An Election Report Card - A comparison of 2001 ALP commitments versus actual performance - as at 1 June 2004

What follows is a “report card" related to the delivery of the commitments, made by the ALP, to the Gungahlin community, prior to the 2001 election. The report card only measures the commitments given by the ALP and not other parties and ballot groups, as it is the ALP who currently holds Government. It is impractical to measure performance of the parties and groups that do not  form the government.

1. Issue as identified in GS 63 - EMPLOYMENT - Demonstrate a commitment to plan and establish an employment base in the Gungahlin Town Centre, comparable to other town centres established throughout the ACT. Provide details of your party's plans to locate a significant government workforce and/ or provide encouragement for private employers to establish employment opportunities in the Gungahlin Town Centre and Mitchell.
   
   ALP commitment - In April 2000 Labor reaffirmed its commitment to developing an employment strategy for the Gungahlin Town Centre. This strategy will allow consideration of incentives, such as stamp duty concessions, to attract employment opportunities. We will relocate the ACTTAB HQ to Gungahlin to provide 30 permanent jobs. ACT Labor will work with a Federal Labor Government to locate a Commonwealth Department in Gungahlin.
   
   GCC assessment of progress - To date the GCC has not been made aware of any employment strategy developed for the Gungahlin Town Centre and/ or Mitchell. The Canberra Spatial Plan fails to identify any strategy that will provide the Gungahlin district with equitable employment opportunities and actually endorses policies which undermine Gungahlin's development. For example, support for commercial development at the airport and the preferred employment option being the concentration of employment in Civic, Barton, Russell, Belconnen and Woden. Score this item 10%. Although there has been a commitment to construct the HQ of ACTTAB in the Gungahlin Town Centre, to date there has not been any consultation with the Gungahlin community related to the location of the ACTTAB facility. The GCC has not been advised of any development application or construction contract related to this project. Score this item 40%. The GCC is not aware of any Federal or ACT Government Department that is considering, or being encouraged to consider, Gungahlin as a location for their operations. Score rating for this item 5%.
   
    
2. Issue as identified in GS 63 - EDUCATION - Currently Gungahlin does not have facilities to provide Years 11 and 12 schooling for Gungahlin students. What is your party's commitment for establishing a college in Gungahlin.
   
   ALP commitment - Labor will redirect the $27M allocated for free school buses back into education to benefit all ACT students. We are committed to continuity of education in Gungahlin and establishing a college as indicated by student numbers.
   
   GCC assessment of progress - To date the GCC has not had any commitment from the current government relating to the "student numbers” required for Gungahlin to be provided with a college. The Government’s forward budget estimates do not provide funds for the planning or construction of a college in Gungahlin. Student numbers in Gungahlin government schools indicate that there will be in excess of 250 Year 11 students, in the district, for the 2007 school year; with a total enrolment, comparable to most ACT colleges, by 2009. Score this item 10%
   
   Note:
   The Amaroo Primary School opened in February 2004. The Amaroo High School is scheduled to open for the 2005 school year. The Burgman Anglican School will commence Year 11 classes in 2007.
   
    
3. Issue as identified in GS 63 - ROADS and INFRASTRUCTURE - The current road network to take Gungahlin residents to their places of work is sub-standard to other areas of the ACT. What are your party's plans for overcoming these problems.
   
   ALP commitment - Labor will urgently construct the community (western) option for Gungahlin Drive and will complete the extension of Horse park Drive.
   
   GCC assessment of progress - Although the western option of Gungahlin Drive has not been permitted by the NCA; the government has committed to construct the GDE on the eastern alignment. Funding has been allocated in the budget and contracts have been let for the road’s construction. The project is scheduled to commence in 2004, with completion expected in 2006. However, (to this date – 20th May) failure to resolve issues related to the GDE, continues to delay the construction of the road, resulting in considerable costs for the ACT community. Score this item 50%
   
   The extension of Horse park Drive was completed during 2004. Score this item 100%.
   
    
4. Issue as identified in GS 63 - PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT - The current planning and development processes have not produced quality results for Gungahlin residents. What policy does your party have that will improve planning and development standards and outcomes - including improved community consultation.
   
   ALP commitment - Labor will establish an independent planning and land management authority that will deliver improved planning outcomes. We will restore land development to the public sector and introduce an independent Planning Appeals Commission. Labor will introduce a Suburbs Master plans and Neighborhood Planning Groups.
   
   GCC assessment of progress – The government has established ACTPLA (The ACT Planning and Land Management Authority). They have also established the ACT Land Development Agency (LDA). The LDA is currently developing land in Gungahlin. The development of Neighborhood Planning Groups was piloted in some areas of the ACT; but this did not include the Gungahlin/ Mitchell region. It is understood that this program has been abandoned, with the Minister for Planning (Simon Corbell) indicating that Community Councils may be encouraged to facilitate the role of the Neighbor Planning Groups. To date, no proposal has been put forward to the GCC in relation to this matter. There is no record of the development of Master plans for Gungahlin and generally there is little evidence of improvement to the quality of planning and development in the Gungahlin district. Opportunities for community consultation, related to planning and development, has actually become more difficult with the current planning/ development policies. Score this item 30%
   
    
5. Issue as identified in GS 63 - PUBLIC TRANSPORT - Bus fares for Gungahlin residents are the highest (per kilometer) in the ACT. What policy does your party have that will correct this situation and achieve improvements in the current bus service. What other public transport initiatives does your party propose.
   
   ALP commitment - ACT Labor will ensure that public transport is equitable, sustainable and affordable. Details of the policy will be released closer to the election. Labor will introduce a single zone bus fare for school students.
   
   GCC assessment of progress - The current government has introduced a bus fare structure that has provided Gungahlin residents with affordable and equitable pricing. Generally services in the Gungahlin district have been expanded to provide services to newly developed areas. Score rating for this item 100%
   
   Note:
   The government's Canberra Transport Plan did not deliver quality outcomes for the Gungahlin districts, with none of the 24 recommendations, made by the GCC, being adopted in the Plan. However, as the Transport Plan was not part of the ALP commitments, it has not been considered in calculating the score rating for this item.
   
    
6. Issue as identified in GS 63 - COMMUNITY FACILITIES - The following items have been identified as issues that require resources. What is your party's policy on each of these items: 1. Additional facilities at Yarrabah Park; 2. Child care facilities in Gungahlin; 3. Replacement of Palmerston hall (this temporary building was shifted there for 2 years - this was 8 years ago); 4.aAdditional local area facilities for teenagers in areas where there is limited open areas, or an identified need. 5. Development of the Gold Creek Homestead and the surrounding property to retain community ownership and public use.
   
   ALP commitment - Labor is aware of the chronic shortage of childcare facilities in Gungahlin. We will establish new sites for facilities as a priority. Labor will provide demountable facilities as a stopgap measure at existing child care centres. We will consult with the community to develop plans for a permanent hall at Palmerston and facilities at Yerrabi Park. Labor will work with the community to provide additional open space and identify other issues to be addressed. Labor will preserve Gold Creek Homestead as a community asset, free from residential development.
   
   GCC assessment of progress - 1) Yerrabi Park - There is no record of any community consultation in relation to the expansion of Yerrabi Park. Although some construction is currently taking place at Yerrabi Park, details of the scope of this work unknown. Score this item 20%. 2) Childcare - The Government has provided the two existing childcare centres with demountable facilities. A permanent childcare facility was opened at the end of 2003. There is currently a waiting list, at the existing centres, with numbers in excess of 100 children. Score this item 90%. 3) Palmerston Hall - The May 2004 budget provided $1m for the replacement of the "temporary" Palmerston Hall. Community consultation is scheduled for the June GCC meeting, with further community involvement to continue. Score this item 40%. 4) Community open space - Consultation related to planned developments in North Gungahlin have provided the community with an opportunity to identify quality open space as a essential component of modern development. Although final planning documents are not yet available, planners gave a commitment to provide new developments with an increased allocation of quality open space that will provide the community (especially teenagers) with suitable areas and facilities, reflecting community needs. Score this item 30%. 5) Gold Creek Homestead - The Gold Creek Homestead Site Committee was established in February 2004. It is expected to report to the Minister in August 2004. Recommendations relating to the proposed use of the site are not yet available; however, commitment to community involvement is included in the process. Score this item 20%.
   
    
7. Issue as identified in GS 63 - ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES - Gungahlin is the only area in the ACT where the community is split into two electorates. This situation restricts Gungahlin residents' ability to obtain reasonable representation on issues effecting the area. What is your party's policy on this position, and what can be done to correct this situation?
   
   ALP commitment - The division of Gungahlin into two electorates was determined by the Electoral Commission. With ALP representatives in both the Ginninderra and Molonglo electorates, Gungahlin residents will achieve double representation. However, in future redistribution, wishes of the residents and the integrity of Gungahlin will be promoted as a major consideration.
   
   GCC assessment of progress - In 2003 the Electoral Commission considered changes to electoral boundaries. The GCC strongly recommended that Gungahlin should be contained within one electorate. The ALP supported the existing distribution of the electorate with Gungahlin remaining split over Molonglo and Ginninderra. Score this item 0%.
   
   Ian Ruecroft has developed this document on behalf of, and in consultation with the GCC Executive Committee.

Please note: The following guide has been used for score measurement purposes:

• 0% negative or nil action;
• 10% Limited activity in promotion of this item by the government; some consultation taking place;
• 20% Item being actively promoted by government; constructive consultation in progress;
• 30% Item confirmed as government policy; consultation completed; draft design available;
• 40% Item confirmed as being in progress; funding included in budget;
• 50% Funding available; consultations and design completed; contracts awarded;
• 60% Contract have started; limited actual progress;
• 70% Item more that 50% complete;
• 80% Item substantially completed;
• 90% Item completed but outcome not fully achieved;
• 100% Item completed to the community's satisfaction.

Where these measurables can not be applied the percentage is expressed as the proportion of an achieved quality outcome.