XN000022-1994-10-12 — Page 45

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994

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SECOND READING OF TIMBER STORES BILL

SECURITY MR

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THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR ALISTAIR ASPREY, ON SECOND READING OF TIMBER STORES BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):

MR PRESIDENT,

I MOVE THAT THE TIMBER STORES BILL BE READ A SECOND TIME. BILL SEEKS TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT ORDINANCE FOR THE LICENSING TIMBER STORES.

THIS OF

THE LICENSING OF TIMBER STORES IS AT PRESENT EFFECTED UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE, WHICH COVERS A VARIETY OF UNRELATED ESTABLISHMENTS, RANGING FROM AUCTIONEERS TO TIMBER STORES, PUBLIC DANCE HALLS AND PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINICS. IN 1982, THE VARIOUS LICENSING FUNCTIONS UNDER THIS ORDINANCE WERE REVIEWED; IT WAS DECIDED THAT - THE ORDINANCE SHOULD IN DUE COURSE BE REPEALED, AFTER EACH LICENSING FUNCTION WAS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE OR ABOLISHED.

A LICENSING SYSTEM FOR TIMBER STORES 15 NECESSARY то ENSURE FIRE SAFETY. WITHOUT A LICENSING SYSTEM, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS IN TIMBER STORES. THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY OF PROVIDING A LICENSING SYSTEM IS TO ENACT AN INDEPENDENT ORDINANCE RELATING TO TIMBER STORES, OF WHICH THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 120 OPERATING IN THE TERRITORY.

THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL GENERALLY FOLLOW THOSE AT PRESENT IN THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE. BUT THERE IS ONE NEW PROVISION IN CLAUSE 10, WHEREBY ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES IN A MATTER RELATING TO A TIMBER STORE LICENCE MAY APPEAL TO THE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD. THE BOARD SHALL GIVE THE APPELLANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AND, AFTER CONSIDERING THE APPEAL, MAY CONFIRM, VARY OR REVERSE THE DECISION MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES.

FOR TIMBER STORE THE FEES WILL BE

THE BILL ALSO UPDATES THE FEES CHARGED LICENCES, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1984. INCREASED TO ACHIEVE COST RECOVERY FOR THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT, RENEWAL, TRANSFER, AMENDMENT AND LICENCE.

DUPLICATION OF A

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