Futsal Slab - Carnell Folly Highlighted Again

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson On Tourism

Media Statement - 12 January 2000

The folly of the Futsal slab on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin has once again be highlighted this week as the National Futsal Competition is being conducted at Bruce Indoor Stadium, Labor Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Berry said today.

"When the Chief Minister announced the Futsal slab she talked about the 'innovative new sports facility right in the heart of Canberra'. Kate Carnell also announced plans for the slab to be used for in-line skating, beach volleyball, three-on-three basketball, carpet bowls, BMX bikes, minkey hockey, tennis and radio-controlled model cars.

"Since then the slab has remained mostly idle, a silent reminder of the $250,000 spent by Kate Carnell on a whim. Virtually none of the announced plans has eventuated. Another example of taxpayer funded follies initiated by Kate Carnell.

"Like the farcical 'Feel the Power' campaign, the Futsal slab was foisted on the Canberra community without warning or any realistic evaluation. And time has shown the initial community scepticism to be well founded.

"On top of this the Carnell Government has spent over $30,000 for a removable surface when Futsal players rejected the surface and they still will not play on it. The Government also spent tens of thousands on a boundary fence for blade hockey and now that has disappeared.

"About the only successful use of the slab was for a circus - and this cost EPIC over $20,000 in lost revenue.

"The Futsal slab is another in the long list of the Chief Minister's grand plans requiring taxpayer money to be spent on the promise of community benefits which are at the best nebulous and in many cases totally spurious.

In spite of the facility on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, the National Futsal Championships are being held at Bruce Indoor Stadium. Futsal has rejected the Futsal slab for a first class facility at Bruce that was in place before Mrs Carnell came up with her grand plan.

We can no longer allow the Chief Minister to spend millions and millions on projects such as Bruce Stadium, Feel the Power, CanDeliver and the Futsal slab - we can't afford it, Mr Berry concluded.