Page 3321 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 12 October 1993
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An integral component of environmental management is planning for the future. Like most other governments, the ACT Government is facing some crucial decisions as to how best to meet the expectations of Canberra's growing population. With nearly 300,000 residents, the ACT, despite its careful planning, is already facing some of the social and environmental problems inherent in an ever expanding urban fringe. The problems include the loss of rural land and the environmental impacts of the expansion of urban development in rural areas, such as the control of solid wastes, stormwater and sewage. In addition, the cost of infrastructure for new areas and the declining utilisation of community facilities have led governments all over Australia to look at the need for the regeneration and better use of existing infrastructure.
We have addressed this issue by adopting an urban renewal policy that establishes a land development program of 50 per cent urban renewal and 50 per cent greenfield development. Urban renewal is identified in the 2020 document as one way of providing greater housing choice and more appropriate use of housing stock. This policy offers other potential benefits in both economic and environmental terms. It allows for a reduction in the demand for new capital works and encourages the regeneration of existing areas. In doing so it results in the more efficient use of existing land, infrastructure and facilities. Environmental benefits will accrue through decreased metropolitan vehicle emissions and associated air pollution. There are a number of excellent examples of the Government's urban renewal policy, including Kingston, North Lyneham and Aubrey Tow Court in Ainslie. North Lyneham is an example of the development of land adjacent to an existing district and has been developed with the need for only very limited government expenditure on social infrastructure. However, it provides a wide range of housing stock and has increased the viability of facilities such as schools in Lyneham.
Turning to another issue - the ACT greenhouse strategy - in May this year I released a strategy which focuses on areas where the ACT can make the most significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These areas are energy supply and use, the transport sector, and waste minimisation. Cross-sectoral issues, including urban design, public awareness, research and development, are also considered. Many of the initiatives outlined in the greenhouse strategy have already been implemented, and I outlined the energy initiatives associated with the Territory Plan earlier in this statement.
Establishment of the eco office scheme across the ACT Government Service is progressing. In fact, the scheme is being expanded to encompass energy and resource saving measures in non-office situations. The trial of wheeled bins for household waste and kerbside collection of recyclables in Kaleen was extended to the suburbs of Dickson and Melba in June this year. The trial will provide valuable data to be used in the selection of an integrated household waste collection and recycling system. This will be a significant component in the development of a comprehensive waste management strategy for the ACT. The transport capital works program includes an ongoing program of on- and off-road cycle facilities provision. This year we are spending almost $200,000 to improve traffic lanes and shoulders on arterial roads between Woden, the city and Belconnen to encourage adult inter-town community cycling. The Federal Government is matching this amount for the project. In the meantime the ACT bicycle strategy is in its final stages of development.
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