Posted on 30/10/2015
Calls received on air
Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet
Issue: Will the Taxi Subsidy Scheme be extended to Uber and other ridesharing services? There could be flow-on cost savings for government.
Response: The Chief Minister said that there would be no changes to the Taxi Subsidy Scheme or the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi service in the short term. As the ride share market matures there would be an opportunity to look at that in the future. In other markets, Uber offers a product called ‘Uber Assist’ that offers an accessible rideshare service and they may look at introducing that in the Canberra market in time.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: What are the rules or laws around people putting unwanted items (furniture, rubbish etc) out on their nature strips indefinitely? This is rife in O’Connor. People think it is easier to leave things on the nature strip, rather than take them to the tip which can be expensive. In O’Connor, there is a public housing site that is being used as a car lot.
Response: The Chief Minister said there were a range of laws around keeping blocks tidy and that, in many areas, any useful items were collected quite quickly by other community members. In the past, the ACT had run events like ‘Second-hand Sunday’ which can help with recycling and reusing unwanted items, but could occasionally lead to people leaving unwanted items on the street beyond the event. The government was looking at options for more formalised collection of bulky waste, and has arrangements in place to assist with collection of bulky items for those members of the community who required financial or physical assistance to dispose of such items. The Chief Minister said there were rules around parking on the nature strips and on blocks, and that he would get advice about the specific details of the property
OUTCOME: A City Ranger contacted the caller and advised that unwanted goods and general rubbish should not be placed on the nature strip or adjacent public unleased land. There are waste management and recycling facilities at Hume and Mitchell where items may be disposed of. The caller provided details of three locations in O’Connor where there are issues with rubbish. These sites will be inspected and action will be taken where instances of non-compliance are identified.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: This year is a major hayfever season. Rye grass pollen is one of the worst offenders in making Canberrans feel miserable. After public works and digging up different parts of Canberra, is rye grass used to restore the landscape?
Response: The Chief Minister said he would seek advice for the caller about the type of grass that was used.
OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and advised that there are several species of grasses commonly referred to as Rye Grass. Many of these are well suited to the climatic conditions in the ACT. Typically in restoration projects, a sterile Rye is one of the species used, as it grows quickly to bond the soil and to establish a micro-climate for other species to geminate and grow. It is suitable for this purpose, as it doesn’t then spread to other adjacent areas. Other Rye Grasses are a component seed use in Canberra ‘dry land mixes’ generally about 15% of the total seed. Rye Grasses are also used as a companion plant while establishing Couch lawns such as those on sports fields because of its wear resistance and its ability to regenerate. It is active in winter when the Couch is dormant. Ryegrass is an important pasture and forage plant, and is used in many pasture seed mixes such as those in and around the ACT as it produces a high grass yield.
Directorate: ETD
Issue: School uniform policy. The caller considered that other factors were much more important than uniforms in achieving good student and academic outcomes.
Response: The Chief Minister agreed that many factors, such as teacher quality, parental engagement and socioeconomic status, were important in achieving good academic outcomes for students, and that the ACT government had supported a needs-based funding model to support improved outcomes. However, the Chief Minister also noted that 80% of parents and carers had supported a traditional school uniform policy in recent surveys. It is important to note that no student would be excluded from education based on ability to comply with the uniform policy.
OUTCOME: Many factors, such as teacher quality, parental engagement and socioeconomic status, are important in achieving good academic outcomes for students. In recent surveys, 80% of parents and carers supported a traditional school uniform policy. The preferred approach to ensuring students abide by dress standards or uniform is through positive reinforcement and encouragement of responsible behaviour. The current policy allows individual schools to incorporate a colour code or a uniform, or neither, within the dress standard. Under this policy a school is able to comply with the Dress Standards and Colour Codes in Public Schools policy without having a school uniform or colour code if that is the wish of the school community. Currently all primary schools have a school uniform and 18 out of 21 high schools have a school uniform.
The Dress Standards and Colour Codes in Public Schools policy has been reviewed. The new policy Dress Standards and Uniforms in ACT Public Schoolswill require primary and high school students to wear school uniforms, with high school students having the option to choose a traditional/formal style uniform. School boards can decide to offer both formal and less formal/casual style school uniforms for high school students. This will allow stock of the less formal style school uniforms to be used. The policy also requires schools to consult with the parents and carers, students and staff when developing processes and procedures to encourage the wearing of school uniforms. ACT public colleges will not be required to have a school uniform but will be guided by a dress standard. Public consultation on the new policy closed on 4 December 2015 and feedback is currently being collated.
Directorate: Health
Issue: The caller visits Calvary Hospital every Sunday. The front steps are dirty and bins overflowing with garbage. This was a long-standing problem, despite feedback given to front desk and suggestions box and creates a poor impression of the health services.
Response: The Chief Minister explained that Calvary Hospital operates under a contract with the government, but that he would ask ACT Health to raise the issue with Calvary Hospital as it is not the image we want to portray.
OUTCOME: Calvary Hospital has instituted a regular checking and cleaning regime, and contacted the caller to advise.
Directorate: Health
Issue: The caller’s friend was suffering from mental health issues. Recently they were worried she would self harm or suicide and it was impossible to get the required help from Canberra hospitals. They ended up going to Queanbeyan, then Goulburn Hospitals to get the required help. The caller felt that they were not taken seriously and did not get the follow up they needed.
Response: The Chief Minister said that he could not discuss such a case on air, but that they would take details and ask Health to follow up directly with the caller. The Chief Minister assured listeners that there was a full range of mental health services in Canberra.
OUTCOME: The ACT Health Crisis and Assessment Team was in touch with the caller to discuss her concerns around the difficulty in contacting them. The caller’s friend was also contacted.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The caller raised issues with speed humps and signage limiting trucks on Mcculloch street in Curtin. The caller asked whether the ‘no trucks’ road sign meant that garbage trucks, fire trucks and furniture delivery trucks could not use the street?
Response: The Chief Minister confirmed that the sign referred to heavy vehicles such as semi-trailers and was not aimed at municipal services, emergency services or removal/delivery trucks.
OUTCOME: The sign refers to any vehicle with a maximum loaded mass of more than 4.5 tonnes. Vehicles with a destination on the street such as waste or delivery vehicle are entitled to use the street. Exemptions for emergency services are provided in the Australian Road Rules.
Directorate: TAMS/ACT Police
Issue: In Duggan Street in Calwell, there was a 1-2km stretch of road with no traffic calming measures, so local hoons were using the area at all times of day and night and building up to dangerous speeds. The caller had previously had cars end up in their garden and was worried it was completely unsafe for local families walking in the area in the evenings. The caller confirmed that they had spoken previously with ACT policing and there were some repeat/regular cars that participated in this, but that she understood the police could not constantly be in attendance. Could some traffic calming measures be installed?
Response: The Chief Minister said that Roads ACT and ACT policing could go out and look at what design measures might be possible and appropriate in the street to address the problem, prevent the high speeds and create a safer neighbourhood environment.
OUTCOME: Speeding and ‘hoon’ activity is a driver behaviour issue addressed by ACT Policing and should be reported to them. ACT Policing has the power to impound the vehicles involved. Roads ACT uses a Traffic Warrants System to identify the need for, and to prioritise, traffic management measures in residential areas. This system takes into account traffic volume, speed, crash history, volume of heavy vehicles and land use to provide a ranking for over 400 collector roads. An assessment of Duggan St ranked it outside the top priorities for traffic management measures – current ranking is 312. There are no immediate plans for the implementation of additional measures on this road.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The caller had recently mature plantings of Manchurian pear trees in her street. Last week, ACT government workers came and pruned 1/3 off the top of the canopy reducing them to human head height. The caller could not understand why this had occurred and said it would take years for the trees to recover, and asked for an explanation.
Response: The Chief Minister said he would enquire as to what happened in the caller’s street.
OUTCOME: An officer from the Urban Treescapes team contacted the caller and explained that the trees were pruned and lifted for public safety reasons and to facilitate vehicle access. The crew undertook the pruning to a consistent standard for the streetscape, species and region. Given that the trees were structurally pruned it would appear that they have been pruned harder, however this pruning was required for the long term shape and benefits of the streetscapes.
Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet
Issue: The caller thanked the Chief Minister for allowing ridesharing and was proud to live in a progressive city. The caller asked if there were any plans to also address the operation of Air BnB in Canberra?
Response: The Chief Minister said that the government would be looking at the regulatory environment around other parts of what is called the ‘sharing economy’, as traditional markets were disrupted by changing technologies and changing consumer behaviours and preferences. The ACT will need to work with the federal government in some areas and will also look at other parts of ACT regulation that may need review as the economy changes and matures.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The intersection near the Jameson Centre (Bowman and Redfern Streets) has been under construction since July. This raises questions about the timeliness of project delivery in the ACT. The intersection also appears to be getting more dangerous, as drivers turning right cannot see oncoming traffic down the hill.
Response: The Chief Minister took on board the caller’s comments. As the Jameson Centre is so busy, the intersection was scheduled for upgrades. The Chief Minister said he would get some specific advice from Roads ACT about the upgrades and an expected completion date.
OUTCOME: On Friday 6 November 2015 an officer from TAMS contacted the caller and advised that this was a private developer’s works and that it is planned to be completed in the coming weeks.
Directorate: CSD
Issue: The caller complained of disorderly behaviour from his public housing tenant neighbours in Reid, including noise, people gathering in the car park late at night, police visits. The caller complained of the effects on his mental health and finances, as he was trying to sell or rent his unit but prospective tenants were put off. The caller asked why the government provided public housing but then did not monitor the tenants or provide the follow up services they required?
Response: The Chief Minister explained that such behaviours could occur equally in private housing, as well as in public housing, and that there are in fact a range of services available to support public housing tenants faced with social, emotional or financial problems. The Chief Minister appreciated the personal distress the situation was causing the caller and noted any illegal behaviour should be reported to police, but that there was also an issue of all neighbours needing to live together, both private and public.
OUTCOME: Housing ACT contacted the caller and advised him that his claims were being investigated and if a breach of the tenancy agreement could be substantiated appropriate action would be taken under the terms of the tenant’s tenancy agreement.
Calls Not Answered On-Air but Followed Up
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Safety issue and possible ‘black spot’ created by long construction of the Bowman & Redfern Street intersection, Macquarie
OUTCOME: On Friday 6 November 2015 an officer of TAMS attempted to contact the caller a number of times. A detailed message with contact details were left via voice message.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Campbell Development
OUTCOME: The caller lives in proximity to the development at Section 5 in Campbell and claims vibrations from earthmoving equipment during road construction caused damage to his dwelling. An officer from the Land Development Agency contacted the caller and agreed to investigate the claim.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: street lights not working in Bruce
OUTCOME: Currently all known faults in the suburb of Bruce have been repaired.
Directorate: EPD – Planning/CMA
Issue: light rail – when will it be extended to Belconnen?
Response: The Chief Minister explained that the light rail network plan had just been released for public consultation. The Parliamentary Triangle zone would be the logical extension given the high number of Commonwealth government employees in the area, and the pleasing recent support of the Prime Minister for urban public transport projects, including by funding projects in the Gold Coast and establishing a Minister for Cities and the Built Environment. The Chief Minister will be meeting with the Prime Minister next month and this is on the agenda, and with the NSW Premier as well to discuss transport in the region. Any extension to Belconnen would be subject to future business case development and funding opportunities.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: would mowing rye grass before the heads appear help reduce the hayfever?
Response: The Chief Minister said he would follow up with specific advice.
OUTCOME: Mowing grasses before they ‘flowered’ would reduce the amount of pollen in the air. However, if some species of grasses were not allowed to mature to seed, areas that are currently grassed, would soon turn barren. In these areas we rely on the seed bank for regeneration. Without this regrowth, bare patches and resulting erosion problems would arise or faster growing weeds would quickly take over.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Just wondering if eventually (soon) at the Arboretum we will have concerts, like Adele , Michael Bublé
etc... Just like they do in the Hunter Valley at the wineries! Or is it only going to be classical music?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that the Amphitheatre is a large and spectacular space that is available for hire as a concert venue. It requires temporary seating, staging and toilets to be brought in to enable large events to take place. Currently major works are underway on the Events Terrace that adjoins the Amphitheatre, and once these works are completed in late 2016, there will be increased opportunities for outdoor events including concerts at the Arboretum.
Directorate: Access Canberra – CEWP Division
Issue: Rules around shipping containers on front lawn
OUTCOME: An officer from the Construction, Environment and Workplace Protection Division in Access Canberra contacted the caller about the rules governing the location of shipping containers on residential blocks.
Under the Planning and Development Regulations 2008, shipping containers in the front yard of residential properties can be exempt development not requiring an approval, can be there for a temporary event or can require assessment through a Development Application. Where Access Canberra is aware of shipping containers in front yards, each case is investigated and a decision is made based on individual facts and circumstances.
The constituent advised that the shipping container was located in the front yard on a residential block in Calwell. Access Canberra is working with the constituent to gather further information to enable it to properly address this compliant.
Directorate: JACS
Issue: Can the chief minister explain why they needed to increase the ACT electoral funding from $2 per vote to $8 twice as much as the second highest in Australia.
OUTCOME: The increase in electoral funding from $2 to $8 was made in the Electoral Amendment Act 2015. A candidate needs to receive at least 4% of formal first preference votes in an electorate in order to receive the funding. The increase was recommended by the Select Committee on Amendments to the Electoral Act 1992 in its 30 June 2014 report Voting Matters. The Select Committee made the recommendation as a compromise between full public funding for elections and removing the possibility of undue influence on members/candidates through large donations. The full reasoning and evidence that the Select Committee received can be found under the “In Committees” link on the Legislative Assembly website.
Directorate: Economic Development?
Issue: Today's Canberra Times reports that NBN co might duplicate already existing cabling/services in some areas of Canberra. Any comments Chief Minister?
OUTCOME: An ACT Government officer contacted the caller, who indicated concerns regarding possible damage to personal property and underground piping when trenches are dug for NBN cabling. The ACT Government understands nbnTM will use existing Telstra pits and pipes for NBN rollout rather than digging new trenches, so damage to existing underground infrastructure is very unlikely. The ACT Government has sought comment from nbnTM on the matter of duplication of existing cabling, as reported in The Canberra Times on 29 October 2015. nbnTM’s advice to the ACT Government is ‘...We have headline deals in place with Telstra and Optus to incorporate their copper and cable assets into the nbn network. And where it makes commercial sense, we will look at incorporating other infrastructure into the network too.’ The ACT Government will continue to enquire on this issue with nbnTM to determine what this means in relation to existing infrastructure in rollout locations across Canberra.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: I know the ACT government is about to make a substantial investment into upgrading bike paths. I am curious about whether this will include tunnels and bridges. I visit Perth regularly and am very impressed with the speed and safety th [text cut off]
OUTCOME: On Friday 6 November 2015 an officer from TAMS contacted the caller and requested confirmation of the query. The caller confirmed that he would like to encourage the ACT to consider the provision of tunnels and bridges on bike paths to provide safer / direct access – rather than using road / pedestrian crossings which can be less attractive. TAMS advised there is a balance to providing high- quality / cost facilities against providing lower-quality facilities which can expand the cycling network.
Directorate: CSD
Issue: Our body corporate imposes fines on the owners after 2nd offence. Does ACT Housing just pay these fines?
OUTCOME: Where a tenant is in breach of Body Corporate House Rules, Housing ACT works with the tenant to resolve issues with the aim of preventing fines being imposed. However if a fine is imposed as a result of tenant behaviour or damage caused by the tenant, the value of the fine is passed on to the tenant. Where Housing ACT is in breach of a Body Corporate requirement, for example where maintenance is not undertaken correctly or within the specified time frame resulting in a fine, Housing ACT is responsible for the payment of the fine.
Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet
Issue: I am taxi driver, I drive for someone. Average taxi make $300 for a 12 hour shift, driver get half of that as $150. Issue is there will be highly impact with uber even if it down to $200, half of that $100 for 12 hour shift! Who will fill this gap?
OUTCOME: An officer of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate contacted the caller to learn more about the driver’s concerns about the future viability of taxi drivers. The officer advised that the taxi industry reforms have been designed to help the taxi industry continue to play a central role in the on-demand transportation space. The officer also noted that the Government will carefully evaluate industry outcomes, including the viability of drivers, and consider any potential actions, depending on outcomes.
Directorate: Economic Development (Sport & Rec)
Issue: When will Lyons oval be watered and maintained to the same standards as the multiple facilities in Curtin? Population density has continued to increase in Lyons with no commensurate reinstatement of ovals. Over the last 10 years the number of young families in the area has increased markedly. Lyons primary also cannot use this space safely and effectively. The oval is only mowed occasionally- has ruts, holes, dangerous uneven sections and so is completely underused. In summer it becomes a dust bowl, full of weeds and bindis etc. any plans to reinstate this once beautiful space.
OUTCOME: An ACT Government officer responded and advised that the ACT Government does not currently have any plans for Lyons Neighbourhood Oval. The caller believes there is a need for an enhancement of the oval, especially considering the level of recent urban infill and wanted to know if the ACT Government has restored any similar facilities in Canberra. The caller was advised that the ACT Government has recently restored ovals in Bonython, Watson and Weetangera.