Page 3474 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 17 September 2019
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Motion (by Mr Gentleman) agreed to:
That the changes to the membership of the Standing Committees, as proposed, and agreed to by the Speaker, pursuant to standing order 223, be adopted.
Stromlo Forest Park
Discussion of matter of public importance
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Madam Speaker has received letters from Miss C Burch, Ms Cheyne, Ms Cody, Mr Coe, Mr Gupta, Mrs Kikkert, Ms Le Couteur, Mr Milligan, Mr Parton and Mr Pettersson proposing that matters of public importance be submitted to the Assembly. In accordance with standing order 79, Madam Speaker has determined that the matter proposed by Miss C Burch be submitted to the Assembly, namely:
The importance of coordinated planning for Stromlo Forest Park sport and recreation facilities.
MISS C BURCH (Kurrajong) (3.08): Stromlo Forest Park is a great place for many Canberrans who enjoy trail running, mountain biking, horseriding and many other recreational activities. It is an incredibly important community facility that offers a great outdoor sporting and recreation venue. Although it has been a long time coming, investment in its infrastructure and facilities, with the development of the new $36 million leisure centre, is welcomed by the local community, especially Canberra’s sporting communities.
But we need more investment and strong, coordinated planning to realise the full potential of Stromlo Forest Park. It has the potential to be a significant regional, and even national, sporting and tourism attraction if done right. This is why it needs a fresh plan and long-term strategy. The government has, over the past 10 years, gradually and very slowly made the additions of a gym, a bike track, a pool and playing fields, splurging cash on an ad hoc basis without any long-term vision for the precinct.
Just 15 minutes from Canberra’s civic centre and my electorate of Kurrajong, we have a great facility. But beyond construction of these couple of additions, there is no clear indication from the government of where it is headed. The government has several separate strategies relating to cycle tourism and venues across the ACT, but no cohesive plan for Stromlo Forest Park. This demonstrates a clear lack of long-term planning for the area.
This uncertainty is faced by many local sporting groups right across the ACT. Whether it is in Woden, Dickson or Gungahlin, sporting clubs and groups need long-term funding certainty and an overarching plan and strategy with full and adequate consultation. Community sports organisations rely heavily on funding from government, and we constantly hear from local community groups about the difficulties that they face in trying to access money.
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