Page 4572 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 18 October 2011
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March this year relating to community gardens. On 7 October a definition for community gardens was included the territory plan through technical amendment 2011-23. The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate is working on an amendment to the planning and development regulations to establish an exemption for community gardens from requiring development approval in most cases. New community gardens will still require a licence from the land custodian. This is particularly the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate for unleased land. The government is currently progressively implementing the full suite of initiatives on community gardens that I announced in June, including the scoping study on local food production.
The government has also received the report from the ACT landholders association in collaboration with the Molonglo Catchment Group called “Sustainable farming in the Majura valley”. The report raises a range of issues which impact on rural lessee activity in the Majura valley. These include the long-term certainty of rural leasing, the potential impacts of the proposed Majura parkway and proposals discussed in the government’s eastern broadacre study. The government appreciates the work that has been undertaken by these groups in the preparation of this study and we will be taking those into account as we seek to develop our own policy initiatives further.
In conclusion, the government recognises the importance of food production in the territory. From what I have just outlined, it can be seen that the government is working to ensure that our interests in this area are well protected and advanced.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (4.44): I was assuming that someone from the Liberal Party was going to speak, but no.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne): I am scheduled to speak; I am just waiting for someone to come and relieve me.
MS LE COUTEUR: This is one of the most important MPIs we will consider. I think that is true, so I must admit I am a little concerned that the Liberal Party is not taking part in this debate. Food security, of course, is necessary for life—
Mr Hanson: She is waiting to come down from the chair, Caroline.
MS LE COUTEUR: Right. I am pleased to see the Liberals are.
Food is, of course, necessary for life. With a growing human population, food security is becoming a significant issue. We are all aware of the appalling situation in east Africa. I was pleased to see that the Treasurer’s advance today was for money for east Africa. It is facing its worst drought in 60 years, affecting more than 11 million people. This has led to the United Nations declaring a famine in the region for the first time in a generation. Even in Australia we have food insecurity. I have read that one million children go to school without breakfast or go to bed without dinner in Australia and that two million people rely on food relief at some time each year in Australia.
To make matters worse, we are adding more human beings to the world. As of 31 October 2011, according to the UN Population Fund, there will be seven billion
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