All of Ngununggula/Bluetts Block deserves to be a Nature Reserve – instead it remains under threat as long as Canberra’s Western Edge is viewed as a possible next frontier for urban development. All development that will impact on the area’s important natural values should be stopped.
Bluetts Block comprises of three pieces of land – Block 12, 402 and 403, to the West of Denman Prospect. Blocks 403 and 12 are owned and managed by the ACT Government, while Block 402 is currently under lease to the Australian National University.
In addition to its extraordinary biodiversity, Bluetts Block (Ngununggula/Block – Piney Ridge) is important because it provides landscape connection from the Murrumbidgee River Corridor to Kama Nature Reserve, Pinnacle Nature Reserve, and Stoney Creek Reserve. Landscape connections allow animals to move safely into different areas to breed and forage. Without connectivity across the landscape, many species cannot find food, water or shelter when they need it, leaving them vulnerable.
Updates on Bluetts Block
There have been two very important recent developments at Bluetts Block in the past year.
Declaration of 2/3rds of Bluetts Block as a Reserve
In August 2024, the ACT Government announced its intention to turn Blocks 403 and 12 into a nature reserve. This is a huge win for our environment! This declaration has not been confirmed as of yet, but we hope will be formalised in the near future. Despite this win, block 402 is not part of this reserve. We are calling on the ACT Government to work with the ANU to add Block 402 into this reserve.
Approval of Stromlo Reach Development
In early 2024 the ACT Government approve the Stromlo Reach development. This development, on the Western Edge of Denman Prospect, backs directly onto the proposed Bluetts Block Nature Reserve. This development, which has only just begun construction, is already placing immense pressure onto Bluetts Block – from construction, the potential if incursion of invasive species, and the increased need to manage fire risk due to increasing populations in the region.
Friend of Bluetts Block and the Conservation Council have been very active in their efforts to ensure that this important area is conserved for current and future generations. The table below outlines some of the recent activities that have been undertaken. The Conservation Council will regularly update this information, and concerned citizens can also follow the latest developments at the FOBB Facebook page.
| 25 October, 2024 |
- 27 submissions were made relating to the ACT Government’s proposed minor plan amendment to declare a nature reserve over parts of Bluetts Block (ie for Block 403 and Section 2 of Block 12). They can be viewed at the Territory Planning Authority’s website: (https://www.planning.act.gov.au/…/comments-01-27…)
- Read the Conservation Council ACT Region submission here.
- All submissions supported the proposed nature reserve, with the majority arguing for inclusion of Block 402 in the reserve.
- One submission from Capital Estate Developments (the company developing the housing on Block 12) does not oppose the reserve declaration, but favours delaying that declaration until work with the Government on designing and constructing more walking and fire trails in Block 403 is finished.
- The Territory Planning Authority is due to decide on this matter in early 2025.
- FOBB and the Conservation Council sought to have more regular and timely consultation with the authorities on the reserve declaration and management plans for this area. The Conservator of Flora and Fauna has responded and suggested regular meetings with Friends of Bluetts and CCACT to provide updates.
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| 15 November, 2024 |
- FOBB, Canberra Birds and CCACT met with representatives of the Office of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna and Parks and Conservation Services. Discussions focused on:
- current Capital Estates Development activities on Stromlo Reach/Block 12 (especially the destruction of wombat burrows, protection of important trees)
- new fire trails and tracks being planned for Block 403
- weed management and protection of important vegetation on Block 402 (leased to ANU)
- proposed nature reserve for Block 403 and part of Block 12
- fire management and controlled burn plans for Bluetts.
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| 9 December, 2024 |
- FOBB and The Conservation Council ACT met with recently elected independent MLA for Murrumbidgee Fiona Carrick at Bluetts Block. They discussed the environmental importance of the site for the ACT region, and how its proper conservation would provide valuable recreational and educational opportunities for residents of the area. Also discussed were the ecological values of the broader Western Edge area (currently being considered for future development).
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| 18 December, 2024 |
- Greens MLA for Brindabella, Laura Nuttall visited Bluetts Block to get a better understanding of issues facing the Western Edge, especially Bluetts Block and to discuss with FOBB the site’s ecological values and its important role connecting other environmentally significant parts of the ACT.
- FOBB still waiting to hear what the Planning Authority has decided re: the proposed nature reserve for part of BB (block 403, section 2 of block 12). Nuttall supports the inclusion of block 402.
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| 3 February, 2025 |
- FOBB, Conservation Council, Canberra Birds participated in a regular meeting with the Office of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna, Parks and Conservation Service, and possibly ACT Planning for further discussions on progress with the protection of Bluetts Block. Discussions focused on the upcoming fire management project, impacts of construction on the area, the progression of the declaration of Bluetts as a reserve, and the removal of pine trees within the block.
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