Page 3320 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 12 October 1993
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As stated in the introduction to the environmental budget, the Government is committed to the long-term strategic management of the ACT's environment. Our commitment in words is being matched by strategic and pragmatic actions on the ground, and also by the allocation of funding despite the difficult financial times we face. We are now developing many innovative programs to ensure the continued protection and enhancement of our environment. These programs are being coordinated across government to produce a holistic and integrated approach to the environmental management of the ACT. These projects are outlined in this year's environmental budget statement, which describes the many and varied environmental initiatives being implemented by the Government. It is important to appreciate that the environmental initiatives outlined in the budget will cover the full range of government activity and are not limited to areas where the environment is the major concern of a particular agency. This coverage demonstrates that issues such as resource usage and sustainability are mainstream concerns and are part of the fundamental business of government.
There are a number of significant areas in which the Government is demonstrating its strategic approach to environmental management and which demonstrate our commitment to achieving our vision for 2020. One of the goals identified in the 2020 report is to develop Canberra as a centre of excellence in environmental planning and management. Implicit in this goal is planning and design for a sustainable urban environment. The Government has already laid a good basis for this through the development of the Territory Plan. The potential for planning decisions to impact on the quality of the environment is great. The plan is a comprehensive document which explicitly requires consideration and amelioration of environmental impacts. The plan establishes land use areas, sets out the policies which apply in each area, and incorporates water resource policies. It will be supplemented by guidelines covering a range of environmental issues such as air quality, noise management, energy and contaminated sites.
The plan also confirms the Government's commitment to increasing energy efficiency across the ACT. There are compulsory energy audits for subdivisions of 30 or more blocks, and compulsory energy management plans for buildings of more than 2,000 square metres. Additionally, the plan provides for the introduction of compulsory energy efficiency ratings for dwellings approved after 1 July 1995. These provisions reflect the Government's belief that the community has much to gain from improving energy efficiency in buildings. The Government has already set a very good example since 1990 with its own energy efficiency initiatives.
The plan also confirms the importance of the ACT's regional context in coordinating environmental issues. Water catchments and control of feral animals and plants are two of the areas where joint activities with governments over the border are very important to a sustainable future. The implementation of the new plan is a high priority for the Government. The plan allows for explicit incorporation of environmental considerations into the planning process. Therefore it will be a key component of environmental management in the ACT and region.
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