Posted on 08/07/2022
Calls received on air
Directorate: Housing ACT
Issue: The caller’s son bought a property that had previously been public housing. It is in a state of disrepair and is uninhabitable.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised the property was accurately advertised, including with a description of its condition.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Trees on Southern Cross Drive are casting permanent shade across the caller’s backyard in Ridgecrest Village, Page, and she cannot dry her clothes in the backyard. Could these be trimmed back?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised of the positive benefits provided to individuals and the community by urban trees. Urban trees provide many benefits including shading in summer and are an important ecological resource for local wildlife. An officer will inspect the trees in this area to determine if any pruning is required, without putting the health of the tree at risk.
Directorate: ACT Fire and Rescue/Access Canberra
Issue: Can anything be done to tidy up an overgrown empty block from a former Mr Fluffy property?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted by officers from ACT Fire & Rescue, and Access Canberra. ACTF&R advised the block has been assessed and does not pose a fire risk at this stage. Access Canberra explained the thresholds for ‘unclean’ blocks, and advised the block does not yet meet that criteria.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Could a slip lane be installed in Woodcock Drive to facilitate easier access to the retirement village at the corner of Drakeford Drive.
OUTCOME: When contacted, the caller provided additional information with regard to their request. TCCS committed to further investigate the feasibility of feasibility of installing a slip lane at this location.
Calls that didn’t make it to air
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Tuggeranong Town Centre is run-down despite high rates.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted to advise Anketell Street has recently received an upgrade to improve the amenity of the Tuggeranong Town Centre and these areas are cleaned and maintained daily.
Directorate: Education
Issue: Why was Watson high school closed? Schools in the inner north are crowded.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted to advise that while some schools in the inner north have strong numbers of student enrolments, they are not experiencing ‘overcrowding’. Schools manage their enrolments within their capacity. Inner North primary schools are currently using less than 80% of their available school capacity in 2019. While the two high schools (Lyneham High and Campbell High) are experiencing stronger demand, much of this is due to large numbers of students living in other regions of Canberra who have historically chosen to attend these schools. The Directorate manages enrolment demand through a range of policy and procedural methods, such as reducing “out of area” enrolments, as well as providing investment in expansions and classroom capacity where required. This includes the use of transportable classrooms where needed, such as those installed at North Ainslie Primary school in 2019. These measures assist in meeting the Government’s commitment to providing access for students to their local neighbourhood school.
The Education Directorate regularly assesses growth in the student population across the ACT, including north Canberra, and considers the need for school expansions at all levels. The Government is investing in new capacity in Gungahlin and other schools in north Canberra such as Lyneham High School to ensure students have a place at their neighbourhood school. Further, The Directorate is conducting a number of feasibility studies to examine regional student demand in growth areas, including the inner north City and Gateway corridor. This study will examine a range of options for responding to demand, which could include changes to priority enrolment areas and/or more active management of enrolment policy, as well as a range of temporary and permanent infrastructure. Any changes proposed will be examined in partnership with the community and schools.
SMS/Text
Directorate: TCCS
Issue:
- When will green bins be available for apartments?
- Is there any rule prohibiting junk mail being delivered when mailboxes say “no junk mail”?
OUTCOME:
- The caller was contacted to advise green bins are available for apartments and a shared green bin allocation is provided based on the amount of open private space (e.g. open private courtyards or yard areas). More information on the allocation can be found at https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/recycling-and-waste/collection/green-waste-bin-program.
Residents of apartments should register for a green bin through their strata managers/body corporates. - Junk mail is not regulated by the ACT Government. Australia Post has information for residents that may be of assistance at https://auspost.com.au/receiving/manage-your-mail/letterbox-management
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: I put in a “fix my street” request a while ago about a freestanding metal post in the Yarralumla small dog park. Dogs are colliding with it and hurting themselves. Could it be actioned?
OUTCOME: Investigations found the pole was not connected to any services and has since been removed.
Directorate: CMTEDD (Economic Development)
Issue: Output 3.1 of Budget Statement B included an extra $8 million for “innovation, industry and investment” in FY2019-20. What will this be spent on?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and received and outline of major components of this appropriation, comprising sector development programs which support activities such as innovation eco-system building; CBR Innovation Network; attracting trade and investment to support an embedded trade and investment officer in Singapore; investment attraction and export development; ongoing maintenance fees for the contract for CBRfree WiFi; completion of the CanDrive automated vehicle trial; funding for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing; and supporting the work of the Office of International Engagement with delivery of trade mission activity. The appropriation also supports the branch’s staffing expenses.
Directorate: CHS
Issue: I sent a query to ACT Health seeking clarity around statistics kept for paediatric oncology patients, both in and out. I have not yet heard back. I consistently hear about funding for mental health services but physical health seems a lower priority.
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the paediatric department at Canberra Health (CHS) is not a tertiary paediatric service.
Paediatric oncology services are highly specialised and best delivered at centres of excellence who provide this very specific, complex type of treatment to children and young people every day.
The caller was also advised that CHS provides limited day-stay chemotherapy to children who have common oncological conditions. All chemotherapy is given in collaboration with a tertiary paediatric oncology unit, such as Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Further contact will be made with the caller following collation of internal data/statistics.
CHS cannot comment on NSW Statistics.
Directorate: JACS
Issue: Were caravan fees reduce in the budget? If so, where can I find the new fees?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised of the changes to caravan fees in the 2019-20 budget.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: Green bins in public housing complexes
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted TCCS NoWaste liaise with ACT Housing to ensure public housing residents have access to the Green Bin program.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: What can be done about rubbish at shopping centres?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that, generally, shopping centres are responsible for keeping their centres free of litter. Shopping centres’ public areas, including car parks, are inspected at least weekly and any litter found is removed. The ACT Government is also looking to install additional waste and recycling bins in high use areas such as shopping centres and parks. The details of locations and timing are still being finalised.
Directorate: CMTEDD (Economic Development)
Issue: What’s happening with plans to build a caravan park on the Federal Highway next to the dormitory accommodation?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that work on the new caravan park would commence in August 2019 with a completion date of December 2019. The caller thought it was disappointing that it had taken some years to get to this point and that the caravan market was neglected when it came to marketing and facilities available in Canberra. The officer explained that the Canberra Region Victors Centre had recently attended the NSW Caravan and Camping Show which was attended by 52,000 patrons in partnership with the owners of Capital Country Resort at Eaglehawk and that Canberra had indeed proved to be a popular destination for future trips for many people.
The caller raised concerns regarding the cost of registration and was advised that someone from the relevant area in ACT Government would be contacting her separately.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: The Lindsay Pryor Arboretum is somewhat neglected. Could signage and pathways be improved? Could it come under the care and management of the National Arboretum?
OUTCOME: The caller was advised that the Lyndsay Pryor Arboretum is managed by the National Capital Authority (NCA) and that their concerns had been relayed. The NCA advised that this area falls within their maintenance program for the National Estate and as such would be looked at in the coming future. With regards to the signage issue the caller raised, the officer advised that the NCA were currently in the process of undertaking a signage audit on the National Estate and that the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre had met with the NCA consultant recently to discuss the brown visitor signage. It is understood the signage at the Lyndsay Pryor Arboretum would be included in the audit report.