Page 3390 - Week 08 - Thursday, 23 August 2012
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I do not recall having these concerns raised with me directly outside of the parking arrangements, although perhaps they have been in the last few days, but I am very happy to work with businesses to look at what else can be done.
There is a significant upgrade happening at Lake Ginninderra. Anyone can go around there and have a look at the parks, have a look at the playgrounds that have been established, have a look at the Belconnen Arts Centre and then have a look at the work that has been done, including improvements to the pedestrian bridge. John Knight park is looking fantastic. There has been a lot of effort, which this government will not apologise for, in making our play spaces and our outdoor spaces great for the community.
But at times when that work is being done there will be inconvenience. We work with businesses in every normal sense to minimise those disruptions, and when they occur during developments we see what else can be done, whether it be through amending the road plan or the parking plan, to take into consideration some of those pressures. I am more than happy to look at what further work we can do to support businesses, if you want to hand over some of that information.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary.
MR COE: Yes. Minister, why was there no consultation or notification about the projects and what assistance will you give to businesses that are being so severely impacted by your government’s poor coordination of these projects?
MS GALLAGHER: I do not accept that. I have got no evidence to accept the allegations that you have just put. I am happy to look into it, but I do not apologise for $4½ million worth of capital works going into that area, which will ultimately benefit a lot of the businesses that are operating around that area.
Mrs Dunne interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Mrs Dunne, I can remember a few years ago some of the dreadful planning mistakes originally around Lake Ginninderra that resulted in there not being the pedestrian traffic or the business opportunities that should exist along that part of Belconnen. That is changing. I jog around that lake frequently. Any morning on the weekend when you go up there that is a much more dynamic area than it has ever been before and it is because of the capital investments that have been put into that area to encourage the recreational opportunities that that beautiful part of the world can allow. If there is further work that needs to be done or communication around the benefits and the plans for that development and the timetable for some of the infrastructure work, I am very happy to provide that. The long-term benefits from getting these investments in place will be there for all to use for many, many years and we do not apologise for that.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
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