Changes to ACT Government Services over Christmas and New Year


Released 22/12/2017

Canberrans are advised there will be some changes to ACT Government services over the Christmas and New Year period as many people take a well-earned break.

Essential services such as public hospitals and walk-in centres will continue to operate as normal and waste collections scheduled for Monday 25 December 2017 (Christmas Day) will take place a bit earlier on Saturday 23 December 2017 – so remember to put your bin out. Other key services are listed below.

Access Canberra Service Centres and shopfronts will all close at 4pm on Friday 22 December 2017 and reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2018. Gungahlin, Woden, Belconnen and Tuggeranong Service Centres will open only between the hours 9.30am to 4pm on Thursday 28 December 2017 and Friday 29 December 2017.

Canberrans don’t need to wait for a Service Centre to open – they can save time and do over 300 transactions (including paying bills, renewing their rego and driver licence) online this festive season at act.gov.au/accessCBR

Access Canberra wishes all Canberrans a safe and happy festive season. For more information on changes to ACT Government services over the festive season visit act.gov.au/accessCBR

Services

Operation Information

Access Canberra Contact Centre 13 22 81

The Access Canberra Contact Centre will be open during the festive season except for Monday 25 December 2017, Tuesday 26 December 2017 and Monday 1 January 2018.

Access Canberra Service Centres and Shopfronts

All Access Canberra Service Centres (Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden), the Civic Drivers Licence Service (Civic Library), Dickson Environment, Planning and Land Services Shopfront, Mitchell Building Services Shopfront and the Hume Motor Vehicle Inspection Station will close at 4pm on Friday
22 December and reopen on Tuesday, 2 January 2018.

However, the Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden Service Centres only will open from 9.30am-5pm on Thursday 28 December 2017 and Friday
29 December 2017.

*Canberrans can also do over 300 transactions online this festive season at act.gov.au/accessCBR

Transport Canberra - Buses

Transport Canberra will run a revised bus timetable over the Christmas and New Year period from Monday 25 December 2017 to Friday 5 January 2018.

Special services will run on Christmas Day and all travel will be FREE.  Public holiday services will run to a Sunday timetable.

For timetable details visit transport.act.gov.au

Domestic Animal Services (DAS) Shelter

The shelter will be open between 10am-3pm on Saturday 23 December, Thursday 28 December and Saturday 30 December 2017.  Normal services will resume on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

Emergency and after-hours services for dog attacks or injured dogs are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week by contacting Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Serious or life threatening dog attacks should be reported to ACT Policing by calling 000.

Domestic Violence Crisis Service

The Domestic Violence Crisis Service is available for anyone affected by domestic or family violence.  Access to the program is through the 24-hour crisis line – phone 6280 0900.  If you are in a life threatening situation, please phone the Police on 000.

Alcohol and Drug Services

On Christmas Day and New Year's Day the Dosing Program is available between 9.00am and 1.00pm only. Public holiday dosing is as per usual weekend/public holiday hours. Other days as normal.

The Drug and Alcohol Help Line is available 24-hours, 7 days a week on 6207 9977.

Community Dental Clinics

Tuggeranong: Closed 24 December 2017 to 1 January 2018 inclusive. Services resume as normal on 2 January 2018.

Phillip: Closed 24 December 2017 to 1 January 2018 inclusive. Services resume as normal on 2 January 2018.

Civic: Closed 24 December 2017 to 1 January 2018 inclusive. Services resume as normal on 2 January 2018.

Gungahlin: Closed 24 December 2017 to 1 January 2018 inclusive. Services resume as normal on 2 January 2018.

Dickson: Closed 24 December 2017 to 1 January 2018 inclusive. Services resume as normal on 2 January 2018.

Belconnen: Closed 24 December 2017 to 27 December 2018 inclusive. Limited services will be available 28 December and 29 December 2017 only. Services will resume as normal on 2 January 2018.

Hospitals and Walk-in Centres

As normal.

Mental Health

Mental Health Triage provides a 24-hour, 7 days a week telephone screening/assessment and referral service for ACT residents who have a mental illness, their families and their carers.

Mental Health Triage will be operational every day of the Christmas and New Year period and will refer to the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team or other services as appropriate.

Call Mental Health Triage on 1800 629 354 (free call except from mobiles or public phones) or 6205 1065, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Libraries ACT

Saturday, 23 December 2017 – all branches open

24, 25, 26, 27 December 2017 – all branches closed

Thursday, 28 December 2017 – Woden, Tuggeranong, Dickson and Gungahlin libraries only open between 10am-4pm.  All other branches closed.

Friday, 29 December 2017 – all branches closed

Saturday, 30 December 2017 – all branches open

Sunday, 31 December 2017 – all branches open

Monday, 1 January 2017 – all branches closed

Between 4pm Saturday 23 December 2017 and 30 December 2017, return chutes will ONLY be open at those libraries that are open (Woden, Tuggeranong, Dickson and Gungahlin) and ONLY during the hours they are open (10am-4pm).

National Arboretum Canberra

The National Arboretum forests and grounds are open every day over the Christmas-New Year period, with the Village Centre and National Bonsai and Penjing Collection closed on 25 December 2017 (Christmas Day). Enquiries to
02 6207 8484.

Parks and Nature Reserves

Googong Foreshores and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, including the Visitor Centre will be closed on 25 December 2017. The Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre will also be closed Christmas Day, although the park will remain open to visitors.

Waste Management

Collections scheduled for Christmas Day - Monday 25 December 2017, will take place on Saturday 23 December 2017.

All other collection events will occur as per the current schedule.

On Monday 25 December 2017 all waste facilities will be closed, including all businesses operating within the Resource Management Centres of Hume, Mitchell and West Belconnen.

The recycling drop off centres are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

- Statement ends -

Access Canberra | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email

Emily Springett  

(02) 6205 9093

0413 169 029  

emily.springett@act.gov.au


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