16 September 2008 -
Environmental assessment of urban development
at Molonglo and north weston
In a landmark agreement, the
Australian and ACT Governments will conduct
the first strategic environmental assessment
in Australia for urban development.
ACT Minister for Planning,
Andrew Barr said urban development in the
Molonglo Valley is a key part of the Government’s
strategy to develop Canberra on an environmentally
sustainable basis. The strategic assessment
will ensure that development in Molonglo
and North Weston is carried out in an environmentally
sustainable way.
“Molonglo will eventually
be home to about 55,000 Canberrans and will
include affordable housing,” Mr Barr said.
“Molonglo has been identified as a sustainable
development because it is centrally located,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing
transport distances. The proposed north
– south arterial road will provide a public
transport corridor that could include light
rail. Molonglo will also be developed under
new guidelines which require a 40 per cent
reduction in mains water use in new developments.
“The ACT Government
is determined to ensure the development
of Molonglo will be as environmentally sustainable
as possible. That’s why we have ruled-out
developing central Molonglo to protect the
habitat of vulnerable species such as the
Little Eagle and the Brown Tree Creeper.
And that’s why I am pleased to be able to
announce this strategic environmental assessment
with Minister Garrett today.
”This assessment will
provide further protection for our environment
and is a great example of Labor Governments
working together for the good of our environment
and the Canberra community,” Mr Barr said.
Minister Garrett said
a strategic assessment will ensure sustainable
development and matters of national environmental
significance are considered early in the
development planning process.
“This is the first strategic
assessment of large scale urban development
under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999,” Minister
Garrett said. “It will deliver on the Council
of Australian Government’s commitment to
harmonising national, state and territory
assessment processes and will provide greater
certainty to government, the community and
industry.
“I am keen to use innovative
approaches under the Act, such as strategic
assessments, to achieve regional biodiversity
and environmental protection outcomes. The
use of strategic planning, assessment and
approvals provisions of the Act will mean
more timely and efficient measures for protecting
our unique environment and facilitating
sustainable development,” he said.
Mr Barr also released
for public comment draft terms of reference
for the assessment which will be available
for public comment until October 20, 2008.
The strategic assessment
will be conducted in accordance with s146
of the EPBC Act. The strategic assessment
agreement and Draft Terms of Reference are
available for download from both the Commonwealth
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage
and the Arts website at: http://www.environment.gov.au,
and the ACT Planning and Land Authority’s
website at:http://www.actpla.act.gov.au
+ More
Minister launches unique
Sydney Harbour campground
19 September 2008 -
Minister launches unique Sydney Harbour
campground (PDF - 30 KB)
Environment Minister Peter Garrett today
officially opened the exciting new campground
on Cockatoo Island - the largest island
in Sydney Harbour and just eight minutes
from Australia’s largest city.
“From a former convict
prison and shipbuilding yard this Island
is becoming a landmark attraction in one
of the world’s most recognisable harbours,
surrounded by some of the world’s most recognisable
architecture in the Sydney Harbour Bridge
and the Opera House.
“In a few short years,
the Trust has decontaminated the island
and made great progress in conserving and
rehabilitating its buildings and facilities.
“The campground is the
latest venture by the Sydney Harbour Federation
Trust to breathe new life into the island
and offers visitors from around the world
a unique camping experience.”
Mr Garrett said that
Cockatoo Island’s reputation as a place
to visit had grown in recent years following
the success of a number of cultural events
including a music festival and the recent
Biennale of Sydney which attracted over
80,000 people to the island.
“A visit here to this
campground with its state-of-the-art solar
powered facilities, is a wonderful way to
experience the sights and sounds of Sydney
and learn something of the rich history
of this Heritage Listed site.”
Mr Garrett said the
former convict prison on Cockatoo Island
was one of a number of convict sites around
Australia nominated for world heritage listing.
Cockatoo Island’s history
is emblematic of the history of Sydney.
It started life as a convict prison in the
1840s, became an industrial school and reformatory
and reverted to a gaol in the late nineteenth
century.
Maritime activity on
the island began with the construction by
convicts of the Fitzroy Dock in the late
1840s. In the 20th century, Cockatoo Island
became the biggest shipbuilding yard in
Australia, operating until the early 11000s.
