Page 3367 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 23 September 2015

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provided to undertake the feasibility work to identify what was required to upgrade the work, the daily traffic volume on Cotter Road in the section between McCulloch Street and the Tuggeranong Parkway was around 15,000 vehicles per day. On 17 September last year, some 16,500 vehicles were using this section of the road. Last Wednesday, 16 September 2015, over 18,000 vehicles used this section of the road. So the time is approaching to upgrade this section of road.

The ACT government has undertaken the necessary planning, design and public consultation over a two-year period so that the construction works are now ready to be considered as part of the next budget cycle. This project will be high on the priority list when this consideration occurs. The ACT government strongly supports the upgrade of this section of Cotter Road and has been working very hard over the last few years to enable it to happen.

In addition to roadworks in the Molonglo area, the government is investing large amounts of money in the road network in other areas. The Gungahlin Drive augmentation will widen three lanes to a 1.6-kilometre section of Gungahlin Drive from the north of Sandford Street to the Barton Highway on the southbound side. An additional signalised left-turn lane will be provided from Well Station Drive onto Gungahlin Drive. The Ashley Drive duplication stage 2 project will duplicate Ashley Drive in Canberra’s south, providing an important link between Ellerston Avenue and Isabella Plains to Erindale Drive. The duplication will aid in easing the increasing traffic demands in the area, particularly by commuters in peak periods. This work follows on from previous duplication during stage 1 of this wider program. I know the local community in Tuggeranong really appreciate that work.

What is more, the Majura Parkway project is due for completion in June next year. This project is 11.5 kilometres long and worth $288 million. It will provide a connection from the Federal Highway to the Monaro Highway via a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction. Another project due for completion next year is the $42 million Constitution Avenue upgrade. Members may have noticed that the trees at this end of the work are beginning to regrow their leaves after winter, and I await with anticipation the sight of this green boulevard when it is completed. The upgrade will deliver infrastructure improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, with a dedicated bus lane in each direction, bus priority at intersections, landscaped verges, lighting and stormwater improvements.

The government supports the duplication of Cotter Road and is heavily committed to road upgrades and maintenance across the territory. I want to refer to Mrs Jones’s earlier comments about government members interacting with their community. The Canberra Liberals seem to feel it is improper for government members to seek the community’s views on infrastructure improvements. They are wrong; it is completely appropriate. I want to congratulate Ms Fitzharris and other government members for the value they put on community consultation. There is clear evidence that their work brings real results.

I will speak briefly to Minister Rattenbury‘s proposed amendment to this motion. The government will not be supporting the amendment even though we support the sentiment expressed in relation to the importance of investment in active and public transport options for residents of Molonglo. As the Minister for Roads and Parking,


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