Page 487 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 16 February 2005
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heritage trail project is being implemented with close linkages to the Murrumbidgee River corridor walking track project to restore and upgrade the Point Hut to Casuarina Sands long distance walking track.
The new walking track network will provide a wide range of walking opportunities for all ages and abilities. I think that in time it will become something that the people of the ACT will utilise very willingly and happily. Most of the surfaces will be natural, though there will be some tracks or trails that will be prepared to a standard to make possible access by prams, strollers and, in some case, wheelchairs.
There are some fantastic views along this part of the ACT. There are tremendous views of the rivers, as well as enhanced opportunities for wildlife to be viewed and enjoyed by residents. Environment ACT, which is very committed to the particular project, is putting an awful lot of energy into testing innovative systems in track construction and track marking and in the development and placement of a whole new range of interpretative media, particularly new signage that is being used to enhance visitor experience in a whole range of areas throughout the ACT. Some of the new technologies that can be implemented in relation to signage are very good, enduring and, we hope, vandal resistant.
I must say that the heritage trail is part of a wide program of work that the government is committed to in relation to the Cotter, Tidbinbilla and those other areas of the ACT that were very savagely impacted upon by the fire. It is our consistent hope that we will, through the recovery work that we are doing in a whole range of non-urban areas of the ACT, develop and provide a real and lasting enhanced legacy for the people of the ACT.
Vehicle fleet operations
MR MULCAHY: My question is to the Treasurer. It relates to the financing of government vehicle fleet operations. In light of advice provided to the Treasurer that the current financier will not be extending arrangements beyond 30 June 2006, what steps have been taken to source a replacement finance mechanism after this time?
MR QUINLAN: I cannot answer that specifically, because I do not know. We have just been in the process of setting up Rhodium, so we have a whole set of lease arrangements there. In turn, it has set up a relationship with Westpac. The member will have to give me more of an inkling as to the point of the question. I am not here with an encyclopaedic knowledge of every deal we have done to be implemented beyond 1 July 2006. I need to know the important stuff and not get bogged down with detail.
MR MULCAHY: My supplementary question is: has the government contemplated disposing of its responsibility for fleet management and outsourcing these services to the private sector?
MR QUINLAN: This government, on most questions, contemplates all the options.
Bushfires—coronial inquest
MR SESELJA: My question is to the Treasurer as minister responsible for the ACT
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