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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 1 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 171 ..

MS DUNDAS (continuing):

for residents of Gungahlin in particular has been dragging on throughout the history of self-government.

While the ACT desperately needs some forward thinking and planning on public transport infrastructure, it is inequitable to foist this on Gungahlin alone. Gungahlin residents deserve viable and sustainable transport links on a par with other Canberra town centres. However, Mr Speaker, roads alone will not solve the transport problems in Gungahlin and throughout the ACT. The construction of a new road must be accompanied by a serious attempt to plan to increase non-car transport modes as well.

I agree with Ms Tucker's request to improve the emphasis on non-car transport and encourage alternative transport routes to Gungahlin but believe we should integrate those approaches with construction of a new road rather than requiring a rigid and linear time line for introduction.

Mr Speaker, I would also like to draw special attention to the investigation of a light rail system, an idea the Australian Democrats have supported for many years. A light rail network would present an attractive opportunity for providing the people of the ACT with high-quality, cost-effective transport. However, we would urge caution in simply using the present public transport corridors marked on the Territory Plan, as we believe they currently run through the O'Connor bushland.

This whole issue of the Gungahlin Drive extension is a good example of why the ACT needs an integrated transport strategy. We cannot go on continuously making ad hoc decisions regarding the transport infrastructure of our city. We need to look beyond roads as a quick fix solution to transport and traffic problems. We need to integrate road planning with all other transport planning initiatives to find solutions to travel within the ACT, not just more bandaid measures.

The Australian Democrats call for a territory-wide, long-term, integrated transport strategy. The people of Canberra have suffered for far too long from poor transport planning and ineffective allocation of funds. This transport scheme must include all forms of urban transport, including cycling, walking, a light rail network, bussing and telecommuting. We need to develop a scheme that will focus on the transport needs of the ACT for the next few decades, not just for the next few years.

As part of this re-examination of transport planning in Canberra, I believe that if the Gungahlin Drive extension is constructed the proposed Monash Drive will become redundant. The planned Monash Drive will run through the bushland surrounding Mount Ainslie and will have a devastating environmental impact on the bush capital. If the Gungahlin Drive extension is to be built, we do not need yet another road and should remove Monash Drive from the Territory Plan and instead focus on other road use.

My amendments to Mr Corbell's amendment reflect the points I have just made. An integrated transport plan is a matter of urgency. I, and I hope the rest of this Assembly, will be working to ensure that the development of such a plan becomes a reality in the life of this Assembly.

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