Page 521 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
legislation. There are no financial considerations involved in this proposed amendment. I now present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Dr Kinloch) adjourned.
CONSERVATION, HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT -
STANDING COMMITTEE
MRS GRASSBY (Minister for Housing and Urban Services) (10.37): I move:
That:
(1) The following matters be referred to the Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment for investigation and report:
(a) the management of domestic and commercial waste (not including industrial and clinical waste disposal); and
(b) appropriate solid waste management practices with particular reference to:
(i) options for efficient collection of domestic waste;
(ii) options for stimulating recycling of domestic wastes, including glass, paper, plastic and metals and the impact of collections systems on recycling performance;
(iii) options for improving commercial waste disposal, in particular, the economic recycling of resources; and
(iv) measures that the ACT Government could introduce to encourage recycling.
(2) The Committee report by 31 October 1989.
The volume of waste generated and disposal methods are matters about which we should all be concerned. The ACT solid waste strategy review report in 1985 estimated that on average each ACT resident produces 2 kilograms of waste per day - an increase over previous levels. This increasing trend reflects our throwaway lifestyle and mentality and results in increased disposal cost to the community, increased use of natural resources, and potential for damage to the environment.
The challenge, therefore, is to reverse the trend through the development of long-term strategies for waste collection, disposal and recycling. As community awareness of environmental issues has increased, so has the demand for a cleaner urban environment. Whilst the community has the right to demand freedom of choice, there is also a responsibility for the development and implementation of long-term, forward looking strategies for dealing with waste products.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .