COMMUN TY
NOT CEBOARD
27.02.10
INVITATIONS TO COMMENT
Public information sessions – Wright and Coombs,
Molonglo Valley
The Land Development Agency (LDA) has engaged Cardno Young to undertake
the planning, design and documentation of the Wright and Coombs residential
estates in Molonglo Valley.
The LDA is also preparing a Riparian Management Strategy to conserve and
rehabilitate aquatic and riparian ecosystems adjacent to the suburbs of Coombs
and North Weston, while enhancing recreational opportunities and improving
amenity for residents and visitors.
The LDA invites the public to view the draft Estate Development Plan (EDP)
for Wright and Coombs, and provide feedback with regard to the Riparian
Management Strategy via two public information sessions to be held at St Peter’s
Anglican Church, corner of Parkinson Street and Watling Place, Weston ACT.
Drop-in information session one
When: Monday 1 March 2010 (between 3.30pm – 6.30pm)
Drop-in information session two
When: Thursday 4 March 2010 (between 5.00pm – 8.00pm)
If you require further information please contact Joanne Mitchell, Senior Project
Manager on 6207 5699 or joanne.mitchell@act.gov.au
Canberra’s energy policy - consultation closes 5 March
2010
The ACT Government has recently launched a major discussion paper in the
energy sector – the Draft Sustainable Energy Policy 2010-2020.
The draft energy policy sets out a proposed framework for reducing the ACT’s
reliance on fossil-fuel powered electricity while making Canberra’s energy supply
more secure and sustainable. The draft policy proposes increased assistance
for low-income and vulnerable people in the light of rising energy prices and
making the ACT Government carbon neutral in its operations by 2020.
We welcome community views on this important topic that will shape Canberra’s
energy sector future.
Consultation on the Draft Sustainable Energy Policy closes on 5 March
2010. Copies of the draft energy policy are available to download from
www.environment.act.gov.au/energy or for more information contact
Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 and ask for the Senior Manager of Energy Policy.
Construction Occupations Amendment Bill 2010
The Construction Occupations Amendment Bill 2010 has been released for
public comment until 18 March 2010.
Details about the Bill, which introduces a voluntary process that will allow people
to get certification stating a development is exempt from either development or
building approval, can be found at www.actpla.act.gov.au
Comments on the Bill (stating which section you are referring to) can be sent by
email to planning.systemreform@act.gov.au
You can also post comments to Construction Occupations Amendment Bill 2010
Legislation section, ACT Planning and Land Authority, GPO Box 1908, Canberra
ACT 2601.
NOTICES
Jerrabomberra Creek Bridge closed
The Department of Territory and Municipal Services wishes to advise that
Jerrabomberra Creek Bridge, located between Newcastle Street and Dairy Flat
Roads within the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve, will be closed from 1
March to 15 March 2010, to allow for the bridge to be widened.
The widening work will enable the bridge to be safely used by both pedestrians
and cyclists.
Works on the bridge is part of the broader project to construct a new cycle path
connecting the Lake Burley Griffin circuit through Jerrabomberra Wetlands
Nature Reserve. Construction on the cycle path is expected to be completed by
mid-2010.
Housing ACT grants
Social and community housing tenants can now access grants of up to $5,000
from Housing ACT.
The grants can be used to run a wide range of projects, including art classes,
community gardens and social outings for senior residents.
A number of community organisations are available to support those who would
like assistance in applying for or managing a grant project.
Belconnen Community Service (Tricia) 6278 8110
Northside Community Service (Sally) 6257 2255
Woden Community Service (Lynton) 6282 2644
YWCA of Canberra in Tuggeranong (Claudia) 6294 4633
To find out more, contact Ms Mary Burns on
62070902, or download an application form from
www.dhcs.act.gov.au/hcs/public_housing/community_linkages_program
Applications close on 12 March 2010.
Phone Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 I www.communityengagement.act.gov.au
Keeping Canberra in the know.
New operating hours at the Domestic Animal Services
facility
From 1 March 2010 there will be new operating hours at the Domestic Animal
Services (DAS) facility at Mugga Lane, Symonston.
New Office Hours
Monday 10.00am – 3.00pm
Tuesday 10.00am – 3.00pm
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 10.00am – 6.00pm
Friday 10.00am – 3.00pm
Saturday 10.00am – 3.00pm
Sunday CLOSED
Amendments to the operating hours at the DAS facility will see rangers spending
more time on patrol across Canberra. This enhanced visibility will result in greater
opportunities for DAS rangers to promote responsible pet ownership as well as
respond more quickly to the community and incidents.
For more information please visit www.tams.act.gov.au or call Canberra
Connect 13 22 81.
Seasonal influenza vaccination
From 2010, more people in Australia will be eligible to receive free seasonal
influenza vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.
Seasonal influenza vaccine will be free for the following people:
• anyone aged 6 months or over who is at risk of severe outcomes if they catch
the flu, such as people suffering from cardiac disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis,
diabetes or renal failure;
• pregnant women;
• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 or older; and
• all Australians 65 years and over.
People in these groups have a higher risk of developing severe complications
from influenza, which can result in hospitalisation or even death.
Seasonal influenza vaccine provides protection against three influenza vaccine
strains: These are the pandemic H1N1 vaccine strain and two other influenza
virus strains that are currently circulating in the community. People who have
been immunised with H1N1 vaccine should still have the seasonal influenza
vaccine in order to get protection against all three strains of the influenza virus.
Seasonal influenza vaccine is expected to be available from March 2010, with
most stock expected to arrive during April and May. The vaccine for those in
the above funded groups is delivered direct to General Practitioners (GP) so
anyone in the above groups should talk to their GP or child health nurse about
vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine.
Pandemic H1N1 vaccine is free for everyone and is still available. Pandemic
H1N1 influenza remains a threat so anyone who has not yet had the vaccine is
encouraged to get vaccinated to protect both themselves and those who are
vulnerable in the community.
To protect yourself against pandemic H1N1 influenza, book an appointment now
with your GP or call the Community Health Intake Line during business hours on
6207 9977. For seasonal influenza vaccine, check with your GP to ensure they
have stock on hand before your appointment.
Office of Regulatory Services helping protect the
community against fraud
Consumer Fraud Awareness Week is a national initiative and will run from 1 to 7
March 2010. During this Week, the ORS will be engaging with the community
at a number of Canberra Shopping Centers to educate consumers about the
prevalence and dangers of fraud in the ACT. These stalls will be open at the
following locations during business hours, and ORS staff will be present to hand
out relevant information and answer any questions consumers have.
Monday 1 March Gungahlin Shopping Centre
Tuesday 2 March Cooleman Court
Wednesday 3 March Erindale Shopping Centre
Thursday 4 March Kippax Fair
Friday 5 March Lanyon Market Place
Canberra Connect - your ACT Government gateway
New to Canberra? Contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 to access ACT
Government information, payments and services.
Responsibility of cat owners
Cat owners are reminded that domestic cats are a threat to native wildlife. An
ACT study reveals domestic cats are responsible for killing a total of 67 different
species of birds and animals.
You can reduce the risk to native wildlife by keeping your cat indoors, particularly
between sunset and sunrise and by putting a bell on your cat’s collar to provide
a warning to other animals.If you are living in a cat curfew area – Bonner, Forde,
Mulligan’s Flat and Goorooyarroo – your cat must be confined to your property at
all times.
For further information visit www.tams.act.gov.au or contact Canberra Connect
on 13 22 81.
Changes to the Domestic Animals Act 2000
Changes to the Domestic Animals Act 2000 came into effect from 18 February
2010 to help victims of dog attacks or harassment to seek compensation.
The amendments enable the Registrar of Domestic Animal Services to share
dog owners’ details with victims of dog attacks to ensure they are able to pursue
compensation for their injuries or loss.
For more information, please visit www.legislation.act.gov.au or contact
Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
ACT Human Right Commission Training Calendar and
registration form, now available online
The ACT Human Rights Commission Calendar for March to June 2010 is now
available online along with our new online registration form. Please go to
www.hrc.act.gov.au to register. Click on the publication/education link and
then click on the education tab.
The ACT Human Rights Commission offers courses regarding the Human Rights
Act 2004, the Discrimination Act 1991 and Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act
1997.
Our website gives a full description of each of our seven courses, the times they
are available and course costs.
If you would like to organise a tailored training session on the amendments
to the Human Rights Act and how it affects public authorities or one of our
discrimination courses, please contact the ACT Human Rights Commission on
6205 2222.
EVENTS
ACT Government display at the ActewAGL Royal
Canberra Show
Come and visit the ACT Government display at the ActewAGL Royal Canberra
Show this weekend. Chat with ACT Government staff about a range of exciting
events, services and initiatives across the ACT. The ACT Government display is
located in the Leisure and Lifestyle Pavilion.
For more information call Canberra Connect 13 22 81.
Earth Hour 2010
Flick off your light switches and turn off the TV, because Earth Hour 2010
is coming. At 8.30pm on Saturday 27 March millions of people around the
world will sit in darkness for Earth Hour. For the past two years the ACT
has had the highest participation rate of any Australian capital city so to
register your support and find out more, visit www.earthhour.org.au or
www.environment.act.gov.au
Canberra Festival
The Canberra Festival celebrates our sense of community through sporting
events, exhibitions, dance, art, culture and heritage, film and music.
From Saturday 6 March to Sunday 14 March, Canberra will play host to a range
of extraordinary events, with each day presenting something new, exciting and
vibrant to showcase the diversity and culture of our city.
With the return of the much loved Balloon Spectacular, the flagship event
Celebrate in the Park, the quirky and fun Lights! Canberra! Action! and the
addition of the new event Symphony in the Park and new pilot event FlipArt, the
2010 Canberra Festival is shaping up to be the biggest Canberra has seen yet.
Mark 6 to14 March in your calendar as we celebrate our city’s 97th birthday and
countdown until our 100th birthday celebration in 2013.
For more information visit www.events.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on
13 22 81.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 4 of the Roads and Public Places Act
1937, of the intention to close the following roads in the ACT.
CITY
COMMUNITY PATH: Marcus Clarke Street (eastern side) between Alinga Street
and Rudd Street.
TIME: 7.00am Saturday 6 March to 5.00pm Saturday 8 May 2010.
REASON: construction of new footpath and associated landscaping works.
Any person wishing to comment on this notice may contact Colin Evans on
62076821.
Barriers, warning and diversion signs to be erected on site.
Rifaat Shoukrallah
Delegated Officer
Roads ACT
Locked Bag 2000
Civic Square ACT 2608