Page 4245 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 29 November 1994
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The Committee supports the principles and policies contained in the draft Variation but the Committee considers insufficient knowledge exists about the effect of the draft Variation on the nationally endangered legless lizard (Delmar impar) and hence the Committee is unable to further its consideration of the draft Variation until a definitive report on this matter becomes available (expected in March 1995).
Further, the Committee advises the Government and planning officials that in future it will not consider a draft Variation unless and until all significant environmental aspects have been addressed in the process of preparing that draft Variation.
I think we have sounded a warning in relation to environmental matters. At the same time, I am sure that committee members recognise that discovery of some of the issues surrounding the survival of Delmar impar occurred quite late in the piece anyway. I recommend adoption by the Government of the committee's recommendations. I do not see that there is any other way forward. We are obliged to protect this very important species. Before I close, I would like to thank all the other members of the committee - Ms Szuty, Ms Ellis, Mr Cornwell and Mr De Domenico - for their assistance in ensuring that we got through all the work that was required to be done to get this report to the tabling stage. I also pass on my special thanks to the secretary, Mr Rod Power, and all the secretariat staff, who, as always, are willing horses and do their job well.
MR DE DOMENICO (8.41): Let me first reiterate Mr Berry's comments about the hard work done by other members of the committee, and especially Mr Power. I am going to be a bit stronger than Mr Berry on one aspect. The working party that was convened to look into the Gungahlin Town Centre and the legless lizard was established in June this year and they knew from June this year that the Gungahlin Town Centre site was potentially important to the habitat of an endangered species, namely, the legless lizard. However, the authority continued to prepare the formal papers associated with the draft variation and submitted them to the Minister. It seems that the real significance of the draft variation in relation to the lizard was realised only during the time it was before this committee. I think all members of the committee were very dissatisfied that the matter should have been left to that stage.
Although I note that there is no dissenting report - like other members of this chamber, I can count - I found it very difficult to be in a situation - - -
Mr Moore: That is the weakest excuse. If you disagree with something, you write a dissenting report.
MR DE DOMENICO: I find it very interesting that Mr Moore, who is not even a member of the committee, thinks he knows all about this issue. I suggest that Mr Moore does not know all about this issue. In any planning situation I am involved with in the future, unless I am presented with all the information in regard to environmental impact and anything else to do with legless lizards, wingless moths or earless dragons - - -
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