Page 4903 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 25 October 2011
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training is undertaken each day of the year, or the number of training and recreational activities—rowing, dragon boats and sailing on our lakes or equestrian sports in our forests and parks.
That level of usage and the policy decisions of the government in recent years have put increasing pressure on ovals, on sports clubs and on families. The government earlier this year launched its active 2020 strategic plan for sport and recreation in the ACT and region. I have already acknowledged the commitment and effort of those who contributed to that publication. It is a recognition that there are many elements that contribute to the development of sport in this territory.
The plan talks of maximising community engagement and talks of maximising supporting infrastructure. It includes the development of a long-term strategic facilities and resources plan. I welcome the fact that we have this plan and I know it is certainly none too soon. Indeed, I suspect it is long overdue. But does it address and will it address the need for better planning and will it deliver better infrastructure at the local level?
From discussions with local sporting groups, we know there is much to be done and much that needs improvement. I would suggest that the current government has a poor track record in looking after Canberra’s sporting facilities. We have pool closures, pools lapsing into disrepair and closed for months and we have had a number of ovals closed during the drought, but 12 months later there is no indication when or if they will be brought back into service.
A heading in the Canberra Times earlier this year, “Questions remain over disused grounds”, suggested that there were currently over 35 hectares of prime Canberra real estate, or 21 sportsgrounds and playing fields, that could not be maintained during Canberra’s water restrictions. We know that there are 19 grounds, or parts thereof, still to be restored. We get two ovals brought back into play, but what of the others? Last year the minister said, “I think there are some that, given that they have been out of circulation for so long, could have an alternative recreation usage.”
But even those that remain in use are not being well managed. As more than one sports group suggested to us, the drought masked a lot of infrastructure failings and lack of forward planning. We have been told of soccer field ovals being top-dressed with twice the amount of sand, killing the grass and making the field unplayable. We have heard stories of irrigation systems that have failed, killing the grass and making the field unplayable.
We have heard many stories of old infrastructure, decrepit change rooms, canteens that are non-existent or non-functioning. I would point out that facilities such as canteens are the lifeblood for clubs because they are often the best or only way of generating revenue to help them meet their costs. We have heard of a shortage of lights at many ovals, even for training.
We know that the closure of local ovals has restricted many sporting codes and has particularly affected junior sport. It has meant some sports cannot take on more teams and others are overusing ovals. This puts enormous pressure on some suburban
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