Page 2583 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 11 August 2015

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Avenue, which will support the delivery of capital metro and ongoing development of the public transport corridor. We have seen the public react to the opening of the north and southbound lanes on the part of Majura Parkway that is open now.

Transport for Canberra is complemented by the ACT planning strategy which identifies areas for future urban area development where road infrastructure needs to be planned and delivered in the future. At the national and state level, the ACT government continues to work closely with the commonwealth, state and local governments, including the Canberra Region Joint Organisation, to coordinate cross-border road infrastructure planning and potential collaboration for road infrastructure investment. Those discussions continue on a regular basis now between the councillors from Queanbeyan, the Chief Minister and me.

Roads ACT liaises with the environment, planning and Chief Minister’s directorates in relation to new roads. The majority of road infrastructure associated with new development is managed by CMTEDD. This includes residential development under the direction of the Land Development Agency. The current upgrade of Horse Park Drive to allow for the development of Throsby and Taylor is an example of this. Other projects such as the Majura Parkway and Pialligo Avenue feasibility study are managed directly by Roads ACT.

The Pialligo Avenue feasibility study is one of many that the government does each year. Feasibility studies are used to assess the need for particular works and the impacts construction could have. This process is important for good planning of road works across the territory.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Fitzharris.

MS FITZHARRIS: Minister, you mentioned feasibility studies. What is the reasoning behind the Pialligo Avenue study?

MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Fitzharris for the supplementary. In recent years, the Pialligo and Canberra Airport areas have experienced considerable growth in commercial development and regional road infrastructure investments. In addition, Queanbeyan continues to grow and expand, generating an increasing number of commuter journeys to and from Canberra. All of this growth and development has drawn increased traffic volumes to use Pialligo Avenue.

The feasibility study is required to consider both current and future transport requirements along this key corridor, with particular focus on the following issues which are likely to increase demand for access along the route: the Majura Parkway, opening in 2016; the Kings Highway Queanbeyan bypass; the Brindabella business park; the Majura business park and IKEA store; future land releases; growth in the Queanbeyan area; expansions in Fyshwick, including the Fyshwick link road; and federal funding opportunities for regional investment. The output from this study may assist the ACT and Queanbeyan City Council to develop a joint submission to the federal government’s stronger regions program in 2016-17.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.


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