10.07.2015 Views

Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

IssuesSupport to <strong>the</strong> Conservator for Flora <strong>and</strong> FaunaThe Office of Conservator of Fauna <strong>and</strong> Flora is established under <strong>the</strong> Nature ConservationAct 1980 225 <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Conservator has additional responsibilities under <strong>the</strong> Planning <strong>and</strong>Development Act 2007 <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tree Protection Act 2005. 226 The Conservation, Planning <strong>and</strong>Research team within TAMS, in effect, works to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Chief</strong> Executive of DECCEW in <strong>the</strong>capacity of Conservator of Flora <strong>and</strong> Fauna. Briefing is also provided to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Chief</strong> Executiveof TAMS, which risks muddying accountabilities <strong>and</strong> responsibilities. Support for thisfunction should be transferred to Sustainable Development.Role of Statutory Office HoldersA number of overlapping, if not conflicting, recommendations were made in consultationsabout <strong>the</strong> role of <strong>the</strong> Conservator of Flora <strong>and</strong> Fauna <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Commissioner for Sustainability<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Environment. One suggestion was that <strong>the</strong> Conservator’s former concurrence roleover major biodiversity matters should be reinstated, with a view to streamlining planningdecision making processes.The primary role of <strong>the</strong> Conservator is to administer <strong>and</strong> enforce <strong>the</strong> Nature Conservation Act1980 <strong>and</strong> address high-level conservation issues within <strong>the</strong> Territory. While administration of<strong>the</strong> Tree Protection Act 2005 does include considering environmental issues, its remit ismuch broader, involving native <strong>and</strong> non-native trees. The argument was advanced to <strong>the</strong>Review that tree protection in urban areas is a local government issue, <strong>and</strong> that ra<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong>Conservator playing its current role, it would seem appropriate for a person with arboricultureor horticultural expertise – an ACT Arborist – to be <strong>the</strong> main decision-maker.The Review notes <strong>the</strong> Government has recently announced a review of <strong>the</strong> NatureConservation Act 1980 227 <strong>and</strong> is currently considering <strong>the</strong> report on public consultationsabout exp<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>the</strong> role of <strong>the</strong> Commissioner. The Commissioner is also expected to delivera report on <strong>the</strong> investigation into <strong>the</strong> Government’s tree management practices <strong>and</strong> renewal ofCanberra’s urban forest shortly.The Review recommends <strong>the</strong> roles <strong>and</strong> responsibilities of <strong>the</strong> Conservator, <strong>the</strong> Commissioner<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> need for an ACT Arborist be settled in <strong>the</strong> light of those reports. These mattersrequire fur<strong>the</strong>r detailed consideration. If <strong>the</strong> Government were disposed to pursue <strong>the</strong>seoptions, <strong>the</strong>y should be considered in <strong>the</strong> context of a broader consideration of developmentapproval processes following implementation of <strong>the</strong> structural changes proposed below.225 See http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1980-20/default.asp226 See http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2005-51/default.asp227 Seehttp://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/210315/MIN_183_1210_Nature_Conservation_Act_review.pdfAdministrative Arrangements Changes: 176

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!