Page 2656 - Week 09 - Thursday, 9 August 1990
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material going to landfill is by promoting composting. Therefore we will be further publicising - - -
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Order members! Mr Duby is speaking and the level of conversation is a little bit high; keep it down if you would.
MR DUBY: Therefore we will be further publicising the composting facility at Mugga Lane tip as well as promoting composting by householders at home. As well as increasing the life span of the landfill sites which, of course, are a quite significant cost to the Government, it reduces air pollution by dramatically reducing the number of vehicles visiting landfill sites. As part of its composting promotion the Alliance Government will be calling for expressions of interest in setting up a composting facility on or near the Belconnen landfill site. Tenders are currently being prepared and will be called by the end of August. As part of this process a garden waste shredding service will be provided in Mitchell on no less than two days per month for north Canberra residents.
One of the most highly publicised issues considered by the committee relates to the collection of domestic garbage. Much has been said in various arenas about the merits of so-called big bins and the little bins which are currently in use. The Alliance Government has no plans to introduce big bins to the ACT in the immediate future.
Mr Wood: Thank you.
MR DUBY: You are welcome, Mr Wood.
Mr Wood: My lobbying has been successful, has it?
MR DUBY: Yes. This is because we recognise the importance of firmly establishing recycling services before considering the introduction of big bins. For this reason, big bins will not be considered until the Government's new initiatives with regard to recycling and composting have been well-established. I do not envisage this occurring within the next 18 to 24 months. At the appropriate time, and as part of these considerations, full discussions will be held with the relevant unions before considering their implementation. In the interim we will be investigating alternative technologies, including technologies from overseas, to determine the feasibility of combining a recycling and waste collection service. These investigations will ensure that the Government's future actions take into consideration the most up-to-date developments in technology.
The Alliance Government will consider introducing more stringent litter legislation as part of reducing litter. The proposed amendments to the litter Act could include a requirement that all loads be covered; provide increased penalties for littering, in particular for dangerous litter such as broken glass; and control the distribution of
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