The ACT community are today celebrating after the ACT Government formally announced they are adding Coombs Peninsula to the Molonglo River Reserve, and are removing the ‘future urban overlay’ from Bluetts Block. After years of campaigning these two moves add further protection to some of Canberra’s most important natural areas. The approval of Major Plan Amendment (MPA-05) removes the Future Urban Area (FUA) overlay and confirms zoning for a number of key sites across Canberra, including Bluetts Block, Coombs Peninsula, parts of the Molonglo River Reserve, and several infrastructure and open space sites in Gungahlin, Belconnen, Whitlam and Weston. Two core wins are:
- the formal removal of the FUA overlay from Bluetts Block, following its identification as a nature reserve earlier this year.
- removing the FUA overlay from Coombs Peninsula, rezoning the area as River Corridor and Urban Open Space, with a special-purpose reserve overlay added to support recreational use and future active travel links.
Community members and the Conservation Council ACT Region have been fighting for protection of Coombs Peninsula for over a decade now. The area, adjoining the Molonglo River, has huge ecological importance, but has been facing constant threat of development. After years of campaigning we were delighted to see the ACT Government commit to adding it to the Molonglo River Reserve earlier this year, and are very happy that decision has been formalised today.
Bluetts Block was added to the Molonglo River Reserve earlier this year. However, the block was still listed as a ‘future urban overlay’ on planning documents, leaving community members worried the Government still wanted to develop the block in the future. The removal of this overlay today now gives confidence to the community that this spot will remain a reserve in perpetuity, giving in the recognition it deserves as a key ecological site within the ACT. However, while this is a big victory, one block of Bluetts remains unprotected, and we will continue to the push the Government to add this final section of the block into the nature reserve in the future.
Brought together, these two changes are huge wins not just for nature, but for the broader ACT community. They ensure key protection of key ecological and recreational sites. Well done to the entire community who has fought for these wins!