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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 3174 ..

The document "An Integrated Approach to Transport and Land Use Planning" was released in December 1997. Considerable work and consultation has taken place since and a new document will be brought forward as soon as possible.

Following extensive public consultation Canberra Bicycle 2000 was released in late 1997. The ACT Bicycle Liaison Group was established in August this year with representatives from user groups, the Conservation Council and industry. The Liaison Group's key task is to implement this strategy. The Government is taking a very pro-active role in promoting this strategy and I believe that we will see a real increase in bicycle commuting in Canberra.

A new ACTION bus network and timetable will be introduced shortly which will see more through routing and less changing of buses and lead to significantly improved bus patronage. This strategy should reduce private vehicle use and lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Government has implemented other greenhouse gas reduction emissions measures including:

Reducing emissions from our landfills. We have installed methane capture facilities and electricity generation systems at both our landfills.

Motor vehicle registration charges have been changed so they are now based on weight. This will favour vehicles with lower gas emissions.

ACTEW has also announced its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Mini-hydro schemes have been announced and the GreenChoice Program is being revamped.

The ACT has also led the way in its public housing retrofitting program. Innovative projects such as the Condamine Court redevelopment and the environmental efficiency design for the first housing development at Gungahlin Town Centre lead in the way in Australian public housing.

I reiterate the Government's commitment to continuing to pursue soundly based greenhouse measures. This requires a considered and strategic approach.

It is my understanding that the public consultation process on the draft Strategy is going well. We are involving Drs Andrew Blakers and Hugh Saddler, experts from the Government's Environment Advisory Committee in the preparation of the final strategy. I believe that in the new year, we will be able to finalise the strategy in a way that allows us to achieve our reduction targets with the support of the community and industry.

CONTACT OFFICER: Geoff Wells

TELEPHONE: 6207 2336

AGENCY: Environment ACT

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