by Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens
If you're like me, you've probably spent a fair bit of time trekking around Mount Ainslie. But what many people don't know is that at its base lies a hidden treasure: Ainslie Volcanics, a critically endangered grassland tucked within our suburbs. This is a community-managed ecosystem, painstakingly restored by local volunteers who have invested countless hours into weeding, planting, and nurturing this vital habitat.
Yet, despite this effort, Ainslie Volcanics is now under threat. Indara Communications, representing the likes of Optus and Vodafone, is proposing to build a 28-metre-high telecommunications tower directly on this environmentally significant land-even though a perfectly viable alternative location exists just a few hundred metres away.
Earlier this year, we introduced legislation aimed at protecting Ainslie Volcanics: revoking the current development approval, preventing future approvals, and providing constitutional safeguards and avenues for compensation where necessary. The Bill was designed to uphold the community's wishes and preserve one of the last remaining natural temperate grasslands in Australia.
Despite the clear environmental need and overwhelming community support, both Labor and Liberal voted against the Bill. Their opposition leaves this vital site vulnerable and sends a troubling signal about whose interests they prioritize-developers over Canberrans, profit over the environment.
This isn't just about politics-it's about people and the planet. Volunteers like Amy Blain and Marianne Albury-Colless have gone above and beyond, not only restoring the land but navigating complex administrative hurdles to protect it. Their dedication exemplifies the community spirit that should guide decisions in Canberra.
Some critics have argued that the legislation undermines the planning system. But the planning system failed here, ignoring both the ecological significance of the site and the community's strong opposition. Telecommunications facilities are exempt from review under current laws, leaving residents with few options. The government could have resolved this by engaging meaningfully with the community-but instead, legislation became the only way to protect the grasslands.
The Bill also reflects a principle recently recognized in law: the right to a healthy environment, which obliges governments to safeguard ecosystems essential for human life, cultural practices, and privacy. Protecting Ainslie Volcanics is not only an ecological imperative-it's a human one.
We're not against better telecommunications. Improving connectivity is important, and the community supports it. But it should never come at the cost of destroying a critically endangered ecosystem. Practical alternatives exist. What's missing is political will.
Ainslie Volcanics remains under threat, and the community continues to fight for it. This legislation offered a clear path forward: conservation, restoration, and respect for the tireless efforts of local residents. The decision by Labor and Liberal to vote against it shows a failure to stand with the community and the environment.
Canberra deserves leaders who listen to its people and protect its natural heritage. We will continue to stand with the community and fight for Ainslie Volcanics, because safeguarding our environment isn't optional-it's essential for our future.
