Territory and Municipal Services Directorate

Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) follows the ACT Government’s Community Engagement Manual when engaging with the community.

TAMS uses a variety of tools to engage with the community including letterbox drops, stakeholder meetings/presentations, emails to key stakeholders, drop-in information sessions, online and hardcopy surveys (which are used wherever possible on major projects), displays at libraries and social media.

The directorate places major community engagement projects on the ACT Government’s Time to Talk website which provides residents with details of the variety of ways to have their say. It also allows TAMS to provide timely feedback to participants during and after the engagement process.

TAMS also utilises the ACT Government’s Our Canberra monthly newsletter to let the community know about upcoming community consultations.

Project Summary
Review and develop new ACT Design Standards and Technical Specifications TAMS sought industry and key stakeholder input as part of the development of the new Municipal Infrastructure Standards and Technical Specifications. Industry groups were invited to comment via direct feedback to Roads ACT.
A number of engagement and education workshops were conducted. The documents had input from key stakeholders including Pedal Power, Consult Australia, Master Builders Australia, ACT Equestrian Association and the Land Development Agency. Comments have informed the final draft of the documents.
The draft Municipal Infrastructure Standards were made publically available for trialling in December 2015. The Municipal Technical Specifications are still being reviewed by industry.
Phillip pay parking This engagement aimed to inform traders and the community about the proposal to expand pay parking in the Phillip commercial precinct to better manage parking demand in the area. Two drop-in information sessions were held, a letter was sent to traders and nearby residents and information was placed on the TAMS website.
Following feedback from traders the introduction of pay parking in the Phillip commercial precinct has been postponed while further assessments are undertaken on parking availability.
Weston Group Centre upgrade The community and key stakeholders including traders and leaseholders, were invited to help select priority improvements for Brierly Street and Trenerry Square as part of a long-term plan to revitalise the Weston Group Centre. People could share their ideas by visiting Time to Talk, attending drop-in information sessions or completing website or hard copy surveys. There were 194 responses to the survey and approximately 250 people attended the drop-in sessions.
The responses received are being incorporated into the draft design for the area which will be on public display later this year.
Horse Park Drive stage 2 The community was invited to provide feedback on the design to duplicate Horse Park Drive between the Federal Highway and Mulligans Flat Road to reduce the traffic congestion in peak periods. Engagement tools included an online survey on the Time to Talk and TAMS websites, hardcopy surveys at the Gungahlin Library and two consultation sessions at the Gungahlin Marketplace.
A total of 120 surveys were completed and the feedback received helped inform the final design.
Northbourne Avenue verge refurbishment Businesses impacted by footpath replacement works were invited to attend a construction information session via a hand-delivered letter. The session provided impacted businesses with the opportunity to speak with the project team about minimising disruptions during construction.
The construction information session also presented individual businesses with the opportunity to provide their suggestions on how vehicle access to their property could be achieved during construction of the new path.
Aikman Drive duplication The concept design for the Aikman Drive duplication was presented to the Belconnen Community Council in November 2015. The presentation was to advise key community members of plans for upcoming works.
A more construction focussed presentation will be provided to the Belconnen Community Council in October 2016 before construction commences.
Water refill stations The community was invited to provide feedback on the new water refill stations that have been installed in parks and public places across Canberra in the past two years. The online survey could be accessed from the Time to Talk and TAMS websites and was promoted via temporary signage at the water refill stations. A total of 94 surveys were completed.
Feedback contributed to the evaluation of the project and will inform the location of any future water stations.
Changes to dog exercise areas Following extensive consultation in 2014, a number of changes were implemented to dog exercise areas across the ACT. A timeshare arrangement was also trialled at Blaxland Park in Griffith between January to March 2016 allowing dogs to be exercised off leash between 6pm and 7am. TAMS invited submissions on the trial time share arrangements and promoted the consultation via on site signage, Our Canberra and the Time to Talk and TAMS websites.
The Directorate received 40 submissions which it is currently reviewing.
Evaluation of 40 kilometre per hour (40km/h) precincts in group centres The ACT government sought feedback on the 40km/h speed limit precincts in Canberra’s group centres including Amaroo, Calwell, Charnwood, Chisholm, Conder, Curtin, Dickson, Erindale, Hawker, Jamison, Kaleen, Kambah, Kingston, Kippax, Manuka, Mawson, Wanniassa and Weston.
Slower speed environments were introduced to improve safety for all road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists. People could provide feedback via an online survey on the Time to Talk and TAMS websites as well as hardcopy surveys at public libraries.
Over 230 surveys were completed. The Directorate is currently reviewing the feedback.
Age-friendly active travel improvements – Kaleen and Monash The age-friendly suburbs project aims to improve infrastructure and facilities to make it easier for older residents to move in and around their local community. Kaleen and Monash were selected based on their demographic profile.
Community feedback was sought on the issues in these two suburbs that impede active travel by older residents. Engagement tools included a letterbox drop of Kaleen and Monash, a hardcopy survey at Belconnen, Erindale and Tuggeranong libraries, an online survey via the Time to Talk website and three drop-in consultation sessions.
Over 500 pieces of feedback were received which helped the Directorate develop a list of priority improvements for the two suburbs. The upgrades will be completed in the 2016–17 financial year.
Evaluation of Kaleen traffic management measures In 2013-14 a traffic study was undertaken on Maribyrnong Avenue and surrounding streets in Kaleen under the residential street improvement program. Priority 1 traffic management measures were implemented on Maribyrnong Avenue, Ellenborough Street, Daintree Crescent and Onkaparinga Crescent in 2015.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented measures was undertaken in February and March 2016. This included an analysis of traffic speed, volume and crash data as well as community consultation. A letterbox drop of Kaleen was undertaken and a survey was available from Belconnen Library and the Time to Talk website.
A total of 354 surveys were completed. The Directorate is currently reviewing the feedback.
Nightrider evaluation The Nightrider bus service provided Canberrans with a safe, reliable and low-cost means to get home from the 2016 National Multicultural Festival as well as six nights in December and for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Engagement tools included an online survey on the ACTION website which was promoted via its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Over 100 people provided feedback on the service which will assist transport planners in determining any future use of the Nightrider service.
Nature strip guidelines The community was invited to provide feedback on a revised guide on the use of residential nature strips. The new guidelines aim to reach a balance whereby residents can use the nature strip, but without causing amenity or public safety concerns.
Engagement tools included an online survey on Time to Talk and hardcopy surveys at public libraries. Emails were also sent to key stakeholders. Substantial feedback was received including 29 written submissions and 327 survey responses.
Written responses were submitted by individuals and groups including the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, Canberra Organic Grower Society (COGS) and Weston Creek Community Council. Feedback is currently being reviewed and will help inform the final guide.
Cat containment in Casey and areas surrounding Jerrabomberra Wetlands The community was invited to provide feedback on the proposal to declare the suburb of Casey in Gungahlin and land adjacent to Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve, including Kingston Foreshore and The Causeway, as cat containment areas.
Engagement tools included an email to key stakeholders, a letterbox drop, three drop-in information sessions, hardcopy surveys at Gungahlin and Kingston libraries and an online survey on the Time to Talk website.
A total of 217 surveys were completed. The Directorate is currently reviewing the feedback.
Age-friendly suburbs: Weston and Ainslie TAMS worked closely with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) to make Weston and Ainslie Canberra’s first age-friendly suburbs by improving infrastructure and facilities to make it easier for older residents to get around.
Engagement tools included meetings with residents in aged care facilities, a letterbox drop, online surveys and hardcopy surveys.
Over 215 surveys were submitted with the majority of respondents in both suburbs identifying footpath and road crossing improvements as their highest priority. The feedback helped the Directorate develop a list of priority improvements for the two suburbs. The upgrades will be completed in the 2016–17 financial year.
Gungahlin bus station The community was invited to provide feedback on the relocation of the bus station from Hibberson Street to Gungahlin Place to support the delivery of bus services to Gungahlin and compliment the future light rail network.
Engagement tools included two public information sessions at The Marketplace in Gungahlin and information sessions for residents and businesses were held at Winyu House. A feedback form was available from the Time to Talk website and Gungahlin Library.
A total of 80 responses were received. Feedback highlighted the need for environmental impacts, such as noise and air quality, to be reviewed to quantify and develop mitigation measures as necessary. Following these assessments, changes will be made to the designs of the new bus station if required to address any issues identified. These changes may affect the final layout and location of the bus station.
Constitution Avenue upgrade Key stakeholders were engaged during the delivery of the project. A meeting was held to inform adjoining property owners of the impacts of work when traffic was moved onto the new southern carriageway, and to inform these owners of the transfer of traffic onto both carriageways.
Dickson Bus Station The planned construction of the Dickson Bus Station was advertised through the Development Application process.
Several responses were received addressing increased traffic and access issues in the surrounding Dickson area. These issues were resolved in the design process.
Hindmarsh Drive intersection improvements The design plans for the improvement and signalisation of three Hindmarsh Drive intersections (Tuggeranong Parkway off-ramp southbound, Launceston Street and Eggleston Crescent) were presented to the Woden Valley Community Council in May 2016.
The Council and members of the public provided feedback on the proposals. Funding has been granted to enable the construction of these intersection upgrades in 2016–17.
Majura Parkway During the construction of the Majura Parkway, TAMS met regularly with a stakeholder reference group to keep key stakeholders informed of the project and its impacts. The construction contractor, Fulton Hogan, also met with key stakeholders along the alignment as required.
A monthly construction update appeared in The Canberra Times to inform the community of the project including changes to traffic arrangements. The TAMS website was updated daily with details of the next day’s traffic impacts including road closures and partial lane closures.
Waste reference groups Canberrans with an interest in sustainability and the environment were invited to join a community or commercial reference group on waste management. The groups are part of the ACT Waste Feasibility Study to identify future options for waste management to maximise recycling/reuse.
The Community Reference Group consists of approximately 50 members and acts as a consultative forum through which members contribute to the development of strategies and recommendations to improve waste management. Members share information and views on behalf of the local community.
Approximately 100 waste facility operators and local businesses registered for the Commercial Reference Group which shares information and ideas about what waste challenges business face. Both groups meet every two months and are actively involved in developing new frameworks for waste legislation.
Point Hut Pond District Park The community was invited to provide feedback on an upgrade to play equipment at Point Hut Pond District Park to replace the decommissioned flying fox. Engagement tools included a letterbox drop, hardcopy survey at Tuggeranong Library and an online survey on Time to Talk.
A total of 299 people completed the survey. Community feedback informed the design for the play space upgrade which included a new climbing structure. Construction on the new structure commenced in April 2016.
Isaacs Ridge trail network upgrade Canberrans were invited to provide feedback on the proposed upgrade of the trail network at Isaacs Ridge to help ensure it meets the needs of all recreation users, while providing purpose-built formal mountain bike trails within the urban landscape.
Engagement tools included a letterbox drop, signage at Isaacs Ridge notifying users of the consultation and hardcopy surveys were available at Woden and Erindale libraries. A public drop-in information session was held at the Woden Hellenic Club and a presentation was made to the Woden Valley Community Council. Targeted consultation was also undertaken with user groups and the Isaacs Ridge Mount Mugga Mugga ParkCare Group.
During the consultation the Government received 307 submissions via the online and hardcopy surveys which helped inform the final plans for the upgrade. Construction commenced in February 2016.
Outdoor fitness stations for Gungahlin and Phillip The community was invited to have their say on two new outdoor fitness stations at Yerrabi Pond District Park in Gungahlin and Eddison Park in Phillip. An online survey was available on Time to Talk and hardcopy surveys were available at the Woden and Gungahlin libraries.
151 people provided feedback which helped determine the types of equipment the stations will feature and the final fitness station sites at each of the locations. Construction work on the new fitness stations commenced in May 2016.
Draft ACT Biosecurity Strategy The ACT Government invited public feedback on its draft biosecurity strategy which aims to better protect the health of our rural economy and environment.
In addition to engagement with key stakeholder groups the public were invited to provide feedback via Time to Talk mail and email submissions.
The feedback informed the final strategy which was released in June 2016.
Draft code of practice for the keeping of native reptiles TAMS sought community feedback on the draft Code of Practice for the keeping of native reptiles which was developed by the ACT Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.
It had input from key stakeholders including the ACT Herpetological Association, ACT Wildlife and the University of Canberra. The public were invited to comment via an online feedback form on Time to Talk and a hardcopy feedback form at the RSPCA shelter in Weston.
Comments informed the final strategy which was released in June 2016.

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