Page 245 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
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Questions without notice
Municipal services—invasive tree roots
MR COE: My question is to the Minister for City Services. Minister, many constituents contact the opposition about tree roots growing on the nature strip and other government land that then invade private land and cause significant damage to drains, building foundations and other private property. Minister, under these circumstances who is responsible to prove ownership of these trees and the cause of the damage?
MR STEEL: Transport Canberra and City Services undertakes an assessment on an individual, case-by-case basis on what has occurred in relation to tree roots that may be encroaching on someone else’s land.
MR COE: Minister, where it has been shown that the cause of the damage is trees on government land, what course of action does the citizen have to take in order to have them removed?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for his question. I will ask him: if there is a specific case that he wants to bring to my attention, please do so and we can look at that matter. It sounds like you are referring to a specific case. Certainly, on a case-by-case basis, the outcome may be different in terms of the approach that the TCCS takes.
Mr Coe: Point of order on relevance. I am, of course, asking for government policy, not to establish new policy but asking what the established policy is for the 160,000 dwellings in the ACT. Perhaps the minister could say what the government policy is with regard to what course of action the citizen needs to take.
MADAM SPEAKER: I heard that there was an approach on a case-by-case basis, but the minister may add.
MR STEEL: My offer stands to the Leader of the Opposition if he wants to provide that particular case; but I am happy to take it on notice to provide him with what policy I can. I think he is referring to a specific case and, if that is true, then he should provide it to me so I can have a look at it. I am happy to investigate it.
MS LAWDER: Is it the government policy that it is on a case-by-case basis or is there a stated policy about what will happen?
MR STEEL: I think it is a matter of both. Each individual circumstance will be looked at to see what has occurred in relation to a tree on public land that may be encroaching on private property and causing damage. That will be done in accordance with policy. I have already undertaken to take that question on notice.
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Barr, don’t encourage Mr Wall; and, Mr Wall, don’t encourage Mr Barr.
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