Page 1327 - Week 04 - Thursday, 8 May 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In addition to jobs generated in relation to the design and construction of HIP projects, the program also employs people to undertake the planning, management and coordination of related activities. As at April 2014 2,390,433 man hours have been invested in HIP construction projects, not including support and coordination.
By investing in our people, new health facilities and the latest technology, the HIP will deliver to the people of the territory the right services in the right place when they need them, and stimulate economic and workforce growth well into the future.
In closing, I would like to touch on just one particular infrastructure example and how it will benefit our community. In October 2012 the government announced an election commitment to construct two new ESA facilities, a proposed new Fire and Rescue station in south Tuggeranong and a new combined ambulance and Fire and Rescue station in Aranda.
In the 2013-14 budget the government allocated $17.360 million for the construction of the new station in south Tuggeranong—I reiterate that figure: $17.360 million for the construction of the new station in south Tuggeranong—as the next major step in rolling out our strategy to improve emergency response coverage across the territory. This new station will be built immediately to the south-east of the roundabout intersection of Tharwa and Drakeford drives.
The turning of the first sod for the new south Tuggeranong Fire and Rescue station occurred on 17 February this year and I am advised that the civil works are well underway. This new facility will not only create jobs during the construction phase but it will provide a quality facility to house Emergency Services staff and it will give residents of south Tuggeranong the confidence that, should the worst happen, these vital workers will have the best possible facilities.
The government’s strong commitment to infrastructure is not only creating confidence in the territory; it is creating jobs right across our community.
MR COE (Ginninderra) (3.58): The delivery of infrastructure is certainly extremely important for our economy. I would say that it is in fact one of the roles of government to do so. It is one of the roles of government to deliver things which the private sector are unable to do or it is impracticable for them to do. Public infrastructure, especially by way of public infrastructure on public land, is something that I think is in fact a core business of government.
It is for that reason that you would think that a government that have been in the job for 13 years would be better at it, Madam Assistant Speaker. Given that they have had 13 years of practice, given that they have had 13 years of mismanagement, given that they have had 13 years of problems, you would think that at some point they might indeed learn the errors of their ways.
Of course, the litany of failures in the infrastructure space over the last few years alone would be enough to make us really question whether this government are at all capable of delivering capital works. Every year in the territory budget—and I am sure this year will be no different—we see all the rollovers again. Many millions of dollars
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video