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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (18 June) . . Page.. 1754 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

A related study included in the 1996-97 budget in response to earlier studies and reviews began in March. This study is to identify a preferred route for the intertown public transport system between Belconnen and Civic. That will also review the Gungahlin to Belconnen and Gungahlin to Civic intertown public transport route options. But that is a separate process from the Maunsell study. Mr Speaker, I am not sure it is true to say that Maunsells will run all the way through to September.

Ms McRae: That is what they said in newsletter No. 4. You had better check it. It says it in newsletter No. 4 - September/October.

MR HUMPHRIES: All right; I will take your word for that. I am not saying it is or it is not. I am saying I am not sure about it, but I will take Mr Wood's and Ms McRae's word for that. I am anxious to resolve the matter sooner rather than later. I understand that that is being driven by the participants in the workshop; but, if members have a different view about whether that should occur or not, I would be interested to hear from them. I have not, I confess, greatly intervened in the process of the Maunsell public consultation. I think it is appropriate for governments to stand at some distance from that; but, if members feel this is dragging on for too long, I would be interested in hearing from them and I am very happy to entertain some thought about whether it should be drawn to a sooner conclusion.

MR WOOD: I ask a supplementary question. Minister, can you advise us, whether now or later, of the additional cost of this extension of the work?

MR HUMPHRIES: I cannot do it now, but I will do it later.

MS HORODNY: My question is to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr Kaine. Last November, which was seven months ago, the Government advertised for expressions of interest in establishing two commercially operated truck parking areas in Hume and Mitchell. This was meant to be a solution to the problem of trucks parking in residential areas, as it would provide an alternative parking facility for truck operators, although we pointed out at the time that these commercial truck parks would work only if all the large trucks in Canberra were required to use them. Could you tell us why it is taking so long for the Government to make a decision about these truck parks, or is it the case that these truck parks have proven to be commercially unviable because your new truck parking laws have hardly changed the status quo and the very big trucks will need to be moved out of the suburbs into separate truck parking facilities in Mitchell and Hume?

MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, there were, essentially, two parts to the question - why has it taken so long and is it economically viable? The reason why it has taken so long, Mr Speaker, is that we had to invite public proposals, which we did. We received some response to that. In one case it involves the use of existing leased property at Hume.

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