Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 5 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 1385 ..

MR OSBORNE: Scrutiny Report No. 5 which I have just presented was circulated when the Assembly was not sitting on 16 July 1998, pursuant to the resolution of appointment of 28 April 1998.

Scrutiny Report No. 6 of 1998 contains the committee's comments on 114 pieces of subordinate legislation. There are a number of issues in there which I hope the Government will look at - they are only minor ones, Mr Speaker - and one government response is also attached. I commend the reports to the Assembly.

MR HIRD (4.30): I present Report No. 4 of the Standing Committee on Urban Services entitled "The Government's 1998-99 Draft Capital Works Program", together with a copy of the extracts of the minutes of proceedings. I move:

That the report be noted.

I have pleasure, Mr Speaker, in tabling the Urban Services Committee's report on the Government's 1998-99 draft capital works program. The draft program was referred to my committee by the Chief Minister and Treasurer on 19 May this year. In very quick time my committee held three public hearings and heard from all government departments as well as representatives of the following organisations: Koomarri school, Belconnen Community Council, ACT Athletics, the Master Builders Association, Pedal Power, and Gorman House Arts Centre.

During the inquiry, one member of the committee, Mr Wayne Berry, was replaced by his colleague Mr Corbell. I want to thank all members for their thorough consideration of the draft program. I would also, on behalf of the committee, like to thank the secretary, Mr Rod Power.

We finalised our report on 2 July and released it to the public, so, in a sense, this tabling speech has been overtaken by events. Mr Speaker, our report makes five recommendations. The first reiterates the call of this committee's predecessor for information about the extent of community consultation associated with projects that did not make the draft program. The second relates to the refurbishment of the former Health Building in Moore Street, Civic centre. The third asks the Government to carefully consider the level of expenditure devoted to ACT roads. Members of the committee are keenly aware of the massive asset represented by our roads, bridges, footpaths and so on. We do not want this asset to deteriorate. We need a program of expenditure for future years that reflects the fact that roads are a key budget item.

Our fourth recommendation asks the Government to facilitate the release of a call tender schedule for the Territory's capital works. This would assist our local building industry by giving advance notice of forthcoming government work. The firms can then factor this information into their schedule of possible construction activity.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .