Page 1660 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 9 May 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
A well-run health system needs health services to take the load off the hospital system. Many of my constituents have utilised the nurse-led walk-in centres in Belconnen and Tuggeranong, all with rave reviews. One had suffered a sporting injury late at night and required stitches but did not want to clog up an emergency waiting room for a relatively minor cut. He visited the nurse-led walk-in centre and was in and out in 30 minutes, all with professional stitching. This is why I am pleased the ACT government has started construction of a walk-in centre in Gungahlin to help service my constituents right there in Yerrabi.
Part of why Canberra is a livable city is because Canberrans are not stuck bumper to bumper in traffic every single time they leave the house. As Canberra grows, we need to ensure that our transport infrastructure adapts as well. In part, that means reducing our reliance on cars. Our integrated transport system has five new rapid bus services to more efficiently transport Canberrans across our city, particularly in peak travel times.
The first stage of light rail will help do this in north Canberra and Gungahlin. The journey time from Gungahlin town centre to the city will be 24 minutes. There will be 13 stops within the journey. This will completely change how people in the north of Canberra travel. It will reduce congestion along Northbourne Avenue and free up bus services to bring commuters not within walking distance of light rail to their closest stop. The flow-on effect of less cars on the road will greatly benefit those who choose not to catch the light rail. With room on board for bikes, the light rail will encourage a more active and healthy lifestyle for Canberrans.
Gungahlin is one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in Australia. Congestion will only get worse if forward-thinking transport policy is not implemented. Upgrading our roads is just as important. The current upgrades in Yerrabi are vital to ensure the livability of our community. To ensure that roads are safe, they require constant management. Our government resurfaces more than a million square metres of road across the territory. Within Yerrabi, this includes $35 million for stage 2 duplication of Gundaroo Drive. This duplication will see upgrades and the replacement of the roundabout at Gundaroo Drive and Mirrabei Drive with traffic lights, a new four-way signalised intersection at the Federal Highway and Old Well Station Road as well as stormwater works on Flemington and Morisset Roads. Good roads and public transport are vital for Canberra to be a growing and livable city.
A well-funded education system will always be the priority of any Labor government. In my electorate of Yerrabi we are delivering an extra 844 places for students at their local schools. This will be from expansions at Harrison School, Gold Creek School, Neville Bonner Primary School, Palmerston district school, and a new school being built in east Gungahlin. Our government has increased the funding to Canberra schools. This funding is providing a wide range of services for all Canberra school students. This includes upgrades to school buildings across Canberra to ensure the students have the best learning environments possible.
There is more money for equipment upgrades, more funding for administrative staff so that teachers spend more time teaching, and $3 million extra to support students
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video