Posted on 03/11/2017
For Follow up from 20 October 2017
Calls received on air
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Landscaping on Fairbairn Avenue. The area is not well maintained and becoming an eyesore – can anything be done to improve it?
Outcome: An officer from TCCS contacted the constituent and provided direct contact details for the caller to discuss the matter further. Fairburn Avenue was mown on 27-28 September 2017 and the mowing program for arterial roads is due to re-commence from 13 November 2017. Litter picking is undertaken prior to mowing.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Rural Lease property – Kama. Is Kama going to be annexed into the Pinnacle Nature Reserve?
Outcome: An EPSDD officer called the constituent. Their concern relates to the potential for urban development in the blocks surrounding the Kama homestead which is subject to a residential tenancy agreement. The officer indicated that the Government is not proposing urban development on those sites at the end of the residential tenancy of the Kama Homestead.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Bottleneck at Namatjira Drive. I'm just wondering if anything can be done to either widen that section of road, because it's only one lane, and then when you get up to the lights there are two lanes.
Outcome: An officer from TCCS contacted the constituent and discussed her concerns around the intersection. The TCCS officer advised the caller that they will explore options to address this including adjusting the signals. The constituent was happy to receive the call and was satisfied with the discussion.
Directorate: Education
Issue: Removal of deference priority at RMC Pre-school (Allen Main)
Outcome: Education spoke to the caller and explained that Allen Main preschool is part of Campbell Primary School and ACT public school enrolment criteria apply. The caller was calling on behalf of friends who have not been offered enrolment at Campbell Primary School. The caller was asked to invite her friends to approach the Education Directorate personally either via the Directorate’s public number or the online contact form to discuss their concerns.
From the introduction of online enrolment applications in 2014 all ACT public schools progressively moved to a unified approach for enrolments (including preschool enrolments) where preference is given to families living in a school’s priority enrolment area.
As defence families who live on Duntroon reside in Campbell Primary School’s priority enrolment area, they are afforded priority to the school’s preschools classes which include the Allen Main preschool.
Where demand for preschool places exceeds a school’s capacity enrolment is offered at another ACT public school with capacity for additional preschool aged children.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Solar Panels – energy generation, inability to monitor their energy generation, and issue with ACTEW not being able to cope with the levels.
Outcome: An EPSDD officer contacted the constituent to further discuss and understand the nature of the problem with the solar system.
Discussion with the customer identified that the system had been inspected by the installer and deemed to not have any identifiable faults that would affect the system performance. The installer suggested that the likely cause of declining system performance was a network over-voltage issue. EPSDD explained the nature of network voltage challenges which can periodically cause solar inverters to trip or can prevent solar systems from exporting their generation to the network.
The constituent noted that the problem had somewhat dissipated in recent weeks and he was able to monitor the performance of his solar system via a smart phone application. EPSDD encouraged the constituent to lodge a network complaint with ActewAGL Distribution via networkcomplaints@actewagl.com.au if the problem returned. EPSDD further noted that the ACT Government takes quality of supply issues seriously and is working with ActewAGL Distribution to ensure compliance with quality of supply standards.
EPSDD further discussed the issue in a separate call with ActewAGL Distribution who encouraged that complaints about network voltage be raised with them. ActewAGL Distribution treats voltage concerns seriously and uses customer complaints as a way of gathering further information about the performance and rectification of issues on their network.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: Flemington Road – people are parking on verges and it’s very dangerous. Can we please send some parking inspectors out?
Outcome: An Access Canberra officer contacted the caller and discussed their traffic and parking concerns along Flemington Road. The caller was advised parking inspectors will investigate their concerns and take appropriate action. The caller was also advised that the Licence Plate Recognition car will also undertake inspections in the area and that Parking Operations will liaise with the police about the caller's traffic concerns.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Kaleen Petrol Station
Outcome: An officer from EPSDD contacted the caller. The caller was concerned about the current state of the site and mentioned that there had been vandalism of the site a few weeks ago. She was concerned that the site may remain empty for some time. The officer advised the caller that a Development Application was lodged in April 2017 for the demolition of the existing service station and removal of underground tanks, together with the installation of new tanks, bowsers, canopy, retail building and landscaping. This DA was approved in July 2017.
The officer also informed the caller that an amendment to the DA for changing minor details including signage, the retail floor area and location of the underground tanks was lodged and approved in September 2017. The officer suggested that as the lessee had submitted a DA for a new petrol station, rather than for alternative uses such as residential, that it was likely a new service station would be constructed, however the timing of construction was up to the lessee. The officer also informed the caller that the DA had approval would last for two years.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Graffiti at Woden Squash courts
Outcome: An officer fromTCCS contacted the constituent and agreed the courts will be inspected.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: Tharwa Drive in Condor is like a raceway at night. Can we please get some speed cameras in this location?
Outcome: An Access Canberra officer contacted the caller. The caller indicated their concerns with loud, speeding motorbikes and vehicles racing through the roundabouts adjacent to the Lanyon shops; usually at night. The officer advised that the traffic camera locations and times of operation for the area will be reviewed in an effort to modify this behaviour and the caller was provided with contact details for the traffic camera operations manager.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: How is walkway maintenance prioritised? The walkway between Florey Shops and Hamlet place never seems to be maintained.
Outcome: An officer from TCCS contacted the constituent and left a message. The area was inspected on the same day and maintenance works have been completed along the walkway.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Curtin shops – uncertainty around redevelopment is affecting business confidence.
Outcome: An officer from EPSDD called the constituent and provided responses to the concerns raised. The constituent was happy with the call.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: There is a rumour the Kingo at Kingston is up for sale. This iconic building doesn’t have heritage listing. Will the Act government protect it from demolition?
Outcome: An officer from EPSDD contacted the caller. The caller was a member of the Kingston-Barton Resident’s Group and they understand that the hotel is about to be listed for sale. They are concerned with the redevelopment of the site and are aware the building is not on the ACT Heritage Register and has not been nominated. The officer advised that as it not on the register, ACT Heritage aren’t in a position to provide advice on any redevelopment application. The officer explained that the site is zoned as CZ2 and is allowed to go to 4 storeys by addressing a criterion.
The caller highlighted the heritage value of the building, particularly in terms of its social significance and that this was the last of the old Canberra Hotels left (with the demolition of the Civic and Wentworth hotels some time ago). The officer advised that if the group was seeking to retain the building, it is important it is nominated for the register. This would enable advice from the ACT Heritage Council to be taken into account during the assessment of the DA. The officer also emphasised that representations from the community are taken into account during an assessment of a DA.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Can the Minister help with removing rubbish and rubble all along Lanyon Drive between the NSW Border and the Monaro Highway.
Outcome: The resident explained that the issue was the volume of people using the verge opposite Sulwood Drive / Mannheim Street to access Mount Taylor. The TCCS officer explained that a consultant has been commissioned to investigate how this area can be formalised into a car park with access away from the intersection and how access opposite the intersection could be safely prevented.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Can you please erect a children’s playground at the Watson Shops?
Outcome: An officer from TCCS contacted the constituent and discussed playground allocation and spacing. There are two playgrounds within 400 metres of the Watson shops. These playgrounds are inspected regularly by an independent assessor to ensure they meet adequate safety standards and remain fit for purpose.