From my Desk
The recent ACT Budget contained some progress for much-needed sporting facilities in Yerrabi but again largely failed to recognise the significant growth in the area and the supply of facilities for both adults and children. Too much focus seems to continue to be placed on schools to provide indoor venues (mainly outside school hours) rather than develop multi-purpose indoor facilities that can effectively cater for a wide range of sports.
A commitment was made to continue the Home of Football project at Throsby, but it is unclear whether the funding provided will result in the completion of the original designs.
The Amaroo tennis centre is ‘on track’ for completion by the end 2024, so keep watching for developments.
Messages for urgent development of facilities in Yerrabi for popular sports such as Basketball, netball and badminton were not specifically addressed. Basketball and netball received funding for improvements at their main bases in Belconnen and Lyneham, respectively.
Stromlo received favourable treatment with funding provided for mountain biking and sporting fields (for a growth area). But still no progress on a new dive pool.
The Civic pool has been given a reprieve – up to 5 years – but announcements on new management for five ACT Government pools are still awaited. Parts of the Gungahlin Leisure Centre will be closed for urgent maintenance before new management begins full operation. The new stadium saga continues unabated. Maybe a lottery is needed. It worked for the Opera House! Our opportunities to experience national and international sporting events here will only diminish further with the negative attitude towards providing support for such events.
Out and About
This last month I visited many businesses in Mitchell, parking, traffic flow in and out of Mitchell and commercial rates were among the many issues raised by business as well as the urban maintenance/upkeep of the precinct. I have raised all of these issues with the government, and will let you know once I hear back. But be sure to keep an eye on my social media for more current updates.
Last month I also had the pleasure of visiting the Lifeline Canberra Bookfair warehouse in Mitchell. A team of dedicated volunteers sorting through donated books, puzzles, DVD’s, CD’s and Vinyl for Lifeline to sell and raise money for their cause. Lifeline Canberra is a leading charity in the ACT, setting the benchmark for suicide prevention and community-wide awareness of mental health. If you have any books at home that you no longer need, please contact Lifeline, as all the profits go towards 24/7 crisis support services.
Back in 5
In this episode of Back in 5 we chat with Matt and Maz from PreOwned appliances in Mitchell. Tune in to find out more.
Portfolio
It’s been all about Estimates this past fortnight in the assembly. And if you have been following the news you would have heard of some of the wasteful ways that this government finds to spend your money. A new HR system, at a cost of $76 Million, was cancelled. Paying to CEO’s for CIT, at a cost of three-quarters of a million a year – with a suggestion that it will be two years before that situation is settled – what an appalling waste of your money!
There is such evidence of failure and waste everywhere. The Gungahlin Joint Emergency Service Centre is a good example. The JESC is unfit for purpose, overcrowded and out of date. In the 2020 election the government stated they would update the centre. In the 2020-21 Budget they provisioned money for the upgrade, which was rolled-over in 2021-22, and again in 2022-23.
Well, this last budget shows that this money has still not been spent! And the most recent revelations shows that this may not happen for a long time! It’s been delay after delay, with the redevelopment work for the temporary site in Mitchell not to commence now till November 2023. No doubt we can expect another big fanfare announcement (as I mentioned in my last newsletter) just prior to the election. Meanwhile those who are crowded into the JESC have to try to make do as best as they can. This government has shown time again, they waste money and they certainly don’t know how to plan!
And Disability has once again drawn the short end of the straw. There were some very detailed submissions to the Budget from organisations such as Advocacy for inclusion and ACTCOSS, but they were completely ignored by the Government. Their evidence to the Estimates Committee described the NDIS as “like an island in the dessert” (Mr Wallace) – speaking to the complete lack of support and investment from the ACT Government for those living with a disability. It’s all talk with this government, but very little of anything else. I hear from people living with a disability and those that support them how little there is in the way of capital works, dedicated funding for diagnostic services, training of medical staff to avoid overshadowing, the list goes on. This government has once again shown that it is tired, out of touch, and out of ideas.
If you listened to the Estimates hearings or have been following them in them in the paper, let me know what evidence of their neglect and waste has most upset you.
Copyright © James Milligan, All rights reserved.
Authorised by James Milligan MLA