Page 4221 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2019
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MR GENTLEMAN: I have not been briefed on whether Taskforce Nemesis was involved in the raid, but I will take the question on notice.
Arts—infrastructure investment
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events. Minister, please outline for the Assembly the government’s investment in arts infrastructure in the territory?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for her question and for her strong history and involvement with arts and arts infrastructure, not only in her local area of Belconnen but across the city. The ACT government manages 13 arts facilities through artsACT, under licence arrangements with a number of local not-for-profit arts organisations as well as funding the Cultural Facilities Corporation, which manages the Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Museum and Gallery and our three beautiful historic homes, Lanyon Homestead, Calthorpes’ House and Mugga.
Our wonderful arts facilities are a key underpinning to the vibrancy and diversity of our arts culture here in the ACT. The government is continuing to invest in both existing and new arts infrastructure for the territory. We have allocated $1.67 million over three years in the 2019-20 budget for capital works design for Ainslie and Gorman House arts centres and for the Strathnairn Arts Centre and delivering works at several locations, including roofing at Strathnairn and site safety at Ainslie and Gorman.
Works are also underway at the Watson Arts Centre to improve the kiln facilities and more broadly to develop and commence a specialist asset replacement scheme across various facilities to ensure the safety and longevity of our arts organisations. We are about to commence a $5.9 million upgrade of the former transport depot at Kingston to replace the roof and the building’s electrical system, as well as upgrade public toilets to improve accessibility.
These are just some of the ways that the government is investing in our important arts infrastructure for the enjoyment, the development and the creative expression of the Canberran community.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, what is the progress of the territory’s two current biggest arts infrastructure projects: stage 2 of the Belconnen Arts Centre and the Kingston arts precinct?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the supplementary question, her history with the Belconnen Arts Centre and her recent involvement with the tour of the Kingston arts precinct as well.
I am pleased to advise that the construction of stage 2 of the Belconnen Arts Centre is proceeding well and is on track for completion in early 2020. The expansion includes a flexible theatre space, a new dance and rehearsal studio, a new gallery space and a cafe. The project will provide the community with more opportunities to engage with the arts through expanded facilities at the community-focused Belconnen Arts Centre.
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