Page 1183 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 20 March 2013

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that number, are running on substandard tracks that are too small and do not meet even the required 400 metres intended for competitions. The tracks are undulating and rough, and you can translate this into virtually every field around Canberra. Athletic clubs in Canberra are not asking for $4 million to be spent at each and every club oval. What they are asking for is proper consideration of other options.

So let us step back and look at what facilities might be needed in the new areas of Molonglo. A greenfields site would be more costly, but in the long run, will it? If it is purpose built with parking and appropriate facilities, then perhaps it would be in the longer term a much better option. Currently Stromlo park, where various events are staged, has parking for possibly thousands of cars, just like the AIS has, and it has space to build a first-class athletics facility with the full range of services and all that is required of an IAAF compliant track, just like the AIS does. The AIS has equipment storage the size of a large industrial shed. Woden has something half the size of a local garage. And, worse, if the proposed facilities are built, there will be no room to upgrade existing facilities.

What of grandstands? Woden currently has open park benches and, as mentioned in the consultant’s report, spectators will face glare from the sun. Yes, there will be demand for more parking, and Edison park will be under threat, as will the hospital car park. You cannot build first-class sporting facilities and expect everyone to walk to them or catch a bus. What the athletics community is asking is that the Canberra taxpayer not be saddled with a half-hearted potential white elephant, and that is what would happen if the minister chooses not to listen to all the concerns and all the views of all the stakeholders.

I have listened to them, and there is more than one side to this issue. As MLAs, it is our duty and obligation to listen to the community and ensure public moneys are being used to the best possible purpose. Building half a facility at Woden is not the best use of public moneys. There can be winners out of this, but if the government continue to insist on a least-worst option, they, the government, and the Canberra athletics community will be the big losers. I commend my motion to the Assembly.

Question put:

That the amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

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