The ACT Government’s Duties Amendment Bill 2008 (No 2) to be debated in the Assembly today is no surprise to ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey.

“ I note that today we will be debating stamp duty concessions for low emission cars. A Greens initiative that was rejected by the Stanhope Government in 2006″ Dr Foskey said today.

“At the time I suggested that this Government might reintroduce the idea and claim it as its own just before the next election.”

“I was right.”

“I’m just a bit disappointed that cheaper registration costs for low emission new cars was not included in the plan, despite even Prime Minister Rudd signaling his support.”

“Well perhaps we need more elections so that the Labor Party starts to make progress on facing up to climate change, and shows it is prepared to follow good advice, wherever it comes from.”

“A couple of other Greens initiatives that the Government might now – with an election impending – put into place would be a green waste scheme and recycling in Civic.”

“On a broader front, perhaps the ACT Government will also finally

• Commit to assessing all its policies in terms of Climate Change,

• Set up an Energy Commission (just like it set up a Skills Commission) to plan for less rather than more fossil fuel use, and

• turn transport policy around so that it is weighted favour of public transport over roads.”

” There is a lot to be done in terms of lightening our footprint on this planet, and the ACT could easily be leading Australia rather than dragging its heels” Dr Foskey said.

ACT Greens MLA for Molonglo, Deb Foskey, has welcomed the inclusion of sustainability as one of the key strategic themes in the Canberra Plan discussion paper released today.

“The Canberra Plan: Towards our Second Century seems to be based on an understanding that the ACT has to grapple with a number of key issues, and – now, at last- sustainability is up there with health care and a strong economy,” said Deb Foskey today.

“The Greens are pleased that the concerns we share with a growing number of Canberra residents are being heard by Government.”

“It makes a change from the resistance this government has shown over the past four years whenever I have raised sustainability as a key measuring stick for government policy.”

“I hope that in hearing what the community has to say about the future of Canberra, in response to this paper, the Stanhope Labor Government will be prepared to strengthen its targets on reducing water use and greenhouse emissions and increasing the convenience of public transport.”

“At present, the Canberra Plan: Towards our Second Century is a very broad-brushed document which commends the ACT Government on progress thus far and provides only aspirational objectives for the future.”

“To really make Canberra sustainable, the government will have to take the lead in policy and action: introducing an interim target for greenhouse gas reduction and putting more money into an integrated transport system, as well as recommitting to waste reduction.

“That would be the way to persuade the Canberra community that this latest glossy document is more than words and pre-election spin,” said Dr Foskey.

11 Aug 08

Deb Foskey, Greens MLA, called today for a solar test to be applied to all new developments in the ACT.

“Now that we know the benefits of passive solar design in our living and work spaces, it is time for the planning approval process to catch up and include building orientation and access to sunshine in its development approval process,” said Dr Foskey today.

“For instance, the development proposed for the Burnie Court site in Lyons, as described in Draft Variation No 288, is laid out in such a way that it makes poor use of the free energy of the sun.”

“At the moment, the Territory Plan says that overshadowing is allowed so long as it allows a minimum of three hours in some part of the living areas of existing dwellings. That’s a pretty minimal requirement”

“The Lyons Estate (near Burnie Court) redevelopment is starting from scratch, so there is no reason why every single dwelling should not have good solar access.”

“And what is the point of introducing solar feed-in laws if new buildings don’t allow occupiers and owners to benefit from them?”

“According to the concept plan quite a few of the buildings will get no northern sun and others will be overshadowed by six and ten storey buildings.”

“We have to get smarter about planning and building if we want to reduce our carbon footprint and our planning system has a key part to plan in this process,” said Dr Foskey.