East Molonglo/Coppins Crossing area

["Jenny Bounds" <>]

Greetings all: Im pleased that Martin has raised the future urban development issue in this area.  A 16 gigalitre lake which the planning authorities are proposing on the Molonglo R downstream of Scrivener Dam, will come 2.8km downstream of Coppins Crossing and housing is planned for both sides of the river - its called the East Molonglo area on the planning maps.  Community environmental groups are concerned about the lake proposal for a number of reasons, particularly as it will destroy the lower Molonglo River's river's function/integrity, and there are less environmentally damaging ways to deal with urban run-off and water quality etc.  A lake is really an outdated approach and there are also doubts it will fill. 

 

While COG has not opposed housing in the burnt pine forest areas and degraded rural lands in the East Molonglo area (the area north of Weston Creek), we are particularly concerned about the central Molonglo area proposed for housing, which is west of William Hovell Drive adjacent to Belconnen - this area has high quality woodlands and grasslands and bird habitats, eg Little Eagle, Brown Treecreeper.  There are details in the May Ganggang if anyone wants to write letters to the politicians about Molonglo Valley development and more info on the Conservation Council website  www.consact.org.au as well as the ACT Planning and Land Authority website.  http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/topics/programs_projects/planning_studies/molongolo_planning_study/background

 

Now is the time to write with your views, as ACT Gov Cabinet will make the decision soon.

 

cheers

Jenny.