Page 836 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 9 March 2016
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are. Mr Rattenbury also noted the improved bus network to Cooleman Court and into the Molonglo Valley, and I support the comments he has made on the improved bus network.
Weston and Weston Creek group centre have also been included as part of the ACT government’s age-friendly program, which is providing improvements to the local footpath network and encouraging the local aged population to be more active. Of course, with the Mirinjani retirement home located in close proximity to the Weston Creek group centre, many residents use the facilities within Cooleman Court on a daily basis. An additional $250,000 is available this year to provide new road crossings, footpaths, seating at rest points and some improvements to existing street and path lighting. Between these three initiatives the government has invested $1.7 million to upgrade the amenity and access to Cooleman Court.
More broadly, I recently announced that at Rivett shops we are investing $360,000 to improve access from the bus stop to the shops with the installation of a new pathway, ramp and stairs; upgraded paving and lighting; improved access from the Burrangiri aged-care facility to the shopping centre; and installation of new public space seating.
This upgrade at Rivett follows upgrades at Chapman. The Chapman shops upgrade, for example, has revitalised the area, providing local residents and traders with a more accessible, vibrant and attractive centre. This upgrade included new street furniture such as seats, a drinking fountain, picnic setting and shade structure, bike racks and bins. There have also been significant improvements to pedestrian access in and around the shops, and we will continue to look at upgrading local shops in the Weston Creek area.
Certainly, Weston Creek group centre is a busy place. Parking and traffic are activities that are managed on a daily basis. Over the years staff in the TAMS directorate have worked closely with residents, businesses and the local community council and will continue to work closely with them to ensure that Cooleman Court and all the local shops in the Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley, as they come online, continue to serve their communities.
Mrs Jones mentioned the Amaroo group centre. I share some disappointment that that group centre has not yet risen from the ground. But I make this point in relation to Mrs Jones’s original motion where she calls for the government to advise when the new group centre in Molonglo will be built. It is a curious pattern from the Canberra Liberals that they often call on the government to do things when they should know full well they are things that are delivered by the private sector. I want to reiterate that group centres are not built by the government. Amaroo group centre, which I was referring to, was released in 2013. It is the private sector that is yet to develop their plans and build up the group centre.
I note the increasing calls from those opposite that the government needs to fix every problem. Of all the parties that claim to have a base with the business community, they are often calling on the government to solve problems that the government needs to work in partnership on with the private sector and the business community.
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