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Postal Address: PO Box 3701 Weston Creek ACT 2611

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Minutes of Monthly Meeting

28 January 1998

Bob Sutherland welcomed the candidates for Molonglo, members of the public and the committee. Mr Sutheralnd advised the candidates that a random draw would be made to determine the order of speaking and each candidate had 3 minutes. Questions from the audience would be taken after all candidates had spoken.

A motion to agree to endorse the expenditure for the publicity for this meeting of $750 was needed . This was moved by Jeff Carl and seconded by Jocelyn Murphy.

The candidates in Molonglo who attended were:

Bull, Sue Democratic Socialists

Burke, Jacqui Liberal

Carnell, Kate Liberal

Coats, Jim Democrats

Corbell, Simon ALP

Cornwell, Greg Liberal

Dawson, Allan Shooter’s Party

Dyer, Nick Independent

Errery, Jane Democrats

Garth, Steve ALP

Humphries, Gary Liberal

Kellet, Joan Independent

Le Couteur, Caroline Greens

McEwan, Melissa Democrats

McMurty, Tania ALP

Moore, Michael Independent

Quinlan, Ted ALP

Rees, Jacqui Independent

Reilly, Marion ALP

Tucker, Kerrie Greens

Numbers were allocated to candidates and these were randomly drawn. The order of speaking was;

10 Reilly

15 Garth

12 Coates

5 McEwan

14 Le Couteur

13 Bull

4 Kellet

1 Dawson

11 Corbell

16 Errey

17 Humphries

8 Quinlan

2 Cornwell

7 Dyer

6 Moore

18 Carnell

9 McMurty

3 Burke

19 Tucker

20 Rees

Questions were directed to individual candidates, the main parties or all candidates. The issues raised covered:

• direct bus route between Canberra College campuses - the Weston Campus to the Philip campus. Questioned answered by Kate Carnell -it will be looked at.
• youth age group - where are the facilities?, what age groups can use them? when are we to be consulted? question answered by Gary Humphries in regard to the proposed Youth recreation facilities in Weston Creek. The recent press coverage showed the need for politicians and bureaucrats to consult and listen with regard to location and the facilities. This should include a wide range of options as well as Greg Cornwell’s suggestion of section 22. Marion Rielly indicated that the ALP also supported facilities for youth in Weston Creek. Kate Carnell indicated the youth facility would include tennis practice, half basketball and skateboards.
• Bus routes - questions were asked about the poor timetable and lack of well planed bus routes. the question was answered by Nick Dyer, Simon Corbell, Kate Carnell and Kerrie Tucker.
• Question on a number of issues to Gary Humphries and Kate Carnell - why was the Fisher pre-school demolished? why has the swimming pool not been built in Weston Creek - why is the police response time so slow?
• Term of Government - question to Kate Carnell - why not extend the term of office. The next term will be 3 yrs and 10mths. The election will be in October.
• Commitment to community services - addressed to Liberal and ALP. Will Weston Creek retain a locally based community service. There was a commitment by both parties that community services would continue to be available to Weston Creek residents.
• Facilities for Weston Creek - question to Gary Humphries - The WCCC had lobbied for provision of a swimming pool facility, a library and athletics field, all these are funded activities, and feasibility studies in the draft capital works program; yet none are in Weston Creek? response - Weston Creek residents need to understand the competitive process in the allocation of the infrastructure in Canberra and decisions are made on that basis, however there is agreement that these are still at the feasibility stage in the capital works program.
• School ovals - a question was directed at Kate Carnell on the poor and unusable condition of school ovals in Weston Creek - when will these be fixed? response - there is a need to assure that the ovals being maintained are a high priority for sport and recreational purposes and have heavy use. There is the possibility of ACTEW using gray water.
• Euthanasiaa question to Michael Moore - would he re-introduce his bill into the next Assembly response - yes.
• Funding for the WCCC - to all candidates. This was endorsed by Liberal, ALP, Democrats, Greens, Dyer and Moore Independents.
• Footpaths - question to Kate Carnell on upkeep of footpaths in the suburbs. response - a maintenance program has been developed on a needs and priority basis and ACT City Services would welcome a call on areas of concern.

Meeting closed 10.15pm

a district park for Weston Creek

March 25th ACTION - new routes and timetable in Weston Creek.