Page 2409 - Week 06 - Thursday, 10 May 2012
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the number of traffic lights proposed. The government have agreed, saying that they will, as part of progressing the further design of these works, review the need for the number of traffic lights identified in the initial feasibility study covering the upgrade of Ashley Drive. So I thank the government for that, and I am sure those that will be coming out of Isabella Plains, Richardson, Chisholm, Calwell, Gowrie and Monash also look with favour upon a safer environment, for sure, but fewer traffic lights would be welcome.
The second recommendation followed the GTA Consultants report, which said that further work needed to be done “to examine the traffic generating characteristics of Gowrie, Fadden and Macarthur, and assess route choice and alternative routes in the area”. Again, the government has agreed that in relation to the timing the government will undertake a further detailed traffic study to examine the traffic generating characteristics of Gowrie, Fadden and Macarthur. So again I thank the government for that approach.
The third recommendation, which would be dear to your heart, Madam Assistant Speaker Le Couteur, asks the government to explain to the Assembly the compatibility of the proposed works to be encompassed under the Ashley Drive upgrade project with the goals of the ACT sustainable transport plan. The government has agreed and I suspect that might be the only explanation we get; there are about five or six lines saying that the transport plan promotes efficient and safe travel across Canberra and that Ashley Drive as proposed will do that. I do not think we are going to get more detail about bus lanes or cycling or footpaths in regard to the report, but there are six lines there that may whet your appetite, Madam Assistant Speaker, so I am sure you will read that part of the government’s response with great delight.
That said, we will be supporting the appropriation bill this afternoon.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Leader, ACT Greens) (4.43): The Greens will also be supporting this appropriation bill this afternoon, and I note that the report of the public accounts committee on this appropriation bill did recommend that the bill be passed.
I will follow up on some of the comments that Mr Smyth made. This appropriation bill has about $18 million to pay for the outcome of enterprise bargaining arrangements. Of course we need to pay our public servants and acknowledge through their pay how much we appreciate the work that they do for the people of the territory. So we have no issue at all with that part of the appropriation bill.
There were two capital works projects and one was the Malkara hydrotherapy pool replacement. As Mr Smyth said, of course everybody in this place would support such a worthy capital works project. It was about expanding a previous initiative. It was about refurbishment and construction of the new pool at Malkara, and the new pool will provide a modern, safe and therapeutic facility for disabled students and community agencies working with adults with disabilities. The facility will include a larger main pool and spa pool, a new plant room, new toilets and change rooms, and associated amenities. I know that this facility will be used by many in the community and will have great benefits.
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