9 February 2012

Budget leaking starts with more money for parks and playgrounds

| johnboy
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Is it that time of year already?

Katy Gallagher and Andrew Barr have kicked off the budget fan dance with a community pleasing extra $22 million for parks, playgrounds, and other urban amenity out of the money coming in from developers:

“This fund will mean an extra $22 million in 2012-13 for more parks and playgrounds, more mowing, more shopping centre upgrades, better footpaths and more repairs to roads,” the Chief Minister said.

Mr Barr said it is only right that the money received from developers – who are profiting from Canberra’s liveability – is put directly back into the community.

“The ACT Labor Government recognises the important contribution that is made by developers through their building of housing and commercial developments. But it is also fair that when they make large profits from varying the lease on their land for development – making it more valuable – that the community also benefits.

“I expect developers to also benefit from the improved amenity of our city and should acknowledge that their contribution will now go directly to improving the very city they choose to invest in.

“The Government has forecast $22 million to be received from developers this year – $5.9 million has already been received and another $15.5 million is expected this financial year. This money will now go directly to improving our city in the next Budget,” Mr Barr said.

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