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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 3 Hansard (27 May) . . Page.. 651 ..

MR SMYTH: Yesterday, Mr Kaine asked me a question about some roadworks which I took on notice. The first related to the Erindale Drive-Drakeford Drive project, estimated to cost $820,000. This project was approved in the 1997-98 capital works program with funding over two years. The sum of $139,000 was provided in 1997-98 to undertake design work. The design work has now been completed. A review of the Government's priorities has seen the funding period extended from two to three years, with the completion now expected by March 2000.

The other project Mr Kaine asked about was the Monaro Highway, Johnson Drive and Tharwa Drive intersection improvements. This is being introduced in the 1998-99 capital works program which is before the Urban Services Committee at this very moment. The project is estimated to cost $610,000 and is planned to be operational by February next year. This project converts the intersections of Monaro Highway, Johnson Drive and Tharwa Drive into a single roundabout and is partially funded under the Federal Government's black spots program.

I note, Mr Speaker, that this project was actually announced during the election campaign by Mr Kaine. The press release - and it is quite interesting to see the press release - is headed, "Canberra Liberals commit to continue road safety improvements". It raises a question about who will fund this project. I see two possibilities here, Mr Speaker. Either "Canberra Liberals" means the Carnell Government, in which case the money has been happily budgeted for; alternatively, if "Canberra Liberals" now means Trevor Kaine, it would appear that Mr Kaine has promised to fund the $610,000 project. If that is the case, Mr Speaker, I will arrange for an account to be sent to the appropriate address. I table the press release.

MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, I rise under standing order 46. The Government, through Mr Smyth today, seems to want to create a myth about land development in the ACT, saying that there was a glut of land. Indeed, there was. But I want to point out that land releases in the ACT were based on recommendations from what was called, I think, the Indicative Planning Council, a body comprising both government and private sector people. They made the recommendations. It was also done at a time of optimism, quite naturally, and - - -

Ms Carnell: They make the same ones to us.

Mr Humphries: Yes, and we knock them back.

MR WOOD: And I did too, I might say, Mr Humphries. But it was also a period of optimism under the Follett Government. The reason there developed a very significant glut of land was, quite clearly, the slowdown when Mr Howard came to the Federal Government and the ACT stopped. I think that needs to be said.

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