(1) How many steel gates have been installed in the Mt Painter/Cook area.

(2) When were the gates installed.

(3) What was the (a) cost of installing the gates and (b) purpose of installing the gates.

(4) Who has access to the opening of the gates.

(5) Is there a levy/cost for those who have access to opening the gates.

(6) During the recent fires in the agistment paddocks at Mt Painter were the gates open or locked when the fires commenced.

(7) If the gates were locked who opened them during the recent fires in the agistment paddocks at Mt Painter.

(8) How much land was burnt in the recent fires in the agistment paddocks at Mt Painter.

(9) What was the cost to the taxpayer of putting out the fires and the damaged caused in the agistment paddocks at Mt Painter.

(10)Did any animals die as a consequence of the fires in the agistment paddocks at Mt Painter.

It is considered that all of the above questions are the responsibility of the Minister for Urban Services. However, in relation to question number 9 I would like to respond that on the 31 December 2001 the ACT Bushfire Service did attend a fire in the horse paddock at Mt Painter in Cook. One tanker and two light units attended from that service and the ACT Fire Brigade responded two units. There was no direct attributable cost incurred in relation to this incidence. With regard to the cost of the damaged caused in the agistment paddocks at Mt Painter, this is a question for the Minister for Urban Service