PARKS COMMUNITY CENTRE

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:21): My question is to the Deputy Premier. Can the Deputy Premier update the house about the progress of work on the Parks Community Centre and the open day scheduled for 17 November?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:21): I thank the honourable member for his question. The government, as members would be aware, is working to make the $28.7 million redevelopment of the Parks a reality. The government has now committed to a concentrated program of work to complete the bulk of the major construction work associated with the redevelopment of the Parks Community Centre in less than 12 months. Works on the site are about to begin and will escalate through the temporary closure of recreational and theatre facilities in late February. The government is looking to get the job done as efficiently and as safely as possible.

The government remains committed to ensuring that the local Parks community is kept in touch with all that is happening. As a result, the third in a series of community information days will be held this Saturday, 17 November, from 11am until 2pm, so interested people can drop in to the centre and see what is happening. A free barbecue and kids' entertainment will be provided and the day will be an opportunity for anyone to talk to the project team or to find out more about the Parks Community Centre redevelopment. These information days have so far been invaluable to the project, helping the team work with community groups and council to deliver a state-of-the-art community centre.

The project will provide a range of accessible facilities, including: a new 25-metre pool and indoor children's pool, a main entry cafe and public plaza, a two-storey multipurpose recreation space, refurbished theatrettes, a refurbished children's centre building and development of 6.84 hectares of open space, including facilities such as soccer pitches and a playground. Our investment will ensure that community and recreational services continue to be provided on this important site.