2023-24 budget snapshot – Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo:

• New funding for Stromlo Forest Park
• New Emergency Services Station for the Molonglo Valley
• Upgrades for Garran Primary School and planning for a new Molonglo Valley college
• Path and sportsground upgrades

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 Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo include:

New trail and funding for Stromlo Forest Park

The ACT Government has committed to build a new $1.8 million flow trail from Stromlo to the Cotter, adding another mountain biking experience to Canberra’s cycling and nature tourism offering.

The new trail will create a link between the two popular recreation areas and pass through nature reserves, allowing riders to experience the unique landscape of the ACT.

The new trail is supported by a sponsorship agreement with the University of Canberra for naming and branding rights to the park. The agreement will see an additional $1 million in funding for Stromlo Forest Park, bringing the total investment to $2.8 million.

New Emergency Services Station

A new Emergency Services Station in the Molonglo Valley will bring ambulance and fire and rescue services closer to residents.

Funded through the 2023-24 ACT Budget, the new station will be complete by 2026. The facility will serve the growth of the Molonglo Valley and surrounding districts.

^{Concept render of the new Emergency Services Station}

Garran Primary School and Molonglo Valley college

Upgrades will be carried out at Garran Primary School.

Funding has also been provided undertake key feasibility, planning and design work for a new college in the Molonglo Valley.

Path and sportsground upgrades

The ACT Government will also undertake studies and preliminary designs on other priorities identified in Canberra’s ‘Active Travel Plan’. Funding of $2.1 million will allow for the following feasibility and design initiatives:

• upgrade of C5 (principal) from Cotter Road to Mulley Street
• Melrose Drive main community route upgrade
• Athllon Drive/Parramatta Street priority crossings.

Detailed design work will soon get underway for stage one of the region’s newest playing fields, located in the Molonglo Valley. Stromlo District Playing Fields will feature a pavilion as well as both grass and synthetic fields that cater to a range of sports.

Arawang Netball Association courts in Stirling will also receive upgrades. This work will include resurfacing and work to prevent future water damage and surface cracking.

Sustainable Household Scheme

Residents across the region will also 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 2100 Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo households 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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