Page 1115 - Week 03 - Thursday, 18 March 2010
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them is designed to enhance safety, convenience and indeed to assist us in our sustainable transport aspirations. It is simply impossible for governments to provide improvements without causing some discomfort or some delay. I regret that there will be concern about plans announced today that work is about to commence on an overdue upgrade of London Circuit and some pavement upgrades of parts of Northbourne Avenue.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Le Couteur, a supplementary?
MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, have you considered helping to solve the traffic problems by opening a park-and-ride facility at Mitchell? In particular, could this be fast-tracked by using the existing overflow car parking at EPIC?
MR STANHOPE: I thank Ms Le Couteur for the question. Yes, the government, in the context of its planning, has given consideration to a park-and-ride at Mitchell and, indeed, has given consideration to park-and-ride facilities at a number of destinations. It will all be detailed in a plan that I will release in the next couple of months.
But, Ms Le Couteur, let me hasten to add that the government, through budget cabinet, is currently giving consideration to projects or infrastructure that it believes should be prioritised in the upcoming budget. Whilst I answered yes, we have active plans for park-and-ride facilities at Mitchell, I need to say that in the context that their delivery will, of course, be dependent upon the availability of funds. But yes, what you say is sensible. It is very much part of the government’s thinking.
MR SMYTH: Supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Chief Minister, I note in this week’s edition of the CityNews that there is a full-page ad about your roadworks. How much did the ad cost?
MR STANHOPE: I will take that question on notice, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Bresnan?
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Chief Minister, have you considered that, if the Mitchell park-and-ride is not open before the Morriset Road extension is built, the traffic problems in north Canberra will be exacerbated?
MR STANHOPE: I thank Ms Bresnan for the question. Most certainly, Ms Bresnan, we believe that park-and-ride facilities and an expanded network of park-and-ride is part of the solution for a significant issue in the territory in relation to achieving modal shift, in achieving a shift from motor cars to other forms of transport. So yes, I accept that—
Mr Coe: What have you done with the transport action plan, Jon?
MR STANHOPE: I just said a minute ago, Alistair. Wake up, mate. Stop dozing.
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