ACT 2023 Budget - Quick guide for the built environment

Announced by Treasurer Andrew Barr on 27 June 2023, the ACT budget focuses on healthcare and housing and introduces the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Investment Program, which includes $6.5 billion towards general government sectors and $1.7 billion towards Public Trading Enterprises. We’ve done the hard work to bring a succinct digest of the key infrastructure and built environment highlights.

Housing

Affordable and Social Housing

The budget directs funding to three significant built-to-rent projects, including a $60 million Affordable Housing Fund to grow the number of affordable long-term rentals. $233 million will also be invested in repairs and renewal of public housing. After the release of land in Turner, a second large build-to-rent project in Gungahlin will be delivered, 15% of which will be affordable dwellings.

Bringing Land to Market

Additionally, the budget directs $11 million to expedite the release of land and deliver more housing. Over the next five years, it’s anticipated that greenfield and infill sites will be released for purchase to accommodate over 16,000 dwellings.

These initiatives indicate a strong pipeline of affordable housing projects, particularly in the build-to-rent sector, to assist with the housing crisis. However, the industry suggests that the workforce capacity required to keep up with the pipeline may present a challenge.

Sources: Budget Speech, Budget Outlook, ABC: Wondering what’s in the 2023 ACT budget?, Canberra Times: ACT budget boosts affordable housing measures but fails to support local workforce, industry says

Health

This budget allocates $64.2 million to complete the detailed design of a new Northside Hospital. At Canberra Hospital, $8.7 million will be used to expand and upgrade endoscopy services, and $15.5 million will go towards the design and construction of a 12-bed palliative care ward. Increasing paediatric services, $15.8 million will be directed to establishing a paediatric hospital.

The Watson Health Precinct will be redeveloped with $49 million. The redevelopment involves replacing the existing Ted Noffs and Catholic Care facilities and includes $17 million to establish Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, including a residential rehabilitation facility. The design and construction of a community health service in South Tuggeranong and planning and preliminary design for community-based health services in North Gungahlin and Inner South will be funded through $16.8 million of the budget.

The budget includes the provision of $9.8 million to deliver a Canberra Health Services Adult Gender Service with specialist clinicians to provide services for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Emergency Services

In the Molonglo Valley, a new Emergency Services Station will be established, for completion in 2025-2026, to house ambulance, fire and rescue services. The new facility will be delivered with $66 million of the budget.

Mental Health

$6.4 million from the budget will be directed to community-based mental health accommodation, and $2.3 million will deliver a second Safe Haven at Canberra Hospital. Additionally, $250,000 will kickstart a feasibility study and early design of a safe assessment area in the North Canberra Hospital Emergency Department.

Sources: Budget Speech, Budget Outlook, Canberra Weekly: ACT Budget ‘builds towards the future’

Education

Funding of $230 million over four years will be directed to educational infrastructure, including a second college in Gungahlin to cater to this growth area, in addition to funding to support current works at Strathnairm Primary School and North Gungahlin High School. Telopea Park High School will receive $49.7 million of the budget to increase capacity by 500, and $21 million of the budget will support upgrades across Canberra’s schools holistically, including infrastructure upgrades at Black Mountain School and Cranleigh Specialist School.

Feasibility, planning and design of a new college at Molonglo Valley, modernisation of Fraser Primary School and expansion of Forrest Primary School and North Ainslie Primary School will receive $4 million of the budget. Early childhood education will receive $50 million of the budget to allow more three-year-olds to access a free day per week of education from January 2024.

Sources: Budget Speech, Budget Outlook, Budget at a Glance

Transport

The budget allocates $230 million to the Monaro Highway upgrades, with other major works including a new light rail that will replace the public transport interchange in Woden, activating the CBD’s south to better connect the Canberra Theatre Precinct to the lake, and works to the Molonglo River Bridge.

Sources: Budget Outlook

Community

A new Gungahlin Community Centre will be delivered with $28.4 million from the budget, including youth centre facilities and integrated community activity spaces. $25 million will improve the streetscape throughout City Precinct and at Dickson Shops to improve accessibility. Part of the $177 million community infrastructure budget will fund the detailed design of the Stromlo Forest Park District Playing Fields, upgrades to Yerrabi District Park and the design and construction of a 15-km bike trail between the Cotter Recreation space and Stromlo Forest Park.

Sources: Budget Outlook