Page 178 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
It is indefensible to ignore climate change in decision-making or policymaking. I think members will agree that this is a damning critique by the commissioner of the South Australian royal commission.
The failure to consider climate change in managing the Murray-Darling Basin is a tragedy at a national level, but it is also a reminder for the ACT government that it has a duty to plan for and respond to climate change in all of our decision-making, be that in managing our own water resources and natural environment or in the way we plan our urban environment.
For example, when we set regulations for the design of buildings we need to consider the climate change projections for Canberra in the future. When we decide how many trees we will plant and, indeed, what species of trees, we need to consider the climate Canberra will experience in the future. We need to be able to mitigate the urban heat island effect with cooling living infrastructure like shade trees. But those tree species also need to be able to survive and thrive in a warmer and drier climate. We need to consider climate change when we build and design government facilities like schools, sporting facilities, community facilities and new neighbourhoods.
As the commissioner makes clear in this damning assessment of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, there is ample evidence to show what will occur under climate change scenarios and it is incumbent on decision-makers to respond. The ACT environment, both urban and natural, is at threat from climate change. The government here is under the same duty the commissioner has identified to plan and adapt for the risks that climate change will bring. It will be negligent not to do that, not just in water and environmental management but across the whole range of government decision-making.
I look forward to working with colleagues in the ACT government to ensure that the ACT’s approach to water management is environmentally sound, best practice and responds to climate change. On this note, I highlight the good healthy waterways work that has been ongoing across Canberra. This work stems from an election commitment my colleagues and I made and then negotiated into the parliamentary agreement. We are proud of the progress being made.
The money had previously been allocated to the ACT for a project at the lower Molonglo treatment works—$85 million given to us by the commonwealth. That project had not proceeded and the money was simply sitting there doing nothing. We proposed that it be repurposed to allow for the building of the natural wetlands and various overflow ponds we are seeing at the moment.
I am very grateful that the commonwealth allowed that repurposing. The projects we are now seeing roll out right across the city are a testament to a new direction in policy and a recognition that natural waterways rather than stormwater concrete drains can make a very significant difference to water quality in the city and also provide cooling living infrastructure, as well as terrific amenity for local residents.
The various wetlands are a visible result of the investment. There is, of course, more to do and we will continue to work in this area. There are still many, many kilometres
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video