Page 4034 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 16 December 1992
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MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I present the Government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Infrastructure on the possible use of the $19m casino premium. This response conveys the Government's decision on the use of the premium and prepares the way for detailed work to be carried out on the proposals to be funded. I believe that the committee's inquiry, encompassing the work of the Select Committee on Cultural Activities and Facilities, has provided the people of Canberra and the Government with a further opportunity to ensure that all current community views have been considered before the premium is allocated. I wish to thank the committee for the work it has done under very tight time constraints and for the excellent report it has provided to the Assembly.
The report makes seven recommendations and suggests the allocation of six amounts for various projects. To reiterate quickly, these are funding for an Aboriginal keeping place or cultural centre, $2.5m; funding for regional cultural activities, $2.75m; essential work to maintain and refurbish the National Exhibition Centre, $1.5m; an equipment grant for the Childers Street community theatre, $0.25m; a major upgrade of the Playhouse theatre, $5m; and funds to provide a cultural and heritage centre in the city centre, $7m.
The Government agrees with the committee's approach in funding a number of proposals rather than allocating the whole $19m to one major project. The Government also accepts each of the allocations recommended by the committee, recognising, however, that detailed work on costings, design and siting will determine the final outcome of some of the proposals.
The Government endorses the location of a cultural and heritage centre in the Civic Square precinct. The allocation of funds of the order recommended will upgrade the Playhouse theatre and the Link. The establishment of a regional art gallery and heritage centre in section 19 will provide a further exciting and readily accessible focus for this city. The extent to which other functions can be accommodated will depend on the detailed design and, of course, the costings.
The Government also agrees with the recommendations made by the committee on the future development of the Childers Street-Kingsley Street area and the Kingston foreshores and on the need to carry out further community consultation on regional cultural facilities, including a reappraisal of the role of schools. Madam Speaker, I again thank the committee for their work in examining and filtering a wide range of views on use of the premium. I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the papers.
MR LAMONT (5.54): In reading through the Government's response, I note that all of the recommendations of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee have been adopted by the Government - a matter which, speaking on behalf of our Assembly colleagues on the committee, I am sure we are extremely grateful for. The acceptance by the Government of the recommendations of the committee - in particular, but not exclusively, recommendation 6 - is something which, in the way it has been clarified now by the Government, the committee would be extremely grateful for. I thank the Government for its acceptance of the recommendations of the committee.
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