Majura Parkway Go-Ahead. The Federal Government has announced it will provide $144 million towards the cost of the Majura Parkway, matching the ACT Government’s contribution for the major roadway dollarfor-dollar. The Majura Parkway project will create an 11.5 kilometre long duplicated road with seven bridges and three interchanges at the intersections with Fairbairn Avenue, Federal Highway and Monaro Highway.
Long term Infrastructure Plan
unveiled
The ACT Government has unveiled its infrastructure priorities for the next 10 years. The Infrastructure Plan 2011-2021 includes major capital works spending as outlined in the recent budget.
Construction of the long-awaited $288 million project will commence next year and is expected to be completed in 2016. The project will replace the existing Majura Road as the freight bypass around the centre of Canberra.
The big ticket items in the 10 year Plan include the $432 million Government Office Building, forward funding for the Canberra Hospital redevelopment and new services for the Molonglo Valley.
The ACT Government has allocated $144 million from 2012 to fund the first two years of the project which will link the Monaro and Federal highways.
The document was updated just before its release to include the Federal Government’s decision to match the ACT’s spending on the Majura Parkway.
The contract for the first stage of works will be let in mid-2012.
The blueprint contains few surprises but Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said it provides long term certainty for the business community. ACT Treasurer Andrew Barr says the plan also includes important local spending on schools, roads, community health centres and water supplies. “In terms of infrastructure spending, what we’ve seen in the last three or four budgets, really is the peak of investment in Gungahlin.
The NRMA has welcomed the Majura Parkway announcement but wants the construction time halved. “Recommended by Infrastructure Australia and set to be built with monies from our Building Australia Fund, the Majura Parkway will make it easier for Canberrans to get around their city as well as taking trucks off local streets,” Federal Infrastructure Minister Tony Albanese said. “Construction of this new road is an investment in Canberra’s future, with Infrastructure Australia putting its long term economic, social and environmental benefits at close to $1 billion.” ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said the Majura Parkway will see increased accessibility for motorists from Canberra’s north into the city and southern suburbs, as well as an improved distribution of freight traffic.
“There are still a number of projects that need to be completed but our attention in the future has to turn to the Molonglo Valley, and that’s the new development front for the ACT.” Deputy Opposition leader Brendan Smyth said Mr Barr’s comments were revealing. “What Andrew Barr is saying to the people of Gungahlin is that this is as good as it gets.” Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur said there was too much focus on building and extending roads, and very little on public transport.
“This project of national significance will benefit Canberra as a freight hub and Australia’s national capital, but will also improve commute times in and out of Canberra on a daily basis for thousands of people who live and work in the ACT,” Ms Gallagher said.
In her foreword to the Plan Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said, “town centres and villages are core elements of our local communities and require sustained effort to rejuvenate and maintain their amenity.”
Shortly before the announcement, Infrastructure Australia released its annual report to COAG, ‘Communicating the Imperative for Action’, including an updated ‘Infrastructure Priority List’ which listed Majura Parkway as ‘ready to proceed’.
She said the Plan “explores options for closer alignment between longer term infrastructure prioritisation and existing processes. It also discusses opportunities and mechanisms to better integrate climate change considerations into infrastructure development and maintenance.
As a condition of funding, the report suggested that Majura Parkway be tolled, “with a view to ensuring that a reasonable proportion of capital costs, and all of the road’s operational and maintenance costs, are recovered through tolls.” However, both the ACT and Australian Governments have ruled out a toll.
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The Plan is available on the Chief Minister’s website at:
www.cmd.act.gov.au/policystrategic/infrastructure