Gungahlin strategic assessment

In 2013, the Australian Government and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government agreed to the strategic assessment of proposed development in Gungahlin. Strategic assessments let us consider impacts to protected matters on a broad scale. Projects or activities covered by an approved strategic assessment don't need individual approval.

 

Strategic assessments are a collaboration between the Australian Government and an assessment partner. This collaboration allows for a big-picture approach to safeguarding protected matters from the impacts of development over a long time.

The Gungahlin (ACT) strategic assessment on this page is finalised. This means the Environment minister agreed to areas where development is allowed. The partner must now implement the environmental commitments and conditions, and is restricted to agreed developments in the plan.

The partner must also continue to report annually to the Australian Government until 2043 that the policy's requirements are being implemented.

Overview

The strategic assessment covers the impact of development on biodiversity and protected matters in Gungahlin, including the:

  • superb parrot
  • regent honeyeater
  • striped legless lizard
  • pink-tailed worm-lizard
  • golden sun moth
  • white box-yellow box-Blakely's red gum grassy woodlands and derived native grassland
  • natural temperate grassland of the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (potentially occurring in the area).

View a map of the location of the Gungahlin development sites in ACT.

The ACT Directorate for Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development has more information on the Gungahlin Strategic Assessment.

Signed agreement

On 2 October 2012, a strategic assessment agreement was signed by the:

  • Australian Government
  • ACT Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development
  • ACT Directorate of Economic Development.

On 19 March 2013, all parties agreed to vary the agreement to include the Gungahlin Town Centre.

Variation to the strategic assessment agreement, including the terms of reference (PDF 3.03 MB)
Variation to the strategic assessment agreement, including the terms of reference (DOCX 566 KB)

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for a strategic assessment detail how the strategic assessment partner is to assess the impacts of their proposed development activities.

The final terms of reference are attached to the strategic assessment agreement.

Impact report

The ACT Government published a draft biodiversity plan and draft strategic assessment report for public comment from 22 March to 19 April 2013.

Gungahlin Strategic Assessment Final Report 2013 (PDF 6 MB)
Gungahlin Strategic Assessment Final Report 2013 (DOCX 4 MB)

A summary of public comments and response to submissions:

Gungahlin Strategic Assessment - Supplementary Report (PDF 1.49 MB)
Gungahlin Strategic Assessment - Supplementary Report (DOC 853 KB)

Approved development

On 20 June 2013, the Commonwealth minister endorsed the Gungahlin Strategic Assessment.

Endorsement Notice (PDF 202.79 KB)
Endorsement Notice (DOCX 38.7 KB)

Gungahlin Strategic Assessment Biodiversity Plan (PDF 1.85 MB)
Gungahlin Strategic Assessment Biodiversity Plan (DOCX 2.44 MB)

The strategic assessment includes commitments from the ACT Government to avoid, mitigate and offset impacts on the natural environment.

The strategic assessment is valid until 1 January 2043. After this, the offset areas become part of the Canberra Nature Park.

On 17 July 2013, the Commonwealth minister approved classes of actions under the endorsed plan. This allows for development and other activities without further ministerial approval.

Gungahlin strategic assessment biodiversity plan approval decision (PDF 342.38 KB)
Gungahlin strategic assessment biodiversity plan approval decision (DOCX 38.46 KB)

Post-approval reviews

The strategic assessment partner must make reporting documents available to the public, including the:

  • annual report
  • program review report
  • independent audit.

They must also submit these documents to us.

Find these reports on the ACT Planning website.

Get in touch

Contact our Referrals Gateway team: