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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 3736 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

you raised and the nature of our ovals. That is why a fair bit of work went into looking at this matter. As one of my colleagues said and Ms McRae said, yes, it indeed has been raining. It is important to take good advantage of that to ensure that we maximise cost efficiencies.

Mr Osborne, I do not think it is appropriate to do what the previous Government did when it rationalised costs by letting ovals go to low maintenance. Unfortunately, we were left with 27 ovals, 11 of them next to primary schools, that were not useable. I have had a number of discussions with various people in relation to the problems that caused, and as a result in some instances we have taken a number of steps to rectify the problems. To find reasonable efficiencies of about $300,000 would mean removing another 20 ovals from the system, putting a total of about 45 ovals totally out of commission. I do not think that would be appropriate. Because we want to encourage people to use sporting facilities, nor would it be appropriate to look at things like doubling fees for ovals. I think it is important, Mr Osborne, that when we look at options for the maintenance of sportsgrounds we try a more scientific approach to general water usage.

As I have indicated and Mr Osborne has indicated, there are some risks involved in further water reduction; but I believe that it is important to try that, especially as we have had such good rain. I am well aware of what happened when the previous reductions in watering were brought in. I am also well aware that since then we have seen some situations where efficiencies could be made, for instance where ovals are being watered when it is raining. Those are the sorts of things I think we still need to look at to ensure that they do not occur and that we maximise efficient use of water, which after all is a scarce resource.

Mr Osborne, the bureau, in conjunction with the Department of Urban Services, has carefully considered the risks. Along with Urban Services, it will be very carefully monitoring the situation to ensure that any savings that can be made are made without damage to the ovals. Obviously, Mr Osborne, if we have a long dry summer the ovals will have to be watered. Our budget came in on target last year. I think in a couple of previous years there had been extra expenditure on water because of very bad summers. Those factors had to be taken into account. The situation will be monitored. Because of the benefit we have had so far in a very good season with a fair bit of rain, we believe that with close monitoring we can achieve our objective. I stress, Mr Osborne, that I am well aware and the bureau is well aware of the points you raised. I will be speaking further to the gentleman concerned. He has been around Canberra for a long time and has a number of useful comments to make, and a few good suggestions I would like to follow up further. This will be very carefully monitored, but on balance and on the information available it is certainly something worth trialling, particularly as a result of the nature of the season we have had to date.

MR OSBORNE: I ask a supplementary question. I think you tried to answer my question, Minister, but from what you have said can I take it that on balance this Government places economic issues above public safety, given expert opinion that even a reduction of 15 per cent on water would have long-term damaging effects on our playing surfaces? Are you saying that you will put money ahead of public safety and public health?

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