Chief Minister Talkback Summary - 24 February 2017


Posted on 25/07/2017

Calls received on air

Directorate: EPSDD

Issue: Late notice of the Proposal of Public Works development application, Construction of  the Storm Water Ponds and Treatments System around Melrose Drive and Yarra  Glen.

The caller said that they only have 10 days to respond to a  very complicated development application, with 14 downloads with conflicting  information in the EPSDD notification. There have been no notice in the Curtain  Shopping Centre about it, the only notice there is, is next to the Cycle track  that not many people would see. The caller says that in the advertisement the  application says the suburb is Curtin, but in the application it refers to  Yarralumla. The caller would like an extension of time to consider the 14  documents and the development application.

OUTCOME:
A representative contacted the caller and discussed their concerns. A  written representation has also been received from the caller raising the caller’s concerns which will be considered during the assessment process.


Directorate: LDA

Issue: Point Park is nearing completion and the caller would like to know if the government is going to consider a concrete promenade and Lake Infill for the other section of West Basin.The caller also asked Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) if the government will let the public know the infill for the waterfront and promenade is for part of building a Estate and will block the visitors from the Commonwealth Avenue and take over the Parkland space that was said in the original plan?

Response: DCM advises there will 150m board walk constructed with a pre-cast concrete which will be about 8.2 metres wide and positioned just above water level. The host asks DCM to confirm if there will be ongoing advice provided to the public due to the various work happening at West Basin, to which DCM confirms further information will be provided and proper consultation during every stage of the development.

OUTCOME:An officer of the LDA provided an update to the caller on the West Basin waterfront staging, including an estimated timeline for development. The second stage of the project focuses on the extension and completion of the boardwalk, lake reclamation and the construction of a new lake wall. It is expected that the Works Approval application will be submitted to the National Capital Authority for consideration within the next couple of months.  There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal at that time.  It is expected that once commenced, works on stage two will take approximately 18 months to complete. The officer advised the caller that detailed planning for the construction of buildings within the broader West Basin precinct has not commenced. To that end, construction of the estate at West Basin is at least five years away.  The officer advised the caller that implementation and speed of progression through each stage of the waterfront is dependent on receiving works approval as well as funding.


Directorate: JACS

Issue: Are there any rules around drones? Penny says there is a drone that flies around Kambah, mostly on weekends. Penny’s concern is that the drones have cameras and they are flying over people’s backyards (Penny’s concern is mainly over the drone flying over her swimming pool).

OUTCOME: The use of drones is regulated by the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA), a Commonwealth government agency. Typically drones cannot be operated to fly within 30 metres of a person, or over a populous area. They must be in the line of sight and under the control of the person flying them at all times.  There are penalties for breaching these rules, which are imposed by CASA. There is helpful information about the rules for the safe use of drones on the CASA website www.casa.gov.au. The caller may be able to report this incident as a safety risk or make a complaint to the CASA by phoning 1800 074 737.

ACT Policing may become involved where there is a specific concern or allegation of criminal behaviour such as indecent observation of someone, using a video camera mounted to a drone where a reasonable person would consider that an invasion of privacy.

The use of drones is an emerging issue which the ACT Government is monitoring closely.


Directorate: CMTEDD

Issue: The caller is a self funded retiree and is concerned about the Rates rises in the ACT. The caller says small apartment owners have had their rates increased by a substantially bigger percentage than the owners of large apartments. The caller asks if the government is likely to look at how regressive the increases have become, and will the government do something to reduce without changing the total amount of revenue the government wants?

Response: The ACT Government introduced Tax changes in the ACT where Stamp Duty was being phased out a Rates System was put in where everyone contributed in the ACT rather than just people who were purchasing new home which meant that the government and the community could have some more assurity about where the income was coming for the community to be able to spend on things such as Health, Education, new suburbs/ infrastructure for the future for our children. The announcement of changes to rates will be in the budget process.


Directorate: Education

Issue: The caller’s son goes to Harrison School and received a newsletter from the school announcing that between preschool and year 6 the amount of students has increased to 183 (there were 1244 students last year). With the current development around Flemington Road and Throsby (and with the announcement of up to 1000 new households being built in the next few years) – does the ACT Government have a strategy in place to look at Harrison because of the new infrastructure built around the area (with Harrison and Franklin Schools having to service them, with limited capacity).

Response: DCM notes Harrison School is a Junior and Senior School combined so it is larger than a single school. DCM also adds there is work underway for a new school in Taylor and that the ACT Government is looking very closely that the families in the priority areas are not turned away from the schools (and get first enrolment priority at those schools).


Directorate: LDA

Issue: Concerns with the West Basin development area and in particular that some parts of the plans are not negotiable so the community won’t have a fair say.

Response: Changes to the LDA will see two new entities – one of them will have responsibility of the work around West Basin and the City to Lake Project. The new entities will give focus to a Minister and a specific area (Minister Gentleman).


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: ACT Transport Policy from 2012 – contains a lot of leaning towards active transport encouraging cycling, walking etc. The caller us concerned that even though the Policy is there, 5 years on, the ACT Government continues to require developers to install car parks when they build residential units (which cost $50-150,000 per unit with a basement).  Will there be a chance to start seeing more active transport on the ground?

Response: Transport Canberra was introduced in 2016 and is implementing the new integrated transport plan, being the biggest transport reform in the ACT.


Directorate: EPSDD

Issue: Look outs around Canberra – Red Hill and Mount Ainslie. Graham says years ago you could a panoramic view, now you have to walk around and can only see little glimpses of the view around Canberra. Is it possible to chop some of the trees to get the view back?

Response: Nature park trees and the trees are protected so they are not trimmed. If the trees were on public land, it would be a different story.


Directorate: CMTEDD

Issue: Penalty Rates – if someone could let him know where slashing of penalty rates in Australia sits within Turnbull’s ‘jobs and growth’. In particular, when you think of the positive and negative gear is treated for tax and capital gains.

Response: DCM notes she knows how important penalty rates are for young people and low income earners and unfortunately the decision made meant the mostly all the young people in our community are going to be affected and there will be many consequences including financial stress, students will need more money, meaning their studies will take longer.


Directorate: TCCS/ACTWEAGL/EPSDDLO

Issue:Could we have green bins for all suburbs? All of Australia has green bins, and not all of us can afford to pay for green waste to be picked up. Could the government (and all governments) stop wasting tax payer’s money and in particular on Minister Gentleman’s trip. Why did his trip cost $70,000 and why when he just needed to get information on the tram? The caller adds, her water bill, gas bill, electricity and rates have all gone up.

Response: Green bins will eventually be rolled out across the City. The pilot that is commencing in Weston Creek and Kambah in April 2017 is aimed to ensure the service is designed and delivered correctly. The Tuggeranong area will follow in late 2017 and will be progressively spread across Canberra over the next three years.

The Actsmart Sustainability Portal www.actsmart.act.gov.au offers a range of tips, hints, workshops and advice to help reduce your energy and water usage.

Actsmart’s FREE experienced energy expert can help you save money by advising you either over the phone (13 22 81) or by email (actsmart@act.gov.au) on:

Minister Gentleman’s trip, the trip wasn’t just for light rail; it included a delegation of people that went with Minister Gentleman. Minister Gentleman’s office provided a copy of the report which is available online on the EPSDD website.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: The caller suggests that the ACT use digital timing on traffic lights in the ACT. He has previously been told that it doesn’t conform to the Australian Standards. When the Australian Standards was last revised? The caller suggested if the ACT Government wanted to trial digital timing on traffic lights, it would be a good idea to do it at the tram crossings.

Response: DCM is unsure when Federal Traffic laws/policy was addressed.

TCCS spoke to the caller and explained that apart from the information he had already received, the main technical reason why digital timing on traffic lights could not be done in Australia is that it can only work with fixed time traffic lights, where the time until the start of the green signal can be accurately predicted.  Australian traffic lights operate through the SCATS control system which includes a number of dynamic options that allow, on a cycle by cycle basis, phase times to change or phases even to be omitted if not demanded.  Because of this it is not possible to predict when a green signal will start. The caller now understands the technical issues and was happy with the reply.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: There is a lot of cigarette butt litter at Wanniassa shops. Who is responsible for cleaning them up and who is responsible for providing receptacles for them?

Response: Caller was contacted and advised the Wanniassa shops are attended to daily by TCCS and blown three times per week. An officer from TCCS explained the Government’s cleaning regime to the caller. The caller was provided with a direct contact for future enquiries and was pleased with the discussion.


SMS/TEXT

Directorate: EPSDD

Issue: What is happening with the block at the corner of Belconnen Way and Petterd St, gateway to Page? An overgrown eyesore for many years, hopes were raised when it was sold, but now it has been a bare earth eyesore for a couple of years.

Response: A representative from the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate contacted the caller to explain a development application for the site on the corner of Belconnen Way and Petterd Street had minor design amendments approved in September 2016 to the previously approved 5 units. The owner generally has 2 years to start construction following approval.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: I hope TAMSD and ACTION could be encouraged to consider re-opening a bus stop Belconnen bound at the intersection of Barry Drive and North Road – it will be helpful for people going to that part of ANU and for people going to Turner. The existing stop near Clunies Ross Street too far from the lights for people crossing (and far from most of the campus’ for people going to ANU). A serious review of the bus stop would be much appreciated. There was a temporary bus stop there a few years ago and it was extremely convenient.

Response: TCCS attempted to contact the caller on two occasions with no answer. A message was left with contact details on both occasions.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: It’s ‘Bin Day’ in Ainslie, many of the recycling bins including are full and overflowing and the normal rubbish bins are empty. How about the recycling bins gets emptied each week and the normal rubbish bins fortnightly?

Response:TCCS phoned caller to discuss recycling options and advised that the Territory has Recycling Drop Off Centres (RDOCs) and how they can be utilised by the public. Discussed the closest one to Ainslie being at Mitchell. Great discussions regarding recycling, resource recovery in general.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue:Simple question why does Acton provide a bus service to and from the airport?

Response: Transport Canberra contacted the caller and advised that TCCS and the airport are currently engaged in discussions regarding the provision of public transport services.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Do you know what is happening with the green waste bin trial in the Tuggeranong area? I registered last year, got very excited to participate and haven't heard anything since. Sharyn Howell

Response: ACT NOWaste contacted caller and informed her that she had expressed her interest, not registered, and that we would be in touch in the future to collate registrations. Information was also relayed about the Tuggeranong rollout, which will occur later in 2017 and that TCCS would soon be in touch with those people who have expressed interest in participating.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Good morning, Deputy Chief Minister could you have someone investigate the graffiti in the underpass of Florey Drive. There is a huge sign "Kill Em "which horrified me especially when my young grandchild who is learning to read sounded it out.

Response: Caller was contacted and advised that the graffiti mentioned on air has been removed by officers from TCCS. Caller was appreciative of the prompt action taken.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: The Parcourse static exercise equipment along the bike path in the yacht club region is long overdue maintenance and is up for replacement. How is the replacement process going in the pipeline?

Response: Caller was contacted and advised TCCS has been through the assessment stage of the Fitness Equipment Upgrade Project along Alexandrina Drive in Yarralumla. Caller was advised TCCS is now in the process of replacing 12 pieces of equipment and refurbishing the existing equipment as required. Work is expected to commence in the coming weeks.


Directorate: ACT Policing

Issue: Speeding in Bonner Could something please be done about speeding cars in Bonner, particularly up Roy Marika St and in school zone. Car horns are regularly blown when I drive at 40 km.

Response: ACT Policing spoke to the caller in relation to speeding drivers in the vicinity of Bonner Primary School and Roy Marika Street, Bonner. The caller was advised that if they see any anti-social driving, they should call 131 444 and report the description of vehicles and possible drivers to Police. As a normal course of action ACT Policing conducts traffic targeting operations in all school zones throughout the terms.