Page 253 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2016
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MS PORTER: Minister, how is the community being kept informed about the demolition program?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Porter for her question. The work of the task force is a significant undertaking, with 1,022 properties affected, as I said, across 56 of our suburbs. This means an impact on more than 12,000 immediate neighbours and 127,000 residents across the suburbs. This is in addition to the 4,000 affected home owners, tenants and families.
A comprehensive communications and public education program is in place which involves broad information provision to our community as well as targeted communication with neighbourhood properties and more intensive focus on our cluster communities where there are two or more affected properties in close proximity to each other.
When it comes to broad community information, many strategies are used to ensure the information and the task force are as accessible as possible. This has included written educational material, opportunities for the community to ask questions and engagement activities.
Members have seen the information supplement inserted in the Canberra Times late last year ‘Mr Fluffy’–from removal to renewal, a guide for neighbours and the Canberra community which was developed by the task force. The booklet outlines the ACT government’s response and was provided to 35,000 households and continues to be provided to neighbours prior to demolition works.
In addition, the task force has active social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in which the demolition process and response are outlined and questions answered. The website is also a key source for information for the community and has achieved more than 232,846 page-views in less than 12 months. Regular e.newsletters are also sent to a large subscriber base, with 50 editions sent to date and a total readership of 52,000.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, why are the asbestos management plans required from 1 February and how have owners been informed?
MR GENTLEMAN: The ACT government’s first advice to home owners is not to reside in these properties. That is why the ACT government offered to purchase all properties as at 28 October 2014. Indeed, 860 home owners have now permanently vacated their properties, or 85 per cent of the owners. We are also aware that some owners may seek to remain in their houses for the medium term for a range of reasons. They may be waiting for a new house to be built, they are still seeking to find a property in the market or they are seeking additional time to consider their options. We needed to balance compassion, practicality and safety. This is where the asbestos management plan arrangements come into play.
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