Urban improvements for our growing city

Shane Rattenbury MLA

Canberra residents will benefit from a range of upgrades coming out of the 2013-14 ACT Budget that will improve the amenity of public places, buildings and roads in their area, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services Shane Rattenbury and Treasurer Andrew Barr announced today.

"Canberrans rightly place much importance on having high quality municipal services. This Budget aims to further improve the essential local services which our growing city needs," Mr Rattenbury said.

Mr Barr said: "The 2013-14 Budget highlights the Government's commitment to improving the level and quality of services across all regions of Canberra.

"A particular focus of this Budget is on improving recreational opportunities and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

"We have provided providing extra funding to improve the look and feel of our suburbs, town centres and public places, including parks and local shops," Mr Barr said.

Mr Rattenbury said: "The Budget provides $450,000 for the installation of 30 drinking fountains across Canberra. These will be located at town centres, parks, sporting facilities and near schools.

"This initiative meets on both election commitments and Parliamentary Agreement items," he said.

"The fountains will be vandal-resistant, wheelchair-friendly and contain taps for refilling water bottles.

"The Budget also provides $200,000 to replace barbeques in open space areas, including Yarralumla Bay, Lennox Gardens, Lake Ginninderra and Bowen Park.

Central Canberra

A further $520,000 is provided to improve the irrigation at parks including Black Mountain Peninsula on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. This is also a very popular destination for locals to enjoy a picnic with its barbeques and its recently upgraded play space."

Mr Rattenbury said that Budget also provides $680,000 to refurbish Yarralumla Nursery ahead of its Centenary celebrations next year.

"The heritage-listed Yarralumla Nursery holds a special place in Canberra's history," Mr Rattenbury said.

"It was established in 1914 and has played a crucial role in the development of Canberra by growing the trees seen in our streets and parks as well as in private gardens and the National Arboretum.

"Many of the buildings at the Nursery were built between 20 and 80 years ago. The upgrades will see the restoration of one of the Nursery's unique glasshouses, the painting of the historic propagation shed, which includes the heritage seed bank, and other maintenance work across the Nursery."

The Budget provides $200,000 towards roof and paving repairs at the Canberra Convention Centre to help ensure patrons attending events continue to experience a high quality venue.

Southside

"The Budget provides $318,000 for four additional counters and other minor improvements at Woden Shopfront to cater for increased demand, including from the expansion of Molonglo," Mr Rattenbury said.

"Bowen and Telopea Park will receive an irrigation upgrade as part of the $520,000 initiative to improve irrigation in parks.

"Canberra is renowned for having some of the best skate parks in Australia. This Budget will build on that reputation through providing $200,000 to undertake a safety audit of skate parks across Canberra, as well as design and upgrade work at Kambah Adventure Playground and at Eddison Skate Park.

To continue the ACT Government's commitment to revitalising our local shopping centres, Mr Rattenbury said Hughes shops will receive a comprehensive new design for an upgrade, while Kambah and Rivett shops will receive a minor design upgrade as part of a $360,000 initiative.

"A range of road-related projects have also been funded to improve the safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, including $1.575 million for the forward design of the second stage of the Ashley Drive upgrade.

"Carrying over 20,000 vehicles a day, Ashley Drive provides an important link between Johnson Drive in Richardson and Sternberg Crescent in Wanniassa. This funding will allow the design for the upgrade to be completed. This will seek to address the significant queuing and congestion in peak periods as well as take into account bus, pedestrian and cycle access.

"A further $200,000 is provided to design the next stage of Wentworth Avenue pavement upgrade – the citybound lanes from Dawes Street to Telopea Park."

Other highlights for the southside include:

• $48,000 for the design of 80 new car parking spaces at Cooleman Court in two sites at Liardet Street and Dillon Close which will include parking for people with disabilities and a portion allocated for Park and Ride bus commuting.
• $380,000 to improve the safety of Melrose Drive and Eggleston Crescent through installation of traffic signals.
• $250,000 to undertake a road safety audit on Canberra Avenue and Yamba Drive.
• $250,000 to undertake traffic safety investigations including of Sternberg Crescent in Wanniassa.
• $520,000 to upgrade road barriers on arterial roads such as Adelaide Avenue.
• $250,000 to install lighting on the Monaro Highway between Isabella Drive and Mugga Way (Long Gully) in Hume.
• $1.529 million towards a range of bridge strengthening works on locations, including Cotter Road and Streeton Drive.
• $120,000 towards design of three Park and Rides, including Erindale Centre and Wanniassa

Northside

"$100,000 has been provided in the Budget to install bollards and undertake improvements to access arrangements at Emu Bank which is a very popular destination for local skaters, as well as residents and workers who wish to access Lake Ginninderra. This work will build on the Government's investment in this precinct in recent years."

To continue the ACT Government's commitment to revitalising our local shopping centres, Mr Rattenbury said Evatt and Florey shops will receive a design upgrade as part of a $360,000 initiative targeting five local shops.

"The design, which will be the subject of consultation with shoppers and traders, will aim to bring new life to Evatt and Florey shops and will take into account aspects such as paving, drainage, new seating and bins, parking, lighting and landscaping."

Mr Rattenbury said a range of northside road-related projects have also been funded to improve the safety of motorists, cyclist and pedestrians. Highlights include:

• $250,000 to undertake traffic safety investigations, including for Maribyrnong Avenue in Kaleen
• $520,000 to upgrade road barriers on arterial roads, such as Belconnen Way and Ginninderra Drive
• $1.529 million towards a range of bridge strengthening works on locations, including Barry Drive.
• $120,000 towards design of three Park and Rides, including Gungahlin.

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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