Page 5103 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 26 October 2011
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In relation to car parking at Yerrabi, the government has already indicated that whilst the requirements for car parking at Yerrabi appear to be consistent with the parking code, the government is happy to work further with local businesses who may be experiencing problems with parking availability for their customers. I already stated that in my earlier speech.
The government of course has put in place improvements in bus services, including the Red Rapid service, which is one of the busiest public transport corridors and services in the city.
So I think it is more what the amendments from the Liberals and the Greens fail to mention which is of concern to the government rather than what they do mention and it is important that the government’s activities are put on the public record so that members of the public understand fully the work the government has undertaken and continues to undertake to improve transport infrastructure in the Gungahlin region.
MR DOSZPOT (Brindabella) (8.49): It gives me great pleasure to speak on this motion, and I note that it is a fairly consistent theme that we are debating in this chamber today. Earlier today the Liberals raised the issue of poor planning, lack of consultation and ignoring the views and opinions of local residents in the Tuggeranong area. And without any surprise, despite all the rhetoric and photo opportunities that Ms Bresnan has had in respect of Calwell, she had no hesitation in siding with the government to vote against the wishes of her own constituents.
This afternoon we move north and we are debating similar issues replicated in Gungahlin. Mr Coe has already outlined very eloquently and precisely the issues that impact significantly on his constituents. Gungahlin town centre is, by any measure, a great place to live around and to shop at. It has a number of new developments and is expanding at a great rate. In fact, it has a good combination of specialist and chain store businesses. My staff tell me Canberra’s best hummus and fresh Turkish bread can be purchased there, and the area is increasingly becoming home to more and more Canberra families and singles.
The new Gungahlin college is very impressive by any standards, and of course we all hope we do not have to wait another decade for the leisure centre to be delivered to enhance the living experience of the residents.
But already Gungahlin is being choked by its own success. As Mr Coe’s motion highlights, there are problems with roads, parking, traffic management. Simply put, there is a lack of transport infrastructure planning, a common theme all over Canberra after 10 years of hard Labor.
I am sure when the town planners first developed the area, it was sensible to have everyone and everything going down Hibberson Street, the main thoroughfare. There was not much else there to start with. However, with the expansion of shops and shopping malls down both sides, a myriad of on-street, short-term and business parking, bus stops, with more bus routes planned, and pedestrian crossings, is it any wonder that traffic is a nightmare during peak shopping periods and weekends and increasingly in between times too?
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