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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2559 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

As well, expert community representatives will be invited to join. The role of the tree management network will include coordinating implementation of the trees policy to ensure a consistent approach to tree management across all agencies of government in the ACT.

The network will also: consider applications for inclusion of trees on the register of significant trees; apply best-practice standards, notably as found in the Australian standard for the pruning of amenity trees and the draft Australian standard for protection of trees on construction sites; develop standard form contracts for the maintenance of trees on public land; identify community education material considered necessary for achieving policy objectives; and foster the development of partnerships with the community and business, including appropriate incentives to increase commercial awareness of good tree management.

Standard tender and contract specifications will be used by ACT government purchasers of tree maintenance services to ensure that tree surgeons working on public trees are properly trained and industry accredited.

The performance criteria of the revised ACT Code for Residential Development (ACTCode 2), which will soon be released as a draft variation to the Territory Plan, have been strengthened to address committee concerns regarding the protection of trees during development, and the provision of adequate space for trees to grow.

The Environment ACT information desk and helpline will act as a "one-stop shop" for the public on all issues relating to the management of trees in the ACT.

Overall, I believe that, in its response to the committee's report, the government has moved to ensure that the community can be confident the territory's trees are protected for future generations, and that ACT government agencies are managing those trees in accordance with the highest standards of best practice.

Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell ) adjourned.

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (4.01): For the information of members, I present the following paper:

I move:

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