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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 07 Hansard (Tuesday, 29 June 2004) . . Page.. 2906 ..

these options, a combination of these options or an option that has not yet been identified.

The opposition clearly would have us reject the need for proper investigations to support the expenditure of large amounts of public money on a project that will have enormous implications for generations to come. This would be a totally irresponsible path to take, and I do not believe that members of the ACT community would thank us for it.

During consultations on the preparation of “Think water, act water”, the community emphasised the need to do full and proper investigations into the need for a new water supply source and the best option. Because of the very nature of large water infrastructure projects, any option is likely to trigger the application of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Even if the territory were to blindly and irresponsibly commit to the construction of a new source now, we would eventually be forced back to square one to fully, properly and logically assess the need and the relative merits of the different options. This course of action would inevitably lead to delays in undertaking the full range of necessary investigations, putting at risk the capacity to have in place a new water source if, and when, needed.

I emphasise that the government remains committed to securing a reliable water supply for the ACT. ACTEW has begun the process of assessing options. The government expects to have the results of this work by March of next year. This work is being done expeditiously, but carefully. We do not need to panic and spend a lot of money now on what might not be the best option for the ACT.

What do the experts say about our approach? The Institute of Sustainable Futures, who are leading Australian experts in water demand management, advise us that the most cost-effective means of increasing water supply for the ACT in the short term are water efficiency measures. It is estimated that these alone will enable the ACT to meet its initial water use target of a 12 per cent reduction per capita by 2013. Additional savings will also be secured through sustainable reuse and, as mentioned above, a range of other measures.

Professor Paul Perkins from the ANU, an advisor to many governments on water issues and the previous Chief Executive of ACTEW, said recently that the government should not rush into the construction of a new dam if it has the priority to make the most efficient use of what we already have.

In summary, this government takes sustainable water resources management very seriously and has prepared a comprehensive water resources strategy, incorporating sustainability principles and challenging but realistic targets. This is the first ACT government to put forward a policy and strategy to ensure future water supply security for the ACT. It has the support of the community. Water supply security is not just about dams; it is also about the efficient use of water within the ACT and the wider region.

“Think water, act water” is a comprehensive strategy for the efficient management of the ACT’s water resources and acknowledges that we are the largest urban centre in the Murray-Darling Basin. It incorporates a responsible process to ensure that we are able to

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