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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 3934 ..

MR QUINLAN (continuing):

Bill Wood and I have agreed that the water restrictions scheme will come into effect by an automatic trigger. That trigger is when our water storage has fallen to 55 per cent of overall capacity. Actew will have responsibility for administering the scheme and will advise me when storage capacity reaches, firstly, 55 per cent-to start the scheme-and then progressively, as levels move down to 45 per cent, 40 per cent, 35 per cent, 30 per cent et cetera. As each new lower level is reached, the scheme will automatically move to a more restrictive level of permitted water use.

In constructing the scheme, we have had to consider the level of knowledge of the ACT water supply and usage, our higher population and the severity of the drought, in intensity and duration. We have been conservative in deciding on the initial trigger of 55 per cent. In the past, discussions have been about restrictions with an initial trigger of 50 per cent.

However, we now know more about water restrictions, with the experience of our own voluntary restrictions and also that of other jurisdictions. We have changed our initial views in the exercise of effective civic leadership. We need to secure sufficient reductions in our water use to be guaranteed water supply until drought-breaking, dam-filling rains again fall.

We aim to achieve a 15 per cent reduction in water usage under stage 1 of the scheme. That moves to a 25 per cent reduction under stage 2 of the scheme. The reduction target is 40 per cent, 55 per cent and, finally, 60 per cent under consecutive stages of the scheme. Actew and the ACT Environment Protection Authority have agreed on a scheme of restrictions that is both effective and practical in meeting these targets.

Under the powers created in the Utilities (Water Restrictions) Regulations, I have decided to approve that scheme. For the information of members, I also present a document detailing that scheme. I table the document.

The scheme will recognise the primacy of achieving the reduction targets. It provides for this in a range of private and public gardens, parks, sports fields and other situations in which we use water in our private and business lives. In preparing the scheme, Actew reviewed the other schemes in use in Australia-particularly those currently in force.

The major issue Actew identified is the concern expressed by the public, in many cities, when water is seen to be used in parks and on sports ovals at times when the public is being required to curtail use of water. The ACT Environment Protection Authority and Canberra Urban Parks and Places have advised that, to avoid long-term damage to the community's assets in these areas, and to ensure that target restrictions will be met in these places, it is best that gardens be watered less frequently, but more deeply. To achieve this, watering has to be done for longer periods than those available to domestic users, given the large areas involved.

In effect, these areas will be watered by sprinkler systems to promote deep root growth but receive less water. These places will be strictly monitored to ensure that we meet the same requirements for reduced water use as the rest of the community. In public places, this will be a matter for administration by Canberra Urban Parks and Places, and will see areas of lesser value sacrificed to save the most valuable community assets, such as playing fields and public gardens.

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