Page 2655 - Week 09 - Thursday, 9 August 1990
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commitment to recycling by initiating major projects in this field. Another initiative which is already under way is the upgrading of the Belconnen and Woden recycling centres at a total cost of $180,000. In addition, work has already commenced on new recycling centres at Mitchell and Greenway at a total cost of $440,000.
I now turn to our future actions. In line with the committee's report the Alliance Government will be placing even more emphasis on promoting composting and recycling in the ACT. It will also be considering ways of promoting waste minimisation through legislation. At this stage we will decide whether the legislation will effectively involve the commercial sector and reduce the current inequity in waste disposal charges where domestic ratepayers, of course, are effectively subsidising the commercial sector because of the much greater volume of waste produced by the commercial sector. Legislation could be used to redress this inequity. It could also act as an incentive for the commercial sector to minimise the amount of waste which it produces. In examining a legislative scheme the Government would emphasise the need for incentives by giving all commercial waste generators showing commitment to waste minimisation and recycling due recognition through lower disposal fee levies. In this way legislation could be used to encourage recycling in the commercial sector.
As part of the Government's waste management strategy an additional area for Revolve's scavenging operation at Mugga Lane tip has been provided. As well, and in line with the committee's recommendations, the Government will be encouraging householders to deposit reusable goods at the Revolve operations rather than at the tip face, by placing signposts at the entrance to the tip.
The Government will encourage recycling by an extension of the current static collection facilities. This will mean that there will be collection facilities for glass and PET plastic throughout all of Canberra. The Government is also encouraging the extension of buy-back centres for aluminium cans to be operated by community groups and coordinated by the YMCA on a regional basis. The Government acknowledges the need for a public education campaign on recycling. A cost-effective public education program will be developed to achieve this end.
The Alliance Government will be setting an example through its own internal recycling programs. This Government will introduce paper recycling measures into its offices and will educate its own employees about the need for paper recycling. Paper from ACT Government offices is already being recycled but with at-source separation of high quality paper the efficiency of the recycling service will be maximised.
Mr Acting Speaker, the Alliance Government is aware that one of the most effective methods of reducing the volume of
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