The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate is calling on the Canberra community to contribute to a Plan to guide how natural resources are protected over the next 20 years.
Minister for the Environment, Rebecca Vassarotti issued the invitation saying the Directorate’s Natural Resource Management (NRM) Plan would set future goals, actions and investments over the next two decades to protect the ACT’s iconic resources.
“We want to reflect current community knowledge and aspirations, alongside the latest scientific data and emerging challenges, to develop a balanced plan that carefully manages today’s needs and the best outcomes for future generations,” Ms Vassarotti said.
“Our NRM team is facilitating the development of the plan for all of us who use or value the natural resources of the ACT such as our land, water, soil, plants and animals,” she said.
“The NRM team together with the community will identify investment priorities, establish partnerships, share knowledge and deliver programs to achieve the best outcomes for the region.”
Ms Vassarotti said key focus areas for the NRM Plan would include Ngunnawal natural resource management; biodiversity conservation; ecosystem function; sustainable agriculture; community wellbeing and connection to nature; as well as climate change and resilience.
“Over the last decade some challenges, like climate change, have become more severe and are having a large impact on all elements of the natural resources of the ACT,” the Minister said.
“Some of these long-term impacts on habitats, species, ecological communities and the natural resource base are unclear or unknown, which is why this plan will be so important.”
She said people could have a say on the Directorate’s Plan online before 28 May or by attending one of six community information sessions to take place from 18 to 27 April.
The Directorate’s 16-page NRM Plan discussion paper, including information on how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
