Posted on 31/07/2017
Calls received on air
Directorate: TCCS
Question: Stockdill Drive - will it be upgraded as part of the Ginninderry Estate development? Road is falling to bits with all the heavy trucks
Outcome: Roads ACT had inspected the road along Stockdill Drive and confirmed that they will carry out necessary works to ensure the road remains safe. These works will be completed by the end of July 2017.
Directorate: TCCS
Question: There are issues with the timing of the traffic lights where Limestone and Majura Avenue intersect with Wakefield Avenue,
Outcome: The callers concerns relate to turning right from Majura Road into Wakefield Street. Drivers from Limestone Avenue turn left into Wakefield Avenue and drift into the other lane and not give way. Also due to the bank up of traffic on Wakefield Avenue at certain times of the day there are difficulties changing into the left lane of Wakefield Avenue to turn left onto Northbourne Avenue. TCCS will investigate this.
Directorate:CSD
Issue: The caller want to trace a parent of his adopted child, he is very frustrated dealing with bureaucracy. He last left phone messages and emails and not been contacted by anyone in ACT Government.
Outcome: The Directorate has contacted the caller and discussed his request. The caller has advised that he has now been working with the International Social Service Australia organisation who is assisting him in tracing the biological parent of his adopted child. The Directorate has provided contact details to the caller should he require further assistance with this request or any other assistance around adoption in the future. CSD has apologised to the caller for not responding to his phone call in a timely manner.
Directorate: Education
Issue: Her son’s Indonesian-born step children can’t attend school in Canberra without spending $26000 a year up front, but he got them in to Queanbeyan High for free. How can the children of an Australian not receive free education?
Outcome: The caller was asked about the immigration status of the children and it was identified that the children were not Australian citizens nor permanent residents. The policy is clear that as temporary visa holders, fees are liable under the visa subclass of the children. The caller was presented with a number of points regarding the treatment of non-resident visa holders in relation to the policies of the ACT Government. These points included:
- Each Australian jurisdiction has the discretion to independently exempt or not exempt children of non-resident visa holders according to their visa subclass. The choice of exempt visa subclass is based on each jurisdiction’s immigration priorities,
- The ACT Government has quite generous fee exemptions with around 70% of all non-resident visa holders exempted from the payment of tuition fees for ACT public schools,
- The ACT Government currently exempts the children of refugees, asylum seekers, skilled migrant visa holders and the children of diplomatic staff exempt from paying fees for ACT public schools under reciprocal agreements,
- At the time temporary visas are granted, Australian immigration officials provide advice to visa holders with regard to the varied fee payment obligations for the children in some Australian jurisdictions.
The caller was reassured that the requirement for the payment of tuition fees would be reassessed if the children’s immigration status changes.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Please tell me how often the rubbish on the Parkway is picked up. I drive along that road a couple of days a week and there is rubbish the entire length?
Response: Caller was contacted and informed the area mentioned was litter picked in late July 2017. Arterial roads are litter picked at least monthly, or more frequently as required. Areas are also litter picked prior to mowing during mowing season.
Directorate: Health
Issue: What is happening with the HIV PrEP trial.
Response: ACT Health has agreed to the trial and has made funding available to offer 200 places to at-risk residents of the ACT. Contract negotiations have taken longer than expected due to matters relating to indemnity, liability and confidentiality. The ACT Government is eager to see this trial up and running as soon as possible and ACT Health has, and will continue to, liaise with concerned stakeholders to keep them updated on progress towards the commencement of the trial.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: I asked about these posts placed around a property in Ainslie opposite the Nth Ainslie Primary School. Could you please tell me the Outcome - ie is it legal or is it going to be removed? Also, could you tell me why there are no longer any parking spaces for people who have Mobilty issues in Ainslie Place? There used to be 3 there (I think). They were very much needed.
Response: TCCS attempted to contact the caller with no response. TCCS will take a look at the parking at Ainslie Place and review the need for mobility parks. In regards to the posts placed around a property in Ainslie, City Rangers have inspected the four streets surrounding the Primary School and located two premises with rocks piled along their nature strips. Object removal notices were provided to these premises. City Rangers were unable to locate posts mentioned by the caller.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: How is The Chronicle allowed to litter nature strips and driveways with plastic-wrapped paper? We've banned single-use plastic bags - hooray! The Chronicle's method of distribution is utterly inconsistent with the commitment.
Response: The caller contacted and advised that the previous delivery method of The Canberra Chronicle was by ‘walkers’ placing the publication directly into the mailbox of residences. This method has been adapted over time in some suburbs to a method whereby it is thrown from a motor vehicle towards the residence. TCCS has contacted the Distribution Coordinator of the Canberra Chronicle and reminded them of their responsibilities and obligations in ensuring public amenity, safety and environmental impact. The Distribution Coordinator has stated that they will remind their staff of their obligations and ensure deliveries of the publication are conducted in an appropriate and responsible manner.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Could the Chief Minister tell us why the trees have been removed around the lake near where you leave commonwealth bridge on the city side in the west basin area. They provided shade and were so attractive for those walking or even fishing
Response: TCCS left a voicemail with caller. Further attempts have been made to contact the caller. TCCS will follow up with ACT Government directorates to determine why the trees have been removed
Directorate: JACS
Issue: What about the blatant red light running in the City? It appears to be a widely accepted practice with no consequence.
Response: The caller was contacted and advised that ACT Policing will be targeting Intersections next month, in line with the current JACS/ACT Policing road safety calendar. The caller was adviser to contact police at the time he observes an offence and he willingness to provide a statement will strengthen ACT Policing’s case in Court, if necessary.