Page 2252 - Week 06 - Friday, 27 June 2008
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room. There is no doubt that this investment will greatly enhance the centre’s value for local sport, both in summer and winter.
Another important investment and feature of this year’s budget in the electorate of Molonglo is the further development of the Lyons sports precinct. The government has set aside $8.6 million for the first stage of this precinct. Funding for this first stage of works will focus on the eastern or Northbourne Avenue side of the precinct, and it includes the commitment of $3 million to assist in the expansion of the ACT Netball Centre. It is proposed that the redevelopment of the ACT Netball Centre will add three international standard courts to the current facility, with a central show court capable of hosting up to 3,000 spectators and meeting media, broadcast and corporate requirements. The centre will be able to be reconfigured to host an array of activities, and the increased court space in the facility will allow the ACT Netball Association to provide space for numerous other sporting groups. A steering committee of various government agencies will oversee the individual project components.
In parallel with the redevelopment of the netball centre, the government will provide $5.6 million to work on the infrastructure needed to support this facility in the wider precinct, particularly in regard to traffic management and parking. This will include building a new access road into the precinct and additional car parking. This $8.6 million investment reflects the commitment of the government to the first stage of the Lyneham sports precinct concept, and it is expected that subsequent stages of the concept will focus on improving the western entry point and creating a connection road from east to west, the naturalisation of Sullivans Creek and broader improvement to open spaces within the precinct. We continue our negotiations and close collaboration with Tennis ACT and with One Basketball Canberra around opportunities for them within this sporting precinct. Those discussions are progressing very well.
The budget also provides for significant expansion in facilities for Stromlo Forest Park. The government has already provided the $7.5 million initial capital investment to establish world-class facilities at Stromlo Forest Park. As part of this year’s budget, the government provides an additional $2.78 million. A key feature of this is $1.7 million over two years for a range of essential infrastructure upgrades. This will include access and safety improvements, as well as event management and multipurpose landscape areas. This will allow for additional parking, event villages, team set-up areas and event camping and spectator viewing areas.
To build on the potential of Stromlo Forest Park, the government has also provided $100,000 for a feasibility study to access the scope for additional facilities to promote commercial growth at the site. These commercial opportunities could include bike hire, cafes and sporting club and function space, and the facilities would also include recreational activities for children, including a baby BMX and sealed cycle track for learning basic bike skills and road safety.
The budget also allocates $300,000 over two years to undertake a feasibility study to the establishment of a capital investment fund to support a range of commercial partnerships. This study will scope options, for example, on the possibility of a chairlift and, most importantly I believe, low-cost accommodation on the site, which
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