This 2015 State of the Environment Report has been developed independently by the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment (OSCE), assisted by the views of a wide range of experts.
I am pleased to acknowledge the vital contributions of those involved in providing advice and feedback.
Robert Neil, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment 2011–2015, is acknowledged for his leadership throughout the development of the report.
Office of the ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment
I am grateful to the team in the OCSE for dedication, patience and good humour throughout a long and, at times, very intense period of work.
Special thanks for the extensive work and effort of Becky Smith, Senior Manager and project coordinator, for her leadership and skills in coordinating and integrating the complex and multidimensional issues involved in the report, and writing a key chapter.
My thanks to Amanda Slade and Warren Geeves for invaluable contributions in collecting and collating data, and drafting and redrafting chapters of the report.
Thanks also to Megan Reichstein for administrative assistance, Aileen Power and Mitchell Woolfenden for assistance with case studies, and Hannah Lambie for assisting the team with research and design.
ACT Government agencies
Special thanks to staff of the following ACT Government directorates for their cooperation in providing data, information and advice on various parts of the report:
- Territory and Municipal Services Directorate
- Health Directorate
- Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
- Community Services Directorate
- Education and Training Directorate
- Justice and Community Safety Directorate.
I would particularly like to thank the staff of the Environment and Planning Directorate, who provided photos, maps, case studies and specific additional assistance and expert advice.
Subject experts
I would also like to extend my appreciation to the following experts from research and educational institutions:
- University of Canberra – Institute for Applied Ecology (special thanks to Jacki Schirmer, Sonya Duus, Fiona Dyer, Evan Harrison and Jarrod Kath)
- Uniquest – Marc Hockings and Andrea Leverington
- Bureau of Meteorology (Canberra office)
- Australian National University – Fenner School
- University of Sydney – Chris Dey
- Interaction Consulting Group – Lesley Richards.
Special thanks to:
Steve Cork for his expert advice and assistance in developing the report framework, and writing and reviewing chapters, as well as his patience and guidance throughout the process.
Reviewers
The contributions of the following reviewers during this ACT State of the Environment Report process is gratefully acknowledged.
Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ)
- Richard Sharp (FEIANZ CEnvP) (special thanks to Richard for coordinating the EIANZ review)
- Ruth Kharis (APD, MPIA, MEIANZ)
- Lisa Lambic (MEIANZ)
- Kelly Lee (MEIANZ)
Government advisory bodies
- ACT Natural Resource Management Council
- ACT Natural Resource Management Advisory Committee
- ACT Scientific Committee
- ACT Heritage Council
Consultancies
- Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd
- Umwelt (Australia) Pty Ltd
ACT Government agencies
- Environment and Planning Directorate
- Territory and Municipal Services Directorate
Production
- Biotext Pty Ltd