This petition of certain residents of the Australian Capital Territory draws to the attention of the Assembly that:
(1) we the undersigned strongly object to the lack of Heritage protection for Lake Burley Griffin and all its surrounding lakeshore landscapes;
(2) we repudiate as unacceptable the infill of part of West Basin’s lake waters and the appropriation for private development of ACT public parks and open spaces surrounding Lake Burley Griffin, particularly West Basin, for either residential or commercial development;
(3) we reject the Government’s right to proceed any further with these and related proposals.
Your petitioners therefore request the Assembly to:
(1) urge and support the Commonwealth Government to completely protect the heritage values of Lake Burley Griffin and all its surrounding Lakeshore Landscapes with:
(a) a National Heritage Listing of Lake Burley Griffin and Lakeshore Landscape in its own right that includes a whole-of-lake management plan; and
(b) an amendment to the National Capital Plan to ensure existing parklands around Lake Burley Griffin including West Basin remain as public open space.
(2) Immediately halt the City to Lake proposed lake infill and the proposed privately owned development at West Basin.
(3) (a) undertake an independent review of the ACT development proposal for the entire West Basin to achieve a master plan that protects heritage values, retains and safeguards public parkland and allows for small scale public developments to provide essential services; and
(b) ensure the review follows an effective, efficient and publicly interactive planning process.