Eastern option for Gungahlin Drive Extension back on the agenda

[Manderson, Roland]

** ---------------------
** You are subscribed to 'GREENS-MEDIA' list as: chris at sw.oz.au
** Maillist Home Page: http://www.altnews.com.au/Greens/
** ---------------------


GREENS MLA KERRIE TUCKER MEDIA RELEASE 
GREENS MLA KERRIE TUCKER MEDIA RELEASE

21 June 2002

Eastern option for Gungahlin Drive Extension back on the agenda

Greens MLA Kerrie Tucker has said the argument between the ACT and Federal
Government over the alignment of the Gungahlin Drive could lead to the worst
possible outcome for Canberra residents and the environment.

"The ALP Government cannot build the western alignment without Federal
Government approval, which they may well refuse to give. Minister Corbell
yesterday said that the Government will have to consider alternative options
if they can't get federal approval. This can only mean the eastern alignment
is back on the agenda" Ms Tucker said today.

"While the ALP promised that it would build the western option, I have
argued all along that neither option was appropriate. They both impact on
the AIS and both impact on Bruce and O'Connor Ridges. They also do nothing
to reduce Canberra's dependence on cars for travel."

"The ALP Government should stop the charade that it can fight the Feds on
this issue and stop wasting money on further consultants' reports. It should
cut its losses and get on with building real alternatives to Gungahlin Drive
that will give more transport flexibility to Gungahlin residents."

"We have consistently called for the Government to -

· Provide more frequent bus services for Gungahlin residents, as well as
remove the zonal bus fare system;
· build bus-only lanes between Civic and Gungahlin to make bus travel faster
and more attractive; 
· upgrade Majura Road and link it across to Gungahlin to provide an eastern
bypass of North Canberra;
· upgrade Gundaroo and William Slim Drives to provide a better link from
Gungahlin to Belconnen;
· encourage more employment in the Gungahlin Town Centre to reduce the
numbers of people commuting elsewhere to work;
· in the longer term investigate a light rail system to link all the town
centres, for which the transport corridors are already marked on the
Territory Plan"  Ms Tucker said.



MEDIA CONTACT ROLAND MANDERSON  62050161


** ---------------------
** Opt-in Maillists and On-Line Conference Forums at URI:
** http://us.altnews.com.au/w-agora/
** ---------------------
** Hosted by Alternative News Network, Cairns, Australia