Mr WOOD - 2012-03-29
The government has promised an aquatic centre for the rural area. Could you succinctly inform rural residents what is holding up this project; when they can expect to see the plans completed; when will the land be rezoned; and when we can expect to see a hole in the ground to show people that this project is really happening?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. The Northern Territory government remains firmly committed to a pool for the rural area. We have been working very hard on this project. As with most projects, you have to work with a number of different groups, and there have been some interesting dynamics along the way in this. We are firmly committed to putting that hole in the ground for this swimming pool in the rural area. Work is currently under way on an appropriate alternative site for the pool following the rejection of the Freds Pass site.
As the member for Nelson would be aware, there was money allocated in the 2011-12 Budget for planning and development of the pool, including headworks at the site, and a preferred location has now been identified in the Coolalinga area. Planning development work is well under way.
The first step will be a Development Consent Authority application in relation to a new site. As part of moving forward, the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport will now take the lead role in the implementation of the pool. This builds on this department’s very expert experience in overseeing other water park facilities such as the Leanyer Water Park and the Palmerston Water Park. I thank my Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services for their hard work to date on the pool for the rural area. They will continue to assist my colleague’s department, NRETAS, as required. I expect announcements in coming weeks as part of the budget process about further funds allocated to the construction ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member for Arafura will contain herself.
Ms McCARTHY: ... of the pool for the rural area.
Talking about swimming pools, the swimming pool in Santa Teresa will be having its first pool party on the weekend, which is wonderful news as well.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. The Northern Territory government remains firmly committed to a pool for the rural area. We have been working very hard on this project. As with most projects, you have to work with a number of different groups, and there have been some interesting dynamics along the way in this. We are firmly committed to putting that hole in the ground for this swimming pool in the rural area. Work is currently under way on an appropriate alternative site for the pool following the rejection of the Freds Pass site.
As the member for Nelson would be aware, there was money allocated in the 2011-12 Budget for planning and development of the pool, including headworks at the site, and a preferred location has now been identified in the Coolalinga area. Planning development work is well under way.
The first step will be a Development Consent Authority application in relation to a new site. As part of moving forward, the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport will now take the lead role in the implementation of the pool. This builds on this department’s very expert experience in overseeing other water park facilities such as the Leanyer Water Park and the Palmerston Water Park. I thank my Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services for their hard work to date on the pool for the rural area. They will continue to assist my colleague’s department, NRETAS, as required. I expect announcements in coming weeks as part of the budget process about further funds allocated to the construction ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member for Arafura will contain herself.
Ms McCARTHY: ... of the pool for the rural area.
Talking about swimming pools, the swimming pool in Santa Teresa will be having its first pool party on the weekend, which is wonderful news as well.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016