Page 1117 - Week 06 - Thursday, 27 July 1989
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In the survey of 1982, of the 3,700 structures in front of the building line it was found that 90 per cent were built to define property boundaries and around 40 per cent were built to provide privacy, security and safety for residents.
In summation, residents erected fences to delineate the front fence boundary; increase visual privacy; discourage trespasses by people, animals and vehicles; and provide secure space for children and young animals.
Mr Speaker, back on 31 May I asked Mrs Grassby a question, and the question was whether mechanisms would be put in place by the Government to ensure that front fences are available to residents if they so choose. Mrs Grassby, in answer, told me that "at the moment our department is looking at the matter" and when she had an answer she told me she would come back to me on it. So far I have seen no evidence of an investigation into the matter by Mrs Grassby or her department.
I ask the Assembly: What exactly does her looking into the matter entail? How long is she looking at it? Is there a satisfactory level of public consultation? The matter does need to be more thoroughly investigated. Thus, I ask the Assembly that the front fence policy be reviewed by the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure. Then we will have some times and dates and be able to fully consult with the community. I commend the motion to you.
MR MOORE (5.09): I shall speak very briefly, after hearing Mrs Nolan's defence of "de fence". It was very interesting to listen to Mrs Nolan's rendition of the garden city, but I believe that most people who chose to come and live in Canberra chose to come and live here because of the very nature and the way Canberra works.
I must say I am delighted to live in a city without front fences. Nevertheless, I shall support the review of this policy simply so that the matter can be aired, drawing attention to the fact that Mrs Nolan's 3,700 front fences in 1982, according to my calculations, represent the fact that about 1.3 per cent of Canberrans had actually chosen to put up some kind of fence.
Mrs Nolan: That was the last time they were measured.
MR MOORE: And even if that were doubled, it might go to 3 per cent. I think that hardly warrants what one could call a major issue of concern. It does concern me that such a minor issue as this is actually brought up and handed to the Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure when there are other much more major issues.
Furthermore, the committee has to report on the first day of sitting in April 1990. I think perhaps we should suggest that they report on the second day of sitting or
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