Page 2267 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019

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The third way that this bill improves the livability of the ACT is by protecting the wellbeing of Canberrans. Hoarding of litter on private property is a serious issue in the ACT and can have a significant impact on the lives of people living in these situations and for those in surrounding properties. This bill provides an escalating framework for addressing and remedying hoarding issues involving litter, when they occur, in a way that achieves the best possible outcomes for the resident and neighbouring property owners.

These provisions aim to identify and implement social solutions where possible. However, as a last resort they can include a court-issued abatement order to clean up a property where initial strategies have proven unsuccessful. Importantly, the provisions do not criminalise hoarding behaviour but provide a framework based on helping affected parties achieve the best possible outcomes.

In summary, this bill proposes a way forward for managing litter and illegal dumping in the ACT, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient approach to deterring and handling cases of littering and illegal dumping. The bill uses a strategic and best practice approach to reducing pollution and improving the amenity and safety of our community through deterrence, tougher penalties, an escalating fine framework and improved collaboration with stakeholders.

The bill will also be supported by a new targeted compliance team with the resources to proactively support the new laws. An education and awareness campaign will also be delivered to give visibility to these changes, ensuring that the ACT community are aware of their responsibilities in keeping our city safe, attractive and easy to move around.

These amendments will have positive environmental impacts for our bush capital and will significantly improve the safety, amenity and livability of our city and our suburbs in line with community expectations. Littering and illegal dumping are behaviours that should not be tolerated in our city, and this bill will take a proactive and preventative approach to ensuring this is the case. I commend this bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Ms Lawder) adjourned to the next sitting.

Republic of Kiribati—40th anniversary

MS J BURCH (Brindabella) (4.44): I move:

That, it being 40 years since the sovereign democratic Republic of Kiribati was declared and its independence constitution promulgated on 12 July 1979, this Assembly:

(1) expresses its congratulations and friendship to: the people of Kiribati; the Kiribati Parliament, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu; the Speaker, the Hon Tebuai Uaai; and the President of Kiribati, the Hon Taneti Maamau, on this most significant milestone;


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