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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 11 Hansard (13 December) . . Page.. 2985 ..

MR DE DOMENICO (continuing):

Future development of Canberra Airport is very important, given the implications of planning, land management and infrastructure provision. Therefore, any response to the committee's questions must be set in the context of the overall strategic direction for the ACT.

Mr Speaker, as members will know, the Chief Minister, together with the Commonwealth Minister for Housing and Regional Development, recently announced a joint review of the Territory's metropolitan growth strategy. This review will provide a framework for the wider development of the Territory over the next five to 10 years and must encompass issues such as what, in an overall transport strategy, is the role of Canberra Airport. The examination of the future directions for Canberra Airport must also take account of the impacts of a high speed rail link between Sydney and Melbourne.

The report raises several implications for consideration by the Government, the National Capital Planning Authority and the owner of the airport, currently the Federal Airports Corporation. Several of the issues raised by the committee are currently being addressed in the current master planning exercise being undertaken by the Federal Airports Corporation as a requirement of the National Capital Plan. In particular, it is looking at long-term development options for Canberra Airport. The Government is represented on the steering committee by the ACT Planning Authority and we will refer the relevant points to that committee for its consideration.

Good transport links are essential to Canberra's economic and social wellbeing. As part of our drive to improve these links, we want to ensure that Canberrans derive the maximum value from the airport, which is an important element of the region's business and community infrastructure. There have been some studies undertaken on specific aspects of the airport in the past. In the light of the Commonwealth Government's intention to lease all Federal airports, including Canberra, there is now a need for a comprehensive study and, as members will be aware, this Government has allocated $91,000 in the 1995 budget for this task.

Mr Speaker, the terms of reference for the study have not been finalised. However, it will examine and report on the future of Canberra Airport as a transport and economic entity for the region and enable the ACT Government to determine what involvement it should have in the future lease of the airport and the approach it should take to ensure any such involvement. When the report on this study is received, and also the outcome of the feasibility of a high speed rail link to Sydney is known, the Government will decide how this major gateway to the region can be developed in conjunction with the private sector. The study on the airport is expected to be completed in June 1996.

Mr Speaker, the Government recognises that the ACT has enormous potential to attract visitors, both national and international. We have a unique product, a product that is growing and developing, a product that we are promoting in key international markets. Canberra Airport therefore is a key infrastructure element in that equation. In tabling the detailed response to the report, I would like, once again, to thank the committee for the work it has done.

Debate (on motion by Mr Wood) adjourned.

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