The ACT Government today released the City Services, Recreation and Community Facilities sector update to the 2019 ACT Infrastructure Plan, the fourth of seven updates the government will publish.

This sector update covers public recreation spaces, emergency services, corrections infrastructure, public amenity, community facilities, urban forest, and cemeteries and crematoria.

“From local shops, playgrounds and dog parks to addressing community safety with the expansion and upgrade of police and emergency services facilities; from enhancing wellbeing and connectivity with upgrades to community services facilities to improving green and local public spaces, these investments will meet the needs of our growing community,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

“The plans we make today will transform our city for tomorrow.”

Investments in precinct renewal, public amenity and recreation infrastructure include:

• Tuggeranong Foreshore improvements: $5.7 million to upgrade the Tuggeranong Town Park, improve the boardwalk near the Library and Arts Centre, toilet facilities, and new street furniture.
• Upgrades to Group Centres in Charnwood ($1.4 million), Kippax ($2.7 million), and Dickson ($7.9 million).
• New and upgraded dog parks: $6.5 million, including new fenced dog parks in Lanyon and Franklin (announced in 2022).
• The historic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings precinct revitalisation: $5.8 million to upgrade the laneways and façades.
• Acton Waterfront: $35 million for Ngamawari, a large lakeside park that will include nature play areas, event spaces, cafés and restaurants, cultural signage trails, and shade structures. Initial construction works will begin early this year.

Investment in Community Facilities Infrastructure include:

• New Community Centres in Gungahlin ($26.9 million), Woden ($1.8 million, in the 2019–20 Budget), and Coombs (to be built in 2026–27).
• Molonglo Library and Community Facility: $200,000 for community co-design for a potential new library and community facility in the Molonglo Valley
• New facility for Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation in Wanniassa: $19.6 million to provide a more culturally safe and appropriate space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and families, and expand Gugan Gulwan’s services. Works began in late 2023.
• A new RSPCA facility: $1.6 million for a bespoke facility for the RSPCA ACT at a new site in Pialligo, including canine kennels, a cattery, spaces for domestic and other animals, and animal management, veterinary, and education services. Announced in 2022.

“Investments in our city services, recreation and community facilities will strengthen Canberra’s standing as one of the world’s most liveable cities,” Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for City Services, said.

“Parks, playgrounds, and local shopping centres help make our suburbs tick and this plan highlights how we are planning for the future, so that current and future Canberrans can benefit.

“The current suburban infrastructure program is the largest in our Territory’s history and we will continue to invest in these important community facilities.”

Justice and emergency services infrastructure updates include:

• Emergency services in the Molonglo Valley: $66 million to construct and fit-out a new joint station for ACT Fire & Rescue Services and ACT Ambulance Service in the vicinity of Molonglo, to open in early 2026.
• A new fire and ambulance station in Acton: $40.3 million for a new joint emergency services station. Announced in 2020, and then expected to be completed by 2022–23; work began last year, and will be completed by the end of this year.
• Joint Emergency Service Centre in Gungahlin: $10.1 million to refurbish the existing Centre to redesignate it a Police Station; $1.9 million in planning and design works for a new ACT Ambulance Service and ACT Fire and Rescue station in West Gungahlin (Casey).
• ACT Policing Headquarters and City Station: $3.5 to provide a new headquarters for ACT Policing, possibly within the City Centre precinct, and relocate the City Station; will be delivered within five years.
• Improvements at the Alexander Maconochie Centre: $10.1 million – including $1.2 million for a Reintegration Centre / Precinct, providing training programs and purposeful activities for detainees (a 2022 review found that detainees were bored); and $8.2 million to relieve congestion within accommodation spaces.

“The ACT’s emergency services provide critical assistance to Canberrans when they need it most, by seeking to protect and preserve life, property and the environment,” Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, said.

“The wellbeing and safety of Canberrans is strengthened by investment in our justice and emergency services by supporting positive outcomes for people in the justice system and ensuring that our growing community has access to high-quality, reliable and responsive emergency services.”

“These investments in infrastructure,” Mr Barr said, “are additional to the Government’s significant investment in recent years in essential city services that Canberrans rely on each day, including record new investments in road and path maintenance and a rapid response mowing team.

“The infrastructure plan is a clear indication that the Government prioritises investment in city services and is forward planning to ensure infrastructure meets the needs of Canberra’s growing community.”

Updated plans for the health, education, and entertainment, arts and sport sectors were released last year.