Page 4658 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 27 November 2019
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As I touched on, that work was included in the parliamentary agreements after we made our election commitments, and I am really pleased with the progress that has been made in this space. These facilities are incredibly popular amongst Canberrans not just because of their water system impact but also because of the amenity they bring to neighbourhoods.
There is still more to do in this space and we will continue to work on this area. It has an impact right through to the water quality in our lakes, which we know is a problematic area. The benefit of these urban wetlands multiplies out in a number of different ways.
Due to the significant implications of climate change for our future water security, I have circulated an amendment which goes to this point, I now move the amendment circulated in my name:
Add new paragraph (3)(c):
“(c) ensure climate projections are considered in long-term planning and decision-making regarding water use and water restrictions.”.
This brief amendment simply adds to Mr Gupta’s motion. It asks that we ensure climate protections are considered in long-term planning and decision-making regarding water use and water restrictions. I am very keen to understand how the climate scenarios are being built into water restriction guidelines and whether they are being taken account of.
There are other areas of policy where we still use models of what Canberra’s climate used to be. Ms Le Couteur has spoken about that in regard to issues around measuring the energy efficiency of buildings and some of the design features we put in buildings to ensure that they have a quality of life and a comfort about them. I am keen to dig out some more information on how water restrictions are designed and how much account they take of the scenarios like the CSIRO has put forward about what Canberra’s future rainfall patterns will look like.
I thank Mr Gupta for his motion. He has raised some important issues about water supply for Canberra. I commend my amendment to the Assembly as an addition to the important issues he has raised today.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4.01): I thank Mr Gupta for his thoughtful and considered motion today. As we face dry conditions throughout our region and across Australia, water is at the forefront of the minds of many Canberrans. We are fortunate in this city. Because we are guided by experts and scientists, and we accept the advice on climate change, we have been able to better prepare our city for its water needs as it grows.
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