Chief Minister Talkback Summary - 26 October 2018


Posted on 24/12/2018

Calls received on air

Directorate: Treasury

Issue: The caller phoned to clarify the definition of a lodger under ACT rental agreements. The caller is currently leasing rooms at his property using occupancy agreements.

Response: Minister Fitzharris said we will get in touch with the caller to clarify this definition and look at the information we have publicly available to ensure that it is clear.

OUTCOME: ACT Revenue Office called the constituent and advised that further clarification of a lodger would be provided on their website and discussions would be held with the Attorney-General’s office to progress action to make amendments is necessary to the Residential Tenancy Act. Currently if people lease rooms under an occupancy agreement, the property is liable for land tax.


Directorate: CMTEDD (Economic Development)

Issue: The caller phone to request a memorial bench at the National Museum for Katie Bender.

Response: Minister Fitzharris thanked the caller and said it's a lovely idea. We will pass the request on to both the NCA and the National Museum.

OUTCOME: Caller was contacted by VisitCanberra and gave permission for CMTEDD to forward their contact details to the National Museum of Australia and the National Capital Authority.  Emails have been sent to NMA and NCA to advise of caller’s suggestion, and to request that they follow up directly with the caller.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: The caller phoned with concerns that the issue of parking at Palmerston shops has been moved to Minister Steele’s portfolio

Response: Minister Fitzharris said she has been speaking with Minister Steel about the issue and it will be progressed as soon as possible. We will let you know as soon as possible when work can start. We will see if we can get someone to call you today.

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer contacted the caller who was informed that the construction will start at the end of this month. The caller was concerned about specific road closures and will be in contact with TCCS to confirm exact dates for future closures.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: The caller phone regarding changes to a school bus route as part of the new network.

Response: Minister Fitzharris said we have listened to all the feedback that we've received and it's about achieving balance across the whole network. The revised network which will start early next year gets the balance right across the whole network, delivers equity to all schools right across Canberra, and importantly delivers more bus services to more schools right across the city. We will be happy to work with you and your family around kids getting to and from a school as simply as possible under the new network.

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer spoke with the caller and advised the caller that based on community feedback, the Rapid 4 service had been extended to provide a direct route between Tuggeranong, Woden, the City and Belconnen.


Calls that didn’t make it to air

Directorate: TCCS

Issue: The caller phoned regarding Bus Routes in Farrer

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer spoke with the caller, they were disappointed that they would have to walk further from their house on Wagga Street to the bus stop on Lambrigg Street. A TCCS officer advised that unfortunately there will be no changes to this and that Transport Canberra are still meeting/exceeding coverage standards in the network.


SMS/TEXT

Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Minister Fitzharris, when will the lanes on Flemington Road will be opened? The light rail construction has finished a month ago and there is still one lane. It’s such a pain to cross Mitchell everyday

Response: Minister Fitzharris said it will ease over the next couple of months. The rest of Flemington Road will open up for testing soon which will require careful management. We will see if we can get a specific date for the reopening for the caller.

Action: Contact caller

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer contacted the caller to advise the construction works on Flemington Road are very advanced but not complete at this stage. Remaining construction activities in this area include final road pavement, line marking, pedestrian and cycle access, landscaping and final adjustments to the light rail corridor through the testing and commissioning activities. These activities are expected to be substantially complete by December 2018. During these final pieces of work temporary traffic management controls will be in place, but will be reduced or removed at the earliest opportunity as these remaining works are completed.


Directorate: CMTEDD-Treasury

Issue: Good morning just wanted to know when the smashed glass in the sliding door of Erindale library front entrance is going to be fixed as it has been blocked off for months now.

Response: Minister Fitzharris said that this glass has been ordered and we are hoping to fix it as soon as possible. We will follow up and if we can get an update before the end of Talkback we'll let you know.

OUTCOME: ACT Property Group contacted the constituent and advised her the new glass doors were ordered and received, further powder coating was being applied to the doors, they are programmed to be installed early next week.


SMS/Texts that didn’t make it to air

Directorate: EPSDD

Issue: A cafe in Kambah has built a timber deck over a public footpath, approval required?

OUTCOME: An officer from EPSDD spoke with the caller and the timber deck and footpath at the back of the café is not on public land and both are within its property boundary.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Hi. Graffiti removal around Charnwood, particularly tagging on fences along Tillyard Dr. and behind the shops would be appreciated.

OUTCOME: TCCS contacted the caller to advise it actively monitors and removes illegal graffiti from public assets. Incidences of graffiti on public assets can be reported to Fix My Street. The removal of graffiti from private assets is the responsibility of the leaseholder, which includes graffiti on the outside of residential fencing. TCCS are involved in a number of positive programs to help support the community to reduce graffiti. Some of the programs being delivered include diversionary measures such as legal graffiti art walls, murals, workshops, volunteer graffiti removal, awareness raising about the impact of graffiti vandalism and working with ACT Policing. TCCS also facilitates a program with Justice and Community Services where young offenders paint over graffiti on private fences along major roads.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Can you ask the Minister if they will publish a comparison of current usage figures with usage figures for the new network once it's in operation. A comparison of the old espresso usage versus new routes in peak period would be good.

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer spoke with the caller and advised that Transport Canberra would be carefully monitoring patronage on the new network once it commenced, and that patronage data is regularly published by Transport Canberra. The caller was also happy to learn that the Rapid 4 had been changed to provide a direct service from their bus stop to the ANU, as this was their main concern with the new network. The caller was happy with this response.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Is there going to be a park and ride in the city for those who would like to go to Gungahlin for a shopping day?

OUTCOME: TCCS regularly monitors park and ride services in Canberra for usage and is currently looking into upgrading existing facilities. A current review into park and ride demand across Canberra is currently being conducted, which includes assessing current sites and scoping for future areas. The study will be used to inform future park and ride policies.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Q for Transport Minister - given the chaos in Northbourne Ave why are the stop/go traffic lights on Antill street still in operation after 2 months. Given that Antill St is the obvious alternative route into north CANBERRA and the city when coming from t (text cut off)

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer spoke to the caller and advised that both Antill St and Northbourne Avenue are major roads into Canberra. The officer also discussed other minor works associated with a housing development in Watson.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: When will Old Wells Station Road open fully? There were electronic signs lauding the opening a few weeks ago but the road is only partly open to local traffic.

OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller and explained that Old Wells Station road will be fully opened from the Federal Highway to Morisset Road by the end of 2018.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Northbourne Ave road surface a patched up mess. As Canberra's main entrance will it be returned to its previous condition?

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer contacted the caller and advised that the MyWay travel on the light rail will be a one ticket - one fare - one network approach. Advised that the same protocols regarding bus travel for seniors will apply to light rail.


Directorate: Treasury

Issue: How is it fair that all our huge bills (gas, electric, water) are all due on the same day. This is the very hard to pay, for us on minimum wages. Why can't this be staggered?

OUTCOME: The ActewAGL communications officer contacted the constituent in relation to receiving utility invoices on the same day each quarter. ActewAGL explained how the utility companies receive the metering data each quarter, apologised for any inconvenience and offered an extension on his accounts to adjust the due dates of each invoice to reduce any financial impact. The constituent advised that this was not necessary. The Communications Officer advised that ActewAGL and Icon Water are always willing to assist in any way possible should he require an extension or alternative payment arrangements in future.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: Q to Minister: why has working towards gender balance not been a requirement on the light rail contract? Yesterday three out of 49 workers I saw along Epic were women. Job creation over 90% for men is not good enough.

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer contacted the caller. 33 drivers have been employed by Canberra Metro Operations. 12 new Customer Service Officers will begin with Canberra Metro Operations when services begin. There is a balance of female drivers, customer service officers and technicians within Canberra Metro Operations teams and this number will increase once employment contracts are completed.


Directorate: TCCS

Issue: The recent Commonwealth Parliamentary report stated that extensive traffic modelling has been undertaken for light rail stage 2. Does the forecast demand allow for the retention of the Blue Rapid or will we be told at the last moment that we do not have (text cut off)

OUTCOME: A TCCS officer contacted the caller and advised that Light rail and buses are very different but they work well together. Comparing the current Blue Rapid between Woden and the City with the planned light rail route only looks at one journey not the 600 that are possible along this new mode of transport. Today’s journey time via bus is very different from a future journey time in a more populated city that hasn’t invested in light rail – that is why we are planning for the future with light rail and for an integrated transport network. Buses will continue to provide a vital feeder service for commuters from the suburbs to major transport hubs, such as town centres and key transport corridors. No decisions have yet been made on what will happen with current rapid bus services along this corridor.