Page 551 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 1990
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An inquiry could be held in situations in which an environmental assessment had not adequately resolved the environmental issues associated with a proposal. However, inquiries would not be limited to environmental issues and could be used to examine any aspect of a proposal. For example, an inquiry could be established to examine the economic impact of any planning decision, such as a proposed heritage listing.
Details of certain matters provided for in the draft Bill will be spelt out in regulations. These will include the information to be provided by a proponent in a notice of intent, and the detailed procedures and form of environmental impact statements and public environment reports.
As we recognise that these details will be of particular interest to Assembly members and the public, the regulations concerning them are currently being drafted and will be released for public comment in the same fashion as this Bill, as soon as they are available.
As with the draft planning and heritage Bills, public consultation is an integral component of the processes set out in the inquiries and environmental assessments Bill. Inquiries would normally be conducted in public and would provide an opportunity for any person to make an oral or written submission. At the completion of an inquiry, the inquiry report would be tabled in the Assembly and would be provided to the public. The conduct of an assessment would involve appropriate consultation and making the public environment report or environmental impact statement available for public inspection and comment. The completed assessment would be tabled in the Assembly. These mechanisms would provide a full opportunity for community involvement in the inquiry or assessment process.
In keeping with our concept of open, responsible government, we released our environmental policy some two months ago. The overall objective of that policy is - and I quote:
To produce a harmony between the retention and enhancing of the natural ecosystem on the one hand and human needs and aspirations on the other.
I see the legislation that I have tabled in draft form today as a key element in meeting that objective.
We want our economy to develop, prosper and diversify. We want to maintain and enhance the unique beauty of our city and its surroundings. We want to attract business and investment to Canberra. We want to ensure the social and environmental well-being of the Territory. The Land Use (Inquiries and Environmental Assessments) Bill provides for a balance between economic needs and environmental concerns in the ACT.
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