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Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Budget spending in suburbs north and south

Ahead of its formal budget announcement, the ACT government is spending more than $20 million over four years to upgrades to playgrounds, shops, footpaths, public schools and public places in Belconnen and is promising a “strong pipeline” of infrastructure and local upgrades across Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo.

The 2025–26 Budget initiatives for Belconnen include:

  • $5 million over four years to improve and connect footpaths across Belconnen
     Continued upgrades to widen the Lake Ginninderra Shared Path, including through Diddams Close, along Ginninderra Drive bridge and the western foreshore.
  • A new playground at Margaret Timpson Park in the Belconnen Town Centre, with a new toilet, BBQs, picnic tables, landscaping and improved accessibility, to be jointly delivered with the Commonwealth government 
  • New water play at the Emu Bank inlet and additional investment in the Emu Bank foreshore upgrade
  • An all-abilities play space at Florey
  • A playground upgrade in McKellar and at the Umbagong District Park and as part of a Territory-wide playground renewal package.
  • Charnwood Group Centre upgrades.
  • Continued work with the owners of Kippax Fair to deliver Stage Two of the West Belconnen upgrade.
  • Expanding the courts, upgrades to parking and toilet facilities at Charnwood netball courts.
  • Upgrade Charnwood skate park.
  • Female-friendly change room upgrades for Giralang, Macquarie, Kaleen (Turon Street), Kaleen (Ashburton Street).
  • Upgrades to improve Fraser Primary School oval for the school and local community.
    Melba Copland Secondary School masterplan, design and construction of priority upgrades. 
  • New medical imaging outpatient services that will be established at the Belconnen Community Health Centre.

And in public transport, Belconnen will get an increased frequency on the R2 service between Belconnen and Fyshwick, and a new West Belconnen Rapid Service, with a supporting park and ride facility.

The 2025–26 Budget initiatives for Molonglo, Weston Creek and Woden include:

  • Improvements to footpaths across Woden and Weston Creek.
  • Lighting upgrades.
  • Upgrades to the public spaces around Mawson Group Centre.
  • Female-friendly change room upgrades for Mawson, Phillip and Hughes.
  • Change room and toilet upgrades at North Curtin Oval.
  • Improved lighting at Waramanga Oval.
  • Stage 1 of the Stromlo Forest Park Tracks and Trails Master Plan, including new trails and signage.

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