Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 8 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2252 ..

Mugga Lane tip-operation of facilities

MS DUNDAS: My question is for the Minister for Urban Services and does not relate to the budget. Thiess Services recently constructed a new shed at the Mugga Lane tip, adjacent to the existing Revolve depot. Does the government intend that Revolve be the lessee of this new shed?

MR WOOD: There is quite a dispute about Revolve and what is happening at the Mugga Lane tip. In February 2001, Thiess was awarded the contract for the operations of the landfill and the construction of a small-vehicle transfer station, including improved facilities for re-useable items, and you have seen that massive shed that has been put up there. The intent of the territory's agreements with Revolve and Thiess was for Revolve to continue to operate the re-usables facility that you're talking about at Mugga Lane, as a subcontractor to Thiess.

However, during the construction of the facilities at Mugga Lane it became clear that the relationship between the two bodies wasn't crash-hot. ACT No Waste has in this period been negotiating with both Thiess and Revolve to try to get them agreed. They are currently negotiating in an attempt to formalise a long-term agreement.

That is where it is at the moment, and we hope that an agreement will be reached shortly. It has not been reached yet, but we think some progress has been made, and ACT No Waste will continue to work between the two parties to try to make an agreement work.

MS DUNDAS: I have a supplementary question. Perhaps as a suggestion to move the discussions along, considering that Revolve, which is a not-for-profit organisation, has played a vital role in reducing waste going to landfill over the last 15 years, will the government undertake to directly negotiate an affordable lease agreement with Revolve for the new shed, rather than requiring Revolve to have the contract through Thiess Services?

MR WOOD: That is a contractual matter. I am not sure that the nature of the contract with Thiess would allow us to do that. Thiess has quite a clear contract, and maybe there are some interpretations to be placed on it by various parties, but I do not believe that it is possible to give a direction in this case. But, in view of your question and your interest, I will ask the question and have a look to see what further might be done to resolve the issue.

Hospital funding

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, your budget handed down yesterday has increased funding of $300,000 for outpatient services at the Calvary Public Hospital, and that is very commendable. You have also claimed in your press release that demand at the Calvary Public Hospital is increasing at the rate of 7.5 per cent per annum, which is more than 3,000 patient services a year for that hospital.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .