Page 4826 - Week 11 - Thursday, 20 October 2011
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(1) In relation to Building Waste Recycling at the Parkwood Road Recycling Estate, does the Government currently ensure that contracted waste and recycling businesses have viable business plans that ensure the ongoing financial viability of the business model, so as to avoid the waste pile up that occurred at Building Waste Recycling, and if not, why.
(2) Has the Government considered offering the services of a dedicated business advisor to provide assistance and support to businesses which are being contracted, receiving grants or other green economy related business incentives.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) No. ACT Government procurement laws and policies aim to ensure that contracts are awarded in a fair and transparent manner and that they achieve set outcomes for the Territory. They are not primarily aimed at determining the viability of an industry business model.
Having said this, tender assessment does involve a value-for-money assessment based on factors such as experience, capacity to deliver the service, proposed method of operation and costs charged for the services. A satisfactory financial capacity report is sometimes requested. This process endeavours to ensure that preferred tenderers have the experience, capability and capacity necessary to deliver the contracted services.
It should be noted that Building Waste Recycling Pty Ltd (under external administration) was primarily running a private-sector business, not providing services under contract to the ACT Government.
(2) In the 2010-11 Budget, the ACT Government funded a Resource Recovery Industry Development Officer for two years. The Officer is not a ‘dedicated business advisor’, but does work with the waste and recycling industry to overcome barriers to recycling, foster business networking amongst industry players and perform other tasks aimed at supporting and developing the waste and recycling industry.
The ACT Government has committed to developing and releasing a Clean Economy Strategy by April 2012. The Clean Economy Strategy will bring together a set of initiatives that support the growth of clean technology innovation and assist businesses to adopt sustainable practices and energy efficiency measures. In developing the Strategy, various mechanisms are being considered to support the clean economy including the possibility of providing assistance and support for businesses seeking to implement sustainable practices.
Environment—urban street trees
(Question No 1842)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, upon notice, on 21 September 2011:
(1) What are the Government’s present urban tree management practices and what is the progress on the urban tree renewal project in the interim period prior to release of the Government’s response to the Commissioner for Sustainability and Environment’s
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