Page30 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 2 December 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . 2020 Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In response to Petition 18-20
While I appreciate residents’ ongoing concerns about Transport Canberra’s Fraser West Terminus, it is not feasible to stop using the terminus at this time, as it is an essential facility for operating bus services in Belconnen. However, I am advised that Transport Canberra is seeking to identify an additional site for a bus layover in the area, which may allow for a reduction in the number of buses using the Fraser West Terminus in the future.
To address immediate concerns raised by residents, Transport Canberra has:
• reduced the number of buses using the terminus as part of improvements to bus services across Canberra introduced in July 2020. This included a reduction in the number of local bus services starting or ending at the Terminus in peak times, as well as late at night;
• directed bus drivers not to idle buses for longer than five minutes at this location; and
• is making improvements to the terminus to help reduce noise for residents, including changes to landscaping.
I am advised that Transport Canberra has also recently consulted with residents in the area in relation to this issue and have updated the development plans to reflect community comments.
In response to Petition 23-20
The West Belconnen Resource Management Centre (WBRMC) is situated on Block 1586 which lies in the centre of the Ginninderry development, a major land development and release program.
As part of the Ginninderry development this site needs to be closed to undergo rehabilitation and handover to Ginninderry Joint Venture (GJV) for further development of the site into open public space with parkland, sportsgrounds and other suitable features. Landfilling operations for public disposals at the WBRMC ceased on 2 September 2020 to allow rehabilitation and closure of the site.
The rehabilitation of ACT landfills is a mandatory requirement under the Environmental Protection Act 1997 and a strategic commitment of the ACT Government. Currently investigations are being carried out on landfill gas, soil and groundwater conditions that forms the basis of a human health risk assessment. This will inform rehabilitation requirements for the site and what future activities can be undertaken on and surrounding the rehabilitated site. Rehabilitation, capping and ancillary works will be undertaken later in 2020. Subsequently, once the rehabilitation works are complete, and Environmental Protection Authority approval is granted, the site will be handed over to the GJV.
The Canberra Sand and Gravel green waste drop-off facility will continue to operate until mid-2021, however, the licence for the CSG facility will cease on 30 June 2021 to facilitate site remediation and handover to GJV. A longer-term solution for the acceptance of green waste for Belconnen and North Canberra is being investigated as part of Waste Infrastructure Planning. An option of accepting green waste at the Mitchell Resource Management Centre or a new alternate site in North or North/West Canberra is part of these investigations and the community will be kept up to date.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . 2020 Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video