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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 6 Hansard (23 May) . . Page.. 1694 ..

MR DE DOMENICO (continuing):

The community investment in EPIC has also been considerable. In 1992-93 EPIC received $200,000 in capital works allocations; in 1993-94 it received $450,000 and $1.5m from the casino premium fund, which built the new conference centre; and in 1994-95 it received $210,000 plus $70,000 for forward design work. This financial year it has received $500,000 for essential maintenance works. It would be foolish for any government to continue to spend such money without an understanding that it was money well spent. There is a wide range of opportunities for Canberra in further development of EPIC as a facility with the potential to attract events with flow-on benefits to the Canberra economy. The facilities are increasingly being used for a range of indoor sporting events and exhibitions.

Mr Speaker, EPIC is located in a prime position, at the major gateway to Canberra, and it needs to take full advantage of this. For example, there would be considerable benefits from complementary development with the Canberra Racecourse, which could involve an enhanced range of activities and facilities for both tourists and the community as a whole, particularly the people of North Canberra and Gungahlin. This may entail such developments as accommodation, retail outlets and sporting facilities. It is the Government's view that we should continue to develop EPIC principally as a top-class major events venue. The alternative is for EPIC to revert to primarily a showground facility, largely catering for local events. The Government believes that this is not a realistic option, as it would be a retrograde step and would impact significantly on the ACT economy.

Given budget restraints, EPIC's continued development will require it to have a commercial approach to its management. This would involve encouraging the EPIC Trust to develop parts of the venue for related commercial uses, including joint venturing, the proceeds from which could be used for capital injection into the site. EPIC's community service obligations will need to be addressed in 1996-97, as part of a new commercial approach, in a manner consistent with the current whole-of-government financial management reforms. It will also involve a continued emphasis on repositioning EPIC in the major events market. A fundamental part of the Government's strategy is to revamp the membership of the trust. I intend to appoint a new chairman, Mr Brian Acworth, who will bring significant commercial experience to the EPIC Trust. Mr Bill Lawrence has recently resigned as chair of the trust to enable him to take up another position. He has been a hardworking and conscientious chair over the past 10 years. Bill Lawrence played a pivotal role in securing key ACT events, such as the National Folk Festival and Summernats; in securing funds for the development of the conference centre for EPIC; and in repositioning EPIC within the exhibition market at a national level. Mr Speaker, his service to the ACT community will continue in a new role as the chair of the ACT Remuneration Tribunal.

In respect of the remaining members of the trust, it is intended that two previous members of the trust, Ms Margaret Coaldrake and Mr Murray Northrop, be reappointed for a further term. Both Ms Coaldrake and Mr Northrop have previously made a significant contribution, and their valuable expertise will be most welcome on the new trust. We also intend to appoint Mr Bill Moore, the past president of the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society, and Mr John Bradley, a lawyer from Clayton Utz. I will refer these appointments to the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism for its endorsement.

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