Posted on 06/09/2018
For Follow up from 15 December 2017
Directorate: EPSD
Issue: I recently bought a new car which requires minimum level unleaded 95. And I've discovered that the particular petrol chain that I use doesn't stock that at all. It goes from unleaded 91, to unleaded 98. When I mentioned this to someone who works in a petrol station, they said that in Sydney there's some sort of regulation that if you're not offering unleaded 95, which obviously is an intermediate sort of price level, you can only not offer that if there's a petrol station in the near vicinity which does offer unleaded 95.
OUTCOME: An Access Canberra officer contacted the caller who was advised that the ACT does not operate under the same laws as those applicable in NSW with regards to the sale and availability of petrol at service stations.
The caller was provided with details and links to information about biofuel mandate in NSW (http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Businesses/Specific_industries_and_businesses/Service_stations.page). The caller was advised that Access Canberra cannot comment on laws regulated by another jurisdiction and that they would need to contact NSW Fair Trading. With regard to the ACT, Access Canberra is not aware of any work being done to introduce similar requirements as those applicable in NSW.
Directorate: Treasury
Issue: I had a question about electric vehicles. I'm just about to buy a new car and I would really like to get an electric vehicle, but currently the strategy for electric vehicles and cars in the ACT is to encourage getting more energy efficient ones. But the way the policy is implemented, you have to have a new vehicle to get stamp duty discount on that. I phoned up Tesla yesterday and I'm looking to buy one. Because it's registered in New South Wales, it is a new vehicle, I have to pay 7000 stamp duty. Where as if it wasn't registered, I'd be paying nothing.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised the issue of paying duty was resolved.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: My query is about the government run car parks in Woden area. According to our staff, they can buy up to about 4 or 5 hours parking, and then at some a full day parking. But all our staff are actually employed part time, and often they only want to buy say, 5 to 6 hours parking, but it doesn't allow them to do that. Could that be looked at please?
Action required: Directorate to contact caller
OUTCOME: Long stay parking machines will charge drivers an all-day rate when attempting to purchase 5–6 hours as this works out cheaper for the driver. Short stay parking machines will only allow the driver to purchase up to the maximum time limit in the area. The short stay parking areas are designed to provide churn for customers and allow better patronage for businesses.
Directorate: Health
Issue: My wife's a pensioner and she has to have a bone injection for cancer every eight weeks, and suddenly it's costing us $40 where it was free before. We've been told oh, it's outsourced now and we have to pay for this particular injection.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted to discuss their concerns regarding cancer treatment bone injection costs though the Zita Mary Clinic (ZMC).
The caller was advised that the medication is a Section 85 PBS listed item which can only be dispensed from a PBS licensed Pharmacy and attracts a PBS co-payment of $38.80 for general patients and $6.30 for concession card holders. In this instance the patient was not a concession card holder.
In September, Calvary Hospital entered into a partnership with Slade Pharmacy to dispense the PBS chemotherapy and ancillary items administered to patients in ZMC. Throughout this change in arrangements it had been identified that Calvary should have been charging for the cost of the injection and regrets that it only has been now identified.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: In relation to Kingsford Smith and Southern Cross Drive. There was an upgrade that was completed about a month ago, well maybe more. But there's still one part of the upgrade that hasn't been attended to and there's orange builder's tape around it, and that now seems to be in need of repair and it just seems to be an ongoing issue, work is done but it's never finally completed and this is just another example of an improvement that's been undertaken, that's still not finished and there doesn't seem to be any sign of how it's going to be completed.
OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the caller and discussed the issue.
Directorate: Education
Issue: I'm a mother of three girls and two of my girls go to Amaroo School. And my third one, she didn't get admission there, so I'm a little bit concerned, for like I have to rush back, drop two girls there and one girl to the other school in Bonner. And how would I cope with that?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and confirmed Chief Minister’s advice that all ACT resident preschool children are guaranteed an offer of preschool enrolment, although this may not be in their priority enrolment area, and that there is a national regulation that requires preschool classes to have a ratio of one educator to eleven children.
It was explained that this ratio requirement allows staff to give more individual care and attention and contributes to better social and learning outcomes for children. Educators are able to develop more effective and meaningful relationships with children, resulting in more engaged, happy and relaxed individuals.
As Amaroo’s preschools were full at the time of the application they were simply unable to offer enrolment. A vacancy was located at Neville Bonner Public School, which was offered to the family and they accepted.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Just off Mirrabei Drive when you drive around to Paul Coe Crescent, there's a crest, and when you come to that crest, the next street is Kardang Street, and when you're leaving Kardang Street, you can't see the cars coming, and there's been several near misses of accidents, for myself, my family and our neighbours.
OUTCOME: The caller expressed that she was experiencing difficulties turning right into Paul Coe Crescent form Kardang Street. The officer confirmed that the bushes of 1 Kardang Street will be trimmed to resolve line of sight issues. A speed and volume count will also be undertaken in February 2018 to determine vehicle speeds and traffic volumes.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: Health
Issue: Why is the ACT Pathology collection centre in O’Conner closing?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the collection centre will remain in that location, however the service provider was changing.
Caller was advised that the new provider will continue to bulk bill at this collection centre. That the centre is expected to reopen in late January 2018. Details of alternate collection centres also provided for attendance in the interim.
Directorate: EPSD
Issue: Have you been made aware of the Heavy handedness of the asbestos force in regards to neighbouring properties – namely fences?
OUTCOME: The caller said the reason for his call to CM talk back was more of an education piece as he had heard from others that it was not an isolated matter with fencing. He was advised that the Taskforce had demolished just under 900 properties to date and that unfortunately his was not the only fencing matter that had occurred and that the Taskforce worked with the neighbours on an individual basis to resolve any concerns they might have.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: Do supermarkets have the right to put up signs saying parking for customers only?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that customer only signs have no bearing on the Australian Road Rules or parking enforcement.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: Can petrol stations offering discounted petrol be made to display the non-discounted price more prominently like in NSW?
OUTCOME: The caller was primarily concerned with the smaller font of the actual price of fuel compared to the larger font of the discounted price that was not available to all consumers. The caller stated that it was particularly relevant at this time of year when holiday “price gouging” was happening on a regular basis. The caller was advised that there was no price regulation in the ACT and that the NSW legislation was different to the ACT. Providing that the correct price is displayed and consumers are not being misled, there is currently no need to mirror the NSW legislation. The caller was informed that no further action will be taken unless it is established that there is a community need and if so the ACT Government would also need to consider the impact of imposing costs on the fuel industry to implement any change.
The caller was advised that Access Canberra will continue to monitor the application of the law in NSW to determine whether similar legislation is necessary in the ACT.
ACTEWAGL
Issue: I have a grandson with Downs and Autism. He has need gas heating and cooling on 24 hours a day due to respiratory problems. The bills or horrendous. My son (his father) called ACTEWAGL to see if he could get a discount due to his son illness but was told he couldn’t as the bill isn’t in his sons name. Is there any help that can be provided?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and provided with the following information: Life Support rebate: If the customer (account holder) or someone living with the customer is dependent on electrically-operated apparatus for life support, then the account holder may be entitled to a rebate on the electricity account. A letter from a medical practitioner is required.
Energy offers: Customer can receive up to 12% off electricity and natural gas usage by signing up to an ActewAGL energy offer.
Staying Connected: If the customer is having trouble paying their energy bills, we will work with them to keep their services connected through the Staying Connected program.
There is also a Utilities Concession program available which ActewAGL administers on behalf of ACT Government. The current design of the Scheme, requires that the account be in the name of a Centrelink Pensioner Concession or Low Income Health Care Cardholder, or a Veteran’s Affairs Pensioner Cardholder. Unfortunately, noting from the below that this person’s grandson is 6 years old though, he would be ineligible to be an ActewAGL account holder (an account holder needs to be 16 years or older).
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Can anything be done to remove the large ugly grey metal billboard frame on the side of Gungahlin Drive near the Grove in Ngunnawal. It has nothing on it and is an eyesore.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the constituent to inform them that a City Rangers investigation revealed that there are two similar fixed signs in the same vicinity on Gungahlin Drive belonging to two different development companies. The officer has contacted both of these companies who have both expressed a commitment to remove the signs. These signs are expected to be removed by mid-January 2018.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The grass at roundabout at Sulwood/Gaunson and Sulwood/Sainsbury is so long that it is obscuring traffic. It is also long along Longmore Crescent. It was not mown when the reserve land was mown a few weeks ago.
OUTCOME: Mowing along Sulwood Drive was completed prior to Christmas 2017. The roundabouts on Longmore Crescent were mown in the week commencing 8 January 2018 and the third cut in the Tuggeranong area commenced on 8 January 2018.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: I was told that Charities, Churches and caravan park residents will not get a green bin as they are not rate payers – is this true?
OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the constituent and explained that charities, churches and caravan parks were considered as businesses. Currently, ACT NoWaste provides domestic, recycling and garden organic green waste services for residential properties. The constituent asked about recycling bins for a caravan park and TCCS explained that she would need to discuss recycling options with the caravan owner, who would then be able to contact a commercial waste company to obtain a service. The constituent was happy to receive the call and discuss waste issues.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: There is a large drain on the nature strip in the front of my house. It has flooded with the recent rain – can this be fixed??
OUTCOME: Work to clean stormwater pipe commenced 23 January 2018.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Can someone please look at the corner of Pettered Street and Hanniford Street Page. There is arise in the road and with tradies vans parked there it is becoming a traffic hazard.
Action required: Contact caller
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS and discussed the issue of a business operating out of a residence. This has resulted in cars being parked on the traffic islands and on nature strips, causing line of sight issues. The TCCS officer advised that this issue will be passed onto parking operations for follow up.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Herron Crescent Latham (adjacent to Neville Place). There is a large amount of rubbish dumper, a stolen car has been burnt out and a gate smashed.
OUTCOME: The caller advised they had removed the litter prior to officers inspecting the site, the car had already been removed and the gate secured by TCCS.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The toilets at Lennox Gardens are filthy and blocked all the time.
OUTCOME: A TCCS officer contacted the caller and discussed the following action that would be taken by TCCS. The toilets at Lennox Gardens are serviced daily and steam cleaned weekly. TCCS is not aware of any ongoing blockage issues, but will monitor for further issues, particularly after larger scale events.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: A tree at 71 Bennelong Crescent has been removed. When will a new tree be planted?
OUTCOME: TCCS crews removed the tree as part of the annual tree removal program. The tree was in decline and a replacement tree will be planted in the tree replacement program in autumn 2018.
Directorate: TCCS – ACTION
Issue: Can someone please look at the bus shelter that is on Kelleway Avenue Nicholls that is in front of Gold Creek and Holy Spirit Schools (on the house side). It has been vandalised a number of times at night – with the glass shattering at night times. Perhaps glass is not the best at this location?
Action required: Contact caller
OUTCOME: TCCS spoke to the caller and discussed the damage to the bus shelter. A history check has revealed that the glass has been broken once in 2014 and three times in 2017. The asset owner (Adshel) has been advised and will monitor the site.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Why do some depots run under the ACT Government (TCCS) don’t have cleaners? ACT Government employees are currently cleaning toilets.
OUTCOME: It was recommended that the caller should raise their concerns with their management and look at other options for cleaning the facilities, i.e. engaging a cleaning contractor or provide the opportunity for a staff member to undertake the task and renumerate them through an allowance. If the officer is uncomfortable in raising the issue with management then they can send through the request anonymously.