Page 192 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
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the late launch of the survey website. But after I made representation to the minister, the time line feedback was extended.
Businesses were doorknocked and there was an increased uptake from business owners to provide their input. The next step was actually seeing the report. Tabled in September last year, the impact assessment only reaffirmed what we already knew. Businesses were hurting. They reported profits down by at least 30 per cent, and in some cases more; a dramatic downturn in foot traffic and customers in the Gungahlin town centre; stunted business growth; and more exits than entries into the market. The evidence was in, and the picture was bleak.
What did businesses want from this government? Their recommendations included strategically spreading works over a longer period but limiting them to smaller areas; financial support and compensation for revenue loss; window and facade cleaning; greater certainty about timing and delays in construction; working with landlords to hold rent prices; better signage; fewer road closures. Concern was raised about parking and accessibility, as well as the communication to both business owners and the public, and advance notice of duration of noise-intensive activity. And here we are today in 2019 and these recommendations still ring true.
Realistically, none of this is asking for too much. This is project management 101. Businesses wanted better planning, communication and practical strategies to help them get through in the tough times. When those strategies did not work, they wanted financial support. And they are still waiting. After all, why should private enterprise carry the burden of government projects!
After receiving this report and discussing the outcome with businesses, I followed up with the government again, asking Minister Fitzharris a further 27 questions on notice about how the data was collected, interpreted and presented in the report. But most importantly I asked what she was going to do about it. We want the government not just to acknowledge the impact on businesses but to follow through and do something. Otherwise, what is the point of reports and reviews?
On 13 December 2018 I received a response to those questions. It was the same old, same old from the government: there will be more reports in the future once light rail is finished, and these reports will utilise case studies, literature reviews and primary data. Why, when we already had a report straight from the businesses that were asking loudly and clearly for support, should businesses have to wait any further and why should they tolerate yet another review, yet another report from this government?
The Canberra Liberals knew what was happening to local businesses. We were out there talking to them on a regular basis. Sadly, we are now more than six months on from that original motion and the government is yet to implement a single lesson learnt from their own report.
This motion is calling on the government to acknowledge the reality of the situation. Light rail construction has had a huge and very negative impact on local businesses. This government is late on delivering light rail, and the way the project has been
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