Page 1763 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012

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Wednesday, 2 May 2012

MR SPEAKER (Mr Rattenbury) took the chair at 10 am and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services—Standing Committee

Report 13

MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (10.01): I present the following report:

Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services—Standing Committee—Report 13—Inquiry into the Tidbinbilla Revised Draft Plan of Management 2011, dated 4 April 2012, together with a copy of the extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings.

I move:

That the report be noted.

Chapter 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2007 governs the management of territory public land, including the requirement for the preparation and update of plans of management. Mr Speaker, as you are aware, the committee’s report on the Tidbinbilla revised draft management plan for 2011 was presented out of session on 4 April 2012. The public land covered by the revised draft includes Tidbinbilla nature reserve; the former pine plantation at Paddys River, now Jedbinbilla; and Birrigai.

Tidbinbilla, located approximately 40 kilometres from Canberra, covers an area of 6,107 hectares and comprises a core conservation zone, the naturally vegetated mountains, hills and slopes that form the boundary to the Tidbinbilla valley; a conservation and rehabilitation zone at Jedbinbilla, the former pine plantation, as I said; and the developed recreation and educational zone, which includes Birrigai, the visitors centre and the sanctuary.

As noted in the draft plan on page 22:

The identification of the values attached to a place is an essential first step in formulating management requirements and preparing a management plan.

Established in 1962 as a fauna reserve, Tidbinbilla has a long history of facilitating and participating in environmental research, including wildlife conservation and captive husbandry and breeding programs. It is valued for its rich natural and cultural heritage. For example, it is an important site in the study of the prehistory of Australia, with archaeological evidence dating Aboriginal occupation of the area to some 21,000 years ago. It is also the setting for a range of recreational, educational and nature-based tourism experiences, designed to enhance the community’s understanding of the importance of environment protection and planning. I note that the annual Tidbinbilla Extravaganza was held on Sunday, 15 April and was attended by thousands of visitors.


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