Page 2826 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 21 October 1992
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As to costs, I do not have the precise figures with me. It was a matter for some debate between me and the Chief Minister about a year ago. I recall some questions from this side of the house of the former Alliance Government about the cost, and there were arguments about what figures meant what. I will find out what the precise costs have been, if you wish; but that money has been very well spent.
MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question. I would appreciate it if the Minister could come back and tell us what the actual costs were.
Travelodge Site Redevelopment
MR LAMONT: My question is directed to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning. Can the Minister advise the Assembly of the current status of a proposal to redevelop the former Travelodge situated on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Cooyong Street?
Mr Moore: If it had not been for me, it would be office blocks.
MR WOOD: That has a history going back some time. A proposal was made in 1990, I think, to redevelop that site into office blocks. Indeed, I think Mr Moore was the only objector to that proposal. Whether it was economic circumstances or the strength of his objections - which I think he withdrew in the end, but maybe under some sort of understanding or agreement - the proposal has been changed. The motel is to be demolished - seven storeys of it - and an eight-storey building is to be constructed - almost entirely serviced apartments, with some office accommodation at the lower levels. Certainly, it is in keeping with what we see for the Civic area, that is, a higher density of population around Civic, more people near Civic, living and working and participating in activities in Civic. This is a very good proposal in that respect.
Road Signs - Removal of Graffiti
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is to the Minister for Urban Services and refers to the continued failure of the ACT Government to remove graffiti from road signs on major roads into and in Canberra. I ask: When will the Government clean graffiti off, or even replace, road signs on major roads in Canberra so that tourists to the city are no longer confronted with offensive and disfiguring graffiti? Why has the Government still not taken any action, given a previous commitment that action would be taken to remove graffiti, particularly from road signs?
MR CONNOLLY: This is one the Government obviously cannot win on. So long as irresponsible young persons choose to put graffiti on road signs, Mr Humphries will beat the can and say, "The Government has failed to remove the graffiti. Shock, horror!". When we had an MPI on this matter some weeks ago, I made the point that the Government does have a program of cleaning up road signs around the Territory, but we focus first on those where there is a safety aspect. It would be prohibitively expensive for us to give a pledge that we would continually remove every piece of graffiti every next day.
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