Minister Barr: 2017-18 ACT Budget - Building a more active Canberra

The ACT Government is investing in a more active Canberra by building new infrastructure, better sporting facilities and providing important long-term guidance on preventative health measures.

Part of our 10-Year Health Plan is not only to build the right infrastructure to cater for our growing city, but it also includes efforts to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for Canberrans. We want Canberra to become the healthiest city in Australia by encouraging more active travel and healthy eating.

This Budget starts the work on our 10-Year Health Plan by delivering on our commitment for a dedicated bikeway throughout the Belconnen Town Centre, upgrading footpaths right across the city, improving local sportsgrounds and delivering our commitment to reduce registration fees for ACT caravans and trailers.

As a demonstration of our commitment to promoting a healthier Canberra, this Budget will fund a major Preventative Health Strategy to enable healthy and active living across the community, as well as increased support for the Government’s Active Living Program.

Better support for a healthier community

Part of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan is to invest more in a healthier community to take the strain off our health system. This involves a holistic approach to combine the health system with other areas of Government to promote health and wellbeing.

The Budget will deliver:

• $4 million over four years for a new Preventative Health Strategy to enable healthy and active living; and
• $170,000 over 2017-18 to increase support for the Active Living Program.

Moving towards the healthiest city in the world

An active city is a healthier city. The Budget is investing $12 million in infrastructure and reforms to make Canberra the healthiest city in Australia, including:

• $4.7 million for the design and construction of a dedicated bikeway through Belconnen Town Centre and installation of 10 new bike racks across Canberra; and
• $4 million to continue building an integrated transport network through footpath and cycleway improvements; and

This Budget will also deliver on our commitment to reduce registration fees for Canberra caravans and camper trailers to encourage Canberrans to enjoy recreational activities in the great outdoors.

Better sporting facilities for all

This ACT Budget invests $6.2 million for new and existing recreational facilities across Canberra to keep Canberrans active.

This investment includes:

• $5.4 million over four years for additional irrigation of Canberra’s sportsgrounds to ensure safe and fit for purpose amenities;
• $624,000 over four years to increase safety and event management regulation in combat sports; and
• $160,000 in to plan for new indoor sports centres in Woden, Gungahlin and Belconnen.

Related

Building a more active Canberra (pdf 261 KB)