Save OUR WESTERN EDGE!
Canberra’s Western Edge, a beautiful area of critically endangered ecosystems to Canberra’s west, is up for unsustainable, unaffordable and dangerous development by the ACT Government.
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.
Sign the petition to the ACT Legislative Assembly to save our Western Edge
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory,
This petition draws to the attention of the Assembly that Canberra’s Western Edge is 9,800 hectares of beautiful yet critically endangered ecosystems to the west of Canberra that provides:
- A biodiversity hotspot and sanctuary to many of Canberra’s endangered species, including the Superb parrot, the Pink-tailed worm-lizard & the Murray Cod;
- A protective buffer zone to thousands of residents in Canberra’s western-most suburbs from bushfires, extreme heat and flooding, all of which are to occur with greater frequency and severity under climate change;
- A dearly loved place of recreation and relaxation for Canberrans young and old, including for bushwalking, biking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, horse riding, bird watching and rock climbing;
- A place of ancient Ngunnawal cultural heritage and custodianship, including many occupation sites and pathways for trading and ceremony;
- A site of carbon sequestration, air filtration and water filtration, helping mitigate the effects of climate change and pollution on the city;
- A natural barrier to urban sprawl and its negative effects on the environment and community.
Your petitioners therefore request the Assembly to:
- Keep the Western Edge outside of the to-be-set ACT urban boundary.
- Take the Western Edge out of the ACT Government’s development plans.
- Ensure the Western Edge is sufficiently protected and managed for its ecological, cultural and recreational values.
Current number of signatures: 1949*
* Pending physical petitions being uploaded
Make sure your voice is heard by giving your representatives a call or by sending them a message
Since launching the campaign, the ACT Greens and independent MLA Thomas Emerson have come out in strong support of the community’s call for saving our Western Edge from development.
The ACT Liberals made a commitment to protecting the Western Edge in their 2024 election campaign but are now reviewing their election policies. We urge the ACT Liberals to stay the course of sustainable urban planning and re-commit to protecting our Western Edge.
Independent MLA Fiona Carrick has said she is awaiting further information before deciding whether she supports the community’s call to save the Western Edge from development. We urge Fiona Carrick MLA to listen to both the community and expert sustinable planners and commit her support for saving the Western Edge.
The ACT Labor Government continue to investigate the development of the Western Edge and have not heeded the community’s calls to protect this area for its ecological, cultural and recreational values.
The fight to save the Western Edge continues. Contact your representatives today.
Select your local electorate to see the phone numbers and social media accounts for your representatives.
Upcoming Western Edge Events
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Volunteer on the campaign!
Whether you have just one hour here and there or you would like to volunteer regularly, we have an impactful volunteer role ready for you!
Host a Screening of On the Edge
On the Edge is a 35 minute documentary about Canberra’s Western Edge, the community campaign to save it and the future of our bush capital more broadly made by local filmmaker Trent Houssenloge of Cowboy Hat Films. You can access the film online and watch it with you friends, family or community group to raise awareness about the Western Edge and bring people onto the campaign.
About our Western Edge
The Western Edge is...
The ‘Western Edge’ is 9,800 hectares of beautiful, culturally significant yet critically endangered ecosystems to the west of Canberra – bordered by the Murrumbidgee River and the regions of Belconnen, Molonglo Valley, Weston Creek and Kambah.
An ecological sanctuary
The Western Edge features beautiful rivers, woodlands and grasslands and is home to many rare plants & animals including the Superb Parrot, platypus, orchids, microbats, the Macquarie Perch, the Slender-tailed Dunnart, the Pink-tailed Worm Lizard, the Murray River Crayfish and the Yellow-footed Antichinus.
A sacred Ngunnawal site
The Western Edge is located on unceded Ngunnawal Country and is a place of ancient and continuing Ngunnawal custodianship and cultural heritage. For example, the Molonglo River features many occupation sites and is a part of Ngunnawal songlines and trading routes.
A place to relax and play
There’s something for everyone in the Western Edge! Popular activities include bushwalking, swimming, biking, kayaking, fishing, horse riding, bird watching and rock climbing. Head to our linktree to see what activities are on offer today.
A protective buffer
The Western Edge acts a protective buffer for thousands of residents in Canberra’s western-most suburbs from bushfires, extreme heat and flooding, all of which are to occur with greater frequency and severity under climate change (ACT Bushfire Council, 2021).
An example of sustainable agriculture
The Western Edge is a landscape with productive grazing farms home to many farming families who have been living off and caring for the land for generations. Nowadays, there are leading examples of sustainable agriculture and land management practices being used in the Western Edge, bringing about improved outcomes for nature, producers and consumers alike.
A barrier to urban sprawl
The Western Edge represents a natural barrier to urban sprawl due to it’s hilly geography and significant values. “Urban sprawl” is when a city expands rapidly outwards creating dispersed, low-density suburbs. Urban sprawl negatively affects people and the environment by destroying nature, separating people from each other and the services they need, and requiring costly private vehicle use.
Latest News
The Western Edge: A Place of Unique Heritage
This post was prepared by Conservation Council volunteer, William Jones. Please note this post is based on information gathered from current publicly available studies. The cultural heritage value of the Western Edge is an invaluable part of Canberra’s identity and...
First volunteer info session for the Western Edge and 1% for Nature campaigns a success
Our first volunteer information session for the joint Save our Western Edge! and 1% for Nature campaigns was a huge success! We had over 25 people learning about the joint campaign strategy, signing up for different volunteer roles, joining their local campaign group...
Hundreds in attendance for the premiere screening of On the Edge
Over 200 people attended the premiere screening of our documentary On the Edge last night, in a powerful display of community support for Canberra's Western Edge. After the film, we delved deeper into the challenge of urban sprawl here in the ACT with a panel...
Connecting the Western Edge and 1% for Nature campaigns
In March of this year, the Conservation Council ACT Region joined other environmental advocacy organisations across the country in launching the national 1% for Nature Campaign. This campaign calls on the federal Labor Government to dedicate 1% of the federal budget...
The Bush Capital? Canberra and the Western Edge
This post was submitted by community member Emily Rasheed. The bush of Canberra, the so-called ‘Bush Capital’ of Australia is under threat as population pressures rise. The Western Edge (WE), 9,800 ha of natural ecosystem and agricultural land has been zoned as...
Canberrans Call on ACT Government to Save Our Western Edge
Over 100 Canberrans rallied outside The ACT Legislative Assembly today, calling on the Government to Save Our Western Edge. The ‘Western Edge’ is 9800 hectares, which contains beautiful and critically endangered ecosystems to the west of Canberra – bordered by the...
Submit your photo for our Western Edge Calendar
We're inviting you to submit a photo to our Western Edge 2027 Calendar. The ‘Western Edge’ is 9800 hectares of beautiful, critically endangered ecosystems to the west of Canberra; bordered by the Murrumbidgee River and the regions of Kambah, Weston Creek, Molonglo...
Minister Steel’s Initial Response to the Western Edge Campaign
Four months later, we have recieved a response from Minister Steel to our letter regarding the Save our Western Edge campaign. This is the same response Minister Steel is sending to constituents when they notify him that they have signed the campaign's petition. You...
The Conservation Council writes to the Ministers regarding the Western Edge Investigation Area
Today, the Conservation Council ACT Region has formally requested the ACT Government commit to the following asks of the "Save our Western Edge!" campaign: Keep the Western Edge outside of the to-be-set ACT urban boundary Take the Western Edge out of the ACT...
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