[Greens-Media] Airport wins and Canberra loses

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT GREENS MLA DEB FOSKEY MEDIA RELEASE
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7 April 08



 Airport wins and Canberra loses

 ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has pointed out that the Federal Government's
backdown on funding the duplication of Constitution Ave (linking the
city and Russell Hill) looks likely merely to encourage more office
development at Canberra Airport.

"The Federal Government's decision to break a government commitment to
fund the duplication of Constitution Ave rules out investment in public
transport infrastructure where it would be most useful" Dr Foskey said
today.

"It also creates massive traffic challenges for those organisations and
developers planning to rebuild in that area."

"The press today reported that those developments might have to be put
on hold. I'm willing to bet that they'll just join the queue to put
their buildings at the airport instead." 

"We all know that the Canberra Airport Group can pretty well build what
it likes, without having to pay due regard to transport links, other
services, or orderly development."

"The result will be a boom in office buildings at the airport, no decent
public transport, and traffic chaos in the city."

"This not a sustainable vision of development in Canberra for a low
emission world. It is a recipe for higher stress levels, longer travel
times, poorer health and a bigger carbon footprint."

"The Greens understand the need for Federal Labor to cut back on
unnecessary expenditure. Maybe it could start with the tax cuts for
middle and upper income Australians."

"But this investment in infrastructure to support planet friendly
living, is both necessary and urgent" Dr Foskey said.



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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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