Page 2897 - Week 13 - Thursday, 23 November 1989
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However, as recommended by the Estimates Committee, a full review of ACTION is absolutely imperative. This recommendation, if not given urgent attention by the ALP Government, will only hasten community concerns in relation to the cost and efficiencies of ACTION. The Estimates Committee noted that it is some years since there has been an independent assessment of the operations of ACTION. Given that its operations are such a significant budget item and that no review has been undertaken since self-government, the committee considered that an independent investigation should be undertaken into ACTION's cost-effectiveness and ability to meet community expectations. The committee recommendation was that the Government should establish an independent review of the operations of ACTION.
School buses place a heavy demand on available buses at peak hours and greatly add to the problem. School bus runs are another area that could be considered for greater participation by private enterprise. One of the main aims of the Transport ACT strategy is to encourage the use of the public transport system. This aim is to be achieved by a deliberate process of discouraging private commuter vehicles, particularly single-occupant commuter vehicles.
This result is to be achieved in two ways. One is by developing a road system that will favour public transport; the other is to ensure that private vehicle parking is not so attractive once commuters arrive at their destination. As I have already said, I do not know how you can discourage the single-car commuter on the road without having an adverse effect on multi-occupant vehicles, delivery vehicles and other essential vehicle movements.
I accept the need to provide alternative routes for through traffic that currently flows through the centre of the city, although, with the quoted costs of around $1.8m per kilometre for a four-lane divided road and major grade separations costing between $5m and $10m each, I hate to think of the cost of upgrading roads like Limestone Avenue. The strategy also proposed the extension of bus lanes on some arterial roads at the expense of normal commuter traffic, although the use of such lanes by cars with three or more occupants, taxis and hire cars will be explored.
The reduction of available traffic lanes on Barry Drive, Northbourne Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Athllon Drive and Belconnen Way will do little to reduce the number of vehicles on the road but will certainly increase costs to motorists, increase fuel usage, increase pollution and increase the potential for road accidents. Traffic lights will be modified to favour public transport, pedestrians and cyclists. This again is at the expense of commuter traffic. However, when the commuter finally arrives at Civic the main deterrent force of Transport ACT is revealed: parking costs are increased by 50c. This should have a tremendous effect on the parking public! They will all be
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