Page 714 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 1 May 2007
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developed over a 10-year period of research involving CSIRO, Charles Sturt University and the University of Queensland. The committee notes that KISSS appears to have many benefits; however, there may be considerable costs to implement such a system if it cannot readily be integrated with the irrigation system already in place. In late 2006 and early 2007 the committee visited Canberra Boys Grammar School and Rosary primary school in Watson to inspect the trialled installation of KISSS. Ms Marriage, Director of Sport and Recreation Services, TAMS, advised the committee that TAMS officials would be visiting some of the facilities that have installed KISSS.
TAMS has also finalised its service charter for ACT sportsgrounds. Amongst other things, this specifies the servicing arrangement that TAMS has with sports clubs in the ACT. The committee was impressed with the serious consideration that TAMS is giving to improving sportsground irrigation in the ACT and appreciates the effort that was made to ensure that it understood the issues raised by potential new watering systems.
The committee regards TAMS as a responsive service provider. Ms Marriage acknowledged the “huge impact” that the drought was having on the management of sportsgrounds and that management would become more of a challenge if a higher level of water restrictions were imposed.
With that in mind, the committee has made several recommendations. The committee recognises the challenges created by drought in managing sportsgrounds and commends the ACT government for its responses to date. The committee recommends that the ACT government continue its efforts to diversify the water resources it relies on for irrigating sportsgrounds in the ACT. The committee appreciates that, when TAMS officials discussed the draft plan with the committee, cooperation with sports clubs was often referred to. The committee considers, therefore, that the draft plan should be amended to include points of contact for further information and for making complaints.
It could be beneficial to list the contact information for sports clubs, the Ginninderra Catchment Group, park care groups and other “friends of” groups to facilitate engagement and community building. The committee recommends that the 2006 draft plan of management for urban open space and public access sportsgrounds in the Gungahlin region be amended to better acknowledge the role of stakeholders in the management of sportsgrounds and urban open space in the ACT.
The committee also recommends that the minister request that the Department of Territory and Municipal Services amend the 2006 draft plan of management for urban open space and public access sportsgrounds in the Gungahlin region so that it refers to, and is consistent with, the service charter for ACT sportsgrounds. The committee recommends that the minister ensure that the 2006 draft plan of management for urban open space and public access sportsgrounds in the Gungahlin region is updated before he approves it.
The committee noted that some further minor updating of the draft plan is necessary. For example, map 29 on page 70 should include the urban open space in Crace. Similarly, references in the draft plan to the Land (Planning and Environment) Act
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