Petition urging developers and ACT Government into action tabled in ACT Legislative Assembly

25 February 2026

Taimus Werner-Gibbings, Labor MLA for Brindabella issued the following media release today when speaking in support of the ice sports-initiated petition he tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly calling on the government and its developer partners to get their skates on and build the new twin-sheet ice sports facility in Tuggeranong. It is reproduced here in full.

TAIMUS WERNER-GIBBINGS TABLES PETITION SUPPORTING TUGGERANONG ICE SPORTS ARENA

Taimus Werner-Gibbings, Labor MLA for Brindabella will table a petition in the ACT Legislative Assembly today which urges the ACT Government and its private development partners to deliver on their commitment to build a state of the art ice sports facility in Tuggeranong.

Mr Werner Gibbings said the Canberra Ice Arena would bring in long term interest and investment that Tuggeranong needs and deserves.

“It has been more than three years since the ACT Government signed a Heads of Agreement with the joint proponents, identified a block in Greenway, and committed $16.2 million towards the Arena’s planning, design, and construction costs,” said Mr Werner-Gibbings.

“Since it was first announced, I have been calling on the ACT Government, Cruachan Investments and Pelligra Holdings to get on with building the venue and create a centre of gravity that will bring people to Tuggeranong.

“882 ACT residents have signed this petition, clearly showing the community’s strong ambition across the board to see the Arena built and operating.

“This critical and major investment in Tuggeranong will make our community the destination for every ice-sports enthusiast in the Capital Region and interstate. It will generate significant, on-going energy in our community as well bringing considerable economic and social benefits,” Mr Werner-Gibbings said.

The petition is strongly supported by the ACT Ice Sports Federation, which has been advocating for a new facility since 2015.

"Canberra lacks sufficient ice sports infrastructure," said Sandi Logan, the federation’s spokesman.

"The existing facility in Phillip is outdated, unable to meet demand, and nearing the end of its operational life though we are grateful Geocon continues to maintain and improve it for the community to use.

“Tuggeranong, and the ACT, deserves this world-class ice sports venue, which will include two Olympic-sized ice rinks, curling lanes, and a rock-climbing centre. Delays to the project – extending well beyond initial expectations – have been deeply disappointing for Canberra’s ice sports community and Tuggeranong's residents.” Mr Logan said.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation has three months to respond to the petition.