Page 198 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019

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(h) through the Light Rail Business Link Program, the Government continues to work collaboratively with the local business community and stakeholders to provide communications, industry collaboration and business support programs to mitigate construction impacts to business along the light rail corridor; and

(i) the ACT Government has a Canberra-wide case manager service for new and existing business to assist them to obtain approvals such as for food and liquor, outdoor dining and other relevant permits. This service has worked proactively with business in Gungahlin, for example, impacted by light rail and other infrastructure improvement works; and

(2) calls on the ACT Government to:

(a) continue working with businesses to optimise benefits from Light Rail Stage 1 and the provision of support programs to mitigate construction impacts;

(b) provide a report back to the Assembly on the comprehensive lessons learnt process within six months of the start of light rail services; and

MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (5.16): I thank Mr Milligan for his motion in relation to light rail stage 1 construction and its impacts on businesses in the area. I thank Mr Steel for his comments and for his amendment. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the quality of the work that has been done by Minister Fitzharris in this area.

As Minister for Business and Regulatory Services, I welcome the opportunity to speak about the positive work that the ACT government has been doing in this area to support businesses. Major infrastructure projects like stage 1 of light rail will deliver significant benefit to businesses and to the community along the route once it is complete. This includes economic growth, improved amenity, employment generation, and greater levels of investment. The significant work and the regeneration that are occurring along the corridor are evident, and the excitement is truly being felt.

The ACT government progressed several significant infrastructure projects in the Gungahlin town centre in 2018. These include stage 1 of Canberra’s light rail project, the construction of the new Gungahlin bus station in Gungahlin Place, and the Hibberson Street shared zone.

As is the case with any major public work, there is a level of disruption and inconvenience for the local community and for businesses. While this cannot be completely mitigated, the ACT government, through Access Canberra and through Transport Canberra and City Services, has been very active in ways to reduce the impacts to local businesses and provide information and support to reduce those impacts.

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