Several key environmental programs and biosecurity roles face a “funding cliff” without support from the 2026-27 ACT Budget, warns the Conservation Council ACT Region.

In its budget submission, the council has urged the ACT Government to extend funding for programs within the City and Environment Directorate and boost overall environmental investment.

Executive director Simon Copland said a number of initiatives were approaching a “funding cliff”, including the Thermally Assisted Aerial Control Program, the Biosecurity Response Team and a Fisheries Conservation Officer position.

“Letting funding expire for the Thermally Assisted Aerial Control Program risks losing all of the progress the ACT Parks and Conservation Service has made in removing feral animals from our nature reserves,” Mr Copland said.

“Canberrans don’t want feral deer and pigs on their doorsteps and so this program must continue.”

He said the potential loss of the Biosecurity Response Team would weaken the Territory’s ability to respond to invasive threats, while the lapse of funding for a fisheries officer left the ACT as the only jurisdiction without a dedicated role.

“Fisheries officers play a critical role in preventing illegal fishing, monitoring waterways, and protecting our many threatened native fish species,” he said.

The council is also calling for increased funding to deliver the draft ACT Nature Conservation Strategy, including additional park rangers, and to support the forthcoming Climate Change Strategy.

“It is unacceptable that the government is yet to deliver on its election commitment to fund 10 new in-field ranger positions,” Mr Copland said.

He said without investment in electrification, transport and climate adaptation, the government’s next climate strategy risked lacking impact.

The submission recommends extending funding for expiring programs, resourcing new environmental strategies, and providing longer-term certainty for community organisations.