Page 877 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 6 April 2022
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Not too long ago I visited the main route from Belconnen to Kippax in Latham that runs parallel to Southern Cross Drive, after a distressed constituent emailed me, concerned about the difficulties faced in active travelling along that bike path. Even walking and using prams would be problematic. I am actually looking at a picture from the CityNews on Saturday of a bike path—which is not where I went—along a major arterial road, with massive tussocks growing up in the middle and pretty much all the way along the photo. So, Dr Paterson, I would welcome your experiences in my electorate with your e-bike. Your observations would be most welcome for me to take on board.
It is disappointing that in a city like Canberra, a modern city, a well-resourced city with good incomes and a good tax base for the government to work with, we have very poorly maintained paths in significant areas of Belconnen. My own walking around with this concerned constituent showed that there were overgrown weeds on both sides of the concrete path so that, in many spots, about a third of the hard surface was actually available, which is just not good enough. Again, as this constituent mentioned to me, for families who want to use the path with strollers and prams it is very difficult. Cyclists, in wet weather, have to navigate between slippery grass and a firm surface. It is just not good enough. We have got holes in these paths. We have got raised edges as you travel down the path. There is rubbish along the underpass and a disconnected track being used by the community.
I did write to the minister, Minister Steel, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and also asking what is the maintenance plan for not just that path but the pathways in my electorate. I will be interested in the response when I get that. It really is unconscionable to see this amount of poorly maintained service in Ginninderra, particularly in west Belconnen. The nation’s capital deserves high-quality infrastructure and I am baffled by the lack of maintenance and simple service delivery.
Canberrans deserve infrastructure that is well maintained, that is beautiful to look at, easy to use and accessible to as many as possible. I said this yesterday, and it does grieve me to say it again, but I believe that the service delivery from this Labor-Greens government is the worst that Canberrans have seen. I will certainly be very interested in what the minister has to say about looking after very basic infrastructure that is not rocket science to fix; it just takes a caring government that has the discipline to look after the basic needs of the community.
Ramadan
MR BRADDOCK (Yerrabi) (5.17): As-salamu alaykum. Muslims in Australia and around the world are observing Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. I would like to extend my appreciation to Canberran Muslims for their valuable contribution to our Australian community. Their charity and compassion for community and those in need is admirable and helps to make Canberra strong, safe and prosperous.
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