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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 8 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2245 ..

MR HARGREAVES: I think the Deputy Leader of the Opposition ought to catch an ACTION bus into work so that he can calm down on the trip. Capital works funding would be spent on constructing and upgrading important community facilities in priority areas of health, education, roads and community safety.

Major features of the program will include the Drakeford Drive duplication. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, "Good on you blokes for doing something we were going to do." Well these people were going to do it for six years. People are born, live their lives and die in the time it takes you people to do anything.

Mr Speaker, I am particularly pleased that the government has announced funding for the long awaited Drakeford Drive duplication. Brindabella residents waited and waited for the previous government to do something-apart from spending $800,000 in trying to fix up one intersection, which I don't think was all that successful but it was a good try.

This government has allocated $4.3 million for the duplication of the road between Erindale Drive and Isabella Drive. The project is part of the government's road safety and congestion program and the section between Erindale Drive and Isabella Drive is the last section of Drakeford Drive to be duplicated. Of course, once all that has been done we can start to pay some attention to that part of Drakeford Drive which is actually known as Tharwa Drive, because I think that will complete the duplication of virtually the trip from Holt through to Tharwa-or to the gates of Lanyon homestead at Tharwa. This project will reduce traffic congestion in the area and improve traffic flow to the Tuggeranong town centre. The previous Liberal government talked about this for six years and the Labor government took six months to do something about it.

Mr Speaker, this government has actually put some money into the Chisholm Oval upgrade. Improvements to the oval will include the construction of a new pavilion for spectators and players, a new turf wicket, enhanced training facilities and a picket boundary fence. The project is a partnership with the Tuggeranong Valley Cricket Club and the Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union and Amateur Sports Club. I am pleased that the government has committed significant funds to the project. The upgrade will not only enhance Tuggeranong's reputation for being the home of cricket development in the ACT but it will be welcome news to the many sports people who use this popular oval in the heart of the valley. I look forward to Mr Smyth bagging that one, given his former address was in Chisholm.

Mr Speaker, the government is pleased to put some money into, and more importantly its own weight behind, the Woden to Downer cycle path. Construction of an on-road cycling lane from Woden to Dickson is great news for cyclists in Brindabella who commute to work in the city. I know of one such mad person. This project is an important part of the government's policy to promote sustainable transport options, is a more direct route for cyclists and improves safety. It is a shame that the conservation council have gone because they were really keen to see this happen. The first stage of work is expected to include Adelaide Avenue/Yarra Glen and Commonwealth Avenue north of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge to London Circuit. As part of the project, some existing and unused cycleways will be upgraded and linked.

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