Page 3596 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014
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MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Planning, Minister for Community Services, Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Minister for Children and Young People and Minister for Ageing) (4.12): I am pleased to speak on this MPI brought by Ms Berry today, on my last day as acting Minister for Capital Metro. The important contribution to this investment makes Canberra one of the world’s most livable cities, in our view. Ms Berry made an excellent case for the importance of investing in light rail to safeguard Canberra’s future and to maintain its title as the world’s most livable city.
I want to comment quickly on a couple of comments that Mr Coe made earlier. He made a comment in regard to me and Ms Berry spruiking for capital metro. I do not think there is anything peculiar about spruiking for capital metro. Planning for all of Canberra’s future transport is incredibly important. To do nothing, as Mr Coe urges, would be, I feel, to fail the Canberra community. I think that is their campaign: “Let’s do nothing about future transport for Canberra. Let’s leave it to someone else.” Mr Assistant Speaker, this government is not prepared to leave future Canberrans in the lurch. Investment in light rail is undoubtedly essential for Canberra’s future prosperity, and I am proud to be part of a government that has a clear vision and commitment to sustainability and livability for its constituents.
I would like to explore some of the many benefits that light rail will bring to the city. Capital metro is clearly not just a public transport project; it is the glue that holds together the government’s urban renewal and sustainability plans. Canberra is a growing and vibrant city. It is the government’s responsibility to sustainably accommodate and plan for this growth, whilst nurturing the city’s identity and creating opportunities for its residents.
To meet this responsibility, the government has a bold vision that sees Canberra as a smart, sustainable city with a strong sense of confidence and a great way of life that can attract visitors, businesses and residents. As a city, we have a lot to offer. We need to capitalise on our strengths and address our weaknesses to ensure that we can compete with other cities.
By committing to capital metro, the government is backing better public transport, backing infrastructure investment in Canberra, backing revitalisation of the Northbourne Avenue corridor, backing smarter land use, backing jobs, and tackling the increasing congestion that threatens to cripple our city. I will take some time to explain how investment in light rail can deliver all of these benefits.
To start with, better public transport depends on frequent, reliable and integrated transport options. Light rail can offer frequent services with a “turn up and go” experience. During peak times, light rail will run every five minutes; and at other times during its operation, you will not have to wait more than 15 minutes. The service will run late into the night, ensuring that hospitality workers and young people have safe transport to get home. Light rail systems are notoriously reliable, with over 97 per cent of services running on time. Light rail will be well integrated with pedestrian and cycling networks, ensuring safe and easy access to stops and vehicles.
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