Page 2227 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 9 May 2012

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MS HUNTER: A supplementary.

MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter.

MS HUNTER: Minister, what impact will the 1 July cuts have on detainees who are currently taking part in the Solaris program?

DR BOURKE: As I said in my previous answer, this was an announcement by the federal government and I will be providing a response.

MS LE COUTEUR: A supplementary.

MR SPEAKER: Ms Le Couteur.

MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, did the federal government advise the ACT government that it is expected to eventually take on the federal funding for Solaris? If so, how did that discussion progress?

DR BOURKE: I am not aware of that discussion.

Red Hill reserve

MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services. In January of this year, minister, Mr Hanson made representations to you on behalf of local residents, stating that the condition of Red Hill reserve was not being maintained, in particular that rubbish deposits had remained on Red Hill for a significant time. Minister, what action have you taken to address the condition of Red Hill reserve?

MS GALLAGHER: All correspondence and issues that are raised with me are forwarded to Territory and Municipal Services for appropriate handling. There is a routine level of maintenance and care that is provided to all of the nature parks and, indeed, the town parks and shopping centres and all of the other work that needs to be done. That varies from being done daily to weekly to monthly, depending on the priority of the area. But I can, with great confidence, say that I am absolutely positive that those issues that were raised were followed up and addressed where need be.

I would say, though, that it is a shame that people go to our parks and our reserves and leave their rubbish lying around. We have had some concerns raised by members of the opposition and indeed other members in this place about conditions of facilities like Weston Park, where we see lots of people leaving nappies behind and creating other waste which, yes, needs to be cleaned up by Territory and Municipal Services, but their job would be made a lot easier if the community took their rubbish away with them.

There is a shared responsibility here. I do not think it is fair to just lump all of the responsibility with the staff of TAMS. They have routine maintenance and a schedule to go around and ensure the appropriate upkeep of our facilities, but it is greatly assisted by the community itself doing the right thing as well.


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