Taskforce to drive ACT, Queanbeyan transport links

Started by Barry Drive, March 31, 2010, 11:42:29 AM

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Barry Drive

ACT Chief Minister Media Release:

Released 26/03/2010

A new Canberra-Queanbeyan transport taskforce will be established to look at ways to improve transport links between the two cities, including the future development of Canberra Avenue as a major transit corridor.

The announcement was made today by Chief Minister and Minister for Transport Jon Stanhope, Queanbeyan City Mayor Tim Overall and NSW Member for Monaro Steve Whan MP, who agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the taskforce.

The Transport Eastern Regional Taskforce is expected to operate for the next three years and include representatives from the ACT and NSW Governments, regional planning advisers, and transport planning and regulation representatives.

Mr Stanhope said the ACT Government recognised the need for a greater collaboration on road planning and a seamless public transport link between the two cities.

"The ACT Government is serious about improving Canberra's public transport network and a rapid route connection to Queanbeyan is an important part of our long-term planning," Mr Stanhope said. "The new cross-border taskforce will allow our two cities to work more collaboratively and share ideas on addressing our mutual transport needs, including in relation to future road planning and public transport.

"I envisage the taskforce will have a focus on developing Canberra Avenue, over time, as a major transit corridor between Canberra and Queanbeyan with a dedicated bus lane and new park-and-ride facilities. Some of the more immediate strategies, for consideration by the taskforce, could include an extension of the ACT Government's high frequency bus service, REDEX, to the DFO and a new park-and-ride facility at that location."

Cr Overall said it was important to address Queanbeyan's traffic needs of the future - before they become the traffic problems of the future.

"Queanbeyan's population is expected to double over the next 20 - 25 years, which is going to place considerable strain on our transport network unless we see significant improvements," Cr Overall said. "Already more than 20,000, people travel between Queanbeyan and Canberra every day. It makes sense for our two cities to consult more closely on our future transport needs."

Mr Whan said the Federal, New South Wales and ACT governments were already working together to duplicate Lanyon Drive, which connects Queanbeyan, the Monaro Highway and the Hume industrial area in the ACT. He said the taskforce was a continuation of this constructive partnership.

"We have already worked closely with our ACT counterparts on a variety of projects, as residents can see with the current work being done to duplicate Lanyon Drive. This memorandum is about harnessing that partnership so we can ensure the best outcomes for residents in the region."

Today's meeting was also an opportunity to discuss plans for a joint celebration in 2013 of Canberra's Centenary and Queanbeyan's 175th anniversary.

"We must never forget that for the first 75 years of our existence as an urban community, Queanbeyan was the heart of our existence," Mr Stanhope said. "For three-quarters of a century before the creation of Canberra, Queanbeyan was the place where people of this region met, did their business, and lived their social lives.

"Mayor Overall has today agreed that it would be fitting, during Canberra's Centenary year, to enjoy some form of joint celebration that recognises Queanbeyan's much earlier claim on our collective affections."

Mr Stanhope said he was also pleased to agree today to a request from the Mayor to collaborate on a tree-planting, landscaping and beautification project for the Yass Road entrance into Queanbeyan.