Page 2284 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019

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footpaths in Narrabundah to make its streets more accessible and age friendly. This will encourage more people to be active or choose active travel to get around.

Madam Speaker, as you know, the ACT government’s commitment to public TAFEs, public vocational education, is second to none. In this budget we are building on that commitment by constructing an additional 1,450 square metres of new workshop space at CIT in Fyshwick.

We are also investing in a new cultural hub for Canberra, with the creation of the Kingston arts precinct. The precinct will further add to the vibrancy of the Kingston Foreshore and the character of Kingston more broadly. It will become Canberra’s premier arts and cultural precinct, home to some of Canberra’s leading arts organisations, with some organisations to enjoy purpose-built facilities for the first time, sitting alongside the glassworks and the Megalo print studio.

The major investment in the Kingston arts precinct does not, however, come at the expense of existing arts and cultural centres in Kurrajong. The ACT government will also deliver upgrades at Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres ahead of its 50th anniversary as one of Canberra’s arts hubs.

Like the inner south, the inner north also receives the investment it needs to enhance and protect its character and heritage. Haig Park is an important part of the inner north’s tree canopy and our heritage but it has not always been a user-friendly space. As more Canberrans choose to move into apartments nearby, it is important that we protect what is great about Haig Park while making it safe and usable with modern and high quality facilities. The ACT government will also invest in further revitalisation works for the Sydney and Melbourne buildings, to protect and enhance our heritage gateway.

Residents of the inner north will benefit from improvements to local schools, with added capacity and new facilities at Lyneham High School and pedestrian infrastructure around Campbell to ensure that, like Narrabundah, it is easy to get around. There will be heating system upgrades at Lyneham, Forrest, Red Hill and Telopea schools, and we will commence work on the second Common Ground at section 72 in Dickson. We are investing in high quality and free health care for residents in the inner north, with the first walk-in centre at Dickson group centre providing fast and free access to care for minor injuries and illnesses.

Mr Frank Armstrong—tribute

MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries) (5.42): I have a remarkable story of longevity to share with the Assembly. Yesterday the parks and conservation service paused to recognise 50 years of service from their longest serving employee. That employee is Mr Frank Armstrong, who I recently had the pleasure of meeting at the Chief Minister’s gold awards.


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