Page 3576 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 8 December 1992
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West Belconnen - Ginninderra Drive Extension
MS SZUTY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Urban Services, and I informed his office earlier today that I would be asking this question. I refer to Gazette No. 48, dated 2 December 1992, contracts arranged, No. 12,715, West Belconnen-Ginninderra Drive extension and trunk water main. Can the Minister inform the Assembly why a contract of $159,375 was let to Scott and Furphy, Belconnen, on 2 December this year when the draft variation regarding the development of West Belconnen was still under consideration by the ACT Legislative Assembly's Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee and was not finalised until Friday, 4 December?
MR CONNOLLY: I can assure the member that, despite the name of the company, the answer will not be a furphy. Ms Szuty was kind enough to advise my office of this question, which was appropriate, given that it is a matter of detail. The contract was let to that company for the design only of the West Belconnen-Ginninderra Drive extension and trunk water main. That is an item in the approved 1992-93 capital works construction program, as supported by the ACT Assembly's Standing Committee on Planning, Infrastructure and Development and, it having reported, as supported by this Assembly.
No tenders for construction work have been called, nor would they be called until the planning process was complete, although it was considered appropriate to proceed with some design work in anticipation of decisions that may be made. I stress that this item was on the list that was approved by the committee of this Assembly and after its report was given to this Assembly.
MS SZUTY: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Did the Minister note that the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee in its report requested that no work on the West Belconnen extension of Ginninderra Drive take place until the determination of West Belconnen was finalised?
MR CONNOLLY: No physical work will be taking place; but there is some design work being done in anticipation, otherwise we would make a decision and then we would wait 12 months while we are all at the drawing board. The Government proceeds; there is a whole range of projects where planning work is being done in anticipation of future decisions which may or may not be made.
Griffith-Narrabundah Primary School
MS ELLIS: My question is directed to the Minister for Education, and I ask: What action has the Government taken following the concerns expressed by teachers and parents of the Griffith-Narrabundah school regarding the joint campus arrangements and the condition of the buildings?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, some time ago there was concern expressed over the way the joint campus was being run, in view of the difficult circumstances around the school. I recall that Mr Humphries, when he put those two schools together, indicated that there would be a review down the track. I accelerated that review by some months, hence we had a review of the way it was operating. I believe that the review was well done; it was carefully constructed, and we spoke to all parties.
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