Page 2441 - Week 08 - Thursday, 30 August 2007
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handing over bus shelter provisions is that this will free up more money for more buses on more routes more often, which is the main outcome that Canberra residents want.
On the positive side, I hope that these bus shelters are of a design to provide sufficient shelter from wind and rain, as some of these modern designs look good if you are not in them but they do not really shelter people sufficiently. I also hope that the government continues its own program of installing bus shelters. I hope that the department prioritises high traffic areas such as London Circuit. Even the busy stop right outside the Assembly is on the footpath, blocking pedestrian thoroughfare when passengers alight, and it does not have any shelter whatsoever.
In this budget there has been a huge injection into roads and car parking but, as usual, there is very little on the sustainable transport front. Referring to spending on cycling needs, there is provision for cycle paths to be built concurrently with some of the roads that are being built, which is intelligent thinking and I applaud it. However, I note that the existing cycle path network is desperately in need of maintenance spending and upgrading. It used to be one of the best cycle path networks in Australia but it is losing that reputation.
I highlight recommendation No 52 in the estimates report that the government expedite the construction of the new Tharwa bridge. The government’s response that the new bridge is due for completion by the end of 2008 does not really sound to me like it is being expedited. In fact, I think that was the original timetable. If the bridge cannot be built any faster I would like to see other options explored such as a Bailey bridge, which Bracks got the army to install in the flood area of Gippsland and which was used in Hobart when the bridge had to be rebuilt in 1977.
This is a matter or urgency for the residents of Tharwa, although their concerns have been sidelined consistently, as well as being a major deterrent for visitors to Namadgi. While we are talking about Namadgi I take the opportunity to talk about fire trails and fire management. First, I commend the decision to develop a sub-regional fire management plan, which I would like to see developed with real community consultation at a sub-regional level. Second, I note the government’s update on the proposed new fire trails. The Greens were happy that funding for new fire trail construction was not in this year’s budget but they were disappointed that that is still being proposed.
It is sensible to maintain the network of existing fire trails to keep them useful and accessible, something on which I believe we have multi-partisan agreement, but in this day and age constructing new fire trails through wilderness areas is not acceptable. People flock to Namadgi for its breathtaking views, its solitude, the opportunities for family day walks, overnight walks and rock climbing, Outward Bound training excursions, indigenous heritage learning and much more. They do not want fire trails to rip through ridges littered with huge granite boulders and lush vegetation—trails that would spoil views and wild nature in our unique and beloved Namadgi.
If any members have not seen the areas where the fire trails are proposed to be pushed through I suggest that they take a walk with Canberra Bushwalking Club which will show them the many special places that the government currently plans to bulldoze.
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