Referral Business Entry Point, EIA Policy Section (EPBC Act)
Approvals and Wildlife Division
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
email: epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au

 

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

Jamieson House Redevelopment, St John's Church, Reid, ACT

Reference Number: 2011/5803

 

FOG notes that this proposed redevelopment of Jamieson House would not impact directly on natural temperate grassland or golden sun moth (GSM) habitat, with the impact being afternoon shading of GSM habitat (the effects of which are uncertain). FOG supports the proposed program of native grassland improvement, including removal of significant weed species and exotic grasses from the areas of the entrance verge and old horse paddock, and replacement by planting or sowing with suitable native grasses (particularly Austrodanthonia species) and forbs. We ask that this work be a formal commitment (perhaps a condition of approval) of the proposed redevelopment, and that it be maintained and monitored for at least five years to ensure the aim of “habitat improvement [that] is expected to create an environment which over time would facilitate the expansion of golden sun moth breeding habitat” is reached.

 

FOG notes that all construction works are to be confined to the Jamieson House site and the associated carpark to the north in order to avoid any direct impacts on natural temperate grassland or golden sun moth habitat. We ask that fences are maintained to ensure that no construction activity (including stockpiling of materials or soil wash out from the construction site) impinges upon the native grassland area in the informal carpark to the north of the proposed redevelopment site.

 

FOG is a community group dedicated to the conservation of natural temperate 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 more than 200 members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.

 

Sincerely yours

 

 

 

 

Geoff Robertson

President

 

24 January 2011