Page 991 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 24 March 2015
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Add to this the change of bus routes through Manuka and the situation has got worse. Customers are telling traders that since bus routes were changed last year and bus stops relocated, for myriad reasons, it is difficult for some customers, particularly older users of buses, to be able to get easily from the bus stop to the shops they once shopped at and on to a bus route that they are familiar with.
When I raised this in correspondence with Minister Rattenbury last year he told me that under network 14, route 4 was “redesigned” to cover parts of the inner south and it had replaced route 6, which residents tell me they liked because it serviced their needs. Minister Rattenbury went on to suggest that both routes 4 and 5 provide “frequent services to the Manuka shopping precinct”.
That is not the experience of traders in the Manuka and Kingston business district. If it were they would hardly be going to the trouble of circulating this petition and coming to the Assembly today. What they are seeking is the introduction of a lunchtime shuttle service from the parliamentary triangle to Kingston and Manuka shops to make it easier for workers in that area to get to the shops.
Of course, failing to listen to constituents is common practice for this government. It was only last week that Oaks Estate residents were complaining about no buses travelling close to where they lived. They were effectively told that a more than one kilometre walk to the nearest bus should be good enough.
Yarralumla and Oaks Estate residents are both learning that a master planning process and community meetings are not necessarily a two-way information exchange where local views are listened to and taken note of. Those on the proposed light rail route will soon enough get to understand what expedited planning means for them.
I would urge the government to understand the concerns of local business in both Manuka and Kingston and work with them to help them remain viable. That includes access to their businesses by convenient transport and parking options.
Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee
Scrutiny report 30
MR DOSZPOT (Molonglo): I present the following report:
Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee (Legislative Scrutiny Role)—Scrutiny Report 30, dated 23 March 2015, together with the relevant minutes of proceedings.
I seek leave to make a brief statement.
Leave granted.
MR DOSZPOT: Scrutiny report 30 contains the committee’s comments on 27 pieces of subordinate legislation, one government response and one regulatory impact statement. The report was circulated to members when the Assembly was not sitting. I commend the report to the Assembly.
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