Page 1456 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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Let me turn to some of the issues raised by the report. I noted on page 4 of the report the fact that some 50 per cent of our water is used on gardens and lawns. I suggest that a large amount of that water is used to water the large areas of public parks that we have in the ACT. I trust that in the negotiations with the Commonwealth the Government makes very sure that the large costs of watering these large parks that we have, which we are maintaining for the benefit of the people of the ACT and the large number of tourists that come here to this particular area, are fully and properly costed back to the ACT. Let us make sure that we get value from the Federal Government for the large amount of water that we use to keep its national capital very clean, green and beautiful, particularly in relation to a continent that is acknowledged as the driest in the world.
Mr Wood: The Antarctic is the driest, in fact.
MR JENSEN: Our continent is the driest in the world. Every school child, I suggest, Mr Wood, has probably been told that at some stage or other in his or her career.
I understand that the Government is attempting, under its program of restructuring, to reduce the costs associated with support that we are currently getting from the Federal Government. The Government has proposed some form of restructuring to the automatic watering systems that we have around our various parks and gardens in the ACT. I am sure that the Minister, like others in this city, has noted with some concern, particularly in this dry nation of ours, automatic watering systems clacking away merrily as the rain tumbles down. I trust, Minister, that your restructuring program will make sure that that sort of matter is quickly addressed.
Mrs Grassby: We are going to arrange for you to go and turn it off.
MR JENSEN: No, Minister. I believe that it is possible these days, with technology, very quickly to solve these sorts of problems.
Mrs Grassby: If you spend another couple of billion you can.
MR JENSEN: Well, I would suggest, Minister, that you might look at what it is going to save you in the cost of water, particularly in terms of treatment.
Mrs Grassby: It does not save anything.
MR JENSEN: I would be interested to know, Minister. I refer members to cities like Melbourne and Adelaide where strong programs are provided for the people to encourage them to use less and less water, to encourage them to use dripper systems, to encourage them to use mini-irrigation systems. Those sorts of programs, I would suggest, provide
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