Issues · Climate and environment

Trees, bushland and lakes

Votes on whether to add protections or funding for trees, bushland and lakes beyond current rules.

Votes on tighter tree removal rules, protecting bushland at the Ainslie Volcanics site and funding for cleaner lakes.

Each MLA

One square per vote, oldest first. A Aye, N No (not yet checked), no recorded vote.

• Andrew Barr · Kurrajong
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Caitlin Tough · Brindabella
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Chris Steel · Murrumbidgee
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Marisa Paterson · Murrumbidgee
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Michael Pettersson · Yerrabi
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Rachel Stephen-Smith · Kurrajong
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Suzanne Orr · Yerrabi
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Taimus Werner-Gibbings · Brindabella
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Tara Cheyne · Ginninderra
  LaborNNNAye 0, No 3
• Yvette Berry · Ginninderra
  LaborNNAye 0, No 2 · no record on 1
• Andrew Braddock · Yerrabi
  ACT GreensAAAAye 3, No 0
• Jo Clay · Ginninderra
  ACT GreensAAAAye 3, No 0
• Laura Nuttall · Brindabella
  ACT GreensAAAAye 3, No 0
• Rebecca Vassarotti · Kurrajong
  ACT GreensNo recorded vote on these
• Chiaka Barry · Ginninderra
  Canberra LiberalsNNNAye 0, No 3
• Deborah Morris · Brindabella
  Canberra LiberalsNNAye 0, No 2 · no record on 1
• Ed Cocks · Murrumbidgee
  Canberra LiberalsNNNAye 0, No 3
• Elizabeth Lee · Kurrajong
  Canberra LiberalsNNAye 0, No 2 · no record on 1
• James Milligan · Yerrabi
  Canberra LiberalsNNNAye 0, No 3
• Jeremy Hanson · Murrumbidgee
  Canberra LiberalsNNNAye 0, No 3
• Leanne Castley · Yerrabi
  Canberra LiberalsNNNAye 0, No 3
• Mark Parton · Brindabella
  Canberra LiberalsNNNAye 0, No 3
• Peter Cain · Ginninderra
  Canberra LiberalsNNNAye 0, No 3
• Fiona Carrick · Murrumbidgee
  IndependentANAAye 2, No 1
• Thomas Emerson · Kurrajong
  IndependentANAAye 2, No 1

The votes

1. 1. 8 April 2025 · Planning (Ainslie Volcanics) Amendment Bill 2025Bill: agreed in principle. The vote on whether a bill should go ahead at all, before its details are considered.Review in progress

   A Greens bill to protect bushland at the Ainslie Volcanics site from a planned phone tower. It was voted down at the first stage. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That this bill be agreed to in principle. Question resolved in the negative.

   Voting Aye would count as for this issue (review in progress). The bill aimed to protect the site's bushland.

   Ayes 6, Noes 17. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 983 ·

2. 2. 8 May 2025 · Urban Forest (Approval Criteria) Determination 2025 (No 1)—disallowable instrument 2025-16—amendmentFinal vote on a motion. The deciding vote on a motion, as worded at the time.Review in progress

   A Greens motion to change the rules on when trees can be removed, so that a tree being dead or in a bad spot is not enough on its own. It was voted down. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That the motion be agreed to. Question resolved in the negative.

   Voting Aye would count as for this issue (review in progress). It would have made it harder to remove trees.

   Ayes 4, Noes 20. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 1448 ·

3. 3. 28 October 2025 · Lakes and waterways—water qualityAmendment. A vote on changing the wording of a motion or bill. Voting against a change can mean "not like this", not opposition to the idea.Review in progress

   A Greens change to a Liberal motion on lake water quality, committing to fund the remaining Healthy Waterways projects. It was voted down. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That Miss Nuttall’s amendment be agreed to. Question resolved in the negative.

   Voting Aye would count as for this issue (review in progress). It would have committed money to cleaner lakes and waterways.

   Ayes 6, Noes 19. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 3507 ·

Other Assembly decisions on climate and environment

13 decisions on this topic since November 2024, newest first. Most were decided on the voices, without a recorded vote. Grouped into this topic by key words, so a few may belong elsewhere.

• 22 October 2026Bees and other pollinators: SupportMoved by Taimus Werner-Gibbings · Passed on the voices, no names recorded · 1 change agreed first
• 24 September 2026Data centres: Infrastructure developmentMoved by Laura Nuttall · Passed in a recorded vote, 15 to 6 · 2 changes agreed first
• 15 September 2026Animal welfare management data: Order to table: Return of documentsMoved by Tara Cheyne · Passed on the voices, no names recorded
• 10 June 2026Wildlife conservation support: Regulatory reform and reportingMoved by Caitlin Tough · Passed on the voices, no names recorded
• 25 March 2026City and environment legislation amendment bill 2026Moved by Tara Cheyne · Passed on the voices, no names recorded

See all 13 on the Decisions page →