Page 1562 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 14 May 2019
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week, adding to 290,000 journeys taken on the new bus network over the same period. Light rail is encouraging people who may never have caught public transport before to give it a go.
Additional light rail features and the finishing touches will continue to be phased in. The launch and high patronage figures show how invested the community is in the future of Canberra. Canberra is now better connected with the light rail route from Gungahlin to the city and we are pleased to get on with the work of extending light rail to Woden.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, what work is underway on future stages of light rail, including planning and early works?
MS FITZHARRIS: As members well know, the government took light rail stage 2, from the city to Woden, to the last election. We are now actively working to deliver this next stage of Canberra’s light rail network. Following the federal parliamentary joint standing committee inquiry into stage 2, we now have further clarity on the complex approval process for the parliamentary zone. We will soon make a submission under the commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. We expect that this will lead to an environmental impact study being produced, creating another opportunity for community feedback on the project.
At the same time, Transport Canberra will continue to progress transport, financial, heritage and other analysis in preparation for the design and construction phase of the project. The ACT government has also invested in related infrastructure upgrades, including redesigning the Woden bus station into a modern, integrated transport interchange with an initial $3.5 million investment; investing to improve pedestrian and cycle access; developing options for a future park and ride facility adjacent to Phillip Oval; and considering options for the Yarra Glen roundabout so it can accommodate light rail as it approaches the Woden town centre.
Of course, all of this will be made much easier if federal Labor comes to power this weekend, with their commitment of $200 million for the second stage of light rail, a clear commitment that it is only Labor that is serious about better public transport for our city.
Taxation—rates
MR HANSON: My question is to the Treasurer. Carol is a self-funded retiree. She is struggling to pay her rates bill, which rose from $1,153 in 2013-14 to $2,016 in 2017-18, and land tax, which has increased from $1,142 to $3,044 during the same period. Carol is worried that she will need to go on the pension. Treasurer, why are your policies resulting in a growing number of Canberrans feeling that they have no option but to go on the pension?
MR BARR: In the circumstances that Mr Hanson has outlined, Carol clearly owns more than one property.
Mr Coe: No, she could be renting.
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