Page 833 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 27 February 2013
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MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, it is very hard to hear.
MR RATTENBURY: The stage 2 upgrade includes the duplication of Ashley Drive from Erindale Drive to Johnston Drive, with a number of intersections in that area being upgraded. These improvements increase the capacity of the road network to feed northbound Tuggeranong traffic onto Erindale Drive.
It is intended that these works will reduce travel times during the peak periods and will also include safety improvements at the intersections along the route. There will also be improved off-road cycle path connections, which will be included as part of the scoping of the works.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, how does the government ensure that priority road projects are included in this capital works program and what processes are in place to deliver the best value for money?
MR RATTENBURY: Thank you, Ms Porter. There is a series of measures that are used by the government to assess what becomes a priority road project. Roads ACT looks at a number of measures, including, obviously, congestion, growth of new suburbs and then, as we have discussed in recent times, issues such as crash data and other feedback that is provided by members of the public. So there is a whole series of factors that go into assessing where works need to be undertaken.
There is a series of stages. There are one-year construction projects, three-year forward design and five to 10-year indicative priorities for road improvements. That is an ongoing process. That is also guided by advice from the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate. As I mentioned before, they provide advice regarding particularly growth in population, employment levels and the sort of planning kind of issues that you would expect to come out of that directorate.
A project which has been identified as a priority project within the TAMS directorate is put forward as part of the budget process for consideration in the capital works program. That then becomes a matter for budget cabinet. In terms of value for money, that is achieved through project costing. Financial and economic assessments of each project are completed, including an assessment of the risks associated with any of the options. Again, there is a series of steps that are put in place by Roads ACT to ensure that, in the prioritisation of the projects, the resources are delivering the most urgent and most necessary projects.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, can you assure residents surrounding Ashley Drive that traffic flow will be managed while the project is underway to alleviate the need for rat-running through surrounding suburbs?
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