Page 719 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Following community consultation and the tender process, a design and construct contract has now been executed and work will begin soon. The first phase of the project will entail further site and soil investigations, bringing utility services to the site and finalisation of the design. Phase two of the project will be the construction of the facility itself. To get to this point, a considerable amount of time was expended and work undertaken with the local community to identify the types of infrastructure and programs that they will want to see included in the project.
I am pleased to say that the government has been able to expand on the original scope of the project and build some significant inclusions based on what aquatic sports and the surrounding community told us.
MS CODY: Minister, on that, how is the community input being incorporated into the final project?
MS BERRY: The ACT government undertook an eight-week community engagement process in December 2016 and January 2017 when more than 700 submissions were received and 10 meetings held with key sporting and community groups. As I said, this consultation sought to discover what additional facilities should be included at the Stromlo leisure centre on top of the 50-metre pool and learn-to-swim pool. The government also met with nine community, sport and recreation groups to determine what they needed at the Stromlo leisure centre to accommodate them.
Based on the feedback from the community consultation process, the ACT government amended the Stromlo leisure centre to include a splash park, gym or health club, leisure waterpark with a beach entry and toddlers pool as well as a seating capacity of 500. This responded directly to the top priorities which came through in consultation and, given the amount of feedback, I am confident that this is an excellent part of the community’s views. It is great that the community has been so engaged with the process and that the government has been able to respond to the feedback on these additional facilities.
It is also important confirmation that the Molonglo and Woden communities are looking forward to seeing this facility built. This anticipation flags high patronage and the government certainly wants to repeat the success of the Gungahlin pool in that regard.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, what sporting opportunities will this offer people from across Canberra and further afield?
MS BERRY: The construction of the pool is an early step for the Stromlo Forest Park area in becoming a sport and recreation precinct nestled in the Molonglo Valley. We will be looking at a range of additional facilities for the area, including accommodation in the park for interstate visitors. A cycle track and sports ovals are also to be considered in the future.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video