Media Release Wednesday 26 February 2014

Today the Canberra Liberals will push the ACT Labor government to establish a single nature conservation agency to make environmental management in Canberra more effective.

The government obviously needs a wake-up call as it has been in consideration for over 12 months and no action has been taken, Shadow Minister for the Environment Nicole Lawder said today.

“Community organisations like the Conservation Council have been calling for a more streamlined, effective and efficient approach to environmental management in Canberra for some time,” Ms Lawder said.

“A single nature conservation agency would better integrate corporate knowledge and carry out policy implementation. It means the ‘doing’ and ‘policy’ functions will come under the one directorate, resulting in better outcomes.

“The ACT Labor government needs to commit to making these structural changes for the future good of the environment and the community. Given the government will be receiving new funding for Canberra’s water catchment and management, now more than ever, better environmental administration is needed,” Ms Lawder concluded.

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Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432