Page 316 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 1 March 1994
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The Government itself has set a very good example since 1990 with its own energy efficiency initiatives. We are in the fourth year of the energy management program for government buildings. Projects are identified on the basis that they would recover one-third of their costs per annum. Some of the projects undertaken which have resulted in reductions in energy consumption include the installation of more efficient lighting and high efficiency gas boilers to replace less efficient gas-fired boilers that were originally designed to operate on oil. The energy savings are estimated to be 30 per cent of energy bills on an ongoing basis.
The eco-office scheme mentioned in the report has now been renamed the eco-workplace scheme, to better reflect the diverse nature of the ACT Government's work force. The scheme goes from strength to strength. The eco-workplace is all about the reduction and reuse of resources through the use of recycled products and the reduction of energy consumption through such measures as energy audits and staff awareness and education campaigns. A network of eco-contact officers has now been established in all ACT Government agencies and an implementation kit is currently being finalised. Additionally, the possibility of extending the scheme to our schools is being investigated, with a pilot eco-schools project at Theodore Primary School.
The Government is also actively encouraging the practice of recycling in the home. The recently announced intention to introduce a kerbside recyclables collection scheme using wheeled bins is a good example of this. Information has been made readily available to the community on organic recycling through displays such as those at Floriade, poster competitions, and the specific education of participants in the kerbside recyclables collection trial.
In the transport sector, our bus network, ACTION, has just completed a trial of three buses using diesohol fuel. The trial period was extended to today, 1 March 1994. Diesohol is a fuel blend comprising 84.5 per cent diesel, 15 per cent ethanol and 0.5 per cent emulsifier and has the added environmental benefit of using waste from the manufacture of food products from wheat. ACTION is also undertaking a trial of compressed natural gas. All new buses commencing operation with conventional engines will conform to the new European Community standards for emissions, which will result in lower greenhouse gas emissions. These standards are more stringent than the current Australian emission standards. A study of future public transport options for Canberra is under way, which considers transport, land use and environmental relationships. The study is also examining ways to improve the options for modes of commuter travel and consequently the use of fossil fuels.
In the natural environment sector, a nature conservation strategy for the ACT will be developed through community consultation. The strategy will cover the Territory's native flora and fauna, the management of potentially threatening processes, and the promotion of nature conservation in the community. It will provide a framework for implementing the flora and fauna guarantee legislation which will be introduced later this year. Members will recall that I released a draft ACT environment strategy in December last year. The strategy provides a framework for the development, review and revision of appropriate strategies and legislation need for effective environmental management. I have been pleased with the extent of the community's interest. In response, I have extended the period for public comment by one month to 31 March.
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