Page 2605 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 October 1992
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MS FOLLETT: The housing finance statistics that have been released are for the month of August 1992, and I think it is fair to say that they are good news for the ACT economy. They suggest that there is a continued strong performance of the ACT residential building industry that is far above the level of improvement recorded nationally. During August, the month that has just been reported upon, the total value of commitments in the ACT was $86.4m, which is up by 7.2 per cent over July and by 56.5 per cent compared to August last year. That is a very significant improvement. Increases in housing finance commitments were recorded in all categories other than alterations and additions. The total number of dwellings financed increased from 869 in July to 926 in August. This represents the highest monthly level since June 1988. So, it is a significant achievement indeed.
I think it is fair to say that over the past year the ACT has shown a degree of resilience in the national recession, and housing has been one of the particularly strong areas. It has been very important for local job creation. The August figures, I believe, confirm that the outlook is for a continuation of this strength in the housing sector. I consider it to be a very positive outcome for employment in the ACT and for our economy generally.
Conservation Council of the South-East Region and Canberra - Accommodation
MS SZUTY: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Wood. I note that conservation councils in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are all housed in National Trust properties, while the current accommodation of the Conservation Council of the South-East Region and Canberra is in derelict asbestos sheet clad buildings on the fringe of the ANU campus. They are said to be an embarrassment and an occupational health and safety hazard for both volunteer workers and staff. Will the Minister give the Assembly an undertaking to ascertain whether more appropriate accommodation is available for the council, if possible in a building of some heritage value and at a rental the organisation can afford?
MR WOOD: The Conservation Council is a much respected body in this town and encompasses 20 or 30 different environmental and other groups. They are not all purely environmental and the Conservation Council does not confine its comments to purely environmental matters. I repeat that the Government respects the Conservation Council. We take note of their advice, though we may not always accept that advice.
For some months now, I think understandably, the Conservation Council has been running a campaign claiming that it is short of funding. I do not dispute that fact; I am sure that they could do with a lot more money. I was a little disappointed with the council when they questioned the appointees to the new ACT Heritage Council on, I think, wrong criteria, simply because they did not think it was loaded enough their way. I have spoken with the council, and with other people carrying this campaign for the council, indicating the tightness of the ACT budget. We are in a time when funds are being constricted, and I am not able to make any promise to them of increased funding, though I listen sympathetically to their claims. I would, if I were able to, amongst all the competing claims on our money, find some little extra for them.
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