Page 5217 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 18 November 2009
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debating this bill really do stand in stark relief against the background of the rhetoric that we heard from the opposition spokesperson at times on this issue over the past six months.
Perhaps, as the community advisory committee grows in its role, the Greens party may come to reconsider the value of the continued existence of a board under the Financial Management Act. But that of course is a matter for the Greens party to consider over the coming months.
For our part, the government will not lose sight of the big picture. And the big picture is this: whatever the governance arrangements of Exhibition Park, the government is determined to get on with business, and that is listening to the users, investing in the facility and delivering great events.
The fact is that the Exhibition Park board that I appointed this year has been doing all of this and more. The new board has met five times since 30 June. The new board has a new focus on ensuring effective management, strategic direction, master planning and tourist accommodation options and, since its appointment, the new board, including public servants, has restarted the stalled process of the development of a master plan for Exhibition Park. Since its appointment, the new board, including the public servants, has commenced the strategic planning process and master planning exercise.
Since its appointment, the new board, including the public servants, has made progress on a number of long, unresolved issues relating to the service station contract on the EPIC site. They have finalised the negotiation for renting a new service station with a preferred vendor. Resolving this issue is fundamental to determining future master plan options.
Since its appointment, the new board, including the public servants, has overseen the completion of a new food service outlet and a range of comfort facilities associated with the farmers market pavilion. Thousands of customers and over hundreds of traders will benefit from a new bitumen floor installed to enhance the experience. There will also be a new cafe in the food area which will offer visitors more choice for refreshments and snacks.
Since its appointment, the new board, including the public servants, has completed a market analysis for low-cost tourist accommodation in the ACT and at Exhibition Park. And since its appointment, the new board, including the public servants, has completed negotiations for the retention of Summernats. Since its appointment, the new board, including the public servants, has completed the negotiation with relevant agencies for the extension of Exhibition Park’s landholdings to allow for the development of tourist accommodation.
Since its appointment, the new board, including the public servants, has established a community advisory committee to work with the new board to provide greater community input into the running of the site. In fact, this year alone, Exhibition Park has hosted over 350 events, catering for more than 1.5 million who passed through the gates.
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