Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 1 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 175 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

document included parts of the now-discarded eastern alignment, which was then the preferred option. The environmental evaluation will proceed in parallel with, and inform, the engineering design studies now under way for the western route.

The government recognised the community concern about the effects an eastern alignment would have on the O'Connor hills and Bruce Ridge sections of Canberra Nature Park. We were elected on a policy that supports an alignment west of the AIS. We will ensure that the environmental effects associated with the western alignment are adequately addressed so that the amenity of people living in Kaleen and Bruce is also protected.

We know only too well that the community places a very high value on Black Mountain and Canberra Nature Park. Engineering and environmental studies will see to it that the final route of this road does not compromise the conservation value of these areas. We need to protect those, just as we protected O'Connor and Bruce ridges.

Regarding the Horse Park Drive/Majura Road link, which will provide an eastern bypass of north Canberra and Civic, the government is committed to the construction of the first stage of Horse Park Drive from Gundaroo Drive to the Federal Highway. This is of course the program put in place by the former government. This will provide an alternative route for Gungahlin residents to access Civic, Russell, Barton and Parkes as well as providing more direct access to Canberra Airport, the Kings Highway, the Monaro Highway and Fyshwick.

This route will also provide a more direct route for heavy vehicles bringing building materials and other goods into Gungahlin from the east and south. This route will primarily benefit suburbs such as Amaroo and the future Forde as well as Gungahlin town centre. However, it does not provide an attractive alternative for travel demand from the established suburbs of Palmerston, Nicholls and Ngunnawal which the Gungahlin drive extension will serve.

The government will also progress the necessary work to allow the future construction of the Majura parkway. Recent feasibility and environmental studies have identified preferred alignments for the parkway and connections to Fairbairn Avenue. Our preliminary assessment and draft variation of the Territory Plan to reserve the road alignment will commence in early 2002.

Upgrading Gundaroo Drive and Sir William Slim Drive, mentioned in Ms Tucker's motion, is not required in the short term. I think Mr Corbell has made this point. These roads will need upgrading to dual carriageways in the future as Gungahlin grows. The need for this will be kept under review. This route does not, however, provide an adequate alternative to the Gungahlin Drive extension and, in its absence, could lead to additional traffic routing through Belconnen suburbs.

I am sure you will see that we are working quickly to address all the issues raised by the motion. There are important and time critical steps in the planning process. Support for the government's proposed course of action will enable urgent community needs to be met.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .