Page 2858 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 14 August 2018
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help our farmers to get through this difficult time and to further prepare for the future.
MS ORR: Minister, how can the ACT’s farmers access the assistance you have described?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Orr for the question. The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate has put together a new web page outlining the assistance. That is available at environment.act.gov.au. Farmers interested in applying for the new ACT rural assistance grant can make contact with ACT natural resource management via email at actlandcare@act.gov.au. The team at ACT natural resource management is available to discuss the program with interested farmers.
Further, with regard to the new freight subsidy, application guidelines and a form will be available online from Monday, 20 August. Interested farmers who would like to discuss a potential application can contact the directorate via email at act.ruralservices@act.gov.au.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Australian government provides a variety of assistance programs to farmers. This information can also be helpfully accessed via the assistance web page part of the EPSDD website.
Arts—funding
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for the Arts and Community Events. Can the minister please outline for the Assembly the government’s investment in arts infrastructure in the territory.
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Orr for the question and for her clear interest in community arts and festivals in her electorate of Yerrabi. For 2018-19, the arts budget for activities and organisations is over $10 million across a number of funding categories, including key arts organisations; program organisations; arts activities; book of the year; arts residencies; community outreach, including with the ANU; sector development; and Aboriginal arts and culture.
What underpins the accessibility of the arts and the diversity and vibrancy of our cultural offering here in Canberra are our many wonderful government-owned arts facilities in which we continue to invest. The ACT government manages 13 community arts facilities in addition to the Canberra Theatre Centre, the Canberra Museum and Gallery and our three beautiful historic homes.
Noting the importance of ensuring that arts and culture in our city are inclusive, we are funding numerous accessibility upgrades to the theatre, including the installation of a lift and new wheelchair accessible seating; and upgrading the captioning equipment, allowing people with hearing impairments to fully engage with live theatre. At Lanyon Homestead we are buying an electric people mover to help people with mobility issues to more fully enjoy the historic precinct. We will also be making a range of work health and safety, security, utility and communications improvements across these facilities in addition to work that is already underway to make upgrades
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