Page 2518 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 23 August 1994
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It is heartening that, at a time when many of Australia's wetlands have disappeared or are under threat, the ACT has an opportunity to promote wetlands as a valuable and necessary part of our natural heritage. The Jerrabomberra Wetlands plan is the first plan of this type to be laid before the Assembly under the provisions of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act. These provisions require the preparation of a management plan for an area designated as public land in the Territory Plan. As such, this plan represents the culmination of the planning process that started with the development of the National Capital Plan and, subsequently, the Territory Plan.
The Government's longer-term aim is to produce management plans for all areas of public land as identified by the Territory Plan. This was finalised late in 1993, and I am pleased to report that the draft management plan for the Canberra Nature Park and the Murrumbidgee River corridor are now well advanced and will soon be released for public comment. Namadgi National Park, which comprises nearly half the land area of the ACT, has had a management plan since June 1986. A review of that will start in the near future.
Public land is an asset that belongs to all of us. The Government, therefore, has encouraged all members of the community to have their say in how such land should be managed. The Parks and Conservation Service, in preparing the plan of management for the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, undertook a prolonged and extensive public consultation exercise. As well as publishing a draft plan to seek public comment, the service sought detailed input from the Jerrabomberra Advisory Group. This was formed of representatives from a wide spectrum of community groups, academic and research institutions, and government departments which had an interest in the wetlands.
Madam Speaker, the Government is confident that this plan of management is a reasonable reflection of the community's aspirations for this reserve. This plan will ensure its sustainable management for many years to come, and I commend it to you.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
SCRUTINY OF BILLS AND SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION -
STANDING COMMITTEE
Reports and Statement
MRS GRASSBY: I present reports Nos 11 and 12 of 1994 of the Standing Committee on Scrutiny of Bills and Subordinate Legislation. I seek leave to make a brief statement on the reports.
Leave granted.
MRS GRASSBY: Report No. 11 of 1994, which I have presented, was circulated when the Assembly was not sitting, on 23 June 1994, pursuant to the resolution of appointment of 27 March 1992. Report No. 12 of 1994 contains the committee's comments on 81 pieces of subordinate legislation and two Government responses. I commend the reports to the Assembly.
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