Page 1352 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 August 1989
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It is a requirement of the Act that the authority prepare a corporate plan and review and revise the plan prior to each new financial year. The plan is to include a statement of objectives for at least the next three years, together with a statement outlining the authority's strategies and policies which it intends to adopt. The Act also requires that the plan, as developed or revised, be provided to me as the responsible Minister. In the spirit of open government, I am tabling the plan for the information of members of the Assembly.
Turning to the corporate plan itself, members will note that the charter identifies this duality of commercial and community obligations. The charter as set out in the plan is:
To provide safe, reliable, efficient and economic supplies of electricity and water and the provision of sewerage services to meet the needs of the ACT community, within statutory obligations, having regard to the maintenance of the affairs of ACT Electricity and Water on a sound commercial basis.
The plan, which covers the financial years from July 1989 to June 1993, sets out clearly the primary objectives of the authority. These have been broadly categorised as covering: statutory obligations; customer relations and procedures; community awareness and environmental obligations; operations, including networks, street lighting and electrical maintenance; financial management; employee relations.
Importantly, each objective has associated indicators which will enable an efficient judgment of the authority's performance. As I have said, this performance includes not only its bottom line and the dividend payable to the community through the consolidated fund, but also its supply of essential services to the community and its actions as a responsible employer. In terms of this latter point, it is pleasing to note the authority's comments on resources to staff training, equal employment opportunity and occupational health and safety.
The corporate plan has been developed in the context of Canberra's developing economy. Canberra is a growing and ageing city. In the next 13 years there will be an increase of almost 100 per cent in people over 65 years of age. This will have implications for the assistance schemes such as pensioner rebates and the need for easier access to services. ACT Electricity and Water is committed to further improvements in its customer procedures and policies to ensure these schemes are implemented in a socially responsible and compassionate manner.
Furthermore, Mr Speaker, with the growth of the Territory there will be an increase in the demand for electricity, water and sewerage services. To ensure these services have
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