Page 3045 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 14 September 1993
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MR WOOD: I agree with that. Energy audits with subdivision of land of more than 30 blocks are to be undertaken in accordance with the ACT Planning Authority's energy guidelines. Another Territory Plan requirement is for the submission of energy conservation plans for buildings having a floor area greater than 2,000 square metres, in accordance with the ACT Planning Authority's energy guidelines for buildings. Also under the Territory Plan, as from 1 July 1995 there is a requirement for the submission of an energy efficiency rating statement with all house design and siting applications, with refusal of applications where a four-star rating is not achieved. If some of the States are ahead of us in mandatory requirement for energy efficiency ratings on appliances, we are ahead of the nation in terms of what we require for houses.
The Government has agreed to the implementation of the eco office concept across the ACT Government Service. An eco office network has been established and considerable progress has been made on reducing energy and paper use in government agencies. Winners of the energy efficient house design competition were announced a little while ago and the winning design will be built by Gordon Valley Homes. Mr Westende made some comment about bicycles. We have promised a bicycle strategy and that is in the final stages of development. You should hear about it shortly. Again, the Liberal spokesman mentioned wheeled bins. I do not think it is always the case that you can just transplant experience from somewhere else. The ACT is unique. We have been having these trials. While we should learn from experience elsewhere, I think it is very important to do our own trialling so that we get it exactly right.
There have been a number of other developments. For example, the Government has commenced preparation of amendments to the Air Pollution Act to bring solid fuel heaters within the scope of the Act and to introduce a particular emission standard and associated controls for solid fuel heaters. Madam Speaker, it is important to acknowledge that the initiatives contained in our strategy are not owned, as it were, by any one agency. The key action areas of energy supply and use, transport, waste minimisation and cross-sectoral responses involve all portfolios. My colleagues and their agencies made a significant contribution to the development of this integrated approach. The ACT's limited options in contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions make it imperative that all elements of the ACT Government contribute to achieving this strategy. Madam Speaker, I think we are well on that path. I think our aims are being met and I will continue to report on this matter from time to time.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion (by Ms Follett) agreed to:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Assembly adjourned at 9.10 pm
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