Page 1758 - Week 06 - Thursday, 19 May 1994
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Land Fill Sites
MR BERRY: It is nice to see that the old song "You Are Always on My Mind" is still in Mrs Carnell's mind. She should put "Wayne" on the end of that. Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Urban Services. There have been a few reports about the Belconnen tip. I ask the Minister to give the Assembly and the community a few details about what the Government is doing to meet environmental standards at Canberra's land fill sites.
MR LAMONT: I thank Mr Berry for his question. Madam Speaker, the licensing of land fill sites in the ACT is a matter of great concern to this Government. In fact, the licensing of the two land fill sites in Canberra, at Mugga Lane and in West Belconnen, was achieved in 1992 following rigorous inspection by the appropriate authority in the ACT. I am able to say that both of the land fill sites in the ACT meet those rigorous standards. Madam Speaker, from time to time questions are quite properly raised about the management of our land fill sites. The Department has undertaken an environmental and engineering audit of land fill sites in the ACT.
I am quite pleased today to be able to provide to members, as I have, a copy of the brochure which has now been distributed for public consultation. It is called "Better Waste Management for Canberra". This pamphlet, Madam Speaker, will be part of a regime of activity which is being undertaken through ACT Government shopfronts over the coming week to outline the response of the Government to the environmental and engineering audit of our land fill sites. It covers such matters as the land fill and recycling practices, waste acceptance procedures, environmental issues and end use planning. It identifies the findings of the audit and outlines the actions that have been undertaken and/or will be undertaken.
Most importantly, Madam Speaker, this brochure implores the community to become more involved in these issues. If there are any ways that they believe we can improve upon the already exceptional standards which are being maintained at our land fill sites, we are encouraging them to put forward their suggestions. Madam Speaker, I also make this offer to Opposition members and, indeed, to Ms Szuty, Mr Moore and Mr Stevenson: If at any time they wish a personalised inspection of our two land fill sites, I am prepared to have it organised. Tours for some members, such as Mr De Domenico, can be spread over a number of weeks.
Woden Valley Hospital - Artworks Brochure
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, first of all I thank Mr Lamont for this modest, non-glossy but appropriate brochure on waste management. My question has to do with brochures as well. It is directed to the Minister for Health. I refer the Minister to a brochure which was produced by the Health Department in late 1993. It is very glossy, unlike Mr Lamont's brochure. The brochure is called "A New Woden Valley Hospital Artworks Program: Stage 1 of 1993" and it was produced in full colour. This full-colour brochure was obviously very expensive to print and I understand that at least one community health centre sent its copies back to the Department of Health in disgust. Minister, do you believe that printing full-colour, glossy promotional literature on artworks is an appropriate use of scarce health dollars?
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