Inquiry into shared government and community facilities

Source: Bill Sykes Media Release - 23 Jan 09

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed a new inquiry to look at the potential for increased sharing of government and community facilities across Victoria, however warns outcomes must not be at the expense of legitimate infrastructure developments.

“While I support and encourage the practice of multiuse facilities the implementation of such practices must not come at the expense of under resourcing justifiable new developments and initiatives,” Bill Sykes said.

The scope of the inquiry is to focus on the sharing of physical assets, including land. Public, government and community facilities could include school libraries, sport and recreation facilities, resource and technology centres, performing arts spaces, residential precincts and civic, health and child care centres. Part of the aim of the inquiry is to identify options to allow for increased sharing of facilities and to develop partnerships between facility owners, managers, operators, service providers and community groups.

“I recognise sharing government and community facilities can achieve beneficial social outcomes in rural areas, and in some cases provide valuable services for under resourced centres, however it is essential the practice of multi use facilities addresses and recognises the needs of individual interest groups,” Bill Sykes said.

The Victorian Competition & Efficiency Commission inquiry (VCEC) recognises the potential for the scheme to reduce the cost of developing and maintaining buildings and providing services and in addition that possible savings could be directed to other programs and initiatives.

“In principle I agree with this view,” Bill Sykes said, “but it is essential the sharing of government and community facilities does not become an excuse to under resource rural centres.”

The inquiry will consult with key interest groups and affected parties and a possibility of public hearings in the future.

The VCEC has released an issues paper to assist interested parties wishing to participate in the inquiry. To view the Issues Paper, register interest or lodge a submission go to www.vcec.vic.gov.au or contact the Victorian Competition & Efficiency Commission at sharedfacilities@vcec.vic.gov.au. Submissions are invited by 27 February 2009.