Page 541 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 2018
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I am absolutely committed to making sure that this intersection is safe. I have said that in a number of forums in a number of ways, and I say it here again today. I will be extremely disappointed if Mrs Kikkert, as a result of today’s debate, does not at least recognise that this discussion has been had and that there were reassurances given in annual reports hearings last year that the government is seriously considering this. The government simply cannot appropriate money willy-nilly without going through the appropriate processes. As I say, the opposition would be the first to criticise the government if this was the way that the government went about its decision-making process. It would also be fairly unprecedented for motions to pre-empt the discussions of government in the lead-up to each budget.
I support prioritising this particular project. I recognise that we need to do better when we consult with the community about what local area traffic management plans look like. They are extremely well known to members of TCCS, who do this on an ongoing basis right across our city. In effect, what is master planning for improvements to be made is not a prescription for funding immediately, as members will know. But it does provide an indication of where we should prioritise and in what order we should implement improvement measures so that we can look to improve safety on our local roads and at major intersections.
I really hope that this has clarified some of the issues which were raised last year in annual reports hearings and have subsequently been addressed in previous questions on notice and written correspondence. I look forward to updating members on the outcomes of budget processes at the earliest opportunity. I move:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes that:
(a) the intersection of Tillyard and Ginninderra Drives was the site of 110 car crashes between 2003 and 2016 inclusive;
(b) 26 of these crashes (or 24 percent) involved personal injury;
(c) nine or more car crashes occurred at this intersection in 2017 (with at least two injury crashes), and at least three more have occurred so far in 2018 (with at least one injury crash);
(d) the ACT Black Spot Consultative Panel in 2010 identified this intersection as a site with a demonstrated serious crash rate and consequently sought Commonwealth Black Spot funding in an attempt to improve it; and
(e) Transport Canberra and City Services Traffic Accident Warrant prioritisation system currently ranks this intersection in the top ten priority intersections;
(2) further notes:
(a) Commonwealth Black Spot Program improvements only funded minor works and did not contribute to larger or more expensive intersection improvements such as the installation of traffic signals;
(b) the ACT Government is in the process of implementing the Residential Street Improvement Program for Tillyard Drive and surrounds; and
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