2 October 2026

It is with sadness and excitement that yesterday was the last day for our amazing campaigner, Aoibhinn Crimmins! Aoibhinn has been an incredible presence in our office, spearheading two huge campaigns, and she is going to be a massive loss to The Council. However, we are all excited to see what Aoibhinn does in the future, particularly as she heads to Newcastle to volunteer with Rising Tide.

Aoibhinn has finished with a bang! Two weeks ago we had 360 Canberrans line up for city limits in Canberra’s biggest ever Nutbush. Three days later we filled question time, with the Planning Minister Chris Steel being asked 6 questions on the Western Edge. For the first time ever he told us that the Government is planning to *extend* protections to the Western Edge, which is a huge win. You can find out more about that here.

There are some other important things in this newsletter, including our submission on the just transition off fossil fuel gas in the ACT, and more Bush Buds and Western Edge Walks. We also have two new pages providing information about H5 bird flu in Australia and the ACT and the Citizen COP / COP 31 for you to have a look at.

Until next time,

The Conservation Council team.

As a non-profit, non-government organisation, the Conservation Council ACT Region relies on the donations of our generous supporters.

STAND UP FOR NATURE PROTECTION
AND CLIMATE ACTION BY GIVING TODAY

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Contribute to our Western Edge Campaign Fund!

It has been a huge month for the Save our Western Edge Campaign. And the ACT Government is listening! We’ve heard from multiple sources that the Government is paying real attention to this campaign and it is having a significant influence in their decision making for what they want to do with this beautiful part of Canberra.

But we cannot stop now! We’re asking you to help us take the campaign to the next level.

Last year we launched our Western Edge Campaign fund and raised $7,500 to help us power this campaign. Now, we’re asking if you can help us raise another $7,500 to ensure we can maintain our hard-fought momentum to protect our beautiful Western Edge!

HELP US HIT OUR TARGET!

Canberra's Biggest Nutbush: We lined up for our City Limits!

We made history with Canberra's biggest ever Nutbush line dance to call on the ACT Government to follow through on their promise to set - not Nutbush City Limits but Canberra City Limits!

With 360 people in attendance, we broke the previous record by ten people, which means every single person who showed up made a difference!

Head over to our Instagram and Facebook pages to see photos and videos from the event.

Community members visit Question Time to directly ask the Planning Minister about saving our Western Edge

Forty community members filled the Legislative Assembly Chamber during Question Time today to hear questions asked of the Planning Minister as to whether he will keep Canberra's Western Edge outside of the to-be-set urban growth boundary for the ACT.

The answers surprised us, with the Planning Minister indicating a strong intention to protect large parts, if not all, of the Western Edge.

Continue reading to find out more.

HELP US TO KEEP THE CAMPAIGN MOMENTUM GOING!

We're hiring!

The Conservation Council ACT Region is seeking an enthusiastic campaigner with experience in community organising, campaign strategy development, and communications. The successful applicant will develop and lead campaigns to achieve positive environmental outcomes for the ACT - across issues related to biodiversity, nature and waterways, climate, transport and waste. At the moment this will mean taking carriage of our Save The Western Edge! and 1% For Nature campaigns, however, this may change as campaign priorities shift. We are looking for someone with strong campaigning experience, but are also willing to train a candidate who brings enthusiasm, energy and passion to the role.

Apply now!

AGM 2026 in November - Please Consider Nominating For The Board and Sharing With Your Membership

The Conservation Council ACT Region Inc Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday 26 November 2026 at 6.00pm at the Conservation Council Office and on Zoom.

The Council is looking for skilled members to nominate to join our board at the election. We will have a number of vacancies are will welcome nominations from people of all different skills. If possible we'd like to ask if you would be willing to share information about our board nominations with your members - we have a board position description here and we ask you to share it far and wide.

Find out more about the AGM and register here.

Conservation Council strongly supports a just transition off fossil fuel gas in the ACT

The Conservation Council has responded to the discussion paper on the ACT Government’s consultation on gas appliance regulation.

The Conservation Council strongly supports a just transition off fossil fuel gas in the ACT, and welcomes the ACT Government’s regulation of gas appliances, along with some other recommendations.

Continue to read.

Western Edge T-shirts and Calendar

Our new calendar is now available to purchase in our shop! Our Western Edge 2027 Calendar featuring 13 annotated photos. Be transported each month to a new part of our Western Edge and see why this beautiful landscape is worth protecting for present and future generations to come!

The first round of t-shirt orders is now closed and they are ready to be collected from our office! We will be able to submit a new order to the supplier once 50 more t-shirts were purchased.

These t-shirts not only look amazing, but will be a great way to raise awareness for the Save our Western Edge campaign out in public while also helping raise funds for future campaign activities.

A huge thank you to our photographers and community members for providing their beautiful photography for this and to campaign volunteer Remus Douglas, (@larrikinfound) for creating amazing designs for the t-shirt as well as the Calendar.

Branching out Nature Walks

10 Oct, 10am - 12:30pm Art, flora and fauna of Umbagong District Park. Register!
Sun 4th Oct 2026, 10:00 am Nature Walk and Beginner Photography
Register!

Gula Habitat Transect Sampling at Namadgi

If you are up for early starts and a full day out, to help with Gula habitat sampling in Namadgi contact info@conservationcouncil.org.au. Please note that these areas are only accessible by 4WD and there is a limited number of seats available.

7 Oct - Corin Road between Smokers Flat and the dam
14t Oct - Bushfold Flat via Mt Tennent Fire Trail
21 Oct - Orroral Ridge Road south of Honeysuckle Camp Ground
28th Oct Boboyan Road western side between Yerrabi Track and Shanahans

Western Edge Walks

Join us for a guided walk of Canbera's Western Edge to find out how our beloved rural areas of grassy woodland rolling towards the Murrumbidgee River and triple-tiered mountain ranges could change.

Campaign volunteers have organised a range of walks to offer something for everyone:

Molonglo River Reserve, 27 Sept
Stony Creek Nature Reserve, 18 Oct
Cooleman Ridge, 25 Oct
Stony Creek to Murrumbidgee River, 8 Nov

Find out more and register!

Community News

Draft National Recovery Plan for the Gang-Gang Cockatoo (closes 7 Oct)

Feedback is now invited on the draft National Recovery Plan for the Gang-Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) (Read more.)

Citizen COP 2026 national agenda is live

This isn't a scaled-down version of COP. It's a different kind of COP altogether.

No paid speakers. No fossil fuel influence. No flights. Just people, showing up, in the places they already call home — because we believe the way we organise participation should reflect the values we're asking the world to adopt.

Find end register for events here!

If you are considering to become a partner contact citizencop@peoplefornature.rg.au.

Wanted! Participants for research regarding climate anxiety and nature connectedness

This PhD project at the University of Canberra needs you to explore how individuals may be managing their climate anxiety.

You need to be:

- 18-years and older,
- live in Australia,
- experience feelings related to climate anxiety.

Find out more details and how to participate here: https://qualtricsxmmzngmz8jw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xxGfrayihSeSmq

Changes are proposed to the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method

Provide your feedback on proposed changes to the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM), which underpins the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. The consultation is open until 10 October 2026. Access here.

Draft National Parks Establishment Plan for NSW

The draft plan updates the current National Parks Establishment Plan (2008), providing a clear framework for growing the national park estate to protect NSW's unique natural and cultural heritage for future generations. This includes how land will be assessed and prioritised for future investment. Have your say here.

Environment Protection Reform Consultation: Shaping the Next Phase of Environmental Reforms

DCCEEW consultation on the next stage of Australia’s environment protection reforms ahead of their commencement by 1 December 2026. Have your say here.

Support ending native forest logging

Get your free yard sign: show your neighbours, local MP and election candidates that you care about protecting forests. You can show support for the Great Southern Forest or Ending Native Forest Logging – or both! Click links below to find out more about each campaign and order your sign today.

I support ending native forest logging or I support the Great Southern Forest

Website(s) of Interest

The Plastic Country is an urgent documentary exposing Australia’s hidden relationship with plastic and the growing consequences for our health, wildlife and environment. Watch it now!

Boomerang Alliance has a new website!

EDO article: EDO principles for responsible data centre development

Report: Fit to Rent: A Roadmap for Mandatory Energy Efficiency Standards in NSW - read here.

Volunteer With Us

If you'd like to get involved with Conservation Council, whether that's helping out on our campaigns, researching and writing policy submissions or something else entirely, we would love to hear from you! You can find out more and get in touch here.

Sign a petition to protect nature and ensure a safe climate future

Give Australian wildlife a fighting chance against bird flu calling for a Wildlife Resilience Fund: an initial two-year, $200 million investment to strengthen vulnerable wildlife populations, repair critical habitat and ease the pressure from feral cats, foxes, rats and other invasive threats already pushing species to the edge.

Make Polluters Pay - E-Petition
The ACT is experiencing increasing natural disaster as a result of climate change. This includes heatwaves, severe storms, bushfires and associated smoke and flooding, placing pressure on local infrastructure, services and community wellbeing, and rising costs experienced by all Canberrans.

Save our Western Edge! With Canberra’s urban boundary being set by the ACT Government in 2027, we have to tell our government now, before decisions are made, that we want our Western Edge protected — not developed — so it can continue to provide vital services to our community.

Upcoming events

Orchid Walks on Black Mountain

4 October, 9:30am-12 noon & repeated 1:30 pm to 4 pm

Choose your time to book and to discover some spring flowering native terrestrial orchids and learn something more of this fascinating group of plants with Matt Mullaney, Shoko Okado, Tobias Hayashi and Rob Gibbon.

Yes, daylight saving starts that very day.

MEET at the car park on the mountain side of Caswell Drive. Look for FOBM banners; (from Belconnen Way drive south towards Glenloch Interchange)

BYO enthusiasm, hat, sunblock, water, stout shoes, & hand lens if you have one, and snacks of you wish.

Book: https://www.trybooking.com/DNZFT Choose the time you would like for the walk

TERN webinar

7 October, 3 pm to 4 pm

Seeing our vegetation change - why LiDAR time series matter for Australia’s future. Register.

Australian River Restoration Centre’s 4-part webinar series

8,15,22,29 October, 12:30 pm to 2 pm

Understanding Your Landscapes helping land managers understand their landscape - website; Register

55th Black Mountain Spring Wildflower Ramble in October

10 October, 9.30am sharp to 12noon or later

Celebrate the spring flowering on beautiful Black Mountain with a social ramble appreciating wildflowers in the tradition established by Nancy Burbidge, continued by George Chippendale, and then Jean Geue. Discover the surprising diversity of tiny orchids, bush peas, wattles and billy buttons on easy bush tracks with experienced guides and good company. All springs are not the same. The pattern remains but timing and abundance vary with the weather; after the weather we have had this year we are anticipating a special display of flowers. Friends of Black Mountain welcomes everyone, be they experts or those who have never slowed down to see the somewhat cryptic diversity. We plan several guides, with helpers, who will take different directions.

Please allow time to park and walk to the meeting point.

Meet at Belconnen Way entry just before Caswell Drive turnoff - watch for balloons or banners

BYO morning tea, water, hat, sunblock and stout shoes.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: https://www.trybooking.com/DNZFU

Film Premiere - Taking the Channel

11 October, 5:30pm - 7pm, Polish White Eagle Club - Turner
Join the Canberra screening of Rising Tide’s new short film, Taking the Channel: the extraordinary tale of the biggest, boldest, most disruptive People’s Blockade yet. With epic footage and powerful storytellers, this is the story of how thousands of everyday people go up against the multi-billion dollar coal industry in a powerful act of defiance.

Doors open at 5:30 for light snacks followed by the screening. Then hear from a live panel who were there amongst it all and find out how you can get involved to be part of Rising Tide’s ambitious plans to dial up the fight. RSVP here.

National Ride2Work Day

14 October

Canberra, get ready to ride! National Ride2Work Day returns on Wednesday 14 October 2026, bringing together thousands of people across Australia who choose to swap four wheels for two and experience the benefits of riding to work.Whether you're a regular commuter or considering riding to work for the first time, Ride2Work Day is a chance to enjoy a healthier, more active journey and be part of a city filled with people on bikes. Read more and register. Also, check out the Find A Guide here!

Public lecture - Colonial wilding: Cattle, Kangaroo and Gumbakuluk

14 October, 4.30 refreshments, 5pm start

Please join the School of Sociology and RSSS Professor Fiona Probyn-Rapsey for a public lecture.

Find out more: https://cass.anu.edu.au/events/colonial-wilding-cattle-kangaroo-and-gumbakuluk

NatureArt Lab classes

6–27 October, Tuesdays 6–8.30pm

Watercolour Two (Evenings) with Esther Shelley Read more and book.

8–29 October, Thursdays 6–8.30pm

Watercolour One (Evenings) with Esther Shelley Read more and book.

10–11 October, 9.30am–4pm

Botanicals in Collage and Gouache with Lesley Wallington Read more and book.

12 October–9 November, Mondays 6–8.30pm

Drawing One: Foundations (Evenings) with Dr Taylor Singh Read more and book.

13 October–3 November, Tuesdays 9.30am–12pm

Watercolour One (Daytime) with Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao Read more and book.

14 October–4 November, Wednesdays 9.30am–12pm

Introduction to Australian Landscape in Acrylics with Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao. Read more and book.

NatureArt Lab Studio, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith. See more NatureArt Lab classes.

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We acknowledge the Ngunnawal (Ngunawal), Ngambri and Ngarigo Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, extending respect to all other First Nations people with connection to this region. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded and we benefit from stolen Country. We recognise the deep and continuing connection that First Nations Peoples have with land, sea, culture and community. We are striving to stand in allyship with First Nations communities for self-determination and environmental justice.

Conservation Council ACT Region

info@conservationcouncil.org.au

(02) 6229 3200