Page 283 - Week 01 - Thursday, 27 February 2014
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people. Youth unemployment is high. But capital metro is just one example where the government can invest to diversify the economy and attract employment and jobs and opportunity for our city.
Let me provide a few examples to reiterate my point—the Gold Coast light rail project, where building stage 1 of the GoldLinQ light rail system generated over 6,000 jobs: 6,000 jobs. In Manchester, the Metrolink expansion facilitated over 3,000 permanent new jobs. In Washington, areas within two kilometres of a light rail stop have eight times the employment density of other areas in that city. This is a project that makes a real difference for our city’s economic future, as well as its transport future, and opportunities for jobs.
The Assembly, of course, is an important avenue to look at scrutiny and to provide for scrutiny of all government functions. We are here to discuss issues of public concern and expenditure. There are many opportunities for questions to be asked in this place and in existing committee processes about the operations of all government projects, including the capital metro project.
There is, of course, a select committee on estimates that will be able to scrutinise the Capital Metro Agency budget allocation and key performance indicators line by line. There is, of course, the opportunity for scrutiny over contracts. Any contract over $25,000 is available online for anyone to read or view and for anyone to ask questions about. That is the type of scrutiny that is already available to anyone willing to do their research.
The government, though, is making it a priority to reach out to the community with information on the operations and delivery of this project. Just two weeks ago I launched a new online presence for the project with extensive information and links on how the project achieves the government’s strategic priorities and the range of activities, contracts and other studies that are now being undertaken.
Capital metro is reaching out to the community. We have engaged heavily and invested heavily in public communications and engagement capacity. The government has invested in the delivery of a strong team that will have the capacity to reach out to the community and give them information and answer questions about the project.
The agency is actively engaging with a broad range of stakeholders, including the MBA, community councils, the Property Council of Australia, the institute of engineers, the Business Council and many more. These are all bodies that have sought out the Capital Metro Agency and asked to be informed, unlike Mr Coe, who seems to be prepared, perhaps deliberately, to stay in the dark so that he can continue to criticise with a certain level of ignorance.
Last week, capital metro’s project director presented to the government’s procurement board and outlined the operations of the agency when it came to government procurement. The project director has presented to the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand on light rail, giving a detailed briefing on the project. So the Capital Metro Agency is reaching out. The Capital Metro Agency is engaging with our community. The government is putting a big effort into putting information online and into the public arena so people can see and understand what is occurring.
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