Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 11 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3313 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

redesign of Civic Square and Garema Place to improve lighting and accessibility and make these areas more attractive to visitors and residents alike. The long awaited Canberra Cultural Centre will finally become a reality in early 1998. With construction also due to begin early next year, initial exhibition and public activity programs for the centre will be established. Work on the new $7m Playhouse Theatre, a state-of-the-art facility seating 600 people, will also begin as soon as the tender process is finalised. Following extensive public consultation over the past four months, a program for the revitalisation of Charnwood is due to commence shortly. The establishment of the Gungahlin Development Authority has also marked a milestone in the construction of a town centre. Stage one is due to be completed by early 1998, and the Government will continue to ensure that all necessary infrastructure is provided to meet the growing needs of this region.

I am also pleased to report that work will begin next month on the ACT's second major skateboard and rollerblading facility in Civic, at a cost of $300,000. The Government remains committed to funding the construction of a third rink in the Tuggeranong Town Centre in its 1997-98 capital works budget. Funding of more than $450,000 has also been made available for improvements and tree plantings at the Point Hut District Park and Weston Park. As part of our improved public housing management strategies, this year will see the completion of the redevelopment of Ainslie Village and the revitalisation of Condamine Court. The Government will continue to press for a quick decision on the establishment of the National Museum. Funding has again been made available for further studies of the Kingston foreshore site to assess the extent of any contamination and also the investment opportunities that exist. This year will see the commencement of a design competition as the first step towards realising plans for a mixed-use waterfront development that has the potential to become the centrepiece of this city.

With high environmental standards and bushland integrated in an urban setting, Canberra continues to be one of the most attractive and clean national capitals in the world. This Government recognises, however, that complacency has no part in good environmental management and is proud of its record over the first 18 months of its term. Since our last budget, the Government has opened a new automated weather station in Tuggeranong to improve understanding of air pollution patterns in the valley; established a mandatory system for the energy rating of new dwellings; introduced domestic tip charges that have funded composting and research into worm farming; reserved 500 hectares of grassland habitat in Gungahlin for the protection of the striped legless lizard; released a 10-year strategy for controlling weeds in the Territory; and acted on the assessment, management and remediation of contaminated sites. The priority issue so far has been the assessment of former sheep dip sites. In this budget, a total of $3.1m has been allocated for the purchase and remediation of these sites in residential areas where assessment has been completed.

This Government is proud to announce today that, since the introduction of waste disposal charges at landfills, together with kerbside recycling, there has been a reduction of 40 per cent in the waste delivered to landfills over the last three years. The quantity of material collected for recycling has more than doubled and now exceeds the amount going to landfill for disposal, which is very exciting. The Government will continue developing a strategic approach to management of our natural resources in the ACT.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .