Page 2712 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 23 June 2009
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I would commend the investment of the ACT government in the ACT in general, but especially in the west Belconnen area, as their commitment to a diverse range of quality services and facilities.
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (4.15): I thank Mr Smyth for this discussion today on the provision of services and facilities in the outer suburbs. I will be speaking with regard to the Tuggeranong area. While recognising that there is funding in the 2009-10 budget for the staged development in the Tuggeranong town centre, Tuggeranong has been relatively left out of much infrastructure planning.
We are very encouraged that the ACT government has made a commitment to a master plan for the Tuggeranong town centre. During the estimates process, it was noted that the master plan would be developed in 2011; so we will be looking forward to seeing funding for this in the 2010-11 budget. There are, however, limitations in the master plan process, and many of the key infrastructure services and needs will not come out through this process. We need to be looking at employment and education opportunities in the area, public transport and tourism, including accommodation.
As has already been noted today, the outer areas of Tuggeranong are poorly served by public transport. While it might be argued that this is because of current patronage, if we make the services better, people will be more likely to take up using public transport. There are also many tourism opportunities which could be built on in the area, including Tidbinbilla, Birrigai and the Tharwa, Lanyon and Tuggeranong homesteads. These are all aspects of an area which affect its viability and vibrancy.
The Greens have called for more holistic planning through a neighbourhood planning process. We need to make areas, particularly those outer suburbs such as Tuggeranong, places that people want to live and socialise in and feel like they are a part of their community. Tuggeranong is an area that has really grown but planning has not kept pace with this growth.
An area such as Erindale has grown significantly and has become an area with increased services and facilities and has very much become a major centre in its own right. A feasibility study for a park-and-ride facility in Erindale has been announced by the government; so we will watch the outcomes of this study with great interest. Lanyon is another area that has grown and continues to grow and, I have no doubt, would benefit from a neighbourhood planning process.
The need for sporting facilities in the Tuggeranong area has also been mentioned today. I have already spoken previously about a multiuse, multipurpose community facility being invaluable in the region. A scoping study is needed to facilitate this development, and I note that the government has stated this would occur. A multipurpose facility would provide a safe space for sporting, elderly and disabled groups as well as encourage active participation by and for families.
Business Tuggeranong has been pushing for a Tuggeranong master plan since 2001 to have a more thoughtful approach to development in the area. I look forward to the outcomes from the Tuggeranong master plan and to a more thoughtful planning approach for the area.
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