Page 1741 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
I will also be proposing that the motion’s text acknowledges that the government has been undertaking a fairly large process in developing the Erindale master plan, which Mr Seselja has referred to. That process involved considerable community consultation. It included an analysis of parking at Erindale, and it would be remiss in a discussion about parking at Erindale to fail to mention that considerable amount of work that has already been done. The Erindale centre master plan already allows for an extra 1,200 car parks by 2031, which would include surface, structured and underground car parks, and that is almost double the number of existing car parks in the area, which is currently around 1,500.
It is important to note that the Erindale master plan process has established some degree of priority for improvements in Erindale, given that it was based on a large community consultation. This included residents, community groups, lessees, traders, community reference groups, specialist consultants and expert reference groups.
We should be mindful of the impact it would have if we sidestepped this process and prioritised alternative improvements based on the views of a smaller section of the community, in this case some traders in the area and the attendees of the Capital Edge Community Church. In undertaking this investigation, it is important to use an evidence-based approach to examine the utilisation of the existing parking supply in the area, and that will include public and private areas, and to establish whether there is a demonstrated case to support the provision of more parking.
I should note, as I have said before during debates on other parking motions, I am not inclined to support ad hoc requests for parking increases around Canberra. All of these requests need to be looked at carefully and in a greater planning context. There is also a budget context to consider, in that not every request for a new car park can be funded. So we will need to be mindful of prioritising.
Nevertheless, I am quite happy for TAMS to undertake this investigation in consultation with ESDD and JACS and to report back to the Assembly. It is only through undertaking the investigation that we can have the correct answers to some of the questions I have just posed.
In terms of the process, TAMS will do some liaison with the church about their parking situation. I expect TAMS will also do a survey of parking in the area on the weekend and assess the demand. In line with the amendment I have proposed, however, TAMS will examine the parking situation around the broader Erindale group centre area and assess that. The parking near the church does need to be put in the overall context of the group centre, and it is important to consider where is the highest priority for parking.
I would also note some other interesting work happening in the Erindale area that is being led by my directorate and that has arisen through the parliamentary agreement between the Greens and the Labor Party. Erindale will soon have a park-and-ride facility, which is being planned in conjunction with a new major bus station for Erindale. My hope is that this is part of a progression towards improved bus services in the area. Certainly Erindale is flagged as a growing area for bus services in the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video