Page 584 - Week 02 - Thursday, 22 February 2018

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and Green—through natural form—infrastructure in Canberra resolved to inquire into and report on the matters affecting the value of the natural environment to an urbanising Canberra, including:

1. The level of public support for and satisfaction with amount and quality nature and natural environment areas in Canberra, particularly in urban areas.

2. The types of nature and natural environmental areas within Canberra e.g. urban open spaces or bushland reserves and the existing or potential benefits and challenges they bring to Canberra’s:

(a) Social amenity;

(b) Economic development;

(d) Climate resilience.

3. Opportunities for Blue (water) and or Green (natural) Infrastructure in Canberra including;

(a) Functional requirements of proposed infrastructure;

(b) Cost and Maintenance considerations;

(d) Conservation and biodiversity benefits.

4. Managing the interface between the natural environment and urban areas particularly in regards to conserved environmental areas.

5. Current policy or regulatory settings that impede the integration of the natural environment within optimal urban development and design.

6. Any other relevant matter.

The committee will report by the last sitting day in 2018.

Environment and Transport and City Services—Standing Committee

Statement by member

MS ORR (Yerrabi) (10.53): I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to this inquiry, as an individual member, not as the chair.

Leave granted.

MS ORR: Canberra is often referred to as the bush capital, which is not surprising given the extent of nature we have always had within our city. In years gone by, maintaining a natural environment within our city boundaries has been made easier by the small population to land space ratio. But, as we know, Canberra is growing, and with this population growth comes the need to accommodate everyone who is catching on to what longer term residents have always known: our bush capital is a great place to call home.

It is well known that the expanding of populations leads to expanding urban areas, which can and does put pressure on the natural environment. This is especially the

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