Page 1581 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 May 2006
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provisions for footpaths in some suburbs, I see that a number of areas, such as Yarralumla, Forrest and Griffith, are still waiting to see that extent of suburb-wide improvement in the condition of those paths.
Even in an area like Gungahlin—new suburbs with new infrastructure—there are problems. For example, one constituent from Ngunnawal has just written to me and indicated that since 1998 he has been forced to take responsibility for mowing a significant part of a public park to control a potential fire hazard and ensure that the area is safe for children to play in. In addition, the constituent has waged a two-year campaign for the removal of two dead gum trees from a park—I am advised to no avail. It is examples like this that make it clear that there are real problems developing with the maintenance of infrastructure in the ACT.
The number of representations that I have received is consistent with what we have heard today. Clearly, the state of both roads and infrastructure in the ACT is deteriorating. I, like a number of members here, have seen this occur over a long period from when I moved here in the 1970s to 2006. Back in the 1970s, obviously the city was very well maintained, but it is gradually sliding. I am troubled that this is going to get worse and worse, to a point where it is going to be very difficult to restore things to the standard that is reasonably expected.
Just as worrying as the amount of unfavourable comment is the response that we are receiving from the government. This is from a letter:
Roads ACT has assessed the request and advise that the installation (or repair) of a path on this road is warranted in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Urban Services’ Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure … However, given the number of footpath requests already on the program, the relative priorities of requests and the available funding for new footpaths, it is unlikely that the path will be constructed in the near future.
What we are hearing on this is: yes, there are problems there; yes, there is an expectation that these areas are improved, but we just do not have the money. I have just completed some media interviews outside and I was delighted to hear the Chief Minister say that things have all turned around. I know Mr Hargreaves will probably be racing upstairs to get an additional allocation of funds.
I am sure that means that we are going to have a great budget. There will not be the hundreds of public servants thrown out into the street that we were told. We will not see a cut in the standard of service delivery at the hospital. Mr Barr will be able to go home and not have to worry about closing schools. There will be no tax increases. Mr Hargreaves will be able to actually ensure that these footpaths and roads, which he knows have to be built and recognised in accordance with the standards that he observes in his department, actually materialise. It is very reassuring for members here today to know that these problems are about to go away.
I recognise that maintaining the territory’s roads, parks and public spaces is a massive task that requires prioritising jobs. The fact that many of the issues that are raised by my constituents are recognised as problems by the government but are unable to be dealt with because of the lack of resources is quite worrying. Either more resources are
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