MEDIA RELEASE
Report on Inquiry into Annual and Financial Reports 2022-23
The Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, today tabled the Committee’s report into its Inquiry into Annual and Financial Reports 2022-2023.
The Committee held a number of public hearings with the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, and the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment.
Topics discussed included Bushfire fuel load reduction burns, Urban and Park Rangers, impact of greenfield development on native wildlife, wild dog management, snake registration, and the Big Canberra Battery.
The Committee’s report made 14 recommendations to the ACT Government, and includes:
- Recommending the ACT Government mandate in developer contracts, once the burrowing animal guidelines are completed, predevelopment inspections for burrowing animals;
- Recommending the Committee that the ACT Government cease classifying dingoes as a pest species and cease classifying them as wild dogs;
- Recommending the ACT Government urgently review current licensing arrangements and identify a framework for those snake handlers suitably qualified to register ownership of venomous snakes for educational and training purposes in the ACT;
- Recommending that all ACT government agencies should provide reports to the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment within deadlines; and
- Recommending the ACT Government increase resourcing for the Environment Protection Authority to ensure it is able to conduct sufficient inspections to protect Canberra's environment.
The Committee’s report is available on the Assembly’s webpage at https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/recent-reports
Under the Assembly’s standing orders, the ACT Government is required to respond to committee reports within four months of tabling.
9 April 2024
STATEMENT ENDS.
For further information please contact:
Committee Chair, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, on (02) 6205 1448
Committee Secretary, James Bunce, on (02) 6205 0199 or at LACommitteeECCB@parliament.act.gov.au