Page 6146 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 2010
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growth of a clean economy, developing and implementing climate change adaptation strategies.
As I have said earlier, the government acknowledges that its achievements are not its alone but the product of working collaboratively with business, the community and individuals. On the important issue of climate change we will continue to raise business and community awareness and work together to develop mitigation, adaptation and offsets.
The government is setting new standards for sustainability in urban development in Molonglo through walkable neighbourhoods with good access to services and facilities and fast and frequent public transport.
We have already legislated to reduce the use of plastic bags. We are acting to reduce waste to landfill with the release of the new draft sustainable waste strategy and we are meeting the ACT’s national commitments to national energy reforms. We are surveying owners of wood heaters, reviewing replacement rebates and identifying more effective incentives to encourage the replacement of wood heaters. We are developing an awareness campaign to encourage correct wood heater operation and reduce the hazards associated with wood smoke pollution.
From early next year concession card holders will have access to a trial free collection of bulky household waste such as furniture and appliances. More than $4 million will be invested to extend the life of the Mugga Lane landfill, and nearly $2 million to develop future landfill options.
Work will continue on the ACT’s largest-ever water security project, which will see the Cotter Dam catchment expand from four gigalitres to 78 gigalitres, delivering a 35 per cent increase in the ACT’s total storage capacity. Water security is also a priority in our newest suburbs, with $11½ million being allocated to build ponds and harvest stormwater for irrigation purposes in Gungahlin and the new Molonglo Valley suburbs.
In 2007, as part of the government strategy to secure a safe and sustainable water supply for the territory, the government agreed to review and further develop our scheme of permanent water conservation measures. After a comprehensive review and extensive public consultation, these new measures were introduced on 1 November this year. These measures are commonsense rules for water use which are in place when water restrictions are not required. The measures provide flexibility while mandating against activities which are wasteful, such as hosing down hard surfaces and excessive garden and lawn watering.
The government is also committed to reviewing and updating our water policy, think water, act water, and updating water saving measures, programs and technologies, including through rebates where appropriate. The government will also increase the use of non-potable water and multiple usage of water through initiatives such as the reintegration of urban ponds as part of our Canberra integrated urban waterways project.
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