Page 3287 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 23 August 2017
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At Mulligans Flat, the expansion plan for the predator-proof fence will grow the protected sanctuary area. As Ms Orr’s motion notes, we look forward to seeing plans for the development of a visitor centre soon. On the tourism front, as I touched on, the introduction of twilight tours at Mulligans Flat has proved very popular with local residents and visitors. The research programs to reintroduce native species such as the eastern quoll, the bettong and the bush stone-curlew are proving to be a great success.
In particular, we have seen growth in the eastern bettong population to more than 300, as Ms Orr touched on. It is an extraordinary success that I do not think anybody quite anticipated at the beginning. People hoped for this sort of success, but I think if you asked the people involved they would have to honestly say that the numbers we have seen are far greater than they had expected. One of the truly amazing things I have done in recent years is join one of the night-time surveys of bettong populations. It was a cold, middle-of-the-night exercise, but it was still very inspiring to actually witness the animals and see the scientists doing their work in measuring weight, size, population numbers and similar sorts of features. It has been an excellent collaboration with the ANU, CSIRO and ACT parks and conservation service.
At the Jerrabomberra wetlands, a new concept plan has provided the vision and strategy for the wetlands into the future. Visitor experience has been improved through the new swamp boardwalk, upgrades to bird hides and the addition of a dipping pond to the wetlands environment. A new schools program and public events program have been developed, with activities including birdwatching tours, workshops and clay sculpting sessions. The revegetation of the riparian zones has progressed with the removal of invasive weeds and replacement with native species.
It is clear that Mulligans Flat and Jerrabomberra wetlands are leading the way in providing both conservation research and nature-based tourism activities. However, outside these dedicated areas there remain many isolated hilltops in ACT reserves that are not connected and are not always strategically managed for biodiversity conservation. I believe there is still much work to be done to identify and actively manage key biodiversity linkages and corridors across the territory. The lessons from Mulligans Flat and Jerrabomberra wetlands will be important for informing this work, as will collaboration with New South Wales agencies and local governments.
I am pleased that this motion specifically calls for the development of an ecotourism policy. Having an overarching policy is important to support and enhance nature-based tourism opportunities in a way that protects and preserves our natural environment. The ACT Greens support programs that conserve and showcase our unique environmental assets. Ecotourism projects are also an opportunity to make the community aware of the impacts of our consumption on the local and regional environment.
Ecotourism has potential economic and environmental benefits for Canberra. At the same time, as we have already spoken about today, our growing population and footprint place increasing strain on our environment. An ecotourism policy is important to ensure we provide opportunities for our community and visitors to enjoy
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