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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (25 May) . . Page.. 1784 ..
you do not support our route you will not get a road at all? That is the allegation. We have put in place the mechanism to supply that road. What is more, Mr Speaker, we have Gungahlin Drive in the budget and we specifically point out that the money is allocated even though the route is yet to be determined and is dependent on the process.
If we wanted to be bloody-minded about the route we would have said the funding is dependent on the eastern route being chosen, but we have not. It does not make sense, Mr Speaker. In fact, you could easily argue that it is the government that is being pressured by the people of Gungahlin, through traffic numbers, population increases, et cetera, to build the Gungahlin Drive.
Mr Speaker, the government will not be supporting this motion as it clearly has no substance. I have amendments to the motion that, quite rightly, should refer the matter back to the urban services committee which is where it belongs.
MS TUCKER (11.54): Mr Speaker, I did attend the public hearings where David Gower presented his submission and I was very surprised to hear the allegations that Mr David Gower made-that the minister and members of his office and PALM officials had suggested to Mr Gower that unless the Gungahlin Community Council supported the eastern alignment of the Gungahlin Drive extension they would not get any road at all. I am very interested in Mr Smyth's speech and his statement that clarification was made by Mr Gower. Clarification is a word that one does not usually associate with a totally opposite position. In that committee hearing Mr Gower made it quite clear in answer to questions. I quote from the transcript:
MR CORBELL: Has the government indicated to you in any way that if Gungahlin does not support the eastern alignment, there will be no alignment?
Mr Gower: No, not directly. It has been intimated-
MR CORBELL: Has it been suggested in any way?
Mr Gower: Outside of the government, yes, that if we did not support the proposed route, then we may not get a road at all.
THE CHAIRMAN: Could you qualify that?
Mr Gower: Yes. In discussions with PALM and members from Mr Smyth's office, it was intimated that the government would be pressing for one option, and one option only. The community in Gungahlin want a road. ...
MR CORBELL: That was put to you by representatives of the minister's office?
Mr Gower: Yes.
MR CORBELL: And PALM?
Mr Gower: And PALM. In discussions about the road...
Later on Mr Gower said:
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