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Winners and losers in the 2017 ACT budget

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Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr handed down his sixth territory budget on Tuesday afternoon.

How does the package look for Canberrans in 2017-18 and beyond? Canberra Times reporters have picked out some winners and losers.

Winners

Teachers and principals: The Education Directorate will create a new occupational violence team aimed at reducing attacks against teachers in schools.

Police on the beat: After years of debate, the government is funding the introduction of Tasers for all frontline police officers.

Emergency services: $201,000 will go to better mental health support services for paramedics and firefighters.

Clubs: A new 50 per cent tax discount will kick in for small and medium clubs, as well as new $10,000 grants. The moves will cost $1.3 million a year.

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Restaurants and cafes: Canberra businesses with outdoor seating will get a one month reprieve on permit fees, as part of plans to encourage more outdoor dining in the city.

Public housing tenants: An extra $30 million is being spent on renewal of public housing properties in 2017-18.

Mental health patients: Expansion of the new mental health unit will see seven new rehabilitation beds, costing $3 million.

Bruce Stadium: $2 million will be spent to help attract sponsorship and non-game-day functions at the ageing stadium.

Wanniassa residents: The suburb is set for a new supermarket with 7600 square metres of commercial land to be released at Erindale Shopping Centre.

Caravan owners: registration fees in the ACT are being halved to align with NSW fees. The budget papers suggest savings of $120 for owners.

The capital: Canberra is expected to gain about 6000 people a year, ending slower growth during the Abbott government cuts.

Older Canberrans: $1 million will be spent for a six-month trial of a flexible bus service for older people in the inner north.

Losers

Householders: The fire and emergency services levy will increase to $294 per household, up from $252.

Early bird ratepayers: A discount for early payment of rates will be reduced to 1 per cent, down from 3 per cent, and applying to property owners who pay in full by the first due date.

Car owners: Motor vehicle registration fees are set to increase by 5 per cent, while parking fines in Canberra will rise by 6 per cent.

Property investors: Land tax is being extended to existing vacant homes from July 2018, raising $2 million a year. Currently land tax only applies to homes that are rented out.

Campers: Camping fees across the territory are set to increase by 20 per cent in 2017-18, raising $30,000 a year for the bottom line.

Dodgy drivers: Parking fine compliance efforts will be boosted with new licence plate recognition cameras. The technology is expected to yield $1 million a year in extra fines. The government will also increase penalties for misuse of mobility parking permits

Kangaroos: The budget allocates an extra $820,000 for kangaroo population control, including ongoing research into contraception methods.

 

The Canberra Times Assembly team have just been let out of the ACT budget lock-up and are discussing what it means for the city.

Posted by The Canberra Times on Monday, 5 June 2017

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