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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-11 Daily Xml
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PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: TONSLEY PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROJECT—STAGE 1 AND 2

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (11:53): I move:

That the 480th report of the committee, on the Tonsley Public Transport Project—Stage 1 and 2, be noted.

The Tonsley Public Transport Project consists of five interrelated projects within the Tonsley precinct. This report covers stage 1 and 2. Stage 1 and 2 increases the capacity of the Tonsley rail line, including reconstruction, resleepering, duplication of Tonsley junction, partial line duplication, electrification and signalling, to enable a future 15-minute electric train service.

The cost of stage 1 and 2 is $18.2 million. The key aims of this project are to improve the accessibility and connectivity of the Tonsley Precinct to the users of the current public transport network; improve the attractiveness and efficiency of the public transport services operating in the precinct and the southern suburbs by offering the ability to transfer between bus and rail services; encourage a modal shift from car to cycling, walking and public transport for those living, working and studying in the precinct; and improved commuter comfort and convenience whilst providing enhanced public safety, security and general amenity for those using the public transport system.

It will also provide accessible stations and an interchange in line with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, and support the Tonsley redevelopment providing attractive public transport services to the redevelopment precinct. The project will be completed by January 2014. Given this, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (11:55): I think it is almost 20 years since I first raised this issue of having an interchange at Tonsley. One of the things that I have learned in parliament is that nothing much happens quickly but I am pleased that this report has been produced. I think it does make a lot of sense to use the Tonsley area as a focal point for transport and interconnection. It is ideally placed and would certainly service people not only from my electorate but others as well, and I think it is great to see that this has reached the point of having some evaluation done. I am not sure how this will fit in with the argy-bargy in the new federal government over the Darlington proposal, but I hope that this project is a worthwhile one in its own right and I fully support it.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11:57): The report to the parliament includes on page 15 the following:

Discussions with the Federal Government have resulted in the reallocation of this surplus funding, both and State and Federal, to the works to be undertaken from the submission in 2013-14.

In the context of the report, it is referring to moneys that have previously been allocated for the Northern Expressway. I bring to the parliament's attention that when Mr Mark Elford provided evidence to the committee on 24 July 2013, which I note was a matter of days before the federal election was called on 4 August 2013, he said as follows:

I bring one thing to the committee's attention. In the actual submission itself, if I can take you to page 15, on page 15 you will see a table with a heading underneath it, Northern Expressway. The second paragraph under that says: 'Discussions with the federal government have resulted in the reallocation of surplus funding, both and state and federal, to the works to be undertaken.' I will clarify that the discussions with the federal government are well advanced, but they are not completed. The text actually says 'have resulted in'; they are well advanced, and I wanted to clarify that to the committee.

I place that information on the record.

Motion carried.

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