Page 2086 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2018
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MS CHEYNE: Minister, can you expand on what this investment in extra rangers will bring?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Ms Cheyne for the supplementary question. Certainly, there has been significant work underway in domestic animal services over a number of years in response to community feedback and also increased levels of activity in the community. With additional rangers and with rangers whose roles have been upgraded as a result of investments in yesterday’s budget, they are now much better placed to deal with administrative, investigative and animal behavioural issues. As well as providing victim support and public education functions, an extensive education and awareness-raising campaign has been undertaken by domestic animal services.
Madam Speaker, as you are well aware, extensive work was done last year, particularly on legislative amendments and improvements which were supported right across the chamber at the end of last year.
Budget—light rail
MS CODY: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Can the minister please update the Assembly on how the 2018-19 ACT budget supports the development of Canberra’s light rail network?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Ms Cody very much for her question and her interest in light rail, particularly stage 2 of light rail from the city to Woden. Yesterday’s budget supports the development of Canberra’s city-wide light rail network by continuing the development of the extension of light rail from the city to Woden through an additional investment of $10 million for further technical and design work on the second stage of this network.
The budget will also invest a further $2½ million in works to support light rail to Woden. This funding will support the development of business cases for the redesign and build of a new Transport Canberra bus interchange in the Woden town centre. The purpose is to ensure that future bus and light rail interchange plans are well integrated. It will include an upgrade of Parkes Way to improve traffic flow around light rail. This will examine the impact of population growth and development on the existing road network and recommend proposed improvements to Parkes Way. It will also include an investigation of network-wide park-and-ride provisions and opportunities right across the city and the redevelopment of the Yarra Glen intersection with Melrose and Yamba drives to accommodate light rail.
I am pleased to say that the funding will also support a stop to be built on Sandford Street in Mitchell in the following financial year, adding to the stage 1 light rail route.
There is also continued collaboration with the National Capital Authority, and further consultation with the community and stakeholders will continue to be a priority. I note that the government is preparing a submission to the current commonwealth parliamentary inquiry into stage 2 of light rail.
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