Page 2194 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 3 August 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
More planning is underway to review current clinic models and prepare for future expansion of ACT government vaccination clinics. This will enable us to be ready for the expected increase in COVID-19 vaccine supply in coming months.
Further planning and policy efforts are also focused on improving equity and access to COVID-19 vaccination within high-risk groups such as, as I have previously mentioned, aged care and disability residential care workers. Getting vaccinated provides protection to these recipients of the vaccine and also helps reduce the risk to vulnerable people.
The ACT government is also committed to ensuring equity of access to COVID-19 vaccines to those Canberrans who are less likely to engage with health services. This includes homeless and housing-insecure populations; culturally and linguistically diverse communities; people living with drug and alcohol dependencies and mental health challenges; and people in congregate living arrangements including secure facilities, supported accommodation and refuges.
Canberrans can be confident that the ACT government will continue to deliver a safe and effective vaccination rollout in partnership with the commonwealth, primary care and pharmacies. Thank you to all the health professionals who are part of this incredible effort.
Roads—William Hovell Drive
MS CLAY: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, I have been speaking to many west Belconnen residents who are concerned about the active travel connections between west Belconnen, the town centre and the rest of the city. I have some concerns about the William Hovell Drive duplication, but I am pleased to see that dedicated bike lanes are included as well as an off-road shared path. But on similar trunk roads we have seen quite high rates of accidents for people riding bikes. Can you please advise what infrastructure will be used to separate bikes from cars in the on-road cycle lanes?
MR STEEL: I thank Ms Clay for her question and note her interest in active travel. The ACT government is investing in our road network, including through the duplication of William Hovell Drive, which will be a key road that will service the growing region of Ginninderry but also Molonglo.
As part of that duplication work, the ACT government is taking the opportunity to establish a new off-road shared path connection between west Belconnen, Molonglo and the rest of our shared path network. This seven-kilometre active travel route will run from Drake-Brockman Drive through to Bindubi Street and will actually go beyond the section where the duplication will be occurring, in order to link it through to the rest of our shared path network. It will be an entirely off-road ride from those regions, which will help to improve safety and provide another option for people who are looking to take that route, particularly commuting into the city on a bike. We are hoping that will encourage more people to take it up.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video