Page 2463 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 1 July 2008
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In addition to the Gungahlin Drive extension, the Tidbinbilla Nature Discovery Centre won the environmental management project award for Iqon Pty Ltd. That is a civil environmental project combining landscape and building works that create an education centre for all ages. The government worked closely with the successful firms, the Federal Highway Joint Venture and Iqon, in delivering these two projects that were major winners of Master Builders Association awards.
The government is very pleased that two of its projects, most specifically, the Gungahlin Drive extension project, are regarded and judged by those most intimately involved in construction and development in the ACT as the No 1 project of the year. It is an ACT government project. The Gungahlin Drive extension is the number one civil construction project in the ACT. It is an enormous accolade, something in which we, with due humility, of course, acknowledge our small part.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question.
MS PORTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can the Chief Minister advise the Assembly about the government’s plans to follow up on the success of its future infrastructure program?
MR STANHOPE: Thank you, Ms Porter. Indeed, as is evident through the budget that was passed last Friday, the government is quite clearly committed to growth of the territory, committed to making the city world class and committed to improving the look and the feel of Canberra. We have a proven track record in delivery. Indeed, the Master Builders Association now regards ACT government projects as the best projects that are delivered within the ACT. We now have that status with project of the year. We deliver the best major capital or infrastructure projects of anybody in the territory. We acknowledge that quietly and humbly. That objective industry sector, the Master Builders, has not hesitated in acknowledging that it is ACT government projects that are the best delivered in the territory.
We have every intention of delivering more high-quality infrastructure. Indeed, as members would be aware, having just voted on and agreed to the $1 billion building the future infrastructure program which is a central feature of the budget that was passed this year for 2008-09, in addition to the $1 billion in infrastructure in building the future, there is, of course, the standard ongoing capital works budget, enhanced, too, through this particular budget. It is certainly by far the largest infrastructure program that there has been not just in the history of self-government but, in terms of municipal infrastructure, it is the largest ever.
It was as a result of this government’s good financial management that we have been able to make this very significant investment in infrastructure in the future of the ACT. The government has achieved hard-won gains by pursuing reform and, through those hard-won gains, we are ensuring that the territory is ready to meet the future that awaits us all. The investment program will further increase the productive capacity of our economy, reduce future costs, provide for the continued growth of the economy and give Canberra a competitive edge.
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