Page 3007 - Week 08 - Thursday, 15 August 2019
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MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Milligan for the question, but it has not. Some money has been moved from one year to another in accordance with the agreement with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service around their building schedule for this project. My recollection is that money has been brought forward to provide money earlier to enable Winnunga to get on with the project, which I understand is currently in the development application stage.
MR MILLIGAN: Minister, what is the total allocation in this budget for expenditure on the much needed building for Winnunga?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I would note that this funding was not allocated in this budget originally and it was a $12 million project.
MR WALL: Minister, what consultation occurred with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community before the funding profile changed for the Winnunga expansion?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Wall for the question. This is entirely driven by Winnunga Nimmityjah’s own building schedule for this project and the agreement that is with them. This is a very interesting—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I do not know if Winnunga was consulted about the question that was being asked, because my recollection is that it is a bring-forward of funding. It relates to the fact that we are entering into an engagement with Winnunga where we are giving them the funding to manage the building of this building. It will be owned by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, by Winnunga. The project is led by them; it is owned by them; and it will be an incredible Aboriginal community-controlled health facility that is entirely owned by the Aboriginal community.
I will be very interested if there is a background to the question that Mr Milligan would like to share with me later, if some concerns have been raised with him. My understanding is that this is entirely in relation to the funding agreement that is with Winnunga; it is about the milestones that have been set in collaboration with Winnunga; and they are leading and controlling this project. As I said, it is currently in the development application stage. I really look forward to, hopefully, that application being approved soon and the sod-turning for the project.
Molonglo Valley—community spaces
MS CODY: My question is to the Minister for Planning and Land Management. What outdoor spaces is the ACT government providing for residents of the Molonglo Valley?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Cody for her interest in that electorate area. The Molonglo River Reserve is one of our newest nature reserves in the member’s
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