Chief Minister Talkback Summary - 2 October 2015


Posted on 02/10/2015

Calls received on air

Directorate: Economic Directorate

Issue: The caller wondered if EPIC can be opened to re-sell old (second hand) cars? It was good to have a centralised location for this, instead of just notices on cars parked by the side of the road. Gum tree was not too bad, but the fees for advertising in Drive or the Canberra Times were just too high.

Response: The Chief Minister said a number of locations may be interested in taking up that opportunity and thanked the caller for raising the issue as it had put the call out to see if there was any interest in the idea.

OUTCOME: Exhibition Park is a major events venue - the largest of its kind in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding region. Exhibition Park hosts indoor and outdoor events for businesses and the community. Events hosted at Exhibition Park include the Summernats Street Machine Car Festival, Royal Canberra Show, the National Folk Festival, horse shows and the Capital Region Farmers’ Market.

The venue provides over 3,000 car spaces and is only 8 minutes drive from the City’s centre. The venue facilities cater for a diverse range of events from conferences and music festivals to exhibitions and trade fairs, provided at competitive rates. For more information please contact Exhibition Park’s Sales team on 02 6205 5230 or by email eventsepic@act.gov.au


Directorate: CSD

Issue: The caller wants to see greater support for younger families - wondering whether the ‘SuperGrands’ volunteer program in Canberra can be reinstated after its funding was cut?

Response: The Chief Minister said he would look into the funding decision and seek some advice on that, as he was not sure if it was a federal government funded program.

OUTCOME: The SuperGrands volunteer program was Federally Funded and was not an ACT Government program. The Community Participation Group (part of the Community Services Directorate) contacted the caller and advised them of the ACT Participation (Seniors) Grants Program which is facilitated by the Community Participation Group. The caller was also advised of the Seniors eNews letter – a monthly newsletter that details activity, developments and relevant events pertinent to older Canberrans.


Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Parking near Seniors Club in Turner. The caller attends a 1 hour class which sometimes runs longer, so she can’t use meter parking nearby without risk of it expiring. Across from the club are some premium parking spots and the caller wondered if the mix of parking time zones in the area could be looked at.

Response: The Chief Minister agreed this could be looked at.

OUTCOME: An officer of TAMS contacted the caller and arranged to meet the caller on site on 12 October 2015, to discuss parking. Changes will be made to support the club in consultation with other businesses in the area.


Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet

Issue: The caller wondered if Uber would survive, given the costs of wear and tear, petrol, insurance and keeping the car on the road, and whether operators would soon realise that the lower fares could not cover these costs.

Response: The Chief Minister explained that was not the case in international experience and that it is open to both taxi and rideshare operators to stop driving if they were not making a profit. The evidence is that ridesharing is not usually a fulltime occupation. The taxi industry had been heavily regulated and needed deregulation of the sector so the government has slashed licence fees for taxis and hire cars. The hire car industry had been deregulated some time ago and despite predictions of its demise that had not been the case.


Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet

Issue: The caller has a child with a disability transitioning to independent living and there are often problems with transport. The caller wondered whether there was something to assist people with a disability to access ridesharing services?

Response: The Chief Minister understood that Uber has a service called Uber Assist and that this is something ridesharing companies may be interested in. The Chief Minister thanked the caller for identifying a need and trusts that the market will respond.


Directorate: CSD

Issue: The caller asked about merits review of Care and Protection Services decisions. The caller identified that the ACT Children and Young People’s Commissioner had recommended that these issues should be reviewable by the ACT Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal so there was an independent merit review option. Currently there is only an internal review process, followed by the option of taking it back to the children’s court to seek an order.

Response: The Chief Minister said this was a very technical and complicated area and that he would need to seek advice to provide a response.

OUTCOME: At present, reviewable decisions by the ACT Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (ACAT) are generally limited to decisions pertaining to authorisation and/or revocation of kinship carers, entities, foster carers and residential care services.

The ACT system of care and protection is underpinned by compliance with the provisions of the Children and Young People Act 2008 (CYPA) and other relevant legislation. A strong system of oversight of the system exists in the form of the Office of the Public Advocate, the ACT Children and Young People Commissioner and the role of Official Visitors, using powers prescribed by legislation.

The Community Services Directorate considers its current system and processes for transparency in decision making already set at a very high standard. Any increase in the number of ‘reviewable decisions’ have the potential to increase uncertainty for children in care and impact on their safety. A Step Up for Our Kids: One Step Can Make a Lifetime of Difference, out of home care strategy has a central tenet of making more timely decisions regarding permanency and day to day care, and to normalise the lives of children. This tenet was arrived at after extensive consultation and reviewing relevant research, which told us that children should not experience long periods of uncertainty about their daily living arrangements while in care.


Directorate: 1) EPD – Environment 2) CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet

Issue: 1) The caller congratulated the Chief Minister on the 100% renewable energy target. 2) The caller asked about taxi waiting problems at the airport and whether there could be an improved system so passengers could identify in advance whether they wanted a taxi?

Response: 1) The Chief Minister thanked the caller and noted he was about to lead a trade delegation to the US next week that would highlight renewable energy opportunities – seeking new investment in the industry in Canberra and exporting technology developed in Canberra overseas. 2) The Chief Minister identified that new booking services could allow for improved communication of demand so that services would be waiting for passengers after their flight. The Chief Minster also noted the Government had retained the exclusive right of taxis to rank at locations around the city and at the airport, but that he understood Canberra Airport was also planning to have a waiting are for rideshare and hire car passengers to wait in comfort.


Directorate: EPD – Parking Coordination

Issue: The caller attends a weekly session in the city at an Italian cultural organisation of 4 ½ hours time commitment in total and this now costs her $6.30 instead of $1.30 in total for parking. The majority of attendees are volunteers or students and it is not a profit making venture. Why was after hours paid parking instated in the ACT?

Response: The Chief Minister noted that free parking is, in fact, subsidised by government. A small number of carparks in civic are in very high demand and surface car parks are a very inefficient use of space. These car parks are all slated for development in the next few decades. These car parks already had paid parking on Friday nights and on Saturday mornings and in the last budget the government decided to extend the afterhours paid parking. This will raise a few million dollars that will be used to fund health, education, community organisations and support for the development of city services.


Directorate: 1) Economic Development 2) TAMS

Issue: 1) The caller asked whether Floriade could be moved to the arboretum? 2) Why is Woden cemetery expanding into Edison Park?

Response: 1) The Chief Minister said this had been looked at and the horticulturalists advised it was not the best place for growing the bulbs as it is a very windy, exposed site. 2) The Chief Minister explained the reason for the proposed expansion is that the cemetery needs more space. The Chief Minister said there had been public consultation about that issue and that a range of options had been put to the community and it was currently being evaluated by government.


SMS/TEXT

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Does the Government have plans to upgrade the Long Gully Road near the Monaro Highway? It’s been a black spot for many years, and is arguably one of the most dangerous roads in the ACT.

Response: The Chief Minister said he would get Roads ACT to look at that.

OUTCOME: An officer of TAMS contacted the caller and explained the different programs managed by Roads ACT. Currently there are no plans for any upgrades to Long Gully Road. Works on the entry improvements to the quarry area are the only upgrades currently managed by TAMS.


Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet

Issue: Could you get NSW government to let ACT Seniors get Seniors/Concession OPAL cards as on 1/1/16 NSW is stopping cheap paper tickets. NSW Seniors can get Senior MyWay.

Response: The Chief Minister explained that there is a perennial issue with the recognition of concession schemes across government borders. The Commonwealth Government had cut a program in support of mutual recognition and the Chief Minster hoped there would be a change of heart to support more universal concessions.


Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet

Issue: I am a Taxi Operator. Could you please let me know if we still have to pay $10,500 for rego, what you have to do for the private number plate and what are you going to do for the driver? They are going to lose their job.

Response: The Chief Minister explained that the registration costs reflected a risk-based amount for third party insurance, with a different rate for hire cars, and that it reflected the number of kilometres a vehicle would travel. The Chief Minister explained the insurance industry would be examining the rideshare industry in detail. What is under the government’s control is the rate that plates are leased to taxi operators. The Chief Minister explained that from 30 October this rate would halve to $10,000 and next year it would halve again to $5000, putting $15,000 back in the pockets of taxi drivers.


Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: How about having automated visitor information booths in different parts of the city as well as the Regatta Point centre?

OUTCOME: An officer from VisitCanberra contacted the caller and the caller noted that the suggestion would be considered as part of the activation of the city project.


Directorate: ETD

Issue: Can the government lease its excess fibre that it has to each school for NBN to houses? Could raise $30 million per year.

OUTCOME: Canberra Public Schools are unable to on sell school fibre network services as the ACT Government is not a telecommunications provider.


Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Bicycle parking in Lonsdale Street, Braddon is very sparse. Are there plans for more bicycle parking?

Response: The Chief Minster said he would be happy to look at this.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and discussed specific locations for bicycle users. TAMS will investigate opportunities to install more bike racks along this street.


Directorate: TAMS

Issue: After a request to Chief Minister’s Talkback a few weeks ago, we are still waiting for street lights over the intersection of Blamey Cres and Constitution Ave on the Campbell side, ie the ACT side to be fixed. The NCA has now fixed its side of Constitution Ave. Could TAMS now do the Campbell side and into Blamey Crescent please?

Response: The Chief Minister said this could be looked at.

OUTCOME: An officer from Roads ACT contacted the caller. A night time inspection has been undertaken to identify the specific issue. The fault is with a power supply that is shared with NCA. Roads ACT is working with NCA to resolve the problem.


Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet

Issue: What happened to Jervis Bay in the self government transition? Is it still ACT?

Response: The Chief Minister said that Jervis Bay is still part of the ACT and the federal political representation is in the seat of Fraser, currently Dr Andrew Leigh MP. Jervis Bay residents don’t vote in ACT elections however, and there are a series of service level agreements between the ACT and NSW governments to provide services like health and education. These are currently the subject of an intergovernmental review to see if more services should be provided by the NSW government, which provides more services in the immediate vicinity that could more easily be extended to cover Jervis Bay as well.


Directorate: TAMS

Issue: How come MyWay credits expire? As an infrequent bus user I was unable to access $20 credit. A blatant rip off. No wonder buses are so underutilised. The credit’s clearly visible on your computer system, so the data hasn’t been archived. It just can’t be used. Also, despite claims to the contrary on your website a recharge clearly [text cut off]

Response: The Chief Minister said that MyWay credit expired after 2 years. There has to be some point at which the system cuts off its records, as the cost of maintaining that data over an extensive period needs to be taken into account.


Directorate: TAMS

Issue: My request is linked to the Moncrieff development. Two points regarding the barrier fencing. 1) there has been wire mesh barrier fence closing the path between Wanganeen Avenue in Ngunnawal and Wander Circuit in Amaroo. The work behind this fence has long been completed and the path replaced but it still remains closed. Can the barrier be repositioned so the path can be used again? 2) The barrier fence is positioned on the roadway at the Mirrabei Dr/Len Waters St roundabout. Again work has long been completed at this intersection. Can the fencing be removed from the road and relocated to the nature strip? This would make the intersection safer particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

Response: The Chief Minister said this could be looked at.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS inspected the site. It is a requirement of the Development Application that construction areas be fenced to prevent public access for safety reasons. As construction is still on going the fencing at the two sites must remain until construction is completed. The inspection revealed that the fencing by the roundabout allows appropriate space for traffic.


Directorate: EPD – Parking Coordination

Issue: Why not release sites for structured car parks in the city?

Response: The Chief Minister said work was underway to increase structured car parks in the city.


Directorate: TAMS

Issue: We need MyWay to be easily topped up like the system they have in Melbourne. Machines with instant top-up.

Response: The Chief Minister said that as we moved to an integrated transport system, a more advanced ticketing system was on the agenda.


Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: Seems to me that Floriade has been getting smaller the last couple of years. Is this all a part of the bigger plan to just phase it out completely? Heard a few comments about this when I was there last week. Interesting...

Response: The Chief Minister explained the National Capital Authority had suggested a reduced footprint at a greater cost, as they did not want a large part of Commonwealth Park tied up for so much of the year. The Chief Minister explained the government was still negotiating for Floriade to take place in the same area in 2016, but was investigating alternatives for future years.