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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 7 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1911 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

With regard to Acton Peninsula, though, it is no secret that those on this side of the house believe that the buildings should be demolished. Mr Berry agrees with us, on the record, that they are eyesores and believes that they are extraordinarily unattractive buildings, but we do not back away from it, Mr Speaker. We believe that that particular site should be used for something of national significance. We believe that having somewhat ageing old hospital buildings that would cost, I think, at the last quote, about $40m or so to refurbish is simply a very bad use of a very important site to Canberra. Certainly, in terms of policy, if that is what those opposite are asking for, although I suspect that it might be out of order if they did, our policy for the site is: Yes, the buildings should be demolished and, yes, it should be used for a site of national significance. We should do that as soon as possible, and we have attempted, against all odds, to do that ever since we came to power.

MS McRAE: I have a supplementary question. Can you explain to this Assembly exactly what is meant by the words, "the buildings should be bombed" because of the "sentimental baggage" associated with the memories of the hospital? Can you confirm that you have absolutely no regard for the people's feelings in regard to that hospital?

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I did not express those opinions that went up on the whiteboard, and I do not think any of my colleagues did; but that is not the issue. We have a very strong policy on this. Yes, we believe that the buildings on Acton Peninsula should be demolished. Yes, we believe that the site should be used for something of national significance. Yes, we understand that some people feel very attached to those buildings. But we believe strongly that that site is a very important site for Canberra. I think leaving it there with ageing hospital buildings, virtually not used at all now, is probably more tragic for the people who felt wedded to an operating hospital - a hospital that was allowed to run down over many years, and a hospital that was closed under the stewardship of Mr Berry.

MS HORODNY: My question is to the Minister for Urban Services. Mr De Domenico, I have received a number of representations from residents in Owen Dixon Drive in North Belconnen who are greatly concerned about the growing volume and high speed of the traffic in their street. Drivers are using the street as an alternative to the Barton Highway. The residents have put forward a number of complaints to your department and have suggested various traffic management measures to reduce the problem, but have had a very poor and uncaring response from your department. I, therefore, put it to you directly. What are you doing to address the traffic problems faced by residents in Owen Dixon Drive, and generally by residents in North Belconnen, because drivers are using their once quiet streets as back routes from the Barton Highway and Gungahlin?

MR DE DOMENICO: Thank you, Ms Horodny, for your question. I am not aware, personally, of all those letters sent to my department from the people you mention. I have not had any representations come to me from anyone talking about Owen Dixon Drive. Ms Horodny would know that there are local area planning committees all over the place in the ACT.

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