Mr WARREN - 2008-05-06
The Territory’s unique environment is very important to our great Territory lifestyle. Can you please outline how Budget 2008-09 is delivering for Territory families by protecting our environment while at the same time improving our fabulous Territory parks?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. Budget 2008-09 does deliver for Territory families, and this government is determined to secure and improve the Territory lifestyle for all Territorians. That is why this budget continues to protect our natural environment, tackles the challenge of climate change, and provides the investment necessary to make our world-class parks even better.
When I talk about the environment, Budget 2008-09 provides an additional $2m to support Bushfires NT volunteers and brigades preventing, managing and responding to fire hazards in regional and remote services. I know that money will be quite welcome in areas like Alice Springs, where I met with the Bushfire Brigade. They are a worthy band of volunteers. I place on record my thanks to the previous Environment minister for the work that she did on this. We are very fortunate to have a good Treasurer in her as well.
In addition, we have set aside $700 000 to establish an air quality program in Darwin. We have also put $500 000 aside to improve water quality and management across the Territory.
This government is committed to tackling climate change. We are spending $5m over the next three years to assist businesses and households to reduce their carbon footprint. The 2008-09 Budget also provides $10.8m to deliver clean energy to remote indigenous communities - a great thing for the bush. $6m will be provided for rebates, renewable energy industry support and skill development in indigenous communities, roadhouses, and pastoral and rural properties. We have heard the Minister for Central Australia talk about the great work that is going on in this budget as far as solar power and renewable energies in Alice Springs, which is great work.
In parks and infrastructure, Budget 2008-09 delivers for Territory families by making our world-class parks even better. It provides $4.4m to Stage 1 of the Litchfield upgrade, including more facilities at Wangi Falls. I went there the other week and had a look at those proposed areas where it is going to happen. It will be fantastic. It will serve all Territorians, particularly when we talk about lifestyle. It is a lifestyle for Territorians, and for attracting people to the Top End. Lifestyle is what we value, and people down south value, and they are coming here. This is a great attraction for them. I am pleased that we are able to put $4.4m this year into the upgrades at Litchfield.
Budget 2008-09 also provides $5.2m to upgrade Leanyer Recreation Park to put in new slides, additional shade, seating and ...
Mr Wood: That really is a conservation area, that is.
Mr KIELY: Madam Speaker, this is a very worthwhile project. Those naysayers on the other side who really bagged Leanyer when we first put that up have come to realise that this facility is loved by people in the Top End, Palmerston, Virginia, and in Humpty Doo. They all come in; all of Darwin and Palmerston get there. This is a great facility and we look forward to improving it for all Territorians. It is another worthwhile addition to our Territory lifestyle.
Madam Speaker, the member for Goyder - God bless him - will be delighted to hear that, through this government’s strong financial management, we are able to finance a $1.5m rebuilding of the Fogg Dam boardwalk. I have to tell you I am glad that is getting done. I am so glad to get the member for Goyder off my back, it is just wonderful. For the Friends of Fogg Dam and all those people who like the natural environment, and all the twitchers – that is the name for them - this is fantastic. It has been a long time coming, but it is getting there. It will be there by the end of this year, and we are really looking forward to it. Member for Goyder, do not bother me anymore; it is happening. All right? $1.5m ...
Mr Warren: I haven’t started.
Mr KIELY: He is still at it. I am sure he will find another project.
Madam Speaker, this budget delivers for Territory families. It protects our unique environment, tackles the challenge of climate change, and builds our world-class park system. I say it with my hand on my heart, that I congratulate the Treasurer for an outstanding first budget.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. Budget 2008-09 does deliver for Territory families, and this government is determined to secure and improve the Territory lifestyle for all Territorians. That is why this budget continues to protect our natural environment, tackles the challenge of climate change, and provides the investment necessary to make our world-class parks even better.
When I talk about the environment, Budget 2008-09 provides an additional $2m to support Bushfires NT volunteers and brigades preventing, managing and responding to fire hazards in regional and remote services. I know that money will be quite welcome in areas like Alice Springs, where I met with the Bushfire Brigade. They are a worthy band of volunteers. I place on record my thanks to the previous Environment minister for the work that she did on this. We are very fortunate to have a good Treasurer in her as well.
In addition, we have set aside $700 000 to establish an air quality program in Darwin. We have also put $500 000 aside to improve water quality and management across the Territory.
This government is committed to tackling climate change. We are spending $5m over the next three years to assist businesses and households to reduce their carbon footprint. The 2008-09 Budget also provides $10.8m to deliver clean energy to remote indigenous communities - a great thing for the bush. $6m will be provided for rebates, renewable energy industry support and skill development in indigenous communities, roadhouses, and pastoral and rural properties. We have heard the Minister for Central Australia talk about the great work that is going on in this budget as far as solar power and renewable energies in Alice Springs, which is great work.
In parks and infrastructure, Budget 2008-09 delivers for Territory families by making our world-class parks even better. It provides $4.4m to Stage 1 of the Litchfield upgrade, including more facilities at Wangi Falls. I went there the other week and had a look at those proposed areas where it is going to happen. It will be fantastic. It will serve all Territorians, particularly when we talk about lifestyle. It is a lifestyle for Territorians, and for attracting people to the Top End. Lifestyle is what we value, and people down south value, and they are coming here. This is a great attraction for them. I am pleased that we are able to put $4.4m this year into the upgrades at Litchfield.
Budget 2008-09 also provides $5.2m to upgrade Leanyer Recreation Park to put in new slides, additional shade, seating and ...
Mr Wood: That really is a conservation area, that is.
Mr KIELY: Madam Speaker, this is a very worthwhile project. Those naysayers on the other side who really bagged Leanyer when we first put that up have come to realise that this facility is loved by people in the Top End, Palmerston, Virginia, and in Humpty Doo. They all come in; all of Darwin and Palmerston get there. This is a great facility and we look forward to improving it for all Territorians. It is another worthwhile addition to our Territory lifestyle.
Madam Speaker, the member for Goyder - God bless him - will be delighted to hear that, through this government’s strong financial management, we are able to finance a $1.5m rebuilding of the Fogg Dam boardwalk. I have to tell you I am glad that is getting done. I am so glad to get the member for Goyder off my back, it is just wonderful. For the Friends of Fogg Dam and all those people who like the natural environment, and all the twitchers – that is the name for them - this is fantastic. It has been a long time coming, but it is getting there. It will be there by the end of this year, and we are really looking forward to it. Member for Goyder, do not bother me anymore; it is happening. All right? $1.5m ...
Mr Warren: I haven’t started.
Mr KIELY: He is still at it. I am sure he will find another project.
Madam Speaker, this budget delivers for Territory families. It protects our unique environment, tackles the challenge of climate change, and builds our world-class park system. I say it with my hand on my heart, that I congratulate the Treasurer for an outstanding first budget.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016