No. 5 
Investing in essential municipal services and community places

Funding for essential services, upgrades to community places and parks, and a multimillion dollar investment in bushfire protection are part of a package of municipal investments provided in the 2010-11 ACT Budget, Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Jon Stanhope, announced today.

Mr Stanhope said the centre-piece of the municipal services budget was a $22.3 million boost in recurrent funding over the next four years to enable staff from the Department of Territory and Municipal Services to maintain essential services for a growing population.
 
“The Government is increasing its municipal services budget to maintain the essential services our growing city needs most,” Mr Stanhope said. 

“This important investment in the future of our city will ensure that grass continues to be mowed, streets are swept, potholes are fixed and overhanging trees are trimmed as our city continues to grow and our neighbourhood infrastructure ages.” 

Mr Stanhope said the Budget provided funding for a bundle of works to keep our city beautiful and to improve the amenity of the public places where Canberrans gather.

“The Government knows that sometimes it is the modest investments, the small details that matter when it comes to our quality of life and the beauty of our city. That’s why in this Budget we’ve committed resources to beautifying some important parts of our city – places people seek out for their recreation.

“The Budget provides $1 million for lighting of community paths around Lake Ginninderra, ensuring that the lakeshore can be enjoyed in greater safety and with greater confidence by Belconnen residents, for more hours of the day.

“The shoreline of the western areas of Lake Burley Griffin will benefit from a $200,000 investment in weed removal and new plantings.

“The Budget provides $100,000 for a playground upgrade and covered barbecue at Oaks Estate, and more than $1.2 million for playground safety upgrades in Gowrie, Weston, Chapman, Kaleen, Macarthur, Greenway, Florey, Belconnen and Chifley.

“And with the success of the state-of-the-art skate park at Eddison Park in Woden, we will spend $200,000 to finalise the design of a new Belconnen Skate Park, on the shores of Lake Ginninderra.
 
“The Budget provides $2.5 million for crucial stormwater and other infrastructure improvements in Edinburgh Avenue as part of the first stage of the Government’s new City Action Plan, to support future growth in the City Centre. 

“The Government will spend $88,000 on new tree plantings to 'fill in the gaps' in the treescape of our streets and parks and $200,000 for minor landscape upgrades across Canberra.”

Mr Stanhope said the Budget also included a multimillion dollar investment in bushfire protection and management.

“The Budget commits significant resources to protect the community from bushfires and to ensure our firefighters continue to be prepared for bushfire emergencies when they occur. 

“There’s $4 million for new water points, helicopter landing pads, fuel breaks and fuel management activities to support our firefighters and emergency services staff.

“Another $4.2 million is being spent over four years to deliver the Government’s Strategic Bushfire Management Plan to ensure we continue to be prepared for the threat of bushfires.”

4 May 2010
Media Contact:		Jess Wurf	6205 0504 (w)	0411 722 700 (m)
			jess.wurf@act.gov.au