Page 1663 - Week 06 - Thursday, 7 June 2007
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Dragway
(Question No 1565)
Mr Stefaniak asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, upon notice, on 1 May 2007:
(1) What has happened to the money set aside for the dragway in the Budget;
(2) Will the money be kept in reserve or will it be reallocated to other capital works projects;
(3) What approaches have been made to the Commonwealth Government about a site for the dragway;
(4) What has been the response from the Commonwealth;
(5) What environmental studies would have to be done before the proposed site could be used again as a dragway.
Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The Treasurer has approved the money be retained in the Budget, whilst a possible new site for the proposed dragway is being investigated.
(2) The funding will remain allocated to the proposed dragway until all options are exhausted.
(3) I have written to the Federal Ministers for Defence, Finance and Administration, and Local Government, Territories and Roads to seek their assistance in re-instating the dragway facility on Block 520, Majura or other suitable National land near Canberra airport.
(4) I have received responses from the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads and the Minister for Finance and Administration. These responses are reasonably positive and indicate that the Commonwealth is willing to investigate possible site options on National land. The Minister for Defence is yet to respond.
(5) An environmental noise impact assessment would be required, with the level of modelling dependent on the scale of the facility proposed. If the level of activity proposed was the same as was previously undertaken at the site, then very little assessment would be required as monitoring data is recorded. If a similar facility to Block 51 is planned then the majority of the modelling already undertaken would feed into that assessment. As Block 520, Majura was used for the same purpose in the past there are not expected to be any significant environmental issues. The planning approval and environmental licensing processes would ensure that all environmental issues are adequately addressed.
Autism spectrum disorders
(Question No 1566)
Mrs Burke asked the Minister for Disability and Community Services, upon notice, on 2 May 2007:
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