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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1307 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

The point I am making is that there are a whole range of issues that need to be considered, and I think you ought to consider them and not make spur-of-the-moment announcements.

Griffin Centre enhancement

MS DUNDAS: Mr Speaker, my question is to the minister for community services. Minister, yesterday you indicated, after taking a question on notice, that the money allocated for enhancing the Griffin Centre had not been spent, as it was dependent upon the proposed QIC development, and that this depends on an approval of a draft variation to the Territory Plan. Any decision on this planning issue, then, could still be months away.

So, minister, is the government going to make any of the urgent upgrades necessary for OH&S and accessibility for people with physical disabilities at the Griffin Centre and other community centres?

MR CORBELL: I am not sure whether that is a question about all community centres in the ACT or simply the Griffin Centre under section 56. I will assume it is the latter and not the former.

Mr Speaker, clearly it would be unwise, in most circumstances, to expend significant moneys on a building which, at some stage-probably within the next year-is going to be demolished. However, if there are particularly pressing issues around occupational health and safety, fire safety or other matters such as that, which are deemed to be of such urgency that they cannot wait for a replacement building, then clearly the government is open to those points being made. However, as a matter of principle, it would be unwise to spend a lot of money on a building which is going to be hit by the bulldozers within 12 months.

MS DUNDAS: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Considering that you see it as unwise to expend the money because the building will be demolished, what will it take from residents of the Griffin Centre to prove to you that these are urgent needs? Do they need to sit in your office? Do you need to do a tour? What will it take to show that these are urgent requirements which cannot wait 12 months until a new building is provided?

MR CORBELL: They need to raise them with me, Mr Speaker. What I am saying is that those matters have not been raised with me.

Rugby world cup

MR PRATT: Mr Speaker, my question to the Minister for Planning, Mr Corbell, concerns the possible impact of the proposed western route of the Gungahlin Drive extension on the rugby world cup. Minister, in my supplementary question yesterday I asked:

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