Strong growth in retail trade and growth in employee jobs points to a strong and consistent recovery of the ACT's economy after a two-month lockdown earlier this year, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has said.
A recovery plan released on Saturday said the government's focus would be on improving economic, social and community outcomes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Barr said the recovery would be a rapid one, thanks to a successful health response to the COVID-19 pandemic that had given businesses and consumers confidence to invest and spend.
"A core component of our recovery is a $6.4 billion investment over five years in city-improving, job-creating infrastructure: building new health facilities, public transport, roads and schools to make Canberra an even better place to live," Mr Barr said.
The Chief Minister pointed to government interventions in the economy, which had put the territory in a strong position before the lockdown, which began on August 12.
Real gross state product grew 2.8 per cent in 2020-21, which Mr Barr said was the 31st year of continuous growth for the ACT and the third highest growth of any jurisdiction in Australia.
Retail trade had risen more than 20 per cent in October, Mr Barr said.
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"Almost all industries saw an increase in employee jobs in the fortnight to October 16, 2021, with accommodation and food services (up 12.3 per cent) and arts and recreation services (up 7.9 per cent) experiencing the largest rises as they prepared for reopening," he said.
Mr Barr said the centrepiece of his government's investment in the ACT was a five-year $6.4 billion infrastructure plan. The funding was included in the ACT budget.
"Increasing social and community wellbeing will be another key part of our recovery, supported by large investments in health and education services, community support, public safety, arts and culture," he said.
"The ACT government will continue working with the community to make sure Canberra returns even stronger, together."
