Page 2006 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 June 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Turning to the area of water pollution, I think that we should all acknowledge that we are fortunate in the ACT to have a high standard of sewerage treatment at the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre. We are frequently reminded of this when we see reports of what happens at Sydney's beaches. But we do have local water pollution problems. First, there is the problem of urban run-off into the lakes and the nutrient enrichment and algae growth problems which that brings. Urban run-off may also have been a contributor to the mystery of the dead fish in Lake Tuggeranong which Mr Duby has never satisfactorily explained. I think he was asleep at the time. There is also evidence of a continuing problem of heavy metal pollution from the Captains Flat mine.
Any discussion of water could not be complete without mentioning water conservation. All too often water is not treated as the valuable resource that it really represents. We are a lucky community, with a high standard of water quality and with a reliable supply, but it is vital that this resource should be conserved. Members may also recall that I spoke on this during the greenhouse debate. It is a pity that the only mention we have had of water conservation from the Government so far has come in the Priorities Review Board report where it was motivated more by saving money than by any concern about environmental issues.
The urban run-off problems which I mentioned also affect the quality of the ACT's soils. It is just as unproductive for urban soil to be washed away into the lakes and streams as it is in rural areas. Whilst we have got some idea about rural land degradation, there is a need also to identify precisely what the scope of the problem is and how we can tackle it in the ACT. There is also a clear need in parts of the ACT for a revegetation program to protect and enrich the soil. That brings me to the subject of our parklands. The Labor Party welcomes Mr Kaine's announcement today of the gazettal of reserves. We believe that this announcement is quite consistent with the approach that we took in government, for example, when Mrs Grassby declared the Bimberi Wilderness area. While in government we also decided to cease the use of rainforest timber.
We should be aware that there is again a cloud on the horizon for our forests. Unfortunately, the Priorities Review Board has approached the pine forest issues from the point of view of profit rather than responsible management. Of course, the Priorities Review Board approach epitomises the difference between the current Government and our own. We believe that it is the Government's responsibility to manage the ACT's resources in the best overall interests of the ACT community and, of course, the Liberals will always be more concerned with private profit. I suggest that the Assembly should be vigilant about the management of all ACT forests, whether they are native or pine plantations. As large consumers of resources from outside the Territory, we have a responsibility that goes beyond our own borders.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .