Posted on 17/09/2018
Calls received on air
Directorate: WHoG
Issue: The caller phoned regarding caring for someone with a disability who has experienced domestic violence. The caller has a petition with change.org asking asked for urgent and immediate action due to escalation of violence. The caller asked what it takes to get immediate action, for someone to meet and discuss the process issues.
Response: The Chief Minister said that is a serious situation that has been outlined. He is not familiar with the individual circumstances and the legal issues in this case. In some instances, there will be under current laws, requirements around privacy and due process that would mean that ministers would not personally intervene and make decisions. It would be delegated under legislation either to the legal system or to appropriate public servants. He’ll need to get some further information and It's very difficult for me to comment without knowing any of the information in relation to your particular circumstance.
OUTCOME: The caller has been put in contact with support services.
Directorate: CSD
Issue: The caller rang regarding an ACT housing complex for the elderly in Florey. The caller is ringing on behalf of someone else who is elderly and requires her cooker replaced due to medical issues. The caller has approached ACT Housing who suggested they get a report from the doctor and contact the housing manager. This has been done and they have not heard anything since.
The caller also rang as there is an abandoned car in the parking area of the complex. The caller has contacted the rangers however they still have not removed the car.
Response: The Chief Minister said we’ll follow up on the two issues and thank you for calling.
OUTCOME: Contact was made with both the caller and the tenant. The concerns raised have been followed up and a convenient time will be scheduled with the tenant to replace the gas cooker.
With regards to the concerns raised about the abandoned vehicle, as the vehicle is located within a Housing ACT complex, the abandoned vehicle has been stickered in accordance with Housing ACT’s normal processes. The sticker requests the owner of the vehicle to contact Housing ACT or to remove the vehicle within seven days. The sticker was placed on the vehicle on 6 September 2018. If the vehicle is not removed, arrangements will be made for its removal. This may take several weeks while necessary checks are made to identify the owner of the vehicle.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller phoned regarding cement bollards on Reg Saunders Way blocking driver visibility of oncoming cars. The caller requested the first two or three blocks be replaced with lower blocks or a traffic mirror be installed.
Response: The Chief Minister said to leave it with him, he’ll see what he can do and thanked the caller.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller to discuss their concerns about the concrete bollards on the verge along Constitution Avenue which the caller felt were blocking the view of motorists exiting left out of Ray Saunders Way. This section of verge is under the control of the National Capital Authority (NCA). TCCS have forwarded the callers concerns on to the NCA for their action.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller rang to raise an issue with one of the current criteria for which a regulated tree can be removed. The criteria that the tree is substantially affecting solar access to the lease. The caller has a large tree shading the northern windows of his house. The caller says that solar practicality has come a long way since the criteria were set 12 years ago and asks if the criteria can be updated.
Response: The Chief Minister said it was an interesting question and that he is happy to look at it. The Chief Minister talked about how difficult it can be to draft clear rules in these circumstances, where discretion is in the hands of decision makers and can be interpreted positively or negatively depending on individual circumstances and views on tree preservation. He acknowledges there’s a degree of merit in what the caller is saying but any new clause would have to be drafted carefully to ensure there was no significant loss of significant trees. The Chief Minister said he would certainly have a look at it.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller and discussed their concerns in regards to the criteria for assessing solar access against the Tree Protection Act 2005. The caller was informed that the Act is being reviewed and there would be an opportunity for community consultation at which point he could provide input.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller phoned regarding fading line marking at the street lights on Flynn Drive near the Albert Hall. The caller requested the lines be repainted.
Response: The Chief Minister will confirm who has responsibility. If it is the NCA we will raise it directly with the NCA or if they are ACT Government assets we’ll get a team to have a look at it. The Chief Minister thanked the caller.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted caller who also raised the issue of lighting on the on-ramp from Flynn Drive onto Commonwealth Avenue as well as lights on the bridge. TCCS is working with the NCA to co-ordinate repairs of the lights on Flynn Drive near the Albert Hall. The TCCS officer informed the caller that the road is scheduled to be resurfaced during the period of November 2018 and April 2019 and that the pavement marking will be repainted.
Directorate: Treasury
Issue: The caller phoned regarding difficulties in changing her gas retailer and having to wait for the next scheduled reading before she can switch.
Response: The Chief Minister said most of the regulation in this area is national. It’s not state and territory based. The Chief Minister said he thinks that this would be a commercial business practice and that you may have to default to consumer law. We have some contact details and it is probably best to get the company to contact you. We’ll make contact with Actew AGL to get a definitive answer on what the process is.
OUTCOME: ActewAGL advise that they have spoken to the customer and determined her query related to Origin Energy and not ActewAGL. The customer advised they will return to ActewAGL and this process has commenced.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller phoned regarding a development in Drakeford Drive Greenway and to request additional parking at the Dog Park.
Response: The Chief Minister said more can be done. As long as it doesn't destroy the amenity of the area then he’ll take on board the point around doing what we can to meet car parking needs for the dog park. The Chief Minister said there will always be limitations to the amount of space that can be turned over to car parking. We'll see what we can do there within reason around car parking.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the caller to discuss their concerns. The TCCS officer provided an update of what the government is proposing for the area between Lake Tuggeranong and Drakeford Drive.
Directorate: Health
Issue: The caller phoned regarding the Disability and Rehab Hospital to raise issues with mobility and access, specifically for wheelchairs in the common areas. The caller requested it be redesigned and that he speak with somebody about it.
Response: The Chief Minister confirmed the caller will be contacted.
OUTCOME: The caller has been contacted by ACT Health and discussed the accessibility of tapware on the patient kitchen sinks which is restricted for clients in wheelchairs. Bill is going to email Client Liaison with observations he made while visiting a patient for information. Health are liaise with staff to determine a solution.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: Health
Issue: Re Rehab hospital and the poor design of the patient kitchen: as per usual they obviously did not seek input from an Occupational Therapist who would have spotted that problem immediately. An even stranger insight given it is a Rehabilitation Hospital when(text cut off).
OUTCOME: The caller has been contacted by ACT Health and discussed the accessibility of tapware on the patient kitchen sinks. Health are liaise with staff to determine a solution.