Page 3686 - Week 12 - Thursday, 25 November 2021
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housing. This represents housing for 41,000 Canberrans, as population growth is forecast to be 17,500.
The government is creating a more compact and efficient city in consideration of lowering emissions and the impacts of climate change. We are looking at ways of maximising infrastructure and our land, while considering the valued characteristics of our city and environment, and planning for the future.
Let me flag some of the important urban regeneration and development projects being delivered by the directorate.
The budget provides for site investigations and planning work in the East Lake precinct to guide sustainable development, in collaboration with the community. This work will include initial feasibility and place planning to support land release in providing improved housing supply and choice in this key inner south area.
At section 76 in Watson, local residents will have the opportunity early next year to have their say on the draft concept for a one-hectare park. Construction of the park is planned for 2022-23. On completion, it will provide new and existing residents with access to a high-quality play and recreational amenity.
We are continuing essential planning and site investigations to prepare land for future housing, commercial, community and other uses in existing urban and greenfield areas. Managing and maintaining land supply to meet the needs of our growing and changing city contribute to building a sustainable city and are vital for housing diversity, affordability and economic activity in the territory.
The government has committed to delivering affordable, build-to-rent housing, co-located with the Common Ground site in Gungahlin town centre. To meet the delivery target of December 2024, $640,000 has been allocated to complete due diligence site feasibility investigations and concept design. These studies will inform proposals for the budget and the development of detailed design and construction.
Land management includes the work of our Parks and Conservation Service. I would like to report on two initiatives in the 2021-22 budget that further support this government’s commitment to environmental management and protecting reserves.
The protecting Canberra’s unique environment Franklin Nature Reserve enhancements initiative sets aside $3.055 million over the next four years to invest in protecting endangered rural temperate grasslands. This initiative will deliver offset commitments and allow the government to comply with the commonwealth government development approval conditions—namely, to mitigate the impact of development on matters of national environmental significance. Land management activities such as pest control, weed control and biomass control will help manage conservation values at Budjan Galindji, Nadjung Mada and the Gooromon grasslands reserve complex.
I will conclude by reporting that the budget sets aside $600,000 in 2021-22 to invest in upgrades to the Tidbinbilla visitor centre. Members may recall that the very
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