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Postal Address: PO Box 3701 Weston Creek ACT 2611

Phone: 6288 8975

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Minutes of Monthly Meeting

25 February 1998

Mr Sutherland introduced to the meeting the issues concerning a youth recreation facility. Funding was announced last year of $395,000 by Gary Humphries and community consultation was to be paramount in determining the location and types of equipment to be provided. Early WCCC consultations had detected a divergence of views in the community as to the most appropriate location and the facilities to be provided. This was dependent on the age group that the facility was aimed at.

Rita Brokins informed the meeting of the work which was undertaken in 1997 which indicated the lack of open space facilities and youth recreation sites in Weston Creek. This work lead to an investigation of the possibility of the provision of facilities in Weston Creek.

David Telfer advised the meeting of the locations that had had a preliminary investigation undertaken. These were

1. Deeks Run
1. Holder High School Oval
1. Archery Field, Holder
1. Adjacent to Hilder St Weston carpark
1. Weston Primary School Oval
1. Adjacent to Scout Hall in Weston
1. Behind Cooleman Court
1. Parkinson / Brierly St - open space near Cooleman Court
1. Adjacent to Royals carpark (Streeton Dr / Hindmarsh Dr intersection).
1. Adjacent to Stirling Netball fields where a small facility exists.
1. Adjacent to Stirling College.

The opportunities and constraints of each site were presented to the meeting on overheads. There was debate as to whether some of the issues raised were actually constraints. The issues included trees, public transport, car parking, safety, visibility. Lack of public transport to the sites was indicated as a constraint to many of the sites. A member of the audience advised the speakers that skateboards were prohibited on ACTION buses therefore public transport to a skateboard ramp was a non-issue.

Mr John Logue, Chairman of the Board of Weston Primary was pleased to hear that the Bureau of Sport, Recreation and Racing had ruled out the availability of Weston Primary School Oval because it was theirs to maintain. The lack of maintenance by the Bureau was the reason that the site was offered. Months of lobbying the Minister has had no effect, but finding an alternate use had brought a response from the Bureau that they were going to look after the site and return its maintenance work.

Question were raised that the opportunities and threats were very superficial, there were no details as to why the issue was either an opportunity or constraint. There were no priorities to the opportunities or constraints - which were major and which were minor? Could the minor ones be overcome?

The issues covered were:

• Why choose a site that needs infrastructure work, it reduces the amount available for the youth facilities? Some sites need more work to make them usable and safe.

• At the October 1997 meeting the Holder Primary School was put as an option - why has it not been considered? - it will be looked at.

• The question was raised by John Logue regarding the perceived constraints on Holder High School Oval. The site was designed for students, it has footpaths, bikeways, underpasses, watering systems, lighting, bus routes and expectations by the community that students will use the area. How could it possibly be considered incompatible with what is planned? This needs to be re-considered not eliminated.

• How was the amount of $395,000 arrived at? This was the amount of the Civic facility which is considered a reasonable comparison.

• Robyn Vote - Director, Community Services - The co-location of the youth facility may assist in bringing facilities together but the Community Service probably couldn’t cope with more people at the youth centre. I am not particularly wedded to a location but an pleased that Weston Creek is gaining some facilities.

• A ‘needs analysis’ has been undertaken in respect of community issues in Weston Creek - has this been taken into account in the preliminary planning? This will be investigated.

• The ABS has released this week the Social Atlas of the ACT, what does this indicate on the age groups in Weston Creek? - This will be considered.

• Could we involve the youth in the processes? Flyers and press releases were sent by the WCCC to Stromlo High and the Woden and Weston Campus of Canberra College for distribution to teachers, parents and students.

• How best could the youth get their views across? Perhaps a youth forum at the schools or an Internet address to send comments.

• The Cooleman Court precinct group asked a question on a playground in their survey. The precinct group determined that, in hindsight the question could have been better worded as it referred to a playground not youth facilities. Also no other option was given for an empty block of land that was difficult to develop. Several other attempts on the same site had failed. The precinct group resolved at their last meeting that the site was far from ideal and landscaping may be a solution.

• An open ended question was raised in respect to the availability of responsible persons nearby and a public phone. This would be investigated and compared to Civic and Tuggeranong.

• Why was the location near the scout hall discounted as incompatible with scouting? (asked by a representative of the scouts who indicated that they had not been approached).

One outcome was that an Internet site would be considered for submissions and comments from students and the public. The issues and concerns raised at this meeting would be used in progressing the planning and the community would be involved in the decision making process. The speakers and the audience were thanked for their contributions in airing the issues.

A motion to agree to endorse the expenditure for the publicity for this meeting of $810 was needed. This was moved by David Clinch and seconded by Rosemary Brasch.

Meeting closed 9.45pm

Next Meeting 25th March 1998 ACTION - new routes and timetable

in Weston Creek.