NT Budget infrastructure spend mostly revotes from 2013/14

By ERWIN CHLANDA
 
The capital works program for Central Australia in the $5.4 billion Territory Budget consists mostly of revotes from last year when the total value was $38m.
 
Overall in the Territory, expenses for key functions of health, education, and public order and safety make up 58%.
 
The sources of revenue include the GST share from the Federal Government ($3.1b), current grants ($801m) and NT taxation ($569m).
 
This year’s new works for Central Australia in the Budget, announced this morning, totals $29.5m – almost $10m less than last year.
 
The 2013/14 numbers were:-
Expansion of police facilities in Alice Springs $10.9m ($9m a revote in 2014/15).
Increased courts capacity in Alice Springs $5m ($3m revote).
Upgrade and seal existing airstrip at Kaltukatjara (Docker River) $2.5m (revote).
Construct a grade-separated overpass on Stuart Highway over the railway south of Alice Springs $13m (revote).
Continue the upgrade and seal of targeted sections on Tanami Road $3m (revote).
Upgrade the health centre at Alice Springs Hospital $21m (revote).
Remediation and upgrade of theatres and wards ($4.9m revote).
Alice Springs Hospital – power & water reticulation, electrical ($3.1 revote).
 
This came to a total of $38m in 2013/14.
 
The new works this year (which of course may became revotes next Budget) are:-
Kilgariff development $3.3m.
Titjikala Health Centre upgrade $2.7m.
Hospital multidisciplinary teaching and training facility $5.2m.
Ti Tree, Kilgariff and Larapinta Valley redevelopment infrastructure $5m.
Tourism boardwalk, Alice Springs $2.5m.
Outback Highway $7.3m.
Stuart Highway urban landscaping in Alice Springs $1.5m.
Larapinta Drive Lovegrove Drive intersection $3m.
 
This comes to a total of $29.5m in this Budget.
 
PHOTO: The Kilgariff development this morning – earthworks in progress.