ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING FORUM (EPF)
4.30 pm – 6.00 pm Thursday 2 March 2017
RECORD OF MEETING
Community Councils and Industry
Elizabeth Hirst – Belconnen Community Council
Damien Haas - Belconnen Community Council
Denis O’Brien – Belconnen Community Council
Larry O’Loughlin – Conservation Council
Stephen Hodge – Cycling Promotions Fund
Kevin Cox – Gungahlin Community Council
David Denham – Inner South Community Council
Chander Khera – Council of the Ageing
Glenys Patulny – Tuggeranong Community Council
Mike Reddy – Woden Valley Community Council
Fiona Carrick - Woden Valley Community Council
Andrew MacKenzie - ACT Institute of Landscape Architects
Alan Morsehel – Institute of Architects
Ewan Brown – Council of the Ageing
Leo Dobes – Inner South Canberra Community Council
ACT Government
Dorte Ekelund – Director-General, EPSDD
Gary Rake – Deputy Director-General, EPSDD (Chair)
Annie Lane, Executive Director, Environment, EPSDD
Margaret Kitchin, Senior Manager, Conservation Research, EPSDD
Claire Wimpenny, Ecologist, Conservation Research, EPSDD
Debbie Worner, Conservation Research, EPSDD
Brett Howland, Conservation Research, EPSDD
Fred Arugay, Customer Services, Access Canberra
Maria Wood, Customer Services, Access Canberra
Kathryn Rhook, Environment, EPSDD.
Helena Seagrott, Strategic Planning, EPSDD
Mayumi Smith (minute taker)
Andrew Pedersen – Director, Asset Acceptance, Schools and Active Travel, TCCS
Apologies
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
Adam Hobill – Building Designers Australia
Brett Phillips – Executive Director, Planning Delivery, EPSDD
Barbara Norman – Climate Change Council
Michael Hopkins – Master Builders Association
Clare Wall – Planning Institute of Australia
Craig Wallace – ACT Council of Social Services
Pat McGinn – Weston Creek Community Council
1) Welcome & Apologies
The Director-General, Dorte Ekelund, welcomed members to the first meeting for 2017.
2) Notes and actions from previous meeting – 8 December 2016
Following on from December’s meeting, David Denham asked about the certifier exempt development form and how it should include an option to show that City Services has been advised. Ms Ekelund thanked Mr Denham and agreed to follow up.
A summary of action items from the previous meeting is available in Appendix A.
3) Director-General’s update report
Dorte Ekelund summarised the DG report as well as distributing the full report to all members.
Larry O’Loughlin asked about Nature Based Tourism and whether the tourism is being run by Tourism ACT. Larry also pointed out that the environment should be maintained. It was confirmed that EPSDD is driving this activity.
In referencing the 10 tonne statistic of recycling from the Multicultural Festival, the question was asked whether this was compared to the amount consumed. Larry O’Loughlin pointed out that the total of the overall waste statistic would be useful to compare the recycling effort.
Andrew Pederson from the Active Travel Office was welcomed. Mr Pederson outlined a number of activities for active travel over the last few months including school supervisors at crossings, Park and Ride scheme and Ride and Walk week. Action: Active Travel Office activities will be circulated to all members.
Action: Add active travel as a standing agenda item to future EPF meetings.
4) Kangaroo Management Plan
Claire Wimpenny presented to the forum about the kangaroo management plan, a plan that has been in place since 2009. The current plan out for consultation is not a new plan. Canberra is often referred to as the bush capital and also the kangaroo capital. The plan is about protecting the ecosystems.
Leo Dobes asked about our methods for determining kangaroo numbers. Ms Wimpenny listed a number of methods including sweep count method, kangaroo pellet method and walkline count method.
Liz Hurst asked about the University of Canberra population and the response outlined a greenfield policy that is in place to look at this site.
Damien Haas asked about the government’s strategies for managing other than culling and fertility. Ms Wimpenny outlined darting as well as fencing being an option also.
Ewan Brown asked about the kangaroo population in new developments and it was relayed that kangaroos don’t typically move in residential areas eg. Lawson where the population remains largely the same.
David Denham asked about kangaroo management in Namadgi. Kangaroo management is addressed in the plan however this particular area is an animal welfare issue.
5) Lower Cotter Catchment Draft Reserve Management Plan
Debbie Worner presented to the forum on the Lower Cotter Catchment Draft Reserve Management Pan which was released for public comment in January. There have been significant changes in management of the area following the 2003 bushfires and the primary role is protection of water supply. Fire fuel and risk management is a major consideration.
A question raised from forum member asked if mountain bike single tracks were being considered for the Lower Cotter Catchment area. Formation of single tracks is not proposed as they are likely to be accessed for illegal trail bike riding.
Mike Reddy asked why fishing was prohibited on the Cotter Dam but permitted on the Googong Dam. A key reason is that the EHN virus has not established upstream of the Cotter Dam wall. Introduction of the virus on could have a major impact on the Commonwealth listed Macquarie Perch and other native fish species.
6) H2OK campaign
Kathryn Rhook outlined the water quality campaign – H2OK - being carried out by the directorate. This new education program is aimed atimproving the health of waterways in Canberra and the surrounding region including Queanbeyan, Cooma and Yass.
The campaign, officially called the ‘H2OK: Keeping our waterways healthy’ program is part of a joint Federal and ACT Government initiative to improve water quality in the ACT and wider Murray-Darling Basin. The biggest cause of water pollution in lakes and waterways is contaminated stormwater run-off from our streets, house blocks, development sites, retail and industrial areas.
Damien Haas invited the directorate to liaise with community councils to assist in areas to target or events to attend when promoting campaigns.
Kevin Cox asked about assistance being received from ICON Water. It was pointed out that ICON is part of the working group but they are also the asset owner as well as TCCS and NCA. These organisations are contributing in-kind for the campaign and are also partners in the campaign project.
Alan Morsehel asked about animal farmyard and chemicals in relation to this campaign. Ms Rhook said that the directorate is working with Drum Muster amongst other things. Ms Ekelund welcomed more ideas to promote the campaign.
Larry O’Loughlin asked if monitoring will occur to rate the success of the campaign. Ms Rhook confirmed that this will take place.
6) Gungahlin Planning Study refresh
Ewan Brown asked about parking and roads in relation to this planning study and pointed out that we need more parking.
Fiona Carrick wanted to know how this planning study relates to the master plan. Ms Carrick also asked if planning studies will happen in other districts. Ms Ekelund pointed out that the government is at the end of the formal master plan program.
Kevin Cox asked about development approvals and wanting more clarity in this area. Ms Ekelund pointed out that the impacts of each development is looked at which includes proximity to commercial and residential.
7) DA signs
Fred Arugay showed the new DA sign to all forum members. A number of changes have been made to ensure that information displayed on future DA signs make it easier for the community to understand details about the development application. New features such as a QR code will also be included in the new signage. It is expected that the new signage will start in the next few weeks.
Action: DA Finder App note will be sent to all forum members.
8) Members issues
No issues were raised.
9) Other business
Mike Reddy thanked Dorte Ekelund for her professionalism and active participation over the years given that this meeting is Dorte’s final forum attendance.
Appendix A
Action Summary Table
Action / Status8 December 2016
1 / Action item: Certifier exempt development form should include an option to show that City Services has been advised / To be completed
2 / Action item: Active Travel Office activities will be circulated to all members. / To be completed
3 / Action item: Add active travel as a standing agenda item to future EPF meetings / To be completed
4 / Action item: DA Finder App note will be sent to all forum members. / To be completed
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