Page 2176 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 6 June 1990
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correspondence, I will be quite happy for you to see it and to take part in any general proposal, which I imagine would come from this Assembly rather than just the Government.
Oil and Chemical Spillages
MS MAHER: My question to the Minister for Finance and Urban Services relates to the report yesterday of a diesel oil spillage at Fyshwick. Can the Minister say what measures are in place to protect Lake Burley Griffin from regular spillage of chemicals in the Fyshwick area?
MR DUBY: I thank Ms Maher for the question. I am aware of the media report on the spillage yesterday of diesel fuel oil in Fyshwick. I am very pleased to say that this is a very good demonstration of the effectiveness of the response procedures in place. Under the ACT disaster plan, the ACT Emergency Service has prepared a subplan for dealing with hazardous material spillages.
The ACT Fire Brigade is the prime agency for response, but it is assisted primarily by the police and also by the large range of ACT Government services available to respond to these accidents. The Environment Protection Service is one of those agencies, and it provides assistance with identification of materials and mop-up procedures before environmental clearance is given to the site.
This disaster plan has been used many times, and in all cases has been most successful in reducing a local hazard and containing potential pollution. Ms Maher may be aware that the Government is most concerned about the potential effect of the chemicals used in Fyshwick. As part of the Eastern Parkway project, an oil separating gross pollutant trap has been constructed as a last line of defence. It is proving to be very effective. I am also pleased to inform the house that the local oil industry has established an emergency response group which will operate in the region.
Mr Berry: Will you cut the fire service back?
MR DUBY: We will certainly look at all options, Mr Berry.
School Consolidations
MR WOOD: I direct a question to the Minister for Education. So that Mr Humphries may know the effects of his actions, does he now recognise that it is necessary, ahead of any decisions, to provide accurate and comprehensive accounts of savings, costs or other factors when proposing school closures?
MR HUMPHRIES: First of all, as Minister for Education, I formally acknowledge and welcome in the gallery of the
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