Page 1465 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 10 April 2013
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this city state as a whole. I regularly talk to hundreds of people at my scheduled mobile offices as well as those who contact me every day. Many of these constituents tell me they appreciate the Labor government’s continued improvement to local infrastructure and amenities.
This Labor government recognises it is through continued investment in local facilities that fast growing communities such as those in the Belconnen area continue to thrive. Not only have many large construction projects been completed, but we also have seen improvements to various playgrounds, recreational amenities, tracks, footpaths, and cycleways. Not too long ago I was honoured to turn the first sod of stage 1 of the Lake Ginninderra foreshore development, which included the new state-of-the-art skate park in the immediate public realm. We have since seen stage 2 implemented, and this stage includes improvements to the landscaping, better lighting and walkways to adjacent areas. It also takes into account replacing the pedestrian bridge across the inlet, the conversion of the inlet into a wetlands system and the completion of paving adjacent to the new Belconnen skate park. These developments have not only improved accessibility to the foreshore area but also ensure that facilities can be enjoyed in greater safety for longer hours and with greater confidence by all Belconnen residents.
There have also been major upgrades to other public spaces around Lake Ginninderra—upgrades to Emu Inlet park, John Knight Memorial Park and the western foreshore incorporate better lighting, drinking fountains, benches, new barbecues and new playground areas. These upgrades have rejuvenated these spaces and created a much more vibrant atmosphere for park users.
Sports facilities have not missed out. I did not have time to mention some of these projects earlier, but I think it is important to mention them now. The government recognises that sport plays a key part in developing stronger and healthier communities. That is why we have continued to invest greatly in sports and sporting facilities in Canberra. In my electorate, for example, we have seen the restoration of Spence oval, improvements to Hawker playing fields and Kaleen enclosed oval and, as I said, a new international standard skate park and many other projects that my Ginninderra colleagues have mentioned.
I was recently privileged to join Minister Barr at the official opening of the Kippax enclosed oval redevelopment. As Ms Berry highlighted, this project is an outstanding example of what is able to be achieved when government and community pool their resources. As the minister further outlined in question time today, the development is a joint project not only with the community and the government but also, of course, with important sponsors.
As you know, Mr Assistant Speaker, developments such as this at Kippax encourage young people to continue to play their chosen sports and aspire to play on first-class grounds such as this. I particularly thank the Belconnen Magpies football club, the Magpies sports club, AFL NSW/ACT, the Ginninderra Cricket Club and Cricket ACT for the contribution each of them made to this project.
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