The ACT government has launched targeted remediation works after a spate of complaints about the poor condition of sportsgrounds across Canberra, but the Canberra Liberals have accused them of "papering over the cracks".
Sports Minister Yvette Berry fronted the ACT Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, vowing to refine the ACT government's approach as pressure mounts on the state of Canberra's sports facilities.
Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton will hold a roundtable discussion with sporting clubs and organisations next week, declaring: "this minister and this government is only interested in papering over the cracks and looking the other way".
Damage from e-bikes and unauthorised vehicle access has added to the problem facing ACT sportsgrounds. Fields have been "ripped" to pieces by brazen acts of vandalism, and onlookers were left stunned when five people riding electric bikes and a motorbike roared through Hawker Playing Fields midway through a game on Saturday.
The ACT government has highlighted Kambah 201 - from which soccer games have been hastily moved - and Calwell 204 as two of the fields under significant pressure due to high use, environmental conditions and drainage infrastructure constraints.
Berry says the transition between summer and winter sports has become less distinct, with extended seasons - or additional events - reducing opportunities for field renovations and rest between seasons.
The pressures have triggered a shutdown of both fields as the ACT government looks to improve the state of the southside facilities.
"Targeted remediation works are now underway at both of those ovals," Berry said in a document presented to the Legislative Assembly.
"This includes, reseeding with winter hardy rye grass, turf repairs and protective treatments to accelerate recovery and restore the playing conditions.
"Both grounds are temporarily closed and are expected to return to match play from 30 May.
"The ACT Government is taking practical and considered steps to address current challenges. This includes directing resources to the areas of greatest need, bundling works geographically to improve efficiency and value, and leveraging technology and innovation-such as robotic line marking and smart irrigation systems-to enhance long-term sustainability where we can.
"I acknowledge that this system is not perfect, but it is a system that is willing to learn and adapt.
"The level of demand, changing conditions and competing expectations mean there will always be pressures and, at times, differing views on how field access and maintenance are managed.
"This is an ongoing effort, and I am focused on making sure we are getting the balance right."
Parton has pledged to host a roundtable meeting for sporting clubs and organisations at the Southern Cross Club in Woden - from 6pm next Thursday - to address the state of Canberra's sporting facilities and to "find solutions".
"I'm kind of blown away that at a time when there is so much genuine frustration, when there is angst, when there is anger from grassroots sporting organisations and the people out in the suburbs about the state of sportsgrounds, that the Minister stands here in this place and says: 'No, it's all going well. There's nothing to see here,'" Parton said in the assembly.
"I'm staggered that we have a live situation involving multiple incidents when vandals have taken it upon themselves to tear up sportsgrounds in cars and e-bikes, but one of those incidents involves young people invading a sportsground during competitive matches on the weekend, and that component of what is going on has occupied one sentence of this ministerial statement.
"The sporting community is collectively taking stock and trying to pick up the pieces as best as they can, after long-term maintenance failures, and vandalism, and the Minister stands up here with a straight face and says everything is 'hunky-dory'. It just isn't.
"This minister and this government is only interested in papering over the cracks and looking the other way. It is not good enough.
"We're aiming to get to the nitty gritty of the problems and work towards some solutions, something the government seems incapable of doing. The Minister is of course welcome to attend. At the end of the day we're just trying to find a way out."
Berry says Canberra sports facilities have been booked for more than 47,000 hours' worth of activity this year, marking a nine per cent increase on the same time last year.
The increase - coupled with informal use not reflected in government data - heaps more pressure on playing surfaces which are often used year-round.
Targeted remediation works are coupled with a twice-yearly shutdown, which allows the ACT government to complete turf restoration, irrigation system inspections, floodlight maintenance and operational improvements including installation and removal of goal posts, and pavilion repairs.
