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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 11 Hansard (30 November) . . Page.. 3524 ..
MR SMYTH (continuing):
The review recommends the following in regard to controls within variation No 114: that the existing GFA limitations should be retained; that the existing limitations on a maximum of two dwellings per block should be retained; and that consideration should be given to introducing additional side and rear setback requirements and front setbacks specific to each street.
I have considered and accepted the findings of the review. PALM will now proceed to prepare guidelines which incorporate the new recommended setbacks.
Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell ) adjourned to the next sitting.
MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (3.35): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, I present the following paper:
Environment Protection Act, pursuant to subsection 167(2)-Environment Protection Act 1997: Two Year Review-November 2000.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to report today on the review of the Environment Protection Act 1997. Section 167 of the act requires that a review of the operation of the act be undertaken two years after its commencement and that a report of the review be tabled in the Assembly within six months of the end of the two-year period.
The Environment Protection Act established a single and integrated regulatory framework, replacing five separate pieces of legislation dealing with environmental protection. It also provides a mechanism for the ACT to meet its obligations under the intergovernmental agreement on the environment.
The objectives of the act are to protect the environment and achieve an appropriate balance among economic, social and environmental factors in decision-making. The provisions of the act are consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development and they encourage the community at large to accept responsibility for their actions in relation to the environment. The act covers a wide range of environment protection issues, including noise, water and air pollution, as well as the use of hazardous chemicals and the management of contaminated sites.
The terms of reference for the review were to examine the implementation of the administration and enforcement powers of the act, any redundancies, limitations or omissions, and the need for clarification or more specific interpretation of its provisions. Submissions were generally supportive of the way the act has been operating. Many of the suggestions made in submissions can be agreed to, as they would clarify the wording or procedures, or will be included in future review processes.
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