ACT Tree replacement program 2009 nears completion

The ACT Government will soon complete a tree replacement program at 24 locations across Canberra. Under the program 282 trees in poor health and which pose public safety risks are being replaced with 588 trees. Work is expected to be complete by the end of next month. Each of the trees identified for replacement was thoroughly assessed by a tree expert with factors like the presence of die back, tree rot and hollows, as well as their location and general health, being carefully considered. In all cases pruning was closely considered first with complete removal being the last option.

Curfew4Canberra: Notice of upcoming Annual General Meeting (5 November 2009)

An open letter from the committee of Curfew4Canberra and details of their upcoming Annual General Meeting: Dear C4C Members, Friends and Supporters, It is now over 6 weeks since the Federal Minister’s disastrous decision to approve a 24-hour freight hub at Canberra Airport – a very sad day indeed for the Canberra we currently know and love. C4C’s committee recently met for the first time since this decision. We decided it was time for a frank letter to our members, friends and supporters, so here goes. The C4C campaign now finds itself in a very different era following Minster Albanese’s …

Public Meeting: Canberra Airport – 2010 Preliminary Draft Environment Strategy (20 October 2009)

A preliminary version of the 2010 Canberra Airport Draft Environment Strategy has been prepared by Canberra Airport Pty Ltd. The commencement of the public consultation period was advertised in the Canberra Times and Chronicles on the 29 September 2009. Canberra Airport now advise that a public meeting will be held to discuss the Preliminary Draft Environment Strategy. When: Tuesday 20 October 2009 Time: commencing 6:30pm Where: Alastair Swayn Theatre, Brindabella Conference Centre, 35 Brindabella Circuit, Brindabella Business Park, Canberra Airport. All interested parties are welcome to attend.

Watson Woodlands Working Group Update – securing the Woodlands

The Watson Woodlands Working Group recently met with Environment Minister Simon Corbell to seek the Minister’s support to change land use in Horse Paddock 7 in Block 1, Section 86 to ‘Land Use ‘Hills, Ridges and Buffer’ to establish a secure and permanent environmental link between CNP, and Watson Woodlands. The outcome from the meeting was positive and resulted in the Minister writing a supporting letter to the Minister for Planning, Andrew Barr who will be ultimately involved in making a decision on this matter.

Proposal to nominate Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

This article is from the latest edition of the Walter Burley Griffin Society newsletter. It is a really big idea, which all right-minded Canberrans should could embrace. That is, to nominate Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

WIN News: Wildfire Welfare

On Tuesday 06 October 2009, WIN News ran a story confirming separate concerns held by the Friends of Grasslands (reported in the news story from the ABC) that proposed expansion of the Airport would have a detrimental effect on local endangered and threatened grasslands and fauna. In this story the ACT Commissioner for the Environment – Maxine Cooper also confirms that she holds grave concerns about the proposed expansion of the Airport and a proposed northern road. The Canberra Airport claims it has “approval with conditions” for the road in their Draft Environmental Strategy for this road when in reality …