Page 2996 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 15 September 2015
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MS FITZHARRIS: Chief Minister, what were some of the outcomes from the Woden business forum?
MR BARR: There was a range of topics raised during the business forum, particularly in relation to the services trade area, the need to encourage more parking turnover and to prevent commuters from parking in that business area. The renewal of the town centre and existing urban renewal projects in the area were also discussed. We had some quite detailed discussions about the next phase of upgrades for the Woden bus interchange, the new pedestrian and bicycle connections that will better link Woden’s public spaces to commercial and community activity.
The forum also discussed opportunities that existed to shape the Woden precinct into a health services hub, leveraging off the hospital and other health services that already exist and using this to attract new businesses into the area.
There was also a discussion of the need to strike the right balance in demographics residing in or near the town centre, with particular support for retirees and opportunities for aged care. We discussed the upgrade of community facilities and assets in Woden and ways the government can help to introduce a greater level of mixed use activity into the services trade area to encourage more business activity in that precinct.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Chief Minister, what has the ACT government done to address the concerns raised by local businesses at the Woden business forum?
MR BARR: I was very pleased to be able to discuss a range of local infrastructure upgrades that the government will be supporting in the Woden-Phillip areas, particularly in relation to a range of municipal service outcomes. This year’s budget delivers more frequent mowing, weed control, tree maintenance and cleaning of bus stops, lakes and ponds in the Woden area. The extra mowing budget will include a surge mowing capacity so that high visibility and high use areas like our major parks and arterial roads in and around Woden get an extra mow if and when they need it. It will also allow more weed removal on road verges, median strips and cycle paths.
We also looked at a range of footpaths, shopfronts and pedestrian crossings within the Phillip services area as part of the walking tour. Minister Rattenbury, through the TAMS Directorate, will be responding to a range of specific issues that were outlined during the walking tour.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, beyond your entourage and the media, how many local Woden residents attended your pop-up cabinet?
MR BARR: Around 100 people attended various events in the town centre. We had ministers meeting with individual constituents. Probably about 80 students were
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