Page 3481 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 17 September 2019
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see what the indoor sports facility report promised in 2016 would deliver. We got nothing. We got a recommendation for more reports and a business case.
Whether it is Stromlo Forest Park or any other sporting assets in the ACT, I wonder why this government cannot look past its own nose and plan beyond an election cycle. As the subject of this MPI states, proper and coordinated planning is needed to cater for the residents in that region and the wider Canberra community. I thank Miss Burch for bringing this important matter to the Assembly.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (3.32): The ACT government has a strong record of investing in the delivery of sport and recreation facilities across the ACT. This supports the ACT having the highest levels of sport and physical activity participation in the country. Officially opened in 2007, Stromlo Forest Park is world-class. It is a world-class multi-use recreational sporting facility available to both recreational and sporting groups. Stromlo Forest Park currently boasts a purpose built event pavilion, a 1.2 kilometre road criterium cycling circuit, a 2.5 kilometre cross-country running network, a network of equestrian trails and over 40 kilometres of mountain bike trails suitable for riders of all abilities.
Planning for sporting facilities and infrastructure in Molonglo, including Stromlo Forest Park, has been developed over a number of years. As the suburbs in the area take shape, the focus will shift to delivering new sporting facilities for this growing community. Various elements of Stromlo Forest Park are well developed, while others, such as the Stromlo leisure centre, are currently under construction.
Members will know that the government committed $33 million under the 2016-17 ACT budget to deliver a 50-metre pool and learn-to-swim pool in Stromlo Forest Park. That is on track to be completed towards the end of 2020. Government consultation with the community and stakeholders in January 2017 provided over 700 submissions, including detailed consultation with 11 sporting groups. Based on the feedback received, the ACT government committed an additional $3.6 million to fund the Stromlo leisure centre project, which also delivers a health club, leisure pool, toddlers park, splash park and increased seating capacity.
The facility will serve a catchment of approximately 100,000 people in Weston Creek, Woden and the Molonglo Valley once it is fully developed. A sod turning event marked the start of construction of the Stromlo Leisure Centre on 13 September 2018, which coincided with the commencement of the bulk earthworks.
The project is progressing well. Concrete structures for the pools are complete, roofing beams are installed and the roof over the pool hall is just about completed. The procurement process to engage an operator to manage the Stromlo Leisure Centre is currently open and will close on 10 October 2019. It is expected that an operator will be appointed by the end of the year.
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