Page 3058 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 11 September 1990
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So far I have been talking about the recurrent side of the budget. I would like to say something about the capital budget. The Government recognises the importance of the capital works program to the construction industry and to the general business community in the ACT. Accordingly, it has balanced very carefully its needs against available revenues and its policy on borrowings.
The total level of new works to be committed to construction in 1990-91 on behalf of budget funded agencies is $203m. As I have already mentioned, the major project included in this program is the commencement of the principal hospital redevelopment which, on completion, will ensure that high quality hospital services are available to the ACT community and the surrounding region at a level of cost that can be sustained by the community. The value of works agreed in this budget for this project totals $111.8m, with expenditure this year estimated at $28.1m.
Other significant projects to be started this financial year include a new primary and preschool at Bonython, the community centre in the Tuggeranong Town Centre, upgrading of the Civic Olympic Pool to allow year-round use, and commencement of infrastructure for Gungahlin. A further stage of the Eastern Parkway north of Newcastle Street, Fyshwick, will also be commenced. Commitment approval of $5m has been made for forward design on projects that are likely to form part of next year's capital works program, and the proposed Civic community centre is included in this program as a high priority item. In total, expenditure in 1990-91 by the ACT public sector on capital works is estimated at $227m, a 15 per cent increase on 1989-90. This increased level of activity will benefit employment in the construction industry.
The ACT Housing Trust will be spending $35.9m in 1990-91 on the construction of new dwellings and the refurbishment of those built before 1960. Total additions to the housing stock in 1990-91 are expected to be 83 aged persons units, 121 houses and townhouses and 71 flats. A further 65 existing dwellings will be upgraded.
Other projects to be started this financial year include a further stage in the redevelopment of Ainslie Village, which provides accommodation and facilities for the homeless; the construction of 20 aged persons units in a joint venture in Ainslie; and upgrading works at Ambara Court in Waramanga and Throsby Court in Narrabundah. In addition, negotiations are under way on other proposed significant joint venture housing projects.
Further progress will be made this year on the redevelopment of the Melba Flats. The sum of $10.5m will be spent this year, and this will provide for demolition and site works, relocation of housing and on-site services for tenants. The other major component of the capital budget is the purchase of plant and equipment. The Commonwealth Government's failure to fund an adequate bus
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