The Northern Corroboree Frog, Swift Parrot, Regent Honeyeater and two species of rare orchids – the Canberra Spider Orchid and the Brindabella Midge Orchid – are now listed as ‘critically endangered’ in the ACT to align with national listings.
Seventeen other nationally threatened species have also been added to the ACT Threatened Native Species List across various categories.
For a full list of amendments made to the Threatened Species List, visit environment.act.gov.au
Managing invasive animals
The ACT Government is pursuing changes to protect the environment from animals that harm biodiversity and ecosystems in the Canberra region and is asking the community to comment on how to better manage invasive animals and exotic animals kept as pets.
Proposed changes to the Pest Animals Declaration (under the Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005) will help manage the risks that invasive species pose to the region’s delicate local ecosystems and agriculture.
More than 380 mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians and fish are proposed to be added to the Pest Animals Declaration,significantly increasing the 209 animal species or groups of species currently listed.
The ACT Government is also reviewing thelist of animals that can be kept in captivity, bred, traded or imported without a licence.
Have your say at yoursay.act.gov.au/managing-invasive-animals; Public consultation ends on 10 July.
Sustainable actions recognised
Businesses across the Canberra region have been recognised for their commitment to making a change towards a more sustainable future.
The 10th annual Actsmart Business Sustainability Awards were held on Thursday 23 May with arecord 94 nominations for the 10 awards.
Brema Group’s Mark Siracusa won the Minister’s Award for Leadership, while the business also won the Waste Minimisation and Corporate Award categories.
Scott Leggo from Scott Leggo Gallery won the Minister’s Award for Leadership and his business won the Energy & Water Star category.
Other award winners include: Biggest Recycler – Cooleman Court Shopping Centre Mirvac Retail; Biggest Recycler Small Event – North Ainslie Primary School Sustainability Fair; Biggest Recycler Large Event – Kicks Entertainment Events Spilt Milk 2018; Small Business Award – ACT Skip Hire; Motivation Excellence – Indesco; and Innovation Excellence – Canberra Health Services, The Canberra Hospital.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said Actsmart programs assist organisations across the Canberra region to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through better energy and water efficiencies and waste reduction.
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