Page 2981 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 August 1990
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Playhouse Theatre
MS FOLLETT: My question is addressed to Mr Humphries, and it relates to his portfolio interest in the arts. What are his Government's plans for the Playhouse Theatre - in particular, its closure?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, my briefing papers are becoming dog-eared with use today. I thank Ms Follett for the question. I understand that the deadline for the Civic Square design and financial submissions was 23 March this year and that they are still being thoroughly examined by expert design and financial judging panels.
Part of the commercial redevelopment site is currently occupied, as Ms Follett observes, by the Playhouse Theatre. Throughout the planning of the Civic Square project the Canberra Theatre Trust has been kept fully informed of all developments relating to the theatre interests. The trust has been advised that the Playhouse Theatre will be required to cease operating by Friday, 12 October 1990. This is in line with the timetable set down for the finalisation of the sale process for the site.
The Select Committee on Cultural Activities, which I think Mr Wood chairs, inquires into and reports on cultural activity in the ACT. One specific term of reference is to examine the range and adequacy of existing and proposed facilities. We await that report with interest. The question of providing a suitable drama venue, no doubt, will be addressed during these deliberations. The Government, of course, will be guided by the recommendations of the select committee, and I hope it will ensure that a suitable drama venue is established in the ACT.
I am also aware of the complications caused by the burning down of the TAU Theatre and the closure of the Childers Street Theatre. I hope that the issues that are raised by those problems can be addressed in such a way that all theatre venues and theatre spaces in the ACT and the need for those spaces are addressed at the same time.
Hospital Redevelopment
MR BERRY: My question, which is directed to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts, relates to the hospital redevelopment project. Can he tell the Assembly what the cost of the project office of the hospital redevelopment program is and whether that cost is part of the $154m total figure for the project?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, Mr Berry is asking for details on the breakup of the hospital redevelopment budget. I
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