The Greens’ Caroline Le Couteur is once again asking tricky questions, this time wanting to know on what basis Andrew Barr, as the planning Minister, decreed that certain parts of the planned new city centre of Molonglo didn’t need to undergo a Environmental Impact Study.
- “We would think that an EIS would help identify the right location for the border of the suburb along the river to minimise impact on wildlife, including the Pink Tailed Worm Lizard, at the rivers edge.”
“The Minister should be open about the information he’s received and give the assurance that we are not rushing this development at the expense of the natural environment.” Ms Le Couteur said.
UPDATED: My attention has been drawn to Andrew Barr’s recent statement on this issue:
- I am keeping land release in the ACT on-track by exempting development of some of the initial land release areas in the Molonglo Valley from requiring a full environmental impact statement.
The area for which the exemption applies comprises the south east corner of a larger area known as East Molonglo and includes the suburbs of Wright, Coombs and North Weston.
This decision is based on advice from the ACT Planning and Land Authority after its full and independent assessment of detailed reports prepared over the past few years.