Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (1 July) . . Page.. 2023 ..

MS CARNELL

businesses to establish and operate ancillary facilities such as a gym, coffee shop, or creche to complement the other offerings of the centre. Tenders for the construction of the centre will be called in the second half of 1999, after the exact details of the building options have been finalised.

Mr Speaker, included in the Government's response to the Committee's concerns is a detailed explanation of the current status of the Territory's Y2k and modernisation program. It highlights the introduction of a common operating system across the ACT Public Service that is Y2k compliant and fully adaptable to incorporate future IT innovations.

The Government acknowledges that existing infrastructure is not Y2k compliant and measures are well underway to changing this with the assistance of InTACT, the Government's information technology provider.

Mr Speaker, a recommendation was also made by the Committee regarding the planning of the Belconnen Town Centre. Specifically, it insisted that the planning process take account of the requirements of surrounding office blocks, the Aquatic Centre and the Belconnen Interchange. The Government acknowledges this need and assures the Committee that all work to be undertaken will be compatible with the outcomes of the master planning process, to be completed later this year.

Mr Speaker, the provision of a safe environment in and around our schools is an accepted part of any education system. For this reason the Government has responded immediately to concerns of the Committee, and the public, about the safety of students as pedestrians at several Canberra schools. Works have already commenced on the upgrade of pedestrian areas around St Clare's, St Edmunds and Daramalan Colleges to provide extra pick up and set down points for students. As well as these alterations, a new bus route servicing the Weston Creek has also been introduced.

The Committee also requested that the Government bring forward its planned expenditure on the rehabilitation of roads in Canberra, specifically referring to proposed roadworks around the airport.

Mr Speaker, the Territory's road network is worth some $2bn and it is imperative that we maintain the value of this asset through a progressive program of road resealing. As the Government's response states, the Department of Urban Services is preparing a program of road rehabilitation for the Territory that will be included in the 2000-2001 Draft Capital Works Program.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .