Page 2999 - Week 07 - Thursday, 30 June 2011
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budget there was $4 million, particularly for children’s services there. That will see Gumnut and Alkira relocate to the site. In this budget there is a further $4 million to develop the rest of the precinct into a multigenerational community facility.
In regard to the works for Flynn children’s services, we have commenced some internal construction work, and a development application was submitted to ACTPLA in April. I understand there were a handful of submissions on that, and that is being assessed now. I am aware of ongoing community commentary about the development of the site. I have met with Gumnut and Alkira, the two providers, who are very keen and are looking forward to moving into that site. I was on site with them a number of weeks, possibly a couple of months, ago. I am not quite sure how long ago that was. They were very keen and are looking forward to the move, and the families there are very keen to have the benefit of a redeveloped purpose-built children’s services centre in Flynn. A number of the families that will attend those services are members of the local community in Flynn, so they are very supportive of the development indeed.
MR SPEAKER: Supplementary, Mr Coe?
MR COE: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, will you assure the Assembly that the new Flynn childcare centre will be operational by the beginning of next year as promised?
MS BURCH: That is certainly the commitment we have given to children’s services and that is the commitment we have made publicly at many community forums. We have shared with the providers our approach and we are going as quickly as we can. There is nothing in front of me that tells me that we will not deliver that on time.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, will you undertake to report back to the Assembly on progress during each sitting period between now and the commissioning of the Flynn childcare centre?
MS BURCH: I also know that there is a recommendation in the estimates report about providing an update about community consultation and our broad plans for the Flynn community hub. We have agreed to do that, and that is certainly one I will come back with. I appreciate your interest in Flynn.
MR SPEAKER: Dr Bourke, a supplementary?
DR BOURKE: Minister, you have been talking about the Flynn site. Could you inform the Assembly about the progress on the government plans to create a new home for Alkira and Gumnut Place childcare centres, which I visited recently?
MS BURCH: As I indicated, we are relocating two services, Gumnut and Alkira into the Flynn community hub. I do understand, Dr Bourke, that you have been out there. I congratulate you for being very active in the short time that you have been in this place. I understand that, in the conversations that you had with the supervisors, again they reaffirmed their commitment and interest in moving to the site.
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