Page 2888 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 14 August 2019
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MR PARTON: Minister, perhaps more broadly, what is your plan to assess and remediate damage caused to private property by ACT-owned trees?
MR STEEL: In certain circumstances it is appropriate for the territory to provide compensation in relation to damage. That is assessed on an individual case-by-case basis. I am not aware of the specifics in relation to this case. I will assess those, have a look, get some advice from the department in relation to what is happening there, and come back to the Assembly.
Government—support for environment groups
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Environment and Heritage. Minister, what support has the government recently provided to environment groups in the ACT?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Orr for her interest in the environment. It was good to see her at the Holder wetlands on the weekend for the celebration of Landcare. We are fortunate to live in Australia’s bush capital, with environmental assets ranging from the snow-capped Brindabellas to the critically endangered natural temperate grasslands. Within this setting, the ACT government recognises the wonderful contribution of ACT environmental groups and what they have achieved in protecting our environment.
With the commonwealth government discontinuing its previous funding arrangements for the ongoing operation of community and environment groups, the ACT government responded in 2018-19 by providing $352,000 to assist Ginninderra, Molonglo and southern ACT catchment groups respectively to explore business models aimed at sustainable and diverse funding avenues.
The ACT government is also contributing towards the ongoing funding of the award winning citizen science programs, Waterwatch and Frogwatch. The Waterwatch program develops an annual catchment condition report that includes contributions of 200 volunteers conducting 1,861 water quality surveys, 199 water bug surveys and 210 riparian condition surveys. These are all good numbers.
There are also 20 volunteer ParkCare groups operating on national park estate in the ACT and 34 urban Landcare groups operating within our urban reserves. We can support the environment because of sensible economic management showing that you can grow the economy while protecting the environment. Pursuing the efficiency agenda of those opposite means cuts and threatens the bush capital.
MS ORR: Minister, was there any support for groups or projects in my electorate of Yerrabi?
MR GENTLEMAN: That is an excellent question from a member who is passionate about their local environment and nature. The Ginninderra Creek weaves its way through the Gungahlin region, via the Kaleen and Giralang suburbs, to Ginninderra Falls, then into the Murrumbidgee River. Within this landscape the Ginninderra
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