Ah! That fantasy of lawmakers and administrators, ‘an educated population’.
Having taken previous generations of dogs to ‘Bluetts’ before it was of much interest from a bird viewpoint I remember when it was a favourite site for dog ‘exercising’. It was remote from housing
and the ‘use regime’ did not matter because no-one understood the different kinds of tenure that overlay the area. You only saw dog owners and trail bikers except when there was an occasional orienteering event.
Of more importance, I think, will be the cat arrangements. I see that Denman Prospect is to be a cat containment area. The interest of taxonomists will be excited by the associated classification
of different kinds of cat. Much will depend on people (and cats) knowing which is the applicable category.
Box 1: Categories of cats for management purposes Domestic—all cats with some dependence (direct or indirect) on humans. There are three sub-categories of domestic cats: Owned—these cats are identified with and cared for by a specific person
and are directly dependent on humans. They are usually sociable, although sociability varies. Semi-owned—these cats are fed or provided with other care by people who do not consider they own them. They are of varying sociability, with many socialised to humans,
and may be associated with one or more households. Unowned—these cats are indirectly dependent on humans with some having casual and temporary interactions with humans. They are of varying sociability, including some who are unsocialised to humans, and some
may live in groups (e.g. at common aggregation sites including rubbish tips, food outlets, coastal fishing spots associated with urban environments etc.). Feral—these cats are unowned, unsocialised, have no relationship with or dependence on humans, and reproduce
in the wild.2 (footnote)
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Steve Read via Canberrabirds
Sent: Sunday, 9 January 2022 7:33 PM
To: 'Peter Cranston' <>; 'Canberrabirds' <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Access to Bluett's Block blocked from Denman Prospect Shops.
Peter, all
I think Kim’s point was subtly but importantly different. It is dogs, not dog owners, that disturb wildlife. I support communities having places set aside for exercising dogs, but let’s not confuse
those with places set aside for conservation, as it is hoped that Bluetts Block will be. An educated local population will understand the difference.
Steve
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Peter Cranston via Canberrabirds
Sent: Sunday, 9 January 2022 7:22 PM
To: shorty <>
Cc: Canberra birds <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Access to Bluett's Block blocked from Denman Prospect Shops.
I hope Kim will withdraw her comment. The implication that denial of access to e.g. dog owners is beneficial ? Urban conservation of areas such as this requires an educated local population that will defend its right to be conserved as
open space, not for the exclusive use of birders. It is not wilderness but a common resource for those that live there, including dog owners.
Pete Cranston
Honorary Professor ANU
On Sun, Jan 9, 2022 at 7:08 PM shorty via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
But the Uriarra access gate has a sign " Danger, construction site, DO NOT ENTER " So it seems there is no access?
On Sun, Jan 9, 2022 at 6:18 PM Jean Casburn via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
Grading for housing development is well underway at the back gate end of Bluetts Block.
The best access into Bluetts is now via Uriarra road gate entry.
Unfortunate Denman Prospect residents now must walk along a boring track outside Bluetts and below the eastern side of the hill. The track leads to Uriarra Road from Holborow Bridge - and returns the same way – thus not even going into Bluetts Block.
Very disappointing that the promised access track into Bluetts has not been delivered.
Jean
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