Page 5505 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 9 December 2009

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It is important to note that this is the foundation element of building a better infrastructure system and is the beginning of a range of issues that must be addressed and a range of solutions that must be provided. The Canberra Liberals have been in intense discussions with industry groups within the ACT and peak bodies on a national level. The Infrastructure Canberra Bill is the first part of a comprehensive solution package we will develop and present to the public as this debate moves forward.

Other areas of reform in infrastructure include options to make procurement processes more efficient, without comprising integrity, and reforms to the planning system to ensure that critical projects are not frustrated by unreasonable delays. Treasury has costed the plan for an infrastructure commissioner before last year’s election. This modest cost should be compared to how much would be saved by having a long-term, independent approach to infrastructure spending.

If the commissioner could identify and produce just a 10 per cent efficiency in infrastructure spending, that would mean $36 million saved just on the Cotter Dam alone. It goes to show what could be achieved with only an incremental saving from the process. The benefits to the city and the territory are immeasurable.

Still the basic facts remain undeniable: infrastructure coordination in the territory under the current system is not well coordinated and has failed to deliver the infrastructure maintenance and accountability that the community deserves and demands. I am presenting an exposure draft of the Infrastructure Canberra Bill for comment today. We have already received many supportive and constructive comments and I hope to receive more as we plan for better infrastructure in the ACT.

Major reform is needed to address the problems of which the GDE gridlock, the airport roads, the dam blow-out, the prison debacle and many more examples stand as daily frustrating reminders. Our bill is a key part of that reform.

Planning—Tuggeranong and Erindale

MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (10.53): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) the ACT Government’s positive commitment to undertake a planning study and master plan for the Tuggeranong Town Centre;

(b) the benefits of integrating transport and urban development planning more broadly;

(c) proposed changes to transport services in the Tuggeranong Valley, including the development of:

(i) park and ride facilities at Erindale; and


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