Page 3746 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 28 October 2015
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relocate the event to that location then there would be consultation with a range of stakeholders, including surrounding residents, before any decision was taken.
In relation to the 2016 Floriade event, we continue to be in negotiations with the National Capital Authority in order to stage the event in at least part of Commonwealth Park, if not all of the usual event footprint. When there is more information available on Floriade’s future beyond 2016, when the government and the National Capital Authority have concluded our negotiations in relation to the event’s future in Commonwealth Park, I will of course make that publicly available.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, has the government undertaken an analysis of the social, economic or environmental impacts of moving Floriade to Glebe Park or any other venue, has a conservation management plan for Glebe Park been undertaken, and will you make these reports public?
MR BARR: The government has in fact undertaken a number of studies, as I indicated in my previous answer, over the last seven or eight years, into various potential permanent locations for Floriade. Those reports were released publicly. I recall debating the shadow tourism minister on those particular issues in this place, maybe not in this parliament but certainly in previous Assemblies. So those issues have been extensively canvassed. I imagine those reports are still available online if the member is interested.
In relation to the specifics of Glebe Park, some initial work has been prepared on options, but it has not been finalised. Nor has any decision been taken in relation to Floriade in Glebe Park. Until we have reached a resolution with the National Capital Authority on access to Commonwealth Park, people should presume that the event will continue to be held there until we are otherwise advised by the National Capital Authority.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Chief Minister, what aspects of Floriade will be lost given that Glebe Park is a much smaller site than Commonwealth Park?
MR BARR: That is an entirely hypothetical question, but to the extent that I can provide some commentary on the Glebe Park options that could be considered, elements of the event would occur there and elements of the event would obviously have to occur in other adjacent locations. That could include, for example, utilising the National Convention Centre for the traders’ village. That would be one potential option. But as I indicated in my response to Mr Wall’s questions, at this point the government’s preference remains to continue to be able to hold the event in Commonwealth Park. Recent comments from the National Capital Authority indicate that there may be some movement on the authority’s part to allow the event to continue in that location with some changes in the way the event is delivered, particularly in the lead-up to the event and how quickly the event can be bumped out of the park to restore it to full public access, which I understand is one of the major concerns that the NCA has.
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