Page 1871 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 May 2010
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MS GALLAGHER: This is where you cannot understand the difference between codification and actually applying the law as it exists at the moment. Yes, we have advice on that. In relation to a cost-benefit analysis about implementing change of use in codification, that is yet to come.
Planning—sustainable use of building materials
MS HUNTER: My question is to the Minister for Planning and concerns the sustainable use of building materials. A provision of the Building Act 2004 requires the minister to make a disallowable instrument setting out guidelines for the sustainable use of materials for building, but the legislation register shows that there is no such instrument. Minister, why haven’t you fulfilled this duty and created this instrument to ensure that the ACT uses best practice in building sustainability?
MR BARR: Whilst Ms Hunter has indicated that the government does take this matter seriously, and we would not have incorporated such a requirement into legislation if we did not, I will have to seek some advice from the Planning and Land Authority as to whether the instrument is just not linked to that website. As to whether it exists or not, I do not, of course, have a complete, encyclopedic memory of every regulation that is under my responsibility across all of my portfolios. I am sure that that does not surprise the leader of the Greens. I will find out from the Planning and Land Authority whether this is simply a case of it not being linked to a particular website or whether this particular instrument has not been made. If it has not been made, then I can give the Assembly the commitment to make it as soon as possible.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, a supplementary?
MS HUNTER: Given that this year’s budget prominently lists encouraging the use of sustainable building products as a focus, can you detail the funding that is provided specifically for this item?
MR BARR: Thank you, Ms Hunter. That information will, of course, be in the section of the budget relating to the Planning and Land Authority. There was no special appropriation or additional amount allocated in this year’s budget for that specific purpose. However, the government payment for outputs for the ACT Planning and Land Authority is a considerable amount, many tens of millions of dollars, and within that allocation it will be the responsibility of various officials within the department to ensure that that work is undertaken.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Le Couteur, a supplementary question?
MS LE COUTEUR: Yes. Minister, by what date will you create, or register if they have already been created, the sustainability guidelines we have been discussing?
MR BARR: I am sorry; I missed the first part.
MS LE COUTEUR: When will you either create or register, if in fact as you suggested they have already been created, the sustainability guidelines?
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