Debates Day 2 - Wednesday 23 November 1994
Parliamentary Record 6
Debates for 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997
1994-11-23
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
English
Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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https://hdl.handle.net/10070/281606
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/414128
DEBATES - Wednesday 23 November 1994 of that kind, as we find happens in many areas, if people know what the guidelines are when installing a new pool or making a change in their situation, they would simply implement the recommendations in the guidelines. If we create a set o f guidelines, I believe that, where people have pre-existing pool fencing that has been approved as being suitable and adequate, it would be sensible to provide an across-the-board regulation allowing them to retain that fencing. As I said earlier, I have some concern about simply isolating the pool and thinking that children are then safe, in particular when they are out o f sight. I am aware that, in many cases, that creates a false sense o f security in parents and carers. It is much better to ensure, firstly, that your children can swim and, secondly, that if you have children visiting and they are anywhere near the pool, an adult should be there to supervise them at all times. I would like to see relevant standards applied across the Territory. The concept o f standards applying in only a few areas is unsatisfactory, and I believe we should move towards producing standardised guidelines. Another matter is that o f hazardous and toxic chemicals that are stored around the house. I f you look through your garden shed or in the laundry and other such places, often you will find bottles o f insecticide, weed killer, paint thinners and bottles and tins containing chemicals that you do not even recognise. Quite a few areas have what they call chemical collection days. In late January 1994, I read a press release issued by G eoffM iers in Alice Springs. It related to Chemical Collection Day, a Clean Up Australia activity conducted in Alice Springs. The Alice Springs Town Council was involved in collecting toxic and/or hazardous chemicals in the area. I thought that was a great idea which could also be done in Darwin. I wrote to the Darwin City Council ... M r Poole: I am sure it took a lot o f notice o f you. M r BAILEY: I will table these in a minute. I wrote to the council in August: I am sure that there are a large number o f households in Darwin which have unwanted and potentially hazardous chemicals in their homes and back sheds etc. If this is the case, the chemicals may pose a hazard to residents. I suggest that the DCC consider holding a Chemical Collection Day within the suburbs o f Tiwi and Wanguri as a trial, to gauge the need for a collection day across Darwin. I am prepared to help with the publicity for the collection day and feel sure that I can also secure the help o f the Tiwi and Wanguri Neighbourhood Watch organisations. I have enclosed a copy of a press release issued by Alderman Geoff Miers o f Alice Springs council for a Chemical Collection Day that they had there in March for your information. Can you please advise me of council's views or thoughts on this matter. On 30 August, Dave Thiele o f the Darwin City Council wrote to me: 1817