Bluetts Block bushland is rich in biodiversity and home to a number of threatened species. Photo: Ann Walker/Friends of Bluetts Block Facebook.
Sections of environmentally rich bushland in the Molonglo Valley known as Bluetts Block looks set to be saved from the developer’s bulldozer.
Planning Minister Chris Steel, who in February called in the development of the next stage of Denman Prospect that threatened the site, said the first planning steps had been taken to create a nature reserve at Block 403 in Stromlo, and the undeveloped areas of Block 12 Denman Prospect.
The decision is a win for community members and the Friends of Bluetts Block, who have been campaigning to preserve the bushland. However, there were still fears about impacts from surrounding suburban development.
Mr Steel said the ACT Government was responding to strong community support for a nature reserve to protect the land’s environmental values.
“The Territory Planning Authority has been consulting with the Conservator of Flora and Fauna and the ACT Parks and Conservation Service (ACT PCS) in preparation of the minor plan amendment,” he said.
“If a decision by the Territory Planning Authority is made to turn the identified parts of Bluetts Block into a nature reserve, it will mean this area and the significant environment values are protected in perpetuity under the Nature Conservation Act 2014.”
The government was also talking to the ANU, the lessee of a larger adjacent piece of land, Block 402 Stromlo, about adding it to the proposed nature reserve.
A post from ecologist Rainer Rehwinkel on the Friends of Bluetts Block Facebook page said that without the larger block, the nature reserve could be compromised.
“With the addition of all three blocks, Bluetts will form a vital connectivity link between Mt Stromlo in the south, across the Molonglo to Kama Nature Reserve to the north, and ultimately via the Pinnacle and the Molonglo Corridor, west to Ginninderry, and east via Mt Painter to Aranda Bushland and Black Mountain.”
Adjoining suburbs also posed threats, including incursions by cats and dogs, invasive plants, inappropriate uses such as mountain bike riding, and pressures from residents for bushfire management in the reserve.
Minister for the Environment, Parks and Land Management Rebecca Vassarotti said the identified blocks within Bluetts Block had been chosen as a proposed nature reserve due to its extraordinary biodiversity, being home to a variety of threatened species and plants such as the superb parrot, scarlet robin and the pink-tailed worm-lizard.
“The proposed reserve in this area will provide a vital greenspace for local Molonglo Valley residents, as well as help build resilience against climate change and enhance connectivity across the urban landscape,” she said.
Conservation Council ACT Region executive director Simon Copland welcomed the announcement but said it had taken too long to get to this stage and more needed to be done.
Mr Copland said the ACT’s environmental laws needed to be strengthened.
“Instead of protecting our natural habitat, our legislation focuses on the needs of big developers instead,” he said.
“If our nature laws were effective, we wouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to save each place.”
Mr Copland said Block 402 needs to be part of the reserve, and protections should be put in place from the adjoining housing development.
He said plans for further urban expansion west of the city would destroy several natural areas and increase the city’s ecological impact on surrounding land, including the important box-gum woodlands and grasslands.
“If we are to prevent environmentally destructive impacts of urban development, we must fix our environment laws and invest in affordable higher and medium density housing within our current city footprint.”
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