Page 1683 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 9 May 2018

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I am pleased that the Gungahlin bus station has now opened. With some final work to be completed on the landscaping of that project, there were recent quite extensive discussions. There are discussions ongoing all the time between TCCS, Canberra Metro and the Gungahlin businesses, particularly at Gungahlin Village and across the road adjacent to the light rail site. There was an extended working day recently approved after significant consultation with local residents and businesses. I will take advice on exactly what was happening yesterday that apparently may have caused significantly increased noise levels.

MR MILLIGAN: Minister, will you commit to the light rail project abiding by the usual noise restrictions that apply to construction projects?

MS FITZHARRIS: I can certainly commit that the light rail project is conducted within the framework of the approvals that it has. I expect that that is the case. If it is not, I will be following it up.

MISS C BURCH: Minister, is stage 1 of the light rail project running on time?

MS FITZHARRIS: Yes, it is.

Schools—Weston preschool

MS LEE: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development. In answer to a question in the Assembly last September you said that a decision on the future of Weston preschool would be determined after discussions had been concluded with the community. Since then your Labor colleague Mr Steel has written to constituents stating that Weston preschool is not closing. However, parents have informed us that Weston preschool has not taken any enrolments this year. Minister, is Weston preschool open or closed?

MS BERRY: To provide some clarity around the situation, the school has not been closed as in shut down completely. There were only a very small number of enrolments at that school, so they have been redirected to another preschool. I think that is what you are inquiring about, Ms Lee. I will double-check that that is the case. If it is different to what I am informing the Assembly of, I will correct the record.

MS LEE: Minister, if the school is not shut down, why have staff been told to remove anything of a personal nature and equipment identified for disposal?

MS BERRY: I suspect, if it is the case that I have just referred to with that school, it is not actually being used at the moment, so it is empty. I will double-check that that is the case for that school, and if the situation is different, I will let the Assembly know.

MR HANSON: Minister, could you provide advice for Weston parents on what options they now have for preschools in their area?

MS BERRY: I understand that that advice has already been provided by the directorate, but I will make sure, if it has not, that it is provided.


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