Page 2957 - Week 09 - Thursday, 18 August 2005
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The irrigation was operating as a result of a faulty irrigation valve.
(2) The fault was isolated and the irrigation was turned off on the 14 June 2005 until repairs could be made.
(3) Approximately 90% of Canberra's public irrigated turf assets are fitted with Comtrol Irrigation Systems and moisture sensors, which turn off irrigation systems after a predetermined amount of rainfall. The remaining irrigated turf areas are manually turned off during inclement weather. Canberra Urban Parks and Places are currently investing up to $200,000 to upgrade the Comtrol software to provide further efficiencies in water use.
(4) Canberra Urban Parks and Places’ official records indicate that there have been no previous reports of irrigation systems operating during wet weather. However, CUPP has received reports of privately owned irrigation systems operating on naturestrips during wet weather. This confusion of ownership often occurs along Northbourne Avenue, as Canberra Urban Parks and Places maintains the irrigation on the median strip, while the irrigation on naturestrips is privately owned. These reports are not officially recorded.
Canberra Urban Parks and Places has also received reports of irrigation systems operating in urban open space in outside of approved hours during water restrictions. However investigations of these reports has shown that the irrigation systems were undergoing a maintenance service at that time.
Firearms—gun licences
(Question No 410)
Mr Pratt asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, upon notice, on 22 June 2005:
(1) What measures do the police take when issuing gun licences to ascertain the mental health of the licencee;
(2) Do police review the licences after issue; if so, how often and under what circumstances; if not, why not.
Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) When issuing a firearms licence the applicant must complete the Application for Licence Form. This form requires the applicant to address the following:
• Have you suffered from, or received treatment for, mental or emotional illness (the form requires a yes/no answer and if yes, give details). It is an offence under the Criminal Code 2002 to make a false or misleading statement in this application under Section 107 of the Firearms Act 1996.
• Section 115 of the Act – Disclosure by Health Professionals of certain information, provides no measure to check the mental health of an applicant. Whilst police indices regularly record convictions for drink driving and drug taking offences, this is not
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .