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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (13 May) . . Page.. 1293 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Members who visited the reserve recently will appreciate the need for these works. We have a magnificent attraction at Tidbinbilla, but it will benefit from some of the upgrade which those works entail. There are some other works that are possible, Mr Speaker, and those will be announced in due course. This development work continues significant ongoing investment by the Government in Tidbinbilla - that is, work which goes on top of the estimated $10m worth of infrastructure already in place at the reserve.

To ensure ongoing enhancement of the facilities at Tidbinbilla, the Government has decided to introduce access charges for entry to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The access charge will be $8 per car. Yearly passes will be available for $20. Concessions will be available. Access charges for mini-buses and coaches will be set - - -

Ms McRae: Bankcard facilities? Is there a Bankcard facility?

MR HUMPHRIES: I am sure we can make Bankcard available for Ms McRae.

Mr Wood: Tell us about the timing of this announcement. Why have you chosen today to announce it?

MR HUMPHRIES: Why not? Mr Wood does not like the question. I do not know why. The fact is, Mr Speaker, that those charges are reasonable. They have been set by comparison with park entry fees in other jurisdictions and for other attractions in the ACT. The access charge will cover - - -

Mr Corbell: Why was it not announced in the budget?

MR HUMPHRIES: I will answer that question in a moment, Mr Corbell, if you would wait. The charge will cover entry, a descriptive brochure and map, and most ranger-guided activities in the reserve. I want to indicate, Mr Speaker, that there is a guarantee from the Government that these fees are not the precursor for other fees in other nature reserves and parks in the ACT. Those places, such as the Canberra Nature Park and, in particular, Namadgi National Park, will not be subject to access fees in any way.

Mr Corbell: What about the Murrumbidgee?

MR HUMPHRIES: Or the Murrumbidgee or anything else you care to name. Any other nature reserves you care to name will not be subject to entry fees. As long as this Government remains in power, that will be the case, Mr Speaker.

Members will be aware that other Australian jurisdictions have fees in place for many of their national and other parks. However, the difference between fees collected in those situations and fees collected in this case is that I can guarantee that all revenue raised through access charges will be retained and used for conservation and visitor services within Tidbinbilla. Those funds will be in addition to, not in substitution for, the normal appropriation of $900,000, approximately, provided by the Government. We expect to raise about $270,000 in the first year and that first year's revenue will be used for

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