Page 2147 - Week 06 - Thursday, 7 May 2009
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The issue of waste and recycling is one area where we know that the government can make up huge ground in the ACT. I am pleased by the half-a-million dollars included in the budget to improve commercial sector recycling. This is one of the four key waste initiatives the Greens promoted through our agreement with the Labor Party. There is a huge amount of waste which must be seen as a resource in the business and industrial sector. We are keen to see a real difference here. Recycling of commercial waste is one of the low-hanging fruit as far as our waste is concerned. I am optimistic about this but I have some unease.
The initiative is described as a future waste strategy that will investigate why businesses are not recycling more, as well as to clarify the obstacles to increasing the recovery of the commercial waste stream. But I think we need to do more than clarify the obstacles. We actually have to reduce them. We actually have to make changes now. I do not want us to see business as usual, and on this note I am disappointed to see that the budget did not set a more ambitious waste reduction target; it is just the same as last year’s. I am, however, quite positive about the other waste initiative of the increased separation at the tip face. I think that should also make a significant positive impact on recycling in the ACT.
I understand that the government has done quite a bit of work on the issue and I think it is really important that this money does not disappear into existing works. It should be funding new initiatives to turn around the problems in the commercial sector with waste, which is the low-hanging fruit in the ACT.
I was disappointed that the budget provided no funds to construct and staff a shopfront in Gungahlin despite the fact that was part of the Labor-Greens agreement. Gungahlin is the fastest growing area in the ACT, and the people of Gungahlin should have access to local services. A shopfront would also support other businesses by drawing customers into the area and it would help to instil confidence for potential new investments in the area. I look forward to this essential service being included in the budget funding soon.
I see this has been a bumper budget for roads. For example, there has been $83 million set aside for the Gungahlin Drive extension over three years and $10 million for extending Mulligans Flat Road. I must admit I am totally confused as to why the government has chosen to extend the Mulligans Flat Road to New South Wales; I guess that is something we will try and work out in estimates.
At 6.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MS LE COUTEUR: Thank you. The government has described its roads projects as responsible projects that will increase the liveability across the territory. I question this belief. I also question the Chief Minister’s belief, which he expressed during question time only yesterday, that traffic provides life and vitality to our city. Life and vitality come from sustainable environmental and people-friendly planning, where pedestrians, cyclists and buses feed the city and serve the city. Other cities around
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