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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 3413 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

ACTCode has had the performance criteria strengthened to address community concerns regarding the protection of trees during development and the provision of adequate space for trees to grow.

Mr Speaker, improved customer service is an important element of the trees policy. 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. Opportunities for community involvement are also outlined. To improve the quality of the maintenance of public trees in the ACT, the trees policy will ensure that the standard tender and contract specifications used by ACT government agencies for tree maintenance and services will require tree surgeons working on public trees to be properly trained and industry accredited.

A central element of the trees policy is a significant tree register for the ACT. Public comment received on the draft proposal for the register indicates broad community acceptance of the concept and the criteria proposed for listing a tree on the register. The government has responded to the standing committee's recommendation that a blanket tree preservation order not be introduced.

I am pleased to announce today that a scoping study for the significant tree register is about to commence. This study will identify a candidate significant tree list and develop a database for the register. Eventually the community will be able to inspect the register, and even nominate trees for the register using the Internet.

Overall, I believe that with the release of this tree management protection policy the government has taken a positive step in ensuring that the community can feel confident that 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.

Subordinate legislation

Papers

Mr Moore p resented the following papers:

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