Acknowledgements

This ACT State of the Environment Report (ACTSoER) has been developed independently by an in-house team of the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment assisted by a wide range of experts. It builds on work undertaken by the previous Commissioner, Dr Maxine Cooper. I am pleased to acknowledge the vital contributions of those involved in producing the Report.

Robert Neil
ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment

Office of the ACT Commissioner [top ]

I am grateful for the work of the State of Environment team within the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment (OCSE). I would particularly like to thank Ms Sarah Burrows — Senior Manager and ACT SoER 2011 Project Manager. Sarah's leadership and communication skills were a significant contribution to synthesising complex and multidimensional issues into an informative and readable report. Dr Aileen Power, as ACT SoER Project Coordinator, supplied invaluable planning and coordination skills and both she and Project Officer, Mr Alexei Trundle undertook essential research, writing and assessment of issues.

My thanks also to others in the OCSE team, Ms Bettina Holyman and Ms Sonya Hamley for their administrative and organisational assistance, Ms Joanna Temme, in particular for her work on the Community Engagement paper, and Mrs Narelle Sargent and Mr Warren Geeves, for their dedicated support.

ACT Government agencies [top ]

Special thanks go to ACT Government staff for their cooperation in providing data, information and advice on various parts of the Report.

Professional advice and expertise [top ]

The following consultants assisted in preparing the Indicator cluster and theme papers for the Report. Their expertise and willingness to work closely with staff helped ensure a comprehensive report:

• Land and Water Theme — Halcrow Pacific Pty Ltd
• Biodiversity theme — NGH Environmental Pty Ltd
• Climate Theme — AECOM Australia Pty Ltd
• People Theme — Beacon Hill Global Pty Ltd, Dr Paul Mees (RMIT) and SKM Pty Ltd

A number of people, with experience, knowledge and expertise in their fields have contributed input and advice during the development of the Report and recommendations. Their advice was particularly valuable in refining the Recommendations to Government. Their continued interest and commitment to the work of the Office is highly valued and appreciated: Dr Dianne Firth, Dr Sarah Ryan, Dr David Shorthouse, Prof Will Steffen and Mr Darro Stinson.

Review of the Report papers [top ]

Many people, individually and as members of groups, participated in reviewing papers for the Report throughout its development.

ACT SoER reference group

• Dr Joe Baker — previous OCSE Commissioner and current advisor to Queensland Government, Assoc. Director-General, Agriculture, Food, Tourism & Regional Services
• Ms Maureen Cane — Cane & Gray Consulting Services
• Mr Michael Mazengarb — Office of Renewable Energy and OCSE Youth Ambassador
• Dr Geoff McAlpine — consultant and former CSIRO Principal Adviser Environment
• Dr Sarah Ryan — ACT Natural Resource Management Council and CSIRO
• Prof Will Steffen — The ANU Climate Change Institute, Executive Director

Peer review groups

Theme: Climate and Air quality

• Dr Bob Webb — ANU Climate Change Institute
• Mr Perry Wiles — Climate Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Meteorology
• Professor Will Steffen — The ANU Climate Change Institute, Executive Director
• Economic Development Directorate — Mr Rob Thorman
• Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate — Ms Heather Tomlinson, Mr Mark Heckenberg, Mr Daniel Walters, Mr Dave Power
• Health Directorate - Ms Linda Bower, Mr Richard Hopkins, Dr Ranil Appuhamy

Theme: Biodiversity

• Dr Sarah Ryan — Natural Resource Management Council and CSIRO
• Dr Joseph Baker — previous OCSE Commissioner and current advisor to Queensland Government, Assoc. Director-General, Agriculture, Food, Tourism & Regional Services
• Prof Paul Downey — Faculty of Applied Science, University of Canberra
• Mr Ian Fraser — ACT Natural Resources Management Advisory Committee
• Dr Lyn Hinds — CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences
• Dr David Shorthouse — Consultant & Visiting Fellow, Fenner School of Environment & Society, ANU
• Economic Development Directorate — Mr Paul Lewis
• Emergency Services Authority — Mr Nick Lhuede
• Environment & Sustainable Development Directorate — Ms Sharon Lane, Dr Michael Mulvaney, Dr Murray Evans
• Health Directorate — Ms Linda Bower, Mr Richard Hopkins, Dr Ranil Appuhamy

Theme: Land and Water

• Prof Ian Falconer — Water Quality Consultant
• Dr Joseph Baker — previous OCSE Commissioner and current advisor to Qld govt Associate Director-General, Agriculture, Food, Tourism and Regional Services
• Dr Sarah Ryan — ACT Natural Resource Management Council and CSIRO
• Dr Fiona Dyer — Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra
• Mr Chris Pulkkinen — ACTEW
• Ms Bronwen Butterfield — ACTEWAGL
• ACTPLA — Ms Kylie Carman-Brown
• Health Directorate — Ms Linda Bower, Mr Richard Hopkins, Dr Ranil Appuhamy
• Economic Development Directorate — Mr Rob Thorman
• Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate — Dr Michael Mulvaney, Dr Murray Evans (Conservation, Planning and Research), Mr John Feint (Natural Resource Management), Mr Stewart Chapman (Water Policy) , Mr Daniel Walters, Mr Health Chester and Mr Mark Heckenberg

Theme: People

• Prof Rachel Davey — Director, Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, University of Canberra
• Dr Dianne Firth — Faculty of Arts & Design, University of Canberra
• Professor Will Steffen — The ANU Climate Change Institute, Executive Director
• Mr Alexei Trundle — Project Officer — Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment
• ACTPLA — Ms Kylie Carman-Brown
• Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate — Mr Richard Bontjer
• Economic Development Directorate — Mr Paul Lewis
• Health Directorate, Ms Linda Bower, Mr Richard Hopkins, Dr Ranil Appuhamy
• TAMS, Transport — Mr Paul Peters (transport), Ms Joanne Clay (waste)
• Emergency Services Authority — Mr Nick Lhuede

Supporting papers [top ]

Other subject experts prepared supporting papers which informed the Report:

• Dr Steve Cork, Mr Clem Davis, Dr Chris Dey, Dr Janette Lindesay, Dr Joy Murray, Dr David Pearson, Dr Sarah Ryan, Dr Bob Webb

Sustainability stories [top ]

A number of organisations and ACT Government agencies contributed to the sustainability stories contained in this Report:

• ACT Environment & Sustainable Development Directorate, in particular Dr Lisa Evans and Ms Anita Perkins
• ACT Natural Resource Management Council
• ACT Territory and Municipal Services Directorate, in particular Mr Geoff Virtue
• Canberra Indian Myna Action Group
• Canberra Organic Gardens Society
• Dickson Motor Vehicle Registry Sustainability Working Group
• OzHarvest Canberra
• SEE-Change
• Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch
• University of Canberra
• Yarralumla Nursery

Horizon Scanning [top ]

The following experts and community leaders participated in the Horizon Scanning consultation process:

• Dr Joe Baker (former ACT Commissioner for the Environment)
• Dr Greg Battye (University of Canberra)
• Dr Matthew Brookhouse (Fenner School, Australian National University)
• Ms Maureen Cane (Director, Cane and Grey)
• Mr Robert de Castella (Managing Director, StartSmart)
• Dr Keith Dear (Australian National University)
• Prof Ian Falconer
• Mr David Flannery (University of Canberra)
• Mr Nectar Efkapides (Molonglo Group)
• Ms Janet Jeffs (Director, Ginger Room)
• Mr Dave Johnston
• Dr Kuntala Lanhiri-Dutt (Australian National University)
• Mr Geoff McAlpine
• Mr Michael Mazengarb (OCSE Youth Ambassador)
• Dr Warren Nicholls
• Dr Sarah Ryan (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems)
• Prof Will Steffen (ANU Climate Change Institute)
• Ms Erika Strazdins (OCSE Youth Ambassador)
• Ms Katie Taylor (OCSE Youth Ambassador)
• Mr Peter Teggart (Bega Shire Council)
• Dr Brian Walker (CSIRO)
• Prof Jen Webb (University of Canberra)
• Dr Su Wild-River (ANUgreen)

Communications group [top ]

A number of people have given advice and input on communication aspects of the Report:

• Mr Simon Copland (Australian National University)
• Dr William Grant (Australian National University)
• Assistant Prof Joanna Henryks (University of Canberra)
• Mr David Marshall (Talkforce Consultants & Trainers)
• Ms Claudia Vannithone (Content Group)
• Ms Penny Wilson (Australian National University)
• Mr John Yanny (Voodoo Creative)

Editing [top ]

• Ms Ann Milligan, ENRiT — Indicator Cluster and Theme Papers
• Ms Sumaiya Ahmed — Driving Forces, Progressing Sustainability, Executive Summary and Headline Indicator Papers
• Ms Penny Wilson — Sustainability Stories

Website Design and Graphic Design [top ]

• Web Design - Voodoo Creative - Mr John Yanny, Ms Tegan Clarkson
• Graphic Design of print versions - Paper Cut - Ms Kate Brennan, Ms Tamar Mavlian