Ginninderra News - June 2004

Ginninderra Reaps Budget Rewards

Ginninderra has done very well from this year’s ACT Budget, with the Government demonstrating a particular commitment to the health of the minds and bodies of northside residents.

Among the many initiatives delivered to the Ginninderra region by the ACT Budget are improvements to health services, libraries and schools, including:

• A sub/non acute inpatient facility at Calvary Hospital ($4.6 million);
• $5.4 million for upgrades to Calvary Hospital;
• Establishment of a Northside Renal Dialysis Service ($2.2 million);
• $3.5 million for Kippax Library – including funding for new books
• $241,000 for Belconnen Library’s Stage 1 refurbishment
• $500,000 for a new Gymnasium at Belconnen High School; and
• $200,000 for preliminary work on the Belconnen Community Arts Centre

Other initiatives include $900,000 for the Holt Shopping Centre upgrade, and $3 million over two years for work on Cohen St and the relocation of Belconnen Bus Interchange.

Wayne and a local resident examine the Kippax library upgrades announced in the 2004 Budget.

Member for Ginninderra, Wayne Berry, praised the Government’s focus on health and education in the region.

“Facilities such as hospitals, public libraries and school gymnasiums are vital to our community. They directly contribute to the health and well-being of residents,” he said.

Increased Funding to Health Services

Wayne welcomed the $10 million investment in Calvary Hospital – including $5.4 million for refurbishments such as improvements to mental health safety features, electrical systems and lifts, and plant and building refurbishments.

“These funds will meet with the approval of Canberrans on the northside of Canberra, who naturally rely on Calvary as a key provider of health services in the area,” he said.

“Additionally, the $2.2 million Renal Dialysis Service will be a boon for those northside residents suffering from kidney problems. This service will make life easier for a small, but very vulnerable section of the population which has not been forgotten by the Government.”

Investment in our Libraries

Another bonus for the region was the announcement that the long-awaited Kippax Library redevelopment will finally take place. The ACT Government has allocated $3.5 million for this project – to be completed in mid-2005. Belconnen Library will also be receiving a substantial refurbishment. “The Kippax Library has been the subject of many years of campaigning, which has finally come good,” Wayne said. “When seen alongside the Belconnen Library upgrade, it shows the value Labor places on our public libraries.”

“Public libraries are more than just storehouses for books, they are publicly accessible places for people of all ages and backgrounds to converge and share ideas and interests, as well as focal points for services, such as internet access or reading programs,” Wayne said.

“Canberrans have always looked to Labor to fund and maintain public facilities such as hospitals, libraries and schools, and I am especially pleased to see the Government fulfilling these expectations.”