Page 2051 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2018
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not understand is why the minister has actively chosen to undo small but vital aspects of public infrastructure by removing a large number of covered seating and bus shelters in our southern suburbs. With Canberra weather as inconsistent as it is, covered bus shelters provide significant amenity for residents, giving protection from sun, rain and wind, and serve as a welcome refuge for those who commute daily. The removal of covered bus shelters particularly impacts the elderly in our community who welcome covered seating areas when waiting for buses or simply taking a brief respite when they are on a walk. And somehow the government has described these removals as improvements.
I wrote to Minister Fitzharris on 19 February this year, sharing my concerns on behalf of many constituents who have been affected by this irresponsible decision. Yet 3½ months later I am yet to receive a reply from the minister, further highlighting the ACT government’s indifference towards actually following through on its promises.
Madam Assistant Speaker, I draw your attention to one of the strategic objectives of the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate as found within the budget papers. It reads:
The Directorate has a strategic objective of improving the customer experience of public transport and attracting new customers through high quality, friendly and reliable services.
Failure to consistently provide adequate, covered bus shelters with seating directly contradicts this objective and actively discourages the community, particularly the elderly, from using public transport.
If this government cannot get the small, simple things right, how can we trust them with long-term infrastructure that Canberra needs? If we cannot depend on the government to provide necessary and basic essential services, how can we believe the contents of this government’s motion calling for an improvement in services which directly impact the lives of ACT residents?
As for active travel and transport infrastructure, there is enormous room for improvement. It is mainly residents of the inner north and inner south who commute to work by bicycle. The take-up is far less in other urban centres. Part of the problem is that there are not the necessary links between urban centres, and most cyclists do not feel safe using bike lanes on major highways. If active commuting is ever going to be viable for more Canberrans, the links between major centres must be improved.
The government tell us that they are investing in a modern, convenient and integrated public transport network. Yet there have recently been two motions passed in this Assembly calling on the government to urgently improve existing bus services, including school bus services, late-night services, and Sunday and public holiday services. Yet we have not seen any additional funding in this week’s budget to actually provide these services that Canberrans so demand.
This budget saw rates, fees and charges continue to rise. Yet Canberrans are just not receiving the basic local services we deserve. While I welcome the call to action in
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