Mr Andrew Smith

Chief Planner

National Capital Authority

GPO Box 373

CANBERRA ACT 2601
email: draft.amendment@natcap.gov.au

 

 

Dear Mr Smith

 

Draft Amendment 75: Australian Defence Force Academy and Royal Military College Duntroon Master Plan

 

Friends of Grasslands (FOG) is a community group dedicated to the conservation of indigenous grassy ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. FOG advocates, educates and advises on matters to do with the conservation of grassy ecosystems, and carries out surveys and other on-ground work. FOG is based in Canberra and its members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.

 

In considering this draft amendment, FOG is pleased to note that the objectives of the Master Plan include conservation of significant natural heritage values, and that an area of box-gum woodland and natural temperate grassland has been marked as a constraint (see Figure 1).

 

However, in looking at the zone map (Figure 2), FOG is disappointed to see that some of this endangered grassy ecosystem area has been zoned for future development (area FD in Figure 2). The northern half of the FD area contains both box-gum woodland and natural temperate grassland, both endangered ecosystems. The box-gum woodland portion is relatively small but is contiguous with a significant patch of box-gum woodland in ACT lands adjoining the site in question. The entire woodland patch is a very important bird habitat. The natural temperate grassland area is important habitat for several endangered species, in particular the southern lined earless dragon.

 

FOG asks that the northern half of the area marked for future development be added to the adjoining open space area and be managed for conservation in perpetuity. Both this area and the open space area should be zoned to ensure the retention of this significant site in the longer term.

 

FOG agrees to its name and submission being published on the NCA website.

 

Sincerely yours

 

 

 

 

John Fitz Gerald

President

 

4 May 2012