My understanding is that an underpass will be retained/built specifically to allow wildlife movement. This would be an improvement because the current underpass is fenced and doesn’t
allow free movement. But it won’t allow people any access from the new road.
Julian
From: Alison <>
Sent: Friday, 17 December 2021 7:19 PM
To: ; 'Steve Read' <>;
Subject: RE: [Canberrabirds] Fwd: Kama Nature Reserve access to cease due to duplication of William Hovell Drive
Does this also mean that the old cattle under pass ‘almost’ connecting The Pinnacle and Kam will be permanently removed? This is not a good option.
From: Canberrabirds
On Behalf Of
Sent: Friday, 17 December 2021 5:24 PM
To: 'Steve Read' <>;
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Fwd: Kama Nature Reserve access to cease due to duplication of William Hovell Drive
I just checked the Q and A referenced by Steve and it currently says
“After discussions with Parks and Conservation Service, there will be no public access to either of the nature reserves off William Hovell Drive. There is access to The Pinnacle
Nature Reserve from the north via Weetangera and a new carpark will be built in Whitlam on the eastern edge of Kama Nature Reserve providing a safe entrance away from high-speed traffic. Also, not having access from William Hovell Drive will eliminate the
traffic conflict of vehicles in entering and exiting the road in this location.”
This may have been changed in the last few days.
There is no mention of “Kama Nature Reserve will only be accessible to Parks and Conservation Service”, and it notes that alternate access
will be provided from Whitlam. This might be significant re any response from COG or COGer’s. The new access might cause over-use as Steve mentions.
Julian
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Steve Read via Canberrabirds
Sent: Friday, 17 December 2021 12:05 AM
To: 'Canberrabirds' <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Fwd: Kama Nature Reserve access to cease due to duplication of William Hovell Drive
Hi all
COG has been informed that access to the Kama block of the Molonglo River Reserve is planned to cease on duplication of this road.
Details of this are in the email chain below. The information that Kama Nature Reserve will only be accessible to Parks and Conservation Service
can also be found by navigating to
https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/WHDupgrade/WHD-details#faq
then selecting the Roads and Public Transport tab, then the question
“What public access arrangements will there be for the Kama and Pinnacle nature reserves?”
.
Kama is of course a prime birding site close to Canberra (347 eBird checklists with 135 species). It is described on ACT government websites
https://www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/parks-and-reserves/find-a-park/molonglo-river-reserve/molonglo-river-reserve
https://www.environment.act.gov.au/nature-conservation/reserve-management-plans
as being part of the Molonglo River Reserve public reserve.
Members may wish to submit comments to the ACT Government on this potential closure using the ‘Have Your Say” function at
https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/WHDupgrade/william-hovell-drive-upgrade-feedback
(you will need to create an account) or by emailing the ACT Government at
Other possible access solutions for Kama could be considered, including through the new suburb of Whitlam, but the difficulty will be to balance
sufficient access to public woodland with mitigating any impacts from potential overuse of the reserve.
The closing date for comments is 11:59 pm on Sunday 19 December.
Regards
Steve
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Steve Read
0408 170915
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