Future Canberra initiative will involve the community in a planning process that is designed to give further insights into the needs of the ACT and Canberrans.

The supplementary budget paper Canberra: Building Social Capital examined the strength of community and the partnerships that are integral to the social sustainability of the Territory.

Mr Speaker, the State of the Territory Report measures the Government's performance on key indicators of quality of life in the ACT and identifies where improvements need to be made. It provides an honest appraisal that has been used by the Government as the basis for modifying or developing programs.

Recommendation 3, which involves the Government considering the views expressed in this inquiry about funding priorities when finalising the 2001-02 budget, is agreed. The Government has given careful consideration to the views expressed in the committee's report and in the submissions made to it and, as a result, a number of new funding initiatives have been included in the 2001-02 Budget.

Recommendation 4 involves reviewing car parking arrangements at Gold Creek School. The Government agrees with this recommendation and action is in hand to determine the most cost effective options to resolve concerns.

Recommendation 5 seeks a Government report on its plans to progress the development of a community centre at the Kippax Group Centre. Government agrees with this recommendation and the response reports on this matter.

Mr Speaker, the Department of Education and Community Services is not aware of any requests for additional community space in West Belconnen except from the Kippax Task Force for meeting space.

There is substantial space available in West Belconnen for community use in various schools, including in the McGregor Primary School former child health clinic. In recent times the Fraser Community House was closed because no community use could be generated.

To date, the specific nature and needs of the West Belconnen community which would justify the establishment of a purpose built facility in the Kippax Group Centre have not been identified. The Department of Education and Community Services plans to undertake a survey of community facilities in West Belconnen during 2001 that will among other things address utilisation of existing facilities. The Kippax Task Force will be consulted as part of the survey.

Mr Speaker, the Government does not agree with Recommendation 6 which seeks from the Government a list of all the analysis undertaken in the last six years on the need for additional community facilities at Kippax and across Canberra.

Community facilities are provided either on the basis of a case by case justification or as a result of the social planning initiatives which is referred to in the Government's response to the committee's report.

Mr Speaker, there are over 45 Government owned, community managed, facilities across Canberra including a major facility in each town centre. In addition, community groups requiring general purpose space are encouraged to take