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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (19 February) . . Page.. 141 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

Further consultation is also being sought through the Internet. This is an initiative taken by this Government. The Government has established a location on the ACT Government's homepage, allowing access via computer to newsletters and to documentation which has been made available to workshop participants. This ensures that a wider audience has access and input to the process at a reasonable cost. If that is not sufficient, a regular newsletter is being distributed to residents in areas adjacent to the broad corridor in Aranda, Bruce, Kaleen, Lyneham, North Lyneham, O'Connor and Turner as well as to all homes in the Gungahlin area. Anyone else who has shown an interest has also been included on the mailing list. The intended product of this study is a draft variation to the Territory Plan which would be subject to the normal processes of scrutiny by the Planning and Environment Committee and, of course, this parliament.

The transport modelling work that will support the assessment of the likely timing of provision of the road, estimated to be some 10 to 15 years from now, will take into account the feasible range of public transport ridership, trip generation and employment scenarios. The consultative process undertaken as part of this study and the statutory process which must be followed allow the community comprehensive opportunities to contribute to the outcomes. If there was an indication by Ms Horodny that we, as a government, or previous governments, were trying to do something shady and sweep it aside, this is far from the truth. The fact is that we are doing the best we can, with a complex issue which is going to come up within 10 or 15 years, to look after the needs of not only the people of Gungahlin but also those who wish to go into Gungahlin. I noted that there was talk of heavy vehicles using this facility for access from the Hume Highway and other parts. Members would note that the Federal Government has undertaken a study for a proposed Tumut/Canberra bypass of the Hume Highway which will make access much easier, in particular for heavy vehicles coming out of the region and also parts south.

I think the course undertaken by the Government, and also by the previous Government, is proper. It is fair to say that both this Government and the former Labor Government have been conscious of the needs and wants of the citizens and motorists not only in that area, but in particular in the Belconnen area and O'Connor. As we move down this corridor, Mr Speaker, and consider the suggestions that have been put forward, there are going to be some hard decisions. Those will be taken, if not at this time then in the future. We will come up with the right approach because we will have consulted all the players involved in the program to allow motorists access to and from Gungahlin.

At the moment I think something like 14,000 people live in Gungahlin and we, as a government, are trying to give them relief when they choose to use their motor vehicles to come to other parts of this Territory. I notice that already there is movement from the Barton Highway to Gungahlin to relieve pressure on the two existing exits to the Barton Highway. The exit through Mitchell is perhaps not as desirable as it should be, because of its minor industrial definition. If Ms Horodny is a little patient, the time will come when she may get the proper answer.

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