Gunsmoke 81...Gunsmoke 81... May 2004/ Extraordinary Edition
Gungahlin Drive Extension Action Group FormedAt a meeting of the Gungahlin Community Council (GCC), held 14th April 2004, there was considerable discussion about the problems related to the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension (GDE). The meeting unanimously supported the need for the GDE to be constructed without delay; and instructed the GCC Executive Committee to write to the Chief Minister expressing this view. The meeting recognised that Gungahlin residents had been very quiet about the GDE, whilst minority groups had been extremely vocal in promoting the need for the road to be stopped. The meeting identified the issues that: - the GDE is required to provide Gungahlin residents with improved access to areas of employment and to alleviate traffic congestion on Northbourne Avenue.
- there has been extensive community consultation, evaluation and debate about the road; with no viable alternative being identified.
- from the information available, the route chosen for the GDE will have minimal long-term environmental impact on the surrounding district.
- Gungahlin residents are feed up with being held to ransom by NIMBY groups who are unable to accept that planning and development sometimes requires that things need to change. This includes providing reasonable transport corridors for newly developing districts, like Gungahlin. The argument that the road will degrade an area where people “walk their dog” is not fair, reasonable or equitable.
The meeting strongly supported the formation of an action group to coordinate activities and to promote the need for the GDE to be constructed without delay. The group is a sub-committee of the Gungahlin Community Council Inc; and has already met to develop an initial plan of action. The sub-committee will be known as the “GDE Now” group and they invite others to join them in their efforts to ensure that the GDE is not delayed, deferred or postponed. Actions planned to date: - To hold a rally in support of the GDE construction. The rally will be held on Saturday 8th May (1pm to 2pm) outside the Gungahlin Marketplace.
- Plan and initiate actions that will demonstrate how the loss of reasonable transport corridors can impact on the local community eg. the blocking of Mouat St during peak hours.
- The printing and distribution of pro-GDE bumper stickers.
- A letter and phoning campaign to politicians and others.
- Any other reasonable actions that will counter the anti-GDE pressure groups.
“GDE Now” invites you to send the attached letter to the Chief Minister, if you believe that the GDE is required to provide Gungahlin with reasonable transport infrastructure. Alternatively you can write your own letter, phone, visit or email any/ or all of the members of the ACT Legislative Assembly. Their contact details can be found on page 44 of the 2004 White Pages. [Return to top]
Do you want to ensure that the Gungahlin Drive extension is built without further unnecessary delays?If so do one, or all of the following: SEND A LETTER
Please cut and paste our draft letter into your word processor, simply adding your name, address, date and signing the letter below. It is time to let the ACT Government know that we, the residents of Gungahlin, wish the Gungahlin Drive extension to proceed immediately. ATTEND THE RALLY
When: Saturday 8 May 2004.
Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Where: Outside the front of Gungahlin Marketplace MLAs, both Labor and Liberal, who wish to speak on our behalf have been invited. An National Capital Authority spokesperson has also been invited. PHONE YOUR MLAs
If you don’t get a reply phone to make sure they got your letter. SPONSORSHIP
Donate money to cover costs, provide signs, paper, manpower etc. Contact Peter Coggan on 6242 8265 BUMPER STICKERS
Bumper stickers will be available at the rally. Kindly provided by Your House Reality, Commercial Centre North Lyneham Shops, Phone: 02-6257-8666, Fax: (02) 6257-8333 [Return to top]
Draft letter to Jon Stanhope MLA to be sent in support of the Gungahlin Drive Extension.Add your name here
Add your address here
Add the date here To: The Hon Jon Stanhope MLA
Chief Minister
ACT Legislative Assembly
South Building
CANBERRA ACT 2601 Dear Chief Minister I support the construction of the Gungahlin Drive extension. The road will improve access in and out of Gungahlin, particularly as the area continues to grow in the years ahead. The ACT Government must ensure that the Gungahlin Drive extension is built without further unnecessary delays. Yours sincerely
Sign here [Return to top] | 
