Page 1305 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 5 April 2011
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better communication between ACT government agencies in relation to the management of trees. She recommends that we should strengthen the communication and community engagement processes. She recommends, as her fifth high-priority recommendation, that we provide adequate ongoing funds for the management of the trees that we manage.
I think it is fair to say, and I have acknowledged this, that the commissioner’s recommendations do strike, we believe, an appropriate chord and the right balance. It has to be said that TAMS has responded over the last year to the commissioner. The commissioner did release a number of recommendations, most particularly about communication and community engagement. The Department of Territory and Municipal Services has already adopted the commissioner’s recommendations in relation to, for instance, trees that have been identified for removal or treatment. There is already significant acceptance and, indeed, adoption of the commissioner’s recommendations, most particularly in those areas around communication, consultation and the identification of trees.
There has been a very close engagement between the commissioner and TAMS over the last year and the department has been responding essentially to the telegraphed import of this particular report. That is reflected, for instance, in the fact that over spring in the order of 800 trees were planted within streets and parks across Canberra. The department is currently in the planning phase for the planting of 1,000 trees in streets over this month and May. So there will be plantings of an additional 1,000 trees.
The department has also identified, as an area of immediate action, Northbourne Avenue, from the city all the way to the old Federation Square, as an area requiring essentially a systematic and integrated approach to tree removal and enhancement. There are 4½ thousand trees just on the road between the city and Watson. The department has identified the need for around 500 trees to be planted in that particular area, and that will be an area of immediate attention by the department.
In conclusion, again I thank the commissioner for the report. I believe it is an excellent report. Because of the nature of this issue, it is problematic at some levels; it is difficult. The community want to engage, and I believe it is appropriate that the Assembly engage. From the outset, when I commissioned the commissioner to undertake this work, I signalled that it would be my preferred position that the commissioner’s report, when received, be referred to the appropriate Assembly committee. I have a motion today to that effect.
I understand that there are differing views within the chamber in relation to that. Indeed, to be fair, Mr Coe has signalled that he would like the opportunity to better reflect on the report before debating that issue, and I certainly acknowledge Mr Coe’s point in relation to that. Mr Coe has signalled that he would propose to adjourn debate on the motion that it be referred, and I am accepting of his position and the rationale. I will move the motion. I believe Ms Le Couteur would like to speak to the papers but I will then move the motion which I understand Mr Coe has indicated he will adjourn, and the government is understanding of that desire.
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