Page 3954 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008
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budget allocation. While there are still opportunities to pursue waste minimisation, moving towards NOWaste is getting tougher. The government is working with its jurisdictional colleagues to address a number of specific waste issues that warrant development and implementation of national solutions.
Three initiatives are being taken that stand out in addressing longstanding issues: plastic bags, the development of a co-regulatory scheme with the tyre recycling industry and the reduction of packaging waste. The ACT is working with jurisdictions to develop a national co-regulatory scheme with the tyre recycling industry. The tyre recycling industry has proposed a national industry scheme that would involve a levy on each tyre sold of approximately $1 per passenger tyre that would fund the recovery and recycling of used tyres.
We are also working with our jurisdictional colleagues to restrict the growth and then reverse the amount of packaging waste being generated. The ACT government is a signatory to the national packaging covenant, an agreement between the packaging industry and governments across Australia to work together to ensure that packaging waste is being reduced and recycled to the greatest extent possible. The current covenant has another three years to go and will be subjected to a mid-term review in the near future to ensure that it is on track to meet the national target of recycling 65 per cent of all packaging by 2010.
I mentioned yesterday that this government has a longstanding commitment to review the Nature Conservation Act 1980. As I said previously, the review of the Nature Conservation Act 1980 is underway.
Mrs Dunne: Yes, such a long-term commitment. It is years overdue.
MR GENTLEMAN: I know Mrs Dunne does not like listening to this but it is very important. There are people in the gallery that are very interested in our environment work.
MR SPEAKER: She should cease interjecting.
MR GENTLEMAN: The Nature Conservation Act review is underway and will strengthen the role of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna. There is a revised statutory advisory committee and a revised ACT nature conservation strategy.
The ACT government will continue input into the Australian government’s national biodiversity strategy which will provide a national framework for biodiversity conservation. The strategy is expected to be finalised in 2008-09, following its circulation to Australian jurisdictions, stakeholders and the general public.
Another very important part is that we live in a city that meshes our urban and natural environments. In recognition of this, there was a major review of the Domestic Animals Act 2000 to bring the domestic animal legislation up to date with other Australian jurisdictions in order for there to be sustainable domestic animal management. That amended act commenced in May this year. The new legislation encourages responsible dog and cat ownership and minimises the negative environmental, social and economic impacts in the ACT. (Time expired.)
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