Page 3780 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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This government has a vision for a future Canberra and is busily working towards implementing this. The provision of good infrastructure to support transport demands is an example of this, whether it is the planning currently taking place for the light rail project, the revised bus network 14 that has just been launched, the rollout of the strategic cycling and walking network or the construction of important road connections such as Majura parkway or Ashley Drive. The important elements are that they support the economic and social development of the city, that they are managed in an integrated way and result in more sustainable transport options into the future, and that we are able to do them in the context of the ACT’s available budget.
Members will be aware that I have circulated an amendment to Mr Coe’s motion. Some of it picks up directly Mr Coe’s text in places where that is fair enough. As is always my way, I seek to keep as much of the original text as I think is agreeable. Point (f) is probably the substantive addition to Mr Coe’s original motion. It states:
… that the latest traffic assessment in this area shows that Fairbairn Avenue is expected to function adequately upon opening of the completed Majura Parkway in 2016 but, with future traffic growth, improvements to some sections may be required in the subsequent five to 10 year period.”.
The Chief Minister and I have been approached on this issue. We have both looked at it in some detail in light of the representations that have been made to the government. Certainly, the very clear advice to me from Roads ACT is outlined in paragraph (f) of my amendment. I trust that this assures members of the Assembly that the issue has been and remains under active consideration. But at this stage the modelling and the advice to me indicates that, with the opening of the Majura parkway, the capacity is there in the road network.
I note that in terms of the link between the city and the Majura parkway, Morshead Drive is already fully duplicated, and there is an expectation that motorists exiting the Majura parkway southbound may well use Morshead Drive. There is not a direct access ramp, as Mr Coe touched on. This precedes my time in the portfolio. The planning was constrained because of the Duntroon oval at the corner of Morshead Drive and where the Majura parkway will be. There was an inability to bring an exit ramp down to Morshead Drive there.
Certainly, some of the expectation is that traffic exiting south will go onto Fairbairn Avenue but travel towards the airport and then make a right-hand turn onto Morshead Drive and travel to the city along that fully duplicated route. That is part of the expectation that I have been advised on as to the way that traffic will access the city from that once the Majura parkway opens.
With those remarks, I move the amendment that I have circulated. I hope that the amendment addresses the issues, or at least indicates to the Assembly that the issues raised by Mr Coe today are being managed in the way that I have outlined. I move:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes in relation to Majura Parkway:
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