Page 1566 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 June 2021

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records since 2020 has demonstrated how eager residents of Gordon are for something to be done in their area.

I have made countless representations to ministers on behalf of residents, advocating for road improvements and other improvements to make their neighbourhoods safe. For example, a resident wanted parking signs erected to avoid people parking illegally near her house. Melanie was concerned about speeding on Jim Pike Avenue and worried about the safety of local children. Maria, a local resident, told me that Scarfe Close was insufficiently lit at night and needed more streetlights. Lynette, an older woman, told me about burnouts on Knoke Avenue. Margaret talked about speeding on Clare Dennis Avenue. I have heard about that from many other residents as well; they are concerned about families trying to cross the road to get to their local park.

That is not to mention the residents of Callaway Crescent, a group I have been working with over the past year to try to get traffic calming measures introduced in their street—something that has been refused to this date. I have visited the area myself and seen where on, I think, four occasions cars have crashed into one local resident’s front retaining wall. Cars have mounted the kerb, gone across the footpath area, and crashed into the retaining wall. Tracey told me that, while the police do an excellent job in regard to speeding, she believes more needs to be done about speeding on Woodcock Drive. Florence, a local resident, is concerned about speeding on Sid Barnes Crescent and believes it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

This is just a small snapshot of the residents who have raised these traffic issues with me in Gordon. Now that a member of their own government has raised the issues, perhaps the minister might finally start to take the issue seriously, though I will not hold my breath.

Planning, Transport and City Services—Standing Committee

Reference

MR DAVIS (Brindabella) (10.11): Pursuant to standing order 99, I move:

That the petition relating to traffic management in Gordon be referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Planning and City Services.

On behalf of all the petitioners, including Ms Lawder’s constituents who have made representations to her over time on concerns about traffic management in Gordon, I want to say that I believe that the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services is best placed to look into this issue in more detail and provide recommendations to government.

Eight months ago, I was elected to this Assembly. I was quite dismayed to hear from my constituents in Gordon about just how long they have been campaigning on this issue, how many members of this place over time they have spoken to, and the conversations they have had with ACT Policing and Access Canberra regarding this ongoing issue, particularly as it pertains to Harry Hopman Circuit. I am hopeful and optimistic that a referral to the planning, transport and city services standing committee would ensure some activity and action for these constituents.


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