After 15 years, the construction finally started on the new road of Canberra Airport – but there are already calls to stop it

Canberra Airport agreed to suspend construction work on a part of a new road project in response to environmental protests.

Diggers and Dump trucks began to create a new connection road between Majura Road and Fairbairn, initially proposed back in 2009 to facilitate the transport of goods on the site.

But the region of the Law of the Conservation Council and the groups of friends of the meadows have long argued that the road will cut in two a natural habitat for the earsless dragon in Canberra, on the verge of extinction, on the way to critical disappearance (Tympanocryptis lineata)

It is considered that this small red-brown lizard, which measures less than 150 millimeters and weighs 5 to 9 grams, exists only up to 40 hectares of temperate meadows in the Majura and Jerrabomerra valleys.

Dr. Simon Copland, the CEO of the Conservation Council region, says that the construction is underway on the southern end of the road “in the area that is the least sensitive (and), obviously, they intend to finish (the road)”.

The Council Group and the Friends of Grassland called a instant protest on Monday morning to protest the works.

“In 2022, the Federal Minister of the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, put Canberra Grassland Dragon without ears on a recovery plan of threatened species and, as part of this, said that the airport must provide evidence that the road will not affect the species,” says Dr. Copland.

“But I didn’t see this evidence. They did not do the work we are aware of. “

The group is afraid that Canberra Airport is preparing to use the pre -election care period of the federal government to “bulldoze the land and get rid of it.”

Canberra Airport has a valid protection for environmental protection and approving biodiversity conservation for the entire duration of the road, but Dr. Copland says it has preceded a distinction between different types of dragon.

“Since then, the dragon without ear has been divided into four different species, and so Canberra’s species are rare … so we do not really accept that the approvals that were granted 15 years ago are matched with the science that happened since then.”

An idea that was floated to save the dragon population involves lifting the road and running the pipes to allow the lizards to pass underneath. A lizard-resistant fence would then be tightened along both parts of the asphalt.

“But there was no research to see if a lizard would use this,” says Dr. Copland.

“So, we would expect (Canberra Airport) to be a responsible developer and to do some research to find out if this is actually a viable solution.”

Meanwhile, the group requests that Mrs. Plibersek “intervene and ensure that the construction will not go further until we see these plans.”

Department for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water said Region That after discussions with the federal government, the airport will continue to work in the southern half of the road, but has agreed to suspend the works in the northern half.

The spokesman said he is “while the confirmation or consolidation options for the dragon are taken into account.”

“Canberra Airport continues to work with the Department, the Act Government and the experts of the species to manage the potential impacts on the Earsless Dragon in Canberra.”

Said the Aviation Chief of the Canberra Airport Region The airport “remains employed to balance the critical infrastructure needs with environmental conservation”.

“The road project has been rigorously evaluated and approved by the relevant authorities, ensuring any net loss of habitat, no fragmentation and no increased risk for the ears without ears in Canberra,” he said.

“We will continue to work closely with the department and recognized experts to focus on providing a positive result of nature, while ensuring a safe and safe access to the Fairbairn enclosure.”