THE focus of the upcoming ACT Budget, due on May 5, needs to be sharp, clear and responsive to protect the Territory from the current economic downturn. It should deal not only with the here-and-now, but also our long-term prosperity.
It should show that the ACT Government is serious about keeping the economy going by prioritising the attraction of investment and the retention and creation of jobs. It should provide incentives for projects that do that.
Challenges that should be given clear priority in the Budget include planning, tax reform, completing the long-awaited infrastructure plan and providing incentives for converting existing buildings to make them less energy and water hungry.
Some basic themes could be “jobs”, “incentives”, “economic stimulus” and “environmental responsibility”. A basic priority for all initiatives could be “integrated and strategic planning”. A central proviso for considering initiatives could be “the long-term implications for the Territory”.
The Budget should provide incentives for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by, say, improving the green credentials of existing buildings.
The Government needs to set an agenda that shows a vision for Canberra, for the next 20 years as well as the immediate future. It needs to show it has the fundamentals right – taxes, incentives, and priorities for major works.
Preparing an effective Budget in times like these is a big task for any government, and for the ACT it also represents an opportunity to address outstanding issues and build on current achievements.
For example, Planning Minister Andrew Barr’s recent announcement to increase urban density in the town centres over the next five to 10 years and to restructure ACTPLA to ease planning approval bottlenecks should ultimately remove hindrances to those projects which create jobs and keep the economy viable, as well as reducing the Territory’s commuting carbon emissions.
However, what we need is something more definite than a statement. We need specific deadline dates for these initiatives, and the Budget is the opportunity to do this.
Catherine Carter |
Thursday, 9 April 2009 6:00 AM |
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