Page 1137 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 28 March 2017
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MR GENTLEMAN: I do not have a date for the round table. We are coordinating that with our backbench members at this time. As soon as a date is organised, we will announce it.
Government—infrastructure investment
MR PETTERSSON: I have a question for the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, what are the benefits of the ACT government’s $2.9 billion investment in infrastructure across the territory for job creation and the territory’s economy?
MR BARR: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. The government is making a record investment in infrastructure because we understand that this investment will make our city a better place in which to live over coming decades. Whether it is the light rail project, other transport projects, including roads, cyclepath and footpath upgrades, major investments in health facilities, new hospitals, new schools, upgrading our schools, or revitalising our town centres and suburbs, the government is getting on with the job of building Canberra’s infrastructure.
The largest ever infrastructure investment program will generate jobs for Canberrans and drive our city’s economic growth, all whilst improving the living standards of a growing community. This infrastructure investment program covers important sectors like health and education that also generate long-term improvements in productivity by helping Canberra’s most important asset, our people, to reach their full potential. The local construction sector, which is helping to deliver this record investment, employs around 13,600 Canberrans, around 6.3 per cent of all jobs in the city. Our infrastructure program is creating jobs not only in construction but also in architecture, engineering and finance. The benefits flow through to other local industries through stronger spending and confidence.
MR PETTERSSON: How will the government’s record $2.9 billion investment in infrastructure benefit communities in each of the territory’s town centres and wider suburbs?
MR BARR: There are significant new infrastructure projects underway right across the territory. Of course, stage 1 of light rail from Gungahlin to the city is a very high profile project that has been the subject of a lot of interest in this place. We were very pleased with the election result of last year and the very strong endorsement and the mandate that the government has to deliver that first stage of light rail. We certainly note that those opposite continue with their steadfast opposition to public transport investment. We look forward to delivering stage 2 of light rail. There are two just words that I need to mention—light rail—which get all of those opposite very animated. We look forward to linking stage 2 of light rail to Woden, linking people in that region to the rest of this transport network.
In the meantime we are getting on with a range of other important infrastructure projects, including the redevelopment of Canberra Hospital, a new swimming pool for Weston Creek and Stromlo, and the duplication of Cotter Road. There are upgrades at Gundaroo Drive and Horse Park Drive, as well as the modernisation of Belconnen
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