Page 2022 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 24 October 1989
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My answer to the member's questions is as follows: the roads referred to by Mr Jensen are all unsealed rural roads which carry very little traffic. The levels of expenditure required to upgrade and seal them cannot be justified at the present time.
All rural roads are regularly maintained, although maintenance on Boboyan Road is behind schedule because of the wet winter and spring weather. Boboyan Road is programmed for surface upgrading and additional drainage works, which will be carried out as funds permit. It is expected that $20,000 will be spent this year.
In addition, my department plans to investigate whether a short section at the north end of the unsealed section, which is costly to maintain, should be sealed in the near future. I am advised that both Fairlight and Mountain Creek Road surfaces are in good condition. However, it is planned to spend about $50,000 on replacing safety crash rails and improving safety signs on these roads this year.
Although sealing of these roads is not presently planned, the ACT Government would naturally reconsider this position if significant additional traffic was anticipated or if the New South Wales Government were to reclassify the roads from local to tourist status and commit funds to upgrading the substantial sections of these roads in New South Wales.
Housing Trust
Mrs Grassby: On Thursday, 19 October, Mr Stefaniak asked "and what do you know about the Housing Trust home at 59 Blackman Street, Macquarie?". I assume Mr Stefaniak is aware that the house has been vacant for some time.
The house referred to by Mr Stefaniak was purchased by the Housing Trust because it represented a valuable addition to the trust's rental stock in a desirable location in Belconnen. While structurally sound, the house required a number of repairs before allocation. Unfortunately, there were considerable delays in arranging for all the necessary repairs to be completed.
Further delays occurred in allocating the house, but it has now been allocated to a family. Delays in tenanting this house highlight deficiencies in the trust's maintenance and allocation arrangements. I know that the trust is very conscious of these problems and has taken considerable steps recently to reduce vacancy rates. Further improvements are planned.
Nevertheless, I have requested that the Housing Trust undertake an immediate review of current procedures to ensure unnecessary delays in allocating vacant houses are avoided.
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