Senate debates Motions

Ellerton Drive Extension, Queanbeyan


Lee Rhiannon

Lee Rhiannon NSW, Australian Greens

12:08 pm

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 119 standing in my name.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the Federal Government intends to grant $25 million towards building the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) in Queanbeyan, New South Wales,

  (ii) the EDE would not provide a real solution to the community's transport needs,

  (iii) the EDE would result in the destruction of 55 hollow-bearing trees and a loss of White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland, listed nationally as a critically endangered ecological community, and

  (iv) the EDE would involve destroying 44 termite mounds, habitat for Rosenberg's Goanna, which is listed as a threatened species in New South Wales; and

(b) calls on:

  (i) the Minister for the Environment and Energy (Mr Frydenberg) to decline approval for the EDE using all his legal powers, and

  (ii) the Government to support the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council to develop more sustainable transport solutions with a focus on reducing dependence on cars by improving public transport services and facilities for cycling and walking.

James McGrath

James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister

12:09 pm

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall

Gavin Marshall Deputy-President

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath

James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister

Any consideration of the Ellerton Drive Extension project will be undertaken in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Gavin Marshall

Gavin Marshall Deputy-President

The question is that the motion as amended by Senator Rhiannon be agreed to.

Question agreed to.