Page 3770 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014

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proposed to be added to the territory’s reserve network. These include areas such as Callum Brae, Goorooyarroo, Kama, west Jerrabomberra, Conder, Percival Hill, Kinlyside, Molonglo, east Bonner, north and east Throsby, and Kenny. Of the restoration projects underway, the largest is the restoration of the ACT and greater Goorooyarroo woodlands. This six-year project that began in 2012 aims to protect, consolidate and connect 60,000 hectares—60,000 hectares, Madam Speaker—of the largest box gum grassy woodland landscape left in Australia through on-ground restoration and rejuvenation works.

This is improving the biodiversity of this area, improving the carbon-storing capacity of the landscape, helping to increase the local environment’s capacity to respond to a changing climate. We have seen dedicated CSIRO research that has shown most animals in our region will not usually cross a canopy gap of greater than 100 metres and will not travel far from a 10-hectare area. We are using this knowledge to improve the connectivity of these nature reserve areas to improve the biodiversity that is present in them.

The Mulligans Flat woodland sanctuary was established by this Labor administration in 2009 with the aim of restoring the woodlands to pre-1850 conditions. As a result of the leading-edge research at the sanctuary, at Mulligans Flat and at the adjacent sanctuary, we have seen the successful reintroduction of eastern bettongs into the community. (Time expired.)

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.

MS BERRY: Minister, how does protecting our woodlands benefit Canberrans?

MR CORBELL: These woodlands, as I said, are central to maintaining our reputation as the bush capital, something that all Canberrans love and value. But they also have broader benefits. They have broader benefits in terms of our contribution to protecting the environment more broadly. For example, more than 30 migrating bird species make their way to the territory each year. They fly down from northern New South Wales, from Queensland; some of them even come further, including from locations such as Papua New Guinea. They come here because of the excellent grassy woodland habitat.

These migratory birds are just one part of the reason that so many Canberrans and visitors to the territory alike use our woodlands for recreational purposes. By improving these woodland communities, we are increasing the opportunity for Canberrans to experience a rich and diverse environment that provides a wide variety of animals—birds, insects and reptiles—with a wonderful variety of native vegetation. It is this government’s investment in these woodland communities that is helping to preserve and protect the beautiful qualities of our bush capital.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.

DR BOURKE: Minister, could you tell us more about the threats to these woodlands, particularly from those weeds and pest animals?


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