Page 4338 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2019

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It is worth noting that the population of Tharwa is on the move, with five blocks of land slated for release in the government’s 2020-21 land release program and potential further releases in the future. This requires some forward thinking in terms of the provision of an effective water supply, in terms of both rural and urban firefighting needs, but also in accordance with the needs of what is a growing community.

I seek members’ support for a tripartisan resolution for this community. I believe that sending this issue to the Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services for inquiry can resolve the issue, place greater transparency around the decision-making process, and allow the community’s views as to what the ideal outcome would be to be heard. I commend my motion to the Assembly.

MS LE COUTEUR (Murrumbidgee) (11.50): The Greens will be supporting this motion. From what we have heard, this is a significant issue of concern in the Tharwa community. An Assembly inquiry would seem to be a reasonable approach to dealing with it.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Statement by chair

MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (11.51): Pursuant to standing order 246A, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Environment and Transport and City Services relating to the inquiry into nature in our city. The committee is currently in the process of drafting its report on the inquiry. During the inquiry the committee received 71 submissions and heard from 69 witnesses at seven public hearings.

The evidence received by the committee is substantive, detailed and complex, and touches on a wide array of matters affecting nature in our city. The subject matter of the inquiry deals with issues that are at the heart of Canberra’s identity as the bush capital and that have significant ramifications for the amenity of the city, its liveability, its resilience to climate change, and the character of its urban environment and surrounding nature reserves.

The committee wishes to ensure that the report deals with these important matters carefully and is produced to a high standard. Having given further consideration to the volume and complexity of the evidence as the report takes shape, the committee has decided to delay the tabling of its report on this inquiry until the first quarter of next year. This will allow the committee enough time to give due consideration to all the issues raised by contributors.

Planning and Urban Renewal—Standing Committee

Statement by chair

MS LE COUTEUR (Murrumbidgee) (11.52): Pursuant to standing order 246A, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Planning


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