Posted on 12/02/2020
Calls received on air
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Merging from three lanes to two just after the lights at the intersection of Northbourne Avenue and Antill Streets is potentially dangerous. Could the third lane please remain?
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS contacted the customer and discussed the temporary lane closure on Northbourne Avenue. This closure is required so that a new water main pipe can be installed to service the DKSN Building which is currently under construction. Pedestrian and cyclist movements have been provided for by narrowing Northbourne Avenue to two lanes and protecting pedestrians behind a concrete safety barrier system. Once the construction of the water main is complete the lane will be reinstated.
Directorate: CSD
Issue: Hoarding in Weston Creek- difficult to sell the caller’s mother’s house.
OUTCOME: The caller was was contacted and advised the matter is being addressed as a priority. The Government will work with the resident to bring the property up to an acceptable standard in line with the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
SMS/Text
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Why is there no new infrastructure planned for the deep south of Canberra? A new education or leisure facility would be welcome.
OUTCOME: The caller was informed about recently completed projects including Ashley Drive duplication and the ACT Healthy Waterways projects in the Tuggeranong catchment and proposed projects including Athlon Drive duplication and Mount Taylor improvements.
Directorate: MPC
Issue: Is it too late to consider rebuilding the hospital and new SPIRE centre closer to the Woden town centre?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised:
- There is a master planning activity being currently undertaken by Canberra Health Services and Health Directorate, which also includes SPIRE and the traffic implications the new facility will have;
- An in-depth traffic analysis will be undertaken shortly as part of the concept design stage. The SPIRE Project engaged a consultant to undertake the concept design, and will be looking at different options in relation to traffic and its implications on the school traffic and local community; and
- Analysis of various sites has been competed; previous option was not feasible. The location proposed has been identified as the optimal site for the facility, when taking into consideration the available spaces and interface with the remainder of the services provided at Canberra Hospital.
Directorate: CHS
Issue: Given the lengthy waiting times to see medical specialists, could ACT GPs do more to redirect patients to relevant specialists in Sydney? The Interstate Patient Travel Assistance Scheme should apply to these patients.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that it is appropriate for GPs to discuss treatment options with their patients and what referral pathways are available. This is a discussion which considers the individual patient condition and life situation. Canberra Health Services triages referrals based on the information contained in the referral, and if the patient’s condition changes, the GP can escalate the referral.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Has there been any consideration given to retraining some of the former public housing sites along Northbourne Avenue as open space or public parks?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that whilst a significant proportion of the sites will be developed there will also be areas of both private and public open space that will be incorporated into the developments. The sites will go to the market through a tender process which requires tenderers to provide details on how their proposal would respond to ten design principles outlined in the publication Design Principles for the ACT. In addition, the caller was also advised of the role the National Capital Design Review Panel has in consideration of any designs developed for the site. The caller was thankful for the call and was satisfied with the outcome.
Directorate: Treasury
Issue: The Canberra Times has reported that the lease variation charge (LVC) policy has worked against the Government’s policy of infill. Will an evaluation be done of the LVC policy as it affects urban infill?
OUTCOME: Treasury contacted the constituent to let her know that the Government had recently undertaken a review of the LVC which included the impact on development, and that more information including the outcomes and next steps are available on the “your say” website. The constituent indicated that they had not been aware of the review and suggested that the Government could have done more to promote it which was acknowledged by Treasury.
Directorate: SLA
Issue: What is happening with the former Belconnen Medical Centre on Benjamin Way? It has been vacant for years and has become derelict.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that demolition of the building is due to commence in the next week or so. Demolition will involve a few weeks of removing materials from the inside of the building, with demolition of the building to commence closer to Christmas, with completion expected in February/ March 2020.
The Project Manager also advised the caller that this site has been identified by EPSDD as a suitable site for a Demonstration Housing project. He gave an overview of the demonstration housing initiative, noting the project aims to support and encourage innovative housing typologies that better meet the needs of Canberra’s growing and changing population, with a key focus on design excellence, build quality excellence and sustainability.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller has just returned from overseas and has missed the latest recruitment round for bus drivers. Is there a way to join the current recruitment process?
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS has contacted the caller and advised that TCCS are currently seeking applications for bus drivers at www.jobs.act.gov.au/
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Bus drivers should be on a minimum contract to stop them taking jobs elsewhere shortly after completing training. The caller believes this sort of staffing issue causes cancellations of already infrequent bus services.
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS has contacted the caller and advised that ACT Bus drivers are employed as permanent, part-time and casual employees like all ACT Government employees. Bus drivers who are employed on a casual basis, are not required to have a minimum contract as they are employed on a casual basis and pay/conditions reflect the casual status. Drivers are employed to work a Monday to Friday roster and volunteer to work weekends. TCCS are currently seeking applications for bus drivers at www.jobs.act.gov.au/
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Can we get digital arrivals boards at more bus stops?
OUTCOME: An officer from TCCS has contacted the caller and advised that Transport Canberra currently have no plans to increase the number of digital boards, however we are looking at options for passenger information displays.
Directorate: CMTEDD
Issue: The Erindale pool has been refurbished and that’s great, but it was closed for over six months and the only improvements to the changerooms were new sinks.
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the purpose and timeline of the rectification works at Erindale Pool including the following works in the change rooms.
- Painting
- Replacement entry doors, lighting, taps and mirrors
- Bench and floor repairs
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Woden doesn’t have a water body (e.g. lake or significant wetland) like North Canberra and Gungahlin. Also, the infrastructure plan doesn’t mention the upgrade and naturalisation of Yarralumla Creek. Why not?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the ACT Healthy Waterways project considered a range of water quality improvements in the Woden / Yarralumla Creek catchment and two waterways projects have now been constructed.
Directorate: Treasury
Issue: We already have a number of stadiums and a convention centre. What are we going to do with the old ones when replacements have been built?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that GIO Stadium is owned by the Commonwealth and leased by the ACT Government for use and if a new stadium is built the Commonwealth Government will consider how to best utilise the current stadium facility. There are currently no plans to move or change the usage of the National Convention Centre.
Directorate: Treasury
Issue: Where is the money coming from to finance all this new infrastructure? The caller hopes there won’t be any further increases to rates, as people are already under stress.
OUTCOME: Treasury have made multiple attempts over weeks to contact the constituent, voicemail messages have been left for a return call to please be made.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The charity bins at Southlands Shopping Centre are regularly overflowing. Why not install warning signs advising the bins are under video surveillance? The costs for installation could be covered from fines paid by dumpers.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised clothing bin operators are obligated to check their sites daily and remove any items that fall outside the bins. TCCS officers regularly monitor these sites for any illegal dumping activities and take action where a breach is detected including issuing infringements. TCCS has been targeting illegal dumping in a recent trial and with the assistance of surveillance cameras. Members of the public are encouraged to report illegal dumping via the fix my street portal at www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/forms/fixmystreet