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.
