Page 3547 - Week 08 - Thursday, 18 August 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
It is frustrating and inconvenient to be delayed, we all know, at roadworks. From my point of view—that is, as a road user rather than as a member of the government—the most important reason for timely delivery of road infrastructure is the minimisation of those frustrating and inconvenient delays that can occur. Ensuring that the community are aware of roadworks that may delay their commute is just one of the actions that is planned for by the government when building roads. I believe, however, that infrastructure that provides for a safer, faster and efficient system of roads in the territory is what Canberrans are interested in.
The government delivers its road work programs in spite of those opposite, who have thwarted the government at every step, every kilometre along the way. Of course, Mr Seselja started his grandstanding with the construction of the Gungahlin Drive extension project—the GDE project, as we all know it as. Interestingly, those opposite delayed this project for two years. Let us remember the history. Those opposite used their federal colleagues to force the government to progress the route of the GDE to the east of the Australian Institute of Sport. Everyone in the Assembly knows that this government wanted to build the road on the alignment to the west of the sports institute. But, no, those opposite refused to see the sense of this, and the government was forced to construct the road on its current alignment. And we all know what immediately followed that change of route. Where was Mr Seselja or any of his colleagues then and what were they saying about the timely delivery of road infrastructure?
Delivery of road infrastructure, particularly major road projects, takes time. We all know that not all contingencies can be planned for. Weather is the most obvious example of the largely unpredictable. Obviously poor weather can delay construction. Last year was the wettest year in 30 years. This in turn has impacted on road work projects which, as you would expect, has meant major delays. However, the territory is aware of that and has factored in these things in their timely delivery. The Minister for Territory and Municipal Services has touched on other matters that have impacted along the way.
The government recognises these challenges and works diligently with the best interests of the community in mind to overcome the obstacles. It is indeed in the interests of all—road users, the community at large, government and the people who design, plan and build roads—that road infrastructure is delivered on time. No government would work against this intention, and Labor governments certainly have not.
This government understands that the development and delivery of projects take time. For this reason it has been planning the delivery of the Majura parkway for the last six years. The necessary environmental assessments needed to be undertaken—design works, development of cases to support major investments—are demanding. However, when you put in the effort you get good results—not that those opposite would necessarily understand that.
As the minister said, the announcement on 7 July of the shared funding arrangement for the Majura parkway by the ACT and the Gillard federal government was a significant achievement for Canberrans. This announcement will enable the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video