Page 3395 - Week 09 - Thursday, 24 August 2017
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After this bit of praise for trees, I am trying to say from a budget point of view that I am concerned about lack of funds to increase our tree cover and to adequately maintain the trees we have got. I think we all get complaints from constituents about trees being cut down by TCCS. I appreciate that in most cases it is probably necessary, but there does not appear to be a maintenance program enough to avoid these cut downs or to make sure that trees are planted to replace them.
In conclusion, in general I am pleased with the direction that we are going, particularly from a transport point of view. But I would like to see more green environmental things so that we are building a more sustainable city for us now and into the future.
MR PETTERSSON (Yerrabi) (5.18): I am proud to be part of a government that is and always has been committed to the future of Canberra. This budget demonstrates that commitment and continues in the great Labor tradition of investing in infrastructure. Our government is investing in high quality infrastructure. These are measures that we campaigned on in the 2016 election and they are a large part of the reason why Canberrans voted for this Barr Labor government. Our government is delivering on the promises we made to the community, justifying their support and trust in our vision for Canberra.
I spoke yesterday about how Canberra is growing and how this budget ensures that Canberra will be prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities that the next decade will bring. This budget is about positive outcomes for Canberrans today as well as futureproofing for tomorrow. We will continue to invest in our suburbs and upgrade our roads to ensure that Canberra remains the liveable city it is today.
This government is delivering the largest ever infrastructure investment program this city has ever seen. Over the next four years this government will be investing over $2.9 billion in new facilities and services for Canberrans. This infrastructure program will include upgrading our roads to make sure that Canberrans continue to have a range of transport options available. The budget includes $54 million in road upgrades across the ACT.
I am very pleased to see that $35 million will be going towards roads in my own electorate of Yerrabi. The huge population growth in Yerrabi has tested our existing transport infrastructure. This new funding includes stage 2 of the Gundaroo Drive duplication, along with the replacement of the roundabout at the intersection of Gundaroo and Mirrabei drives, a particularly hot topic for certain residents.
The government will also be investing $57 million to complete the duplication of Horse Park Drive between the Federal Highway and Mulligans Flat Road. We are also allocating $9.8 million to duplicate Aikman Drive between Ginninderra Drive and Emu Bank, an investment that will facilitate greater connectivity with the new public hospital at the University of Canberra. And we are just not upgrading roads; we are also committed to making them safer. That is why we have committed $8.4 million in road safety and maintenance measures, including $6.9 million for road maintenance and landscape features on Majura Parkway and Gungahlin Drive.
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