Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (4 December) . . Page.. 4588 ..

Ms Reilly: Is this for Downer?

MR STEFANIAK: That is for Downer, Hackett, Lyneham and Dickson.

MS REILLY: I have a supplementary question. I understand from your answer, Mr Stefaniak, that you played football at Downer Oval in the 1960s - I have not played football there - and there is quite considerable usage. My question was: Have you signed an agreement with the Canberra Suns for the use of Downer Oval? Also, when are you going to consult on these changes with the surrounding residents and the current users? It is used by the boy scouts. There is a designated walking area nearby. It is used by softball teams, by walkers and joggers and by people practising golf. Are you going to discuss with them the changes that you are making to Downer Oval? Have you signed the agreement, was it contingent on these changes, and are you going to discuss these changes with the local community?

MR STEFANIAK: In answer to that, I had discussions with five Downer residents last Friday. I indicated to them that I was happy to have further discussions with them over a number of issues. I am having discussions also with the various sporting groups. I have had discussions with ACTSport, who, incidentally, are very keen to see those improvements to the oval proceed. I am amazed at your question, Ms Reilly, because, whilst the five people who saw me had a number of concerns, I thought initially they were coming to see me because they wanted more lights. I actually found out that they did not want any lights at all. I must say that it is the first group that has come to see me saying, "No, we do not want facilities".

Ms Reilly: They just want to know what is going on.

MR STEFANIAK: I understand, in relation to the lights, that, as do any improvements, they go through a planning process. In fact, some people have put in objections to the lights. That is still to be decided by the planning authorities, Ms Reilly. I have indicated that I am happy to look into that further. I will be talking to sporting groups and those members of the community again. I must say, Ms Reilly, that, in my view, what is proposed certainly seems quite reasonable - not over the top. The specifications for things like lights are based on Australian standards. In fact, there are requirements to minimise the effect of glare and spillage into surrounding areas, which is something that we do very effectively with our lights in Canberra. That is something that we adhere to at all ovals.

In terms of whether any agreement has been signed with the Canberra Suns, which, I understand, is a women's and girls' soccer club, no doubt they have probably made ground bookings; so I can certainly check that out. I do not know whether they have entered into any agreements, but ground bookings by sporting groups are a normal way of ensuring usage of ovals. A number of groups use the oval at Downer. That is usually done on a booking system. It is sometimes rather difficult just to wander in there and play, unless no-one is using it. So, in terms of competition, yes, ovals are booked. I imagine the Canberra Suns would have booked in the normal way for the use of that oval. They might have booked other ovals as well, Ms Reilly; I do not know. But it is normal for sporting groups to book ovals, and that is usually done many months in advance.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .