The Conservation Council have today thrown their support for a new law, introduced by ACT Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, to protect the Ainslie Volcanics from the development of a communications tower. We were happy to join in a press conference about the legislation, alongside Mr. Rattenbury and members of Friends of Ainslie Volcanics.
The Conservation Council has long stood with community groups who have been rehabilitating this site arguing against this development, stating that it could be placed in less ecologically sensitive areas. Greens leader Shane Rattenbury today introduced a bill that would revoke the development approval for the tower, prohibit further development applications for the site and allow for just compensation.
The Ainslie Volcanics site contains Natural Temperate Grassland, a critically endangered ecological community. Natural Temperate Grassland is one of the most threatened ecosystems in Australia, with only 0.5% remaining in good condition. These ecological communities are important for providing habitat for threatened and rare species, storing carbon, increasing soil, air, and water quality; supporting pollination, controlling diseases, and increasing the liveability of the city.
We cannot afford to lose any more of these ecosystems. Construction and development of the telecommunications tower infrastructure will introduce invasive species, light and noise pollution, roads and vehicles. As a result the ecosystem will no longer perform a habitat function for species dependent on the ecosystem. This will further threaten endangered ACT species – including the Golden Sun Moth, Striped Legless Lizard, The Button Wrinklewort and Gang-Gang Cockatoo.
We have long argued against the placing of this tower in this location, stating that instead this could be developed in other parts of town. Many alternative locations have already been identified.
We welcome the introduction of this bill as a way forward to protect this important ecological site. We call on the ACT Legislative Assembly to support this legislation.