Bob Sutherland welcomed the committee, members of the public and the invited speakers from Planning & Land Management (Tony Adams and Campbell Fletcher) and from Environment ACT (Fran Stephens). In addition Mr Sutherland welcomed Annette Ellis Federal member for Namadgi.

Apologies were received from Jeff Carl.

3. Overview by Tony Adams

Tony Adams provided the meeting with an outline of the measures being undertaken by the government to reduce the greenhouse gases produced by activities in the ACT. This involved the development of a greenhouse strategy and the production of an integrated Land Use and Transport strategy. An interim discussion document has been produced and this had been widely distributed. Inputs and suggestions are welcomed and the material will be considered for inclusion in the greenhouse strategy, which will be available to the public in June.

The strategy involved buses, houses and their construction, planning policies and their impact on the environment. The aim is to find a better way of achieving outcomes. A residential code of practice was being pursed in addition to various transport options. Transport emissions are a heavy contributor to greenhouse gases. The ACT has set a return to 1990 level of gas emissions by 2008 as a target.

Environment ACT was investigating the establishment of an independent advisory service for energy savings (therefore reducing greenhouse fuel use). This could include advice on insulation, hot water, heating and the options for solar heating. Possible schemes to assist in providing funds to put in place greenhouse gas savings were also being considered. Mandatory roof insulation in new houses by legislation was being developed. Energy rating of houses that analysed the costs of heating/cooling could be considered. This would use a similar approach to appliances and provide information to the marketplace to inform decision-making. The ACT Government is looking at its own buildings and schools to reduce energy use. A possible option when renewing registration is to pay $25 to plant 7 trees, which is the equivalent of the greenhouses gases produced each year by a motor vehicle.

The issues raised by members of the audience included:

• Changing the street lighting in Weston Creek to save energy and make the area amenable to the work at Stromlo Observatory.
• Retro fitting wall insulation - does it work? Advice from the independent advisory service would be useful
• Independent advice needed to assist in decision making on energy use.
• Urban leases and employment. The ability not to need to travel to work was considered a way of adapting to a changing work environment as well as reducing travel.
• Vehicle emission testing - there was significant debate on the effectiveness of such testing.
• Use of bikes for travel to work was considered an important issues and good bike path maps were needed.
• What was the potential for grey water installation in Weston Creek?
• The independent advisory service will need to give impartial advice to be of value.
• What is the benefit/cost of double glazing in the ACT?
• What is the impact of wood burning fires? - Could the design of fireplaces be improved?
• Motor vehicles - could the travel to work be easier with synchronised traffic lights and merge lanes on arterial roads to minimise idling time and travel time to work?
• The use of dual occupancy would reduce the need for new suburbs -would increases in houses/townhouse density contribute to a reduction in the number of suburbs needed?

There was also discussion of the implications and costing of energy conservation. Bob Sutherland thanked the invited speakers and the contribution of the audience to the debate.

The next meeting will be Wednesday 27^th May 1998, which is the AGM. Bob Sutherland will investigate inviting a guest speaker.

Meeting closed 9.40pm