Page 4203 - Week 13 - Thursday, 27 November 2014
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MR CORBELL: That would depend on whether or not the extent of contamination is greater than what is already anticipated. Those are matters that will be subject to commercial contractual negotiations. Again, these matters are adequately captured in the contingency that has been set out and is on the public record.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, when will the government begin cutting down the trees on Northbourne Avenue?
MR CORBELL: Again, this will depend on the contractual negotiations with the winning bidder. In any event, it will not be the government undertaking that work. It will be the PPP consortium that is successful for the delivery of this project.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, have any ACT companies expressed interest in becoming equity partners?
MR CORBELL: It would not be appropriate for me to comment on which commercial entities may be interested in a partnership in this project, whether in the terms Mr Coe asks or otherwise. These are matters that will be disclosed in accordance with the probity framework for this project.
Transport—light rail
MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Capital Metro. Minister, what is wrong with the ACTION bus system from Gungahlin to the city?
MR CORBELL: The challenge with business as usual along Northbourne Avenue, which is the premise of Mr Coe’s question, is that it fails to acknowledge the significant growth in population that is going to occur along this corridor over the next 20 to 30 years, and the fact that if we continue with business as usual, including the existing arrangements where buses use the traffic lane along with private motor vehicles, the average journey time for Gungahlin residents from Gungahlin to the city will be 50 minutes at peak time by the year 2030.
That is the projection for business as usual. The Liberals may be prepared to say to the people of Gungahlin and the north side of Canberra that that is an acceptable period to wait during peak travel, but we do not believe that is the case. That is why we are making this significant investment to provide a real alternative and to see improvements for all transport users along the corridor, including people in private motor vehicles, who will benefit as a result of a significant investment in public transport that reduces congestion, that encourages mode shift and creates a more sustainable pattern of urban development along the corridor.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
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