Page 2778 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 13 August 2019

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and appearance; and installing new lights and replacing fittings to upgrade lighting to improve safety and visibility.

However, we will continue to work with the community over coming months to confirm which of these upgrades are a priority.

MS ORR: Minister, how will the government work with the west Belconnen community to deliver these upgrades?

MR STEEL: I thank Ms Orr for her supplementary. We will be working with both residents and businesses in west Belconnen to ensure that these upgrades around shopping centres reflect the community’s priorities. Only a couple of years ago, Fraser received funding for a feasibility study on future upgrades which will strongly inform the basis of these future works.

During work on the feasibility study, local traders, leaseholders and businesses, as well as local residents and community groups, were consulted on priorities as part of upgrades. These consultations revealed that there are three key priority areas for the upgrades to the public realm. The provision of shade was one of the priorities, which will be achieved through the planting of new trees in particular. Improvements to the car park were also identified: improving pedestrian safety; undertaking line marking works; and improving lighting, in particular, around the car parking at the shops. The third priority for the community was improvements and enhancements to the landscaping, such as providing new and updated planters and upgrading communal infrastructure such as benches and other street furniture.

The government will use the feedback that we have already undertaken through the consultation process and will continue to consult with the community and businesses in Dunlop and Fraser to ensure that the upgrades can provide improved spaces for people around their local shops and make sure that the suburbs are an even better place to live.

Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

Supplementary answers to questions without notice

Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm

ACT Health—SPIRE project

MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I can confirm that the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm program did start yesterday, with 12 participants.

In relation to questions that I was asked on SPIRE staffing in the ACT Health Directorate, I can advise that the planning phase of SPIRE included staff from ACT Health, Canberra Health Services, Treasury—that is, infrastructure, finance and capital works—and many specialist consultants, including business case specialists, architects, facility planners, urban planners and cost planners.

ACT Health’s infrastructure team and executives, including facility and service planners, all worked on the SPIRE project. The team consisted of up to 12 people at


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