a width of between 950 and 1,050 metres. The ACT government has committed to locating any buffer and bushfire protection zones outside the Kama nature reserve boundaries adjoining east Molonglo, which may further expand the functional width of the reserve.
The committee’s fourth recommendation is that central Molonglo be removed in perpetuity from being considered as a future urban area. This recommendation is supported. The ACT government will remove central Molonglo from being considered as a future urban area.
The committee’s fifth recommendation is that the ACT government consider implementing a set of conservation leases in the central Molonglo area. This recommendation is also supported. ACTPLA, in consultation with TAMS as land
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .