Grassland Management

Management of the natural temperate grasslands and resultant habitat for endangered species is an important task. Since the 1940's little of the grassland on the Airport has remained natural and free of disturbance by engineering works. However, we continue to be leaders in the environmental management of the grasslands while maintaining the infrastructure needs of the Airport. The Airport infrastructure must continue to be maintained and improved to meet changes in technology and the mandatory requirements of ICAO as well Australian legislation. Along with these requirements, the Airport must grow to meet the demands as a safe and contemporary airport.

A number of factors have interacted at the Airport to preserve and in part enhance the grassland and endangered fauna habitats. These include control of weeds, no fertilizer application, limiting biomass by regular mowing, reduced soil disturbance and compaction, particularly since major runway and taxiway modifications in the early 1970s, improved drainage patterns as a result of works higher in the catchment in the 1950s and the re-habilitation of the 2001 runway construction haulage road. Control of the bird hazard at the Airport as well as rabbit and fox control have also possibly helped with the survival of endangered species as it has reduced predator and grazing pressure. Feral cat and fox predation on native wildlife are listed as key threatening processes nationally and in NSW.

One important step in our philosophy of continued environmental improvement and the accomplishment of the goal of environmental leadership at Canberra Airport has been the establishment of a Grassland Management Plan, which embraces as its aim the long term growth and viability of the natural temperate grasslands and the fauna associated with the grasslands.

This Management Plan has been the result of over ten years of national research into, and seven years of our experience with, the grasslands habitat. It is important to note that the Management Plan is a living document and will be updated and improved as research into the habitat improves, as the grasslands change, and as better management techniques are developed. The Management Plan also commits the Airport to continue to contribute to national research into the long term viability of the grasslands.

In approving the major development plan for the runway extension, the Minister for Transport required the Airport to receive the endorsement of the Grassland Management Plan by the Department of Environment and Heritage. The Grassland Management Plan has been developed in consultation with the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Department of Transport and Regional Services, and it was endorsed on 26 November 2004 by the Department of Environment and Heritage.

Copies of the plan are available for purchase for $30 from the Airport Management Office.