Posted on 08/07/2022
Calls received on air
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: A tall gum tree in Kaleen extends over the caller’s property. Should it fall and damage the caller’s property, who would be responsible?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted to advise trees located on unleased land are managed by TCCS. The ACT Government has a procedure in place for claiming for damage from a tree to a private property. The policy can be found online at https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/trees-and-nature/trees/trees-on-public-land/tree-damage-claims.
The ACT Government does not automatically accept liability for damage until the circumstances have been investigated in line with the policy. If the tree is located on leased land (i.e. inside your property or a neighbouring property), the responsibility for maintenance of the tree rests with the lessee.
Calls that didn’t make it to air
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Is it too late to reverse the decision to rename William Slim Drive?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and informed of the timeline for formalising the decision to rename William Slim Drive, following the completion of the duplication of the road.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Cracked footpath on Daintree Cres, Kaleen
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised works will commence to improve this section of footpath in the coming weeks.
Directorate: Health
Issue: Report on the Hydrotherapy pool at TCH
OUTCOME: The caller identified as being a member of Arthritis ACT, and raised concerns over the impending closure of the hydrotherapy pool at the Canberra Hospital. The caller expressed concerns over a lack of community consultation around the pool closure. It was explained that the Government had always intended to close the pool with the opening of the University of Canberra Hospital facilities. The caller advised that they intend to keep the pressure on the ACT Government to keep the Canberra Hospital pool open until there is an alternative pool in south Canberra and will continue to raise this as a concern with the Liberals. In addition the caller:
- Stated that ACT Health has known about the closure for years but members of the community were not consulted;
- Feels upset that all rehabilitation services have moved to Belconnen because the ageing population is in Tuggeranong;
- Feels that the Government misled the community in indicating that the Stromlo facility would include a hydrotherapy pool;
- Expressed disappointment that the Minister has not spent more time speaking with Arthritis ACT; and
- The caller also expressed appreciation that the Directorate had taken the time to contact her personally.
SMS/Text
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Why are the street lights dim in O’Connor?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised the streetlights will be inspected to identify dull or inoperative streetlights for repair or replacement.
Directorate: CMTEDD - Treasury
Issue: Has the revenue for the sales of Mr Fluffy blocks been applied to the outstanding loan? The caller believes the CM went overseas to refinance a $900m loan for Mr Fluffy.
OUTCOME: Caller was contacted and advised about the Chief Minister’s annual program of meetings with bond investors to provide them with a budget and annual borrowing program update. The government’s capital funding requirements are mainly achieved by the issuance of bond securities in wholesale capital markets. Part of this year’s borrowing plans include consideration of potentially refinancing the Commonwealth loan to reduce the Territory’s overall cost of funding. It was explained to the caller that the loan principal and interest repayments are made to the Commonwealth in accordance with an agreed repayment schedule.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: On Sunday 21 July, the caller noticed the work on the Republic Site in Belconnen. Aikman Drive was closed, and the fence was down. Was this contrary to the Stop Work Notice?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that:
- the stop work notice relates only to building work on the site.
- other works, including site work, are permissible as they are not building works.
- the builder notified Access Canberra of the works, including the details of those individuals that undertook the works.
- there were no breaches of the stop work notice.
The caller was satisfied with the explanation, with no further action required.
Directorate: CHS
Issue: What action has been taken to establish a milk bank in the ACT, following the Assembly Resolution? There does not appear to be any information or funding announced thus far.
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the investigation into the feasibility of establishing a milk bank in the ACT is still underway. It is anticipated that the outcomes will be presented to the Assembly by the end of 2019.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: On the Tuggeranong Parkway (Southbound), why is one lane painted with dashes and the other with ‘v’-shaped markings?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the chevron line markings (inverted “V” shaped markings) were installed on both lanes on Tuggeranong Parkway southbound on 2 August 2019. The line markings are trialled to promote safer distances between vehicles and help reduce tailgating behaviours.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Why doesn’t the bus network have 20-seater buses for less popular/night-time routes? Would this reduce running costs?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the operating costs of buses including drivers, fuel and maintenance do not differ greatly with the size of the bus. TCCS maintain large buses to service the network in peak times and these buses continue to be used across the whole network regardless of the time of day. This allows the maintenance of buses to be easier when the buses are all similar in type and size.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Could the speed bumps in Captain Cook Cr at Franklin St please be removed? It causes unpredictable traffic behaviour.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted to advise the speed humps on Captain Cook Crescent have been installed to further enhance safety for pedestrian and cyclists at the crossing. TCCS will continue to monitor traffic conditions and behaviour at this location, and take action as necessary.
Directorate: JACS (Road Safety)
Issue: Are there any rules governing window washers at traffic lights? Action required: Contact caller
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and provided advice regarding the existing provisions around on-road commercial activities, in particular, window-washers. The caller was concerned about the safety of a particular window washer at the corner of Hindmarsh Drive and Yamba Drive on the right hand turn towards Fyshwick, as well as driving behaviour of vehicles at that intersection. The caller’s concerns were shared with ACT Policing as the appropriate agency.