One of the reasons people love living in Canberra is for the closeness to nature. From the waterways to the mountains to all the parks, reserves, grasslands, woodlands and wetlands in between. Our environment is diverse and home to flora and fauna that is critical to our conservation and climate action goals, as well as our bush capital character
This is something I know that Canberrans value and want to see protected far into the future.
Most of us have a favourite spot to walk, cycle or have fun with loved ones. Many of us too, have things we cherish in the environment around us - for me it’s the cockatoos that visit my back garden in the morning.
Over the years, we have created a great deal of legislation and run countless programs to restore, improve and protect the 236,000 hectares of nature reserve and national park, and 6,600 hectares of public urban open space in the ACT.
By focusing on what kind of outcomes Canberrans want from the built environment and land around them, rather than just a stack of rules and regulations, the new planning system will better enable the ACT Government to prepare for population growth and climate change.
One of the ways the new planning system proposes to do this is by setting out a range of short, medium and long-term planning considerations of the ‘blue-green networks’ in each district.
The ‘blue-green network’ refers to all the vegetation, nature reserves, open spaces, water bodies and cultural heritage sites that exist in each district.
In Tuggeranong, the ‘green’ areas we’re paying particular attention to include: McQuoids Hill, Urambi Hills, Farrer Ridge, Wanniassa Hill, Pine Island, Tuggeranong Hill and Rob Roy Range nature reserves, which are home to threatened species of flora and fauna.
While the ‘blue’ areas the new planning system focuses on through the district strategy include: Lake Tuggeranong, Tuggeranong Creek, Village Creek, Wanniassa channel, the creek line through Gordon and Conder, and along the Murrumbidgee as it flows along the periphery of the district and along the Monaro Highway.
These areas are important natural assets in their own right, and together play a critical role in the ecosystem that we must make a priority as we ensure the local environment is a treasure for future generations of Canberrans.
The blue-green network belongs to us all and its future matters to each and every one of us. That’s why I’m asking you to take the time to read your local District Strategy and let us know what initiatives and what areas you think should be priorities.
Some things you might consider:
- Where buffer zones between property developments and ecosystems are needed?
- Where nature corridors should go to ensure native animals can nest, thrive and grow?
- Where new walking and bike paths, seating, picnic areas and play equipment should be installed?
- Where accessibility options, like disabled parking or wider paths for prams, are needed?
To find out more, check out the Tuggeranong District Strategy - page 96-99 of the contains some of the key environmental information.
