Page 1920 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 5 May 2009
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The Budget delivers new and enhanced infrastructure for community and elite sport including funding for stage two of the Lyneham Sports Precinct, the Gungahlin enclosed oval and a basketball centre of excellence.
The Tourism sector will be supported through a four year $5.3 million marketing and event package delivering on Labor’s commitment to establish a new autumn event from 2010.
This Budget also provides $14 million over four years for the Centenary of Canberra Program, which will provide for the appointment of a Creative Director to guide the development and delivery of an official program for the celebration.
Supporting jobs and the economy
Mr Speaker, this is a Budget for the times.
As such we have ensured that at the heart of our efforts are measures to support local jobs and our local economy.
At this time many businesses are feeling the effects of this uncertain economic climate.
That is why we have allocated funding of $3.5 million over four years to support businesses accessing overseas export markets.
We are also codifying the Change of Use Charge in response to industry’s concerns around the uncertainty in charge determinations, and the delays in development approvals from the complexities that result.
Pending codification, this Government will reduce the Change of Use Charge rate from 75 per cent to 50 per cent for a period of one year. This initiative is a short term measure to support investment.
A temporary moratorium on fees for delay in commercial developments will also be implemented for eligible developers, in recognition of current economic difficulties.
This Budget also provides incentives to owners of commercial properties to retrofit premises in order to achieve a reduction in energy use and emissions.
The capacity of ACT Planning and Land Authority to provide professional and timely services to ACT business and the building and construction industry is also being enhanced with additional funding of $9.7 million over four years being provided.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, the Government has considered all requests for additional expenditure through this Budget process. In this Budget you will find modest additional expenditure where key election commitments have been delivered upon, commitments contained in our Parliamentary Agreement with the ACT Greens
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