Page 503 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 2018
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continued to engage with businesses in Mitchell and had recognised their demands by “future proofing” a stop at Mitchell. Minister, can you clarify what is meant by “future proofing” to give business owners and employees certainty about public transport infrastructure in Mitchell?
MS FITZHARRIS: I am very happy to take Mr Milligan’s question, although I have answered it on a number of occasions before. Certainly there will continue to be public transport services to Mitchell. Indeed, Mitchell is reasonably well covered now by the provision of bus services. The bus services themselves may change but there will absolutely continue to be bus services available in Mitchell once light rail is operating.
By future proofing we meant that along the stage 1 light rail route there is only one additional stop that is currently being constructed underground for operationalising in the future. It is not currently programmed to be operationalised with the commencement of stage 1 of light rail but it is the only other stop along that route that has the necessary infrastructure and utility work that has been done underground to enable a future stop to be installed fairly simply.
MR MILLIGAN: Minister, don’t you think that the traders in Mitchell deserve a light rail stop during stage 1 of production, given the rates and taxes that these businesses pay and the large number of people who work there?
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, would you like the question repeated?
MS FITZHARRIS: If Mr Milligan could read the question, that would be appreciated.
MR MILLIGAN: I will repeat the question: minister, don’t you think that traders in Mitchell deserve a light rail stop during stage 1 of production, given the rates and taxes that these businesses pay and the large number of people who work in Mitchell?
MS FITZHARRIS: Certainly, having been asked for an opinion, my opinion is that Canberra deserves light rail. It is certainly the case that this side of the chamber was the only side of the chamber to give a guarantee to the Canberra community that, yes, we do deserve light rail. I do not recall once—not once, Madam Speaker—the Canberra Liberals ever discussing a light rail stop. We have been over it on a number of occasions in this chamber, with respect to how much consultation—indeed unprecedented consultation—on the light rail route was underway over the last 5½ years.
It was never the case that there was a confirmed light rail stop in Mitchell. I want to be very clear about that. It is very clearly on the record. It is certainly the case that we have discussions with the Mitchell traders. I welcome their contribution. We remain in discussion with them. The stop at Mitchell is indeed the only stop along stage 1 of light rail that is future proofed.
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