ACT Government backs City to the Lake parks project

The recent ACT Government budget allocated $10 million to the City to the Lake park project on the shores of Canberra's West Basin.

The money will be spent transforming Lake Burley Griffin's West Basin into parkland, to include a playground and pavilion, between the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and the Parkes Way off ramp.

It is the first stage of the ACT Government's long-term City to the Lake project, which will eventually see the creation of a new stadium, a new convention centre, and increased pedestrian access to the lakefront.

The $10 million will also be used to create paths connecting Commonwealth Avenue to the waterfront, upgrades to the western section of Barrine Drive, and two intersections with traffic signals on Commonwealth Avenue to allow better access to the waterfront and Commonwealth Park.

Roads and car parks in the area will be removed to accommodate the project, with the ACT Government saying that the changes will make the area more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said work on the project would begin later this year, stating "the strong community feedback was for the Government to just get on with it, so we are.

"We're funding the first stage in this budget, there will be future stages of development in next year's budget and beyond if the Government is re-elected."

Part of the West Basin area is currently being utilised by a pop-up retail village made from shipping containers, called Westside.

28th February 2014 - PARKS WEEK 2014 SET TO CONNECT COMMUNITIES WITH NATURE