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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 2664 ..

Motion (by Mrs Carnell) proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

MR HIRD (5.45): Mr Speaker, I had the honour in the last two weeks, along with two other colleagues in the Assembly - Mr Corbell and Mr Osborne - and the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism of visiting the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. While we were there it was explained to us that there are a number of developments being undertaken. There is a development program and a conservation program aimed at making this nature reserve a designated tourist attraction not only for the residents of the Territory but also for visitors from outside the Territory and from overseas. The Government is spending approximately $1.1m this year and the next financial year on new entry features, new walking trails, new signage and publications and displays.

The nature reserve has received a $200,000 grant from the Federal Office of National Tourism for a new regional visitors centre, and we were shown where the new centre will be housed. The new visitors centre is expected to cost over $1m. The revenue generated from fees, as the Minister indicated to the house last month, will fund a number of conservation and visitor service items, such as three additional uniformed staff, one new walking trail, the Tidbinbilla walking trail from the visitors centre to the animal enclosures, and a new wetlands viewing platform. I would recommend to all members that they become enthusiastic about this nature reserve, just as the staff of this area have.

I have taken the liberty of distributing to all members an information pack. It has been delivered by the staff to their offices today. I believe that the motto of the Department of Urban Services is "Smarter solutions for Canberra". The way that the department has gone about attracting tourism, and the enthusiasm generated by those staff members, are apparent also at the new tourist information centre on Northbourne Avenue, where there is a static display. I do urge members to make themselves aware of the benefits of this nature reserve. Be enthusiastic and encourage your family members to investigate and look at nature, so to speak, in that area, and the opportunities and the benefits that this Territory offers visitors. Encourage interstate and international visitors to take up these invitations so that they see the benefits that this Territory, known as the bush capital, offers.

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