Page 3620 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR BARR: Under the plan, ACTION—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, come to order.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe!
MR BARR: Under the plan ACTION will stay in public hands, and drivers’ jobs will be secure. The government wants to make our bus network better for everyone. On this side, we recognise that ACTION is a vital public asset. It is owned and loved by the people of Canberra, and this plan makes sure that it stays that way, whilst offering the services that travellers need.
That is why we have commissioned a review from a specialist transport consultancy, to get the most out of our buses. We have released their final report, as well as the government response that outlines progress to date and future directions. A clear finding is that structural change is required to deliver lasting improvements to public transport. That is what we are announcing today. As part of the plan, the government has also released the draft light rail network, to start a community conversation about how light rail can extend right across our territory. So we have outlined a clear, achievable plan to manage traffic and congestion over the next 20 years. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Fitzharris.
MS FITZHARRIS: Chief Minister, why is taking these steps to improve public transport so important for ACT residents?
MR BARR: We are living in a growing city. Over the next two decades our city’s population is projected to increase to over half a million people. How well we respond to this challenge will determine the quality of life for people in Canberra next year, in five years time and in the coming decades. We need to properly plan for and deliver a range of public transport services that meet the needs of our community.
Simply putting all of our eggs in one basket on road infrastructure at the expense of public transport will inevitably lead to worsening congestion for commuters and growing costs. Congestion costs money and productivity and, most importantly, it costs Canberrans time. The less time that is spent on the road, the more time that can be spent at our destination doing what we want to do and what counts, whether that is working, shopping, socialising or spending time with family and friends.
My government is delivering a new public transport direction for our city, a city that has well designed suburbs, that is serviced by a strong public transport network. This plan supports economic development; it supports productivity; it supports lower emissions and improved environmental outcomes; and it supports better services to
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video