Page 2090 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 6 August 2014
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I know, for example, that Dr Bourke has been advocating very strongly for a local shopping centre upgrade at Cook, and we are very pleased that this budget delivers progress on that particular project. We are also looking to further invest in the Belconnen town centre, with a variety of land releases and infrastructure programs that will assist the town centre to continue its very impressive recent investment attraction.
It is good to see the private sector also investing in Belconnen. There are a number of projects that are underway that have been facilitated by government infrastructure works that have allowed the private sector to undertake significant investments in the town centre. In the context of urban renewal, I think the Belconnen town centre has certainly demonstrated both its adaptability to change and a very strong private sector investor interest, ensuring that government infrastructure works are leveraging private sector investment.
Those sorts of partnerships, like we have seen between the government and Westfield that have upgraded the Belconnen bus interchange, I think, set a very good example as we move into the upgrades of the Woden bus interchange, which is another key priority for the government. Ultimately we are seeking partnerships for new investments. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Treasurer, how is the government investing in the renewal of the Gungahlin-to-city corridor in the 2014-15 budget?
MR BARR: This transport corridor is clearly a very important part of the government’s overall transport policy which helps to deliver faster, more convenient and more sustainable transport options for this fastest growing and most congested part of our city. Capital metro will of course run in its first stage from the city to Gungahlin along Northbourne Avenue and Flemington Road. It will deliver high quality, reliable and frequent public transport down one of our city’s busiest corridors.
Light rail will certainly provide a competitive alternative to driving and help manage congestion as this particular corridor of population continues to grow. The government has identified the need to undertake some preparatory works in relation to the renewal of this transport corridor. The early enabling works package has been identified as part of the preliminary work associated with the metro project.
Aside from investment in capital metro, as part of the budget the government is investing $20 million over the next two years in renewal of infrastructure in that corridor. The works will improve travel and amenity in the corridor and help for the preparation of the capital metro project. The range of improvements that are funded as part of this package over the next two years include road improvements, footpath improvements, drainage works, intersection works and alignment preparation.
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