Page 2554 - Week 06 - Thursday, 10 May 2012

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Questions without notice taken on notice

Territory and Municipal Services Directorate—fire management unit

Ms Gallagher (in reply to a supplementary question by Mr Seselja on Tuesday, 27 March 2012): There has been no independent review specifically undertaken in relation to the Fire Management Unit. Consulting firm LSI was engaged to review business processes and identify efficiencies within the Parks and Conservation Service and City Services branches of the Parks and City Services Division. The Fire Management Unit is a unit within the Parks and Conservation Service.

Red Hill reserve

Ms Gallagher (in reply to a supplementary question by Mr Hanson on Wednesday, 9 May 2012): Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) carries out regular maintenance in Red Hill Nature Reserve. Staff patrol parts of the nature reserve at least weekly and will be in the reserve more frequently depending on the works program for this area. Patrol routes change each time staff undertake these duties, to provide a comprehensive cover of the whole reserve over a period of weeks.

During the warmer months, mowing for fire fuel hazard reduction is undertaken along management trails and the majority of spraying for environmental weeds is completed.

In the course of delivering these activities, staff may identify illegal dumping or note the need to address damage to park furniture, such as signage or fencing.

The summit area is serviced by TAMS which involves cleaning of the public toilet and litter picking to clear the area of rubbish daily between Monday and Friday.

Alexander Maconochie Centre—identity bracelets

Dr Bourke (in reply to a supplementary question by Mr Coe on Tuesday, 8 May 2012): I can advise the Assembly that in October 2011, all detainee RFID devices were removed. Staff duress alarm devices remain in place.

The decision to remove the detainee devices was made due to ongoing problems with the operation of the RFID system, including problems with battery life, which the private contractor has been unable to resolve to ACT Corrective Services’ satisfaction since detainees were first received into the AMC in 2009.

The Territory is now in discussion with the provider to finalise the contract whilst ensuring that a staff duress system remains operational. Those discussions are at a mature stage.

Security of the AMC and detainee management has not been compromised. The RFID system has the capacity to enhance prisoner management, but is not the primary mechanism for this function. Normal prison operations (as occur in prisons throughout Australia), have been maintaining appropriate custodial standards to date and will continue to do so.


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