Page 2083 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 8 May 2012
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Property Group in the TAMS Directorate. He also tells us that this was a recommendation of the Loxton review of arts in the ACT.
In fact the Loxton report makes only scant reference to Civic Square. Indeed it is mentioned only three times, all of which mentions are repetitious and none of which argue for the removal of Civic Square from the functions of the Cultural Facilities Corporation. Further, the Loxton report did not recommend that the responsibility for Civic Square be handed to TAMS. It said that the now Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate should have primary responsibility for it. This is what the Loxton report says:
Civic Square is an important central location for Canberra. In moving responsibility from the CFC it is important to consider that it needs focused, strategic attention, collaborative planning, and probably some funding to achieve its potential. It is suggested that the Square would become the policy and strategic responsibility of CMD, with TAMS having day-to-day management responsibility. It will be essential for CMD to work with all key stakeholders in the precinct and the city to enliven the Square and the area and to make it an attractive place for all Canberrans.
Nor does the Attorney-General, in his presentation speech, argue the case for the transfer. It is simply a statement that the government has responded to the Loxton report.
I asked for a briefing on this matter and I thank the attorney for arranging the briefing through the office of the Minister for the Arts. I was unable, because of family commitments, to attend that briefing, but my colleague Mr Coe attended, partly because of his interest in the matter as the shadow minister for urban services. The circumstances of the transfer were explained to Mr Coe and my staff.
I accept the advice of the Cultural Facilities Corporation and artsACT that the transfer accords with the current operating practice as well as the corporation’s own suggestion in its submission to the Loxton review that the transfer be made. However, I also remind the government of Mr Loxton’s observation that I quoted a moment ago. Loxton said:
In moving responsibility from the CFC it is important to consider that it needs focused, strategic attention, collaborative planning, and probably some funding to achieve its potential.
Loxton clearly recognised the importance of Civic Square as a cultural precinct in the city. It has several stakeholders, including the ACT Legislative Assembly, and also the city library, the Cultural Facilities Corporation, the multicultural centre, Craft ACT and, yes, the Hermitage restaurant.
In the briefing Mr Coe was advised that a cultural precincts plan is under development and is likely to see the light of day sometime next year. I call on the government to give special prominence to Civic Square in that plan, due, as noted by Loxton, to its importance to the city and to the community as a whole.
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