Posted on 24/04/2015
Calls received on air
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Canberra is full of litter, but it is up to individuals, not government to prevent this. Could there be an education campaign to encourage people not to litter?
Response: The Chief Minister acknowledged that all citizens had a responsibility not to litter and that they also all had something to gain by taking responsibility for their environment. The Chief Minister acknowledged that long-term education campaigns could be very effective and that many community groups already undertook such campaigns and joint clean-up activities, such as the ‘Clean up Australia’ campaign. The Chief Minister noted that this suggestion could be pursued at the education and broader community level.
OUTCOME: To combat littering generally, the ACT Government supports several programs aimed at raising public awareness to address the issue of littering and pollution of waterways. These include Landcare, Waterwatch, Adopt‑a‑Wetland, Clean-Up Australia Day and compliance programs targeting uncovered loads and illegal dumping at charity collection bins. The Government is also participating in the Keep Australia Beautiful National Litter Index and Sustainable Cities programs.
The caller was also contacted and advised about ACT Schools and education programs in place regarding environment and sustainability:
- Students are supported to act and consider the environment under the Australian Curriculum priority “Environment and Sustainability”. Students are actively encouraged to participate in activities that care for their environment.
- Schools actively promote anti-littering student behaviour at a number of different levels including through the curriculum, and school based programs such as the ACT Smart Schools program developed by ACT Environment and Planning Directorate.
- ACT Smart Schools provides free workshops on waste and recycling specific for teachers and on how to implement school food gardens such as veggie patches, encouraging composting and recycling.
A number of ACT schools also choose to participate in the annual “Clean Up Australia Day”.
Directorate: EPD
Issue: The caller had read draft Territory Plan Variation 343 and noted an opportunity for solar best practice to be encouraged in new houses constructed on Mr Fluffy blocks.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that the draft variation principally addressed the issue of retaining a similar character and residential density as had historically been the case in the affected residential areas, however he also noted that there would be less overshadowing and increased solar access that would produce better environmental outcomes. The Chief Minister also noted that the building code had been updated many times since the 1960s when many affected houses were built, and that there are now much stricter criteria imposed to achieve better environmental outcomes and performance for houses (eg insulation and solar access).
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The caller noted there was a problem with rubbish in Fraser along Kuringa and Tillyard Drives. The caller noted much of the rubbish was associated with fast food outlets. The caller asked if those businesses should pay a levy to cover the cost of clearing rubbish or have a program to adopt a road.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that the ‘adopt a road’ type strategy had been effective and should be encouraged. The Chief Minister stated he would ask TAMS to have a look at the area, but that if a whole of community approach could be adopted, with government, business and the community then it would produce a better outcome.
OUTCOME: Litter picking was conducted along Kuringa Drive and Tillyard Drive on Wednesday 6 May 2015. The Adopt-A-Road program is not encouraged for this area as it is dangerous for members of the public to be along this road due to the limited visibility.
Directorate: CMTEDD – Policy and Cabinet
Issue: Signage at the airport lacking once arrive – difficult to know where to go to let visitors off, where to park etc.
Response: The Chief Minister noted the airport was privately owned so he could not control their signage but would pass on the caller’s concerns.
OUTCOME: A CMTEDD official contacted Canberra Airport on 1 May and conveyed the caller’s concerns regarding signage. The Airport was pleased to review the concern of the caller but did not provide a specific response.
Directorate: Health
Issue: Smokers outside Canberra Hospital near Yamba Drive, sitting on milk crates and littering Styrofoam cups, setting a bad example for public health and an eyesore.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that smoking was not allowed on hospital grounds and that he could not police smoking outside of that area. The Chief Minister noted that smoking was declining in the community thanks to government policies in this area, such as smoking cessation programs, plain packaging, health programs, restricting smoking in public places and in cars with children, etc.
OUTCOME: Prior to 1 September 2014, ACT Health received many complaints from staff, patients and visitors of Canberra Hospital who were being exposed to smoking outdoors which contributed to the decision to implement a smoke free environment across all health facilities. Since that date smoking has not been allowed at any ACT Health facility and ACT Health is committed to providing a smoke free environment for our staff, healthcare consumers and visitors, to protect them from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. By offering a smoke free environment at all health facilities, ACT Health is setting an example of providing a safe and healthy environment for those who are visiting the facilities.
ACT Health conducts periodic reviews of the implementation of the smoke free environment policy with a focus on communication and monitoring as the current means of enforcement. The Government is considering options for implementing additional compliance enforcement powers in 2015. The security guards continue to patrol the Canberra Hospital campus, and have increased their patrols on Yamba Drive to ensure people adhere to the smoke free environment policy. Unfortunately, the people who are smoking in the area are not on hospital grounds and are therefore not in breach of the policy. Security guards do however remove any crates and chairs that are left behind.
Both staff and inpatients who are smokers are provided with the option of nicotine replacement therapy and other forms of support to assist them in ceasing smoking or remaining smoke free while on the hospital campus.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: The caller was unhappy about the transfer of land from Telopea Park School to the Land Development Agency. The caller was concerned about a lack of transparency, a lack of consultation, and requested a meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss the issue.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that this outcome had been 6 years in development and the Government had decided to proceed with an approach that would address all four competing issues in this area:
- Need for a new site for the Services Club
- Further development of Manuka Oval
- Adding to the supply of early childhood places in the inner South
- Renewing ageing sports facilities at Telopea Park School.
The Chief Minister noted that all those involved would have to compromise a little, that an offer had been made for them to discuss the development with the most senior public servants, and that now what was open for discussion was the nature of the facility to be built for the school. The facilities at the school would be upgraded to meet multiple purposes.
Directorate: TAMS and ETD
Issue: Parking off Mabo Boulevard, near Neville Bonner Primary School in Bonner, is causing a hazard for children. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street and children run out from the park between parked cars on to the road. The caller asked if parking could be prevented on the park side of the street to eliminate this risk.
Response: The Chief Minister undertook to raise the issue with Roads ACT and ETD to see if a local solution could be developed.
OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller. The issue relates to parking restriction at Margaret Tucker Street off Mabo Boulevard, where utes and large vehicles park at a curved section of the road near the park. The caller advised that children run between cars from the park and it is hard to see them crossing.
The officer advised that Roads ACT will investigate the parking and safety issue at this section of the road.
In discussions with the Neville Bonner Primary School principal, some traffic issues (separate to the caller’s issue) were identified that the school is encouraging the parent community to resolve. ETD will support the Principal/school in its communications with the school community and will work with TAMS to resolve any issues relating to parking infrastructure in the school surrounds.
Not Answered but will followed up
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Old Aranda shops are rundown
OUTCOME: The shops at Aranda are privately leased and are not managed by TAMS. This matter has been referred to EPD as the caller’s concerns are over the lease holder’s conduct and intentions for this site. The caller was informed that the matter will be referred to ACTPLA and that his contact details will be provided also.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: CSD?
Issue: We are very concerned about a mother and babies’ refuge to be built on the land between Kingsford Smith Drive and Melba High. This development makes no sense given the fact that there are no chemists, medical facilities and public transport nearby and it is too isolated for vulnerable mothers and babies.
Response: The Chief Minister noted he had met with Karinya House, who were very excited to proceed with this important project, and that it was going ahead after years of development and planning work to enable it to get underway.
Directorate: CSD?
Issue: Karinya House is a great organisation and it is a great site.
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: There is an ad on TV which emphasises "don't be a tosser", referring to people who throw rubbish.
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The age demographic of regular fast food patrons would suggest a contradiction of the adage that baby boomers are destroying the planet for their descendants!
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Is the amount of fast food wrappers littered evidence that fast food rots the brain?
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: More bins would help. I often pick up rubbish as I walk around and have trouble finding a bin. Often when I find one, it is overflowing. I did hear Jon Stanhope admit once that removing bins was a bad decision by the ACT government. I have to agree.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that the government has been installing bins where increased public use is anticipated, like Kingston Foreshore, or where lots of complaints are received. The Chief Minister noted there was a different policy for nature reserves but in more urban areas more bins could be part of the solution, but that more generally the community needed to pressure product manufacturers to reduce the unsustainable levels of packaging.
OUTCOME: In broad terms, it is the ACT Government’s policy that people using public open space areas are responsible for taking their rubbish with them and disposing of it in an appropriate manner, including animal waste. Litter bins are provided at shopping centres, district parks and other locations where there are high numbers of visitors. However, bins are not provided at suburban parks or bus stops as in the past they have attracted the dumping of household garbage and numerous acts of vandalism. While bin design has been considered to reduce illegal dumping of household or commercial waste, this has been unsuccessful as the waste is often placed next to the bin.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Business is not the issue. It is the consumer who abuses the environment by littering. The responsibility is with us as consumers. But how to enforce our responsibility is the big question.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that those supplying products do have a responsibility to help in encouraging responsible disposal of associated packaging, and that collaborative and localised solutions would achieve the best results.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Can we not blame the stores for the rubbish, it's people who do it.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that those supplying products do have a responsibility to help in encouraging responsible disposal of associated packaging, and that collaborative and localised solutions would achieve the best results.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: A good news story on rubbish is Corin forest. On both sides of Corin road is very clean since all the gates were put up to stop illegal dumping. I used to pick up mountains of grog bottles and cans there.
Response: The Chief Minister reiterated that local solutions had achieved results.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Re littering: just this morning on the way to work I witnessed a motorcycle cop on Barry Drive drop his cigarette butt on the ground. So much for enforcement, let alone setting an example!
OUTCOME: Littering can be reported to the City Rangers for action by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or reporting on line via the Fix my Street portal at: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/s/fix-my-street
Directorate: AFP
Issue: Poor copper, we all know how useful an ashtray on his motorbike would be!
Response: The Chief Minister noted that Talkback obviously had a very witty audience!
Directorate: EPD
Issue: Are we going to have container deposit legislation like NSW and can we extend it to fast food wrappers and cigarette butts?
Response: The Chief Minister noted that he understood the NSW government was progressing a proposal and that the ACT shouldn’t be an island if that goes ahead. The Chief Minister noted he was meeting with NSW Premier in coming months with a long list of cross-border issues to consider and he would be happy to consider this.
OUTCOME: The ACT Government has long supported national efforts to increase resource recovery and reduce litter. Deputy Chief Minister Corbell has previously indicated the ACT’s support for the introduction of a national container deposit scheme. The NSW Government has announced its intention to establish a container deposit scheme by July 2017. The ACT is working with the NSW Government to minimise any negative cross border impacts and is considering the costs and benefits of introducing a complementary scheme in the ACT.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Please answer the following: 1. What do u plan to build on the former Canberra services site? 2. What did the former president of CSC mean when he said: If we were building back there we would only be able to build back to the old specifications?
OUTCOME: The government is working with MOCCA, the Services Club and Telopea Park School to ensure that all benefit from the government’s decisions to enable the urban renewal of Manuka and the redevelopment of Manuka Oval. The government’s commitment to the land swap with the Services Club will see the redevelopment of the club in a new location closer to the Manuka shopping precinct and the return of a much loved community gathering space for our returned service men and women and our defence families, along with additional mixed use development to support the vibrancy of the existing commercial centre. The move of MOCCA will ensure a new, high quality childcare centre with increased places for families in the inner south and brand new sporting facilities for the Telopea School. The government will continue to work with all parties and the community to ensure transitions are as smooth as possible.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Telopea school P&C don't own the land - it's ACT government land. It's good that the government is upgrading school facilities and it's good that the government is investing in the school and new childcare.
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Not 4 interests Minister, only yours. Why can't Services Club rebuild to similar scale on their existing site? Problem solved.
OUTCOME: The government is working with MOCCA, the Services Club and Telopea Park School to ensure that all benefit from the government’s decisions to enable the urban renewal of Manuka and the redevelopment of Manuka Oval. The government’s commitment to the land swap with the Services Club will see the redevelopment of the club in a new location closer to the Manuka shopping precinct and the return of a much loved community gathering space for our returned service men and women and our defence families, along with additional mixed use development to support the vibrancy of the existing commercial centre. The move of MOCCA will ensure a new, high quality childcare centre with increased places for families in the inner south and brand new sporting facilities for the Telopea School. The government will continue to work with all parties and the community to ensure transitions are as smooth as possible.
Directorate: Health/TAMS
Issue: I agree with caller re hospital smokers. At least get rid of milk crates. It is a terrible look for interstate visitors.
OUTCOME: Prior to 1 September 2014, ACT Health received many complaints from staff, patients and visitors of Canberra Hospital who were being exposed to smoking outdoors which contributed to the decision to implement a smoke free environment across all health facilities. Since that date smoking has not been allowed at any ACT Health facility and ACT Health is committed to providing a smoke free environment for our staff, healthcare consumers and visitors, to protect them from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. By offering a smoke free environment at all health facilities, ACT Health is setting an example of providing a safe and healthy environment for those who are visiting the facilities.
ACT Health conducts periodic reviews of the implementation of the smoke free environment policy with a focus on communication and monitoring as the current means of enforcement. The Government is considering options for implementing additional compliance enforcement powers in 2015. The security guards continue to patrol the Canberra Hospital campus, and have increased their patrols on Yamba Drive to ensure people adhere to the smoke free environment policy. Unfortunately, the people who are smoking in the area are not on hospital grounds and are therefore not in breach of the policy. Security guards do however remove any crates and chairs that are left behind.
Both staff and inpatients who are smokers are provided with the option of nicotine replacement therapy and other forms of support to assist them in ceasing smoking or remaining smoke free while on the hospital campus.
Directorate: Health/ Access Canberra -EPA
Issue: But you have diesel buses running thru the hospital, fumes are just as bad as smoke. Michael, Isabella Pl. (ex smoker) P.S. I don't need a follow up from a public servant.
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Cigs, booze, and gambling, the pleasure of the working poor under attack by tax payer funded brumbies/gws supporters.
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: for the next talkback, can the Chief Minister bring figures/stats on how many littering fines are actually issued in a given year by rangers and/or police. Thanks.
Response: The Chief Minister took the question on notice and undertook to provide a response for the next Talkback session.
OUTCOME: Under the Litter Act 2004 City rangers and Police can issue on-the spot fines to offenders ranging from $60 to $1,000. Below is a table of the number of infringements issued since 1 July 2013 under the Act:
Issued under Litter Act 2004 | Litter infringements | Shopping trolley infringements – Retailer notices |
1 July 2014 – 30 April 2015 | 12 | 184 |
1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014 | 26 | 315 |
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Can someone look into removing the 40km speed limit on Merribei Drive between Wanganeen and Len Waters Street. The Moncrieff roadworks are well and truly finished and very few people adhere to the 40 km limit. Thanks.
OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and advised that there are still some ongoing minor works associated with the construction of the Moncrieff access road and that the temporary 40km/h roadwork speed zone is required when workers are present on site. When the workers are not on the site the signs are required to be covered or removed.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Who paid of all those stupid electronic boxes above roads like William Hovell, Adelaide Ave telling us which ways the police are planning to do which motorists? Can't see any benefits.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that these variable message signs could alert motorists to traffic issues ahead and similar functions and noted they were commonplace in most cities in the word.
OUTCOME: The primary aim of variable message signs (VMS) is to communicate information about traffic and road conditions specific to trips undertaken by road users, drivers and riders. There are two main priorities for using VMS by Roads ACT:
- To provide guidance to motorists on actions to be taken in the event of unplanned traffic incidents (crashes or unexpected traffic conditions).
- To give information on upcoming changes to traffic conditions as a result of planned traffic incidents (planned events, road closures and road works).
When there is no need to communicate such specific messages, VMS are used to display road safety and community messages (such as ACTION services) relevant to motorists. The ACT Government is working to improve the information provided to road users about road and traffic conditions.
Directorate: CMTEDD
Issue: What does the Chief Minister think about certain ACT Senators hijacking Anzac Day with cheap promotional material that includes photos of them in it?
Response: The Chief Minister noted that ANZAC Day was an important commemorative day and that it should not be politicised.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Would it be possible to have clearer signage to the airport in addition to the tiny symbol in the corner of the big sign at the roadworks? It is so confusing and easy to get trapped in the wrong lane. Thank you.
Response: The Chief Minister noted that this was something the government could look at.
OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and the caller advised that temporary signs for the Airport were not visible at the time of her travel (end of March 2015). The caller was advised that temporary traffic management arrangements are revised frequently and the signs for the Airport, from the Monaro Highway, are changed in accordance with the progress of works. The most recent plan shows the required number of signs for the Airport. The Project Manager of Majura Parkway was also advised of this issue.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Yes can you please add my concern about the confusion in trying to get to the airport (approaching from the west).
OUTCOME: Temporary traffic management arrangements are revised frequently and the signs for the Airport, from the Monaro Highway, are changed in accordance with the progress of works. The most recent plan shows the required number of signs for the Airport. The Project Manager of Majura Parkway was also advised of this issue.
Directorate: CMTEDD
Issue: The general aviation exit is very confusing at the airport. Tony Gill owns that problem.
OUTCOME: The caller’s comment was noted.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Not sure if you're a fan of cricket but I think it'd be a cool community event to put the boxing day test up on a big screen in Commonwealth Park and people can wander in, have a picnic and watch the cricket on Boxing Day.
OUTCOME: The Chief Minister noted the caller’s suggestion and can understand the appeal that an outdoor screening of the Boxing Day Test at Stage 88 would have to cricket fans. However, from past experience, these types of events have proven costly and are not well supported, particularly during the quiet Christmas holiday period.