Page 197 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
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Along with the Canberra community, the government looks forward with anticipation to the commencement of light rail. It is very clear that significant progress is being made on the project. The whole system has now been energised and we have seen the first light rail vehicle arrive at the city terminus under its own power.
From the outset, the government identified an expectation for the delivery of light rail in 2019. As with any complex infrastructure project, risks and weather may affect timing, including the timely completion of testing and commissioning of light rail signalling systems, timing of the final third-party sign-offs. Canberra Metro must obtain a range of third-party certifications for the project, and meeting these obligations will determine when the ACT government can provide the exact date on which light rail will start.
The ACT government is committed to delivering light rail for Canberra, and that is what we are doing. The government is a strong supporter of our local businesses and is continuing to invest in growing our economy for now and the future. Consistent with my comments today, I move:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes that:
(a) the ACT Government is delivering Stage 1 of the city-wide light rail network along with other major infrastructure projects, with wide-ranging benefits to the Canberra community including economic growth, improved amenity, generating employment opportunities and greater levels of investment in the ACT;
(b) significant progress has been made on construction of Light Rail Stage 1 and the Government will continue to update the community on the commencement of light rail services;
(c) the priority for the ACT Government and Canberra Metro is ensuring safety during construction and delivering a quality light rail system;
(d) the Government acknowledges that the construction of light rail, along with other important infrastructure projects, has caused disruption to local businesses and the community;
(e) the Government funded specific communications, industry collaboration and business support programs through the Canberra Business Chamber to support businesses along the light rail corridor;
(f) the report tabled in September 2018 by the Minister for Transport Business Impact Assessment of Government-led Construction Activities in Gungahlin included a number of lessons learnt and stated that a more comprehensive lessons learnt process be undertaken with stakeholders following the completion of Light Rail Stage 1;
(g) infrastructure projects are benefiting directly from lessons learnt during light rail construction and the way the ACT Government engages and supports businesses has changed. For example, work to upgrade the Sydney building and Melbourne building verges was supported by naked fencing so that patrons could see through to the businesses, bespoke signage, fortnightly construction updates, window cleaning and social media videos;
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