Page 413 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 1990
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Very Fast Train
MRS NOLAN: My question, which is addressed to the Chief Minister, is in relation to the very fast train project. What progress has the Government made in advancing a coordinated approach, in terms of Commonwealth-State discussions involving relevant governments, on the very fast train project?
MR KAINE: The VFT seems to be a very popular issue but, because of the misconceptions from some elements of the Assembly and the distortion of the facts in some cases, I guess it is worthwhile dealing with it one more time, and I thank Mrs Nolan for the question.
As I think I have made quite clear before, the Government sees the VFT as potentially the most significant transport and development project in south-east Australia. We in the ACT have an opportunity to reap enormous benefits from the project for the residents of the ACT in particular and for the whole region of which we are becoming an economic centre as well.
On Monday, 19 February officers from the Office of Industry and Development met with their Commonwealth, New South Wales and Victorian counterparts to discuss a coordinated government approach to the VFT. At that meeting it was agreed that the initiative of the ACT to commence joint work in relation to two key areas should be adopted. The first one is in connection with environmental assessment, and the second is in connection with land acquisition and development. Both issues are of major concern to people observing the development of this project.
Our officials have agreed to develop a common approach on these two issues, for consideration by all governments involved. A further meeting of relevant agency heads of the four governments will be hosted by the ACT Government in early April to review progress. These reactions result from my direction that my Government will take a leading role in advancing the VFT project and ensuring that there is clarity and consistency in approaches to the fundamental issues involved in it. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that this is a multi-government approach, and that all governments involved in this project take a common approach, particularly on these vital questions of environment, land acquisition and development.
Bruce Stadium
MR STEFANIAK: My question is directed to the Minister for Finance and Urban Services. What is the status of the upgrading of the Bruce Stadium complex in preparation for use by the Canberra Raiders?
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