Canberra Redirects Funds From Infrastructure Into Health, Housing

Several ACT infrastructure projects are being postponed or phased to save $700 million, prioritizing health and housing like the Northside Hospital, while deferring initiatives such as the Casey emergency services station and some sports facilities.

Local services are managing these adjustments to keep essential work moving forward amid competing demands on budgets and crews.

Stormwater and Light Rail Coordination

Major stormwater upgrades are underway in Canberra's city centre as part of Light Rail Stage 2A, installing over 3 km of new high-capacity drainage pipes to protect against flooding from intense rainfall. Light Rail Stage 2A aims to connect the City to Woden by 2028. These works show how city services are integrating drainage improvements directly with transport planning to address multiple needs at once.

Active Site Works Across the City

Infrastructure projects currently underway include the Molonglo River Bridge with deck panel installation, Kuringa Drive pavement rehabilitation, and Garden City Cycleway Stage 1C in Central Canberra. Crews continue these tasks while other proposals are held back, allowing services to maintain momentum on selected corridors and crossings without spreading resources too thin.

Living Infrastructure Targets

Canberra's Living Infrastructure Plan targets 30% tree canopy cover or equivalent living infrastructure and 30% permeable surfaces across the urban footprint by 2045. This long-term framework guides decisions on new plantings and surface treatments that complement the immediate construction program.

Detailed designs for Stage 2B from Barton to Woden have been released but procurement awaits final approvals. Local services will continue sequencing remaining work based on the same priority criteria already applied to the current round of adjustments.