2025-11-19
The ACT Greens have welcomed an investigation into the future of the critically endangered Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon, announced by the ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment in Annual Report Hearings late yesterday afternoon.
Following questioning from the ACT Greens Deputy Leader, Jo Clay, the Commissioner noted that the future-focused report will also review the approval conditions given to the airport for their road development which paved over one of the last habitats of the dragons.
"Our dragons are on the brink of extinction and we've seen government continue to choose development over saving the dragon," Ms Clay said.
"Given the Federal Labor Government has promised no new extinctions on their watch, it is still a mystery to me why they gave the airport the greenlight to push the dragons further to extinction by destroying one of the last few remaining habitats.
"This investigation will not only help point out what we need to do to save these uniquely Canberra reptiles from extinction but also draw a conclusion about whether the approval conditions on the road actually protect the dragon.
"This long-term plan is sorely needed, and it's welcomed to hear the Commissioner looking into habitat protection more broadly across the ACT for the earless dragons. These habitats are incredibly rich ecosystems and home to a lot of our native wildlife - but most aren't protected.
"Already this year we have seen the ACT Labor Government side with developers over protecting ecologically vital grasslands - at Ainslie Volcanics - and last term calling in development on Bluetts Block, which Government then reversed and protected following community outrage.
"The Greens look forward to the report and urge the ACT Labor Government to take it seriously and respond in a way that puts people and planet over developers."