Page 3084 - Week 08 - Thursday, 15 August 2019
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Environment—protected native species
(Question No 2531)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 17 May 2019:
Will the list of protected native species required under the Nature Conservation Act be updated to include mammals.
Mr Gentleman: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
No. Native animals, including all native mammals are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 (the NC Act). The definition of an animal includes all animals except invertebrates, fish (or humans). An exception for this is a species that is also listed as a pest animal.
Invertebrates and fish become protected ‘animals’ when they are listed as protected native species, or if they are listed as threatened native species under the NC Act or listed as threatened or migratory species under the EPBC Act.
The Minister for the Environment and Heritage (the Minister) is required to make a list of native species that are ‘protected native species’ under section 111 of the Act. One of the objective of the protected species list is to bring some native species of fish and invertebrate into the Act. This means the animal offence provisions in Chapter 6 apply to protected fish and protected invertebrates (as they do to mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians). It is an offence under Chapter 6 of the Act to kill, endanger, harm, take or keep a native animal without a licence to do so by the Conservator of Fauna and Flora.
The protected species list provides the same level of protection to listed fish and listed invertebrates as that provided under Chapter 6 of the NC Act to mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. I am advised that there would be no additional protection provided through specifically listing mammals as protected species.
Planning—Watson
(Question No 2532)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Planning and Land Management, upon notice, on 17 May 2019:
(1) In relation to the Watson Horse Paddocks and Ted Noffs site (Watson sections 84, 85, 86, 87 and 75 (pt block 7 only), has the ACT Government, in the last four years, undertaken any investigations into (a) suitability of this land for land release or future development, (b) rezoning this land and (c) converting this land to nature reserve or environmental offset area.
(2) What conservation status (if any) does this land have.
Mr Gentleman: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1a) No.
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