Page 1567 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 June 2021
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I should stress that these constituents are agnostic about exactly what remedies are best to solve the issue of traffic management in the area. That is why this petition purposely has a broad scope. The solution may be traffic calming measures, a speed bump or further investment in ACT Policing in the area. But what we need first is a plan. We know there is a problem; we know there has been a problem for some time. We know that constituents in Gordon have been campaigning actively on this issue for some time and have not yet received an adequate response from government.
I am hopeful that this Assembly will resolve to refer the petition to the standing committee and that the constituents that Ms Lawder and I share may see some activity in the area.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Petitions
Fisher—footpaths—petition 18-21
DR PATERSON (Murrumbidgee) (10.13): I seek leave to speak to the petition on footpaths in Fisher.
MADAM SPEAKER: I remind members that the opportunity for people to talk to petitions occurs when we table petitions and responses. We have granted leave to Ms Lawder and we will grant leave to you, but I remind members that that is the time to talk on petitions. Leave is granted.
DR PATERSON: As a local member for Murrumbidgee, I am pleased to support this petition from residents of Fisher in Weston Creek. This is a petition calling on the ACT government to construct a footpath along Ballarat Street in the suburb of Fisher, in the electorate of Murrumbidgee.
The petition has 155 signatures, with signatories noting that Ballarat Street in Fisher does not have adequate footpaths given the amount of vehicle traffic and frequent areas of poor visibility for drivers. The petitioners request that the Assembly direct the relevant ACT government directorate to construct a footpath along the length of Ballarat Street so that residents of Fisher can safely walk the length of the street without walking on the road.
I note that many suburbs in the ACT do not have footpaths, particularly the older suburbs and neighbourhoods. For some quiet streets where there are low levels of vehicles and foot traffic, this may not be a concern. In some instances, this can even be advantageous through the notion of shared streets and safe active streets.
There are concepts that are being promoted and encouraged to create street environments in suburban areas which favour active modes of travel such as walking, combined with traffic calming measures for motorised vehicles. Benefits include a sense of community and social activity as well as passive surveillance, and a myriad of health and environmental benefits from active travel.
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