Released 01/06/2016
Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick
Gentleman has announced $5.193 million in the 2016-17 Budget, to establish and
enhance new nature reserve and conservation areas in Gungahlin and in the
Jerrabomberra Valley in Canberra’s south.
“Threatened species and ecological communities, such as grasslands, are listed
as matters of environmental significance under the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Act 1999 and are an important consideration before any new
development begins,” Minister Gentleman said.
“As Canberra continues to grow it is crucial we ensure the important
environmental elements of our bush capital are able to flourish. The ACT
Government does this by establishing offset areas, which compensate for any
adverse environmental impacts associated with new developments.
“Near Gungahlin’s soon to be constructed suburb of Taylor, 120 hectares of land
will be set aside as an offset site to provide for the golden sun moth and box
gum woodland community.” Minister Gentleman added.
“Eastern Broadacre, an employment and industrial corridor which will be
established in selected areas between the Majura Valley and Hume, will
initially have 162 hectares of land dedicated to environmental offset. This
land will provide habitat for the striped legless lizard and natural temperate
grassland.
“As a leader in conservation management the ACT Government has also committed
to protect other species not impacted by these developments, but that are found
within the offset sites, such as the critically endangered grassland earless
dragon and button wrinklewort.
“A range of conservation activities will be undertaken as part of the offsets
on both sites through weed, pest animal and erosion control programs.
“Conserving the cultural
heritage of Symonston Aboriginal Quarry site, part of the Eastern Broadacre
area, will also be a focus. This includes delivering a community interpretation
program in partnership with the Traditional Custodians to raise awareness of
the indigenous cultural heritage within the local area.” Minister Gentleman
said.
“The funding will provide for the first stage of a project to plant native
wetland appropriate species traditionally used by the Ngunnawal people along
Jerrabomberra Creek as well as the control of local weeds.
“Once implemented, the ACT Government will continue to
monitor these offset sites to ensure the programs’ effectiveness. The
establishment of these environmental offsets and their subsequent activities
are a requirement prior to development occurring in the approved Gungahlin
Strategic Assessment and in anticipation of the conservation outcomes that will
be included in the Eastern Broadacre strategic assessments, which is currently
being prepared.” Minister Gentleman concluded.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases