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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 1127 ..

QUESTION ON NOTICE 5

Plants - Free Issue

Mr Corbell - asked the Minister for Urban Services

In relation to the free plant issue to new home buyers:

(1) Are you aware that the free plant issue is open to abuse by builders or other third parties who collect plants and fail to pass them on to the owners of the homes for which they are provided.

(2) In how many instances have (a) free plants been issued to builders or other third parties, rather than owners of properties, and (b) what mechanisms are in place to prevent the misuse of this program.

(3) How will you ensure (a) that home owners receive plants for their properties,
(b) that plants are not misappropriated and (c) will you undertake to investigate allegations of misappropriation when they are bought to your Departments notice

Mr Smyth - the answer to the member's question is as follows:

(1) The plant issue scheme has safeguards inbuilt to ensure that the scheme is not open to abuse. The plants are issued to the registered purchaser of a new block of land within 24 months of signing the purchase agreement. Eligibility is transferable if the land is sold during this period. The plants are issued for planting on the block designated.

(2)(a) Plants are only issued to the registered owners of a new lease, not to third parties.

(2)(b) Where the owner of the new block of land is a builder, in addition to providing evidence of ownership, a Statutory Declaration is signed by the builder declaring that the plants will be planted within the boundary of the block and the plants will remain on site if and when the block is sold.

(3)(a) Evidence of lease ownership is required before registration for plant issue. One of the following documents are sighted:

. Settlement papers

. Certificate of Occupancy

. Transfer documents

. Mortgage papers

. Contract of Sale (with stamp duty stamp)

. Lease Memorandum

As well as personal identification

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