Page 3009 - Week 10 - Friday, 8 October 2021
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the year. That is why, in the budget, we have invested in making sure that we are formalising the car parking at Mount Stromlo so that more people can enjoy this fantastic venue, including cyclists and people engaging in other recreational activities. It will see the provision of safe, sealed and clearly defined car parking spaces at the park to accommodate the increased visitation that that venue has seen over time. The site will form part of a new car parking area in alignment with the master plan, which can be viewed at the Stromlo Forest Park website.
Having an asphalted car park will improve safety, and the efficient allocation of car spaces will help to alleviate some of the safety concerns. I know that, when I have been there, there has been significant rutting in the car park. We want to make sure that it is safe for all park users to use. The funding will allow for both the design and construction of the car park. That design will occur this financial year. I know that the venue managers will continue to consult directly with the users of that venue.
In relation to the arboretum, similarly, a master plan was undertaken some time ago, which has also committed to the sealing of some of the internal roads in the arboretum and, importantly, the provision of safe car parking as part of that. That was funded, I believe, under the local roads and community infrastructure program. (Time expired.)
MS CLAY: Will the car park at Stromlo be paid parking for users?
MR STEEL: There is an ongoing conversation that we are currently having about how we can make Stromlo Forest Park the best possible recreational facility for Canberra, for interstate visitors and for Canberrans alike. We have noted the model that is currently in existence at the arboretum, where all of the revenue from the car parking, which is paid parking, is used to improve the fantastic facilities at the arboretum. So we are considering the range of options that might be available in relation to Stromlo Forest Park to make sure that the facilities there continue to get better over time. We have a new trails manager, who has been doing some fantastic work on the trails up there, which I know that the mountain biking community, in particular, has responded really well to. I am looking forward to how we can improve the facilities there and make sure that they are maintained. I know I have been out there with you, Madam Speaker, to have those conversations.
MR BRADDOCK: How will the paved car park at Stromlo fit in with the Stromlo Forest Park master plan, which identifies a village hub on the same site?
MR STEEL: As I mentioned in the answer to the first question from Ms Clay, part of the master plan for Stromlo Forest Park was making sure that there was safe, sealed parking that could be used by those who are visiting the arboretum. Of course, there are future plans that are set out in the master plan that will be progressively achieved over time, including future accommodation facilities, potentially, future road connections, and future playing fields as well. All of those will be completed over time. This is an import first step going forward. We are looking forward to getting on with this work and providing better facilities for users of this fantastic recreational venue.
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