Page 3690 - Week 12 - Thursday, 25 November 2021
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environment grant stream funding totalling $315,000, and the nature in the city grant stream funding, a total of $100,000.
The recent high rainfall after years of dry conditions is why we are investing in implementing invasive species management programs, following significant invasive plant growth as a consequence of La Nina weather patterns and our changing environment. The ACT government has invested $414,000 this year to manage invasive species in the territory.
We are also investing directly in protecting and conserving our heritage. In particular, we are supporting a new heritage database to make heritage data and information more accessible so that we can understand, protect and conserve our heritage. The 2020-21 budget allocated around $500,000 across the forward estimates to scope and design a new heritage database. The funding of $193,000 through the 2021-22 budget has enhanced the initial allocation of $60,000, and the design and discovery phase of the project is currently underway. Without quality heritage information systems in place, we may inadvertently lose irreplaceable heritage assets.
I am pleased to advise that the ACT government has committed to provide $525,000 through a multi-year funding agreement with National Trust ACT. Funding of $75,000 in the 2020-21 financial year was allocated, with a further $150,000 per annum allocated for three years to support their important activities.
We are continuing to support our Heritage Festival. This year, we had over 150 diverse events taking place across the Canberra region, including workshops, tours, talks, suburban walks, virtual events and more. Now in its 38th year, the festival raises awareness of the ongoing need to conserve our Ngunnawal and other Aboriginal cultural heritage and the ACT’s natural and historical heritage. We are extremely proud to be continuing to support our Heritage Festival and hope many of the members here get to some of the great events.
I would now like to discuss some of the work that is continuing to be supported in this budget through my role as Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction. First, I would like to acknowledge the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on the building and construction sector and thank them for the way the industry collaborated with government throughout the lockdown period to support the community overall to stay safe. I acknowledge the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the workforce, as well as on access to materials. I am mindful of this as we work through the reform agenda and continue to work closely with industry, as well as the broader community.
The reforms in this area have been chosen to target the cause of problems and cover design and documentation, inspections and supervision, practitioner licensing, contracts for residential buildings and building work, project funding, payment, claims and retention, and auditing. The second stage of reforms will include addressing issues of licensing and accountability for people designing, building and certifying buildings, and implementing a residential building dispute resolution scheme.
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