Page 229 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 16 February 2011
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It is a simple maintenance request. The Chief Minister presents a scenario where, as a minister—I understand this because I got the same requests—this is a request for noise attenuation. This is an entirely different scenario to starting from scratch. We are simply asking for restoration. I heard the Chief Minister start to use the word “restoration”. I am pleased that he accepts this is a case of restoration, not a case of brand new installation.
In regard to the minister’s amendment, no, I do not accept the amendment. I think this could be done quite simply. Unlike Ms Bresnan and the Greens, we would like to see something happen. We would like to see the amenity restored to where it was. It is not unreasonable. I can count. The Chief Minister’s amendment will get up. When it is passed, I will then move an amendment to the amended motion to remove the word “implement” from the fourth paragraph and replace it with “restore” because that is simply what the residents of Faulkner Place are asking for—a restoration of that which was.
If some of the cost of this has to be passed on to Telstra I am not against that at all. Indeed, there are parts of legislation that say that once work is done on public lands they should be restored. It would be interesting to see what efforts have been taken to see whether or not Telstra—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): Mr Smyth, one minute. I have just been advised by the Clerk that actually you should move your amendment now, because—
MR SMYTH: I can move my amendment now? All right, in that case I will move my amendment now to Mr Stanhope’s amendment. Just for the sake of accuracy, it is not actually correct to say that they would then implement noise attenuation.
Mr Stanhope: I am more than happy to accept the change, if that is possible under—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I think we still have to go through voting, but thank you, Mr Stanhope.
MR SMYTH: And I would thank you, Chief Minister. Thank you, Jon. That is very decent. I move:
In paragraph (4), omit “implement”, substitute “restore”.
I hope you get the point. They are not asking for something brand new. They are not asking for massive earthworks; they are not asking for walls or fences; they are not asking for the road to be shifted. They are simply asking that that which a couple of years ago was there be restored. Now that the drought is over, perhaps we could also plant some trees and shrubs on that mound to stabilise the mound, prevent further erosion and further decrease the noise. It is a very simple request. I believe the government should implement the request immediately.
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (5.46): I will be very brief, Madam Assistant Speaker. I support Mr Smyth’s amendment also. It is a reasonable thing to put forward.
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