Dr Alan N Cowan

144 Hopetoun Circuit
Yarralumla ACT 2600

Andrew Smith
Chief Planner Tel 62813038
The National Capital Authority
Canberra

SUBMISSION ON A PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP STIRLING RIDGE

Dear Sir
I am writing this in response to the NCA circular “New Diplomatic Estate” which proposes three possible locations for development.

A signed copy of this submission is being mailed.

This submission relates to the area south-west of Stirling Ridge, Yarralumla.

Of the three areas identified as possible sites for diplomatic estates, this area is the only one which is in immediate proximity to existing residential housing. This apart from any other factor would appear prima facie to make it the least suitable of the three sites.

The area comprising the eucalyptus woodland on Stirling Ridge, the open grass paddock adjacent to Fitzgerald St, the pin oak tree line along Fitzgerald St and the pine plantation extending from the Hopetoun Circuit-Fitzgerald St junction along Hopetoun Circuit to the lake constitutes a conservation area of high value. We have lived here for 24 years and during that time we have come to appreciate the area as a precious resource.

It is used intensively by local and other residents for recreation including walking, running, orienteering, cycling, and dog walking. Children play and build cubbies in the pine plantation.

We walk every day in this area and I have systematically recorded birds and other species. The grassland holds Brown Hares and Stubble Quail. Bearded Dragons, which are increasing in numbers, have recently extended their range into the grassland. The pin oaks are used for shelter and staging by migrating birds, particularly Scarlet Robins in autumn and Leaden Flycatchers in spring. The pine trees in this and similar areas must have saved the lives of large numbers of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos after the 2003 fires: most unusually, large flocks invaded the area at that time to feed on the pine kernels. These pines are also frequented by migrating Rose Robins, and by Grey Currawongs, Superb Fairy-wrens and several Thornbill species. Australian Magpies and Collared Sparrowhawks have been recorded nesting in the pines. The grassed area under the pin oaks on the corner of Fitzgerald St and Hopetoun Circuit is frequented in winter and spring by large flocks of King Parrots, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas and Galahs, as well as Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, all of which feed on the fallen acorns. It is also popular with foraging White-winged Choughs.

The eucalyptus woodland is of unusual ecological richness with an extensive list of birds, mammals and reptiles. (See appended lists.) Major tree species include Eucalyptus Mannifera Maculosa, E Rossii, E Viminalis and E Globulus.

Development would entail destruction of the pin oaks and pines. In addition, security measures round embassies could well restrict public access to the area. While it might not encroach directly on the native woodland, such development could seriously degrade the conservation value of this whole area: the pines along Hopetoun Circuit provide a corridor for wildlife between Fitzgerald St and Hopetoun Circuit and the woodland. Piecemeal destruction of habitat tends to carry with it more far-reaching effects than anticipated by planning authorities.

I have compiled the following lists of animals seen in the area. Included are birds in flight.

BIRD LIST

Australian Pelican
White-faced Heron
Royal Spoonbill
Pacific Black Duck
Maned Duck (Wood Duck, Maned Goose)
Grey Teal
Black-shouldered Kite
Brown Goshawk
Collared Sparrowhawk
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Little Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Brown Falcon
Australian Hobby
Stubble Quail
Painted Button-quail
Silver Gull
Common Bronzewing
Feral Pigeon
Crested pigeon
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Galah
Little Corella
Australian King-Parrot
Red-rumped Parrot
Crimson Rosella
Eastern Rosella
Pallid Cuckoo
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
Common Koel
Southern Boobook
Tawny Frogmouth
White-throated Needletail
Fork-tailed Swift
Laughing Kookaburra
Sacred Kingfisher
Dollarbird
Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin
Richard’s Pipit
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Blackbird
Rose Robin
Flame Robin
Scarlet Robin
Golden Whistler
Rufous Whistler
Grey Shrike-thrush
Leaden Flycatcher
Rufous Fantail
Grey Fantail
Willie Wagtail
Superb Fairy-wren
White-browed Scrubwren
Speckled Warbler
Weebill
Western Gerygone
White-throated Gerygone
Brown Thornbill
Buff-rumped Thornbill
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Yellow Thornbill
Striated Thornbill
Varied Sitella
White-throated Treecreeper
Red Wattlebird
Noisy Friarbird
Noisy Miner
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
White-eared Honeyeater
White-plumed Honeyeater
White-naped Honeyeater
Eastern Spinebill
Spotted Pardalote
Striated Pardalote
Silvereye
House Sparrow
Red-browed Firetail
Double-barred Finch
Common Starling
Common Myna
Olive-backed Oriole
Satin Bowerbird
White-winged Chough
Australian Magpie-lark
Dusky Woodswallow
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Pied Currawong
Grey Currawong
Australian Raven

MAMMAL LIST

Red Fox
Brown Hare
Sugar Glider
Short-beaked Echidna
Bush Rat
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Black Wallaby

REPTILE LIST

Eastern Blue-Tongued Lizard
Bearded Dragon

Yours sincerely

Dr Alan N Cowan