Page 1332 - Week 05 - Thursday, 18 June 2020
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MR STEEL: I am very pleased that we will be increasing the number of services on the weekend from term 3, and we will be further stepping up the frequency in term 4. Of course, that includes light rail, where we have increased services up to every five minutes during weekdays, during peak times in the morning. We will be starting earlier services on the weekend, from 7 am, with light rail as well, which will make it easier for people who are working on a Sunday to get to work. We will look to continually improve our bus network, going forward.
We have listened to community feedback about the bus network and have made a range of different changes across the city. The fundamentals of the network remain—running 10 rapid services throughout the city and providing the same services on the weekend that run on weekdays. That saw a very significant increase in the number of people using public transport prior to the pandemic starting. There was a 14 per cent increase in February. Of course, we want, at the right time, people to return to public transport, following the pandemic, so that they can experience the benefits of the public transport network and the improvements that I have announced this week.
Public housing—renewal program
MR WALL: My question is to the Minister for Planning and Land Management. The Chief Minister has on numerous occasions reiterated his commitment to the ACT government public housing renewal program. Will you confirm that all developments that are part of this program comply with the Territory Plan and the Planning and Development Act?
MR GENTLEMAN: I am sure they do.
MR WALL: Minister, have any special exemptions been granted or put in place for any development undertaken as a part of the public housing renewal program at any stage?
MR GENTLEMAN: I imagine there would have been. I do not have any detail of that at the moment, but I am happy to take the question on notice and I will come back with further details to the chamber.
MR PARTON: Minister, have any special waivers or conditions been applied to any developments that are part of the public housing renewal program?
MR GENTLEMAN: As I said, I do not have the detail of that before me. It is part of the work that the independent planning authority does, but I am happy to take that part of the question on notice and come back with details for the chamber.
Children and young people—parental contact
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the Minister for Children, Youth and Families. Minister, a Childrens Court magistrate may order frequency and duration of contact between children and their birth parents, but, as noted on page 75 of the Glanfield inquiry report, child protection authorities in the ACT can reduce or limit this contact without explanation. For example, Magistrate Walker’s stipulation for weekly contact
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