Page 3523 - Week 09 - Thursday, 23 August 2018
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The budget also provides for some upgrade works to the Canberra theatre as well as to the three historic places the corporation manages, Lanyon, Mugga-Mugga and Calthorpes’ House. Minister, I would appreciate the opportunity for on-site briefings at those places too, so that I can see for myself how the enhancements to these venues will, in turn, enhance the visitor experience. I would appreciate the minister’s assistance in facilitating those briefings.
The Cultural Facilities Corporation is one of the ACT’s quiet achievers. It is very effective in managing the government’s bureaucratic processes but at the same time recognising that its priority should lie with its staff, volunteers and the public. The corporation delivers good service to the people of the ACT. I applaud it and its people for that work.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (11.37): I thank Mrs Dunne for her comments. I will be very happy to facilitate an on-site visit for her to our excellent facilities in different parts of Canberra.
Through this budget, the government is recognising the importance of the arts, culture and heritage in our community by making a major investment in venues and programs run by the CFC. That investment will support the CFC’s vision for Canberra to be a creative capital that values the arts for their intrinsic qualities, and further their contribution to building a more inclusive and resilient society. The arts continue to make our city an exciting place to live and an attractive destination for business and tourism. They play a key role in the economy of the ACT and the region.
Funding announced in the budget will improve the visitor experience at the CFC’s venues, making the venues more accessible to visitors with special needs, achieving high standards of workplace health and safety for CFC staff, and supporting effective business operations.
We will be providing capital funding of $350,000, to upgrade the CMAG storage and display areas, as has been mentioned, and enhance its capacity to collect, to conserve and to exhibit our region’s art and history well into the future.
We are investing $680,000 in capital funding at the CFC’s historic places. Most of these funds will be spent at Lanyon for a new workshop and office, an electric people mover to help people with mobility issues move around the precinct more easily, and a study into water supply infrastructure. Funds will also be spent on conservation works at all three historic places managed by CFC, Lanyon, Calthorpes’ House and Mugga-Mugga. And we will invest $105,000 for improvements to telecommunications at Lanyon.
At the Canberra Theatre Centre we are investing nearly $1½ million in a package of capital works to enhance safety and accessibility for patrons, and to maintain a higher level of work health and safety for staff. The main items in the package are upgrading the public toilets at the centre, with ambulatory cubicles; installing a lift and new wheelchair-accessible seating at the midpoint of the auditorium; upgrading the live
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