Purdon
engage@purdon.com.au
Re. Proposal for a 1000-home gateway greenfield estate in north Canberra
Friends of Grasslands (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 native 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.
The Conservation Council ACT Region (Council) is the leading environmental advocacy organisation and hub for community groups in Canberra. Our mission is to protect nature and create a safe climate future in the ACT and region.
We are grateful for the opportunity to provide early feedback on the proposed development, which we learned about via RiotACT.[1]
Mapping downloaded from ACTMapi (Figure 1) shows the presence of Box Gum Woodland and native grassland within the proposed area. In addition, the entire area is clearly dominated by native trees, likely to contain mature trees, the clearing of which is identified as a threatening process. The area is also a key connection between Mt Majura, Kenny and the Mulligans Flat/Goorooyaroo complex. Comparison between the ecological mapping and the proposed development (Figure 2) demonstrates a total lack of consideration of the ecological values and the proposed residential development.
The RiotACT report states; “A key feature of the proposal is for the development to sit in a natural setting with communal open spaces, parks and gardens, and many trees on the block retained, as well as formal plantings.” Given the proposal will result in destruction of much of the natural vegetation, we do not believe this proposal has merit. We urge further consideration of the proposal that avoids sensitive environmental areas identified by the ACT Government based on historic ecological studies.
To avoid impacts, and reduce the likelihood of years of delay, we urge reconsideration of the proposal to ensure it blends with the existing ecological environment both on site and in relation to the broader landscape.
We invite you to contact us to have further discussions about this matter. We can be contacted via the email address above.
Yours sincerely
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Professor
Jamie Pittock 18 December 2024 |
Dr Simon
Copland 18 December 2024 |
The proposal shown on your website, reproduced here for convenience:
Figure 1. Extract from ACTMapi showing the mapped vegetation: dark green: Box Gum woodland, light green: native grassland and native trees (centre).
Figure 2. Proposed development area (ref. RiotACT). Note the overlap of residential development over all the native grassland and most of the Box-Gum Woodland.
[1] https://the-riotact.com/plan-for-gateway-greenfield-estate-in-north-canberra-unveiled/833250