Tree Destruction continued - Throsby issue

["Jenny Bounds" <>]

For info, re the comments on the proposed Throsby development, the Conservation Council's Biodiversity Group has this on its agenda.  We visited some of the northern blocks before Xmas, which are ACT Gov owned, agisted blocks.  These are actually good quality native grasslands, which have never been properly assessed, and are not mapped at all in the government's woodland or grassland action plans; the blocks are currently being managed for conservation by the reserve managers (eg to collect native grass seed for restoration works), so stock is off and its been a good season for the native species.  Apparently, from what we can find out, it looks like these blocks were overlooked by consultants when in very overgrazed and poor condition some years ago, and dismissed as a clapped out sheep paddock.  We recorded Golden Sun Moth on that visit - its on the threatened lists, and is known in nearby Goorooyarroo.  If you are interested in our report which has a species list, I can email it.

 

We will be working on a strategy to involve others such as the Mulligans Flat Sanctuary Steering Commitee, ACT Flora and Fauna Committee etc, to put some pressure on to have this area properly assessed and incorporated in the reserves.  But there is also more land further south (probably leasehold) which needs to be looked at - we dont know what is there, what its quality is etc, and it also looks like its never been properly inventoried.   

cheers

Jenny