Ms WALKER - 2010-12-01
- Can you please inform the House of the progress on the $8.1m commitment this government has made to the construction of the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I hope the member for Nhulunbuy might get down there next year and enjoy the new facility when it is completed. It is a fantastic facility being built before our eyes. When I am in Alice, I regularly drive past the swimming centre and see it taking shape. It really is exciting. It will provide an all-year-round swimming facility, not only for competitive swimmers and those looking for a bit of recreation during the colder months of the year, but also for families. Stage 2 will provide a 25 m indoor heated swimming pool with eight lanes, as well as the water slides, which are going to be fantastic. As I said, they are great recreation facilities, particularly for many of our younger people in Central Australia.
It is a facility for everyone, not just those in Alice Springs. Our Mayor, Damien Ryan, is a strong advocate for it. The town council is doing a lot of the administration and project management. Recently, Damien Ryan invited shire mayors from around the Territory to Alice Springs to have a good look at the facility and how it is taking shape.
As the member for Nhulunbuy quite rightly pointed out, it is this government’s commitment from the 2005 election of $8.1m - a significant contribution to this great facility.
As Minister for Climate Change, it is great to see the Alice Springs Solar City taking a major part in this project. There will be 275 solar panels put on the roof of the aquatic centre which will provide solar heating for the two indoor pools, as well as the two outdoor pools.
I am looking forward to it opening next year. Maybe the member for Greatorex will turn up in his budgie smugglers. I know Liberal parliamentarians have a tradition of turning up in budgie smugglers. I will be turning up in my Pioneer footie shorts and I will take a dive in. I just cannot wait.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016