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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (6 December) . . Page.. 3740 ..
MR CORBELL (continuing):
Mawson Oval and Mawson Primary School. So let us just be clear about what the minister says and what this government actually does.
The other issue that Mr Smyth raised related to flooding. He said that the flooding issue was one resulting from different infrastructure which has since been upgraded. Indeed, infrastructure has been improved all along the Yarralumla Creek area, including the very important intersection of Melrose Drive, Yarra Glen and Adelaide Avenue - I think it is still called Yarra Glen until it gets to the Mint but I will concede the point. That work has been done. But the flooding issue raised by residents relates not to the area further down at the Melrose Drive - Yamba Drive - Yarra Glen roundabout but to the area immediately behind the houses on Hurley Street. When flooded the water comes up to their back fences and covers the whole area proposed for residential development. That is an issue that should be properly explored by the Planning and Urban Services Committee.
Mr Speaker, we need to make sure that we get planning in this city right. But we need to make sure that planning is also a public activity. We need to make sure that people feel engaged in the process. Mr Smyth derides me for attending public meetings. I am very happy to attend public meetings, I am very happy to speak to residents of the community and I am very happy to articulate their concerns and their issues in this place because, quite frankly, this government is failing to do something.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
MR HIRD (11.54): Mr Speaker, I move:
That this Assembly:
(1) (a) noting the recent statements by the Federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Beazley that the recently announced national roads funding package is a "National Party boondoggle" and that it had "a smell of pork";
(b) the comments by Mr Warren Snowdon, the Member for the Northern Territory, that the level of funding in the package for the ACT was "a sick joke";
(c) the importance of the roads funding package to the ACT in terms of access, road safety and importance to the local economy;
(2) calls on the Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition to write to:
(a) Mr Beazley seeking an assurance from him that a Federal Labor Government will treat the ACT on an equitable basis with other States and Territories with regard to roads funding; and
(b) Mr Snowdon seeking a retraction of his comments.
Like most people in Australia, I was pleased to hear recently that the federal government would be increasing funding for roads. The federal government will be providing $1.6 billion in additional roads funding throughout Australia. Mr John Anderson, the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services, advised on 27 November this year that the money will be allocated to two programs. Mr Speaker, $1.2 billion will be allocated directly to local councils over fours years under the Road to Recovery program
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