Page 3881 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 23 October 1990
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throughout the country could match the standard of effluent that issues from the lower Molonglo, the problem of algal blooms in Australia's streams and lakes would be nowhere near as bad as it is.
The problem in relation to algal blooms is caused by a mixture of warm water, the presence of nitrates and the presence of phosphorus. The lower Molonglo treatment plant removes phosphorus from that effluent. It goes into Lake Burrinjuck, and we notice that, particularly at the end that issues in from the ACT side, there are no algal blooms at all.
There may well be algal blooms in other portions of that particular lake, but I am sure those blooms originate from unsatisfactory farming techniques, and not from the effluent that may be coming from the lower Molonglo. There is no evidence whatsoever of any profusion of algae in the Murrumbidgee arm of Burrinjuck Dam. Studies on the level of denitrification of effluent from the control centre have not taken place since 1983, and in that time there has been no increase in algal blooms or anything like that. I think Mr Cochran should get his facts right before he makes statements of this nature.
Hospital Redevelopment - Letting of Contracts
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, my question is directed to the Chief Minister. Mr Kaine, has there been any political interference in the letting of contracts for packages of work for the redevelopment project taking place at the Woden Valley Hospital?
MR KAINE: As far as I am aware, Mr Speaker, absolutely not. But I am not responsible for the reconstruction of the Woden Valley Hospital, and I suggest that if Mr Berry wants an answer to his question he should address it to the responsible Minister, and that is the Minister for Health.
MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question, and I need to have that confirmed by the Chief Minister. Can the Chief Minister reassure this Assembly that from his point of view there has been no breakdown, nor any improper practices adopted, in the letting of contracts for the hospitals redevelopment project?
MR KAINE: To my knowledge, Mr Speaker, there has been nothing of the kind described by Mr Berry.
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