BUDGET FEATURES STRONG CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM

The ACT Budget again demonstrated the Government’s commitment to building our city, with $168 million for new capital works, said ACT Treasurer, Ted Quinlan.

“The 2005-06 budget has been developed in accordance with the predicted slow economic growth, however there are still a wide range of exciting capital works initiatives representing significant investment in the community,” Mr Quinlan said.

Major projects in the 2005-06 capital works program include:

•	$40 million to replace the Quamby Youth Detention Centre
•	$18.7 million in additional funding for the new ACT Correctional Centre 
•	$16 million for the Gungahlin Drive extension
•	$6.8 million for the Sustainable Transport Real Time Information project
•	$6 million for upgrade of City West Childers Street Precinct
•	$6 million for Stromlo Forest Park

“The outdated Quamby Youth Detention Centre will be replaced with a new $40 million facility.  The new building will provide safe and secure accommodation for detainees with a mix of residential and recreational facilities,” Mr Quinlan said. 

“Funding of $16 million will allow for the continuation of the Gungahlin Drive Extension Project, which will provide residents of Gungahlin with a crucial transport link to the Tuggeranong Parkway via the Glenloch interchange.

“$6.8 million will provide for a Real Time Passenger Information system for Canberra’s ACTION bus network. The system will monitor the location of all ACTION buses during operation, allowing real time information to be provided to passengers through dynamic displays at bus stops, interchanges and other locations throughout Canberra.

“A $6 million allocation for the redesign of Childers Street, under the Canberra Central Program, will create a cosmopolitan public space, including a new city park.  The  overhaul will result in Canberra’s own vibrant ‘meet and greet’ hub.

“$6 million funding for Stromlo Forest Park will go towards establishing a world-standard recreational forest in the burnt-out Mount Stromlo area.  The area will cater for a range of uses including cross-country running, horse-riding, on and off-road cycling; orienteering; dog sledding; camping and picnicking.  

Mr Quinlan said human services in the ACT would also benefit from capital works including: $1.7 million to develop specialised accommodation for people with dual disabilities who need a period of intensive treatment and support; $1.5 million to progress the development of a single therapy service; $1.3 million to replace ageing linen equipment at Capital Linen Service for essential ward and theatre linen services to ACT Health hospitals.  

Further hospitals capital works funding includes $3.4 million for the relocation of medical records at The Canberra Hospital; $2.6 million for a fire systems upgrade at The Canberra Hospital; $1.8 million for design and construction of an onsite sterilising unit at Calvary Hospital; and  $1 million for a fire safety upgrade at Calvary.

Other capital works initiatives in the budget include: $4.3 million for a new waste disposal cell at Mugga Lane to cater for projected waste generation levels; $2 million in 2006-07 for work on the Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens; $1.8 million for a water main at Gundaroo Drive to provide adequate water supply and fire protection; $1.7 million to upgrade Phillip Oval; $1.5 million for urgent and essential works to Callam Offices in Phillip; $1.4 million for the design of a new preschool and primary school in East Gungahlin; and $1 million for new public artworks in the city.

“The ACT Government’s investment in this wide range of capital works initiatives, representing all facets of community life, will provide substantial dividends to the people of Canberra,” 
Mr Quinlan said. 
Statement ends