We are the voice for the environment representing community environmental and sustainability groups in the ACT region. Our mission is: To influence government, business and community through effective public policy and engagement to protect nature.
All content authorised by Larry O’Loughlin, Executive Director. ABN 68 248 339 828
Who we are
Established in 1979, we aim to achieve the highest quality environment for the Canberra region through advocacy, campaigning and community engagement. We are a non-profit, non-government organisation that welcomes you to be a part of our active community that is working to safeguard the environment for future generations.
We are an incorporated association with a constitution. Please see our Strategic Plan 2015-2020 (PDF).
Our staff
Meet some of our dedicated, passionate team committed to protecting the ACT’s unique environment and spreading the word about how you can be involved too. Read more…
- Clare Henderson
Strategic Projects (P/T) - Larry O'Loughlin
Executive Director - Belinda Sierzchula
Finance Officer (P/T) - Lucy Hannan
Communications and Events (P/T)
Our Board
We are a non-profit, non-government incorporated group, overseen by a Board with skills and expertise in a variety of fields. Read more…
- Glenys Patulny
Board Member - Ian Falconer
Board Member - Christopher Dorman
Board Member - Anthony Burton
Board Member - Jenny Bounds
Board Member - Charlie Salter
Treasurer - Helen Sims
Secretary - Rod Griffiths
President - Peter Ottesen
Vice-President - Marcus Hassall
Board Member
Strategic Plan 2015-2020
The August 2015 Board meeting accepted the Strategic Plan 2015-2020. The plan lays out our direction with long term focus, and each year our operational plan will based on the strategic plan.
Recent Bush Capital blogs
Proposal for 16 storeys on Garema Place needs change
May 24, 2018
The Conservation Council gets involved in development applications when there are big issues to consider and the proposal for a sixteen storey hotel on Garema Place raises several BIG issues. Why do we keep doing or allowing developments without having a broader plan in place? If this building can go...
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Using greenhouse offsets to meet net emissions targets?
April 9, 2018
The Conservation Council wrote on behalf of Climate Change Liaison Group members to Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury MLA, expressing concern that the ACT Government has obtained modelling for the ACT to offset its greenhouse emissions by setting up reafforestation and other land use changes in nearby...
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Draft strategy not good enough
March 19, 2018
The Conservation Council made comments on Australia’s strategy for nature 2018–2030 – Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Inventory – DRAFT which was meant as a review of Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010 –2030 which was a piece of homework for officials coming from a meeting of Australia’s environment Ministers in November 2016....
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Comments on Draft water and sewerage prices 2018–23
February 27, 2018
Comments on ICRC Draft report Regulated water and sewerage services prices 2018–23 February 2018 Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission PO Box 161 Civic Square ACT 2608 [email protected] The Conservation Council ACT region is the peak non-government environment organisation for the Canberra Region. We have been the community’s voice for the...
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Burning forest biomass is not carbon neutral
February 27, 2018
On top of the simplistic claims that growing trees make burning forest biomass innocuous, the carbon accounting rules developed for the Kyoto Protocol and the way they have been applied has also enabled a false perception of carbon neutrality. The IPCC recognised the emissive nature of biomass burning but in...
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Protecting bush capital values
February 21, 2018
We can't leave environmental protection to luck - or governments - without the community keeping an eye on things. So yes, there are good reasons to support the Conservation Council to help us to continue our work for the environment. While we are busy across many environmental matters in the ACT and region - climate change,...
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They are natives, so they are ok? Weedy wattles in Canberra
February 16, 2018
Eight wattles “alien” to the ACT (and region) might become weeds and some show a propensity to naturalise within reserves and other native bush areas. Native plants they may be, but are they OK when viewed in the light of the now known issues of weediness of another old favourite –...
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Joe Baker
January 25, 2018
It was sad news that Joe Baker died 16 January 2018. Among many things Joe was the first ACT Commissioner for the Environment (1993-2004). It has been a privilege of life to meet and know Joe and it is an honour that he has been attending meetings at the Conservation...
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Solar rebates for low income homes welcomed
December 20, 2017
Media release from ACT Energy Consumer Policy Consortium: ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), Care Financial Counselling Service, Conservation Council ACT Region, SEE-Change, and Small Business Taskforce of the Canberra Business Chamber - 19 December 2017. A consortium of business, conservation and community groups has welcomed the launch of a new...
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Letter to Qld Premier: remember your promise – no loan for Adani!
December 7, 2017
Conservation Council ACT Region has joined with other members of the Stop Adani Alliance to send a letter to re-elected Queensland Labor Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk asking her to implement her unequivocal election promise of 7 November to write to Prime Minister Turnbull on her first day in office to veto any...
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