Posted on 25/07/2017
Calls received on air
Directorate: Health
Issue: The caller commended the Government on her experience giving birth in the homebirth program. She asked when the program would be expanded to Calvary Hospital.
Response: The Chief Minister explained that the Homebirth program was currently a three year trial. Calvary Hospital is not owned by the ACT Government and any changes to the services there would have to involve consultation with the owners.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller had spoken to the Chief Minister 18months ago, but was never contacted by the Directorate. He would like to know when there will be a replacement footpath near Garren Primary School (Curliers, Hartigan and Gilmore Crescent).
Response: The Chief Minister said that he would have to get someone to contact him.
Outcome: Repair work to remove the trip hazards was completed in late June 2017 and the replacement of the damaged sections of path is expected to be complete by the end of September 2017.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: The caller is concerned about the 19% increase in energy prices and wanted to know when the ACT was moving to renewable energy as announced by former Minister Corbell.
Response: The Chief Minister explained that the ACT would move be renewable energy sources in 20/20.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: The caller is concerned about the development at the CSIRO site in Ginninderra.
Response: The Chief Minister explained that this was a Federal Government Development. He explained that the ACT Government has made it clear that they expect the developers (CSIRO and their partners) to pay for improvements in infrastructure that will be needed to accommodate the increase of people using existing roads in the area.
Directorate: Housing/Public improvement
Issue: Where will the public housing tenants be moved too?
Response: Tenants have been asked where they would prefer to move too. Some have chosen to move closer to work and family. Others have chosen to stay in the area and will be reaccommodated in the new Housing properties that will be built on Northbourne avenue or in surrounding areas.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: When will work be undertaken on Sutton Road?
Response: The Chief Minister told the caller that the Commonwealth and ACT government had allocated funding and to watch this space.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller wanted to know what was happening at the Mount Mugga Mugga Quarry?
Response: The Chief Minister said that he would look into it.
Outcome: TCCS contacted the caller on 22 June 2017 and spoke about what’s happening at the Mugga Mugga Quarry. The officer discussed the current works and the future filling of the site, with clean and contaminated soil and the future rehabilitation of the site.
Directorate: CSD
Issue: The caller wanted to know what the $30 Safe Family levy was being used for.
Response: The Chief Minister provided an extensive list of Government and non-Government programs that have been funded through the levy.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller’s mother recently fell and hurt herself after tripping of loose pavement in the City.
Response: The Chief Minister said the Government has provided additional funding to improve the City to try and ensure that accidents and falls don’t happen again.
Directorate: JACS/Access Canberra
Issue: The caller was concerned that the more people were parking in Reid as carparks were developed in the City.
Response: The Chief Minister said the new developments often had more car parking then the old sites. But, that some people did not like to park in underground parking. However, in order for the City to grow the City Centre needed to be for people not cars.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: EPSDD (parking coordinator general)
Issue: The caller would like to know why disabled parking in Civic is being turned into loading zones.
Outcome: TCCS requires that where mobility parking is impacted it is relocated, where safe to do so. Negotiations for works in Hillside Lane are continuing.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Why are we extending the Woden Cemetery and permanently losing three hectares of open green space rather than committing to a long term solution to our cemetery needs.
Outcome: TCCS has been in contact with the Woden Community Council about this issue. The Directorate is meeting with the group on 5 July 2017 and will continue communications throughout the process.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Why isn’t there a light rail stop that allows people to access Mitchell businesses?
Outcome: It was explained to the caller that the Light Rail has been designed to allow for a stop in the future, should patronage warrant it.
Directorate: EPSDD (Heritage)
Issue: What’s happening with the Canberra Railway Historical Society? Will we ever have steam trains back again?
Outcome: The directorate rang the caller to discuss the status of the Canberra Railway Historical Society. The directorate has been in constant contact with the Society’s committee and the liquidator to try to find a viable way forward. However, any future actions will be guided by the liquidator’s findings and actions.