Page 1464 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 10 April 2013
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my appreciation to the staff from the Community Services Directorate who had, until just recently, responsibility for childcare facilities across Canberra. They too have done great work in ensuring that those upgrades and expansions of centres were undertaken. I fully support this motion and thank Ms Porter for bringing it forward. I look forward to delivering on the tasks before us.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (4.19), in reply: I thank all members who spoke today and made a contribution to this debate. Most of it was very constructive and positive. However, I would like to make some remarks in relation to Mr Coe’s contribution, particularly his remarks about consultation and the motion not calling on the government to do anything. I note that paragraph (1)(b) says we must engage and consult with our community on what it identifies as priorities, what role the community wants our city centre to have and how it can become a more dynamic, vibrant and sustainable place. Paragraph (2) calls on the government to:
(a) incorporate community feedback into the city plan to determine a comprehensive approach for the city’s future as an economically vibrant and attractive centre;
(b) ensure that information about the major elements of the proposed City to the Lake project, including changes to Parkes Way, West Basin and the interface with Lake Burley Griffin, is provided to the community;
(c) continue to ensure that the transport needs of our community, including Capital Metro, are integrated into the city plan;
(d) continue to consult closely with the community on master plans for our town and group centres, and ensure our local shopping centres upgrade programs maintain the attractiveness, community well-being and viability of these centres; and
(e) continue to ensure that there is an effective and efficient roll out of investment in essential infrastructure such as schools, community health facilities, hospitals, sporting facilities and public housing.
In my speech earlier I outlined plans this Labor government has put in place to ensure a positive and sustainable future for this city. As I said, the city plan will consider the transport and development effects on other centres. It will consider growth in the whole of Canberra as to what is needed in the city centre specifically to encourage growth at the city core.
The city plan will provide a mechanism for government to identify and synchronise its development priorities and make critical decisions for big ideas and catalyst projects for the future of our city. The plan will look at the city as a whole to ensure it can meet our changing needs and aspirations for the premier centre of the national capital in terms of the city’s role, function and design. That is why the city to lake plans and the capital metro are also very important for the future.
I now take this opportunity to mention just a few examples of some major developments that have taken or are taking place in my electorate, which enhances
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