Page 710 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 12 March 1991
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Asbestos Removal
MR STEVENSON: My question is to Mr Duby and concerns the asbestos removal issue and the demolition of a redundant facility. The old Kingston technical college has signs up with the warning, "Danger Asbestos". The building is unused. Given that the Kingston timber mill burnt down without notice, like this question, we are presented with a similar possible problem at the old college. Is there an asbestos removal program for the site, as it presents a potential hazard to citizens in the area should it also be burnt down?
MR DUBY: I thank Mr Stevenson for the question. I am not familiar with the building that he is referring to and I will need to take that question on notice.
Drinking Water
MR JENSEN: My question is directed to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts, Mr Humphries. I refer the Minister to an article in the Weekend Australian of 9 March 1991 which was headed:
Our drinking water dangerously unsafe - Diseased bacteria in 25pc of city samples
I note that Canberra or the ACT was not included in that particular list. Can the Minister inform the Assembly of the situation in Canberra as compared to the other cities mentioned in that article?
MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Mr Jensen for that question. I am aware of the article. I note that it was alleged that the worst affected cities were Adelaide and the Gold Coast. As one who has drunk Adelaide water from time to time, I am not the least bit surprised to hear that that is the case. I note that the article that Mr Jensen referred to does not refer to the public reticulated water supply in Canberra, as was noted by Mr Jensen.
I have made inquiries since that article appeared in the paper, through my public and environmental health service, and I am pleased to state that Canberra's water supply is of a very high standard and quality when measured against the Australian and World Health Organisation standards in this matter. Daily sampling by the public and environmental health service in association with the Government's analytical laboratory ensures that, through the Board of Health, I am kept aware of the quality of water provided to the Canberra community. I remain confident that this will be a matter of ongoing satisfaction to the Government and to the broader community.
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