Page 1637 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 10 May 2017

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I would like to put on the record my appreciation for the hard work of the Celebrate Gungahlin Festival committee and all of the volunteers on the day that ensured that the day was a great success. I would also like to thank the organisers for putting our stall next to the Rotary sausage sizzle; it definitely took the sting out of the freezing cold morning.

Gungahlin is well known for its family-friendly neighbourhoods and community-focused atmosphere. It was great to see these crucial qualities for any strong community well represented in this year’s festival. It provided a valuable platform for many small businesses, sports groups and other community groups to engage with residents.

I was pleased to take the opportunity to speak with residents about their thoughts, ideas, and concerns for our region. Concerns included the lack of strategic planning with the current roadworks in Gungahlin, antisocial driving throughout Gungahlin, the safety of road users using the Barton Highway roundabout, and the lack of suburban maintenance in most areas of Yerrabi.

I would like to once again congratulate everyone involved in organising this year’s festival and for providing a fun and relaxed day out.

National Walk Safely to School Day

MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition): (6.59): This evening I wish to highlight the National Walk Safely to School Day, which will be held on Friday next week, 19 May. Now in its 18th year, this national day aims to encourage children to include walking as a part of their daily routine.

The positive impact of a walk outside on our health, fitness and wellbeing is well known and understood, but walking to school also benefits the environment and the community. The event encourages children to walk safely to and from school wherever they can. Participation in the National Walk Safely to School Day also helps to develop road safety awareness in our young people.

Walk Safely to School Day is promoted by the Pedestrian Council of Australia. Some of the objectives of the council include the continual improvement of pedestrian safety, amenity and access; promotion of walking as a legitimate transport mode and an important health and social activity; encouragement of the inclusion of pedestrian safety, amenity and access provisions in all urban and transport planning; and the enhancement of community health and welfare, and particularly the enhancement of the health and welfare of those members of the community who are aged, infirm, disabled, young, socially disadvantaged, tourists or included in any other special interest group, a group of persons under any kind of handicap or disability.

I was pleased to learn that Kaleen Primary School in my electorate of Yerrabi has committed to participating in the National Walk Safely to School Day, as I believe numerous other schools around Canberra have. I hope numerous other schools will also consider ways in which they can get involved in this great initiative. I encourage


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