Page 2819 - Week 08 - Thursday, 11 August 2016
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an electric bus trial earlier in the year as well. Again I think there were some interesting issues with regard to the procurement process for that electric bus trial as raised in estimates and also through questions on notice as part of the estimates process as well.
I think it is interesting to note, of course, the issues with regard to the number of buses and the number of drivers and whether there are going to be any issues with the timetable that is going to be rolled out in late August, later this month. I hope that we get a good transition from the current network to the new network.
I also welcome the introduction of the 254 which was promised last year. It shows that having a bus from a suburb to a final destination rather than having to transfer or interchange is certainly preferable. I think that was clearly demonstrated in the survey that was undertaken and released earlier this year where something like 70 per cent in effect said that having to do a transfer would be a hindrance to public transport usage.
With regard to roads, the opposition are committed to the Cotter Road duplication, to the Horse Park Drive duplication, to Gundaroo Drive, to the Barton Highway flyover and to Ashley Drive and we think each of these roads is a good investment. We believe that they will make a real impact and I am glad that the government has taken most of those on board as well.
There is the ongoing issue with regard to light rail. This budget shows that there is a $375 million capital payment to be made in 2018-19 and then the availability payments start as well. We think this is a huge impost on Canberrans. We think this is not the right transport solution. It was interesting to hear last week Mr Hinder putting forward Labor’s view of the cost of light rail:
You only get the $1.78 billion figure if you add up the cost of every dollar we spend on light rail over 20 years.
That is exactly right. That is what the contract is. $1.78 billion is the total contract and I am pleased that you confirmed it:
You only get the $1.78 billion figure if you add up the cost of every dollar we spend on light rail over 20 years.
I am not sure why he said it was an illusion. It is pretty real and was confirmed, of course, by Mr Hinder in his remarks.
Ms Lawder: The mathematics!
MR COE: Indeed. That is right. I will also touch on the issue of waste and recycling. It is very interesting that the government have come out and made their commitment to a trial of green waste bins. It was somewhat of a shock I think to Minister Corbell and maybe to others when the government made this announcement one weekend. It is certainly a massive change in direction for the government and it will be interesting to see whether the government does in fact make a promise to extend this to other parts of Canberra because I know that a real issue for many people is why this would
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