Page 4744 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 31 October 2017
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process and allows the minor works to take place without the need to go through the onerous full planning process. Even with the power to bypass a full development application process, this is a burdensome procedure and creates unnecessary delays and paperwork for the conservator and rangers.
This bill seeks to bypass these procedures by creating a standing ESO through the minor public works code. This code sets out the types of works which can be carried out without the need for a development application or a specific ESO. This will have the effect of freeing up the time of the conservator and rangers, and improve upgrade and maintenance of amenities for people accessing ACT nature parks. This code is effectively a checklist.
The code establishes and maintains a consistent standard for the planning and assessment of minor public works on reserved land managed by the parks and conservation service, or the PCS, that balances the need to undertake activities for land management with the protection of the natural and cultural environment.
The intent of the code is to provide an efficient framework for undertaking minor public works in reserves without requiring individual environmental assessments or environmental impact statements for minor activities. The code requires consideration of a range of environmental factors and excludes those activities with the potential to cause a significant adverse environmental impact.
I have been advised that the estimated time saved on a simple, single project will be 11 person days per project. At present an ESO for a simple project, for example, the upgrade of 10 kilometres of existing fire trail, can take at least 19 person days. Under the new code assessment process, there will still be eight person days of time involving investigating the site, preparing a works plan and assessing the project against the code, but 11 person days are saved, leading to reduced costs and more effective management. More complex or multi-faceted projects would extend each stage of the ESO process and require a more detailed assessment. The code potentially involves a greater time saving in these circumstances as efficiencies are found in the code assessment process itself.
In 2016-17 the PCS completed seven ESOs for works in reserves. I have been assured that the changes in this bill will not put at risk any scrutiny process for new works and that they will be excluded from the fast track process facilitated through the code. I am also assured that the provision allowing tree removal to be included in minor works does not extend to mature trees; rather it covers the saplings which may spring up and interfere with fire trails and other tracks. The ability to remove these saplings without requiring a DA and an ESO is a vital facet of this bill’s intent to reduce regulatory burden for the conservator.
The Canberra Liberals support the concept of red tape reduction and while the code is a 13-page document and not the easiest to read, I believe its implementation will mean real savings in staff hours and administrative paperwork. We thank the minister’s office for giving us a draft copy of the code to enable us to be able to get a view, and we are happy to say that we support the bill.
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