XN000022-1980-12-03 — Page 16

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1980

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SITE FORMATION SAFETY BILL INTRODUCED

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THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, WHICH EXTENDS THE SCOPE OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO COVER THE SAFETY OF LAND ADJACENT TO BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION SITES AND EXTENDS EXISTING PROVISIONS TO CONTROL SITE FORMATION WORKS, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD SAID ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS WOULD ENABLE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS WHEN GIVING APPROVAL OR CONSENT TO COMMENCE SITE FORMATION WORKS.

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS ALSO EMPOWERED TO TAKE ACTION TO RENDER SAFE ANY NATURAL, FORMED OR MAN-MADE LAND, OR ANY EARTH-RETAINING STRUCTURES, THAT ARE DANGEROUS OR LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS BY RISK OF COLLAPSE.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

PNEUMOCONIOSIS SCHEME LEVY TO BE 0.2%

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THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD, WHICH WAS STATUTOR ILY ESTABLISHED LAST MONTH, HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE RATE OF LEVY ON THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND QUARRY PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THE LEVY SHOULD BE 0.2 PER CENT.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM WHICH HE OBTAINED APPROVAL OF THE RATE ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

THE BOARD HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT CONSTRUCTION WORKS OF THE VALUE OF $250 000 AND BELOW SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO THE LEVY, MAINLY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO COLLECT THE LEVY IN RESPECT OF SUCH MINOR WORKS.

MR HENDERSON SAID THAT THE LEVY WOULD COME INTO EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION IN THE GAZETTE.

IN THE VIEW OF THE BOARD, HE ADDED, THE RATE WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR 1981, ESTIMATED TO BE $19.82 MILLION. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE INCOME FROM A LEVY OF 0.2 PER CENT ON THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND QUARRY PRODUCTS BETWEEN JANUARY AND DECEMBER 1981 WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $20 MILLION.

THE BOARD IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RECRUITING STAFF AND OBTAINING OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AND HOPES TO BE IN A POSITION TO START WORK IN THE BEGINNING OF 1981.

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