Ms ANDERSON - 2006-08-23
A new aquatic centre for Alice Springs has been on the drawing board for some time. Can you update the House on the progress of this very important project for Central Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. This is a great initiative to improve the lifestyle of Centralians. In the lead-up to the election, the government promised $8.1m towards the construction of an aquatic centre in Alice Springs. This centre will include a 25 m heated swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a children’s play area and it also includes heated change rooms.
At the request of Alice Springs Town Council earlier this year, the government provided $100 000 to assist with the planning and design of this facility. Then, in June, the government granted Alice Springs Town Council the remaining $8m for the construction of the aquatic centre. Alice Springs Town Council has, in all, been given $8.1m sitting in their bank account to get on with the job of construction. $8.1m is, by any stretch, an extremely generous contribution towards the construction of an aquatic centre. I am advised that it is one of the largest grants ever made by any state or territory government to a local council for the construction of a pool.
One of the benefits to Alice Springs Town Council of us granting the money up-front is that interest earned on this money until it is acquitted will amount to about $400 000 a year, ‘extra’ money to spend on the aquatic centre. It will be interesting to see if the CLP still wants to can the pool and go ahead with their suggestion of a lake.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive of the aquatic centre in Alice Springs. I look forward to being at its opening.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. This is a great initiative to improve the lifestyle of Centralians. In the lead-up to the election, the government promised $8.1m towards the construction of an aquatic centre in Alice Springs. This centre will include a 25 m heated swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a children’s play area and it also includes heated change rooms.
At the request of Alice Springs Town Council earlier this year, the government provided $100 000 to assist with the planning and design of this facility. Then, in June, the government granted Alice Springs Town Council the remaining $8m for the construction of the aquatic centre. Alice Springs Town Council has, in all, been given $8.1m sitting in their bank account to get on with the job of construction. $8.1m is, by any stretch, an extremely generous contribution towards the construction of an aquatic centre. I am advised that it is one of the largest grants ever made by any state or territory government to a local council for the construction of a pool.
One of the benefits to Alice Springs Town Council of us granting the money up-front is that interest earned on this money until it is acquitted will amount to about $400 000 a year, ‘extra’ money to spend on the aquatic centre. It will be interesting to see if the CLP still wants to can the pool and go ahead with their suggestion of a lake.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive of the aquatic centre in Alice Springs. I look forward to being at its opening.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016