Page 297 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
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new playgrounds. Play spaces which include the right balance of quality and accessibility provide for experiences that can be creative and imaginative and encourage children to climb, jump, explore and develop their coordination skills. Indeed, new play areas add to Canberra’s extensive playground network and will always enhance children’s physical health and wellbeing by providing opportunities for social and motor skill development. To put it simply, play spaces are a crucial investment in the ongoing livability and vibrancy of our local communities.
The reason I raise this in the Assembly today is that construction of Taylor’s new park has finished and the space is now open for people to come and use. This new park is an exciting addition to Taylor and will go a long way in encouraging the vitality and livability of the area. You can visit the park on the corner of Sutherland Crescent and Mottram Street and explore its sparkling new facilities, including bike racks, mountaineering ropes, exercising equipment, a climbing net, gardens, drinking fountains, mini-trampolines, picnic tables and slides.
I would also like to take the opportunity to update the Assembly on the fantastic action that businesses in Yerrabi have been taking to help our environment. I have recently reached out to a number of Yerrabi cafes to let them know about the straws suck campaign, and I am pleased to report that several cafes in my electorate are already working independently to reduce their single-use plastics. Some of these businesses are going above and beyond to make a difference, and I am pleased to have received really positive feedback from businesses that have not already taken the pledge. In particular, I would like to congratulate Sunday in Canberra and Blind Dove Cafe for being the most recent Yerrabi businesses to say they will take the straws suck pledge. Both of these fantastic local cafes have made concerted efforts to significantly reduce their use of single-use plastics. This is something to celebrate. I would encourage everyone to check these cafes out for themselves; just remember to take a reusable straw or cup.
Yerrabi was lit up over the Christmas holiday period thanks to the annual Christmas light tour. All across the ACT, people put on a spectacular show of Christmas lights at their homes, some of the most iconic of which, I am proud to report, occurred in Yerrabi. Ngunnawal, Forde, Bonner and Gungahlin all outdid themselves, with people travelling from all over Canberra to have a look at the magical displays. It is also worth noting that in true Christmas spirit, many of these homes took the opportunity to do some fundraising for charity. For example, 32 Elia Ware Crescent in Bonner was voted one of Australia’s top spots for Christmas lights; they raised funds for Legacy Australia during the show.
Whether it is government projects or community events and initiatives, Yerrabi is always full of excitement.
On behalf of the Yerrabi community, I would like to express how grateful we are to everyone in the ACT who worked hard over the holiday period. I cannot emphasise enough how much I appreciate the workers in emergency services, hospitality, retail and anyone else who kept the ACT running while the rest of us were lucky enough to take some time to relax with family and friends.
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