7 The Environment

Introduction

The 1999-2000 environment budget continues to demonstrate the ACT Government’s strong commitment to conserving and enhancing the environment. In support of its objective of raising community living standards on a sustainable basis the government will continue to be a leader in best practice, innovative environmental management and heritage protection. The Environment Budget provides the framework to integrate environment and heritage policies in the whole range of governmental responsibilities to ensure that there is a holistic approach to developing Canberra and the region. The Government recognises the importance of linking the environmental health of the city with the general well-being of the community. To achieve this goal the ACT Government will continue to work with environmental groups, the community and others to ensure that the ACT environment is managed efficiently and sustainably.

The 1999-2000 environment budget builds on the efforts of previous years. The Government believes that these achievements demonstrate its commitment to the environment and to fostering sound environmental values. Its work has received positive encouragement from the 1997 Australian Capital Region State of the Environment Report. Major achievements of 1998-99 included the implementation of significant new legislation, the Environment Protection Act 1997 and the Water Resources Act 1998, which will contribute to maintaining the ACT environment to a high standard.

In addition to this legislation, since the last budget the Government has:

In 1999-2000, the Environment Budget highlights the commitment of the ACT Government by targeting a number of issues and ensuring the following:

Information, education and awareness

Community Awareness Campaign

The ACT Government launched its Environment Awareness Campaign in 1998-99 and this will be continued in 1999-2000. The campaign aims to increase the ACT community’s understanding of environmental issues. The theme is "Our Environment, it’s in your hands", addressing issues such as magpies, greenhouse, endangered species, water use, contaminants, pollution and sensible practices with waste.

Elements of the campaign in 1999-2000 will include environmental awareness displays at major shopping centres, launches of government strategies and policies, and enhancing Environment ACT’s website, Helpline and the Environment Information Centre at Macarthur House.

ACTEW Corporation will continue its efforts to enhance community participation and environmental awareness by promoting Greenchoice, conducting community environment forums and promoting the Xeriscape Gardens in Weston.

Nature Based Tourism

Environment ACT is working with the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation, local tourism operators and Commonwealth departments to improve a number of significant sites and services for visitors and Canberrans to heighten their enjoyment of the bush capital. In 1998-99 these included implementing the Campground Strategy for ACT Parks and Forests, constructing new amenities at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and developing information and interpretive materials at reserves. In 1999-2000, new developments will include:

Management of Campgrounds

Following release of the 1997 ACT Campground Strategy, a new campground was constructed on the site of the former space tracking station at Honeysuckle Plateau in Namadgi National Park. The campground, which cost approximately $0.18m to construct, was jointly funded by the Government and the Office of National Tourism. It was the first remote area campsite in the ACT to provide for car and recreational vehicle-based camping. Amenities include toilets, water tanks, barbecues and a large picnic shelter. Within only two months of being opened the campground achieved usage of more than 200 overnight stays a month.

Other significant improvements for camping in the ACT included extensive rehabilitation works at the Orrorral campground, and construction of a new toilet at the informal camping area at Booromba Rocks.

Reaction to the introduction of a booking and fees system for camp grounds in Namadgi National Park has been positive. All fee revenue will be used to contribute to the maintenance of these popular high quality sites.

Community Course in Catchment Management

The Community Course in Catchment Management is conducted with the aim of increasing community awareness and understanding of total catchment management. Another aim is to encourage local communities to form catchment groups.

Courses are conducted by Environment ACT, with speakers from the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology and catchment groups and will continue in 1999-2000. They have attracted members of Landcare, Waterwatch, Parkcare and Bushcare groups and schoolteachers.

Fisheries Action Program (FAP)

In 1998-99, the Natural Heritage Trust and Environment ACT funded a part-time FAP coordinator for the first of three years to help community groups prepare FAP funding applications for future Natural Heritage Trust grants, and administer nine FAP funded projects. Projects include agency and community-based activities related to fish, fishing and fish habitat and education programs on native fish in the ACT.

A native fish information site is available for primary and secondary students on the Internet (http:\\nativefish.www.act.gov.au) which incorporates activities using data and information on native fish in the ACT. Linking FAP with the Waterwatch program makes use of existing community networks and will extend awareness of fish issues to most sub-catchments in the ACT by the end of 1999.

Integrated onground projects are planned for 1999-2000 with Waterwatch and FAP being incorporated into riparian restoration projects such as the Ginninderra Creek project. These will combine the efforts of Government, Waterwatch groups, local Landcare groups and industry. Native fish studies are also being incorporated into the school syllabus through the Waterwatch program with the University of Canberra. Canberra Institute of Technology students are taking part in a long-term riparian restoration project.

School-based Environmental Education

Environmental education will continue to be included across all subject areas to help ACT school students develop an understanding of, and positive attitudes towards, the environment. Classroom activities will involve students in school recycling and conservation projects and participation in community programs. Involvement in education programs enables students from preschool to college to develop the confidence and skills to make positive changes to the environment.

Heritage Promotion and Awareness Strategy

On 28 May 1998, the ACT Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth about co-operation in preparing heritage registers. This was implemented in 1998-99 and has reduced duplication of effort and increased consistency in assessment procedures. An agreement was also signed by the Australian Heritage Commission, the Heritage Unit and the ACT Heritage Council on the accreditation of ACT processes for assessing and listing places. It will contribute to the development of national heritage standards.

The ACT will continue to participate in the development of a National Heritage Places Strategy which is expected to be agreed to in 1999-2000.

Summer School of Land Management

The University of Canberra and Environment ACT co-sponsored a 10-day land management summer school in February 1999. This program was recommenced after a lapse of several years, in response to the need to keep land managers up to date with current best practice. The course was open to participants throughout Australia and covered practical aspects of land management, such as using the Internet, decision support and geographic information systems. The success of this project has resulted in another course being proposed for 1999.

State of the Environment Reporting

The 1997 Australian Capital Region State of the Environment Report has been recognised as an outstanding product which provides information regarding the quality of the environment of Canberra and the region. In December 1998, the leaders of the Australian Capital Region agreed to support a second regional State of the Environment Report. It will be prepared by the ACT Office of the Commissioner for the Environment and will be available on the Internet and CD-ROM.

In recognition of the contribution of this project, the Office for the Commissioner for the Environment has received additional funding through the Local Government Development Program to assist with the development of a regional reporting method suitable for adoption elsewhere in Australia.

Office of the Commissioner for Environment

The Office of the Commissioner for the Environment performs the important role of monitoring how the Territory manages the ACT environment. In addition to the state of the environment reporting function, the Commissioner also conducts investigations into the management of the environment by the Government and its agencies. In 1998-99 the Commissioner commenced an investigation into progress on the No Waste by 2010 Strategy and will continue this investigation in 1999-2000.

In recognition of the importance of the 2000 State of the Environment Report, $0.1m has been allocated by the Government for the preparation of this Report.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Significant progress was made in 1998-99 in recording and developing geographic information for ACT nature reserves and rural lands. Incorporating archive information and data collected from previous studies into easily accessible layers within the GIS has resulted in some key achievements including developing a rural lands data base and providing information for the Bushfire Management Planning process. The Government will continue to support the program for collecting environmental data. As part of the information management strategy, a priority for 1999-2000 will be to establish a directory of databases to improve access to information about the ACT’s environment.

Community participation

Community Partnership

The Decade of Landcare Plan Review was completed in 1998-99. Its recommendations are being implemented and this will continue in 1999-2000.

Environment ACT successfully bid for Natural Heritage Trust funding to coordinate and promote Landcare and Bushcare programs. During 1999-2000 Environment ACT will continue to be involved in helping community groups develop projects and associated Natural Heritage Trust funding applications.

A review of the Park Care program has started, and a workshop was conducted to involve staff and volunteers in enhancing the program. A mobile Park Care Group of tertiary students has been formed and will undertake priority tasks and assist existing volunteer groups throughout 1999-2000.

A survey of Landcare groups and rural lessees was conducted in 1998-99 to identify the needs of groups and individuals for information, training and networking. Findings will be addressed in 1999-2000.

The 1999-2000 National Landcare Awards were launched in the ACT in March 1999 with the Minister for Urban Services calling for nominations. Local winners will become finalists in the national awards to be held in conjunction with the International Landcare Conference in March 2000.

Major activities in 1999-2000 will include coordinating, promoting and advertising activities in Landcare Month, and facilitating the Green Corps program across the ACT.

Waterwatch

There are more than 80 groups and 2,500 participants monitoring 10 catchments in the ACT Waterwatch program. This very successful program will continue in 1999-2000. A major objective is to implement a coordinated water quality monitoring program across the ACT and the region. Natural Heritage Trust funding for three part-time community coordinators continues to be significant in achieving this objective in each catchment. The Waterwatch Program continues to provide long-term monitoring data and to raise awareness of water quality issues.

Waterwatch is also implementing a quality assurance and quality control program for groups undertaking long-term water quality monitoring. This work includes developing a network of long-term monitoring sites in most sub-catchments of the ACT and region by the end of 1999. Environment ACT will continue to raise awareness of water issues by participating in national and local events.

One of the main activities in National Water Week in 1999-2000 will again be Aquafest. Aquafest uses experiential learning to promote awareness of water and the need for the whole community to be involved in protecting and conserving water resources.

ACT Science and Technology Council

The ACT Science and Technology Council was established in February 1999 to provide a strategic advisory forum for consideration of issues of significance in science and technology in the ACT and region. The Council’s 19 members represent research, business, industry and government agencies.

The Science and Technology Ideas Forum resulted in a two year Strategic Agenda for the Council which will be implemented in 1999-2000. The six issues which will form the basis of the Council’s work program are a science and technology audit and capability statement, growth potential, awareness and education, role of government, linkages, and a science and technology trade fair.

Environment Advisory Committee

The ACT Environment Advisory Committee (EAC) is a non-statutory advisory body providing advice to Environment ACT and the Minister on a range of environmental issues. The eleven members have technical expertise in land management, nature conservation, water quality and lake management, urban planning, rural lease management, cultural resource management, sustainable energy, waste, chemicals and hazardous materials, environmental law, ecology, recreational planning, and environmental education and interpretation.

In 1998-99 the committee was expanded to reflect the growing number of environmental issues, particularly in the areas of Greenhouse, waste and environment protection. The committee provided input into a number of management plans for nature reserves, made recommendations on the Government’s annual weeds program, and provided advice on ACT Government environmental policies such as the draft ACT Greenhouse Strategy, Cat Management Discussion Paper and the Property Management Agreement Review.

In 1999-2000, the committee will provide advice on a number of issues including:

Flora and Fauna Committee

The ACT Flora and Fauna Committee is a statutory committee comprising technical experts in nature conservation, ecology, and processes that threaten ecological communities. The committee advises the Minister on nominations for threatened species and ecological communities, and threatening processes, as well as on general nature conservation issues.

During 1998-99, the committee’s work largely focused on overseeing the development of action plans to protect nominated species and communities. The committee considered 15 draft plans and 18 in their final form and provided advice on a number of draft Government documents.

The committee has developed a strategic plan for 1999-2000 and during this period will address conserving riparian and aquatic communities, conserving scattered remnant trees and determining the conservation status of mammals, especially those suspected of being at risk.

Animal Welfare Advisory Committee

The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) was established under the Animal Welfare Act 1992 as a ministerial advisory committee representing community views on animal welfare in the ACT. The AWAC facilitates the development of a balanced and coordinated approach to animal welfare matters and provides expert advice to the Minister on animal welfare issues. The committee provides general advice and participates in the development of Codes of Practice. In 1999-2000, AWAC will participate in the development of three additional Codes of Practice and a Charter for Responsible Dog Ownership.

ACT Environment Grants Program

The 1998-99 ACT Environment Grants Program funded 17 projects at a total cost of $0.297m. An additional $0.125m was allocated to the RSPCA for animal welfare services.

A review of funding for the Environment Grants Program was completed in November 1998. This resulted in a new system which is more accountable and focussed on government priorities in environmental management. As in previous years, an expert panel will assess applications prior to an announcement of successful Environment Grants Program projects on World Environment Day in June 1999.

Natural Heritage Trust (NHT)

The Natural Heritage Trust provides funding to government agencies and community groups under the Bushcare, Landcare, Waterwatch and the Fisheries Action Programs. The Government received $1.1m of NHT funds in 1998-99, much of which is for continuing projects. Further applications will be submitted to the Commonwealth in the 1999-2000 funding round. In 1999-2000 funding can also be sought from the Murray-Darling 2001 program to support the conservation and management of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Heritage Grants

In 1998-99, 29 projects totalling $0.239m were funded through the ACT Heritage Grants Program. They helped Canberra organisations and individuals to identify, conserve and promote heritage values throughout the ACT region. Grants included allocations to coordinate the ACT Heritage Festival program, Aboriginal Place assessments, oral history projects and conservation of significant buildings. The priorities of this program are revised annually to reflect changes in heritage priorities. This will be done before applications are sought for the 1999-2000 round of funding.

Community Consultation

During 1998-99, the ACT community was consulted on the draft ACT Greenhouse Strategy, the Civic Environmental Management Plan Issues Paper, Draft Environmental Flow Guidelines and draft Environmental Protection Policies (EPPs) under the Environment Protection Act 1997. This commitment to community consultation will continue in 1999-2000, with the community being asked to comment on issues such as further EPPs, competition policy reviews, and the development of reserve management plans.

Legislation reviews

Animal Control Bill

New animal control legislation will replace the Dog Control Act 1975 and the Animal Nuisance Control Act 1975. It will update the dog laws and contain new requirements for keeping of dogs and cats. The legislation is being developed along with the ACT Urban Cat Management Strategy and amongst other things will introduce new and streamlined procedures for dealing with urban animal nuisance.

National Competition Policy

Under the National Competition Policy Agreements all state and territory governments are required to review all legislation that is potentially anti-competitive. Environment ACT is reviewing all legislation identified in an audit as containing provisions that are potentially anti-competitive. This program started in December 1998, and covers the review of the Animal Diseases Act, the Clinical Waste Act, the Cotter River Act, the Nature Conservation Act, the Plant Diseases Act, the Pounds Act and the Stock Act. The review will continue in 1999-2000.

Greenhouse

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in the ACT

In 1997 the Government became the first State or Territory Government to set its own greenhouse gas emission reductions target. The target is to stabilise ACT greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2008 and then to reduce these emissions by 20% by 2018.

In June 1998, the first ACT specific Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was completed. The inventory includes emissions from electricity generation outside the ACT attributed to electricity consumption within the ACT. This is the first of a series which will measure emission levels and indicate the ACT’s progress towards reduction targets.

In September 1998, the draft ACT Greenhouse Strategy was issued for community consultation. The final strategy is scheduled for completion in mid 1999. The ACT Greenhouse Strategy outlines actions that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT. These include measures that would fulfil the ACT’s commitment to the National Greenhouse Strategy.

To develop the final strategy, which will take effect in 1999-2000, research is being undertaken to quantify emission reductions and costs and benefits of implementing the measures identified in the draft strategy. This work will identify implementation priorities for the strategy.

Current Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measures

A number of significant emission reduction measures have already been implemented in the ACT. These include the extraction of methane gas at the ACT’s landfill sites for generation of electricity, the ACT’s continued membership of the international Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program, the establishment of the Energy Advisory Service, and the continuation and strengthening of the ACT Housing Energy Rating Scheme (ACTHERS) .

Future Greenhouse Initiatives

The ACT Government is showing leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by introducing and funding a number of new measures which will help the ACT reach its greenhouse targets.

Initiatives for which new funding will be provided include:

ACTEW Corporation has signed an agreement with the federal Greenhouse Challenge Office which will see a program of works aimed at greenhouse gas emission reductions. Activities will include constructing a mini-hydro scheme at Stromlo, and the purchase of energy from landfill gas generation. ACTEW Corporation has also launched the Greenchoice program.

Urban environmental amenity

Environment Protection Act

A major focus for Environment ACT during 1998-99 was finalising environment protection policies (EPPs) prepared under the Environment Protection Act 1997. EPPs for noise, water, air, motor sports, and general administration of the Act were promulgated. Draft EPPs for waste water re-use and hazardous materials have also been prepared. During 1999 the Act will be amended to deal with contaminated sites and the implementation of national environmental protection measures.

National Environment Protection Measures

In 1998-99, implementation programs for the first three National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs) were developed.

Much of the initial work on the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI), a geographic database of pollutant emissions, has been on developing industry handbooks to assist the community, government and business to identify pollution sources, as required by the NPI.

The development of the assessment of a site contamination NEPM started during 1998-99 and will be completed in 1999-2000. This NEPM is intended to establish a nationally consistent approach to assessing site contamination to ensure sound environmental management practices by regulators, the community, industry and land developers. Release of the draft NEPM for public comment is expected in 1999.

Amendments to the Environment Protection Act 1997 and associated regulations dealing with the implementation of NEPMs are expected to come into force in 1999-2000.

Pollutant Loading Fees

Implementation of authorisation fees under the Environment Protection Act 1997 paved the way for a pollution loading scheme. The Government has agreed to implement pollutant loading fees from 1 July 2000. The fees are based on equivalent NSW charges for pollutant loading which ensures consistency across state boundaries.

The introduction of fees will help to achieve more sustainable environment protection practices by providing polluters with a signal of the costs of pollution. This will encourage activity managers to think of ways to reduce pollution into our air, water and soil.

Environmental Management Plan for Civic

Following the release of the discussion paper Our City which recommends preparing an environmental management plan for Civic, an issues paper was developed through a process of community consultation. This will form the basis of an Environmental Management Plan for Civic to be developed in 1999-2000.

National Cooperation on Heritage Issues

On 28 May 1998, the Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commonwealth about co-operation in preparing heritage registers. This was implemented in 1998-99 and has reduced duplication of effort and improved consistency in assessment procedures. An agreement was also signed by the Australian Heritage Commission, the Heritage Unit and the ACT Heritage Council on accreditation of ACT processes for assessing and listing places. It will lead to achieving national heritage standards.

The ACT will continue to participate in the development of a National Heritage Strategy which is expected to be completed in 1999-2000.

Firewood Strategy

The ACT Firewood Strategy was launched on 22 February 1999, and was followed by a series of public awareness displays at local shopping centres. The displays formed part of the larger community awareness campaign on environment issues. The strategy will continue to be implemented in 1999-2000.

Contaminated Sites Management

With the anticipated implementation of the contaminated sites provisions of the Environment Protection (Amendment) Bill 1999 in 1999-2000, industry and the community will have protection and certainty of process in managing contaminated land. The liability regime to be established by the Bill is consistent with the Government’s policy that, whenever possible, polluters should pay the full costs of their actions.

A Contaminated Sites Environment Protection Policy under the Environment Protection Act 1997 is also proposed for 1999-2000.

Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy

In December 1997, the Government published an information paper on an integrated approach to land use and transport planning. This was followed by consultation with peak community groups. A draft integrated land use and transport strategy has been finalised for community consultation and will be issued in time for it to be implemented in 1999-2000.

Cleaner Production

In December 1998, the Australian New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) endorsed the policy framework Towards Sustainability - Achieving Cleaner Production in Australia which provided States and Territories with options for increasing the adoption of cleaner production. During 1999-2000, relevant policies under the framework will be considered for adoption and implementation by the ACT.

New ACTION Network

ACTION introduced its new network on 18 January 1999. This followed extensive community consultation aimed at identifying the needs of the community so that bus services would best meet those needs. These changes represent a 20% increase in bus services, through-routing of services, additional services, seven-day operation of services and a simplified route numbering system. The new network will be fully implemented in 1999-2000 and it is expected that the increased patronage will reduce the number of passenger cars on ACT roads.

Bus Priority

The Government’s transport strategy includes identifying bus priority measures to optimise the use of existing infrastructure, to reduce the variability and length of public transport journey times, and encourage greater public transport use. The strategy will continue to be implemented in 1999-2000 with activities such as the realignment of intersections, introducing bus turning priority lights, and bus-only approach lanes at intersections.

Park and Ride / Cycle and Ride

During 1999-2000, ACTION will continue to provide park and ride options at Tuggeranong, Woden and Belconnen town centres and at eight suburban locations. Each of the four bus interchanges also has eight cycle lockers which are available for rental. These options provide improved access to public transport.

Waste management

National Packaging Covenant

ANZECC worked to encourage voluntary agreements by industry to reduce waste and support kerbside collection of recyclable material. ANZECC is developing the National Packaging Covenant to provide an over-arching approach to all sectors of the packaging chain.

The covenant is based on the principle of product stewardship, under which industry accepts responsibility for the lifecycle management of packaging and paper including its recovery, use and ultimate disposal. It proposes a three-year transitional period during which funding from industry and governments will be applied to develop markets and products to generate economically sustainable kerbside collection of recyclables. The covenant will be supported by the proposed National Environment Protection Measure on used packaging materials.

The ACT will continued to be involved in the development and implementation of these measures in 1999-2000.

Other Waste Management Activities

The Government will continue to implement the No Waste by 2010 strategy. Priorities in 1999-2000 are to:

Nature conservation

Nature Conservation Strategy

In December 1997, the Government released the ACT Nature Conservation Strategy which provides a framework for a coordinated and strategic approach to protecting biological diversity.

Implementing the Nature Conservation Strategy is a continuing process subject to review and refinement in the light of progress made, challenges encountered and increasing knowledge about the natural environment. Implementation commitments are reviewed annually by the Environment Advisory Committee.

Off-reserve Conservation

Off-reserve conservation addresses nature conservation needs outside the park and reserve system. It aims to safeguard those species and communities not adequately reserved, and link reserves and vegetation remnants with habitat corridors so that the landscape as a whole survives as a functional ecological unit.

Consistent with the ACT Nature Conservation Strategy that was adopted in December 1997, a number of significant off-reserve conservation initiatives will be further progressed including the Nature Conservation Network and the Rural Conservation Trust.

Nature Conservation Network

A nature conservation network is being developed to help identify and protect the off-reserve natural assets of the ACT. The Network provides a planning and management framework for retaining or establishing vegetated habitat links between nature reserves, significant patches of remnant vegetation and aquatic systems. The initial stage was the development of a reference map to assist with the identification of priorities, obligations and opportunities on off-reserve land. Work will continue in 1999-2000.

Rural Conservation Trust

The Rural Conservation Trust is a financial assistance scheme for off-reserve conservation of biodiversity. It is designed primarily to fund projects for leased rural lands which are important to conservation of the biodiversity of the ACT and that involve a direct financial cost that would be an unreasonable burden for the landholder to meet in its entirety. A board will be established to oversee the trust. A Natural Heritage Trust (Bushcare) bid, seeking to complement ACT’s funding, has been submitted for the period 1999 to 2001.

Land Management Agreements

Rural land management policy requires that, as part of the approvals process for establishing a rural lease, a land management agreement (LMA) must be developed between the prospective lessee and the Territory. The purpose of a LMA is to establish an agreed framework for sustainable management of the land.

LMAs are the primary vehicle for introducing and maintaining measures for protective management of nature conservation assets on leased rural land. The LMAs were trialed during 1998-99 and will be fully implemented during 1999-2000.

Where direct financial costs to the landholder for conservation action are substantial, financial assistance by the Rural Conservation Trust may be available for implementation of conservation measures.

Memoranda of Understanding

Protecting threatened species and habitats on ACT land occupied by Commonwealth agencies is assisted by memoranda of understanding (MOUs) finalised in September 1998. The MOUs provide the agencies with a framework for coordinated conservation and management of threatened species while recognising the primary purpose of the land. Under the MOUs, each Commonwealth agency will prepare conservation management plans for threatened species on its land. This work will continue during 1999-2000.

Threatened Species Action Plans

Action plans establish proposals for identifying and protecting threatened species and ecological communities to ensure their survival. Implementation of action plans is a continuing and collaborative effort between government agencies, landholders and the wider community. In some cases regional cooperation with other agencies such as the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is essential. The Flora and Fauna Committee will maintain an advisory role in preparing the plans and assess progress in implementing them. In 1999-2000 six action plans, first completed in 1997, will be reviewed and amended to take into account the latest information.

Native Grassland Management

A six-year program, supported jointly by the ACT and Commonwealth Governments, to identify remnant native grasslands in the ACT and develop conservation management strategies for them, will be completed in 1999. In 1999-2000, the Government will continue to support conservation of natural temperate grasslands by implementing an action plan to save this endangered ecological community. Management strategies are being progressively prepared for all sites. During 1999-2000 Environment ACT will monitor recovery of native grassland habitats and develop guidelines to assist landholders achieve best practice conservation outcomes.

The Government has supported the publication of a field guide for grassland flora in the Southern Tablelands (NSW and ACT) in cooperation with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia and the Australian National Botanic Gardens. This book will help community groups and individuals to learn about and protect native grassland.

Airport/Majura Precinct

The Government is ensuring that as planning proceeds for future development in the Majura Valley associated with the Canberra International Airport and the Very High Speed Train project, environmental factors will be considered. Native grassland and woodland habitats for a number of threatened species are found in the Majura Valley and the area’s significant conservation values are being taken into account as the locations for essential transport infrastructure are assessed.

Regional Cooperation for Biodiversity Conservation

The Government continues to support regional cooperation to protect threatened species while providing for greater certainty in planning and development in the ACT and surrounding shires in NSW. Membership of a Regional Biodiversity Survey Group, which includes Government agencies, local councils, community groups and the Housing Industry Association (ACT) will be continued. Environment ACT will support the group’s 1999-2000 survey program to identify the regional distribution of threatened species and ecological communities, and subsequently to prepare a regional conservation strategy.

Tree Strategy

A task force on tree management in the ACT prepared a discussion paper which was referred to the Standing Committee on Urban Services. The Committee is holding a public inquiry into all aspects of tree management and protection. The Government looks forward to the recommendations of the Committee and will continue to progress the issue in 1999-2000.

Feral Animal Management

Development of the ACT Vertebrate Pest Management Strategy will start in 1999-2000 with community consultation. The strategy will address the principal vertebrate pests in the ACT which are (in order of importance) rabbits, wild dogs, feral pigs, foxes, feral goats and feral deer. It will provide the framework for controlling these species to protect agricultural profitability as well as biodiversity both within and outside reserved areas.

The control of rabbits has had continuing success in 1998-99 with secondary outbreaks of rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) further reducing rabbit numbers. As a result of the interaction of RCD and warren removal, the benefit for ACT agriculture and the environment has probably been much greater in the late 1990s than at any other time in the last half century. It is expected that the level of RCD follow up work will be significant in 1999-2000.

Government contracts for controlling wild dogs and dingoes will continue and are expected to contain the damage suffered by local sheep-growing businesses at a low level. A pro-active trapping and baiting program has continued to hold dog numbers to a low level in a buffer zone at the boundary between bush areas and sheep-growing areas.

Monitoring by the University of Canberra has shown the control of feral pigs in the ACT continues to hold pig numbers to a low level compared with pre-control levels of the 1980s. Pigs are controlled by an annual baiting program.

The feral pig control program in Namadgi National Park will continue in 1999-2000 and be improved as refined management strategies are incorporated. Monitoring of the program over 12 years has indicated that numbers have reduced by 60%.

Successful fox control regimes in Namadgi National Park resulted in large increases in native mammal populations, including wallabies and possums. Baiting to protect lambs however appears to have been less effective and will be reviewed in 1999-2000.

Weed Management

Approaches to local nurseries by the Conservation Council of the South-East Region and Canberra Weeds Officer, supported by ACT Government, resulted in almost universal agreement not to sell any of the plant species identified in the leaflet Garden Plants Going Bush and Becoming Environmental Weeds, published in 1998-99. This is a significant gain, as previously a high proportion of ACT weeds have originated from horticultural activities.

The ACT Government spends over $0.6m annually to control environmental weeds in the Territory. Additional funding of $0.3m has been allocated through the Capital Works Program to further boost ACT efforts in tackling this major environmental issue in 1999-2000.

In addition, the Weed Hit Team will continue to identify and treat isolated outbreaks of environmental weed species.

Victorian Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby Recovery Program

The brush tailed rock wallaby was widespread in of Eastern Australia, including the ACT, until the advent of introduced predators caused a severe decline in their distribution and numbers. They are thought to be locally extinct.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has continued a commitment to the Victorian Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby program during 1998-99. The reserve has had outstanding success in cross-fostering young rock wallabies, and is acknowledged as the leading institution for breeding these animals.

Tidbinbilla is also integral to the newly formed southern NSW recovery team. This team is hoping to capture some of the very few remaining wild animals from the region and relocate them to Tidbinbilla in an attempt to breed up numbers from their present precarious levels.

Land management

Public Land Management Planning

With the preparation of management plans for all reserves and urban public land completed in 1998-99, the major task for 1999-2000 will be the production of implementation plans. These plans set out the activities of the annual work program, and are required to be developed within 12 months of the finalisation of the relevant public land management plan.

A management plan for Ginini Flats within Namadgi National Park, a wetland listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Significance (the Ramsar Convention), will be prepared during 1999-2000 with partial funding from the Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage Program.

Bushfire Planning

The ACT Bushfire Fuel Management Plan was launched by the Minister for Urban Services on 8 December 1998 in line with the recommendations of the ACT Bushfire Fuel Management Taskforce. The Plan outlines what all ACT Government land managers need to do to reduce threats to life, property, natural and cultural resources from bushfire. Work in 1999-2000 will involve implementation the Plan and commencing a review.

Roadside Management

Roadsides in rural areas of the ACT are recognised as having areas of important habitat for native plants and animals, as well as being harbours for pest plants and animals, and carriers of bushfire fuel. Careful management is required to take into account these sometimes competing functions.

To promote better roadside management, the Government, in cooperation with the Conservation Council of the South East Region and Canberra, has prepared a strategy for roadside management to address the competing needs of stakeholders and establish a process to resolve these issues. A program started in 1997 to identify and provide roadside signage of vegetation will continue in 1999-2000.

Kangaroo Management

Kangaroo management continued in 1998-99 in accordance with the strategies recommended by the Kangaroo Advisory Committee and accepted by the Government. As part of a kangaroo information and awareness program, special warning signs were erected on the roadsides where the most motor vehicle collisions occur with kangaroos. Other targeted measures emphasising a living with kangaroos theme will be introduced in 1999-2000.

Fish Management

Following extensive public consultation, the Government reviewed the Fishing Act 1967. New legislation to be introduced during 1999-2000 will provide for better protection for native fish species and align the legislation with that in New South Wales and Victoria.

The Government will continue its fish stocking program for urban lakes in 1999-2000. During 1998-99 a total of 20,000 Murray Cod and Golden Perch were released into Lake Tuggeranong and Gungahlin Pond, and 60,000 Golden Perch released into Googong Reservoir in conjunction with NSW Fisheries.

Environment ACT has secured $0.250m over three years from the Murray-Darling 2001 program for a project to rehabilitate fish habitats in a section of the Murrumbidgee River which is severely degraded by sedimentation and too shallow to support healthy native fish populations. Environment ACT staff will manage the program and contribute $0.1m worth of support for the project. The project aims to restore some of the pools in the river and provide a link between high quality habitats upstream of Tharwa and downstream habitats.

Boboyan Pines

The ACT continued rehabilitation of the Boboyan Pines during 1998-99. A
90 hectare portion was rehabilitated in 1998-99 and a further 60 hectares will be revegetated in 1999-2000. The revegetation effort has been greatly assisted by the work of volunteer conservation groups, Green Corps, and an ACT Government sponsored employment program.

Management of Ovine Johnes Disease (OJD)

OJD was confirmed as occurring in the ACT for the first time in 1998. This disease of sheep, which causes significant weight loss and wasting, is widespread throughout surrounding NSW, and other sheep producing areas nationally and internationally.

Following the outbreak of OJD on two properties in 1998, monitoring programs and legislative reform measures were implemented in 1998-99 to ensure that the ACT adheres to National Trade Agreement requirements for the control and possible future eradication of OJD in Australia.

Water quality

The Murray-Darling Basin Initiative

The Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments of the Murray-Darling Basin are working to promote and coordinate effective planning and management of the basin’s natural resources. As Canberra is the largest population centre in the basin it was appropriate that the ACT joined the Initiative in March 1998. In recognition of this, the Government committed funding of $0.220m for representation on the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in 1998-99. Participation has given the ACT a voice in the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council and Commission and in a number of specialist forums. Involvement also allows participation in activities such as the Natural Heritage Trust funded Murray-Darling 2001 program and direct access to commission initiated research projects.

Participation in the initiative also places a responsibility on the ACT to ensure that land and water management practices within the Territory are of the highest standard. The quality of water in and leaving the ACT is monitored through Government water quality monitoring and Waterwatch programs. Responsible land and water management practices are encouraged through an Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) approach to land management.

During 1998, the ACT participated in the development of an ICM action plan for the whole of the upper Murrumbidgee River catchment and is negotiating entering into a memorandum of understanding with NSW on cooperation in implementing ICM in the region during 1999.

Member governments of the Murray-Darling Basin Initiative have agreed to place a cap on the amount of water that can be extracted from the rivers of the basin. The ACT is working towards participating in this limit on extraction, with the limits applying to the ACT expected to be finalised in 1999-2000.

Monitoring Water Quality

Water quality is monitored by the Government at a number of sites in ACT lakes and rivers. Sampling is done during various flow regimes to allow for the estimation of loads in addition to concentrations of various parameters. Regular monitoring of blue-green algae and bacteria is done during summer and the public is notified if there is a health risk. The fourth annual Water Quality Report based on the monitoring program will be produced for 1999-2000. This will be available in hard copy and on the Internet.

Flow monitoring will continue at a number of stream gauging sites. This information is important in assessing environmental flow requirements and is essential for administering the Water Resources Act 1998.

ACT Integrated Catchment Management Strategy

An Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Strategy will be produced for the ACT to help make integrated decisions about land and natural resource management across the ACT. The strategy will be consistent with the ACT’s overall strategic planning framework and aims to deal with catchment management as a government /community partnership, and in a regional context.

Water Resources Legislation

The Water Resources Act 1998 was passed by the Legislative Assembly in December 1998 and will come into effect in December 1999. The Act provides the legislative framework for the water resources of the Territory to be used and managed sustainably, and to meet the needs of future generations. Implementing this Act will be a major activity of the Government in 1999-2000.

The Water Resources Act 1998 establishes the legal basis for water allocations, licences to take water, drillers’ licences, bore construction permits and permits to control the construction of water control structures. Significantly, the Act provides for protecting the environment through recognising water for environmental purposes as a legitimate use of the resource. It also ensures that provisions made for the environment are not diminished by other users or changes in management.

The Act also sets the requirement for preparing environmental flow guidelines and a water resources management plan as disallowable instruments.

Protection of Groundwater

The Water Resources Act 1998 makes provision for all groundwater to be subject to an allocation and licensing system. The requirements which accompany these provisions are designed to protect this resource.

Information will be gathered in 1999-2000 on the Territory’s groundwater resources to give an accurate measurement of present use as well as assessing the extent of the resource. Further allocations will only be made once there has been provision for present usage and environmental flows. The results of the investigations will be incorporated into a groundwater management plan which will guide the responsible and sustainable use of the resource in the future.

Water Abstraction Charge

In accordance with the Water Resources Act 1998, the Government is introducing a Water Abstraction Charge (WAC) being a volumetric charge based on water use at a rate of 10 cents per kilolitre. This charge addresses a range of factors including the scarcity value of water, environmental damage associated with water abstraction, and the cost of managing water catchment to protect water quality. The cost of managing water catchments has not previously been paid by water users. The WAC will ensure the full cost of this important resource is linked to water use.

As a result of the introduction of the charge, the cost to a Canberra residential water user with median water consumption will increase by $28 per year.

River Health Assessment

The Government will continue to participate in the First National Assessment of River Health (FNARH) using the AusRivAS method. This method was developed in partnership with the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology. The FNARH is a three-year program intended to give a snapshot of river health across Australia, with 1999 being the final year. The information on river health that this survey provides will help the Government meet its environmental obligations.

Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology

The Government will continue its involvement in the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Freshwater Ecology as a partner and continue its annual contribution of $0.350m to the centre. The fifth year review of the centre was conducted in 1998 and the report submitted by the review panel was outstanding. Research of this calibre ensures the ACT has access to information on which to make informed decisions on water resource management.

Research conducted on environmental flows, urban stormwater systems and blue green algal blooms are of direct relevance to the ACT. Progress in technology transfer between the CRC, government and the community is of particular interest to the ACT. Waterwatch, supported by the Natural Heritage Trust, is an effective vehicle for delivering this outcome of this technology transfer.

Snowy Water Inquiry

The ACT will continue to participate in the Snowy Water Inquiry by seeking to establish environmental flows that sustain ecosystems in the Murrumbidgee River.

Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian National University

The MOU between Environment ACT and the Integrated Catchment Assessment and Management Centre (ICAM) of the Australian National University (ANU) continues to be mutually beneficial. The Centre has commented on aspects of the implementation of the Water Resources Act 1998 and will continue to be involved in discussions on the development of the ACT Integrated Catchment Management Strategy.

Wastewater Re-use

Work continued on the operation of the Southwell Park waste water re-use scheme. Phase 1 of the project for re-use of effluent from Fyshwick Sewage Treatment Plant Duntroon is due for completion in 1999. Phase 2 of this project, re-use of effluent in the central Canberra area, is in the pre-design stage. Phase 3, effluent storage and re-use in the Majura Valley, is currently undergoing a feasibility study.

In the ACT, BRL Hardy Limited is intending to use recycled water from the lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre to grow grapes near Belconnen.

Research and development of ACTEW’s innovative sewage treatment plant prototype continued at the Fyshwick site. Small scale trials of on-site re-use in Canberra continued to show success.

ACTEW Corporation is assisting the Outward Bound Australia Foundation at its Tharwa site to solve problems associated with its inadequate septic tank sanitation systems. Work has also started on planning for the augmentation of the Belconnen trunk sewer system. This is expected to result in a series of substantial capital investments in the Belconnen trunk sewer over the next two decades. The City West sewer surcharge management plant at Turner, designed to prevent sewage overflows into Sullivans Creek, has been completed and put into operation.