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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 9 Hansard (17 November) . . Page.. 2564 ..

MS TUCKER: My question is to the Minister for Urban Services. Minister, you would be aware that last year a preliminary assessment was undertaken on behalf of the Government on the route for the John Dedman Parkway linking Gungahlin and North Canberra. The preliminary assessment concluded that the best route for the parkway was option 3, which runs along O'Connor Ridge to the east of the AIS and then across Bruce Ridge to join with Caswell Drive in Aranda. In November last year, your predecessor, Mr Humphries, announced that the Government would not proceed with further assessment of the parkway because the need for the road was still some way in the future. I understand, however, that PALM has been working on a variation to the Territory Plan to delete the other route options that are still shown on the Territory Plan. Could you confirm that your Government is proceeding with a Territory Plan variation to identify the route for the John Dedman Parkway on the eastern side of the AIS and tell us what your timetable is for finalising this variation?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I thank Ms Tucker for her question. One of the concerns that residents of Gungahlin have is that they should have adequate entry and egress routes from that part of Canberra. Clearly, one of the options there is the building of the John Dedman Parkway. I had some briefings recently on the parkway to find out what sorts of population and traffic volumes would be necessary in Gungahlin to bring on the construction of the John Dedman Parkway. The estimate I have been given is some five to 10 years, and I am still considering my options on what we will do with it.

MS TUCKER: I ask a supplementary question. You did not answer my question. I asked whether a Territory Plan variation was being developed to identify the route for the John Dedman Parkway on the eastern side of the AIS. That is what I asked you. Have you actually decided on a route?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, no, I have not decided on a route. Such a decision would have to go through Cabinet and eventually, after consultation, come to this place. As I have said, I have had some briefings on the future of traffic flows and volumes in and out of the Gungahlin area and I am yet to make a decision on those.

MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Urban Services.

Ms Carnell: They have run out of questions on ACTEW already.

Mr Humphries: That is right.

MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, must I put up with the inane ramblings of mad people in this place as we are speaking? I have sat here in silence, Mr Speaker. I would ask those clowns to do the same.

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