Construction has begun on infrastructure to improve the Tuggeranong foreshore, the ACT Government announced: upgrades to local shops, playgrounds, community facilities, and dog parks.
“This is part of our biggest ever program to improve suburban infrastructure across our city,” Chris Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services, said.
The Tuggeranong Town Park playground will have new equipment, including nature play and a climber rope, to provide more accessible play, and picnic spots.
The Tuggeranong Town Park toilet will be upgraded to become accessible.
The foreshore path network will be more accessible and safer: the path will be widened, obstacles will be removed, there will be new street furniture for people to sit on and rest, and lighting will be upgraded in key locations.
The boardwalk will be revitalised: the decking material will be replaced, and additional decking constructed to improve safety and accessibility.
At the Tuggeranong skate park, works will address safety issues and rideability, such as minor resurfacing and replacement of damaged ramp surfaces. This will require the skatepark to be closed for a short time.
Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2024. The site compound is in Tuggeranong Town Park near the playground.
There will be seven discrete work areas along the foreshore to allow as much area as possible to remain open and accessible to the public whilst construction is underway.
Footpaths, carparks, and the Tuggeranong Town Park toilet will be closed to facilitate upgrade works. Signage will be installed at all work areas to provide information to users.
During consultation last year, the local community provided more than 650 items of feedback on upgrades to the foreshore precinct.
Local Canberra Liberals MLA Nicole Lawder, Shadow Minister for City Services, was concerned about delays to the construction work, leaving playgrounds in disrepair.
“After months of being boarded up and inaccessible to the public, work at the Tuggeranong Town Park playground will finally begin,” Ms Lawder said. “Recently I’ve been contacted by a number of residents, concerned about basic repairs not being completed at playgrounds. There have also been instances of playgrounds remaining boarded up for months on end, awaiting simple repairs.
“The commencement of work at the Tuggeranong foreshore has been a long time coming. I, along with residents, am eager to see if additional bins will be included in these upgrades, particularly given the strong support for more bins in the community consultation. Additional bins would ensure that less rubbish ends up in the lake, which would be a better outcome for both water quality and local wildlife.”
Upgrades to the foreshore between Reed Street South and Tuggeranong Town Park follow upgrades in recent years to Anketell Street, the laneways, and pedestrian and cyclist improvements, Mr Steel said.
Many suburban infrastructure upgrades are heading into construction phases between now and the end of the year, Mr Steel said.
On the northside, a new community recreation park is being constructed in Casey. It will include a multi-purpose court, cricket net, irrigated grass areas, barbecues, and accessible toilet facilities.
Brierly Street in Weston, and the Charnwood Group Centre are being upgraded. The government is procuring construction for upgrades to Hardwick Crescent at the Kippax Group Centre and the new dog parks in Franklin and Lanyon. Construction is expected to commence on both before the end of the year.
“I look forward to seeing the completion of all the suburban infrastructure upgrades and the changes they bring for the lives of families, children and all Canberrans,” Mr Steel said. “We know how important our public spaces are, and these upgrades will encourage more use of them than ever before.”
For more information on the suburban infrastructure program, visit Tuggeranong foreshore improvements – City Services (act.gov.au).
