The Planning Minister’s comments that the planning authority will allow new developments in Canberra to have fewer car spaces is not functional nor realistic.

Shadow Minister for Planning and Land Management, Peter Cain, said the comments clearly demonstrate how out-of-touch the Labor-Greens government are from Canberrans.

“The Minister’s comments are so far removed from the everyday realities of most Canberrans that it borders on the delusional,” Mr Cain said.

“This entire notion rests upon having an effective and efficient public transport system. However, cuts to bus services and timetable disasters caused by this Labor-Greens government have ensured our public transport remains inadequate.

“While encouraging choice in lifestyle is commendable, the stark reality is that the overwhelming majority of Canberrans use, and need to use, motor vehicles.

“Besides, basing a purchase on the availability of public transport is very risky, especially given the Labor-Greens government’s recent cuts in bus routes.

“One of Canberra’s key attractions for liveability is short travel times, which is helped by an abundance of affordable and available public parking.

“A reduction in the amount of residential parking, particularly in key activity centres and transport corridors, will only serve to increase congestion both on our roads and in public carparks.

“I encourage the Minister to speak with residents in Lawson, in Coombs, or in the town centres, and hear what they think about the disastrous public parking situations there.

“Even residents in Gungahlin, which is serviced by light rail, describe parking there as ‘nightmarish’. Is this what the Minister wants for all of Canberra?

“Canberrans do not want our city to be turned into another Sydney or Melbourne,” Mr Cain concluded.