Page 819 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 2 May 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Some key strategic achievements between 2004 and 2007 include initiation of investigations into the development of sustainable legislation for the ACT; commencement of an investigation into possible United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation declaration of the ACT as a biosphere reserve; commencement of the ACT energy wise program in December 2004; passage of water efficiency labelling standards in March 2005; and coordination of a whole-of-government approach to the development of policies and programs constituting Think water, act water, including garden smart and smart water hoses, dual-flush toilet rebates, residential water tune-ups, programs established to interest ACT residents in saving water in their homes, water audits for schools and the sustainable school program. These are all designed to improve water efficiency.
Other achievements include a national energy market reform program underpinned by national electricity law and rules that came into effect on 1 July 2005; sustainable principles underpinning the rehabilitation of the lower Cotter following a decision to reconnect the Cotter dam to the ACT water supply; commencement of work on the ACT energy policy and ACT climate change strategy—which the Chief Minister has talked about—development of sustainable urban design principles to underpin major projects, such as the Molonglo Valley, and planning reforms, including such things as City Hill and the ACT correctional centre. Other issues, such as trying to encourage people to get out of their cars and the use of the bike racks that I am sure we are all quite familiar with have previously been mentioned.
I remind members that the Australian Capital Territory is a member of the Council for the Australian Federation. On 9 February, the council issued a communique on climate change, and I want to read from it. The communique states:
Climate change is one of the pre-eminent challenges for our economies and for the Federation. Climate change is of critical significance to State and Territory interests and the national economy. We have a key role in the areas of water, energy transport, land-use planning, environmental protection and agriculture. As States and Territories, we have already led the way on a climate change response in Australia, through commitments such as emissions reduction targets, the implementation of renewable energy schemes and the development of an emissions trading scheme …
1. Governments must work together to deliver a national response
2. Prompt action is essential
3. Efficient, effective and enduring investment is the key
4. A national emissions trading scheme is an indispensable step …
5. A national emissions trading scheme must be designed to stimulate investment in new low emissions technologies while at the same time protecting Australia’s energy intensive, export industries.
6. Australia must maintain its competitive advantage
7. Adapting to unavoidable climate change will require governments, industry and the community to work together
8. Governments need to create an investment environment that promotes new economic opportunities
9. Governments must establish accreditation, assessment and reporting tools
10. International linkages are essential
11. Decisions on adaptation and mitigation must be informed by the highest quality research
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .