Posted on 07/08/2015
Calls received on air
Directorate: Economic Development Issue: Telopea Park school land-swap arrangement. The caller claimed that the FOI request had been stalled. Redevelopment is likely to lead to increased traffic – how will you ensure vulnerable road users are kept safe? Response: The Chief Minister said he could make an inquiry into the processing of the FOI request and noted that these were not handled by his office. The Chief Minister said traffic safety around schools was an ongoing concern and that a multifaceted approach was required to address it. This week the Chief Police Officer had made a commitment to increase police surveillance around school zones. The government was also looking at road signage and trials to investigate markings on the road surface to increase driver awareness of school zones. The government was also looking at trials in certain high risk school zones of 30km/h speed limits. The Chief Minister alerted listeners to a survey on the Time to Talk website and encouraged people to have their say. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: Several forums were held in Weston Creek in the past about development of the new Molonglo suburbs. At that time the government committed to duplication of the Cotter Road and to limit disruption to Weston Creek residents. The caller said residents were suffering now and asked when the duplication would be completed? Response: The Chief Minister noted that phase one had already been completed up to the Tuggeranong Parkway and that phase two would be considered in a future budget. |
Directorate: TAMS/ETD Issue: Macgregor Primary School is almost surrounded by a very busy road, Osbourne Drive, with poor sight lines and no dedicated pedestrian crossing. This is difficult for vulnerable road users at a time when we are trying to encourage more walking and cycling to schools. Response: The Chief Minister acknowledged all the points the caller made and said that he would get Roads ACT to look at the site and he would also arrange for someone to talk to the school about what the best spot for a crossing might be. OUTCOME: On 12 August 2015 an officer from TAMS contacted the caller and provided advice on the active streets pilot program, which is covering the issues raised. The caller’s comments have been passed on to the officers considering the treatments for Macgregor Primary. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: Where Kings Avenue crosses Parkes Way the pedestrian crossings have recently changed at one point from zebra crossings to push-button crossings. It is now very inconvenient for pedestrians and cyclists to get from the offices down to the lake, as they have to cross four sets of lights. Can we get a more streamlined arrangement? Response: The Chief Minister noted that this may be under the control of the National Capital Authority (NCA) given the roads involved, but he could ask Roads ACT to liaise with the NCA to help smooth the crossing for pedestrians. OUTCOME: On 12 August 2015 an officer of TAMS contacted the caller and explained that the intersection is under the control of the NCA. The NCA converted the zebra crossings on the ramps to signal controlled ones to provide safer crossings for visitors to the new all abilities playground. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: The junction of Bacchus Circuit and Bodington Crescent, Kambah has a gum tree that always sprouts from the ground, grows bushy and blocks the view of traffic coming on the right as you are leaving a school zone. Could it be cut back please? Response: The Chief Minister said a team would get on to it. OUTCOME: An officer from the Urban Treescapes unit of TAMS contacted the caller. The caller was advised that the tree has been cut back. |
Directorate: 1) TAMS/ 2) EPD Issue: 1) Can a tree near overpass on Fitch Street Calwell be cut back too please? Maybe need to remove some trees and shrubs blocking signs. 2) The Melbourne building is almost derelict now with empty shop fronts and if the depot goes ahead for light rail on the car park next to the magistrates court it will be the death of that building and the businesses in it. Response: 1) The Chief Minister said someone would look into it. The Chief Minister also noted that funding was increased in the recent budget for maintenance of trees and shrubs, and that would help with these situations, but that tree removal was quite controversial. 2) The Chief Minister noted Canberra had suffered an economic downturn as a result of Commonwealth cuts to the public service, the population growth rate had slowed, and wages growth had slowed. The Chief Minister also noted that there had been movement of consumer preference and activity around different parts of the city, so that some precincts like Braddon had become increasingly vibrant, while others less so. The Chief Minister also noted that part of the revitalisation of the CBD relies on good public transport, which will be enhanced through light rail, and that residential development was planned for nearby the Melbourne Building which would increase the patronage of that area. The Chief Minister noted that more than one depot would be required for capital metro and that locations are being examined through the draft EIS, alongside possibilities such as using only part of the car park, and the possibilities of establishing temporary parking structures nearby, such as on the car park in front of the Sydney Building. The Chief Minister understood the range of issues and the need for new parking to be available and ready before the existing car parking was reduced. OUTCOME: An officer from the Urban Treescapes unit of TAMS contacted the caller. The caller clarified that the issue related to the line of sight near the underpass at Tharwa Drive and Fidge Street Calwell. The concern is that foliage from the underpass is blocking the view from the bus stop up the hill on Tharwa Drive. This is causing people who use the bus service to step out onto Tharwa Drive to flag down the bus. Urban Treeservices staff will inspect the area and schedule the removal of vegetation to improve the line of sight. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: Need for wheelchair accessible parking bays for taxis at the Tuggeranong Hyperdome on Anketell Street and on Corinna Street in Woden – a dedicated space where can pull in and has ramp access to footpath, without having to move along through traffic. Response: The Chief Minister said the government would see what it could do. He noted that wheelchair taxis can park in disabled spots but they may not be in the spot needed so he would get someone to have a look into it. OUTCOME: On 13 August 2015 an officer from TAMS contacted the caller and spoke with her and the caller’s husband. The officer explained that taxis could use a disabled parking space if they displayed the permit of the passenger. The officer suggested the caller contact the taxi company to discuss this issue and also their reluctance to use the Hyperdome structured car park. The Australian Standard AS 2890.6 requirements for angled off street disabled parking bays provide an unmarked area at the rear of the disabled space within the car park to discharge a wheelchair onto. The shared area adjacent to a disabled space is provided for side discharging vehicles. It may be necessary to reverse a vehicle into a disabled space to enable the shared area to be used when the preferred space is occupied. This is a requirement of the standard. If all accessible spaces are occupied, taxis could use a No Parking zone where it is lawful for a driver to stop for 2 minutes to pick-up and drop-off passengers. The driver would need to select a location where there is a kerb ramp. Roads ACT will consider maxi cab taxi requirements for persons with a disability within taxi zones when providing future taxi zones or upgrading existing zones.
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Directorate: TAMS Issue: Signage covered up – trees are growing across road safety signs on the left hand side as driving down Coppins Crossing to Belconnen. A branch needs to be removed as when trimmed it just grows back the next season. Response: The Chief Minister said he would get someone to have a look at it. OUTCOME:A message was left on the caller’s voice mail. The caller was informed that all the foliage causing line of sight issues on the Coppins Crossing road has been cleared. The caller was provided with the contact details of the Operations Manager of the Urban Treescapes Section should the caller require further information about the issue. |
Directorate: Access Canberra Issue: The caller complimented the new Access Canberra centre in Gungahlin at Winyu House and said the person who served her was wonderful. However, the caller had lost her car registration papers and needed them today, and was told the only option was to come in, in person, and pay $38 to get another copy. The caller thought the fee was excessive and was surprised an online, electronic version was not available. Response: The Chief Minister said that a more streamlined online services was exactly what he was looking for, so someone would look into it. OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that Access Canberra, Road User Services has an online transaction for replacement registration certificates. However, Road User Services does not currently have a Client Identity and Access Management (CIDAM) function on the rego.act internet. As a result Road User Services is unable to confirm the identification of clients online. This means that they cannot allow clients to purchase and print registration certificates online due to the risk of privacy breaches. As a consequence, all certificates of registration that are purchased on line are posted to the vehicle operator’s postal or residential address. Access Canberra is currently working to establish a CIDAM function to identify clients and enable them to conduct more detailed and personalised transactions online. The replacement registration certificate fee was initially set, along with other RTA fees to assist in covering the manual processing costs required to issue a copy/replacement of a registration certificate. The current fees reflect Government budget decisions about appropriate indexation to meet the costs of providing these and other Government services. |
Directorate: TAMS/ACT Policing? Issue: Speed on Ross Smith Crescent, Scullin, coming off Southern Cross Drive, people drive too fast and cut across the corner and the caller had nearly had an accident –needs a camera on it and something done to fix it. Response: The Chief Minister said the government could look into it and said he kept hearing the message that drivers around Canberra need to slow down. OUTCOME: On 12 August 2015 an officer from TAMS contacted the caller and explained the warrant system for local area traffic management and where Ross Smith Crescent ranks (99 in priority for investigation). The officer advised that the caller’s concerns about speeding vehicles will be forwarded to ACT Policing and Traffic Camera Office. ACT Policing Spoke to caller and assured him this information will be referred to ACT Policing Traffic Operations and the Officer in Charge Of Belconnen Police Station. The caller was also encouraged to call Police at the time of the incident if he identifies any concerning driver behaviours, particularly if it is near the school. |
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: TAMS Issue: The Majura Parkway will fix the traffic bottle neck near the airport, but now there's a traffic bottle neck where the parkway feeds into Horse Park Drive. When will the duplication continue through Horse Park Drive, as it becomes a car park during peak traffic times especially when you factor in entering traffic from the Federal Highway? OUTCOME: On Tuesday 11 August 2015 an officer of TAMS left a message for the caller. TAMS are progressing with the design of the next stages of Horse Park Drive. A business case is being developed to seek funding for the completion of the duplication works. |
Directorate: TAMS/ACT Policing? Issue: Just raising concern with cars cueing in the entry lane from Ratcliffe Cres Florey to cut across Southern Cross to enter Chewings St. Really dangerous and just comes to mind given the terrible accident in that area recently. OUTCOME: On 12 August 2015 an officer from TAMS left a message for the caller explaining that Roads ACT has recently investigated operations of intersections on Southern Cross Drive, Ratcliffe Crescent and Chewing’s Street and found that lines of sight at these intersections were within the acceptable range and complied with Australian Standards. As a result of the recent fatal accident at the intersection of Southern Cross Drive and Chewing’s Street, Roads ACT is investigating the operation of this intersection. The actual crash report is currently not available and will be reviewed by Roads ACT once received from ACT Policing. ACT Policing also spoke to the caller and passed his information on to Traffic Operations for action. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: Can the left turn from Melrose Dr to Yarra Glen please be clearly signed as T2 Transit (like the rest of Yarra Glen)? Currently only has a bus sign. OUTCOME: On 12 August 2015 an officer of TAMS contacted the caller and explained that the bus lane at the Yamba Drive/Melrose Drive roundabout has been provided to facilitate the timeliness and performance of the public transport system. Any small travel time savings that may result for private vehicles with two or more occupants should this bus lane be converted to a T2 would adversely affect bus operating speeds resulting in travel time delays for bus patrons. Given the likely impact on the public transport system there are currently no plans to change the arrangements. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: The speed limit on the Tuggeranong Freeway is 100 kilometres per hour from Kambah to the Glenloch Interchange, but is the reduced to 90 kph from there to Gungahlin. I understand that is because of an arrangement made with the few residents of Aranda who live near the GDE. This undertaking affects hundreds of thousands of vehicle movements each year to appease a mere handful of Aranda residents. This is despite the presence of sound barriers between the GDE & Aranda. Meanwhile, thousands of other people live on, or backing onto, busy roads in Canberra. The preferential treatment of a few Aranda residents affects thousands of road users every day and It is surely time to increase the speed limit on the bulk of the GDE to 100 kilometres per hour. OUTCOME: On 12 August 2015 an officer from TAMS contacted the caller and explained there are design limitations to further increases in speed limit for the GDE, hence 100km/h is currently not feasible. As part of ongoing traffic management, Roads ACT will continue monitoring traffic for this section of road. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: Compromise 30km flashing lights and set times like NSW. Seniors stay off roads then. Response: The Chief Minister acknowledged that primary school students were more likely to stay within school grounds during the school day, but that this was less likely to be true for high school and college students. The Chief Minister also noted that as schools engaged more with the community they were more likely to have students moving off the school grounds during the daytime. The Chief Minister also pointed to the importance of consistency and uniformity across all school zones to create a predictable environment for both students and motorists, and reinforced that the additional time travelled might only be a matter of seconds, compared with a lifetime of regret for anyone involved in an accident. |
Directorate: TAMS Issue: What if you had two different speeds as schools, for example 25km /h and flashing lights at peak times and 40km /h without flashing lights for the rest of the school day? Use electronic signs? Response: The Chief Minister noted that different shifting rules and time zones could get confusing for motorists and lead to the need for multiple signs. The Chief Minister noted that consistency and clarity were current positive features of the system in the ACT. |
Directorate: ACT Policing Issue: I live on Osburn drive and have asked over and over for the speed limit to be dropped. Traffic is getting heavier with the construction of West Macgregor and vehicles regularly speed. I have been told in the past that police will conduct speed checks and enforce the speed limit I have seen no evidence of this. Response: The Chief Minister said this area was on the government’s radar. OUTCOME: ACT Police spoke with the caller and passed this information on to ACT Police Traffic operations, particularly about which location would be best to conduct static speed checks. |
Directorate: JACS/CMTEDD Issue: Can the Chief Minister please let us know the website where donations to ACT political parties are listed on the Web. How often is the list updated? Response: The Chief Minister said the register was updated annually by financial year on the ACT electoral commission’s website, under the funding and disclosure link. Travel is reported 6-monthly on the Legislative Assembly website. OUTCOME: In addition to the Chief Minister’s response about annual disclosure returns, there are other categories of disclosure returns that can be viewed on the Elections ACT website athttp://www.elections.act.gov.au/funding_and_disclosure/financial_disclosure_returns. These include election returns that are published after every election. More frequent disclosure of gifts to political party groupings (including party MLAs) takes place on a quarterly basis in non-election years. Any gifts totalling $1000 or more received in a financial year must be reported within 30 days of the end of each quarter in which they were received. In an election year, the frequency of this reporting increases: from 1 July in an election year, gifts totalling $1000 or more must be reported to Elections ACT within 7 days of receipt. These returns are published on the Elections ACT website as soon as practicable after receipt, usually within a few days. |
Directorate: ETD Issue: Could you get fibre to every school and then onsell that capacity to the NBN or local houses so the schools make money? Response: The Chief Minister noted that roll out of fibre to all ACT schools had commenced in 2006. 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: Bunda St shareway. 20km signage is terrible on entrance (esp from Scott's crossing) speed signage is tiny & also has other information at same time trying to navigate a crossing. Next time you see a normal sized street sign is halfway down Bunda street. Most cars are still travelling 40km or above & don’t realise pedestrians have right of way. I am honked or almost hit by car 2-3 times per week. Terrible. Response: The Chief Minister acknowledged there was an issue with the clarity of the signage and would have it looked at to make it clearer. OUTCOME: On 11 August 2015 an officer from TAMS left a message for the caller. Additional signage/banners are being prepared as part of an awareness campaign. |
Directorate: Treasury Issue: Can Actew please revert its billing scheme to allow the NGA to run the Captain Cook jet again at full height? Response: The Chief Minister said he would look at getting a response. OUTCOME: There has been no change to the way ActewAGL bill the customer for the Captain Cook Fountain. In 2009 a meter exchange was carried out at this site and a time of use meter installed. However, all usage is still being billed at the same tariff plan as the old meter ie, commercial rates. Rates have increased overtime through normal price revisions but ActewAGL Retail has not changed the “electricity billing scheme”. |
Directorate: JACS Issue: Mr Barr, how about red light cameras everywhere? There would be no deficit! Red light running is endemic in the ACT. Response: The Chief Minister said that pricing signals could influence behaviour change but that the government policy was to place speed and red light cameras in locations based on safety advice, and he was not sure one at every intersection would be appropriate. |
Directorate: Economic Development Issue: Why was no part of the ACT included in the NBN deployment announcements in June? Especially when all other states are getting new deployments. Response: The Chief Minister noted the ACT was part of the very first roll-out under the previous Commonwealth Government, but he was not sure now what the deployment schedule was. OUTCOME: CMTEDD contacted the caller and discussed the status of the rollout, and noted that the ACT was not included in the last two announcements by NBN regarding future rollouts. CMTEDD has contacted NBN for advice regarding future rollout in Canberra, however at present no response has been received. The most recent advice provided to the ACT Government is from a December 2014 NBN media release that provides an indicative view of scheduled construction work across Canberra up to June 2016: |
Directorate: N/A Issue: The role of the Chief Minister is not clear to me - lots of discussion on speed limits and schools, trees etc....could you remind me (new to this show) Response: The Chief Minister explained that the ACT Government provided both state and municipal government services, from health and education to traffic management and waste services. He said it was a unique arrangement but also one of the most effective governance arrangements in Australia. |
Directorate: EPD Issue: Are there any rules against commercial property hoarding? There are shops in Kingston and Manuka that are vacant and closed but they're still owned. So is there an obligation for these owners to occupy and operate businesses at these locations or can they just own commercial properties and not bother providing shopping services for the public? Response: The Chief Minister noted that market forces apply and need to be balanced against lease requirements. The leasehold system cannot overcome market realities, so while there are requirements around the tidiness of blocks, if it is not commercially viable to operate a business in a particular location then the government can’t force businesses to stay open. The Chief Minister noted that there was some rejuvenation in Kingston and that increased population density around local shops and group centres would support increased vitality. |
Directorate: ACT Policing/TAMS Issue: Worst pedestrian crossings in Canberra! Capt Cook Cres @ Manuka shops, both lanes. I run the gamut every time with shopping to and from bus stop there...cars speed up and down ignoring people crossing...could u please either place lower speed (sign) or better still pass on to police? OUTCOME: On 13 August 2015 an officer from TAMS left a message for the caller explaining that the most recent speed survey in 2013 between Franklin Street and Stuart Street/Murray Crescent revealed that 85% of the vehicles surveyed were travelling below 56 km/hr on the northbound lanes and 54 km/hr on the southbound lane. This is less than the posted speed limit of 60 km/h. Speeding is an enforcement issue and can be reported to the police anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. In the 5 years up until December 2014, only one reported crash occurred at the pedestrian crossing and the person was uninjured. Roads ACT undertook a review in 2014 of pedestrian crossings which cross more than 1 lane of traffic in each direction to determine what needs to be done to make them compliant with Australian Standard AS1742.10 Pedestrian control and protection. Roads ACT is considering the recommendations of the report. One of the requirements of the standard is that the speed limit on approach to the crossing be 50km/h or lower. ACT Policing also spoke with the caller and passed her concerns on to Patrols and ACTP Traffic Operations for action. Roads ACT will consider the recommendations from the review for this crossing. |