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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 2080 ..

MS HORODNY (continuing):

On 15 May you changed your tune and said that the Fairbairn Park Control Council may have to make an application to lease block 515 for works that might be undertaken at the whole complex "for beautification and noise abatement". The preliminary assessment for the granting of a permanent lease at Fairbairn Park for motor sports has now been fully released and - surprise, surprise! - it includes block 515, and it also states quite clearly that a new speedway will be built on this block. Mr Stefaniak, did you mislead the Assembly in May about what was planned for block 515, or do you just not have a clue about what motor sports activities are being planned at Fairbairn Park?

MR STEFANIAK: I thank the member for the question. I think you have largely answered that yourself, because I kept you up to date in terms of that matter, Ms Horodny. You will note that I said, I think, on 15 May that there was some indication that they might well need part of that. They have subsequently made, as you state, a preliminary assessment, which I understand was lodged at some time this month because it was advertised last Saturday, I think - - -

Mr Humphries: Last Friday.

MR STEFANIAK: Thank you, Mr Humphries. It was lodged last Friday. It was advertised in the paper last Saturday. Whilst I have not seen that - I do not know whether my colleague, Mr Humphries, has - it might well include, from what I can understand, something in relation to part of that particular block that you mention. I do not think any plans that I am aware of which have been lodged or proposed relate to the whole block; but they might, as I think I indicated on 15 May, necessitate them taking over the whole block, which I understand is a horse agistment paddock. That is now out for public comment, Ms Horodny, and no doubt members of the public who are interested will comment on that preliminary assessment.

It is this Government's intention, as I think I have said on a number of occasions, and other members of the Government have said, to have Fairbairn Park established as a permanent site for motor racing. It has been there for over 20 years. There are a number of tracks in that complex. That is what the preliminary assessment is for. They have to lodge certain documents in relation to any work that is done there, including that. That has occurred through the proper process. It is there for public comment. Ms Horodny, as is my duty, I try to keep the Assembly informed of any information that might come my way, as I did in this case. As soon as I had anything which was remotely definite in relation to what they might be doing there, I told the Assembly on 15 May, as you indicated.

MS HORODNY: That was as clear as mud, Mr Stefaniak. Do you actually have any clue about what is going on at Fairbairn Park? Could you answer that question?

MR STEFANIAK: I think it is fairly obvious what is going on there, or what is being attempted. There are a number of tracks, Ms Horodny. We would like to see improvements made there in terms of beautification and noise reduction mounds. I have not seen their preliminary assessment. It obviously means some work to the tracks there, and in terms of the speedway track there - - -

Ms Horodny: It is a whole new track, Mr Stefaniak.

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