Released 25/07/2017
Justice Robert Hope Park will become a new nature reserve and the Pinnacle Nature Reserve will be extended under plans by the ACT Government.
A draft variation to the Territory Plan has been released for community consultation proposing changes to the zoning of these areas. This will preserve them as important areas for nature conservation into the future, particularly as they include endangered ecological communities and species.
“These additions to the nature reserve network will provide better protection to species and ecological communities listed under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act,” Minister Gentleman said.
“Draft Variation 349 will add 19.3 hectares (parts of blocks 1616 and 1370 Belconnen) to the existing Pinnacle Nature Reserve. It will also offset the impact from development of the University of Canberra Public Hospital, including 7.6 hectares of White Box–Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland.
“The 18.6 hectare Justice Robert Hope Park will be changed from being zoned Urban Open Space to being Hills, Ridges and Buffer with a nature reserve overlay. The park is dominated by large, old prolific trees that provide valuable habitat for canopy-dwelling birds and woodland fauna.
“The park will also offset the impact from the proposed 3 hectare medium-density development of neighbouring Block 9 Section 64 Watson and the extension of Negus Crescent to Antill Street at Prime Television, which has White Box-Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland.
“ACT woodlands are some of the biggest, best connected, most botanically diverse examples of their type still remaining in Australia and it is essential that we balance development with their protection,” Minister Gentleman said.
Full details of DV349 are available for public comment at www.act.gov.au/draftvariations
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases