Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Budget funding will help build Canberra’s international business and trade connections and grow the city’s visitor economy.

This will continue to diversify the economy through the local tourism industry.

It will create more local jobs and make it easier for international visitors to come to Canberra.

More affordable air travel

One priority is making it easier and cheaper to fly into Canberra.

The Government will continue to invest in the Aviation Stimulus Fund to attract more direct domestic and international flights to and from the city.

Investments made through this fund in 2023 gave the ACT economy a significant boost.

Driving growth in international markets

The Government is committed to bringing more leisure visitors to Canberra.

Enhanced marketing, trade links and continued representation in Singapore, South-east Asia and India will help facilitate this.

The United States is currently the ACT’s strongest international visitor market. This makes it a key growth market for many Canberra businesses.

Building on last year’s trade mission, Budget investment will target in-market activity to provide growth opportunities in the US for the ACT’s tourism, trade and business sectors.

Funding will also help promote Canberra tourism in China.

The 2024–25 Budget will support the many Canberra‑based businesses with existing connections to these international markets, as well as those first entering them.

Quality events in Canberra

Canberra continues to attract quality international events.

Budget funding will bring the British and Irish Lions Tour to Canberra on 9 July 2025, to play the ACT Brumbies.

The British and Irish Lions Tour is the biggest rugby event outside of the Rugby World Cup.

Improved signage

Funding will improve signage around Canberra, including:

• in ACT’s parks and nature reserves – a key drawcard for tourism
• entrance signage along the Barton Highway – to improve the experience for those arriving in Canberra
• wayfinding and other signage for major events like Floriade and the Enlighten Festival.

Recognising Canberra

The ACT Government will continue to sponsor the Canberra Region Tourism Awards.

These allow the local tourism sector to be recognised nationally and elevate Canberra as a tourist destination.

The Brand Canberra program will also be supported to continue promoting the city as a great place to live work and study.

All these initiatives will continue to build Canberra’s profile as a tourism, trade and business destination.

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The ACT Government is investing in essential city services to support new recycling infrastructure and Canberra’s growing horticultural maintenance needs.

The ACT and Australian Governments will jointly fund the construction of a new recycling facility for Canberra.

It will be built on the same Hume site that was extensively damaged by fire in December 2022, as well as on the adjoining block.

The facility will feature new technology to expand capacity to sort and process glass, plastic, paper and cardboard.

This will increase resource recovery by:

• creating higher-quality recycled products
• reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfill.

Funding will allow work to begin, with a contract expected to be awarded in mid‑2024.

New community infrastructure and maintenance

The 2024-25 ACT Budget will support new and upgraded community facilities and infrastructure across the city.

The investment will deliver new toilets at Evatt Shops and Ruth Park Playground in Coombs, an upgraded toilet at Mawson Shops, and support the delivery of a new toilet near Bizant Street in Amaroo as part of the Yerrabi Pond Upgrade.

Budget funding will drive renewal of the city’s playgrounds and skateparks, including safety improvement works, mulch and rubber soft fall top ups, and a program of regular audits and inspections.

The Government will respond to community feedback regarding resources at ACT libraries. There will be new portable phone chargers and more power boards and charging stations, in addition to improving building security.

Other initiatives include funding for:

• master planning of upgrades to the Mugga Lane and Hume Resource Management Centres
• upgrades to dams
• further security upgrades.

Funding will allow work to begin, with a contract expected to be awarded in mid‑2024.

FOGO pilot expanded

Canberra’s Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) pilot program will be expanded.

This will generate useful information on how households in different types of multi-unit developments use the service.

The pilot currently services 5,300 households in Belconnen, Bruce, Cook and Macquarie.

An additional 1,150 units will be added, increasing the pilot by more than 20 per cent.

Mowing and horticulture maintenance

The combination of unpredictable weather and a growing city have increased demands on those taking care of Canberra’s grass, trees, weeds and gardens.

Through this Budget a temporarily expanded city maintenance crew will become permanent.

The expansion aimed to respond to short-term pressures resulting from weather conditions. With these pressures continuing, the Government is reinforcing resources in the city’s mowing, in-house traffic management and tree management teams.

Ten full-time positions and eight new mowers will be added to the city’s mowing teams.

In the low season, mowing crews will help with horticultural work across the city, including weeding, road edging and maintenance.

The Budget will also fund the continuation of a 10-person in-house traffic management crew. This crew provides traffic management control for Canberra’s mowing, litter picking, weed control and tree maintenance teams.

Their work has helped increase the safety of roadside workers. It has also helped reduce inconvenience for both workers and road and path users during maintenance activities.

The ACT Government has exceeded its target of planting 54,000 trees across the ACT from 2021 to 2024.

Forecasts predict over 60,000 new trees will be added to the city’s tree canopy during this period.

Staff will continue to be funded to care for Canberra’s trees and continue planting more trees in an increasingly sophisticated way, drawing from Connecting Nature Connecting People initiative and other research and insights.

Budget investment over four years will continue support for volunteer park care groups to nurture and restore local parks and nature reserves, with a particular focus on weed management in the first year.

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Working in the city and in need of a coffee in between meetings? ARC is a beautiful light-filled shop and focuses on local produce and great coffees.

Barrio, Braddon

A small and humble café serving delicious food and superb specialty coffee! If you’re looking for the perfect spot to stop off and enjoy a morning coffee before work, then Barrio is your café. You can even take home their roasted beans or homemade hot sauce!

Kopiku is an Indonesian style café located at the O’Connor shops. Blending Asian and Australian influences together why not try this unique place and try out the coffee. You can also grab some Nasi Goreng, Mee Goreng and much more.

Doubleshot, Deakin

Looking for coffee and a healthy menu? Doubleshot Deakin offer a relaxing experience coupled with a guilt free menu.

Curio Press, Lake Burley Griffin

The perfect finish line for those running or walking around the lake. Sit back and enjoy the view, Curio is located next to Blundells Cottage, nestled among the mature, shady trees.

Early Edition, Kingston

Want vintage charm meets modern flavour? Try Early Editions range of coffees and organic lattes. Grab a quick coffee or relax and enjoy the weekend with your friends.

Silo Bakery, Kingston

Looking for a bakery that offers some of Canberra’s best pastries, artisanal bread, and tarts? You need to check out Silo. Renowned for its high-quality food and excellent service, Silo is a popular choice among locals. Stop by for a coffee and a tart, and don’t forget your loaf of bread for the week!

East Row Specialty Coffee, Canberra City

Enjoy Ona coffee and Instagram-worthy food at East Row. Visit their stylish, industrial café for a meal and coffee before work or during lunch. They’re open 7 days and also offer catering.

The Pialligo Bakesmith, Pialligo

Looking for a place to sit outdoors with views of lush trees and gardens? The Bakesmith, owned by the former owner of Le Bon Melange, is the ideal spot to enjoy coffee and a delicious French pastry.

Bedst Coffee, Canberra City

Coffee with a Nordic twist? Try Bedst light, bright roasted coffees. They specialise in coffees from the Nordic region but also showcase coffee from all over the world. A worthwhile trip to check out this niche and popular offering.

Need a coffee on the go? Flatheads not only serves up delicious fish and chips, but also a yummy Will & Co coffee.

Clay Coffee, Turner

Grab a coffee, bring your dog and hang out with friends in the small but inviting outdoor area. A popular spot for locals on weekends serving Redbrick coffee.

DOP is a small but mighty coffee shop serving up authentic Italian Street food and artisan coffee. It’s hole in the wall vibe is hard to miss with the lines of people waiting for a cup of their morning brew!

Superfine Café, Canberra Central

Start your morning feeling superfine! Grab a coffee and specialty toastie on the way to work. Superfine is a popular morning spot known for its friendly staff and good coffee.

Café by day, function space by night, Deakin & Me is a local fave and beloved by all. Grab a coffee and choose a sandwich from the selection in the deli cabinet.

The ACT Government is releasing new Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) as part of its investment in an all-electric, zero-emissions future for Canberra.

The plan includes a range of Government commitments to support Canberrans through the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy.

The Integrated Energy Plan 2024–2030 sets out the next stage of work for the Territory’s transition to an all-electric city over the next 20 years.

It builds on the ACT’s success in reaching 100 percent renewable electricity in 2020.

It aims to ensure all Canberrans benefit from the transition, not just those most able to afford the necessary changes involved.

Energy bill savings

As well as being the cheapest, most effective pathway to net-zero emissions for the ACT, electrification can also bring significant energy bill savings.

A household that swaps gas cooking, heating and hot water for efficient electric appliances can save around $735 per year – or even more with the addition of solar.

The Sustainable Housing Scheme

Households needing support to make such changes can take advantage of the Sustainable Household Scheme.

Almost 20,000 households – 10 per cent of Canberra’s households – have accessed the scheme, which supports people with loans to electrify their homes and forms of transport. Those who have accessed loans to date have already saved an estimated $43 million on their energy bills.

Equipping community and public housing

The ACT Government will electrify all feasible community and public housing properties in the ACT by the end of 2030.

This work has already started, and will continue to be a priority, along with continued energy efficiency improvements to properties.

Further support for low-income homeowners

A new Community Partnership Electrification Program will be delivered over two years, to support vulnerable and low-income homeowners.

This will cover upfront costs of energy efficiency upgrades and electrification, for approximately 350 low-income households.

Assistance for apartment owners

The Integrated Energy Plan will also support apartment residents, who may face extra challenges in electrification.

A new Retrofit Readiness program will offer free advice and electrification planning for those living in multi-unit buildings, such as apartments.

To help reduce obstacles for apartment residents, the IEP will also deliver strata reform work to identify and resolve regulatory barriers to electrification upgrades in multi-unit buildings.

Upskilling a workforce

An appropriately skilled workforce is crucial to supporting the energy transition.

The IEP will also target training subsidies to priority trades that support the energy transition. It will also increase subsidies for the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Technician.

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will host Australia’s first TAFE Centre of Excellence, focusing on electric vehicles.

ACT Infrastructure Plan updates

The ACT Government is also updating the ACT Infrastructure Plan, outlining future investments in climate action, energy and environment infrastructure for Canberra’s future.

This plan outlines how the Government will provide energy infrastructure to support greater electricity usage, the electrification of Government assets as well as water and natural environment protection.

Both the IEP and updated Infrastructure Plan continue the ACT Government’s commitment to transition to net-zero emissions by 2045.

Find out more

Learn more about the ACT’s Pathway to Electrification and read the first Integrated Energy Plan on the Everyday Climate Choices website.

To read the ACT Infrastructure Plan refresh for climate action, energy and environment infrastructure, visit the Built for CBR website.

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As Canberrans enter Canberra Hospital’s new Welcome Hall, they will be met by two new artworks by local Aboriginal artists.

These commissioned works acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as Traditional Custodians of Canberra and the region.

They also recognise the contributions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT.

The Critical Services Building

The Welcome Hall is part of the hospital’s new Critical Services Building.

It replaces the hospital’s reception in Building 2.

The Critical Services Building will open to the public in August 2024.

Considered design

In designing the building, the ACT Government engaged closely with the Ngunnawal people and Canberra’s local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

This has helped ensure it is a welcoming, safe space for these communities.

Healing Journey

Lynnice Church is a Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi artist.

Her artwork Healing Journey is displayed at the Welcome Hall entrance.

It includes 24,073 colourful metal discs. Each is attached by hand to a metal frame that stretches across the front and back entrance of the hall.

The artwork acknowledges Canberra Hospital’s role as a place for healing.

It depicts health journeys, and the roles family, community, specialists and health staff play in supporting patients.

Ngala Dhawura

Ngunnawal artist Bradley Mapiva Brown’s artwork is entitled Ngala Dhawura.

The wooden sculpture represents the connection to sacred woodlands of Ngunnawal country, where the Critical Services Building stands.

The woodlands are a healing place for the Ngunnawal people. They hold many cultural resources, such as traditional tools and bush medicines that have long used to maintain health and well-being.

Ngala Dhawura is located above a corridor connecting the new building to the existing hospital.

A welcoming, safe space

Art is an important part of the building’s design and will feature throughout.

In addition to the artwork, design features of the Critical Services Building include:

• An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lounge: a first for Canberra Hospital with outdoor space and a yarning circle.
• Strong indoor / outdoor connection: large windows around the hospital offer views of the surrounding landscape and frame areas of cultural significance.
• New greenspace and gardens: outdoor access is easier with new gardens and courtyards, including accessible dedicated patient spaces.

^{The hospital’s new main entrance}

^{Ngala Dhawura}

^{Lynnice Church’s artwork adorns both entrances of the Welcome Hall.}

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Funding in the ACT 2024–25 Budget will help Canberrans access mental health help earlier and more easily.

The initiatives funded aim to support Canberrans to remain healthy in the community.

This will help services provide support when and where people need it and reduce demand on the ACT hospital system.

Funding has been allocated over the next four years for:

1. the continuation of the second Police, Ambulance, and Clinician Early Response (PACER) team to provide acute mental health assessment and care services in the community
2. the co-design of a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth mental health service
3. the continuation of community child and youth mental health support programs, including
   1. MindMap Online Navigation Portal
   2. WOKE
   3. Stepping Stones
   4. Youth Mental Health Promotion program
4. staged implementation of approximately 10 accommodation support packages as part of the introduction of the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative
5. delivery of a more holistic approach in the Step-Up-Step Down at-home program, to better address the factors in someone’s life which cause distress
6. additional funding for the Detention Exit Community Outreach program to provide transitional mental health and life skills support for people with a mental illness returning to the community.

When people have early access to mental health support, they are more likely to stay healthy, engaged and connected.

This funding will help ensure the continuation of services that currently support Canberrans facing mental health challenges, allowing them to get the help they need in the community, rather than in hospital.

The investment in tailored youth mental services and culturally responsive mental health services for First Nations people will help bolster the health and wellbeing of those in crisis.

The PACER model, particularly, has proven very successful in addressing mental health crises, offering faster assessments, connecting individuals with vital community resources, and reducing the strain on emergency response teams.

This not only helps those who need it most but also helps ensure a safer, more supportive Canberra.

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The ACT Government is funding the next stage of the Canberra Theatre Centre revitalisation in the 2024–25 Budget.

Major Projects Canberra will collaborate an industry partner which will be engaged through an early contractor involvement (ECI) delivery model.

They will work in partnership to complete the project.

A two-stage process will begin in July to confirm the industry partner.

Construction approvals for the redevelopment will be sought in 2025.

The expanded Canberra Theatre Centre will enhance Civic as a live entertainment and hospitality destination.

This will provide opportunities for Canberrans to come together and connect, and will lead to more jobs.

A transformed Canberra Theatre Centre

The Canberra Theatre Centre revitalisation will create a performing arts centre of national and international significance. It will include:

• a new 2,000-seat lyric theatre (suitable for musicals, opera and ballet)
• a refurbishment of The Playhouse and Canberra Theatre
• expanding the studio theatre for flexible use by local artists for intimate shows
• improved accessibility and connections to the precinct
• hospitality offerings, including bars.

Project benefits

This project offers benefits for the whole community.

• First Nations Connection to Country are celebrated and acknowledged through design.
• Canberra will be able to attract and enjoy world-renowned musicals, circus shows, ballet and opera without the need for expensive interstate travel.
• Canberra will have a world-class theatre and cultural precinct.
• More visitors to the ACT will grow the local economy.
• The city centre will be enhanced as a lively destination for dining and entertainment – day and night.
• The project will create more jobs in the arts, hospitality and construction. With more career pathways for emerging creatives and technicians, more arts workers will remain in Canberra.
• The Centre will be a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
• The revitalised Canberra Theatre Centre will feature sustainable, green-star all-electric design.
• The project will generate more opportunities, networks and audiences for Canberra’s performing arts sector.

Share your thoughts on the centre’s design

Previous community consultation responses highlighted that the centre’s design should prioritise:

• First Nations Connection to Country
• Accessibility requirements for people with disability, mental health conditions and neurodiversity
• High-quality audience experience and usability
• Connection to the wider entertainment precinct.

The ACT Government wants to explore these ideas further with specific stakeholder communities.

Dedicated engagement sessions are planned, both in person and online.

Personal experiences and insights shared in these sessions will help ensure better access, inclusion and diversity in the design.

Register your interest and the team will be in touch to understand your requirements to enable your attendance.

Find out more on the Built for CBR website.

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The ACT Government will provide funding in the 2024-25 ACT Budget to continue the planning and development of a new Canberra Convention and Entertainment Centre.

The centre will form part of an events and entertainment precinct proposed for the south-east section of the CBD that includes the current convention centre site and the Canberra Olympic Pool site.

Master-planning for the new precinct will see concept designs developed for an integrated convention and entertainment centre for live music, events and performances.

The ACT Government will invest in site investigations and concept design options for the replacement of the ageing Canberra Olympic Pool to provide aquatic facilities for the city’s growing population in Commonwealth Park.

The ACT Government will continue to work with the Australian Government under the National Capital Investment Framework and through the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program to progress infrastructure projects such as the Convention and Entertainment Centre.

As Canberra’s population nears half a million people, this project is important for the local tourism and business sector, ensuring Canberra is a more attractive tour option for live music and entertainment.

Bruce Sports, Health, and Education Precinct update

Further funding will be provided in the 2024-25 ACT Budget to progress development of the Bruce Sports, Health, and Education Precinct.

The ACT Government intends to partner with the Commonwealth Government to develop a mixed-use urban renewal precinct, which will include housing, commercial, hospitality and retail opportunities to support sport, health and education infrastructure projects.

Through the 2024-25 Budget, the Government will also progress planning for the new Northside Hospital, a renewed CIT campus and a new stadium.

This work will complement the Commonwealth Government’s AIS precinct renewal announced in the recent Federal Budget.

The Government will consider options for the development, including the optimal delivery model and the declaration of an urban renewal site.

This declaration will help coordinate ACT Government Directorates and agencies to work together on the precinct planning.

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The ACT Government is resourcing a four-year elective surgery plan to deliver 60,000 elective surgeries and to expand operating theatre capacity in public health services.

Despite the challenges impacting elective surgeries in recent years, Canberra Health Services is on track to perform a record number of elective surgeries this financial year.

Additional funding in the 2024-25 ACT Budget will further support the territory-wide surgery teams to continue this work across the ACT’s hospitals.

More endoscopies will be delivered thanks to the recent expansion and upgrade of the endoscopy suites at North Canberra Hospital.

Additional theatre capacity at Canberra Hospital in the new Critical Services Building will be essential to improve timely access to emergency surgeries and increase the total capacity for elective surgeries performed at Canberra Hospital.

Increased operating theatre sessions during evenings and weekends, and more surgical inpatient beds to support growing emergency surgery demand are a critical part of this investment.

The Government has also committed to deliver an additional 300 cataract surgeries through partnerships with private facilities.

The ACT Budget will support services and initiatives across the public hospital network, including acute care for older people across our public hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation at the University of Canberra Hospital, services for critically ill newborns and expanded maternity services.

Total investment in health next year is a record $2.6 billion. This will deliver more health services, infrastructure, support for the health workforce, and $52.7 million will be allocated to support the elective surgery plan.

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All over the Territory, students from preschool to Year 12 are racing to the finish line for the 20th Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge.

Around 25,000 ACT students have registered this year, with many others inspired to pick up a book along the way.

To complete the challenge, primary students read 30 books, while older students read 15 titles – all before the 5 July deadline.

Schools achieving 100 per cent completion – with students registered in one of five age categories – will be recognised during an awards ceremony next term.

But everyone’s a winner in this event. Year four students at Miles Franklin Primary School in Evatt received a visit this week from local mystery, thriller and suspense writer Jack Heath.

Jack has been an ambassador for the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge for around 10 years.

Like the school’s namesake, Jack grew up around Canberra and began writing novels in his teens. He has written more than twice as many novels as Stella Miles Franklin, though – 40 at last count.

Jack has been involved in author visits to schools for his whole adult life. He recalls meeting an author through school himself as a Lyneham Primary School student. At the school librarian’s invitation, he joined an excursion and met another local author, Jackie French.

Jack shared some tips for families keen to keep their kids reading. He says not to be afraid of ‘gateway books’, like graphic novels and audio books.

“You want reading to always feel like a treat. That means finding topics and content that interests them, rather than the ones that interest you, or that you think are educational. You want to challenge your kids from time to time, but not too much.”

He suggests bearing in mind the very different environment children are growing up in compared to those in which their parents learnt to read.

“As a result of that, I think it’s important to look for new, exciting books. I definitely want to share with my kids the books that I loved when I was their age, but they just don’t connect, it doesn’t seem to work quite the same way,” he said.

Find a wealth of great reading materials for kids at Libraries ACT.

Reluctant readers aged 7–12 may also benefit from the Story Dogs program.

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