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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (15 February) . . Page.. 129 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

The strategy provides a range of initiatives that will require concerted government, business and community partnership to ensure that the 2008 greenhouse target is met. It incorporates measures that have already been implemented or committed within the ACT, or national measures that will produce reductions in the ACT, and many ACT initiatives that together will enable us to reach this target. Existing ACT and national measures are projected to meet 73 per cent of the emissions reduction target. The 27 per cent shortfall will be met by the initiatives in this strategy.

A number of significant measures have already been introduced by the ACT Government. The Government has funded the establishment of a free and independent energy advisory service that provides advice to residents on improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The ACT Energy Advisory Service also administers the new ACT water tune-up incentive scheme. The mandatory four-star energy rating scheme for all new houses has been in operation for four years.

A more recent initiative, and a first in Australia, was the introduction of a requirement for the mandatory disclosure of the energy ratings of all dwellings at the point of sale. Other exciting initiatives include the installation of methane capture and electricity generation systems at each of the ACT's landfill sites, and a pilot program to upgrade the energy efficiency of the ACT's public housing.

Mr Speaker, the new ACTION bus network and timetable have been designed to significantly improve bus patronage. We are also progressively extending the Territory's cycle path network into new areas and continuing to upgrade the existing cycle paths.

ACTEW has contributed to the greenhouse emission reductions through the establishment of the GreenChoice scheme. The scheme enables consumers to provide direct support for renewable energy generation projects. My family has signed up to this scheme, and I ask all members to consider doing so. ACTEW has also constructed a mini hydro plant at Mount Stromlo that produces green power in the ACT.

The new measures in the strategy have been selected from a broad range of potential measures identified in the draft ACT Greenhouse Strategy. It is intended that the measures will be introduced across all sectors of the community so that the effort of reducing emissions is shared equitably. The ACT Government has a responsibility to lead by example in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by ensuring that its own procurement and operations are as efficient as possible.

Mandatory energy intensity targets will be set for each government agency. The targets will require agencies to reduce the energy used in the operation of their buildings by 15 per cent by the year 2004, and a further 10 per cent by 2008. Energy efficiency programs will be established to assist agencies in meeting these targets. The ACT Government also aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of its vehicle fleet by 15 per cent by the year 2008.

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