Page 4028 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008

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(1) How many people were impacted by changing the public housing income threshold from ACT average weekly earnings to Australian average weekly earnings;

(2) What strategy has the ACT Government adopted to assist those people outlined in part (1) to secure affordable rental housing;

(3) How many Canberrans are experiencing housing stress, defined as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs.

Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) As the majority of those people removed from the waiting list were removed for failing to respond to a request for updated eligibility details, it is not known how many were impacted by the revised income barriers.

(2) The ACT Government has recently released a progress report on the implementation of affordable housing initiatives, including those related to private rental. The report can be found at http://www.actaffordablehousing.com.au/media/ACT_steps_ahead.html.

(3) ACT Government data on the number of low income households paying more than 30% of their income in housing costs is not immediately available. Commonwealth Government data from June 2007 indicates that there were 3,311 income units (individuals or families) in Canberra who were paying more than 30% of their income on rent even after Commonwealth Rent Assistance was deducted from the rent.

Schools—Green Schools program
(Question No 2176)

Dr Foskey asked the Minister for Education and Training, upon notice, on 7 August 2008:

(1) How many and which schools have benefited from the Green Schools program;

(2) What are the details of the projects and the amounts of money spent;

(3) Are there yearly targets in place to measure whether the schools will, as the ACT Government has promised, be carbon neutral by 2017; if so, what are the targets and how is progress being measured.

Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) All schools will benefit in relation to water and energy reductions as a result of the works currently being funded from the $90 million Schools Infrastructure Refurbishment and annual capital upgrades programs.

(2) A list of the specific projects undertaken at each school and the associated cost is expected to be prepared by the end of 2008. This information will then be updated on a regular basis.

(3) Targets are expected to be established following the preparation of energy and water audits at schools. These audits along with an assessment of the building condition and


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