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Canberra Today 24°/28° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Gungahlin bush protected

GRASSY woodlands in the proposed Gungahlin suburb of Throsby will be protected due to an ACT Greens motion passed yesterday.

However, Opposition Leader Zed Seselja said ACT Green’s admission yesterday that Throsby should be “a no-go zone for development” means further pain for the people of Gungahlin and will potentially lead to road upgrades being delayed or prevented.

The motion called the government to ensure a full assessment of the environmental values of the yellow box/red gum woodlands in the  Throsby area, be assessed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, create a vegetation and biodiversity overlay for planning GIS maps and ensure the fire asset protection zones fall outside of environmentally sensitive areas.

“The Greens were pleased today to gain Government support for this motion.  I believe it reflects the values of the Bush Capital, that we must protect our natural environment as development of our city occurs,” Greens Environment spokesperson Shane Rattenbury said.

“Many experts have indicated that the proposed Throsby development is in a very environmentally sensitive area, and we need to take good care not to destroy bushlands and grasslands of high conservation value.

“The negative outcome from this motion today came from the reaction of the Canberra Liberals, who have again abandoned the natural environment in Gungahlin in order to support development at any cost.

“Zed Seselja’s opposition to protecting the Bush Capital’s environment is out of touch with the values of Canberrans who want to preserve the unique character of our city, even as it grows.

“It’s clear from all the evidence, including recent ecological connectivity studies, that the development of this suburb is of great concern. This area juts into the two nature reserves and is of high priority in regards to improving connectivity. For that reason alone, a change to the urban development footprint should be considered.”

Mr Seselja said as well as openly stating they’re against residential development in Throsby, the Greens with Labor support have sought Federal Government intervention in the assessment process through the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

“The last time the Greens sought to intervene in this way was when Bob Brown attempted to stop the Gungahlin Drive extension. The difference this time is that the Greens are now in coalition with Labor at both a Federal and a local level,” he said.

“Stopping any development at Throsby will add to the cost of land in Canberra, push up rents, and frustrate plans for a Catholic high school in the area.”

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Ian Meikle, editor

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