Page 1907 - Week 05 - Thursday, 5 May 2011
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the commitment we made to achieve the objective of carbon neutrality in all government owned property by 2020, I believe the most realistic chance we have of achieving that particular target—and it is a good target, a strong target; we have committed to carbon neutrality in all government owned property by 2020—and the most significant step we can take in order to achieve that target is to construct this office block. As I said, it will create of itself a 79 per cent reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions when compared to existing ACT government office buildings.
That is part of the significance and the rationale for our commitment to this particular project—that the environmental benefits, and the significance of the environmental benefits that we can achieve, are enormous. I am sure you would be interested to know, Ms Hunter, that one of the consultant companies that we have engaged—indeed, a member of the ACT Property Council—Arup, are the consultants engaged by the Molonglo Group in relation to the Nishi, which is the most outstanding building in the ACT in terms of its sustainability credentials.
In relation to the number of submissions, I am more than happy, Ms Hunter, to take advice on that. I do not know the answer to that. I am more than happy for you to be briefed on it. I will take advice on whether or not those submissions were made in the context of their potential release. If they were, I will be more than happy to ensure that you receive a copy of them.
MS LE COUTEUR: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Le Couteur.
MS LE COUTEUR: Chief Minister, what whole-of-government work is being done to ensure that the clean economy strategy development is developed in tandem with the government’s energy and waste strategies?
MR STANHOPE: I thank Ms Le Couteur for the question. In a precise sense, Ms Le Couteur, I am not sure I can answer your question, but of course in relation to the development of policies around a clean economy and around sustainability and around those initiatives which we pursue to ensure our sustainability, whether it be in relation to waste, electricity use or the efficient use of energy, there is significant cooperation, enhanced, of course, by the work which the minister for the environment is doing in relation to the development of a range of new policy responses to these issues, most particularly the new waste strategy and the work that is currently being done across government in relation to the production of a new updated version of weathering the change.
There is significant cross-agency work being undertaken in relation to all of these issues, which does involve all agencies, as you would anticipate. The minister is working actively on all areas of sustainability as we revise, most particularly, weathering the change and the raft of strategies that underpin that.
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
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