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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 9 Hansard (27 August) . . Page.. 3293 ..

MS DUNDAS (continuing):

We cannot just plonk a sporting facility on top of something we do not have control over or own.

I will be supporting the Treasurer's amendment-and I hope we get the land. Today, I have been discussing with people the government's commitment or otherwise and the ongoing debate about the government's commitment to a motor sport facility. I understand, from what government members have said today in this debate, that the government is committed to a motor sport facility, although we are yet to see the level of commitment.

I see this motion as a first step to the reopening of a motor sport facility in the ACT. It is one I am happy to support and promote. Hopefully, with this as a first step on the books, we can move forward-after the successful completion of the negotiations for the land in Majura Valley-to push for support for the motor sport facility in next year's budget.

MR CORNWELL (4.54): I listened with interest to Ms Dundas' considered comments. I am sorry she reached the conclusion she did, but her comments were considered and sensible, which is more than I can say of those of others. You could almost add Mr Quinlan's amendment to the motion of my colleague Mr Stefaniak-they would probably complement each other.

The truth of the matter is that the question of the dragway has been around for a long time. Despite the amendment put forward by Mr Quinlan, I am not convinced that this will necessarily come to fruition in the near future. Far be it from me to reflect upon earlier debates, but the government's track record leaves a great deal to be desired in a number of areas. In fact, I was looking anxiously for the words "in principle"in Mr Quinlan's motion. Fortunately, I did not find them-nevertheless, I am concerned.

There is no doubt that there is considerable demand for a dragway for motor sport facilities in this city. That is not surprising, when you consider that we have, substantially, a young population. Many in that young, at least male population-although we cannot leave out the females-are interested in motor cars and in driving. If they do not have the opportunity to practise their skills or enjoy their driving under controlled conditions, I suggest-and the evidence speaks for itself-they will attempt to do it under uncontrolled conditions in the streets, parks and ovals of our city.

Mrs Dunne: Like Amaroo.

MR CORNWELL: Like Amaroo. You must weigh up this type of vandalism with the need to provide some sort of facility.

We have had, and are still experiencing a few problems with skateboarders. One of the ways out of the skateboard problem was to build skateboard parks. I think the analogy is reasonable. It is not as if we are dealing with a small number of people, where motor sport is concerned. We may not have too many skateboarders around, but I believe the number of motor sport followers would be far in excess of practising skateboarders. So, unquestionably, there is popularity. One of the problems with a motor sport facility is that it needs to be out of the way, because of the noise, so it seems that the choice of the Majura Valley is a good one.

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