Page 1740 - Week 06 - Thursday, 30 July 2020

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However, there is a well-developed framework for managing the use of public unleased land. Often that has been in conjunction with the government. We have built the pump track near Gundaroo Drive, in collaboration with the community, and now one in Farrer as well. We are looking into this particular matter, bringing in an expert to review the safety of these tracks and also to make sure that they are not damaging any trees in the vicinity. We will take a balanced approach to this matter. At this stage, no further work will be undertaken to remove these pump tracks.

MR PARTON: Minister, can you confirm if any complaints have been received regarding this issue or if the demolishing is occurring due to bureaucratic risk assessment?

MR STEEL: Certainly a number of people have been in touch with me, with members of the Assembly and with the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate in relation to this matter. That has resulted in us further reviewing these particular developments on public unleased land.

MISS C BURCH: Minister, what other community bike tracks such as this one built by children in the Canberra community does your government plan on demolishing?

MR STEEL: We do not plan on demolishing any.

Building—COVID-safe construction sites

MISS C BURCH: My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety. Minister, it has been brought to my attention that there are inconsistent hygiene and COVID-safe practices being adopted on various construction sites in the ACT. Another concern is that a significant number of construction workers continue to travel to the ACT during the week from known COVID hotspots in western Sydney. Has this been brought to your attention by the newly appointed workplace safety commissioner?

MS ORR: I thank Miss Burch for her question. As we know, the government takes worker safety very seriously, as well as community safety, during the time of COVID. I will seek more recent advice from the commissioner for work health and safety, noting that I do get a regular update. These specific issues have not been raised with me to date but, as I said, I will seek a more recent update. If Miss Burch has any particular instances that she is concerned about, she is also welcome to contact my office and let us know so that we can investigate.

MISS C BURCH: Minister, what action are you taking to ensure that a consistent approach is being adopted across the construction industry, in line with what is expected in other industries?

MS ORR: There are a range of measures that have been put in place, not only by our office of work health and safety but also Safe Work Australia, to provide consistent guidance across all of Australia, in line with the health recommendations that have been put forward. All this information is available to businesses, to construction


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