Page 1720 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2011
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Climate Change and Sustainability
The Government strongly believes that we need to meet the challenges of climate change and lead the way in addressing its impacts.
Despite being a small jurisdiction, the ACT continues to lead by example, increasing our uptake of Green Power from 32.5 per cent to 37.5 per cent from 2011-12 at a cost of $2.9 million. This will reduce the Territory’s carbon footprint.
A Resource Management Fund of $2 million will provide an incentive for the ACT Public Service to improve resource and energy efficiency.
Funding of $1.5 million is being allocated to improve the quality and reliability of energy efficiency ratings for residential properties for sale. To ensure that new dwellings meet expectations of quality, safety and environmental sustainability, $6.7 million is provided for additional building inspectors.
The urban waterways program, trialling replacement of a proportion of potable water with stormwater, is also supported with just over $900,000 allocated over four years.
Funding of almost $800,000 has been allocated for further work on an ACT Government data management system, which will provide information on energy and water usage, recycling and green house gas emissions.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, this is a Budget that delivers additional services to our community, while at the same time delivering the savings that are required to return our Budget to surplus in the short term.
This Budget creates a single public service focused on delivering high quality and efficient services to the community that we serve.
This Budget balances competing interests and demands and seeks to deliver a fair outcome for all.
Within the fiscal constraint that was required, this Budget also shows vision and optimism for the city we are becoming as we approach our second century.
Mr Speaker, I commend the Appropriation Bill and the 2011-12 Budget to the Assembly and to the ACT community.
Debate (on motion by Mr Seselja) adjourned to the next sitting.
Financial Management (One ACT Public Service) Amendment Bill 2011
Ms Gallagher, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
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