Page 894 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 27 February 2013

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The words also include that there will be significant upgrades to the Kippax enclosed oval—I think I will be opening it in about two weeks time; that construction of an enclosed oval and leisure centre is occurring in Gungahlin, and that work is well advanced; that $2 million was provided in the 2012-13 budget to improve amenities at sports fields around the territory, such as pavilions, canteens, toilet blocks and lighting systems; and that the government are committed to improving the quality of playing surfaces as a priority, and we are supporting this through the replacement of the irrigation system at the Dickson playing fields. I can say, from last season of AFL nines, that when I played there only late last year, along with many hundreds of others, the Dickson playing fields are in the best condition they have been in for more than a decade. The Kambah and Hawker irrigation systems are also to be replaced under this program.

The words also include that the government have an ongoing program of replacement of grass surfaces, to ensure that we are using more water efficient couch grass; that we have a commitment to hire three extra maintenance and repair officers for Sport and Recreation Services to undertake continual improvements to the quality of sports facilities across the territory; that the government will continue our commitment to delivering higher quality sport and recreation facilities; and that we will continue to progressively reduce the cost of insurance, which is a major cost that sporting organisations face and is obviously passed on to participants. And I have noted no public comment of support from the opposition for the reduction in taxation and eventual abolishment over the next four years of all tax on insurance. We would also seek to investigate whether casual public liability insurance could be accessed by some sport and recreation groups to further reduce costs for those groups.

That is the basis of the amendment I am moving. I do so because the government is committed to delivering better-quality sportsgrounds and facilities. I formally move:

Omit all words after “notes that” in paragraph (1), substitute:

“(a) the ACT leads the nation in participation in sport and recreation, with 80.3% of Canberrans participating in physical activity, well above the national average of 65%;

(b) sportsground hire fees are only a fraction of the cost of maintaining sports facilities and all revenue raised from these fees goes directly back into improving the quality of these facilities;

(i) the restoration of Ngunnawal, Charnwood and Isabella Plains sportsgrounds. Work has begun on Bonython neighbourhood oval with works scheduled at Weetangera and Watson ovals;

(ii) significant upgrades to the Kippax enclosed oval;

(iii) construction of an enclosed oval and leisure centre in Gungahlin; and

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