Page 2449 - Week 08 - Thursday, 30 August 2007
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who are managing the project, in the Canberra Times. The project was also advertised in the Australian and the Age earlier in July and on 25 August, with plans being made available for the information of would-be tenderers.
The pre tender consultation has generated considerable interest in the industry, with up to eight experienced contracting companies taking out plans in preparation for the public tender. We expect public tenders to be called in early October this year. Tenders will close in late October and be evaluated in November. The contract will be let in December, with the site establishment in January 2008. We expect the construction period to take between nine and 12 months, depending on weather conditions.
Mr Pratt said that it takes 15 minutes now to take the Point Hut detour. In fact, Point Hut was never a detour. It is just an optional road while the bridge has been closed. Anybody travelling from Gordon, as I have done many times, knows that it only takes five minutes. It takes five minutes to travel the Point Hut road from Gordon. I should know, Mr Speaker; I used to live out there.
On other matters, Mr Pratt and Mr Stefaniak raised the matter of graffiti. Graffiti in urban open space is required to be removed within three days of notification. The majority of reported graffiti is removed within 24 hours. Offensive graffiti that is visible and accessible from public land is removed from public property with 24 hours of notification. High-profile public assets in open urban space are inspected for graffiti on a weekly basis. Shopping centres, major roads, bus stops and public assets in low profile areas are inspected monthly, and graffiti is removed at the time of inspection.
Members may recall that last year Mr Pratt made comments about graffiti in my electorate. He said that Calwell shopping centre was covered in graffiti. Members may also remember that I tabled a complete series of photos of the Calwell shopping centre that I had taken that morning showing no graffiti whatsoever. So you have to worry about those sorts of statements. While we are still on graffiti, the Canberra Liberals’ website contains a press release issued by Mr Pratt on 14 April 2005. It states:
The problem is the majority of graffiti vandals escape punishment as they are not caught.
The press release also states:
Under section 119 of the Crimes Act a person who defaces public or private property faces a maximum penalty of $1,000, imprisonment for six months or both.
Mr Speaker, I will table a photo of what appears to me to be an alleged offender under this act.
MR SPEAKER: You will need leave.
MR GENTLEMAN: I seek leave to table that photo.
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