Page 3475 - Week 11 - Thursday, 15 November 2007
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The government is also undertaking an analysis of long-term accommodation needs for the community sector in the Civic area, aiming to assist in provision of suitable premises for groups who serve our community. I think all Canberrans would agree that Civic has been significantly transformed over the past few years into a dynamic, contemporary and vibrant hub befitting the nation’s capital. We have seen the opening of the new Canberra Centre, successfully restoring Civic as a premier shopping destination. We have seen some high quality and innovative buildings constructed in City West, not the least of which is the headquarters of NICTA. Our longer term goal is to match that level of quality infrastructure throughout Civic, bringing major improvements to the bus interchange, the city paving, plantings and street furniture.
The seventh and final theme is living with the environment, our bush capital. The critical issue associated with our status as the bush capital is, of course, our vulnerability to bush fires. The government has been proactive and vigilant in its bushfire hazard reduction activities. Most particularly, the last budget made available $226,000 for 10 extra community fire units in the next year to enhance bushfire protection measures in suburban Canberra. With this addition, Canberra will now have 38 units working in our suburbs to supplement our professional and volunteer firefighters.
Protecting our water security has also been a very high priority. The think water, act water strategy continues to guide our efforts to conserve water. Following the Water Security Taskforce’s analysis of the options to secure Canberra’s future water supply, I recently announced the enlarging of Cotter Dam from four to 78 gigalitres, new infrastructure to increase the volume of water transferred from the Murrumbidgee River to the Googong Dam, and the design of a demonstration water purification plant, with the water produced to be used for purposes other than drinking. We will also increase funding for demand-reduction measures and implement a pilot smart metering program.
Weathering the change is the ACT government’s climate change strategy and action plan. It is an innovative plan that incorporates 43 actions to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and assist in our adaptation to the likely changes in climate. The issue of sustainable transport is one that is close to our hearts, and we are currently working on a major overhaul of our public transport system.
The development of the Canberra International Arboretum and the redevelopment of Tidbinbilla national park and the rural villages at Uriarra and Stromlo have eased the scars of the 2003 bushfires and helped ensure the legacy contains positive elements in which the whole community can share.
To further protect our native grasslands and yellow box red gum, we have committed more land to the network of Canberra nature reserves. The reserves at Goorooyarroo and Callum Brae are high quality additions, and their inclusion has meant that 54 per cent of the ACT is now protected bushland or nature reserve. This is strong testament to our commitment to protect and enhance Canberra’s status as the bush capital.
Mr Speaker, there are many more achievements I could cite, but time prevents. These examples I have discussed demonstrate conclusively the success of the Canberra plan
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