Page 315 - Week 01 - Thursday, 16 February 2006
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Christmas light displays
(Question No 834)
Mr Pratt asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice, on 15 December 2005 (redirected to the Acting Minister for the Environment):
(1) Has the Minister’s attention been drawn to an ABC News Online story entitled “Late night Christmas light viewers irritate residents”;
(2) How many complaints regarding the use of outdoor Christmas lights have been made by residents of the ACT and in what suburbs have these complaints been made for the years (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, and (c) 2005-2006 to date;
(3) Does the Government see a need to regulate the use of outdoor Christmas lights and what are the problems that have been identified which have led to the Government to possibly regulate the use of outdoor Christmas lights;
(4) What will the Government do in order to regulate the use of outdoor Christmas lights;
(5) Will there be penalties associated with a breach of any regulations that the Government establishes; if so, what will these penalties be.
Mr Quinlan: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Yes
(2) The Environment Protection Authority, Canberra Connect and Urban Services Ranger Service have not received any complaints about Christmas lights in:
(a) 2003-04
(b) 2004-05 or
(c) 2005-06 to date
(3) No problems have been identified with Christmas lights. Should problems occur there are, under the Environment Protection Act 1997, mechanisms available to manage any genuine environmental nuisance they may cause.
(4) The Government has appropriate laws in place should Christmas lights become a problem. There is no need for any further regulation.
(5) The Government is not establishing any new regulations.
Questions on notice—delays
(Question No 835)
Mr Pratt asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, upon notice, on 15 December 2005:
(1) What is the explanation for receiving an answer to Question on Notice No. 534, placed on the Notice Paper on 24 August 2005, approximately three and a half months after it was submitted, or two and a half months overdue;
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