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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 7 Hansard (5 June) . . Page.. 1964 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

re-use of treated affluent, such as at Southwell Park, Duntroon, Woodhaven golf course and vineyards at Holt;

use of stormwater to maintain the parks around the urban lakes;

rebate schemes for rainwater tanks and water efficient shower roses; and

the provision from time to time of various information on water saving measures.

In just under a decade, these measures have resulted in a 20 per cent decrease in water use. That is a step in the right direction and there is still a long way to go.

The motion we have before us seeks to ensure protection of water quality in the Murrumbidgee River. That quality is a key performance indicator of how well we are managing urban impacts on downstream, ecological and use values. Mr Quinlan tells me of a gentleman in Actew who will drink the water coming out of the lower Molonglo water treatment centre. I have heard such claims in the past but I have not seen anyone actually do it. Mr Quinlan might give more details of that. But I have heard a boast that the water going out of the lower Molonglo is better than the water coming through to-

Mr Smyth: I've drunk it. I went to lower Molonglo and I have drunk the water.

MR WOOD: Well, congratulations. I was offered such an opportunity but I have not done it. But certainly Actew is proud, and has been over a long period, of its water treatment process.

We are working in partnership with New South Wales on an integrated catchment approach to the river as part of the ACT's participation in the national action plan on salinity and water quality. We also have in place an integrated strategy to protect the river, which includes: advanced tertiary treatment of most of Canberra's sewage; controls on pollution discharges, including sediment transport from land development and building sites; and a comprehensive approach to stormwater management through which stormwater flows are managed in a system of vegetative floodways incorporated as urban open space, gross pollutant traps, wetlands, ponds and lakes. The results of these measures is water quality and flows in downstream waters which generally approximates to that which existed prior to urban development. That is a pretty strong claim.

The ACT has in place environmental flow guidelines for all waterways under the control of the territory. The water allocation and licensing arrangements ensure the required flows are achieved. Notably, the guideline requirements are reflected in Actew's licence to take water issued by the Environment Protection Authority. These guidelines take a conservative view to ensure appropriate protection. In addition, through Environment ACT, the government is sponsoring a major study based on the Cotter River by the CRC for Freshwater Ecology, which will help ensure that the environmental flows and the way they are delivered are appropriate.

While the ACT claims to have a relatively good record, the government recognises there is much more to be done to improve our performance if we are to be truly sustainable. Some of the challenges include:

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