Page 1364 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 2021

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upgrades and of course try to seek federal funding where necessary to ensure that happens.

MS LAWDER: Minister, what consultation and engagement do you undertake with rural communities in the ACT to ensure their views are heard about their roads?

MR STEEL: I thank Ms Lawder for her question. In fact, the upgrades I just mentioned on Brindabella Road and the roads leading into Uriarra were a direct result of me going out to the Uriarra Village in particular and talking to Pedal Power about safety improvements on those rural roads. Yes, we do undertake consultation, and Transport and City Services officials also undertake targeted consultation with the communities and have been in touch with communities in relation to Smith Road, in particular, and our commitments there about gradual upgrades to and sealing of those roads, as well as responding, of course, to any issues that arise as a result of unplanned damage as Mr Parton has mentioned. We will of course look at those as a priority based on safety.

Municipal services—cyclepaths

MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, it has been brought to my attention that a significant amount of broken glass is scattered along the cyclepath on the Monaro Highway and has been for many months. Even when the roads have been swept, the cyclepath has not been cleaned. This is especially noticeable heading city bound between Isabella Drive and Lanyon Drive, which presents a major hazard for road users. Minister, what is your policy for checking that our cyclepaths are free from such hazards?

MR STEEL: I thank the member for his question. Yes, we do have people regularly out looking at various issues on our roads. That includes the litter picking that occurs in the area that Mr Milligan mentioned. Where issues are identified, they are brought to the attention of Roads ACT and our broader street sweepers so that they can make sure that those issues are addressed. I am happy to raise the issue that Mr Milligan has mentioned and see whether we can rectify that. Of course, we also listen to the community and note any issues that are raised by the community in relation to the cycling network.

MR MILLIGAN: Minister, do the road sweepers regularly sweep the cyclepaths on the side of the roads?

MR STEEL: Yes.

MR PARTON: What measures will you take to improve the overall path maintenance performance, given your government’s commitment to active travel?

MR STEEL: I thank the member for his question. We are committed to active travel. That is why at the election it was Labor that committed to investing more in cyclepath and shared path maintenance—not the opposition; the Labor Party. We committed to that at the election and we are absolutely committed to investing more in active travel.


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