The Standing Committee has resolved to conduct the following inquiry –

Noting the importance of the natural environment to Canberra, including the level of public support for nature and the natural environment, the growing importance of urban open spaces and bushland reserves and the benefits they bring to Canberra and opportunities for development of Blue – through water – and Green – through natural form – infrastructure in Canberra resolved to inquire into and report on the matters affecting the value of the natural environment to an urbanising Canberra, including:

1. The level of public support for and satisfaction with amount and quality nature and natural environment areas in Canberra, particularly in urban areas.

2. The types of nature and natural environmental areas within Canberra e.g. urban open spaces or bushland reserves and the existing or potential benefits and challenges they bring to Canberra’s:

1. Social amenity;
2. Economic development;
3. Biodiversity; and/or
4. Climate resilience.

3. Opportunities for Blue (water) and or Green (natural) Infrastructure in Canberra including;

1. Functional requirements of proposed infrastructure;
2. Cost and Maintenance considerations;
3. Amenity benefits; and
4. Conservation and biodiversity benefits.

4. Managing the interface between the natural environment and urban areas particularly in regards to conserved environmental areas.

5. Current policy or regulatory settings that impede the integration of the natural environment within optimal urban development and design.

6. Any other relevant matter.

Adopted 6 December 2017 and announced 22 February 2018

View committee hearings transcripts

Go to current public hearings schedule

ETCS has hearings for Nature in Our City on:

• 13 & 27 March
• 10 April
• 1, 8, 22 & 29 May

Witnesses to be confirmed.