Page 21 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 13 February 2018
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As a central recreation location for the rapidly growing Molonglo Valley region, it is vital that the final management plan strikes a balance between community use, cultural heritage and nature conservation. Community feedback will be critical to getting this balance right. The draft plan sets out guidelines on the protection of the significant features of the reserve such as the river, wildlife corridors, habitats, and heritage and recreation sites. It also defines boundaries, protects the diverse range of wildlife, combats land degradation, manages for bushfire and cares for cultural heritage.
The Fisheries Act review is another noteworthy project for our environment sector. We have a keen community of anglers here in the nation’s capital, so it is important that our legislation provides for sustainable fishing, protects our native fish species and guides the management of commercial fish operations. This is the first significant review of the Fisheries Act since 2000. It will make sure that the act is still relevant and up to date and that it addresses contemporary fisheries management issues.
The review is considering how we can achieve a balance between environmental, conservation and recreation values; align the legislation with other jurisdictions where appropriate; put in place appropriate offences and penalties; provide for the inclusion of cultural fishing by Indigenous and other cultural groups; best make provisions for the management of commercial trade; and improve the management of aquaponics and aquaculture. Great interest has been shown by local fishing clubs and anglers during the consultation, which closed early this month. Findings are now being analysed, with proposed changes to the legislation expected later this year.
It would be remiss of me if I did not give you an update on the healthy waterways project, which is making such a difference to Canberra’s water quality, amenity and recreation opportunities. Work is well underway on the $93.5 million healthy waterways project, a joint initiative of the ACT and Australian governments to improve the quality of water entering our lakes and waterways and flowing downstream into the Murrumbidgee River system. This includes capital works, investigations and community projects.
I would like to acknowledge the excellent work of the services in my police and emergency services portfolio and what they do on a daily basis to keep the Canberra community safe. I would like to acknowledge the commitment of the ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner, Dominic Lane, and the ACT Chief Police Officer, Assistant Commissioner Justine Saunders, to the community and to their officers. I can assure you this government is committed to keeping Canberra safe.
In 2018 my priority for emergency services and policing in the ACT is to ensure the ACT continues to be one of the safest communities in the world. The ACT Emergency Services Agency, or ESA, will recruit additional firefighters and paramedics to meet increases in demand and maintain our nation-leading response times; ensure our bushfire policy reflects best practice in fire preparedness and management; appropriately resource ACT Fire & Rescue, including the progression of procuring an aerial pumper to assist in servicing medium to high-rise buildings; and
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