Page 3860 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 15 December 1992
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Civic Bus Interchange Taxi Rank
MRS GRASSBY: My question is addressed to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr Connolly. Can the Minister inform the Assembly on the use of the Civic Bus Interchange as a taxi rank between 12 midnight and 6.00 am?
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Mrs Grassby for her question. This Government has always taken a holistic approach to crime prevention. We have been talking for some time about crime prevention strategies, and perhaps members opposite have thought that sometimes that has become a bit airy-fairy.
A very concrete example of how a crime prevention strategy can work to address a problem is shown in the recent very swift move to change the arrangements for taxi pick-ups after hours in Civic. As a result of concern about crime in the Civic area, we have taken a range of initiatives, including legislation now before the chamber, an increase in police foot patrols and a move to ensure that taxis will be able to pick up patrons of the late night establishments in the bus interchange. The interchange area in Civic is well lit and is sheltered. It is right in the centre of Civic and on the general beat of the beat squad. They are always wandering past.
I became aware of a problem when I was out there in the early hours of the morning. I did not bump into Mr Stevenson, who usually has a parking problem which I have to acknowledge. Perhaps he had gone. I was aware that there was a problem with large crowds of people congregating at the taxi rank at Bunda Street. It is dark and not well lit there. It is a point where fights often erupt. People skirmish over cabs. Young women in particular, are concerned. When they are waiting to get a taxi home they are being hassled by some blokes who have a bit too much grog under their belt. Moving the taxi rank into the centre of Civic, into the interchange, has proven to be very successful. All reports that I have from police, the taxi industry and the entertainment industry are that it has gone well. It is a good example of a concrete crime prevention proposal which is delivering good results.
I would like to acknowledge, Madam Speaker, the cooperation of the Transport Workers Union in ensuring that things went smoothly. There has traditionally been opposition to the use of the interchange for any purpose other than the buses. That is understandable because cars using the interchange could cause problems to the pavement. Taxis ranking could cause drippage of oil and so forth, leading to some problems. When we put it to the union that this was a crime prevention and community safety issue, we got very swift agreement to introduce the scheme. We will deal with any problems as they arise, but we got swift agreement to introduce the scheme and it is working well.
Bunda Street Taxi Rank
MR STEVENSON: My question is directed to Mr Connolly and concerns taxi parking in the Bunda Street area. Will the Minister have the use of the current taxi stand areas in Bunda Street after 12 midnight reviewed, as they appear to be no longer required to the same degree as they were before?
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