The Budget will deliver more spaces for dogs and their owners. Photo: File.
Refreshed local shops and playgrounds and two new dog parks are part of nearly $30 million to be set aside for community infrastructure improvements in the coming ACT Budget to be delivered on 31 August.
The $28.81 million allocation over four years includes:
- $17.5 million for upgrades at 11 local shops: Calwell, Campbell, Cooleman Court (Brierly Street), Duffy, Evatt, Gwydir Square in Kaleen, Kippax, Lanyon, Macquarie, Monash and Narrabundah.
- $1.8 million for two new dog parks in Franklin and Lanyon.
- $1.0 million for new toilet facilities at the Florey local shops and the Farrer nature play space.
- $3.0 million to upgrade six existing play spaces in Kaleen, Ngunnawal, Chisholm, Gordon, Lyons and Aranda.
- $4.75 million over three years for Tuggeranong Foreshore improvements.
First cabs off the rank will be Duffy and Campbell shops, and Gwydir Square in Kaleen.
Design work will progress for upgrades to Brierly Street at Cooleman Court, following recent consultation with the community on their vision for Weston Creek’s main street.
The Budget also commits funding to deliver priority works there.
Funding will also support the next phase of design work and construction to upgrade the local shops in Narrabundah, Evatt, Macquarie, Monash, Calwell and Lanyon, as well as the group centre at Kippax.
The government will be engaging with local communities as these works progress.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the Budget would continue to support the Canberra community through the COVID-19 pandemic as the government worked towards its goal of creating 250,000 local jobs by 2025.
“Investment in suburban precincts will create jobs and support urban renewal across Canberra,” he said.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said the Budget would also deliver funding for new toilets at the Florey local shops and the nature play space in Farrer following its completion in 2019.
This comes after the completion of new public toilets in Tuggeranong and those currently being replaced in John Knight Memorial Park.
“I am thrilled to announce new or upgraded play spaces in these suburbs. Each play space is unique, and we will be engaging with the local communities in each suburb to ask what kind of play elements they’d like to see. This could include more nature play or traditional play features,” he said.
Funding in this budget will also support new or upgraded play spaces in Kaleen, Ngunnawal, Chisolm, Gordon, Lyons and Aranda.
Mr Steel said the government was set to release a Play Space Strategy in the coming weeks to guide its investment in better play experiences that are inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities.
“The projects funded through this budget are a great step towards the goals of that strategy. Consultation on a proposed site for the new inner-north playground will also commence soon,” he said.
New dog parks are planned for the north and south sides of the city, in Franklin in Gungahlin and Lanyon in the Tuggeranong Valley.
Mr Steel said Canberrans would be invited to provide feedback on the proposed sites for the dog parks and their inclusions, such as obstacle and agility courses, seating, and shade.
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