Page 3668 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2013
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there have been a number of fees waived by the Treasurer. It is hard to argue that the enforcing of these fees will bring greater benefit to the community than the ensuing facility that would be built in this case. The Kings’ business case shows that, when built, the Calwell facility alone would employ more than 70 staff and in the first instance provide opportunities for numerous Canberra businesses during the construction phase.
The investment made by Kings into the ACT would total in the vicinity of $4.8 million. Demographic studies undertaken by Kings tell us that through the provision of learn to swim programs, fitness programs, hydrotherapy services and more advanced swimming programs and squad training, the Kingswim centre at Calwell has the potential to provide services to over 3,500 pool users per week. These are Canberra residents on a daily basis utilising a private facility.
This facility would undoubtedly alleviate pressure on limited places available at other pool facilities in Tuggeranong. I have it from first-hand experiences, talking to constituents, that many of the swim squads in Tuggeranong do struggle to acquire lane time at Tuggeranong in peak times, not to mention often a wait list to access learn to swim classes for young children. There is a definite demand for this kind of facility in Tuggeranong.
The original time frame set down for this proposal at Calwell, had it begun construction in the middle of the year as planned, would have seen the centre up and running for the beginning of the 2014 school year. This project remains shovel ready, there is a local builder that has been appointed and construction is expected to take about six months from commencement.
In closing, I urge all members of this Assembly, particularly my Brindabella colleagues opposite, to support this motion and by doing so actively support the construction of a much-needed pool facility in the Tuggeranong valley, a facility that will provide ongoing benefits for the wider community for many years to come.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Community Services) (10.43): I thank Mr Wall for raising the motion. I can confirm to the Assembly that I have received an application for a waiver of fees under section 131 of the Financial Management Act. I received this request earlier this month, I believe on 8 October.
The request will be assessed under the criteria for waiver under the Financial Management Act. It is undergoing active consideration at this point, and for obvious reasons I will not be providing any further comment on that consideration and will make an announcement in due course.
I understand that Mr Rattenbury has a series of amendments that I will foreshadow the government’s support for and thank Mr Wall for raising the motion.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (10.44): I thank Mr Wall for bringing forward this motion today. I think that he has identified an important issue and there is no doubt
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