No. 18

MAKING CANBERRA AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE
The Stanhope Government has committed significant funding in the 2008-09 ACT Budget to ensure that Canberra remains one of the greatest cities in Australia, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, John Hargreaves said today.

“The 2008-09 ACT Budget provides $2 million to improve the amenity of Canberra’s suburbs and shopping centres,” Mr Hargreaves said. “Canberra’s suburbs are more attractive and liveable than anywhere else in the nation and this funding will ensure that they remain so well into the future.

“This funding will increase the frequency of cleaning and sweeping of shopping centres, playgrounds, toilets, bus shelters underpasses and car parks. It will also allow for an increase in frequency of mowing and edging of arterial roads, maintenance of shrub beds and weed control.

“Within the heart of the City we are upgrading the older section of Bunda Street, with $3.650 million to be spent on lighting, street furniture and paving on Bunda Street from Northbourne Avenue to Akuna Street, improving public safety and providing continuity of design along the street.

“The ACT Government is providing $20.4 million for capital upgrades in the 2008-09 Budget, which is aimed at extending the useful life of the Territory’s assets and improving the look and amenity of the city. Improvements will be made to roads infrastructure, sports facilities, libraries, bus stops, stormwater infrastructure, urban open spaces, cycle paths and foot paths, and local shopping precincts. 

“The final stage of the Belconnen Lakeshore Refurbishment at Eastern Valley Way Inlet will also be completed with $2.8 million dedicated to this project. This will integrate the recently completed promenade with the lake edge through boardwalks and piers over Lake Ginninderra.  

“The completion of the Belconnen Lakeshore Refurbishment will also improve pedestrian access between the University of Canberra, the lakeshore and thoroughfare to other central areas of the Town Centre, as well as providing improved lighting to encourage increased use of the foreshore at night.

“The Budget includes funding of $3 million to provide new infrastructure in the City West Precinct to deliver improved safety, presentation and functionality of the area, said Mr Hargreaves.

“The ACT Government is also planning for the future and the growth of our city with a feasibility study funded in the 2008-09 Budget to assess areas of need and suitable locations for additional recycling drop-off facilities. The study will also investigate opportunities for designing and constructing additional facilities in key business areas to augment the free recycling services available to the ACT community.

“In addition, a feasibility study will assess options for a new landfill site in the ACT, aimed to be ready by 2013, by which time current waste management facilities will be nearing capacity.  An additional $2.8 million will fund a project to establish a dedicated clean fill disposal site at the West Belconnen Landfill Facility, and to facilitate rehabilitation of the old borrow pit area, as required by the Environmental Protection Authority. 

“Access to Burgmann Anglican School in Gungahlin will also be improved with $500,000 provided in this Budget to provide alternative access from Warwick Street to the school’s main car park. This will supplement the existing access points to the school from The Valley Avenue and cater for half of the vehicle movements to and from the school, assisting to reduce congestion on The Valley Avenue along the school frontage, as well as providing improved safety for pedestrians, vehicle occupants and buses.

“All of these initiatives by the ACT Government will ensure that our city remains a great city in which to live, work and play, now and in the future.”

Statement ends

6 May 2008
Enquiries:    Kim Fischer	6205 0300	0434 020 498	kim.fischer@act.gov.au