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1. What was proposedFiona CarrickIndependent · Crossbench
   Read the original wording (480 words)

   That this Assembly: (1) notes that: (a) the Molonglo Valley is one of the ACT’s fastest growing regions and is projected to reach 79,000 residents by 2065; (b) the 2016 Stromlo Forest Park Master Plan proposed four basic sports units and an enclosed oval. Each unit is an oval overlaid with two rectangular fields; (c) Stage 1 of the current Development Application for the Stromlo District Playing Fields delivers one modified synthetic sports unit. Stage 2 would add a grass oval and a grass rectangular field, however this is yet to be funded; (d) District Playing Fields are defined in Cabinet decision 11/090/CAB of 20 August 2012 as “District Playing Fields provide training and competition venues for organised sport at all levels and can be collocated with school facilities. Generally 15 hectares (subject to site specific conditions, a minimum of 10 hectares) to support the provision of six basic sport units. Amenities will typically include public car parking, training lights and one pavilion depending on the size of the complex”; and (e) the reduced field capacity of the Stromlo District Playing Fields no longer meets this definition; (2) further notes that: (a) there is currently no evidence of planning for centrally-located high-capacity District Playing Fields in the Molonglo Valley. Existing sportsground provision is insufficient to meet current needs, let alone future demand across all sporting codes; (b) high-capacity fields have economies of scale, so can be more cost-effective and better support volunteer-run sporting organisations; (c) without sufficient playing fields, Molonglo residents are forced to join clubs in other districts, particularly in Weston Creek, increasing travel times and difficulty getting to training; (d) different clubs and codes are forced to share facilities, restricting training access, increasing scheduling conflicts during peak periods and placing additional strain on volunteers and club administrators; (e) should Molonglo Valley continue to develop without adequate and accessible sporting infrastructure, this could have far reaching consequences, including: (i) reduced opportunities for physical activity and mental wellbeing; (ii) limited development pathways for juniors, seniors and volunteers; (iii) barriers to club growth and long-term sustainability; and (iv) weakened neighbourhood identity and community connection; and (f) community sporting clubs play a critical role in preventative health, youth engagement and social inclusion; and (3) calls on the Government to: (a) undertake an analysis of the number of playing fields needed for a population of 79,000 people in the Molonglo Valley; (b) consult the community and identify a range of sites for large district playing fields in the Molonglo Valley; (c) consult the community and develop social and economic criteria to assess the site options in the Molonglo Valley; (d) determine the preferred sites for large District Playing Fields within the Molonglo Valley, in addition to the already planned Stromlo District Playing Fields Stage 1; and (e) report back to the Assembly by the last sitting day in September 2026. Debate ensued.

2. What the Assembly decidedAgreed

   Decided on the voices: no individual votes were recorded, so this doesn’t show that every MLA agreed.