Page 1394 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 2021
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Pond District Park; number 2, new toilets at the play area on the Amaroo side of the pond; number 3, shared path signs indicating pedestrians have right of way on the pathways; number 4, more bins, especially on the Amaroo side of Yerrabi Pond; number 5, extend lighting to cover all pathways around the pond; number 6, more parking to service businesses, the matter we are debating today; number 7, more seats, especially on the Amaroo side of the pond; number 8, dog-doings bags and appropriate signage; number 9, resurface to bridges across Yerrabi Pond; and number 10, water quality. I note that there were another 13 items on the prioritised list, but I will not bother reading further. That provides a good picture in terms of where we need to spend our money, and these items, ranked as being more important, will be the focus of my efforts in the Assembly.
In the meantime, I call upon the Minister for Transport and City Services to focus on the enforcement of the parking rules in the immediate location to ensure that rules are followed by those looking to drive to Yerrabi Pond to relax by the lake, have a meal at a restaurant or attend a dance school so they can do that using a two-hour park spot without worrying that someone has permanently parked their car in it.
We need to look at active travel links between Gungahlin town centre and Yerrabi Pond so that, instead of having to take their lives in their hands crossing Gundaroo Road, people and families can walk or bike safely towards the pond. Alternatively, instead of having to drive they can enjoy the benefits of active travel. Numerous studies have shown the investment in active travel has far greater economic benefit than providing car parking outside of businesses. When you think about it that makes sense. Consumers no longer have to spend their hard-earned money on expensive vehicles built overseas and instead spend it in local businesses, supporting local employment and broadening our local tax base.
People who have walked and cycled are also more likely to stay longer, have a dessert or a second coffee and enjoy the views over Yerrabi Pond while chatting with their friends for a little longer. These are all things that I wish to encourage. This is what Greens want to see for Yerrabi Pond—a quality green space where the community comes together to exercise, talk and play.
MR MILLIGAN (Yerrabi) (4.05): Firstly, I thank my colleague Ms Leanne Castley for bringing this important motion to the Assembly. Leanne has worked really hard to highlight the many issues of neglect in our electorate and also shares my passion for business. The fact that the residents of Gungahlin have been complaining about this issue for many years—the longstanding neglect of Yerrabi Pond, the Gungahlin side in particular—has resulted in a significant community reaction to a petition recently presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly. Strangely, this was heavily supported by local Labor members of the ACT government. That seems highly hypocritical to me, given that it is this Labor-Greens government who are the ones guilty of this neglect.
I thank Ms Castley for raising this matter because the need for more parking in this busy area has never been more evident. Not only has this government approved the construction of five to six multistorey residential apartments in close proximity to this community park but it has also profited significantly from the land sales in our electorate.
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