Page 179 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
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of concrete drains across the city. We know those drains speed up the water. The water travels with greater velocity, the sediment is not taken out of it and it goes straight into the lakes. Whilst our lakes are designed as part of the stormwater system—that is part of their purpose—the modern reality is that our community has an expectation that those lakes are cleaner than they currently are. We must continue to improve that water quality.
It was very disappointing—this was spoken about here yesterday—that the corporate and community triathlon on Saturday had to cancel the swim leg. When I first came to this place 10 years ago as an active triathlete, I was really aware of what was going on and it was the reason that in the Seventh Assembly I moved a motion to have the environment commissioner look into water quality in our lakes and produce a report that has led to some of the policy changes we have seen.
That problem has been around for a decade, and the bottom line is that by the time we get to this part of the year—it can still be pretty damn hot at this time of the year—our lakes are increasingly unavailable for recreational activities because of all the sediment, nutrient overflow and the like. We have still have a long way to go in our urban environment. Of course, that whole system flows into the Murray-Darling Basin, so we have to take these issues seriously in Canberra.
In conclusion, I simply reiterate that the Murray-Darling Basin situation is tragic and that governments and decision-makers responsible over a long period of time are to be condemned for their failure to respond adequately. We must see better long-term decision-making. We cannot afford to ignore the science. We are now living through the consequences of doing that, and it is a salient lesson that we must take on board. I am pleased, on behalf of the Greens, to support Ms Cheyne’s motion today.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries) (4.17): As the Minister for the Environment and Heritage and as a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council for the ACT government, I support the motion put forward by Ms Cheyne today. It is right and proper for this Assembly to discuss the issues raised in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission report, and I thank Ms Cheyne for her thoughtful and considered motion that allows for this to occur.
I am disappointed by the comments from the shadow minister. This is not just a matter for the commonwealth. Once again, she has proven that she is the shadow minister against the environment. It is vital that we address the broad range of issues raised in this report, combined with the Productivity Commission report into the Murry-Darling Basin plan and the significant fish deaths. Community and stakeholder confidence in managing the basin has been shaken. Basin states and territories need to respond quickly and in an open approach.
Communities of the basin, and indeed Australia, need and expect a viable and healthy, managed Murray-Darling system. Clearly, the royal commission report has, at the very least, questioned the efficacy of the basin plan and its implementation. I hope
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