Page 4557 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 26 November 2019
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permanently. We have listened to that feedback and, from April of next year, as Minister Steel has announced, buses will no longer go along Anketell Street. The town centre will be further revitalised by the existing laneway upgrade project to see Lake Tuggeranong more accessible, with greater accessibility for those who utilise the town centre.
We know that there is a lot of interest in actual, on-the-ground projects at a community level right across the city. The government, through the infrastructure plan, and through the last budget—the last three and the forthcoming budget—will be particularly focused on delivering those local infrastructure improvements, with both new assets and by renewing existing infrastructure right across the city.
MR GUPTA: Chief Minister, how much money is being brought forward for south-side roads in the commonwealth government and ACT government joint infrastructure package?
MR BARR: The commonwealth has announced, following some significant lobbying from the ACT government, that it will bring forward $30 million for the first stage of upgrades to the Monaro Highway. The ACT government will bring forward an additional $15 million. The Monaro Highway upgrades will provide a faster and safer commute for motorists on the south side, with a particular focus on road safety, removing traffic lights, roundabouts and other intersections and replacing them with separated interchanges.
This investment was foreshadowed but it was pushed well into the forward estimates period or even beyond the forward estimates. It is pleasing to see that, as a result of some considerable work within the ACT government, the commonwealth—though the project was initially perhaps overlooked—have belatedly come to the party and brought forward some money for this particular project. The ACT government is, of course, pleased to bring forward our contribution to this important project as well.
It demonstrates that when both levels of government work together, we can achieve good things for our community. We would look forward to the commonwealth making further announcements for the ACT; they have been few and far between in recent years.
Crime—Gungahlin
MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the minister for police. Recent reports of robberies and street violence in Gungahlin are making many Gungahlin residents feel less safe in public and even in their homes. It is reported that children as young as 13 and 14 are part of gangs with names like eshays. They are now carrying weapons in public. Some are banned by police from certain areas of Gungahlin and the city. Minister, what is your plan to tackle the prevalence of youth gangs in Gungahlin?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Milligan for the question. It is a very important question as we see the opportunity for young people to become involved in organised crime, and of course this is why we are investing even more in ACT police so that
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