Page 432 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 1990
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promote and coordinate the development of sport, recreation and racing in the ACT, in close liaison with community and sports organisations and the racing industry.
For the ACT to be successful in high-level national and international competition, services such as those provided by the new ACT Academy of Sport are important. They aim at assisting the performance of developing ACT athletes and teams, combined with funding through the sports development program, and will continue to ensure that the sporting community is well serviced.
We will also ensure that the planning of open spaces and sporting facilities caters for all sports. The Alliance Government will be encouraging sporting groups to become more involved in making decisions regarding facility use and development and to develop their own facilities. The sports loans interest subsidy scheme is assisting in that regard.
The Government will ensure that residential areas continue to be serviced by a range of swimming pools and related recreation facilities. We have already announced that we are committed to the development of additional swimming facilities at Tuggeranong.
We realise that Bruce Stadium will be a central focus for major sport in the ACT, providing a truly multipurpose facility. Bookings for national and international events for Australian rules, rugby union and rugby league in the next few months demonstrate the importance of this fine venue. We are very keen for the forthcoming Australian Rules match to go well. It is a good hit-out for the stadium, and we would encourage all Canberrans to go to that. It is another plus for this Government.
This Government has recognised the need for a motor sport facility and the opportunity for developing a national standard venue at the old Australian Federal Police training centre. The Chief Minister has sought an assurance from the Federal Government that the site will be made available to the ACT in accordance with procedures finalised before self-government. We are working closely with the new ACT Motor Sports Council to develop the proposal for the use and continued management of such a facility.
Canberra's high standard of sports facilities, tourism and other recreational attractions will be a major promotional factor in attracting sporting events to the ACT. The Government is presently considering bids for conducting major events with significant tourism and economic benefits, such as the masters games and the rugby union golden oldies. I will certainly be playing in the rugby union golden oldies when we get that.
Encouraging participation is the central purpose of our sport and recreation policy. Emphasis will particularly be
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