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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 7 Hansard (6 June) . . Page.. 2030 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

government and the community, significant advances can be made in progressing an ambitious goal with real community benefits.

The waste management initiatives will include modifying the kerbside recycling service to make it easier to use and to recover a wider range of materials; education and community programs to promote increased commitment to achieving the no-waste goal, including the ecobusiness program and a no-waste education centre at Mugga Lane; development of a waste pricing strategy that sets disposal charges at levels that provide incentives to reuse and recycle; operation of the Mitchell resource management centre and the small vehicle transfer station at Mugga Lane to maximise resource recovery; establishing a resource recovery estate at Hume as the major site for future reprocessing activities; the development and promotion of markets for recycled materials to provide alternatives to landfill disposal and to recover the true value of resources; and a focus on establishing reprocessing services for commercial organic wastes and building wastes. The future of waste management in the ACT is one of continuing innovation, increasing community support for the no-waste goal and positive outcomes in environmental, economic and social terms.

While the ACT can be proud of many of its achievements in relation to urban water management, there is a need to build on these successes in order to progress sustainability objectives, particularly through the more integrated consideration of water supply, waste water management, storm water management and land use. The concepts of water-sensitive urban design involve treating storm water and waste water as resources rather than waste products. By slowing down the movement of water through the landscape, opportunities arise to supplement potable water supplies, enhance urban forms and landscapes, support the reintroduction of ecological values into the urban area, and reduce infrastructure costs. The government has commenced the incorporation of the concepts of water-sensitive urban design into the planning and development process, and this work will continue.

Together with realistic pricing of the water supply and the continuing refinement of strategies for the maintenance of environmental flows in our streams, the ACT is making significant advances towards sustainable urban water management. As a participant in the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and other national and regional natural resource management forums, we will continue to contribute to the development and implementation of water reform initiatives. A review of the water resources management plan will be undertaken to provide a more comprehensive guide to the implementation of the provisions of the Water Resources Act and to establish a strategic policy framework for sustainable management of the ACT's water resources.

Air quality in the ACT is generally good by national standards because of the lack of heavy industry or concentrated urban areas. However, Canberra can experience high levels of air pollution during winter due to emissions from wood heaters. Continued promotion of the ACT firewood strategy and implementation of the firewood regulations under the Environment Protection Act will underscore efforts to ensure that ambient air quality meets health requirements and community standards. In addition, the government will review the regulation of solid fuel heaters, including an examination of options for a subsidy scheme to help with the replacement of older, less efficient heaters. The ACT will continue to participate in the development and implementation of national air-

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