Page 1852 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 June 2016
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A broader, more thought-out response, such as the Canberra Liberals are calling for, that includes a mixture of paid parking, timed parking and also the consideration of permit parking is the long-term tenable solution; not the lazy option, not the short, easy option, not the revenue grab which we saw even outlined in the budget yesterday where parking revenue is expected to climb by in excess of 20 per cent next year. What we are calling for is a well-considered and well-thought-out approach to sort out the parking problems in the Phillip precinct.
You must of course remember that this is a legacy issue from what happened at the Woden town centre. Pay parking has increased in that precinct and the number of spaces available has shrunk. People who work in the Woden precinct have been driven into the suburbs. I have written to the former Minister for Territory and Municipal Services on a number of occasions about the electorate in my suburb, Chifley, which has had a number of no parking signs installed throughout the entire suburb to alleviate the problem of public servants particularly parking in Chifley and walking to Woden. As that has been implemented in one suburb, it has simply shifted the problem to another precinct.
So the approach to fixing Phillip is first and foremost coming up with a long-term solution of achieving the right mix of parking, enforcing the parking restrictions that are in place. It is all well and good to have a sign for two-hour, four-hour, six-hour or eight-hour parking but if it is not enforced the sign is worthless. So enforcement is another key aspect that needs to be considered in Phillip. And, hopefully, we can get a solution that meets the needs of everyone.
I note that there even seemed to be a lack of understanding of what the current parking mix down there is, when both Mr Rattenbury and Ms Fitzharris rose. There is already some paid parking in Phillip. This is not something that the opposition is opposed to, and we recognise that, as part of a balanced parking mixture in any business precinct, there will be the use of some paid parking, as already exists along Melrose Drive and, I believe, behind the emergency services station there, the ambulance and fire station. There is a small pocket of paid parking as well.
I am happy that bringing on this motion today has managed to increase the prominence of this issue, that there is a commitment from those opposite to engage in some further consultation before any further rollout. All I can do is keep a close eye and a watching brief on this to ensure that a good outcome is achieved, if not prior to the election then, should the government be returned—hopefully not the case, but should they be—they hold true to their word and they do achieve that win-win outcome for everyone involved.
Amendment agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
Transport—light rail project contracts
MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.13), by leave: I move:
That this Assembly:
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