Page 2876 - Week 11 - Thursday, 22 October 1992
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PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE -
STANDING COMMITTEE
Report on New Capital Works Program 1992-93
Debate resumed from 15 October 1992, on motion by Mr Lamont:
That the report be noted.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.50): Madam Speaker, I table the Government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure on the new capital works program for 1992-93. The 1992-93 capital works program was referred to the Assembly standing committee on 21 May 1992 for inquiry and report by early August 1992. The committee received written submissions from groups representing a wide range of community views. These included the ACT Council of Social Service, the Australian Federation of Construction Contractors, the Master Builders Construction and Housing Association and the Youth Affairs Network of the ACT. The committee also questioned officials from relevant ACT government agencies over three half-days of public hearings. On behalf of the Government I would like to thank the committee for their report.
The report covers issues of significant importance to the ACT community. The inquiry undertaken by the committee has provided an opportunity for the Government to listen to concerns expressed, both by the committee itself and by community groups, on issues which directly affect the whole community. In all, the committee made nine recommendations ranging across issues from the size of the capital works program to consideration of improved community consultation and project delivery.
I would like to comment on specific recommendations and expand on the Government's tabled response. The committee recommended that the Government consider a modest expansion of the draft works program to help alleviate the effects of the current recession. The Government shares the committee's concerns regarding employment levels in the ACT and the need to promote economic growth. Accordingly, the Government has acted promptly to take what steps it can to tackle the unacceptable rate of unemployment in the ACT and to stimulate the local economy. Spending on public sector capital works this year will increase by $33m to $219m. This is an 18 per cent increase over 1991-92 expenditure. The additional funding includes the impact of the accelerated capital works program announced in February. Overall, the ACT public sector capital works program in 1992-93 will support employment for 3,400 persons.
As recommended by the committee, the Government is continuing discussions with the Commonwealth in relation to the refurbishment of the old Parliament House and the Museum of Australia project. Since the committee's report was made, the Commonwealth has also announced significant new capital works for the ACT. Foremost amongst these works is the York Park project, estimated to cost $187m and create 1,500 jobs. The impact of these additional Commonwealth measures will be significant in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
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