Page 2261 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 15 September 1992
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I turn now to the environment. To protect the good things about Canberra and to ensure that the future Canberra retains its special bush capital characteristics, the Government is committed to strong environmental policies. The Government is establishing a Commissioner for the Environment who will undertake a reporting and investigative role. We are continuing our program to increase the energy efficiency of government buildings. Funding is being provided for improved environmental controls at the tips. New projects are being funded under the Landcare program, and additional funds are being provided to extend the Parkcare program. Urban renewal will, in itself, assist in protecting Canberra's environment. There will be greater energy efficiency and reduced air pollution through reduced transportation and a reduced rate of transformation of greenfields into urban areas. The Planning Authority has received additional funding to assist in the development of these initiatives.
Referring now to management of the city, Madam Speaker, the issue of how well governments provide basic urban services is dear to the hearts of most city dwellers, and Canberra is no exception. These and related matters form a very large proportion of calls made to me, both complaining and congratulatory, through the Wastewatch hot line. This budget will continue the Wastewatch service. We will also be conducting another ratepayers survey. We will open a new government shopfront this year, to provide Belconnen residents with ready access to a range of services and payment facilities. We will spend an additional $100,000 in each of the next three years on new books for our libraries. One of the significant issues in facing the future is waste management. In this budget funding is provided for a trial of 140-litre wheeled bins for the collection of domestic garbage and recyclable materials, at a cost of $900,000 in 1992-93. The Institute of TAFE will conduct a feasibility study into an ACT centre for training in waste management.
As part of the Government's commitment to a quality public transport service, ACTION will, for the first time, publish its service objectives for comment by the community. As many commentators have observed, the cost of ACTION services is expensive relative to other public transport systems, despite the dedication of the staff. A funding agreement is being negotiated which will require a reduction in the ACTION subsidy by $10m over the next three years. The aim is that this will be achieved without a reduction in service standards. There will be extensive consultation with the staff and the unions. This budget provides for the replacement of 50 ageing buses at a cost of $12.8m. For trial purposes, two buses will be powered by compressed natural gas. Under the restructuring program, the budget provides a net $900,000 in 1992-93 and a net $800,000 in the following year for an automated ticketing system for ACTION. This will provide greater flexibility and equity for passengers in the structuring of fares.
I turn to the management of the public service. Madam Speaker, we rely heavily on the skills and dedication of our public servants to deliver excellent services. Where we have not pursued specific efficiency strategies, most managers have been charged with saving 2 per cent per annum in their program running costs. Consultation with unions will be central to the restructuring that will be needed, and relevant awards will be adhered to. Where a reduction in positions is involved, the emphasis will be on redeployment. There will be no involuntary redundancies and funding for voluntary redundancies will be made available where needed.
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