Page 1571 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 14 May 2019
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encouraging better use of green spaces. The light rail is an important contribution in Canberra’s response to environmental challenges such as air quality, traffic volumes, congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, how does having more Canberrans taking public transport improve the ACT’s environment?
MR GENTLEMAN: Canberra is one of the great planned cities of the world. We are home to 420,000 people, heading towards 510,000 people in 2030 and 640,000 people in 2050. Canberra is one of the world’s most liveable cities, thanks to its natural and built environments, with over 70 per cent of the ACT preserved as green space. Canberra has the highest car dependence of any major Australian city. Transport is responsible for 34 per cent of the ACT’s greenhouse gas emissions and 11 per cent of the ACT’s particulate pollution emissions.
These figures will continue to grow, harming the environment and our health. As the years progress, light rail will continue to be a positive influence not only on our carbon and pollution footprints but also on economic, health, social and environmental factors. The light rail network will become the backbone of an integrated transport system for Canberra, powered by emissions-free renewable electricity to support the shift to a more sustainable Canberra. The light rail system will help increase public transport use, thus helping improve environmental outcomes for the territory.
MS CODY: Minister, does expanding public transport, including adding more light rail routes, help the local environment?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Cody for her important question. Urban life in Canberra is changing as our population and suburbs grow. Canberra is now known as the bush capital and a smart city, boasting the country’s best natural and urban environments, a highly educated workforce, high labour productivity, modern infrastructure, low business costs and a culture of innovation. We are well placed to compete in this changing global environment and make our city one of the most attractive environments to live in.
The ACT government is committed to giving Canberrans a wider choice of how we live. We are taking action to grow our city while maintaining everything that is great about Canberra, creating new and exciting environments for people to live, work and play in. Light rail for Canberra means improving our public transport system so that it becomes even more convenient, efficient, affordable and reliable. It will bring environmental, social and community benefits to areas by increasing accessibility and encouraging the better use of green spaces. It is our environmental values that we appreciate—some of the world’s very best environmental values and a great city. Light rail is an integral part of achieving those outcomes.
Industrial relations—long service leave
MR WALL: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety. Mental Health Australia has been embroiled in a long-running
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