Page 624 - Week 02 - Thursday, 18 February 2016
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That is an approach that will be welcomed by the National Capital Authority. They are particularly keen to ensure that the landscape quality is restored and enhanced in a very effective and timely way. Rather than plant a lot of tube stock that will effectively see no trees visible along the avenue for a significant period of time, we can provide more advanced plantings that will help to restore the landscape quality sooner and in a way that is viable and in a way that allows those trees to grow and prosper accordingly.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, does the position adopted by your government decrease the viability of these trees when they are planted?
MR CORBELL: Not in any substantial way. Clearly these will be matters that will be the responsibility of Canberra Metro. They will be required to maintain their landscape plantings for the duration of the contract term. If trees fail, they will be required to replace them with new trees of the same size. So if a tree at four metres fails, if it does not thrive and it dies, that tree will have to be replaced, and it will have to be replaced by a tree of the same size. That is the contractual arrangement that we have entered into. We believe it is a very robust arrangement, and it ensures that the beautiful treed avenue is able to be restored and sustained as quickly as possible.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, is it costlier to plant taller trees on Northbourne Avenue?
MR CORBELL: It will be more expensive than relying on tube stock. Nevertheless it has the other benefits that I highlighted earlier. These are factors for balance. These are factors for consideration. I think Canberrans want to see the landscape outcome along the avenue sooner. If there is to be disruption on the avenue, they want to see the landscape restored and enhanced as promptly as possible. That is what this strategy allows us to do.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, what is approximate cost of planting the larger trees compared to planting smaller trees on Northbourne Avenue?
MR CORBELL: I will take the question on notice.
Sport—hall of fame
MR DOSZPOT: Madam Speaker, my question is to Minister for Sport and Recreation. Minister, last week there were reports in the media regarding the ACT sports hall of fame. The article states that you are looking to engage community sports groups to determine the future of the hall of fame and the sports star of the year awards. Given that the media last year reported that the former President of ACTSport had “struck an agreement with the ACT government for the popular hall of fame and
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