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It must be recognised that the distribution of both government and private sector employment is playing its part. The Health Insurance Commission, our own ACT Department of Education and Training and, more recently, the Department of Social Security and the regional offices of a range of ACT government departments are all contributors to the economic wellbeing of the Tuggeranong Town Centre. The maintenance of adequate levels of employment opportunity in the Tuggeranong area must remain the principal driver of economic and infrastructure development.

On the sporting front, discussions are under way with a consortium of ACT Basketball, ACT Netball and the Southern Cross Club for construction of an indoor sports centre at the Tuggeranong Town Centre. I am hopeful that we will conclude these in the near future. A cricket wicket at Conder and the Gordon playing fields are now approaching completion. The final stage of the Tuggeranong enclosed oval will be completed within the next 12 months. Design work has also commenced on the refurbishment of the Erindale Leisure Centre. What we promise, we deliver. A new basketball court in Greenway East has recently been completed. I am sure that members would agree that these sporting and recreation initiatives begin to complete the provision of facilities in the southern part of the valley. Anyone who drives down the Tuggeranong Parkway and Drakeford Drive on a Saturday or a Sunday will be impressed, I am sure, by the extensive use of the current wide range of sporting facilities. The additional facilities I have referred to are sure to enjoy great patronage and will be highly valued by Tuggeranong residents and other Canberrans who regularly use these sporting facilities in the valley.

The Government is committed to providing an adequate level of community and health facilities and urban infrastructure across Canberra. Some of the facilities currently available to residents of the Tuggeranong Valley that have been recently completed include the Conder Neighbourhood House and Day Care Centre, Beau and Jesse Park in Banks, the Tuggeranong Aquatic Centre, the Tuggeranong Youth Resources Centre, the Tuggeranong Community Centre and the Greenway Child Care Centre. Works currently approved or under construction in the Tuggeranong Valley include the Gordon Child Care Centre; the Tuggeranong enclosed oval and grandstand; improvements to Karralika Alcohol and Drug Centre; works in the Tuggeranong Town Park to provide additional facilities, including public toilets, a children's playground and a beach on the lake, with artworks being provided by community groups to further enhance the park; and Lanyon High School to be opened for term one in 1996.

The provision of shopping facilities is clearly a basic element of any city’s infrastructure. The Government is moving on a range of initiatives in this area. Expressions of interest were called in November 1994 for local centres of 500 square metres maximum size at Banks, Bonython and Conder. These will make provision for a supermarket and associated shops. A major retail study, that Mr Osborne was alluding to, for the ACT has just been completed. A review in regard to the size, composition and timing of release of local centres in Tuggeranong is now under way, taking into account the review's findings. The Conder group centre is expected to be released by December 1995. This will consist of a large supermarket, related shops and related facilities. These may include a church, medical centre, service station and fast food outlets. Additional residential land releases are programmed in Gordon, Conder and Banks for approximately 1,000 dwellings and are expected to be released as from 1996-97. These will add to the viability of existing and proposed shopping centres in South Tuggeranong.

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