Delivering the better Canberra we promised

25 October 2017

Since the Government’s re-election last October, we have been working hard and smart to deliver what Canberrans voted for – a progressive city that leaves no one behind.

This includes renewing our schools, hospitals, infrastructure and public spaces to prepare for our city’s future growth. We have also balanced the ACT’s Budget.

Our focus over the past year has been on funding and delivering our comprehensive election platform, across our priorities of health services, better schools and facilities for our kids, a transport system that caters for a growing city, better and tidier suburbs, and a strong and job-creating economy.

Providing the services as we grow

The ACT is the fastest growing state or territory in Australia and the Government is continuing to invest in the infrastructure and services Canberrans need as we continue to grow.

Tracks are in the ground on light rail stage one, and new Rapid Bus services will keep Canberrans moving.

We have expanded the emergency department at the Canberra Hospital and started further significant upgrades and we have boosted funding to attract more nurses to our health system.

We have started shaping the Future of Education in the ACT through engagement with students, parents and teachers.

The next 12 months

The Government will continue to strengthen the Territory’s Budget position in parallel to our taxation reform agenda.

Work will continue on stage one, and planning and development of stage two, of the city wide light rail network, as well as boosting our bus network.

We will open Canberra’s teaching and rehabilitation public hospital at the University of Canberra.

We will also continue to develop export and investment opportunities for Canberra businesses based around our International Engagement Strategy, and we will work to boost our capabilities in defence, cyber security and the space technology industry to further diversify our economy.

Canberra is now home to over 409,000 people and we will reach 425,000 by the next election in 2020. Now is the time to shape our city as we grow, so we remain one of the most liveable cities in the world.

What we have delivered

To create the better Canberra, during the past year the Government has:

Laid the first track of light rail stage one and funded significant work on stage two from Civic to Woden;
Established smoke-free public transport waiting areas;
Created the Office of LGBTIQ Affairs for the ACT;
Balanced the Budget;
Completed the expansion of The Canberra Hospital’s Emergency Department;
Established the City Renewal Authority and Suburban Land Agency;
Started significant upgrades to The Canberra Hospital and the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children;
Introduced free buses for seniors;
Opened Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm;
Started shaping the Future of Education in the ACT through consultations with students, parents and teachers;
Completed shop upgrades at Spence, Kambah, Charnwood and Kingston
Record investment in out of home care;
Established the Office for Disability;
Launched a direct bus from Civic to Canberra Airport;
Announced the expansion of UNSW Canberra;
Secured free electronic devices to be rolled out to public high school and college students for 2018;
Opened Williamsdale Solar Farm and Mugga Lane Solar Park;
Helped small and medium clubs move away from reliance on poker machine revenue;
Expanded the flexible bus service to the Inner North
Legislated a Reconciliation Day Public Holiday;
Started expanding school capacity in Gungahlin;
Worked with the South Australian and Northern Territory Governments, and industry, to entice space industry companies to the ACT;
Created Disability Inclusion Grants for businesses and community organisations;
Funded the Safe Schools program;
Established the H2OK waterways campaign;
Started work to establish an Office of Mental Health;
Established the Multicultural Advisory Committee;
Increased funding for child protection services;
Legislated to introduce a Container Deposit Scheme from early 2018;
Started work on a new Walk In centre in Gungahlin;
Secured four-year elite agreements with Canberra United and Canberra Capitals teams;
Launched a trial of electric buses;
Rolled out green waste bins to Kambah and Weston Creek residents;
Advocated for improved train links between Sydney and Canberra;
Legislated to ban drink spiking;
Organised a Housing and Homelessness Summit to tackle housing affordability in the ACT;
Launched the HerCanberra ACTIVE online sports platform;
Started work to develop a Carers Strategy using new consultation methods;
Invested in better mental health support for paramedics and fire fighters;
Enticed record numbers of international and domestic visitors to Canberra;
Funded health checks for all year 7 students;
Changed liquor and outdoor dining laws to make our nightlife more vibrant;
Funded extra mental health services for LGBTIQ Canberrans during the non-binding postal survey;
Started a facelift for Tuggeranong’s Anketell Street;
Delivered an Australian-first public transport partnership between the Night Rider service and Uber;
Seed grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations established;
Begun work on expanding Belconnen Arts Centre;
Worked with stakeholders to start design on a Family Safety Hub;
Legislated against intimate image abuse;
Created a Major Events Fund to attract more large events and shows to Canberra;
Started the transition period to ban greyhound racing in the ACT;
Boosted funding to attract more nurses to our health system;
Refreshed Gungahlin town centre’s planning guidelines;
Funded new psychologists for public schools;
Established the Floriade Fringe Festival;
Started construction on a new SES facility in Calwell;
Opened the Tuggeranong and Belconnen Learn to Ride centres for kids;
Moved ACT Health staff to Woden to boost town centre businesses;
Constructed the Wanniassa Park and Ride;
Upgraded CCTV in nightlife precincts and rolled out mobile CCTV cameras at Floriade; and
Launched a HIV prevention Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis trial.