Page 1077 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
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paper fact sheet has been translated into 14 different languages. These fact sheets will be critical as we reach out to the many multicultural community groups and organisations in the ACT for their invaluable views and inputs. The government is eager to hear the views of the Canberra community as a whole, and I look forward to bringing this important new law to the Assembly later this year.
Canberra—growth
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Minister for the Environment. A recent RiotACT item entitled “Canberrans flock to Goulburn in search of cheaper land” reported that hundreds of couples, families and singles are fleeing Canberra to live in Goulburn, meaning possibly thousands of new commutes every day, with the resulting environmental impact. Minister, why are hundreds of people leaving Canberra and moving to Goulburn but continuing to commute on a daily basis to Canberra?
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Vassarotti.
MR GENTLEMAN: Madam Speaker, that is not a question for the Minister for the Environment; it is about a trend in land sales, I think.
MADAM SPEAKER: You are responding to this question, Mr Gentleman?
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes, that is my intention.
If we look at the growth of Canberra over the last number of years, you would not say that people are fleeing the ACT. We have growth of 4,000 to 8,000 people coming to the ACT every year. We see incredible demand for housing in the ACT and have seen more land sales over recent months than ever before.
In regard to the impact of travelling on the environment, we would much rather see people stay in the ACT. That is why we encourage them to do so.
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Minister for the Environment. Have you conducted any studies on the environmental impact of commuter traffic into Canberra from as far away as Goulburn?
MS VASSAROTTI: I thank the member for the question. I will take that on notice. I am not aware of it, and it potentially goes across a number of portfolios.
MS CASTLEY: Minister, what will you do to encourage people to stay in Canberra to reduce the considerable emission levels from the thousands of commuter kilometres each day by people coming into Canberra?
MS VASSAROTTI: I thank the member for the question. Taking this question from an environmental perspective, we can point to the amazing benefits we have for residents living in Canberra. We hear every day about how proud people are to live in Canberra, and we hear particularly how important our environment and access to our environment are.
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