Canberra is growing at about 7,000 people a year and we will be a city of 500,000 people by 2030, on current projections.

As a result, the ACT Government’s mid-year Budget Update is investing in city-building infrastructure to make sure we are prepared for future growth.

Over the next four years, a $3 billion program of infrastructure and capital works will keep Canberra moving through an integrated transport system, and build new and expanded hospital facilities and local schools.

These aren’t just future projects, we’re getting on with the job now.

The City Renewal Authority is getting upgrades to the city precinct underway, including better footpaths for London Circuit and activating more CBD laneways.

We are planning for growth across our public transport network by delivering a new bus depot at Woden.

And we are helping to attract more major sports events to Canberra by further upgrading the facilities at Manuka Oval.     

With a balanced budget, we can now start making provisions for the further big investments this city will need in the years to come.

For example, we have already committed to the major expansion of The Canberra Hospital through the establishment of the SPIRE Centre, and to taking Light Rail to Woden by developing stage 2 of the network.

The Labor Government is determined to learn from the lessons of cities like Sydney and Melbourne – to avoid traffic snarls and service shortfalls by investing in the infrastructure we need to meet this growth.