Greetings, the COG Gang-gang Newsletter June, had information about the proposed development of this area for embassies and urban housing, and impacts for migrating birds. Gang-gang is available on the COG website, and has a link to the
Draft Amendment 95 to re-zone the land.
COG has sent a letter to the National Capital Authority, and is seeking consultation with NCA as plans are developed.
This is circulated for the information of members who may wish to send in their own letter. A strong community response is important.
Cheers
Jenny Bounds
COG Conservation Officer
Relevant text from COG letter to National Capital Authority 2 June 2020
“The area of DA 95 includes a site on the edge of north Curtin which has been monitored for birds on a weekly basis for the last 27 years, by a member of COG who lives immediately adjacent
to the site. The site and associated data are part of COG’s long-term Garden Bird Survey. The total bird list for the site of 169 species is very impressive for a peri-urban site of modified vegetation and mixed plantings, considering that the total number
of bird species recorded in the ACT is around 250. Part of the area of DA 95 is an important local corridor and seasonal habitat along Yarralumla Creek, for a significant number of birds on passage through Canberra. Both geographic and ecological factors
contribute to the special value that area of DA 95 has for birds.
This Yarralumla/Molonglo corridor connects to the Molonglo River and more broadly to habitats for a range of species to the west and into the Brindabella Ranges. Specifically, the treed/vegetated
area of the creek/gully line of Yarralumla Creek running through the lower part of the site adjacent to Curtin, with an area of lower open pasture, is essential for the viability of many bird species moving through the Molonglo and Woden Valleys. Insectivorous
birds on returning migration to the ACT in spring thrive on the abundant larvae (e.g. Day Pasture Moth) that emerge in spring. Regularly trillers, songlarks, whistlers, and woodswallows occur in the lowland pasture.
Fourteen of the bird species recorded at this site over time are on threatened species lists (Commonwealth, ACT, NSW), and others are regarded as decliners or of conservation concern. An
example is the Flame Robin, an altitudinal migrant which moves to lowland habitats in autumn/winter. There are also records of two important species listed under the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act (and ACT legislation), Superb Parrot and Swift Parrot.
On a broad landscape scale, the land subject to the DA is part of a large complex with mixed/varied habitats on Canberra’s western urban edge. This includes the parklands of the Governor-General’s
residence, Weston Park and Westbourne Woods, lowland woodlands in Stirling Park abutting Lake Burley Griffin, the Molonglo River corridor, and the National Arboretum, with connections to Black Mountain, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and the Woden
Valley. These areas/habitats, although modified to varying extents, all have habitat values and are used by a large range of birds.
Seasonal migration is a marked feature of bird movement in the ACT and high country, particularly over certain periods in spring and autumn. There is a significant occurrence of spring passage
migrants moving through urban Canberra and an autumn influx, including altitudinal migrants moving from higher altitudes to overwinter in lower altitude habitats. This includes urban-edge sites, nature reserves and parklands. The existing reserves and green
corridors in Canberra are very important to facilitate these seasonal bird movements, by providing shelter and food resources.
COG’s view is that there needs to be a conservation corridor conserved through the site, with appropriate zoning. It is noted in the DA document (page 13) that the application of an ‘open
space’ land use policy is mentioned for Yarralumla Creek and the land immediately either side. To function and remain viable for migrating birds, COG’s view is that this should be around 500 metres minimum width from the edge of Curtin suburb across Yarralumla
Creek, and include some lower slope open pasture/paddock area. It would be a positive inclusion in any final development plan for the whole area, if there was a preference for native vegetation in any new plantings.
This action would be also consistent with matters of national significance and objectives of the National Capital Plan as expressed on page 2 of the DA, such as “conservation and enhancement
of the landscape features …. which contribute to the integration of natural and urban environments”, and “protect the undeveloped hill tops and the open spaces which divide and give form to Canberra’s urban area”.
COG is seeking to engage in consultations, to work with the NCA about the use of the site, including giving input to any master plan which may be developed. COG has significant experience
in both local and strategic planning within the ACT for bird conservation outcomes. COG wishes to ensure that the significant values for birds in the Yarralumla/Molonglo corridor are taken into account and reflected in such plans, and that a reasonably sized
corridor is conserved in a way which will enable this to continue to function as an important local movement corridor and seasonal habitat resource for birds.”
