Page 2822 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 August 2008

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No 285—Symonston block 17, section 102; and

• annual and financial reports 2006–2007.

In March 2008, the committee also adopted the inquiry into the Namadgi national park draft plan of management.

The committee has therefore resolved, having regard to its workload, the late stage of the life of the current Assembly and the significant draft variations still before the committee, not to continue with the inquiry into water use and management at this time.

The workload issues are significant. The anticipated reduction in the number of draft variations to the territory plan referred to the committee, resulting from the changes to the planning system, has not yet occurred. The Planning and Development Act 2007 did not come into effect until 31 March 2008 and, despite the changes which put the referral of draft variations to the committee at the discretion of the Minister for Planning, two out of three draft variations received by the minister have been referred to the committee since the end of April this year: No 281, Molonglo and North Weston, which is quite a large inquiry, and No 261, North Watson.

As the committee is obliged under the Planning and Development Act 2007 to inquire into and report to the Assembly on draft variations referred to it by the Minister for Planning, these inquiries must take precedence. However, the committee believes that the terms of reference of the water use and management inquiry remain of significance regarding the future of water collection, use and management in the ACT. The committee considers that it is a major issue for any future planning and environment committee which must consider these matters as an integral part of its work in future Assemblies.

Dr Foskey: Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a statement in relation to standing order 246A, as it has been invoked by Mr Gentleman.

Leave not granted.

Standing orders—suspension

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (11.22): I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Dr Foskey making a statement.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the negative.

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