(1) Notes that:
a. Mange is a major ongoing problem facing wombat populations in the ACT according to Directorate officials and community organisations.
b. Organisations like ‘Wombat Rescue’ and ‘ACT Wildlife’ have put in a tremendous amount of effort and time towards treating wombats with afflicted with mange in the ACT and surrounds.
c. The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate has coordinated with community organisations to create a monitored online and volunteer-driven portal for the public to report wombat sightings.
d. The online wombat reporting portal is not publicly well-known and seems to be infrequently updated.
e. There has been no further allocation of funding in the 2023-24 Budget to address the mange problem.
f. Chapter 12, section 14 of the current 2022-2023 ACT Labor platform compels the Labor Party and members to “Ensure Canberra’s biodiversity is properly restored and conserved, not only through documentation and plans of management, but also through improved resourcing.”