Page 1446 - Week 04 - Thursday, 26 March 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
We are continuing our investment in grassroots infrastructure through $8 million to build new pavilions and install lighting at neighbourhood sporting grounds throughout the territory. Over $4 million has been invested to undertake improvements at Manuka Oval, Phillip Oval and Canberra Stadium. We have made a significant commitment that by the end of 2013 no outdoor sporting facility in the territory will rely solely on the drinking water supply. To realise this ambitious vision we have provided an additional $16 million to drought-proof our sports grounds and ovals, including those located near schools. A key aspect of this funding includes installation of synthetic and drought-resistant turf, advanced irrigation systems and on-site water tanks.
Moving forward, the government’s agenda for sport and recreation facilities includes a number of significant investments. The first is the completion of the Lyneham sports precinct. As I have indicated, we have provided budget funding for the eastern part of that precinct in relation to the netball centre and associated facilities. We have also committed to provide funding to assist the tennis centre to upgrade their facilities and also to then complete the work on the western part of that Lyneham sports precinct.
We have committed $6 million to a refurbishment, which is now complete, of the Lakeside Leisure Centre and the Canberra Olympic Pool; $4.5 million was provided to redevelop the Lyneham hockey centre; $3.75 million for the development of the Harrison district playing fields; and $1.7 million in redeveloping Phillip Oval. We have upgraded Manuka Oval to include $4,000 new under-cover seats, perimeter fencing and security upgrades and provided $1.3 million to Harrison neighbourhood oval. There was a $600,000 commitment towards the forward design for the multifunctional sporting facility in the new suburb of Throsby in Gungahlin. We have progressed funding for the Gungahlin enclosed oval in the town centre, designed new play facilities at Canberra Stadium, committed money to motor sports tenants at Fairbairn Park, and will continue our investment through the annual sport and recreation grants program.
In capital assistance for sporting organisations across the territory, earlier this year I had the opportunity to hand out more than $2 million in grants to, I think, over 70 ACT sport and recreation organisations for a range of upgrades from significant work for hockey in Tuggeranong, in terms of artificial surfaces and upgrades to their facilities, right down to fairly minor grants for things like the Burley Griffin Canoe Club for some of their facility upgrades.
The government has also committed, and the Chief Minister has reiterated this in recent times, to invest $3 million in the establishment of a state-of-the-art basketball centre of excellence that will consist of community-based basketball facilities for community use as well as first-class training facilities for our most successful national league team, the Canberra Capitals.
We have a commitment to invest up to $30 million to fund the construction of a new aquatic and recreation centre in Gungahlin. We have provided the feasibility and forward design money in previous budgets and had a commitment during this term of the Assembly to see the completion of that new facility in Gungahlin.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .