Page 3438 - Week 10 - Thursday, 20 October 2022
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Our deliberate, considered, nation-leading approach to harm minimisation is being continued through this budget and through the next ACT drug strategy action plan, which is currently out for consultation. As I said earlier, this budget invests more than $13 million across the range of harm reduction initiatives, meaning that the government is now investing more than $26 million a year to deliver more care, more support and more services for those who need it.
One of the other key initiatives that will deliver for some of our most vulnerable and provide them with the tools to flourish in life is the transition of the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to a residential model of care. Following the finalisation of the healing framework earlier this year, the next step will be to begin the transition and enhance the excellent culturally appropriate care that uses a therapeutic community approach, traditional health concepts, cultural programs and life-skills training to tackle underlying social and emotional issues. This initiative is just one more example of how the Barr Labor government invests in innovative targeted services to support some of our most vulnerable community members.
Mr Barr: Madam Speaker, further questions can be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answer to a question without notice
Work health and safety—wall shoring collapses
MS CHEYNE: On Tuesday I committed to Mr Parton to provide further information by the end of this week about the inspections that Access Canberra have undertaken on other sites since the Dickson site collapsed on 11 October. I would like to take the opportunity to also provide the update that I flagged in my ministerial statement on the same day.
To Mr Parton’s question: since 11 October, Access Canberra have so far undertaken preliminary site inspections to determine the stages of construction on 44 other sites where their data has indicated construction associated with deep excavations is underway. Initial attendance at the Dickson premises by Access Canberra inspectors was at 10.45 am on Tuesday 11 October, when inspectors issued the stop notice prohibiting all building work from being carried out except the directed remedial works. Access Canberra officers have attended the Dickson premises on five occasions since the wall collapsed.
As that investigation is ongoing, Access Canberra are unable to provide details on defects or other issues at that site. Access Canberra’s initial stop work notice and emergency rectification order have identified issues that required immediate interventions to protect the safety of any persons at the premises and occupants in the adjoining land which have been affected by the building works.
More broadly, there were 149 proactive onsite construction inspections undertaken during the period 1 July to 13 October this year. This is in addition to administrative audits and covers compliance inspections of low-, medium- and high-rise buildings, as well as energy efficiency inspections.
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