Page 2898 - Week 13 - Thursday, 23 November 1989
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50c poorer. I cannot see many drivers being converted to the public transport system by such an impost. Transport ACT will reduce commuter parking in residential streets around Civic by 40 per cent. It will also become pay parking. However, as pay parking costs increase, so will the incentive to walk the extra distance to unrestricted residential streets. Parking would seem to me to be the key to the commuter traffic in Civic. I accept that parking should not be subsidised and that commuters should pay commercial rates. This would enable private enterprise to enter the market.
Parking controls in residential areas around all major employment centres are required to ensure that residents are not overrun with vehicles. While total bans do not appear to be the answer, I am sure that the problem around Civic would be greatly reduced if parking in the streets concerned lost the financial advantage of the current free parking situation. Other factors under consideration by the Government are the need for developers and leaseholders to contribute to the cost in providing city and town centre access and parking infrastructure. Methods being considered include special area commercial rating, developer levies and developer funded facilities.
I think it would be appropriate to see what is done in other capital cities and review this in some detail before a decision is taken. The Legislative Assembly inquiry into the Canberra Times site highlighted the fact that Civic is below its forecast level for employment. The committee conducting the inquiry was told that there are about 3,000 commuter car park spaces vacant each day, although this figure will be greatly reduced if the 2,000 vehicles that now park in residential areas around Civic are forced to relocate. There are obviously quite adequate facilities for those 2,000 vehicles that now park in residential areas around Civic to come into the city area. I realise the long lead time major work has taken from conception to commission, but we are considering the expenditure of many millions of dollars. In view of the fact that the work force in Civic is only expected to grow by little more than 1,000 people over the next three years, I think we have time to get it right.
The Liberal Party policy recognises that private motor vehicles provide the bulk of commuter and goods transport in the ACT. We consider that this would be unlikely to change. The question of off-street parking is not seen as a government responsibility, and we will encourage private development of parking facilities. While there is a need to review transport in Canberra, Transport ACT does not appear to have its priorities right. If Civic has reached its optimum size, the road system does not require expensive alterations. If car parking facilities are not overloaded, why spend the taxpayers' money? Let us look at the transport and parking disaster at Fyshwick. Let us look at why the existing bus service is not patronised. Let us get our priorities right.
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