Released 26/08/2020
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development,The Hon Michael McCormack MP
Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters Senator the Hon Zed Seselja
ACT Minister for City Services, Chris Steel MLA
The Federal Government today delivered nearly $8 million in funding for the ACT as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program to support the delivery of priority projects across Australia.
The LRCI program is part of the Federal Government's boost for road and community projects, including $40 million for the ACT through the roads to recovery program, and $17.6 million in Commonwealth funding matched by the ACT Government to get shovel-ready projects underway sooner.
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said today’s announcement would provide a boost to the ACT economy.
“I’m pleased to announce the Federal Government is delivering nearly $8 million for local roads and community projects, a much-needed boost for our local economy. This funding has been allocated across city improvements including paths, streetlighting, sportsgrounds, skate parks and community facilities.”
“The Federal Government is committed to getting Australians home sooner and safer, and today’s announcement builds on $1 billion in new investments announced in the ACT by the Federal Government in the past two years,” said Senator Seselja.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the projects funded under the Program will improve the quality of life of Australians and have lasting economic and social benefits for local communities.
“Our funding boost will help communities across Australia accelerate priority projects to get people into jobs and stimulate our economy,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We know how important our support is to communities who have faced the combined effects of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, which is why we are backing projects to create employment and business opportunities while cutting travel times, as well as making our roads and communities safer.
“Having only announced the program in late May, we are moving decisively to deliver the support councils and communities need to get through this pandemic and get back on their feet,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Minister for City Services Chris Steel welcomed the funding this morning.
“The ACT Government has put forward a diverse range of small infrastructure projects that are labour intensive and will provide an ongoing pipeline of work for the next 12 months,” said Minister for City Services Chris Steel.
“The ACT Government has had a deliberate focus on supporting active travel infrastructure projects during the pandemic, and a further $2.84 million is being allocated to strategic improvements to cycleways and walking paths.
“The third stage of the Heysen Street Link on Devonport Street in Lyons will be delivered as well as a new shared path on Lake Burley Griffin Circuit on the missing link along Menindee Drive near Kings Avenue Bridge and a community path on Aikman Drive in Belconnen.
“Cyclist safety is being improved with new priority crossings on the Tuggeranong to City Cycle Link, and the roll-out of CBR cycle route wayfinding will be continued across the Territory,” Minister Steel said.
Canberra’s streetlight network will also get a boost of $1.8 million, fast-tracking 880 light upgrades to LED throughout 2020-21.
With organised sport across the ACT now recommenced for the winter season, Senator Seselja said $1 million has been provided to improve the facilities at three locations.
“As a parent of a large active family I am really pleased to deliver funding for upgrades to the Stirling and Kambah playing fields, and the pavilions at the Woden enclosed athletics track, building on the Federal Government’s $1 million in investment in local sporting facilities last year,” Senator Seselja said.
“$1 million will go towards ensuring ACT owned facilities continue to contribute positively to the quality of life of Canberrans. Libraries, community halls and early childhood centres will receive upgrades including to improving accessibility, landscaping, floor repairs, replacement of fencing, installation of solar panels, upgrading of electrical systems and more,” Senator Seselja said.
Minister Steel also provided an update on a number of major road projects across Canberra that have been jointly funded with the Federal Government.
“On the Monaro Highway, the new northbound overtaking lane between Williamsdale Road and Royalla Drive has recently opened to traffic and design work continues for the Lanyon Drive Interchange. The construction tender for the duplication of the road connecting Belconnen and Gungahlin between the Barton Highway and Ginninderra Drive has been released. This project will be delivered in two stages with the first stage of construction expected to start later this year,” Minister Steel said.
Senator Seselja welcomed the progress.
“With a $100 million investment in the Monaro Highway and $30 million for the duplication of William Slim Drive from the Federal Government, I am pleased to see these projects have come another step closer to realisation. These upgrades will get Canberrans home and to work sooner and safer,” Senator Seselja said.
“The ACT Government welcomes this investment in our city by the Federal Government and we look forward to construction commencing on these projects,” concluded Minister Steel.
The list of projects announced today are:
Footpaths/Cycling/Pedestrian improvements
- Continued rollout of CBR cycle route wayfinding
- Priority crossing for Theodore Street at Melrose Drive in Woden
- Construction of a new three metre wide asphalt path on Aikman Drive connecting to bus stop 4143 (near UC hospital)
- Stage three of the Heysen Street link along Devonport Street (to Lyons shops)
- Construction of a missing link on the Lake Burley Griffin Circuit on Menindee Drive
- New priority crossings for the City-Woden cycle route at Loftus Street and Schlich Street in Yarralumla.
Streetlighting improvements
- Replacement of dull streetlight lamps
- Streetlight infill program
- Refurbish 12 of the ACT Government owned high mast lights located at Commonwealth Avenue/Flynn Drive and Kings Avenue/Bowen Drive.
Facility improvements (includes landscaping, accessibility, building upgrades, installation of solar panels and fresh coats of paint)
- Belconnen and Woden skate parks
- Belconnen, Dickson and Kippax library branches
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre, Acton
- Community centres in Bonython, Downer, Gilmore, Gungahlin, Hughes, Dickson (Majura), Narrabundah (Southside) and Tuggeranong
- Early childhood centres in Calwell and Holder
- Ginninderra Community Hall, Higgins
- Griffin Centre Canberra
- Isabella Plains Neighbourhood Centre
- Fitters Workshop, Kingston
- Tooms Place Former Depot, Lyons
- Woden Enclosed Athletics Track
- Stirling and Kambah district playing fields
- Acton Waterfront Lake Beach.
For more information about the projects visit www.act.gov.au/fasttrack
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases
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