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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 9 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2801 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

A recurrent theme in the commissioner's recommendations is that the Government should be more active in developing environmental indicators to allow these trends to be measured. However, one of the difficulties for environmental managers is deciding which indicators are most cost effective and useful. The Government expects the commissioner to provide advice on such matters, and it will require it in future reports. The proposed move to a major triennial report should also assist the commissioner to analyse and present data to indicate environmental trends.

The commissioner has also used the report to address the issue of human population levels in the ACT. He has raised this matter under paragraph 19(2)(f) of the Act, which enables the report to include such matters as may be considered relevant by the commissioner. The Government agrees that population growth in Canberra and the surrounding region is a trend that must be carefully planned for. The draft ACT and subregion planning strategy aims to guide development and resource management within the ACT and subregion until the year 2021 and beyond. Future population growth is an explicit focus of that strategy. The interim economic development strategy released by the South-East Regional Development Council aims to provide an appropriate economic infrastructure for the region. Both documents have been released during the term of this Government.

Population growth is an issue of direct relevance to the development of the National Capital Beyond 2000 plan. The views of the commissioner were an important input to background material prepared for the information paper called Facing our Future, which was recently released by the Government for public comment. The objective of Facing our Future was to provide for the community a clear statement about where the ACT is presently and what the ACT will look and feel like as it grows towards a population of 500,000 towards the middle of next century. This information will assist the community in articulating its values and priorities in order that the Government can develop a range of possible future strategic growth options. The options will be quantified and evaluated and trade-offs identified. This will enable the community to assist the Government to choose a preferred growth option which has broad community support. This would then be the beginning of an ongoing process of planning and review, set within a long-term framework, very much along the lines suggested by the Commissioner for the Environment.

The achievement of high standards in environmental management requires, first, that the adverse effects of human activities be ameliorated. To do this effectively and efficiently requires a holistic approach involving stable, long-term plans and a partnership between the community, business and government. This response places a high priority on partnership and cooperation to get the job done. Partnerships with the community, with other governments, and with research and educational institutions are essential in that process. The Government's response to the State of the Environment Report, I believe, shows a degree of leadership and a spirit of cooperation with other governments, with business, and with the wider community which, I think, will represent a milestone for the ACT.

Debate (on motion by Mr Whitecross) adjourned.

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