Page 3953 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008
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Action 9: the solar hot water rebate was provided through the Actew energy wise scheme. Action 10: the ACT government is working, as a member of COAG, with other governments on national emissions trading schemes. Action 11: schools are being assisted to become energy neutral, and 52 schools have already had energy audits and have environmental management plans in place. Action 12: ACTION bus fleets are being replaced with low-emission CNG, or compressed natural gas, buses.
Action 13: 1,713 energy-efficient streetlights have already been installed, with a further 5,600 to be installed in 2008-09. Action 14 has been completed. Bike riders can now ride on ACTION buses for free, and bike racks have been installed on buses on key routes. Action 18: my favourite, the feed-in tariff legislation has been agreed to. Action 21: integrated transit networks have been planned for the future development areas of Molonglo and East Lake.
Action 23: the new-home owners entitlement to trees and shrubs has been doubled. Action 25: the urban forest replacement program has been initiated. Action 27: a community groups grants program has been developed and will commence this financial year. Action 31: the ACT government has supported the COAG framework on national adaption. Action 36: the million trees program has commenced. Action 37: a community education program has started and includes promoting sustainable water, energy and waste practices.
Action 38: the best practice guide for sustainability in schools was launched in November 2007. I was there with Mr Barr as part of the sustainable schools toolkit. Action 39: the ACT government has implemented renewable energy showcase projects, including new car park lights at Macarthur House, a combination of LED and solar. Action 40: the first meeting of the business and academia climate change roundtable was held on 24 June this year. Action 41: the ACT government has established a bursary at the Fenner school at the ANU to promote solar energy research. Action 42: legislation was passed in mid-2007 regarding fuel sale data for emissions monitoring.
Twenty-two out of the 43 actions have already begun, and we still have another three years to go to begin the others. Well done on addressing climate change.
The ACT government has also opened Stromlo Forest Park, constructed the $8.3 million Nature Discovery Centre at Tidbinbilla sanctuary and commenced development of the Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens. It certainly is an exciting time for the arboretum, particularly with the recent planting of the Japanese cherry tree a couple of weeks ago. And look out for the special event there next week. Other initiatives include protecting our native grasslands and yellow box and red gum areas by committing more land to the network of Canberra nature reserves, resulting in 54 per cent of the ACT being now protected bushland.
The ACT government recognises the leadership and success of the NOWaste strategy and the community’s achievement of a 74 per cent resource recovery rate. This continues to lead the nation. However, the government has also accepted that implementing a NOWaste by 2010 policy cannot be achieved within the current
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