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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 9 Hansard (1 September) . . Page.. 2741 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

prove-up stage is satisfactorily completed, governments can then begin to contract with Speedrail and the environmental assessment and planning processes can commence - jobs.

The fast train is expected to have a domino effect on the development of Canberra and the region - and let us not forget the region. There are a number of projects awaiting the decision of the governments for the development to go ahead. The decision regarding this project will be the most significant for Canberra's development and that of the region into the next millennium.

Decisions about Sydney's second airport would be much clearer once there was certainty regarding the development of the fast train and vice versa. Why not look at both problems together? There are currently 12 million Canberra-Sydney trips in the corridor and Speedrail is hoping to capture 25 per cent of them. Consistent with the travelport concept, the Speedrail station is planned to be in the airport precinct. That would mean that approximately two million to three million passengers would arrive at and depart from the airport precinct each year by rail alone, and that would be without Melbourne being in the Speedrail equation at this stage.

The 45-month construction phase of the $3.5 billion Canberra-Sydney VFT would involve up to 15,000 jobs - I repeat, up to 15,000 jobs - on site and in supplying components and support services. Once in operation the Speedrail service and the flow-on activity would create 1,800 jobs in New South Wales and the ACT and region. With good planning, the construction of the VFT could commence as construction work for the Sydney Olympics winds down, efficiently reorganising resources brought together for the Olympics' construction program.

With services running both ways every 45 minutes and having a journey time of just over 80 minutes, the VFT service would free up an estimated 60 take-off and landing movements at Sydney airport per day. The impact on Sydney airport could be even greater if the fast train serviced an airport that provided a hub for regional services and a second base for international services. The VFT could provide a high-quality service to regional commuters and take them conveniently to any location serviced by Sydney airport. Of course, the option of a Brisbane-Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne link would open up enormous possibilities. Members should all stand and applaud Mrs Carnell for her foresight in leading discussion on this issue. Congratulations, Chief Minister! It is another move forward by the Carnell Government, which is concerned about jobs.

Mr Quinlan: They will still drop you, Harold.

MR HIRD: Canberra Airport would have the potential to help solve many of the problems being experienced at Sydney Airport if the decision-makers were prepared to look beyond the Sydney basin. (Further extension of time granted) The shadow Treasurer interjected. If he were to get into government he would be thinking that this project was great and he would be saying, "Thanks, Mrs Carnell, for giving me those job opportunities". Jobs are what we are about, Mr Quinlan. The combination of Canberra Airport and the fast train service presents a far cheaper option than funding a second airport on a greenfields site in the Sydney basin. I am sure that Mr Quinlan would agree with that. I know that you would, Mr Deputy Speaker.

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