Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

• Capital Development is the ACT Government’s economic strategy and is founded on anongoing commitment to prudent fiscal management, appropriate regulation, sustainabledevelopment and a regional focus. It has three strategic themes, each with its own actionplan: investing in people – to increase capacity, flexibility and efficiency of the economy;encouraging business and innovation – to create a more competitive, dynamic businesssector; and building infrastructure and planning for the future – to support and coordinateeconomic activity;• the Canberra Social Plan (currently under review for re-release in 2011) is theGovernment’s long-term plan to ensure people can work towards their potential, make acontribution and share the benefits of Canberra. The Plan identifies seven priorities toguide Government decision making: economic opportunity for all Canberrans; respect fordiversity and human rights; a safe, strong and cohesive community; improved health andwellbeing; lead Australia in education, training and lifelong learning; housing for a futureCanberra; and respect and protect the environment;• Weathering the Change is the ACT Government’s Climate Change Strategy, and a centralpillar of the Government’s commitment to a sustainable Canberra. It has four objectives,each underpinned by more detailed four year action plans (the second round of which arecurrently in preparation): to be smarter in how we use our resources; to design and planour city to be more sustainable; to adapt to and manage current and future changes inclimate; and to improve our understanding of climate change; and• The ACT Government Infrastructure Plan is the medium-term plan to meet theinfrastructure needs of Canberra. First released in 2010, the ACT Infrastructure Plan willbe updated annually and covers a ten year horizon.In keeping with COAG principles, the ACT Government’s Strategic Planning Framework:• includes a hierarchy of plans addressing the long, medium and near term;• integrates planning across government and across functions such as land use, transportand economic development;• responds to nationally significant policy issues such as climate change, demographicchanges, and social inclusion;• strengthens networks between capital cities and regions; and• supports development of land release programs with an appropriate balance betweengreen-field and urban infill.Strategic PlanningStrategic and long term direction setting is, by definition, aspirational. The Canberra Planarticulates the Government’s ultimate objective to improve the well-being of Canberrans andcontribute to real and sustainable improvements in our health, education, prosperity, socialinclusiveness, and environment. Given its focus, the Canberra Plan has been updated onceper term of Government.As outlined previously, the current Plan has seven broad goals (comparable to the fiveobjectives in the Scottish National Performance Framework).Strategy, Resource Allocation and the Vacant Middle Ground: 216