Page 3682 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 9 December 1992
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hazardous activity going on around them, and they should not have to feel that way. They should not be in that position. We are a community which is highly planned. We have a highly regulated environment in the sense that we have activities designated for particular places. We have roads for cars to travel on, parks for people to relax in and shopping centres for people to shop in. The contention that I make in this Bill is that we should be ensuring that we do not make shopping centres effectively both places for people to shop and use the services there and recreational areas. They are not so designed and that is a poor combination of uses in that one place.
Madam Speaker, banning such activities should not be characterised as being anti-kid. I think skateboarding is great, from the little experience I have had of it. I think that it is certainly much better than some other activities that perhaps young people might engage in. But it is not an activity that can take place anywhere at any time. There are appropriate places for such activities, especially when the activity is a hazardous one. When I say that the legislation is not anti-kid, I am backed up in that respect by the traders of Garema Place. They have indicated that they would like to make sure, if a ban does exist in that area, that an alternative venue is found for those young people to go to, to exercise themselves and to engage in that activity.
One trader in particular, a Mr Pat Develin, a chemist in that area near the chess pit, has kindly offered to start a fund, which I hope the Government will consider working with and perhaps contributing to, either in kind or in cash, to establish alternative facilities for the skateboarders in the general area of Civic. There are plenty of locations that might be suitable for that purpose. Glebe Park comes to mind; possibly somewhere near the Griffin Centre. Certain locations are possible.
Mr Berry: Reid.
MR HUMPHRIES: Reid, perhaps. The Deputy Chief Minister suggests Reid. Madam Speaker, there are all sorts of possibilities. I think that in many respects we would all be happier if a location were found for people to take part in that kind of activity. I understand that the Belconnen skateboard ramp has been a great success. It certainly seems to be well patronised when I have seen it, and I think one in Civic would be equally popular. I spoke to two young people who were skateboarding in Civic yesterday and they travel by bus from Downer several days a week when they have the chance to come to Civic and skateboard there.
Mr Connolly: We have to keep them out of Downer.
MR HUMPHRIES: I do not know what the interjection was. I think it was that people in Downer are irresponsible.
Mr Connolly: No; I said that we have to keep the skateboarders out of Downer.
MR HUMPHRIES: Oh, yes, we have to keep the skateboarders out of Downer; absolutely. Important people live in Downer. I think this Bill is a positive step.
Mr Kaine: We could ban the buses between Downer and Civic, I suppose.
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