Page 1684 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
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The Nous Group is due to report to me by mid-June, and that work will give all of us, including members in the gallery, the government and the opposition, more information. It is my requirement of that contract that work is undertaken in very close discussions with Arthritis ACT. I look forward to that continuing, and I suspect that today’s meeting will be only the first of a number.
I will comment very briefly on the discussion Mrs Dunne referred to in previous committee hearings. We certainly had a discussion, and I think all of us have learned a bit more about the differences between 31, 32 and 34 degrees. Although I do not have Hansard in front of me, I recall discussions in committees that it was a matter of how you determine whether it is a 32-degree pool or a 34-degree pool. That will be considered in the context of the Nous Group report.
I have undertaken through the amendment to report back to the Assembly by the last sitting day in August and to continue to work collaboratively with community members and local stakeholders. Our commitment is to do just that.
I move the amendment circulated in my name:
Omit all text after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes:
(a) the importance of hydrotherapy services to the community;
(b) there is a demand for access to hydrotherapy and warm water facilities;
(c) the ACT Government is currently working with stakeholders to determine the current demand and usage of hydrotherapy and warm water facilities across the ACT;
(d) the ACT Government acknowledges The Canberra Hospital pool is coming to the end of its usable and safe life and has advised stakeholders it intends to close the pool by 30 June 2019;
(e) the purpose-built hydrotherapy pool at the University of Canberra Hospital opened in 2018 and has enhanced features compared to the facility at The Canberra Hospital;
(f) the Stromlo Leisure Centre program pool, like the Lakeside Leisure Centre on Canberra’s southside, will be heated to approximately 31 to 32 degrees Celsius and be available for use by the community, including for some types of warm water therapy;
(g) construction of the new Stromlo Leisure Centre is progressing with completion expected in the second quarter of 2020;
(h) the ACT Government initially committed $33 million for the project to include a 50 metre lap and competition pool, a program pool, a reception, kiosk, administration offices and change rooms; and
(i) after extensive consultation with the community, the Government allocated an additional $3.6 million to provide funding for a gym, leisure pool, toddlers’ pool, splash park, crèche and more seating throughout the centre; and
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