Page 3900 - Week 09 - Thursday, 25 August 2011
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more sustainable outcome for our city. That is why the government is focusing very strongly on building on the inherent strengths of the polycentric nature of the city.
The government is already making a significant investment in establishing and improving transit corridors which are critical for future growth. The new Gungahlin to city corridor study is already underway, which is investigating light rail as a live option to drive redevelopment of Northbourne Avenue, the major entranceway to the city and a critical boulevard for transit traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. Final proposals are anticipated to be released at the end of this year.
As part of this, the redevelopment of the Northbourne Flats will be an important project in improving the character of Northbourne Avenue, and my colleague Minister Burch, as minister for housing, is focusing very strongly on that project.
As part of the city to Queanbeyan corridor, the construction of bus priority measures on Canberra Avenue and completion of a new Barton bus station on National Circuit will greatly enhance public transit along this corridor. This will build on the investment the government has made on Red Rapid services between the city and Fyshwick as well as options to improve park and ride.
Final design is underway for the Belconnen to city busway, with construction to commence this financial year. This will complete an ANU bus station and bus priority lanes and traffic signal priority on Barry Drive to Clunies Ross Street. (Time expired.)
MR SPEAKER: Ms Le Couteur, a supplementary question?
MS LE COUTEUR: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, in your first answer you mentioned we are planning for a compact, sustainable city. Does that mean the government has ruled out development in Kowen plateau or the proposed Riverview development past Belconnen?
MR CORBELL: Issues relating to Kowen and Riverview are currently under consideration as part of the development of the planning strategy. The government’s preferred outcome will be announced when the planning strategy is released in relation to those two sites.
Transport—sustainability
MS BRESNAN: My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development and concerns sustainable transport in the ACT. Minister, I refer to the most recent survey of motor vehicle use from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released on 23 August 2011. It revealed that since 2007 every state and territory in Australia had recorded a decrease in the average kilometres driven by private passenger vehicles, except the ACT. The ACT is the only jurisdiction where the average kilometres driven in private motor vehicles have increased. Minister, why is transport mode shift in the ACT going in this direction? What existing policies or actions have you identified as contributing to this?
MR CORBELL: I do not think it is right to equate the increase in the total amount of distance driven with transport mode shift. They are two slightly different things.
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