Page 3527 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 15 November 2006
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MR SPEAKER: Do you have a supplementary question, Mr Gentleman?
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes, thank you. Minister, could you detail how these initiatives have contributed to achieving environmentally sustainable outcomes for the territory?
MR HARGREAVES: Yes, I can, thank you, Mr Gentleman. But before doing that I would like to indicate to the Assembly that the government is participating in some national programs aimed at reducing packaging and having manufacturers accept the responsibility for collecting such disposable items as old televisions. But that is for the long term. As for individuals, we need to become more discriminating in our purchases, avoiding heavily-packaged items, plastic bags and so on. But that is an even longer term project. In the meantime, a significant proportion of the waste that is still going to landfill could easily be recycled if more effort was made to separate material for recycling. But recycling is not enough.
This government is showing clear leadership in its commitment to sustainability and the no waste strategy continues to be an important part of this commitment. Delivering sustainable outcomes is becoming an increasingly important priority for us all in order to ensure a positive future.
Unlike opposition members, I would like to praise the public servants who make this work. I greatly appreciate the diligent work undertaken by those within the ACT NOWaste area. I would like to note here my appreciation of Mr Chris Horsey, the manager of ACT NOWaste, and the other officers in that area of the Department of Territory and Municipal Services for the fantastic work they have done on behalf of the ACT community.
In the 2005-06 financial year 75 per cent of waste in the ACT was diverted from landfill and the amount of material recovered continues to rise—four per cent on the previous year or an extra 24,500 tonnes. We continue to progressively reduce waste to landfill, with only 192,000 tonnes being deposited in landfill last year. We are ensuring valuable resources are not lost to landfill and we are developing more sustainable resource recycling patterns. The ongoing growth in recycling is increasing jobs generation and has long-term positive impacts on our economy.
Socially, our community is taking pride in the no waste initiatives and success and it is this type of success that assists us to build positive social capital in the ACT. We regularly have overseas delegations come to the ACT to see our achievements and learn about our no waste initiatives. Our landfill sites continue to provide green electricity for the Canberra community and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the process.
I might mention that we are currently tendering for a range of improved services at the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, including construction and demolition waste processing, mixed waste separation—
Mr Mulcahy: Is that part of the new strategy, or is that still coming?
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