Page 1867 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
coordination of events, as well as some savings, as a result of the abolition of EPIC’s board of management.
The abolishment of the Canberra Stadium Authority, the Australian Capital Tourism Corporation and the ACTION Authority in 2006 and their successful integration into TAMS provided a strong precedent for the incorporation of the EPIC venue and associated functions into TAMS. This has provided an excellent opportunity to merge the administration of the Exhibition Park Corporation with other territory venues operated by that organisation. This is the same process that the government went through previously with Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval. This move will see all our major venues such as Stromlo Forest Park managed by the same professional team.
The ACT government, through our three premier venues, holds numerous national and international games. These events not only raise the profile of Canberra but also bring tourists and visitors to our wonderful city. As Minister Barr noted in February of this year, over 50 international sporting events will be held in the ACT in 2009, making this year perhaps the biggest ever in terms of sporting events. A great number of these events will be held at facilities run by the ACT government. Canberra Stadium was the scene of the Socceroos match against Kuwait earlier this year and will be the scene of the Wallabies international rugby match against Italy. Manuka was the venue for the women’s cricket world cup, and Mount Stromlo Forest Park will set the scene for the 2009 version of the mountain bike world championships. These are but a few of the sporting events in the year’s sporting calendar that offer variety and quality.
As I have always said in this place, Canberra is the nation’s capital and we should expect and demand the best. The successful management of these facilities by the ACT government allows Canberrans to experience world-class sporting events in surroundings that do justice to these events. It also provides international standard venues for us to regularly experience the theatre of our national sports leagues.
Canberra Stadium is the ACT’s premier sporting facility, playing host to the famous Brumbies and Canberra Raiders. With a seating capacity of over 25,000, it also hosts a number of minor community events and provides first-class function and conference facilities. Manuka Oval is Canberra’s original cricket ground and host to the Australian Football League matches and the Prime Minister’s XI. It also offers one of Canberra’s unique function and event centres with the Bradman Room, overlooking the historic field and catering for up to 400 guests.
After the 2003 bushfires destroyed Stromlo forest, the ACT government bushfire recovery task force was established to advise the government on recovery and to act as a bridge between government agencies and the community. From this simple beginning, Stromlo Forest Park is now a one-of-a-kind facility with exceptional infrastructure for a variety of users, with a purpose-built event pavilion, criterium cycling circuit, grass cross-country running track, equestrian trails and mountain bike tracks to suit every level of rider.
Of course, we all know about the many and varied events that are run year-round at EPIC, attracting tourists to our city, improving our economy and bringing enjoyment
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .