Page 2471 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 7 August 1990
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program for 1990-91 were explained. The committee advertised, calling for public submissions, five of which were received. The committee was disappointed that more public submissions were not forthcoming, although this may have been due to the short period allowed for the inquiry process, which was a result of the budgetary requirements, as I have already indicated.
Public hearings were held on 28 and 29 June, at which officials from all the government agencies were questioned on their works proposals. In all, a total of 32 officials appeared before the committee at the public hearings. I will comment later, Mr Acting Speaker, on why I believe it is unfortunate that a member of the committee, Mr Berry, did not participate in those public hearings.
The committee made 21 recommendations, of which one of the main ones is that a formal response from the Government be made to the recommendations in this report before the 1990-91 budget is brought down. This recommendation is particularly important because, unless a formal response is made before the budget is released, the report will lose its currency and relevance.
Another main recommendation is that the Government, when it responds to this report, provide full details of where the $22.1m of reserve funds are to be allocated. The reserve funds listed in the program are specifically set aside for projects awaiting final government consideration. It is important that a full listing of all potential projects, including their indicative costs, be made publicly available.
Another recommendation is that the detailed population projections for the Tuggeranong Valley, together with an explanation of schools in the south Tuggeranong area, be made publicly available before work on the Bonython school is commenced. The committee believes that it is imperative, particularly in view of the public interest and concern about the school consolidation process, that the Government and the Education Department clearly articulate their policy on the provision of schools in the south Tuggeranong area.
The next main recommendation is that the Government take no precipitate action with respect to the Playhouse Theatre and that a final decision not be made until after the Select Committee on Cultural Activities and Facilities completes its inquiry. I note that Mr Wood, the chairman of that committee, unfortunately is not present in the house at this point.
The committee also recommended that a broadly based consultative committee on community services be established to allow for more public input into identification of priorities for capital works in the community services portfolio.
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