Released 29/05/2017
The upcoming ACT Budget will deliver our commitment to improve services for all Canberrans, with a Better Suburbs Package that will renew our roads and keep our suburbs neat and tidy.
The Budget includes better road maintenance, better safety in school zones, better playground and sporting facilities, better weed control and better graffiti prevention.
The $23.3 million better suburbs package includes the Government’s commitment for a Container Deposit Scheme in the territory to encourage more Canberrans to do the right thing with their used drinking containers.
“From early 2018 Canberrans will be able to hand in their old containers for cash reimbursement,” Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris said.
“Drink containers make up more than a quarter of the volume of all litter in the ACT and this scheme will help protect the environment and improve the look and feel of our city.
“The Government is listening to the community and where they want to see increased investment, and I’m glad the upcoming Budget will deliver better services right across the city, like road re-sealing, graffiti removal, weed management and better care of our local sportsgrounds.
”Other highlights of the Better Suburbs package include:
- A pilot school crossing supervisor program at 20 school crossings, at $3.2 million over four years.
- The Age Friendly Suburbs project expansion, with $1.5 million for infrastructure in Page and Hughes.
- An additional $4.5million for up to 150,000 metres of road resurfacing each year.
- Investment of $1.9 million for street art, graffiti removal and decommissioned, aged assets like old bubblers and outdated signage.
- $5.4 million over four years to maintain and support more than 280 hectares of irrigated sportsgrounds.
- An extra $1.3 million over two years to stop the spread of established weeds such as African lovegrass and serrated tussock.
- $5.2 million for City services in Canberra’s newest communities.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases