Page 1672 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 9 May 2018

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MR BARR: I cannot comment.

Emergency services—communications

MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the minister for emergency services. It relates to the practice of discontinuing the landline service—discontinuing, in fact, the whole operation of the landline service—in properties in the area where NBN is supplied. How is this practice going to impact on our emergency communications system in the event of widespread power outages and mobile telecommunications outages?

MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Le Couteur for her question. What I can say is that the ACT ESA is working across directorates to ensure that we have the appropriate and sufficient responses to emergency calls throughout the Canberra region when we have particular outages such as the one that occurred just the other week.

In regard to planning for the future, we ensure that we work with our telcos to have the opportunity for mobile towers where appropriate. We continue to work with them and the community to ensure communications across the territory.

MS LE COUTEUR: What is the current practice for contacting residents in the event of either power or mobile phone outage?

MR GENTLEMAN: I am sorry, Madam Speaker; I missed the first part of the question.

MS LE COUTEUR: What do you do at present in the event of either phone or electrical outage? How do you contact people?

MR GENTLEMAN: ESA has an SMS policy for contacting people regarding outages, particularly in regard to notifications about fires. But in regard to the technical aspects, I would have to take that on notice and come back to the member.

Light rail—stage 2

MR STEEL: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Can the minister update the Assembly on the next steps for light rail stage 2 from the city to Woden?

MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Steel very much for this question and his keen interest, particularly in investment, in Woden.

As promised, this government is building light rail stage 1 and is continuing to develop plans for a city-wide light rail network, starting with light rail stage 2 to Woden. Transport Canberra and City Services is currently undertaking detailed planning for the design, development and approvals for the city to Woden light rail route for our preferred route through Parkes and Barton. These activities include the completion of a precinct approach for refining the design for the diverse urban environments along the preferred alignment; lodging a referral of a proposed action


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