Community Noticeboard
Isaacs Ridge mountain bike trail upgrade to begin
Release date: 23 February 2016
Territory and Municipal Services
ACT Parks and Conservation Service has released the Isaacs Ridge Trails Plan which will guide the future planning, development and management of recreational trails at Isaacs Ridge pines.
Resurfacing works commence on Morshead Drive
Release date: 22 February 2016
Territory and Municipal Services
The ACT Government wishes to advise motorists and other road users of partial lane closures on Morshead Drive and Pialligo Avenue from Monday 22 February until Friday 26 February 2016, weather permitting.
Consultation on strategy to help Canberrans adapt to climate change
Release date: 22 February 2016
Simon Corbell, MLA
A draft strategy to tackle the effects of climate change in the ACT has been released for public comment, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Simon Corbell announced.
Light Rail Network opportunities highlighted by Tucson Business Community
Release date: 22 February 2016
Mick Gentleman, MLA
Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman, has highlighted the importance of a future city-wide Light Rail Network after touring Tucson, Arizona with industry and business leaders.
Upgrades to commence on Copland Drive in Evatt
Release date: 22 February 2016
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA
Copland Drive will soon receive an upgraded section of resealed road, four new pedestrian refuges and two traffic islands, Minister for Transport and Municipal Services Meegan Fitzharris said.
Review into system level responses to family violence in the ACT
Release date: 22 February 2016
Simon Corbell, MLA
The ACT Government has appointed Mr Laurie Glanfield AM to conduct an independent external review of ACT Government Directorates and service providers who respond to family violence.
Giants vs Western Bulldogs
25 February 2016
Don't miss AFL (Australian Football League) action at it's finest when the Giants vs Western Bulldogs. The Western Bulldogs return to StarTrack Oval in 2016 in Round 1 of the NAB Challenge.
Aquis Brumbies v Hurricanes
26 February 2016
See the Aquis Brumbies v Hurricanes at GIO Stadium. 2016 is set to be a memorable year for the star-studded Aquis Brumbies, with the side looking to bring a third Super Rugby title back to Canberra.
Late night openings at the National Portrait Gallery
8 January - 26 February 2016
The National Portrait Gallery will keep its doors open until 8.00pm on Friday nights from 8 January through to 26 February with special tours through Sideshow Alley and a variety of fascinating performances through the summer.
ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show
26 - 28 February 2016
The award winning ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show features more than 150 attractions, 5000 animals, 450 trade displays and 1500 competitors.
Lantern Festival 2016
27 February 2016
Experience the final event of Chinese New Year in the capital at the Lantern Festival. See the site in the new Beijing Garden decorated with a multitude of Chinese Lanterns and lights.
Proximity Corporate and Community Triathlon
27 February 2016
A distance for all ages and motivations, the event is ideal for those who have not attempted a triathlon before or who are looking to achieve a personal goal along with those who enjoy triathlon in a fun, social environment.
Motorists in Braddon benefit from Parking Meter Replacement Program
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
Motorists are set to benefit from solar powered pay and display parking machines that are currently being installed in Braddon.
The new machines, expected to be operational by the end of February 2016, are part of the parking meter replacement program that aims to ensure more consistent and equitable pricing for parking in ACT Government parking areas.
Under the replacement program, the two hour parking fee in Braddon will be $4.80, which is a saving of $1.20 compared to current fees.
Parking time limits in Lonsdale and Mort Streets in Braddon will be increased to two hours to assist customers doing business in the area.
The new pay and display parking machines will be a significant improvement on the old coin operated meters. Motorists will be able to pay by cash (coin only), credit card or via the ParkMobile app.
In addition, all pay and display parking machines operated by the ACT Government are being upgraded over the coming months to include ‘tap and go’ technology for a faster and more convenient method of payment.
A list of streets in Braddon where the pay and display parking machines are being installed is available at www.act.gov.au/parking.
Death Cap mushrooms found in Canberra
Health Directorate
ACT Chief Health Officer, Dr Paul Kelly has alerted the community that Death Cap mushrooms have been found in several locations in the ACT due to the recent wet weather.
In Canberra, Death Cap mushrooms grow mainly near established oak trees in the wet, warm weather typically observed in late summer and autumn. However this year, due to recent wet weather we’ve been alerted to mushroom sighting earlier than usual.
In light of these sightings, Dr Paul Kelly is reminding the Canberra community that Death Cap mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can easily be confused with other wild mushrooms.
People should not pick or eat any wild mushrooms. All parts of the Death Cap mushroom are poisonous, and eating just one can be fatal. Cooking the Death Cap mushroom does not make it safe to eat.
For more information visit the ACT Health website.
Strain of calicivirus detected in the ACT
Territory and Municipal Services
A new strain of RHDV, commonly known as calicivirus, has been confirmed in a single wild rabbit in the ACT and an unvaccinated pet rabbit in the ACT.
The new strain of RHDV, called RHDV-2, is similar to all other strains of the virus and spreads easily between rabbits.
For more information, including precautions you can take to protect pet rabbits, please visit the Territory and Municipal Services website.
Tips to beat the heat!
Health Directorate
Every year, many Australians suffer from heat-related stress and illness, which can range from mild to very serious.
As summer temperatures climb, ACT Health urges people to prepare by taking some of the simple precautions discussed below to keep comfortable and safe in the hot weather.
To help you prepare, the Health Directorate provides a Guide to Summer Safety and fact sheets on how to avoid heat-related stress.
Permanent water conservation measures
Health Directorate
Permanent water conservation measures currently in place apply in the ACT and Queanbeyan are mandatory and enforceable. Anyone found in breach of the measures may be liable for fines starting at $200 for an individual or $1,000 for a corporation.
Check the current restrictions on the Icon Water website or phone 6248 3111.
Capital Metro Light Rail Development Application
Environment and Planning Directorate
The planning and land authority has determined two Development Applications (DAs) for Capital Metro Light Rail. The DAs cover:
- Stage 1 from Gungahlin to Civic via Hibberson Street and Flemington Road, including associated works along Northbourne Avenue, (view the route map here) and
- Stage 2 from Civic to Russell along London Circuit. (view the route map here).
The applications include works on designated land, such as Northbourne Avenue, the Federal Highway, Constitution Avenue and the London Circuit car park. As these areas are regulated by the National Capital Authority (NCA) a separate approval from the NCA will be required for these works in the future.
In accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2007, comments were made on the DAs during the public notification period between 28 October 2015 and 18 November 2015. The comments are addressed in the notice of decisions.
For details please visit the Environment and Planning - Planning website.
Review of remuneration and allowances
Closing date: 26 February 2016
In March 2016, in accordance with the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1995, the Remuneration Tribunal will commence its annual review of the remuneration and allowances to be paid and other entitlements to be granted to:
- the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, other Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly, including those holding particular offices;
- Head of Service, Directors-General and Executives employed under the Public Sector Management Act 1994;
- full-time Holders of Public Office, referred to in Section 10(1) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1995; and
- any other positions that have been referred to the Tribunal for consideration.
The Tribunal welcomes written submissions about the remuneration, allowances and other entitlements to be paid to the above office holders from interested persons including occupants of positions, organisations and associations.
Time to talk about the future of the Tharwa Village - village plan consultation
Closing date: 26 February 2016
The Tharwa Village Plan aims to identify what is important about the village and how to enhance its environmental, social and economic sustainability. The village plan process will be directly informed by input from the community and stakeholders, the surround areas, wider ACT community and ACT Government directorates.
Community engagement is an essential part of the village plan process. People who live or work in or near the village, or who use the area, have valuable knowledge to contribute to the planning process. It is this community involvement throughout the consultation that will be essential in helping develop a successful and achievable future plan.
The community of Tharwa is invited to have their say by visiting http://haveyoursay.planning.act.gov.au/ and/or attending one of two community workshop at the Tharwa Public Hall. (see workshop details).
The broader community is also invited to have their say through the http://haveyoursay.planning.act.gov.au/ website. All feedback will inform a draft village plan that will then be open to community comment before the plan is finalised.
Consultation opens 27 January 2016, closes 26 February 2016.
Call for community views on regulation of water safety in public pools
Closing date: 26 February 2016
The Minister for Sport and Recreation is seeking community and industry feedback on the regulation of water safety at ACT privately-owned public pools.
You can read the Discussion Paper here.
Background
As well as six Territory-owned public pools, there are over 50 privately-owned pools accessible to the public. These pools range from larger public pools where there are limited restrictions on access (e.g. children cannot enter without a parent/guardian), to those accessible only as part of a program (e.g. learn-to-swim pools), or only by members/guests at a facility (e.g. hotels/motels, health clubs).
All public pools are regulated in relation to:
- health risks, water quality and sanitation (ACT Health under the Public Health Act 1997, particularly the Code of Practice to minimise the Public Health Risks from Swimming/Spa Pools 1999);
- planning and building aspects (Environment and Planning Directorate/Access Canberra); and
- work health and safety matters and dangerous goods (WorkSafeACT/Access Canberra).
Since 1 July 2015, the Public Pools Act 2015 has applied to Territory-owned public pools. This Act provides for the setting of minimum standards and guidelines for the management, operation and maintenance of pool facilities. These standards and guidelines address water safety matters such as staff qualifications, supervision ratios, signage requirements and prohibited articles. The Act also provides a modern early intervention framework to manage inappropriate behaviour in the pool environment.
The Discussion Paper seeks views on whether the government should regulate water safety at all public pools in the ACT, not only at those that are Territory-owned.
Draft nature strip guidelines
Closing date: 2 March 2016
Nature strips are a key feature of Canberra’s garden city character. They are designed to present an attractive street frontage and are typically planted with grass and a street tree. Residents are expected to mow nature strips, maintain them for safety and remove weeds or rubbish including from rain gardens which have been installed in the nature strips of new suburbs such as Crace to assist with catching and filtering stormwater.
The current nature strip guidelines require residents to gain approval to utilise the nature strip, including to plant gardens or store materials temporarily.
The ACT Government has developed a new draft guide on the use of nature strips which proposes to allow residents to utilise their nature strips for food production or small gardens. These guidelines aim to reach a balance whereby residents can use the nature strip, but without causing amenity or public safety concerns.
Expanding the use of Criminal Infringement Notices in the ACT
Closing date: 7 March 2016
Criminal infringement notice offences can be dealt with more expediently than going through the court process. The Options Paper proposes seven additional offences for inclusion in the ACT's Criminal Infringement Notice scheme.
These offences include fighting, offensive behaviour and failure to obey a move-on direction by police, and new low level offences of damage property, minor theft or making off without payment, where the amount involved is $500 or less.
The paper also proposes to include level 2 drink driving offences for first time offenders.
Criminal Infringement Notices are designed as an alternative to court proceedings but do not operate as a substituted form of prosecution and trial. Rather, they are an offer by the Government to not proceed with a prosecution if a fine for the offence is paid.
Interested people are invited to lodge written submissions via post or online, although electronic submissions are preferred.
To make a submission email to jacslpp@act.gov.au or write to:
Expanding the use of Criminal Infringement Notices in the ACT - Options Paper
Legislation, Policy and Programs Branch
Justice and Community Safety Directorate
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
Evaluation of 40 km/h speed limit precincts in group centres
Closing date: 10 March 2016
The ACT Government introduced 40 km/h speed limit precincts in Canberra’s group centres in April 2015. They were introduced in Amaroo, Calwell, Charnwood, Chisholm, Conder, Curtin, Dickson, Erindale, Hawker, Jamison, Kaleen, Kambah, Kingston, Kippax, Manuka, Mawson, Wanniassa and Weston.
The slower speed environments were established to improve safety for all road users and, in particular, help make travel in group centres safer and more comfortable for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
The 40 km/h speed limits are in place on a fulltime basis (24 hours a day, seven days a week). They were introduced following community consultation on the proposed precinct boundaries. The reduced speed limit precincts also had traffic calming measures such as speed humps installed as well as signage erected to alert people to the changed traffic conditions.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the 40 km/h speed limit precincts is now underway and community feedback is an important part of this evaluation. We would like your feedback on whether the slower speed environments have been effective in improving safety for vulnerable road users.
In addition to this community feedback, speed and traffic volume surveys will be conducted at selected group centres.
All Canberrans are invited to provide feedback to help evaluate the 40 km/h speed limit precincts for their group centre by completing an online survey or a hard copy survey at any public library.
Consultation closes Thursday 10 March 2016.
Recent changes to legislation have removed the requirement for the ACT Government to publish public notices in newspapers. Public notices can now be published on an ACT Government website. For more information about Red Tape Reduction please visit the Access Canberra website.
| Public notice | Release date |
|---|---|
| Application for Real Estate Agent Licence | 22 Feb 2016 |
| Application for Real Estate Agent Licence | 22 Feb 2016 |
| Application for Registration of a Salesperson | 22 Feb 2016 |
| Application for Real Estate Agent Licence | 19 Feb 2016 |
| Application for Registration of a Salesperson | 19 Feb 2016 |
| Territory Plan- Consultation Notice - Draft Variation 346 Residential Solar Access Provisions | 18 Feb 2016 |
| Application for Real Estate Agent Licence | 18 Feb 2016 |
| Application for Registration of a Salesperson | 18 Feb 2016 |
| Commencement of Territory Plan Variation 343 - Residential blocks surrendered under the loose fill asbestos insulation | 17 Feb 2016 |
| Decisions under the Heritage Act 2004 made 11 February 2016 | 16 Feb 2016 |
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