17 November 2021

From connection to country and changes to dog-walking – the ACT's 10-year plan for nature reserves

| Max O'Driscoll
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Sign at entrance to Oakey Hill nature reserve

The ‘Canberra Nature Park Reserve Management Plan’ has been released for the ACT’s 39 nature reserves. Photo: Daniella Jukic.

From changes to dog-walking rules to celebrating a connection to Ngunnawal country, the ACT Government’s 10-year ‘Canberra Nature Park Reserve Management Plan’ has been released for the Territory’s 39 nature reserves.

The plan features the addition of a further nine ‘nature reserves’ from prior plans, including Goorooyarroo, Percival Hill, Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Callum Brae, Kinlyside, Jarramlee/West Macgregor Grasslands, Budjan Galindji Grasslands, and Nadjung Mada.

It also includes several environmental offset areas for the endangered box gum woodland and native grassland ecosystems, and everything in the ecosystem which relies on them.

Cultural director of the Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Ngunnawal knowledge holder Richie Allen welcomed the prioritising of connection to country through the plan, saying anything that incorporates traditional ways in modern life is good for the land and pleasing to the Ngunnawal people.

While Mr Allen is glad the changes will work towards the protection of native species and wildlife, he hopes any changes will not deter people from heading out and experiencing the many “free zoos” available in Canberra.

READ ALSO ACT joins forces with South Australia, NSW to fight for climate action

“See your own country before you go anywhere else,” he said. “Learn about the stories and the history of what it used to be like.

“I always say when you go to these places and you connect to the Ngunnawal people here in Canberra, take the western lens off and see things how we see it. Look at those footprints the Ngunnawal people have left for more than 65,000 years.”

Dog-walking is among the activities under review in several of the 39 reserves. In all cases, owners will be required to have their dogs on a leash and only walk them along a track or trail.

Owners are encouraged to be conscious of their impact on the wildlife and environment around them, with dog-walking among activities such as bike-riding and horse-riding viewed as in need of refinement in order to protect the native flora and fauna in the ACT reserves.

The ‘Canberra Nature Park Reserve Management Plan’ also approaches issues of controlling weeds and pests, and preventing fires – one of those ways is through the banning of drones.


READ ALSO: ‘A very special feeling’: new Namarag nature reserve in Molonglo a source of pride for the Ngunnawal people


ACT Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman said the plan is vital in ensuring Canberra’s makeup as a city filled with, and surrounded by, green spaces.

“Canberra’s connection to green spaces sets us apart from many other cities around the world, and this new plan will ensure we protect the many nature reserves in our bush capital,” he said.

“We have worked closely with the Canberra community to develop a management plan that protects our iconic nature spaces, while providing the community with plenty of recreational opportunities close to home.

“Canberrans love our nature reserves, and Canberra Nature Park is popular for its extensive nature-based recreational opportunities across 39 reserves.

“Recreational facilities and visitor programs will be enhanced to encourage the community to take part in nature-based experiences.”

The ‘Canberra Nature Park Reserve Management Plan’ can be viewed here.

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I couldn’t agree more innernorthcarol. And it’s not just Mt Ainslie. Every nature reserve has off leash dogs roaming around and when you point out the on-lead requirement to the owners they always appear completely surprised. But non-enforcement of ACT legislation is par for the course. The government is very good at making lots of new rules and regulations but appears extremely reluctant to enforce most of them, unless the rule breaking occurs in one of their “pet” suburbs like Braddon or Red Hill. In most suburbs you can park wherever you want, speed down the streets, leave rubbish lying around and no action will be taken.

innernorthcarol3:31 pm 20 Nov 21

That’s great to see that dog-walking rules will be refined and limited to on-leash requirements and staying on paths. But the rules are only as good as the enforcement. Head over to Mt Ainslie Reserve, an on-leash area, and count the number of dogs that are off lead. I am a dog owner, need to always walk my dog on lead and avoid dog parks for the safety of on-lead areas. But I now avoid Mt Ainslie because of the excessive number of dogs off lead and not under control by their owners. So if these changes are implemented, please consider enforcement mechanisms; otherwise they will not achieve your desired purpose to protect native species and wildlife.

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