Page 2314 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 16 June 2009
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series of information sessions where residents will be able to hear about the projects and the proposed locations and give their views and feedback in relation to them. The first is a lunchtime session being held here in the Assembly this Thursday and the second, in the evening, again this coming Thursday, in Tuggeranong. That will be followed by two more, on Wednesday next week, a daytime session in Tuggeranong and the evening session here in the Assembly.
I have to say that there has been very positive feedback to date from sections of the community in relation to this process. Earlier this month, for example, officers of my department met with representatives of the Smiths Road Community Group, who have a particular interest in the proposed Ingledene site. I am pleased to say that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. There has been strong support of the project, which is obviously going to help improve our environment overall by displacing the need for energy generated from non-renewable sources.
There has also been strong acknowledgement of the economic benefits of the project. Just as strong was the Smiths Road Community Group’s expression of appreciation to the government and my department for making this concerted effort to engage with the community in relation to the proposal. That is right—a Labor government out there listening to and talking with people about a significant project which will greatly benefit the territory. The government has already sent out over 100 information packs to interested parties. These contain information on the solar power proposal, the consultation sessions that will take place and the longer-term plan for keeping the community informed about the progress of the project.
My aim is to announce the successful proponent for the project in 2010 and at that point we will know for certain whether they are interested in using one of the potential sites on unleased land identified by the government or, alternatively, the proponent may have identified a site of their own. Of course, at this point the formal consultation process in line with a development assessment process will begin and this will once again allow the community to be involved in meaningful and productive discussions on the proposed facility.
This is a very important project for Canberra. Canberra and this Labor government are moving ahead with a significant investment in sustainable energy, a significant investment in tackling climate change in our community. We are proud of our efforts. We are very pleased to hear the response to date from the community. We will continue to engage with them in a direct and collaborative way, and I look forward to providing the Assembly with further updates in relation to this project.
Mrs Dunne: As you move at your glacial speed.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Burch, a supplementary question?
MS BURCH: Thank you. Minister, what other programs does the government have to help build Canberra as the solar capital of Australia?
MR CORBELL: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Once again, the chief chairwoman of opposition for opposition’s sake, Mrs Dunne, always finds the little bit of negative in anything good, even something as positive as one of the largest solar power facilities to be built in this country to date. That is what this project will
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