Page 4380 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 30 November 1994
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MR STEFANIAK (4.22): I think there is a lot of force in Ms Szuty's matter of public importance - "The failure of the ACT Government to take full account of the needs of Canberra's neighbourhoods" - and I will mention a couple of points. Firstly, I indicate that there are probably some things which this Government pursued, and certainly the Opposition and those members of it when it was in government pursued, which really are very much common ground and are quite sensible. So, I think the use of the word "full" is quite correct because I think any government since self-government has taken some account of the needs of Canberra's neighbourhoods.
One concept which the Opposition certainly supports, and that I think a few members mentioned, is the role of the country cop. The people I speak to in the northern electorate-to-be of Ginninderra are very keen to see that extended. People at Charnwood recently indicated that they would dearly like to see a country cop for Charnwood because there are a number of problems there, especially in relation to under-age drinking behind the shops and the swearing, damage to property, assaults and violence that tend to flow, unfortunately, from that.
I was pleased to hear some members say here today that it is not only government that can contribute to a neighbourhood; the people also can. I would like to take this opportunity to give a big pat on the back to the Anglican Church which operates out of Charnwood and which has set up refreshment stalls, a soup kitchen, and coffee and tea facilities from 10.00 pm on Fridays till 3.00 am on Saturdays. That is specifically designed to attract youth, to have a chat to them, and to do something to assist them to keep out of trouble. I suppose that it is very difficult for the police to be everywhere, especially with this Government constantly cutting the police budget. People have indicated that they would like a neighbourhood cop in Charnwood. If that experiment goes well in Canberra, it should be extended. I would commend that suggestion to the Government.
One other point I want to raise, though, indicates the failure of this Government to take full account of the needs of some aspects of Canberra's neighbourhoods. Mr Stevenson touched on that to an extent in relation to commercial vehicles and other problems in our suburban streets. I know that that is a difficult issue, but I think something can be done to balance the needs of people running a business and the legitimate rights of neighbours to quiet, peace and proper enjoyment of their street.
I am now going to mention a specific case in Kambah. Some residents of Faithfull Circuit have been complaining to the Department of the Environment, Land and Planning for over three years, and I think only recently has much attention been paid to their complaints. This is not an isolated problem, because I have heard of similar complaints around Canberra. One of them, Minister, relates to unreasonable noise. The complaints relate to a number of Acts being breached. I would say that there is a very big and very sad difference perhaps between the speed with which the ACT Government, in relation to noise, has responded to complaints about motor racing from a couple of residents across
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