No. 5

CAPITAL WORKS BUDGET – INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY

The capital works budget announced today reflects the Government’s strong commitment to education and amenity, with an historic $67 million set aside for the construction of two new schools and a feasibility study for a new secondary college, and significant funding to upgrade the Territory’s roads.

Major capital works projects include:
•	$45 million over four years to construct a new regional school in West Belconnen
•	$21 million over two years to establish a new pre-school and primary school in Gungahlin 
•	$1 million to fund a feasibility study for a new secondary college in Gungahlin 
•	$20 million over four years for essential infrastructure repairs and maintenance for ACT roads and infrastructure
•	$17.3 million for the establishment and fit-out of the new Emergency Services Headquarters at Fairbairn
•	$3.9 million over four years for the development and upgrade of fire trails
•	$2.4 million for a new waste disposal cell at Mugga Lane Landfill
•	$1.5 million for a high-rise aerial emergency vehicle

“As promised last year, a $45 million state-of-the-art school will be constructed in West Belconnen,” Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.

“This project represents a major investment in the future of West Belconnen and responds creatively and innovatively to the changing needs of our city and our students.  The school is scheduled to open in 2009.

“The new $21 million primary school and preschool for Harrison, in Gunghalin, will be another facility of which the community can be justly proud. The Harrison school will contain four dedicated classrooms for students with disabilities, and one classroom designed with special features for high-needs students. “ 

The new school is expected to open in time for the beginning of the 2008 school year.

Funding for the city’s roads and infrastructure assets will be boosted by $20 million over four years.  This will involve a significant amount of work and include re-surfacing roads, and maintaining and replacing streetlights, stormwater and traffic lights.

$17.3 million has been allocated for the establishment and fit-out of a new Emergency Services Headquarters, including a Specialist Outdoor Training Centre, at Fairbairn. The location will allow the Emergency Services  to manage the full range of emergency incidents. Establishment of the headquarters will mark the fulfilment of the remaining two McLeod Inquiry recommendations and a Government election commitment.

Final stage works will be undertaken at the Mugga Lane Landfill’s new waste disposal cell, with an allocation of $2.4 million for construction and associated traffic management improvements. 

$2 million will be spent refurbishing the Therapy ACT Southern Hub building in Holder.

In accordance with the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan, the ACT’s 55km of fire trails will be upgraded and 44km of new fire trails constructed, with funding of $3.9 million over four years.

Fire safety will also be increased with $1.5 million for a replacement aerial fire fighting and rescue appliance, capable of responding to emergencies in the city’s new high-rise buildings.

$1.5 million will be spent improving disabled access to the Canberra Theatre Centre.  Work will include the installation of three new lifts, new toilets and the installation of tactile signage.

A $1 million feasibility study will be conducted into a new secondary college in East Gungahlin.  The proposed joint secondary college and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) campus is to include a community library and a recreation complex.

Community safety will be enhanced by a $509,000allocation to purchase and install 15 extra closed circuit television cameras in strategic locations across the ACT.

Mr Stanhope said Canberra’s native wildlife would also benefit from new works, with $350,000 allocated to develop a predator-free sanctuary for native wildlife at Mulligans Flat Reserve, and $100,000 in 2006-07 to build artificial breeding pools and enclosures to assist in threatened species recovery for the Northern Corroboree Frog and the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby.

Other capital works initiatives included $478,000 for improvements at the Australian Federal Police’s Winchester Centre and Tuggeranong, Belconnen and Woden Police stations, and $55,000 for landscaping works associated with the new ACT Memorial due to be officially dedicated in August 2006.

“This range of capital works represents a significant investment in all aspects of community life,” Mr Stanhope said.