2023-24 budget snapshot – Inner North, Inner South and City

• Acton Waterfront Park and public space construction
• Planning for a new health centre
• North Canberra cycling and walking route
• Garema Place, City Walk and Dickson shops upgrades
• Telopea Park School and North Ainslie Primary School improvements
• New Watson Health Precinct
• Lyneham and Deakin netball facilities upgrades
• Path and public space improvements

With the ACT the fastest growing jurisdiction in Australia, the 2023-24 ACT Budget is investing in the infrastructure this growing city needs now and into the future. Through this year’s Budget, the ACT Government is investing in the Territory’s public healthcare system, improving housing choice, access and affordability and supporting cost of living pressures.

Some of the projects funded in the Inner North, Inner South and City include:

Acton Waterfront Park

Funding in the budget will enable Acton Waterfront to become a new lakeside destination for the Canberra community and tourists alike, with a $35 million investment over six years to build the Acton Waterfront Park.

The major new 30,000 square metre parkland will adjoin the completed boardwalk, which is already open for public use. It will include cafes and pavilions, accessible public toilets, barbecue areas, a new large playground and event lawns.

Planning for a new health centre

The ACT Government is investing more than $16 million to commence the roll out of four health centres across Canberra, with one of the facilities earmarked for the Inner South.

Building on the popularity of Canberra Health Services at Molonglo, the new health centres will provide even more health services closer to home for the Canberra community.

North Canberra Garden City Cycle Route

The ACT Government will invest $10.4 million to fund Stage 1 of the Garden City Cycle Route, which will run through Watson, Downer, Hackett, Dickson, Ainslie and Braddon through to the City Cycle Loop on Bunda and Allara streets.

This project will better connect Inner North suburbs on the eastern side of Northbourne Avenue to Canberra’s main cycling network.

Following a feasibility study, the path design will be consulted on with the community in the coming months.

Garema Place, City Walk and Dickson shops upgrades

Garema Place will be upgraded to create a modern dining and retail location in the heart of the City Centre, making the space greener, safer and more appealing with new garden beds, seating and lighting.

The ACT Government’s City Renewal Authority will design targeted public space improvements that extend the award-winning City Walk upgrade towards Allara Street, as well as Alinga Street West, Cooyong Street between Civic and Braddon, and streets in the Dickson Group Centre.

Dickson’s local shops will be improved following consultation on draft designs set for late 2023. These upgrades will support local businesses and improve visitor experience.

The budget also includes an additional $25.5 million to ensure that the City Centre, Acton, Braddon and Dickson remain attractive destinations for locals and visitors.

Upgrades at Telopea Park School and North Ainslie Primary School

Funding has been allocated for the modernisation of Telopea Park School (secondary), which will increase the school’s permanent capacity by 500 places.

Funding has also been committed for design work to expand North Ainslie Primary School and infrastructure upgrades at northside specialist schools.

^{Students from North Ainslie Primary School.}

Watson Health Precinct

A new health precinct in Watson will offer improved mental health and drug and alcohol services for young Canberrans and First Nations people.

Sportsground upgrades

Upgrades will be made to netball courts across the ACT, including the Canberra Netball Association courts in Lyneham and the South Canberra Netball Association courts in Deakin. This includes resurfacing and work to prevent future water damage and surface cracking.

Path and public space improvements

Bowen Park to Kingston Foreshore upgrade:

• $2.6 million is being invested to upgrade the shared path between Cunningham Street and Bowen Park.
• This will improve safety for walkers and cyclists between the City and Queanbeyan including along Eastlake Parade and at the intersections with Printers Way and Cunningham Street.

Telopea Park:

• A new path will be built from Darling Street in Barton to Gosse Street in Kingston, and there will be improvements in lighting and landscaping.

Active streets and school safety

Students and parents in Canberra will benefit from a $2.4 million investment in supporting infrastructure to make the road and path network around schools safer and easier to get around.

A package of designs is currently being finalised but will include a feasibility study for a controlled pedestrian crossing on Canberra Avenue near St Edmund’s and St Clare’s Colleges in Griffith.

Sustainable Household Scheme

Inner North and Inner South residents will be able to take advantage of the additional $80 million of funding provided to the highly successful Sustainable Household Scheme.

The Scheme has already seen over 1000 households in the region access zero interest loans of up to $15,000 across solar, heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, stove tops and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, battery storage systems, and ceiling insulation.

In this next phase eligibility for solar panels under the Scheme will be rolled back and restricted to homeowners who most need government support.

More mowing services

Extra resources were allocated in 2022-23 to pilot a rapid response mowing team of 10 people and eight additional mowers to increase mowing capacity.

Additional funding will continue this program in 2023-24 to provide more mowing capacity to respond to weather conditions and mowing requests from the community.

Find out what else has been funded as part of the 2023-24 ACT Budget by clicking here.

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