Page 282 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
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The appropriation delivers the service outcomes that we need today, and its investments will support both economic growth and address our city’s future needs. It is sustainable and its considered expenditures show that we are prioritising the community’s needs and future prosperity when it is needed the most, in the face of uncertainty and ahead of the achievement of a short-term fiscal target. We are investing in the essential services that Canberrans expect and deserve: efficient road and public transport networks, protecting our environment and combatting climate change, more surgeries and services in our hospital, expanded capacity for our local schools and ensuring that there is support for those who need it.
In transport the government is getting on with the job of extending the light rail network to Woden. We are commencing early design works for light rail stage 2A, which will extend the existing line from the city to Commonwealth Park. Design works will also commence to elevate the south end of London Circuit to an at-grade intersection with Commonwealth Avenue. A raised London Circuit will provide a new gateway to the city that supports the extension of light rail to the lake and improve city traffic flows.
In terms of boosting public transport services, we are bringing additional bus drivers on board to improve weekend services as well as providing additional peak, morning and afternoon light rail services to respond to high levels of demand. Government is committed to providing high-quality transport connections, and I am delighted to see that we are already exceeding the demand forecasts for patronage on light rail. Other significant transport capital projects contained in the 2019-20 budget review include $17 million for the completion of the new Woden bus depot.
Additionally, a new integrated ticketing system, which is suitable for use on both buses and light rail, will be procured to support our integrated public transport network. This investment will mean that in the future, travelling on public transport will be easier and more convenient for Canberrans, with a ticketing system that will offer passengers a variety of flexible payment methods and an app providing real-time travel information.
It is only a matter of weeks since the 18 January anniversary of the 2003 fires. The memories of that day of loss were likely being revisited by many, given the loss of life and devastation that the current bushfire season has bought our nation. The ACT government recognises that the best way we can ensure that our community is prepared is by putting in place arrangements that will ensure our emergency services are able to be as responsive as possible.
The appropriation includes additional resources for the ACT Rural Fire Service, funding to address the ACT’s contribution to the text message and phone-based national emergency alert system and additional fire detection cameras. The total investment is $976,000 in this 2019-20 budget review, which builds on $2.7 million in bushfire-related initiatives delivered in the 2019-20 budget, namely, the contracting of an additional helicopter for bushfire fighting purposes and the implementation of the national fire and danger rating system to predict bushfire behaviour and spread, consistent with the government’s 2016 election commitment.
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