Page 2060 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 June 2021
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Time and time again—I am sure my Brindabella colleagues will agree with me when I say this—we hear and read from Tuggeranong residents that they feel left behind—that infrastructure, investment and even the beautification of Canberra seems to come to us last. This motion reflects a clear and concerted effort to address this disparity. I think I speak for a lot of Tuggeranong residents when I say that I will be excited to see what comes out of it.
I am hard-pressed to find anything here to dispute. Lake Tuggeranong has been a primary recreation area for the Tuggeranong community since 1987. Like so many Tuggeranong residents, I have fond memories of Lake Tuggeranong. I had my first date walking around the lake as a teenager. I used to sit by that nasty old broken gazebo near the old laneways projects to have lunch most days as a student at Lake Tuggeranong College. I am really glad to see that the government has fixed up that area and made it into quite a beautiful spot.
Quite recently, Sandi from the India Australia Association was kind enough to invite me to speak at their family fun day event at Tuggeranong Park, where we all had the pleasure of enjoying the amenity of the area. The park draws families. It has playgrounds for young kids; a skate park for the older ones, and for Minister Davidson; a dog park much loved by the local residents; and a leisure centre for everyone. It has barbecues and cycle tracks. It draws communities like parkrun and other local groups.
What it does need is a bit more TLC to make sure that we have amenities and resourcing to support our vibrant community. Ms Lawder’s motion identifies a number of amenity improvements that I, too, would love to see around the lake.
Providing more toilets is a given. I am sure that no-one in Tuggeranong would be surprised to know that we receive a fair bit of representation about improving our toilets around the lake. Good facilities can make a difference to a good day out.
Many Tuggeranong residents have let me know that they want better signage around the lake. Above and beyond better signposting for facilities and locations, people are interested in having signs encouraging users to keep their waterways clean.
I love the idea of making our landscapes as green and well-maintained as possible. Part of the Greens’ repairing the land package that we brought to the last election was to advocate for planting and installing hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs. We know that grass coverage and green space are absolutely vital for a healthy ecosystem.
Tables, bins and barbecues mean that more people are able to enjoy a comfortable day out in the sun. Mr Assistant Speaker, it is a big yes from me. As the Greens spokesperson for young people, I welcome the proposal for more recreational facilities for young people. With Lake Tuggeranong College so close by, it is important that we continue to invest in Tuggeranong so that our young people do not feel compelled to play and study elsewhere.
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