Page 54 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2019
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MR STEEL: I thank Mr Parton for his question and his interest in our government’s $7 million investment in upgrading the public realm at Tuggeranong town centre. We completed stage 1 in mid-2017 and we are now starting construction on stage 2 to create a raised pedestrian zone and low speed traffic environment and off-road cycle lane, improvements to paved areas, outdoor dining areas, improved lighting and more furniture on the street.
We are also replacing the trees on the street. We are increasing the number of trees on the street by 55 per cent. We will be planting fast-growing trees for maximum benefit to the community in a short period of time—around 3.5 to four metres tall at the time of planting. The reason we are doing that is that the existing tree species were shallow rooted, they were invasive and they continued to damage the pavement. This resulted in trip hazards and ongoing representations to the government from the community; costs for repairs to City Services; the trees being too close to underground service lines; and there being an expectation of significant further damage in the future.
MR PARTON: Minister, how many years will it take before the replacement trees are providing similar shade and shelter to those that have been removed?
MR STEEL: I am happy to take that question on notice. That will obviously depend on the species that are being planted. I am happy to come back with some further detail in that regard. But we are increasing the number of tree plantings along Anketell Street to improve the public realm. We know the benefit of trees to the community in creating a cooler climate and making it a much more friendly space for the community to use. That is the objective of our public realm upgrades in Tuggeranong town centre and I am looking forward to seeing those completed around the middle of the year.
MR WALL: Minister, where else in Tuggeranong have healthy trees been earmarked for removal by your department?
MR STEEL: Our government is planting more trees around Canberra: around 600 last year, in the autumn, and a further 70 trees in the springtime. I am looking forward to us planting more trees in the coming year, around 400 trees around Canberra.
Mr Wall: A point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Please resume your seat.
Mr Wall: It is on relevance, Madam Speaker. The question was specifically about where else his department has earmarked healthy trees for removal. I did not ask, in any way, shape or form, about new trees being planted.
MADAM SPEAKER: The minister was 20 seconds into his answer. I am sure he has time to come to that, should he have that information at hand.
MR STEEL: Our focus is not on removing trees. Our focus is on planting more trees, and that is what we are doing.
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