Dr Chris Watson
President
Ginninderra Falls Association
C/- 79 Denny Street
LATHAM ACT 2615
Dear Dr Watson
Thank you for your letter of 6 January 2014 about the formation of a working group to assist in pursuing a National Park which incorporates the Ginninderra Falls, I am also responding on behalf of Minister Simon Corbell MLA who received your letter on 21 January 2014.
As you have noted the NSW Government, through its Office of Environment and Heritage, acknowledged that the area has conservation value and recreational opportunities. However, the NSW office advised that the purchase of the land for gazettal is not a current priority.
You may be aware that the ACT Government, through the Land Development Agency, chairs the West Belconnen Cross-Border Committee which is overseeing the assessment of the 'Riverview' proposal. The committee membership includes officials from the ACT Government's Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate, the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure, the Yass Valley Council and Riverview representatives.
The West Belconnen Cross-Border Committee is mindful of the potential implications of the Riverview development on Ginninderra Falls, I am advised that the proponent for the development, Mr David Maxwell, has engaged with the Ginninderra Falls Association to update members on the scope of the proposal and possible opportunities to incorporate the Falls into the broader Riverview precinct. Until the NSW Government deems the area a national park priority, and with the existing cross border committee cognisant of the Ginninderra Falls issues, I am not able to commit further resources to establish another working group.
Thank you for writing to me on this matter.
Yours sincerely
Katy Gallagher MLA
Chief Minister
4 FEB 2014
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