Page 993 - Week 03 - Thursday, 23 March 2017
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On that note, I want to mention that the first game of the new women’s premier league, which was announced by Capital Football yesterday, will be played at Melrose on Sunday at 10 am, and I encourage everybody to get along to that game. I caught up with the club’s representative at the launch yesterday. This is the first year in which a women’s competition has been given equal billing with the men’s. I want to congratulate Capital Football and also the work of local football clubs who have been consistently promoting their girl’s and women’s teams towards an equal league. I know players of all ages, abilities and both genders will enjoy the experience of playing on this new synthetic pitch.
Melrose high will also have a role in maintaining the new natural grass field and the upgraded sport hard courts and the new car park.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, what new technologies have been used in the facility and how could these apply to other facilities in future?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the question. The popularity of synthetic sports surfaces is growing fast. A number of sports, local governments and other facility providers have embraced new technologies for their durability and easier maintenance. The Melrose pitch has been designed and constructed in accordance with FIFA requirements. As part of the project, a FIFA official is required to inspect the facility and certify that the construction of the synthetic grass field has been completed in line with their requirements. A shock pad has been installed below the synthetic grass surface, which is an impact-absorbing layer to make it safer for players and means the bounce of the ball is closer to that of natural grass.
New synthetic technologies are particularly useful to assist in meeting the high demand requirements for formal sporting usage. As a guide, a synthetic grass facility can accommodate usage for up to 60 hours per week without affecting the playing surface. In comparison, a natural grass field can accommodate approximately 25 hours per week in a climate like ours in Canberra. The new facility also includes a significant drainage system that will ensure it can still be used during significant rain.
Obviously, we will look at the experience at Melrose in considering future infrastructure project developments like this one. The use of synthetic grass technologies has been embraced by a number of sports, particularly football and hockey. As technology keeps progressing and more sports come on board, we can certainly set our sights on future opportunities for other sports.
Crime—offences while on bail
MR HANSON: My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, the DPP has provided the following two cases as examples in their latest annual report. I will quote from that report, “While the accused was on bail in respect of these offences he was arrested and charged with committing further, even more serious, family violence offences against his partner.” Another example in the report is, “The accused was charged with family violence offences against his girlfriend in October 2015. At the
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