Fwd: Update on Bluetts Block

[Steve Read via Canberrabirds <>]

Hi all

The Friends of Bluetts Block has circulated information on the ACT Government consultation process for reservation of parts of Bluetts Block - see below for details.

Canberra Birds (COG) will likely prepare a strongly supportive submission, as we have been part of the intensive lobbying efforts to date, but individual Canberra Birds members are also able to make their own individual submissions through the Territory Planning Authority website here.

Regards

Steve

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <>
Date: Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Subject: Update on Bluetts Block
To: <>

Dear Friends and Supporters of Bluetts Block

 

A nature reserve for Bluetts?

You will have seen the ACT Government announcement on 24 August that it has proposed that parts of Bluetts Block (specifically Stromlo block 403 and part of Denman Prospect section 2 block 12) be declared a nature reserve.

 

The Territory Planning Authority has just announced the commencement of public consultation on the proposal – see details at the website here. The consultation will run until 11 October, and following this a final decision will be made. So while this announcement is very encouraging, we shouldn’t just assume that we’ll get the outcome we hope for!

 

FOBB will be submitting comments as part of the consultation process, and we encourage individuals to also submit their comments. Details of how to submit comments are on the website linked above. A strong community response will demonstrate to whatever government is elected in October that the community puts a high value on protecting this area. FOBB plans to make a submission, and our points will include:

·        These blocks contain high value ecosystems, which include a number of threatened and rare species.

·        This land is also an important connectivity link across the ACT for a number of animals.

·        The population of the Molonglo valley is growing rapidly, and unless protected, these ecosystems next door could be rapidly degraded by domestic animals, weeds and inappropriate human use

·        Properly conserved, Bluetts Block can be a valuable educational and recreational asset to the Molonglo community and the ACT generally.

·        To be a truly viable nature reserve, Block 402 (currently leased to ANU, and containing grasslands of high environmental value) should be included in the nature reserve.

 

Developments on Block 12

Friends of Bluetts Block members have also been keeping an eye on the land being cleared on Block 12, which will become the suburb of “Stromlo Reach”. We have raised concerns with the Conservator of Flora and Fauna about apparent breaches of the terms of the approval in relation to protection of valuable mature eucalypts (important nesting sites) and destruction of wombat burrows without any notification or apparent relocation of their inhabitants. We encourage anyone visiting Bluetts to keep an eye out for issues of concern, and let FOBB know about this.

 

And a reminder to those of you with access to Facebook that people have been posting some wonderful photos of wildlife on the Bluetts Block Facebook page.

 

Best wishes

 

Friends of Bluetts Block

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