Page 3330 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018
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With this budget, the government continues to make sure that that our lived environment is the best it can be. This year, we are renewing our commitment to protecting Canberra’s natural environment by allocating $3.3 million for ecological conservation on the Molonglo River reserve and $1.2 million for land conservation management works in the Jerrabomberra valley.
We are also significantly investing in our environmental biosecurity programs that protect our unique landscapes and native flora and fauna from invasive species. Some $3.3 million will be used to reduce invasive plants and animals in natural habitats across Canberra, and $598,000 is allocated specifically for eradicating rabbits and hares from the Mulligans Flat sanctuary. On top of this, there is $175,000 to plant up to 5,000 trees under the Murrumbidgee River corridor million trees project.
The government’s efforts to preserve Canberra’s natural environment would not be possible without the work of groups like the Molonglo Catchment Group, the Southern ACT Catchment Group and the Ginninderra Catchment Group, who in particular do outstanding work. It comes as no surprise that we have allocated a significant amount of funding for these groups to support them during the transition to new Landcare funding arrangements. I am very pleased, like my colleagues, that we have been able to do that.
Every year, millions of visitors flock to Canberra to experience our magnificent wildlife. In fact, ecotourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the ACT, and it provides many opportunities for economic growth and for jobs. This government is continuing to follow through on the election promise to develop our city’s ecotourism strategy to provide better opportunities for local nature enthusiasts and environmental experts.
That is why we are contributing $1.6 million towards constructing an ecotourism learning centre at Mulligans Flat. The learning centre will be a doorway to the country’s largest patch of yellow box Blakely’s red gum grassy woodland, with its unique bouquet of native flowers and incredible variety of native plants and creatures. It will bring together students, researchers, conservationists, visitors and the local community and inspire them to take part in preserving and enhancing our natural landscapes.
While I have the opportunity, I want to put on the record my thanks in particular to Dr Kate Grarock who, from what I have witnessed, has been one of the key people, if not the key person, who has helped give Mulligans Flat not only national but international prominence through her tireless work and advocacy, including through her Twitter alter ego—but he is an actual creature—Brian Bettong. It is my hope, and indeed my expectation, that this investment from the government further enhances this work. I really want to thank Dr Kate for all that she has done in promoting Mulligans Flat.
As Canberra grows up and out, we also need to ensure that our growing community has access to well-designed buildings, reliable infrastructure and welcoming and accessible public spaces that also protect our environment. This budget recognises the
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