Page 1102 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 6 May 2014
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a project worth $750,000 for beach volleyball. The ACT government committed to provide $500,000 over two years with the balance—$250,000—being met by Volleyball ACT. Minister, why has the project, within weeks of the grant being announced, blown out by 25 per cent to now $1 million?
MR BARR: It has not, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, is there an additional sum of money being allocated to the project?
MR BARR: No, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, what support is there in the community for beach volleyball?
MR BARR: I thank Mr Gentleman for the question. I understand from Volleyball ACT that they have nearly 2,700 registered participants and in the very small two-court facilities that are available at the Canberra Olympic pool there are more than 1,000 people participating in beach volleyball competitions at the moment.
Mr Doszpot asked me a question on notice, and I have been able to provide further detail on the growth of participation in the sport over the last three or four years. From memory, that particular answer to Mr Doszpot showed that if there was not a doubling in participation in recent times it was very close to that.
This new facility is supported, obviously, with a significant financial commitment from Volleyball ACT and forms part of a larger sports precinct that the government has invested significantly in, in terms of new playing fields, upgrades to the hockey centre, support for the netball centre upgrades, support for the tennis centre upgrades, a new health club and a variety of other facilities that are part of the Lyneham sports precinct. This volleyball facility forms but one part of a broader world-class sports facility for the people of north Canberra. It has been 10 years in development and has been through a number of different phases, but it is very strongly supported.
I must say it is disappointing that the opposition continues to agitate against investment in sport and recreation. That is very disappointing. I think it is only fair and reasonable that a sport like volleyball, which is an Olympic sport, and for which we have a number of significant programs and participation in this city, is given some support, particularly through this program. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, how much has the ACT government already spent on preparing the site, and is that cost part of the $500,000 grant?
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