The battle for Central Molonglo – endangered grassy woodlands worth protecting

Canberrans aren’t the only ones who love the wooded slopes that run from The Pinnacle Nature Reserve down to the lower reaches of the Molonglo River. Threatened woodland birds like the Superb Parrot, Little Eagle, and the elusive Brown Treecreeper love it too. 

This special part of Canberra, known as Central Molonglo, supports critically endangered ecological communities of Box-Gum Grassy Woodland and Natural Temperate Grassland. The area forms part of the Upper Murrumbidgee River Catchment, which has outstanding natural values and serves as a buffer zone against bushfires. We’re all enjoying this part of our Bush Capital — let’s keep that special character intact. The Conservation Council’s Biodiversity Working Group has conducted an investigation into securing protection for Central Molonglo — you can read the full report here.

For those familiar with environmental issues in the ACT, you’d be excused for thinking the battle to protect nature in Central Molonglo had already been fought and won. We’re talking about the slopes that separate Whitlam from Holt and Higgins north of the Molonglo River. The ACT Government proposed developing this area in April 2008; however, the National Capital Authority indicated to what is now the Territory Planning Authority (TPA) that development should be excluded from this area due to environmental concerns, including concerns expressed by members of the public. ^[1]

Referring to Central Molonglo, one member of the public noted, “In terms of size, connectivity, diversity and condition, the yellow box‐red gum woodland remnants are exceptional … with very high regional and national conservation significance.”^[2]

Citing the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment’s Report No 36 in support, on 18 August 2008, the then ACT Minister for Planning Andrew Barr MLA directed the TPA to vary the Territory Plan Map to “remove Central Molonglo in perpetuity from being considered as a future urban area.” ^[3]

On 10 Dec 2025, the ACT Government’s Suburban Land Authority (SLA) advised the Conservation Council’s Executive Director that it had issued a tender for a consultant to prepare subdivision development applications over:^[4]

• The Vines – block 1582 in Belconnen, a 62.1-hectare site formerly owned by Hardy’s wines, zoned Broadacre (NUZ1)
• Pine Ridge – block 1600 in Belconnen, a 164.3-hectare site used for equestrian activities, agistment and cattle grazing, currently zoned Hills, Ridges and Buffers (NUZ3)

The Conservation Council asked the Planning Minister what the NCA thinks of this proposal. All we got in response was a promise that “design processes will consider the existing non-urban zoning and ecological values” of the blocks and assurance that the Council will be consulted. ^[5]

This is not good enough. For nature’s sake, the Conservation Council is seeking an assurance that the decisions of two governments in 2008, which we understand required the protection of this land in perpetuity, will be honoured. We have been calling for years for conservation management plans and actions to be put in place over Central Molonglo to enhance this habitat over time.

Undoubtedly, Canberra needs more housing to support our growing population, as we outlined in our Submission on Missing Middle Housing Reform. However, further greenfield, low-density development in Central Molonglo is not the right approach. We support the proposed Missing Middle policy in its ambition to “make better use of our existing suburbs and plan for a more compact, efficient and sustainable Canberra”. Increasing urban density is essential to reducing the increasing sprawl of Canberra’s suburbs, which destroys habitat and often results in increased private car dependency, contributing to carbon emissions. 

The Conservation Council urge you to get bothered about what’s at risk in Central Molonglo. It’s time for the Government to deliver on their promises. 

You can read our full analysis on Central Molonglo here.