2023-11-07
Today, the ACT Government has announced the final Action Plan to prevent the Loss of Mature Native Trees in the ACT.
Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said the action plan is a key lever to protect mature native trees in her environment portfolio.
“Our environment is in crisis. There has been a significant and continuing decline in the number of mature native trees across the ACT over the last two centuries,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“Keeping trees firmly planted in the ground of our local suburbs will improve our resilience to climate change. They keep our air clean. They keep our water clean. Most importantly of all, they play a massive role in preserving the habitat of our local wildlife.
“That is why I have released this plan to ensure our mature native trees – our big, old eucalypts - are preserved and protected.
“In 2018, the destruction of mature native trees was listed as key factor contributing to the threatened species listing of beloved and rare native animals like the Superb Parrot.
“When we asked Canberrans, they told us that they share the Government’s concerns and want to see our mature trees better protected in the suburbs.
“As trees can take up to 150 years to fully mature, they cannot be replaced by a seed or sapling. That’s why we need to protect the ones we have and ensure a steady stream of new trees are protected so that they can mature.
“This action plan is another example of the pivotal work being undertaken to protect our threatened species before it’s too late.”
Over 300 Australian native species rely on tree hollows for safety, find food, and raise their young. Overwhelmingly, these animals show preference for mature, native trees – without them, Canberra would not attract so much of the spectacular biodiversity we see every day.