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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Friday, 14 May 2004) . . Page.. 2015 ..

Bushfire Support Unit will maintain regular contact with the residents and community groups to keep up knowledge of current issues and current needs in the community.

As I indicated in the report I’m tabling today, the strategy we have put in place seems to have been well communicated and is providing support needed by those in our community who still require bushfire-related information and services. It’s reassuring that the reaction we’re getting from bushfire-affected households when they make contact with the Bushfire Support Unit is very positive. People are relieved that support is readily available. They do not seem to expect that we should have kept the recovery centre open but they are pleased that they can still talk to people who understand their particular experience.

From the beginning of the recovery process the government has accorded the highest priority to assisting people directly impacted by the fires with information services and support. As I stated in the Assembly when we considered this motion on 10 March, the government will continue to carefully monitor and respond to bushfire service needs. The issue of transferring or mainstreaming some of the recovery services will continually need fine-tuning.

I’m pleased, Mr Speaker, to table this report on the successful transition of services from the Lyons recovery centre. I encourage Assembly members to contact the Bushfire Support Unit should they need information or feel that particular community members would benefit from contacting the bushfire recovery team in my department.

Biodiversity—protection in new suburbs

Statement by minister

MR STANHOPE (Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Environment and Minister for Community Affairs): On 3 March 2004, the Assembly passed a resolution on biodiversity protection in new suburbs requiring the government to ensure that cats are permanently confined to their owners’ premises in the new suburbs of Forde and Bonner. In response, I’m pleased to advise that this wonderful initiative is being implemented for the development of these two new suburbs, which will enable the protection of the—

MR SPEAKER: We haven’t got the paper.

MR STANHOPE: It’s just a report. I don’t have a paper on this.

MR SPEAKER: You’ll need leave to make a statement.

MR STANHOPE: I seek leave to make a statement on cats.

Leave granted.

MR STANHOPE: In response, I’m pleased to advise that this wonderful initiative is being implemented for the development of these two new suburbs, which will enable the protection of the susceptible fauna in the Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo nature reserves.

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