Page 4268 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 20 November 1990
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MR JENSEN: I do not believe I said that, Mr Speaker. I spoke about Mr Berry,s non-participation in the report - - -
Mr Berry: Did you infer that?
MR JENSEN: I indicated that he had received a copy of the report as all members had, and I then happened to continue on in my speech to comment on the fact that the report was leaked.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Jensen, if that was unintentional, would you withdraw it if there is an inference there?
MR JENSEN: I will be only too happy to withdraw any unintentioned indication that Mr Berry may have been responsible for the leaking of that report, if Mr Berry is, in fact, worried about that.
MR SPEAKER: Please proceed. Had you concluded your remarks, Mr Jensen?
MR JENSEN: No, I had not, Mr Speaker; I was interrupted by a point of order from Mr Berry.
Mr Speaker, the committee was advised that only 13 cases of illegal fences were examined in the past three years, and only seven notices were issued. The majority of those cases were referred to the Building Controller after complaints by neighbours, with the exception of one case where officials of the planning authority had noted an illegal fence and that happened to be referred to the Building Controller for action. The committee was concerned about the unfair and discriminatory nature of the 1984 policy implementation. Accordingly, we recommended that any policy on residential/suburban fences in the ACT should be enforced if it is to have credibility. One of the key points, as we see in recommendation No. 1 which came from paragraph 4.6, is that there should be an extensive promotional campaign to ensure that the people of the ACT are fully aware of whatever the policy may be in relation to householders.
Another important aspect is the provision of adequate resources to administer that policy, including the processing and assessing of applications. Then, of course, I think another important aspect is procedures for objections and appeals. It is also very clear that one of the major and very important recommendations of the committee is that, in cases where there are illegal structures in place, approval must be obtained for any external structures before any residential properties are sold. That relates to not just fences, but any external structures. It includes fences and walls in place at the time. So, the process of application for a front fence - if it falls within the guidelines that may be adopted as a result of this report - should be able to be put in place.
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