Support the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension by joining the GDE NOW! action group

Support the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension by joining the GDE NOW mailing list to be kept up to date with the latest information.

GDE NOW also maintain their own mailing list and host an interactive information archive and forum on a separate website.  Please click the link to the right to jump to that alternative website.

25th May 2004
Safe passage for Gungahlin Drive Extension Enabling Legislation in the ACT Legislative Assembly

In an extraordinary sitting session of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday 25th May 2004 - the Government's "Gungahlin Drive Extension Authorisation Bill” was approved in a vote 13 FOR, 2 AGAINST

Independent - Helen Cross MLA moved a successful amendment to ensure that the Legislative Assembly can hold the Government accountable for all approvals and work undertaken as a result of this legislation.

Voters supporting the construction of the GDE need to be aware that Democrat - Roslyn Dundas MLA and Green - Kerrie Tucker MLA opposed this bill. 

This passing of the legislation should allow work to recommence on the road shortly.

(Both ALP - Ted Quinlan MLA and Liberal - Greg Cornwell MLA were absent from the Legislative Assembly Chamber on the basis of a pairing arrangement.)

8th May 2004
"Rally For the Road" an outstanding success!

On Saturday 8th May, 2004 at 300-400 people turned out waving placards and vocally supporting the cause at the Gungahlin Marketplace. The people were there to show that they wanted the Gungahlin Drive Extension and they wanted it now!

Peter Coggan - convenor of the GDE NOW! action group introduced the following speakers who all spoke unanimously favour of the road and gave reasons why the road should be built and why it should be built NOW:

• Barry Dee - Gungahlin Community Council
• Simon Corbell MLA - ACT Planning Minister
• Brendan Smyth MLA - ACT Opposition Leader
• Jonathon Reynolds - ACT Equality Party
• Lisa Logue - Gungahlin Resident
• Harold Hird - Former Chair of ACT Legislative Assembly Planning Committee 2001
• John Sykes - Gungahlin Resident
• Bill Stefaniak MLA - ACT Liberal Party
• Ian Ruecroft - Gungahlin Resident

See edited video highlights from the GDE NOW! Rally

Click here to play video Video of edited highlights from the GDE NOW! Rally on Saturday 8th May 2004 (1.5Mb)

Click to download player If you are having problems viewing the video then download the latest version of the Windows Media Player

Video acknowledgement: © 2004 - Neil Coggan (all rights reserved)

Write a letter to the Chief Minister to let him know you want the Gungahlin Drive Extension

Download one of the two draft letters below. Print it out, add your name and contact details, your own personal comments and post it to the Chief Minister. Let Jon Stanhope know in no uncertain terms that you want the Gungahlin Drive Extension!

Click to download Letter to the Chief Minister in support of the construction of the GDE (PDF format)

Click to download Letter to the Chief Minister in support of the construction of the GDE (RTF format)

Make sure you are getting the *FACTS* and nothing but the *REAL FACTS* about the Gungahlin Drive Extension

Did you know:

• The road is required not only for Gungahlin but is an important component of a total and integrated transport network for the whole of Canberra.

• The road will have negligible impact on the environment and this has been comprehensively demonstrated in many environmental studies that are equivalent to a full EIS. CLICK HERE to read (PDF)

• Portions of the "Ridge" are nothing more than a former rubbish tip site that has had some regeneration.

• Many of the individuals objecting to the GDE are not from Gungahlin or in some cases are not even from the ACT!

• The GDE has been planned and on the drawing board for decades. The bulk of the anti-road objectors are simply NIMBYs (Not In My Backyarders) in North Canberra.

• According to members of the anti-road group "Save The Ridge", they will use every possible legal avenue open to stymie the construction of the GDE. They admit that they have no personal financial liability in doing so as they can continue to hide and protect themselves behind the facade of an incorporated association.

The Gungahlin Drive Extension (GDE) will be a crucial link in Canberra’s transport network, responding to the need of Gungahlin's growing population, to meet over time the traffic demands of a population in Gungahlin of 100,000 with a Canberra population of approximately 400,000. The nine kilometre road will link the Barton Highway at Gungahlin Drive with the Tuggeranong Parkway at the Glenloch Interchange.

We encourage you to read in detail about the GDE on the official ACT Government - Gungahlin Drive Extension Project Website.

Click for larger map of the GDE route

 
CLICK HERE for the OFFICIAL ACT Government Gungahlin Drive Extension Project Website