Corbell Brief 23 September 2009

Meeting with Simon Corbell, Minister for Environment, 23/9/09 Objective: To seek Minister’s support to change land use in Horse Paddock 7 in Block 1, Section 86 to ‘Land Use ‘Hills, Ridges and Buffer’ to establish a secure and permanent environmental link between CNP, and Watson Woodlands

Watson woodlands→

Canberra Nature Park

Issues ¾ This block is an important natural link between Canberra Nature Park and Watson Woodlands ¾ zoned as entertainment, accommodation and leisure (CZ6) so no current impetus or security to protect/enhance it as a natural corridor ¾ Climate change threats to biodiversity makes this more pressing, as implies greater need for flexibility of wildlife movement, and for travel from hilltop (CNP) to fertile, less stressed lower areas ¾ Enhancing the link e.g. through establishing Horse Paddock 7 as a wildlife corridor, with tree planting etc would add to ecological values of Watson Woodlands and conversely, failure to do so limits and may detract from these potential values − Has good potential as a link (and conversely adverse potential for erosion and nutrient flows if not appropriately managed) as drainage lines flow into Watson Woodlands − Would expect that expert opinion would support securing and enhancing this as a corridor given its linkages ¾ Strong and active community group willing to invest in the link, with government support