Posted on 26/09/2019
Calls received on air
Directorate: CMTEDD (Treasury)
Issue: Can payment of lease variation charges be deferred until works are complete?
OUTCOME:The caller was contacted and provided information on the LVC deferral process and the thresholds relating to the deferrals. Treasury contacted the appropriate officer in EPSDD who is going to assist the caller further with the process. Another constituent was interested in similar information which is being provided by Treasury directly to him when he is available.
Directorate: Health
Issue: Numbers of paediatric oncology patients in the ACT.
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: Why have the Isabella Plains wetlands been emptied and refilled two or three times since recently being completed?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised the weir has been emptied to identify minor ‘shrinkage cracks’ in the weir wall and for these to be sealed. To identify the shrinkage cracks the dam needs to be filled with water, the cracks identified, then the dam emptied to allow sealing to take place from both sides of the wall. All shrinkage cracks will not always be identified and sealed with a single draining and filling of the dam, with subsequent second and third emptying/filling sometimes required. The dam has filled again with recent rains.
Directorate: Education
Issue: Concerned around the planned installation of a fence at Evatt Primary School, and particularly the consultation process.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised submissions are open until 30 August 2019. Following that feedback will be considered, balanced with the need to ensure student, staff and community safety and a proposal will be put forward to stakeholders. This will be done directly to those who have contacted the school or directorate and by letter box drop of the local area.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: When will the Oxley Hill playground upgrade commence?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted to advise that the Oxley Hill playground in not scheduled for any upgrades at this time.
Directorate: EPSDD
Issue: Vacant Mr Fluffy blocks in Swinger Hill
OUTCOME: When contacted, the caller advised their enquiry specifically related to three vacant remediated blocks at Oldham Court, Phillip. The caller was advised these blocks are currently available sales stock. When put on the market, these properties will be advertised through mainstream residentials sales channels. It was agreed the caller would be kept informed of developments as these properties were put to market.
Directorate: CMTEDD (Treasury)
Issue: There has been a plumbing fault at the caller’s house for many years. The caller praised Icon’s after-hours plumbing service but wondered if the fault could be fixed permanently?
OUTCOME: Icon spoke with the caller about the number of times they have cleared the blockages and will arrange for a camera to go into the sewer line to check its condition. Based on the state of the pipe, it will be repaired or replaced. The caller will be kept informed as the process progresses.
Calls that didn’t make it to air
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: How are the grass and trees in the median strip along Northbourne avenue being maintained?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that the median along Northbourne Avenue is maintained by the operators of the Light rail services - Canberra Metro.
SMS/Text
Directorate: CMTEDD Communications
Issue: What happened to ACT Government community cabinets?
OUTCOME: Cabinet in the Community was just one of the opportunities for Cabinet Ministers to get out in the community. The expectations of the community about how the government engages with them have evolved and we have now introduced online channels including the YourSay website and new YourSay Community Panel to try and engage with many more people can attend meetings such as Cabinet in the Community. Government continues to engage face to face through community events, workshops, roundtables. A number of deliberative democracy processes have been held over the last two years to consider particular issues in depth with the community.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: How large will Whitlam be? How will William Hovell Drive and Parkes Way cope with the extra traffic?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that Whitlam will include a local public primary school, shopping centre and 2,100 homes in total when completed. The road network is progressively planned and upgraded to cope with traffic generated by new developments and these networks are continuously monitored. A feasibility study is currently underway for the widening of William Hovell Drive and construction has commenced on the next 500 metre section of John Gorton Drive.
Directorate: CMTEDD (Treasury)
Issue: Could government bills (e.g. rates, registration) be paid on a monthly basis without extra administration fees? This would help manage the household budget.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted regarding the Direct Debit process and possible benefits in regard to managing a house hold budget. The caller was provided with Access Canberra’s contact number so they may enquire about managing vehicle registration payment options.
Directorate: TCCS
Issue: The caller is a full-time student eligible for a transport concession until March 2021. The concession on the caller’s MyWay card was recently cancelled without notice and full fares were charged until this was noticed. Why was the concession cancelled early?
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that people holding student transport concession are required to update the expiry date of that concession, otherwise they will be charged standard fares for travel.