Page 365 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 22 March 2022

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The TCCS Sport and Recreation Facilities team works closely with Cricket ACT to determine priority works for premier and community cricket grounds. These works typically include oval renovations, maintenance of natural grass and synthetic playing wickets and maintenance and repair of training cricket nets.

In 2021-22, works to upgrade and improve oval surfaces and natural turf wickets were undertaken at Chisholm and Stirling Enclosed ovals. Synthetic wicket pitches were repaired or upgraded at Deakin Mint, and O’Connor Ovals. Cricket practice nets were upgraded or repaired at Amaroo, Gowrie, Hackett, Isabella Plains, Nicholls, Reid, Rivett, Stirling, Watson, Waramanga, and Weetangera. Works are scheduled on nets at Harrison and Deakin West practice nets during 2022. To date in the 2021-22 financial year, TCCS has committed $348,700 to repairs and maintenance of cricket facilities across Canberra including new nets at Taylor and upgrade works to the pitch at Melba.

In response to the petitioners’ options, I have included some detail below.

Option 1

The Aranda nets have been upgraded over the years and currently consist of a 4-bay club training facility. In discussion with Cricket ACT, it has been identified that while these nets could have some improvement modifications undertaken if prioritised, no Belconnen clubs are currently using them for training.

However, TCCS are working with Cricket ACT to identify and progress priorities.

Option 2

Kaleen Enclosed has 4-bay nets which are of a high-quality standard with a synthetic grass surface. There is limited room for further expansion of these nets due to space, proximity of trees and slope requiring major infrastructure works. The enclosed oval nets are not available for community use as they are locked behind gates and are only available for hire bookings.

Option 3

Provision of new facilities at the Jamison Enclosed oval cannot be accommodated due to site constraints including the proximity of trees, aspect and slope.

Club specific nets located in the Belconnen region include Holt, Kaleen Enclosed, Weetangera, Aranda and Charnwood. All have extended run ups and synthetic surfaces and are in a very good condition, noting my previous comments regarding extra modifications that could be made to Aranda if usage warranted such investment.

Community nets available in the Belconnen region include Holt and Charnwood with synthetic surfacing. Accessible and functional concrete community nets are also located at Scullin, Latham, Giralang and Higgins.

As to prioritising future works, the ACT Government will continue to work with Cricket ACT to prioritise works on cricket infrastructure across the region. To that end, this request has been noted.

I trust this information is of assistance.


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