Page 3361 - Week 09 - Thursday, 22 August 2019
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MS LAWDER: Minister, what advice have you been given about how ED performance is trending so far in the first quarter of 2019-20?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Lawder for the supplementary question. The advice I have received is very similar to the response to the question on notice: that there will not be a significant change in performance as a result of the seasonal impacts that we have seen expected in this quarter. The question I was previously asked I interpreted as being more specific. As a general response to that question, the expectation is that the performance would be about the same. That is my understanding. If that is incorrect, I will obviously come back to the Assembly with further information.
Arts—Belconnen Arts Centre
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events. Can the minister please update the Assembly on the progress of the expansion of Belconnen Arts Centre?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for her question, especially given her strong and dedicated history at the Belconnen Arts Centre. The stage 2 expansion of the Belconnen Arts Centre was a $15 million election commitment of the government. The funding was announced in the 2017-18 budget. I was pleased to turn the sod at the establishment of the building site in December 2018, and construction commenced officially on 10 January 2019.
As the building occupier and operator, Belconnen Arts Centre Incorporated has been absolutely instrumental in project development which is being delivered by PBS Building. PBS Building is taking a highly collaborative and innovative approach to the build to minimise the impact on the centre’s operations while the BAC management has devised flexible and clever ways to continue delivering its extensive arts programs despite the inevitable disruptions that are on site.
Works in the existing building are underway, including the expansion of the administration office and the comms room. PBS is taking a sustainable approach to managing waste and recycling on site, with a very strong focus on recycling and not over-ordering materials. The building design will achieve the same high standards of accessibility that were established in stage 1.
I can advise that the concrete slabs are poured, the structural steel frame is going up, and we expect to see the main roof on by early September. Some of the areas, including the main gallery, the cafe and some back-of-house spaces are already roofed, and they have heating and cooling systems going in and internal walls are underway.
I very much look forward to the new facility’s opening to the community in early 2020.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, what benefits is the ACT government’s investment in stage 2 going to bring to the local community?
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