Page 4661 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 19 October 2011
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appropriateness of the current prohibition on the use of segways in the ACT has been completed.
The exemption started on Saturday, 17 September and will remain in place until 30 June 2012. The exemption is quite detailed. It requires any commercial operator, including the current operator, to comply with a number of conditions, particularly conditions in relation to insurance cover to protect users of the devices as well as the broader community and indeed the ACT taxpayer who might otherwise face some further exposure through the nominal insurer.
I think it is the case that there is strong interest in the use of these devices here in the ACT. I know the business has been very well patronised since it first came into operation, and particularly since the exemption was put in place. The exemption has allowed the business to operate for the bulk of the Floriade period. Obviously, as we head into the rest of this beautiful spring season and into early summer, I am very pleased that the exemption has been put in place so that this important and potentially valuable tourist operation can continue here in the ACT.
The fact is that if we are able to provide for bicycles to operate on shared paths here in the ACT with an exemption from the national road rules we should at least consider whether or not it is possible to do the same for segways, and that is something that the review that I have commissioned will help us in reaching a conclusion on.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Can the minister further outline the issues surrounding the use of the segways to support the ACT tourist industry?
MR CORBELL: Again I thank Dr Bourke for the question. I think it is worth making the observation that the use of these devices within the central parliamentary area has been of significant interest to visitors in Canberra. The fact is that there are not many places in Australia where you can use these devices and, obviously, the wonderfully scenic nature of the central basin area serves as a great opportunity for these devices to be used on public land, on what are effectively public road-related areas.
The Seg Glide Ride business, which is the business currently operating in the central basin, is providing an innovative way for visitors to look at and visit the iconic areas of the basin and to view them in a new and different way. The business certainly complements existing bike hire and boat hire business also operating in the central basin area and is another great way in which life is being brought into the basin.
Obviously it is important to recognise that the exemption that has been granted is temporary in nature and it may not be possible for it to be extended. But at least for the duration we have the opportunity for this business to continue its operations whilst we look at the more detailed issues and undertake consultation with other users of that area, such as pedestrians and cyclists, before reaching a final conclusion as to whether or not the exemption can continue or whether it should come to an end.
MRS DUNNE: Supplementary.
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