Page 1346 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 August 1989

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that. Given the nature of Mr Jensen's question and given the nature of Mr Jensen's connections, I suspect that the answer is, "Yes, of course, I have received a letter". Am I right? But I am unable to be absolutely conclusive about that, so I will take that section of the question on notice as well.

Toxic Waste

MRS NOLAN: My question is to Mrs Grassby as Minister for Housing and Urban Services. A lot has been said about the fire at the Belconnen tip on 1 July 1989. Can the Minister guarantee to this house that an inquiry has been undertaken to see whether there is any toxic waste buried at Belconnen tip. If not, given the allegations that have been made, why not?

MRS GRASSBY: Yes, some asbestos was uncovered at the tip. It was resealed in more tins and taken from there and buried, I understand, at the place where they are burying asbestos at the moment. The asbestos was unearthed where it had been put in for filling a long time ago and nobody had realised this. This was found. The tins were unsafe, so they were resealed, and I understand they were removed to where they would be much safer.

Canberra Nature Park

MR COLLAERY: My question is directed to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, I refer you to a letter dated 17 August 1989 from the Office of City Management, Parks and Conservation Service, inviting members of the Assembly, all of us, to join with Mrs Grassby in launching the community participation phase in developing a draft management plan for Canberra Nature Park, comprising most of the hills and ridges in and around the Canberra urban area.

Is the Chief Minister aware that most of the hills and ridges in and around the Canberra area are within the proposed designated areas of the national capital plan and, as such, are within the area set out in the draft plan released by the NCPA? I ask you, Chief Minister: Were you aware of this intended launch? If so, was the matter first discussed between the responsible planning authorities and the National Capital Planning Authority?

MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I have not seen the correspondence that Mr Collaery refers to. As he has pointed out, it is a matter which is not within my portfolio but which has emanated from the Office of City Management. I am happy to take the question on notice and to provide a detailed response as soon as I can.


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