Page 2842 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 22 November 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
It is my personal view that the total city area of Canberra should be the responsibility of the ACT Government, and that site is an integral part of the total city area. Certainly, I hope that there would be a recognition by the Commonwealth Government that it has no role to play in relation to the issues that are relevant to that site. But at this point, the relevant authority is the National Capital Planning Authority and the relevant government is the Commonwealth Government. I could suggest that any further questions on that might be referred either to the NCPA or to the Commonwealth.
MR COLLAERY: I ask a supplementary question. So it is not the Residents Rally that is holding up that development? Yes or no?
MR WHALAN: Mr Speaker, I think I would have to admit that that is one of the few developments that is not being delayed by the Residents Rally.
Road Signs
MR JENSEN: My question is directed to Mrs Grassby, as Minister for Housing and Urban Services. I draw the Minister's attention to a set of traffic lights at the intersection of Stirling Avenue and Northbourne Avenue which have not been in operation since January 1989. Would the Minister advise the Assembly why these lights were in operation for only some two months? Is it intended that these lights be put back into operation or will they be relocated elsewhere?
MRS GRASSBY: Those lights that Mr Jensen is talking about are near the showground and are used only during peak-hour traffic when there is something on at the showground. Otherwise they are turned off because there is no need for them and they would hold up traffic.
MR JENSEN: I ask a supplementary question. Does the Minister have any indication as to how much those traffic lights cost to install and how much it costs just to have them switched off for 11 months of the year?
MRS GRASSBY: If the lights are turned off they are not costing us anything. The cost of putting lights at any intersection costs around $100,000. A roundabout costs $60,000. That will give you an idea of the difference. The lights were installed for use only when there is something on at the showground and traffic coming down Northbourne Avenue needs to be held up so that people can come out of the showground. At the time the lights were installed, they probably would not have cost $100,000. Today, if I were to install traffic lights there, they would cost me $100,000. As I keep them turned off most of the time, they do not cost me anything.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .