Posted on 06/09/2018
Calls received on air
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller rang about the design of left turn slip lanes. The angle at which drivers have to turn their heads to check oncoming traffic from the right can be severe. The caller believes this could be easily modified by modifying the concrete block at the turn of the slip lane to create less of a severe angle.
Response: The Chief Minister advised that it would be investigated would provide some advice on whether that would be feasible.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller and advised that there are various designs of left turn slip lanes constructed across the territory. The design of left turn slip lanes has evolved over time as engineers have gained a greater understanding of the causes of left turning crashes at intersections and the ergonomics of driving. Modern left turn intersections are designed to have an approximate 70 degrees angle with the adjoining road. This angle usually requires the left turn driver to slow or come to a halt before proceeding and does not require drivers to look over their shoulder. Where intersections are identified as having a higher than normal crash history and the left turning crashes are identified as a main cause then Roads ACT do modify the left turn slip lanes to improve road safety.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller rang about the senior’s playground with specialized playground equipment and asked if the playground received funding in the budget.
Response: The Chief Minister took the question on notice and advised they would be contacted back.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller and advised that while the ACT Government has not identified funding for a new senior playground at this time, the inclusion of fitness equipment suitable for seniors will continue to be considered as part of the public consultation process when upgrading or installing new fitness stations across Canberra.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller rang to report three streetlights that are out on James Street in Curtin (4 James Street, 8 James Street, and 10 James Street). The issue was originally reported in February 2018. The lack of lighting obscures the no parking street signs and causes issues as there is a restaurant on the street.
Response: The Chief Minister advised that the government will follow up on the specifics of the three James Street lights.
OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the caller and advised that Roads ACT repaired the streetlights on 26 June 2018.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller rang to query the status of the work on the Belconnen and Dickson libraries. The caller was concerned that the Dickson library would not reopen due to the proposed renovations to the Dickson precinct.
Response: The Chief Minister advised that the Dickson library will reopen. The Dickson library is a much valued community asset in the inner north and will reopen as soon as possible. The damage from the rain event in February was extensive and work on the library is underway. He advised he would provide some information in terms of when that will be.
OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the caller and advised that the Dickson Library branch will reopen in a modified capacity on Friday 6 July 2018. Further works will continue to be undertaken with the affected area of the library closed off and limited services available until the work is fully completed.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller rang in regards to Tree root damage to his property in Duffy. He is currently in the process of claiming money back from damage caused to his driveway from several dozen government trees in the laneway next to his property. The caller has had an onsite inspection twice and has had to deal with both TCCS staff and TAMS staff and has not been able to have it resolved. The caller has also had a request for 2 years to have the trees trimmed as they overhang his property.
Response: The Chief Minister advised that the caller’s details would be taken and that the work would be resolved. The Chief Minister apologised for being bounced around different areas of government for what should be a relatively straightforward issue.
OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the caller to discuss his claim and have arrange for an officer to go on site and provide a second opinion.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: William Slim Drive, from Ginninderra Drive to just past Dumas Street, in the 80 kilometre zone, and the rest of it is through to Barton highway is 60. That's a particular strip of the 80, that doesn't have any way for vehicles to get off the lane if there's an accident. 80km is too high and it would be better if it was all 60km until the duplication has been completed. There are also trees that could be trimmed as you come out of Dumas Street onto William Slim Drive.
Response: The Chief Minister advised that he would get the roads team to have a look at it. Traffic needs to be slowed during the construction phase of the duplication project.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller and advised her of the current design work being undertaken for the duplication of William Slim Drive. The duplication will most likely also include the signalisation of the Dumas Street intersection and will consider different speed limits. The line of sight at Dumas Street / William Slim Drive intersection will be reviewed to ensure its appropriate for the current environment, any vegetation impeding the line of sight will be removed.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: “I'm wondering if the ticket cost to take the light rail will be the same cost to catch a bus? If not then why not?”
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller and advised that there will be one fare across the whole public transport network and that there is no separate light rail ticket or fare. Changing from bus to light rail will be the same as bus to bus. In response to query about whether ticket prices will increase due to Light Rail the caller was advised that public transport ticket price remains the same except as increased through annual budget process (i.e. not an increase specifically for Light Rail component of public transport network).
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: “Many people take an alternative route between Hindmarsh Drive and Athllon Drive through Chifley, Pearce and Torrens via Beasley St, Hodgson, MacFarland, and Eggleston Crescents. There are two spots in MacFarland Crescent and one in Beasley St where a green reserve area from Mt Taylor provides a route for kangaroos seeking better grazing. I have seen it on many occasions at night time, kangaroos crossing these roads without warning. Could consideration be given to erecting animal crossing signs in these areas?”
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller and advised that Wildlife warning signage are provided in high risk locations on arterial roads where speeds and volumes are higher, to warn motorists of the potential of meeting animals on that stretch of road. These signs are no longer provided or replaced as they have shown to be ineffective in reducing harm to animals. Animal activities are unpredicted and are not confined to specific sections of the road network. Such activities are also seasonal and motorists tend to ignore such signs after a little while. In that context, media forums have been used to raise the community’s awareness during such peak seasonal activities.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: “Today is bin day in Ainslie and as usual our recycling bin is chockers and the rubbish bin is almost empty. So how about changing the pickup schedule so that the recycling is collected weekly and the rubbish each fortnight?”
OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the caller and advised that the current recycling waste collection frequency is carried out on a fortnightly basis as this meets the needs for the overall community. The member of public was given further options regarding his collection and other ways that he can manage his household recycling including accessing the additional bin service, the recycling drop-off centres and the introduction of the Container Deposit Scheme.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: “Minister, why are the lights out at 1 State Circle?”
OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the caller to advise them that the streetlights in question fall under the responsibility of the National Capital Authority (NCA). The details of the defects have been passed onto the NCA.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: “Can you please ask the Chief Minister to release a map showing bus stops that will be lost under the proposed bus timetable?”
Response: The Chief Minister agreed and advised that it is possible for Transport Canberra to do.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller to discuss specific concerns relating to the withdrawal of bus services from Alfred Hill Drive and parts of Alpen Street, Melba (current route 15/315). The caller suggested that it would be very difficult for a lot of elderly residents in this area to walk further to a bus stop than they do now. The TCCS staff member discussed options that were available for these residents who would have difficulty walking to a local bus stop (eg: flexible bus) and advised that their feedback would be passed on to the network design team to be considered before finalising the new network.
Directorate: ESA
Issue: “Paramedics are the most trusted profession in Australia. Unfortunately paramedics also have the highest manual handing injury rate of all industry work groups. This is due predominantly from lifting stretchers with patients on them and loading them and unloading them from the ambulances. ACT Government have budgeted to provide powered lifting stretchers and vehicle stretcher loaders. Will all ambulances in the fleet be fitted with this injury reducing technology, as has every ambulance in Victoria, South Australia, NSW and Queensland? If yes when will this be injury reducing equipment installation be completed? Thanks for taking my question.”
OUTCOME: Peter was contacted and advised that the plan is for all operational ambulance vehicles to have the powered stretchers, which will total 30 vehicles. Some of these will be done by retrofitting current vehicles, and others will be included on new vehicles as older vehicles are replaced. The majority of ambulance vehicles – approximately 24 – will have powered stretchers by the end of the 2018-19 financial year. Then 6 new frontline and patient transport vehicles will come on-line in the 2019-20 financial year, replacing older vehicles. The new vehicles will come with the powered stretchers. Therefore, by the end of the 2019-20 financial year, all operational ambulance vehicles will have the powered stretchers, noting that the large majority of the fleet will have them by the end of the 2018-19 financial year. Peter was happy with the response and has my contact details if he has any further questions.
Directorate: EPSD
Issue: “Hello, are there any development plans for the block of land behind the Belconnen Markets/near traffic lights & Bunnings? It has sat empty for so many years, is a big hole & people are dumping rubbish in there, thank you”.
OUTCOME: An officer from EPSDD contacted the caller and discussed the history of the approved development applications for the site, including the 2017 approval for a mixed use development up to eight storeys. The officer explained that the markets, including this site had been sold, and that the new owners may be considering an alternative development for the site. The caller expressed disappointment that the previous owners had been unable to construct what they had planned for the total market area as it had a lot of merit. The caller was happy with the follow up and satisfied with the explanation.