Page 3329 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018

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When we talk about the bush capital, we are making reference in part to the fact that 70 per cent of land in the ACT is undeveloped and either protected in national parks and nature reserves or managed as pine plantation. The ACT also plays home to the preservation of the largest public patch of nationally endangered yellow box woodland inside Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary. The ACT government is expanding the predator-proof fence at the sanctuary to further the vital research and restoration work taking place inside.

In future years the potential for more reintroductions and the stabilisation of populations of species such as the eastern bettong, eastern quoll and the bush stone curlew offers the opportunity to explore ecotourism and education within the sanctuary. The budget provides $1.5 million towards an ecotourism woodlands learning centre. The centre will offer a tourism experience for visitors to Mulligans. With a cafe, community-use space and interactive displays, the work being done in the sanctuary and the cultural and historical significance of the site will be better understood and appreciated by visitors.

Of course, while we commit to restoration and preservation, it is important to ensure we protect our native species from invasive pests and plants. The budget provides for this both inside the sanctuary and more broadly, with $598,000 over the next three years going towards eradicating rabbits and hares from within the extension to the predator-proof fence at Mulligans Flat. Two new rangers will be employed by the ACT government, and investment will be made in more habitat management to reduce invasive pests and plants, including feral deer, within the ACT.

The ACT leads the nation in environmental management and the reduction of carbon emissions. Our investment in renewables has long underpinned the industry in Australia, and the ACT is pioneering restoration and preservation activities in Mulligans Flat and Tidbinbilla.

The ACT is helping Canberrans lower their cost of living through lower electricity bills. I look forward to working with my government colleagues and peers around the Assembly to further the leadership of the ACT in this space. We have to look after the environment so that the environment can look after us.

MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (4.24): As we have heard just now from Ms Orr, Canberra is Australia’s bush capital. Right here in our backyard we are surrounded by trees, lakes, bushland, mountains and rivers. We share our home with countless creatures, from the striking gang-gang cockatoo to my favourite, the southern brush-tailed wallaby. Our air is scented with eucalyptus and filled with golden wattle flowers in spring, if that is your thing.

Here in Canberra, we have done what capital cities across the world have struggled to do: preserved our natural treasures. In fact, 70 per cent of ACT land is protected in nature reserves, national parks and plantations. This includes the largest areas of nationally endangered yellow box woodland and temperate grassland in the country.


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