Page 195 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
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MR STEEL (Murrumbidgee—Minister for City Services, Minister for Community Services and Facilities, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Roads) (5.09): I welcome the opportunity to speak about our city’s largest infrastructure project and the transformation that light rail is bringing. Light rail is a significant investment in the economic development of our city and growth in the business sector. It expands our economic productivity, directly and indirectly creating jobs in our local industries and showcasing our city as the modern and progressive capital it is.
Investment in our transport system reduces congestion and improves the community’s mobility. It improves access to employment and services and ensures that Canberra continues to be a better place to live and do business. Canberra’s light rail is already leading new investment in the corridor through new development projects and the establishment of new businesses that take advantage of the certainty of light rail.
The government acknowledges that the construction activity on a range of important infrastructure projects in Gungahlin has had an impact on businesses in the town centre. The construction of public works often comes with disruption and inconvenience as well as potential impacts that can be sensitively managed. The government has sought to minimise impacts by strategically staging works, coordinating traffic management and providing business support and consultation.
The report on business impact assessment of the ACT government-led construction activities in Gungahlin that was tabled last September identified recent major activities in the town centre and notes that impacts are not always clearly distinguishable from a particular project, rather, they can be the result of a cumulative impact.
The government notes that the report identifies a perception of negative impacts as well as optimism for the future with the works being on balance positive for Gungahlin. The government notes that statistical analysis identifies that the rate of business growth in Gungahlin has continued to be above the average growth rate for businesses across the ACT.
Partnering with the Canberra Business Chamber on the light rail business link program is a demonstration that the government is alert to the opportunities and challenges that light rail construction can bring, and that the government is committed to assisting the business community to access those opportunities and support businesses with those challenges.
The light rail business link program is innovative and is delivering opportunities for businesses to engage with the project. The program works specifically to identify actions to mitigate adverse impacts and provide businesses with support in marketing and promotion during light rail construction.
Since receiving the assessment outcomes and tabling the report the government has already implemented a number of measures that respond to the issues identified. The report identifies the perspective of businesses that customers would need to be encouraged to re-engage with the precinct and to re-establish shopping habits.
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