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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 294 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Police advise that this publicity, in conjunction with the enforcement of the new provisions, has already resulted in a significant reduction of burnout activity in problem areas such as Braddon.

4. The Government and the AFP consider that publicity regarding the burnouts legislation is most appropriately targeted at the particular groups of persons most likely to be involved, instead of using mass media advertising (print and electronic). As burnout participants and spectators tend to form a subculture, word is getting round these groups very quickly that the Police are enforcing the new laws and, in particular, that offenders risk losing their vehicles.

5. The Summernats organisers distributed a printed flyer about the new laws to all entrants, based on information provided by the Police. The AFP report no problems of illegal burnout activity in association with the January 2000 Summernats.

6. If significant levels of illegal burnout activity recur, the AFP intends to take enforcement action, combined with further publicity.

3. The committee recommends that the new legislation be closely monitored after it is introduced and, in particular, that the Government advise the Assembly in writing of how the amending legislation is operating at the end of its first six months and its first year of operation. This advice should incorporate comment by departmental officials, the police, motorists, event organisers and the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

7. Agreed in part. Rather than carry out two separate reviews of the legislation during its first year of operation, the Government considers that it would be more useful to conduct a single review in approximately 12 months, following the 200.1 Summernats. As burnout activity generally peaks during the warmer months, this will permit a more considered assessment of the legislation's long-term deterrent effect and allow seasonal factors to be discounted. The AFP supports this view.

4. The committee recommends that the government advise the Assembly of suitable sites in the ACT (and in the surrounding region) where activities such as burnouts and motor racing might be conducted legally and under appropriate supervision. The government's advice should include consideration of suggestions by Mr Chic Henry that the existing burnout pad and motor strip at EPIC be moved to locations, still within EPIC, that are further removed from residences.

8. Agreed in part. The primary role of the Government is to establish the regulatory framework within which burnout activities may take place and to assess any proposals in accordance with that framework.

9. In addition to complying with the process for obtaining permits under the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Act (No.3) 1999, burnout event organisers will need to comply with planning controls and the Environment Protection Policies (EPPs), and in particular the EPP on Motor Sports Noise.

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