Page 2305 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 12 August 2014
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MADAM SPEAKER: No, the first question may have been about Mr Gentleman’s involvement but the next one is about why has the interchange been removed. So I think that probably leaves it with Mr Barr.
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. In relation to the proposal that was put forward by the LDA, significants elements of the proposal were scaled back from the initial 2010 proposal. As a result of that scaling back, it was deemed that that intersection upgrade would not be necessary at this time. It may well be in the future but the project has been scaled back from 2010 to 2014 and, of course, it will be the subject, as I have indicated before, of about five more rounds of consultation.
It is a project that will take a decade to deliver. So there is not a requirement to make decisions on that road upgrade in 2014. There may well be in the 2020s but at this point in time, given the process that is before us, which includes a number of years of further consultation, and given that the development has been scaled back, that road upgrade is not deemed necessary at this time.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: To the Minister for Planning: what assessment will your directorate do to evaluate what alternative infrastructure improvements will be required to cope with increased traffic through the interchange?
MR BARR: That is mine again, Madam Speaker. Let me clarify for the opposition: the Land Development Agency and I, as Minister for Economic Development, have put forward a proposal at this stage. The planning authority will assess that proposal once it is formally lodged—a clear distinction between a proponent and an independent assessor of the project.
Mr Coe: A point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: There is a point of order. Mr Barr, could you sit down please.
Mr Coe: I do not think the Treasurer’s clarity is required here. The question was to the Minister for Planning: what assessment will his directorate undertake? I do not need to know about what work the LDA is doing. The question was about what work his directorate will do. If it is going to be nothing, he can say that. But it is fairly and squarely a question for the Minister for Planning.
MADAM SPEAKER: On the basis that the question was about what work the directorate for which the Minister for Planning is responsible will undertake, I think the Minister for Planning needs to answer the question.
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Coe for his supplementary question. My directorate will make all the necessary inquiries into what is necessary for the planning of the Yarralumla brickworks in regard to roads. Roads ACT will be involved in that process as well.
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