The ACT government has allocated more than $20 million to city services in this year's budget as it responds to Canberra's growing suburbs with a promise of more trees, mowing and suburban maintenance.
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About 4000 new homes are built in the capital each year, and City Services Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the funding boost would allow the government to keep pace with the challenges that growth presented.
Ms Fitzharris said the budget would provide $19.8 million for the city services directorate, which employs 681 workers, allowing it to step up suburban maintenance and respond to issues more quickly.
"It's vital we continue to invest in more mowing, weeding, graffiti removal, cleaning of bus shelters and the maintenance of local parks and trees in each budget," she said.
A further $300,000 has been allocated to playground maintenance, while $377,000 is set aside for the planting of 1330 new trees, which will mainly be planted in residential streets.
"Canberrans rightly expect high-quality services no matter where they live, and this budget continues our track record of increasing support each year to deliver more mowing, more weeding and more maintenance of our suburbs," Ms Fitzharris said.
On Wednesday, Ms Fitzharris also announced the next phase of consultation for the Better Suburbs consultation program, which will place planning for Canberra's future city services in the hands of 40 community members and 25 representatives from community groups.
The 65 people will take part in a citizens' forum during July and August, speaking to government, industry and non-government representatives about how to get the right mix of city services.
Ms Fitzharris said she would ask the forum to set aside $1.9 million in this year's budget for local community upgrades, with $1 million of that to be spent on playground improvements.
The results of the first stage of Better Suburbs consultation were also released on Wednesday, revealing what Canberrans want most where they live.
Asked to name the most important things that contributed to a great suburb, 1242 people surveyed last year identified access to shopping precincts and parks, safe and connected footpaths, maintained trees and shrubs, and maintained and connected roads.
