Chief Minister Andrew Barr says it would be "fiscally irresponsible" and unrealistic to commit to fast-tracking large projects like a new Canberra stadium, following calls for major infrastructure plans to be pushed forward.
Business and property groups have jointly called on the ACT government to urgently start planning, designing and constructing a number of ambitious infrastructure projects to support the territory's economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The proposed projects include an upgraded National Convention Centre, new Canberra Sports Stadium and the EPIC redevelopment.
The suggested investments are not currently priorities for the government, listed as "longer term" projects in its most recent infrastructure plan.
But Mr Barr rejected the calls, saying the Canberra Hospital expansion project, SPIRE, remained at the top of the government's infrastructure list and was still on track to begin construction next year.
Canberra Business Chamber CEO Graham Catt said without substantial public investment the ACT economy would suffer a longer and deeper downturn than necessary.
He cited the Prime Minister's calls for governments to consider "radical and substantial support" to help the private sector recover.
Mr Catt said the status quo would not be acceptable in the current climate, and the exceptional circumstances called for long-term projects to be brought forward.
He acknowledged this would be a challenge for the government, but said there were a number of options to consider.
They included obtaining extra debt while interest rates were low, public-private partnerships, and collaborating with the federal government.
Mr Catt also called on the government to bring forward any work possible on projects in more advanced planning stages - such as SPIRE and light rail stage 2A.
Master Builders ACT CEO Michael Hopkins said the projects had already been endorsed by the government in its infrastructure plan.
"Bringing them forward can give an immediate jobs boost for local engineers, architects, builders and subcontractors, and help support the recovery of our tourism and events sector which has been decimated by the COVID-19 shutdowns," he said.
But Mr Barr said the government remained focused on the SPIRE project, light rail, expansion of public housing, a new Canberra theatre and the new Canberra Institute of Technology Campus in Woden.
He said the current economic climate did not allow for the government to immediately invest in the projects suggested.
"In times of such uncertainty globally, it would be fiscally irresponsible to start committing significant additional capital investments without prior analysis," he said.
"Infrastructure projects, both big and small, will form part of the our economic recovery plan for Canberra in the future, but they must be delivered in a well-planned and cost-effective way."
Mr Barr said the government's immediate infrastructure stimulus focus was on a strong pipeline of "shovel ready" projects, including a $25 million fund for new minor infrastructure projects.
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"It is unclear exactly what 'bringing forward' major projects actually means," he said.
"The process to design, procure, finance and construct major projects take years. There is no prospect (or industry capacity) to deliver ten years of infrastructure in the next six months."
