05. ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordination Group
| Question | Response |
|---|---|
| Please provide a brief summary of your suggestion. | The environmental ambience of Canberra and the suburbs is a key to the positive response from the public to the demands of government, especially the cost of household rates. This ambience is enhanced by the quality of suburban trees, nature strips, public parks, Canberra Nature Park and the lakes and ponds. Or particular focus is the water quality in the lakes, which should be satisfactory for bathing and aquatic activities. Accumulations of rubbish on the lake shores, anaerobic 'black water' with its smell and blue-green algae can be controlled by increased expenditure - and focus - on a clean city with good water quality, for everyone's benefit. |
| What services do you believe are most important for the Territory? | Canberra is provided with good overall services. The area I think can be improved is support for volunteer activities. This area requires ACT Government support increasingly as the Commonwealth Landcare is moving towards only assisting 'productive agriculture' which is not significant in the ACT. The volunteer activities in this sector contribute much into the ACT wellbeing, and deserve ongoing support. |
| How can the Government deliver current services more efficiently and productively or to better meet the needs of Canberrans? | City and suburb maintenance is critical to public perception and wellbeing. The areas which need attention are, for example, cleaning of gross pollution traps, waterways, street sweeping, maintaining wetlands and lake and pond shores clean. |
| Are there particular services that you consider the Government should stop delivering or should deliver in a different way? | Waste management and disposal clearly need attention. This will come into focus when the current Southern Cross Drive tip is closed. Waste minimisation needs more action, as well as deterring illegal dumping. |
| Are there any new ways to generate revenue and/or services you consider that the community should make a direct contribution to (a fee for service)? | As long as special revenues, such as the water abstraction charge, disappear into general revenue rather than being used directly for offsetting water supply and catchment management costs, it will be difficult to convince the public that fees for service are not just a means of raising money for the ACT Treasury. |
| What can the Government do to make Canberra even more liveable? | Keep the city, suburbs and lakes clean and smart. |