Volunteers from Friends of Ainslie Volcanics work to protect the site. Photo: Danny Blain.
Conservation groups have condemned the decision to approve the construction of a mobile communications tower at Ainslie Volcanics, a site that contains endangered grasslands.
However, the ACT Government said it had been told the proposed location for the development was dominated by exotic grass, not native.
The tower has been approved for the corner of Quick Street and Limestone Avenue in Ainslie.
“The Ainslie Volcanics site contains natural temperate grassland, a critically endangered ecological community,” Conservation Council ACT’s executive director Simon Copland said.
“Natural temperate grassland is one of the most threatened ecosystems in Australia, with only 0.5 per cent remaining in good condition.
“These ecological communities are important for providing habitat for threatened and rare species, storing carbon, increasing soil, air, and water quality; supporting pollination, controlling diseases, and increasing the liveability of the city.”
Mr Copland said the construction and development of the tower infrastructure will introduce invasive species, light and noise pollution, as well as roads and vehicles.
“As a result, the ecosystem will no longer perform a habitat function for species dependent on the ecosystem,” he said.
“This will further threaten endangered ACT species, including the golden sun moth, striped legless lizard, the button wrinklewort and gang-gang cockatoo.”
Amy Blain from the Friends of Ainslie Volcanic Grasslands expressed extreme disappointment given the significant work of the Ainslie Volcanic Weeders to regenerate the area.
“The Ainslie Volcanic Weeders are an incredibly dedicated group of volunteers that have lovingly cared for the site since 2022,” she said.
“In June 2023, we launched a community petition to the Legislative Assembly, which received 581 signatures. We called for the site to be protected as part of the Mount Ainslie Reserve.
“We cannot keep giving up precious pockets of biodiversity when there are alternative sites not in an endangered ecosystem – put the tower on one of those locations.”
The Ainslie Volcanics Weeders: Danny Jowers-Blain, Marianne Albury-Colless, Peter Boreham, Amy Blain, Bertie Jowers-Blain and Ann Hare. Photo: Danny Jowers-Blain.
An ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate spokesperson said the tower was approved on 18 October 2024 and pointed Region to the relevant documents on the DA register.
Among these is the original application form, which was lodged in late 2023 by Indara Infrastructure Pty Ltd’s Rohan Montgomery.
“Indara Infrastructure Pty Ltd (part of the Indara group), with Vodafone and Optus, are proposing a new telecommunications facility in Ainslie,” he said.
“The new facility will provide improved mobile and data services to Vodafone and Optus customers in the surrounding area.
“The facility has been designed as a neutral host facility, capable of supporting co-location by other carriers, government entities and wireless service providers.”
The proposal involves the installation of a 28-metre monopole, nine-panel antennas, a six-bay outdoor equipment cabinet on a concrete slab and ancillary equipment.
The cost of the work is estimated to be about $400,000.
Then in the notice of decision from 18 October 2024, Planning and Land Authority delegate Richard Davies said he relied on advice provided by the Conservator of Flora and Fauna that the proposed location for the development was dominated by exotic grass, not natural temperate grassland, and from an ecological perspective it could be approved.
“The proposal was not considered to pose a threat to native ecological communities as the actual development site is already dominated by exotic grass species,” he said.
“To control potential environmental impact(s) during the construction phase of the development, a condition of approval has also been imposed for a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) to be lodged under section 165 and implemented during the construction phase.”
The decision says the approval was for a new mobile telecommunications tower, landscaping and associated works, and the construction must start within three years.
Amy Blain and her volunteer group regularly visit the Ainslie Volcanics site to remove invasive weeds. Photo: Supplied.
Plans must be provided that outline suitable measures to be taken to ensure there is no impact to ecological communities.
Also, mature stock trees are supposed to be planted to screen the tower from view along Limestone Avenue, while all installations must avoid adverse impacts on trees.
Mr Davies added that the ACT Heritage Council provided advice stating the proposed works were unlikely to diminish the heritage significance of the Ainslie Volcanics or First Nations places or objects subject to conditions.
The Ainslie Volcanics site contains grassland and woodland at the base of Mount Ainslie and stretches from the corner of Quick Street and Limestone Avenue towards Ainslie Village.
When Region asked if the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate was considering making Ainslie Volcanics part of the protected Mount Ainslie Reserve, a directorate spokesperson said the ACT Government remained in caretaker mode until the Legislative Assembly elected the chief minister at its first sitting.
“This would be a matter for the incoming government to consider,” they said.
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