Posted on 05/02/2016
Calls received on air
Directorate: Economic Development and ACT Policing
Issue: The caller asked about what the ACT Government can do about the two derelict large blocks in the Woden town centre being the Alexander and Alcamal building that have been unoccupied for 5 years and the security issues associated with them (people stripping cooper wire from electrics, probable squatting, drum of oil thrown off top of building). This situation would reduce the chance of getting a return on investment for the new Woden 9 development across the road.
Response: The Chief Minister said the issues of development in Woden and office vacancy relied on demand and were related to the federal government stripping jobs out of Woden. The ACT Government was working with the private sector to address these issues and the ACT Government had recently moved to co-locate 1100 ACT Health staff to Woden. The specific blocks the caller raised are not owned by the ACT Government. However, the government will continue to work with the owners to address the security issues. We need to see more activity in the town centre to support development, and more residents would support small businesses.
OUTCOME: ACT Policing spoke with the caller and explained they had responded to reports of trespassers in the buildings in the past, and when members of the public report such matters, ACT Policing will attend when operational priorities allow. When trespass incidents are reported, police liaise with the building owners to discuss the incident, but ultimately, security arrangements are up to the discretion of the building owners.
Directorate: Health
Issue: The caller raised concerns about the smoking occurring outside Canberra Hospital close to Yamba drive. The caller said at times there could be 9-10 people sitting on the milk crates, in their scrubs. The caller asked what is that costing us, and what it’s costing them, isn’t there a designated room or place that they can go?
Response: The Chief Minister said smoking was banned on the hospital grounds and that he will follow this issue up with the Management of the Canberra Hospital regarding the staff.
OUTCOME: ACT Health contacted the caller and explained the difficulties in enforcing a smoke-free campus and advised:
* ACT Health offers nicotine replacement therapy and other tobacco intervention resources and support to staff and patients.
* There is a committee which specifically looks at enforcing no smoking across the Canberra Hospital campus.
* ACT Health is looking at further strategies to stop smoking on campus.
* Guards patrol areas across the campus and are constantly removing milk crates on the external area of the hospital.
* People smoking on footpaths off the hospital campus are actually on public land and therefore there is no jurisdiction to enforce the no smoking policy.
* The majority of staff are on designated breaks.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Since the extension of the Cotter Dam wall, has there been any progress with the completion of a recreation trail around the circumference of the dam?
Response: The Chief Minister said there was consultation around the nature of the recreation facilities and he would ask someone to contact the caller. It is a water catchment area so whatever activities are permitted in the area will need to respect that primary purpose.
OUTCOME: An officer from Parks and Conservation contacted the caller. To protect the quality of water in the Cotter Dam from erosion and sedimentation there is currently no plan for a walking track around the circumference of the dam. There is however an opportunity to view the dam wall from the Hongyong Cotter walking track which commences at the end of Cotter Avenue. There is also a magnificent view over the dam from Mt McDonald lookout (northern side), which can be accessed off Brindabella Road, 2km from the turn off from Cotter Road as you head towards Uriarra Village. A new information sign and upgrade of the existing walking track to Mt McDonald is currently under construction to facilitate access and interpretation of the natural and cultural values of the area.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The caller uses a walking frame and is only able to board new, not old, buses in Canberra and not many new buses seem to supply her route.
Response: The Chief Minister said that there is a program of fleet renewal for the buses, so that they would all eventually be replaced. The light rail vehicles and stations will all also be at level, so compliant with accessibility principles from the start. The Chief Minster said the information on which buses were disability accessible was available on both the printed and online timetable and on the smart signs at some bus stops. The Chief Minister said someone would contact the caller to provide more information.
OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and discussed the timetable of the Route 39 and the availability of accessible buses on this service. The officer sent the caller a letter which included 4 copies of a schedule of the timetable for accessible buses on the Route 39 and also advised that the information is available on the ACTION website and the passenger information displays at the City. The officer did explain that sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances an accessible bus may not be available, i.e. due to breakdown, however the services in the timetable are scheduled to have accessible buses. The officer advised the caller to contact her if she needs any further assistance.
Directorate: CSD
Issue:How is the government supporting refugees by providing housing, financial support and employment assistance? Where do they live? Have you asked people with room to take a person?
Response: The Chief Minister said both ACT and federal government support is provided through the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Service, and for the national response to Syrian refugees support is being provided through CSD, Health and Education, while access to Commonwealth government benefits like Medicare and employment services is determined by the Commonwealth. Housing support is provided through the private sector and the public system and the question has been asked about people with a spare room hosting refugees.
Directorate: Asbestos Response Taskforce/Treasury
Issue: Can we please see a revised estimate on income coming in from sale of former Mr Fluffy blocks?
No revision has been made public since the head of the Taskforce announced a figure 18 months ago, based on dual occupancy of only 300 blocks, when now it seems the proportion of blocks made available for dual occupancy will be much higher. The caller said he had accepted a valuation based on Hughes and Curtin, not Lyons where he lived and a real estate agent has since told him it was $75,000 under-valued. The caller complained that the Taskforce would not return his calls.
Response: The Chief Minister said that information was updated every 6 months as part of Treasury’s budget reporting, and quarterly reports on the buyback scheme are also provided to the Legislative Assembly (and so made public). The Chief Minister said he could not comment on the valuation for a specific block, but that there was a robust valuation process, an appeal process, and that participation in the scheme was voluntary. The Chief Minister said he would ask the Taskforce to make contact.
OUTCOME: A cost estimate on the Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme is unable to be provided at present, as the Government is yet to commence the sales process. The Asbestos Response Taskforce will provide this information through the appropriate channels as the Sales Program progresses.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The caller asked about the speed limit on Kingsford Smith drive, between Kuringa drive and Ginninderra drive. The caller highlighted that the speed limit in this area is 70km/h on a winding road that has seen increased traffic in recent times. The caller raised concerns that the traffic doesn’t follow the 70km speed limit and it’s a risk with domestic driveways turning onto the road.
Response: The Chief Minister said Roads ACT had advised that the speed limit does vary along the road, but that the issues raised by the caller will be followed up by Roads ACT.
OUTCOME: On 15 February 2016 an officer of TAMS contacted the caller and advised Kingsford Smith Drive is an arterial road. Speed limits are determined by the predominant function of a road and the extent it serves the two purposes of movement of traffic and access to property. The speed limit for an arterial road is generally 80km/h as it is for most of Kingsford Smith Drive. The section between Ginninderra Drive and Kuringa Drive is reduced to 70km/h due to road geometry and the presence various access points to properties. Speeding and other antisocial behaviour can be reported to ACT Policing. The information can be given anonymously. Roads ACT will continue to monitor the traffic on Kingsford Smith Drive
Directorate: TAMS
Issue:The caller asked about the signs from the city to the Canberra airport and the lack of signage directing drivers to Queanbeyan.
Response: The Chief Minister said the caller had raised a good issue and that following the completion of the Majura Parkway road works, a review of signage would be undertaken.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: The caller asked about the new ACT Number plates, commenting that they are ugly.
Response: The Chief Minister said he will have a look at the available plates noting that there has been a very positive response to the new slimline European style plates. The Chief Minister also noted preferences on these matters are quite subjective.
SMS/TEXT
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: Coming from Queanbeyan, no sign to keep to left lane if wanting to go to airport. Result a trip into Pialligo!
OUTCOME: On 15 February 2016 an officer of TAMS attempted to contact the caller. The officer left a message for the caller explaining there is an existing guide sign with the information about the upcoming exit lane for the airport. The officer left contact details if the caller wanted to discuss the matter further.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The weed cats eyes has returned to the intersection of Gininderra drive and Coulter drive
OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS Place Management team contacted the caller and discussed the weed variety the caller identified. The TAMS officer determined that the weed is probably Caltrop not Cat’s Eye. TAMS officers will investigate further and treat the weeds as appropriate.
Directorate: Access Canberra
Issue: Minister why is it ok to park in a ½ hour zone all day at the O'Connor or Lyneham shops and not receive an infringement, yet in Dickson or Civic the same offence would?
Response: The Chief Minister said that he would refer this issue to the appropriate area of government to review.
OUTCOME: Parking Operations Management contacted the caller and discussed enforcement techniques and the possibility of patrolling the area on a more regular basis. The caller was advised that patrolling in the area will be increased to 2-3 times a week as part of routine patrols, until regular compliance in the affected area is achieved.
Directorate: CMA
Issue: In relation to the question regarding free transport for over 70 - could you answer yes or no regarding free travel for over 70s on the light rail?
OUTCOME: An officer from the Capital Metro Agency contacted the caller and advised that there will be a unified ticketing system between light rail and buses. Transport Canberra will be looking into one ticketing system across all public transport. The officer used the example that if the light rail was in operation today, residents aged 70 years or over would be entitled to free travel.
Directorate: TAMS
Issue: The only problem with the wheelchair symbols on the bus timetables is that it seems to be a symbol for orange non-accessible buses to turn up.
OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller. The caller advised he has a friend who lives in Lyneham and uses the Route 3 on a regular basis. He advised that although the Route 3 has wheelchair accessible buses on most services scheduled on the timetable, he believes it is more like 50%. The caller has been with his friend when they have not had the wheelchair accessible buses arrive. The officer advised the caller that bus allocation is as scheduled unless there is not an available bus, i.e. due to operational issues such as breakdown. The officer noted 61.5% of ACTION's Operational Fleet was currently disability compliant. The officer explained that NXTBUS advises 90 minutes in advance if the expected services are accessible buses. The caller would like every ACTION bus to be wheelchair serviceable. The officer explained every new bus added to the ACTION fleet is wheelchair compliant.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Are you aware of the impact relocating health workers to Woden to prop up the town centre will have on the small business that are currently built on those workers’ clientele in other parts of Canberra?
Response: The Chief Minister said the relocated staff were from 19 sites, from the broader Woden area and other locations. The Chief Minister noted it was a balancing act and that the Government Accommodation strategy was three-fold, the first being value for money.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: I understand the need for renewal within the city but something that struck me recently was that we retain little in the way of history when we constantly renew buildings. An architect from Europe who was visiting and working for 2 years here, noticed that where she was from, they designed buildings to last centuries but here in Australia they were designed for 30 year average life. Shouldn’t we be designing at least a few buildings to last lifetimes?
Response: The Chief Minister said we do have buildings like that in Canberra. 30 years is a bit short, and most in the construction industry would say a building has a lifespan of 50 to 60 years. The need to renew buildings reflects advances in technology, and radical changes in thinking about environmental performance of buildings. The government objective is to improve performance of our buildings so that they cost less to heat and cool and the saving for the taxpayer is there. It’s also important to ensure ACT Government staff are in productive working environments, as we compete in the labour market for quality staff and can’t have employees in C and D grade buildings with the Commonwealth staff all based in A grade buildings, or we won’t be able to attract and retain staff. Another overlay to the debate is the need to support the various town centres, as the public sector is a significant anchor to economic activity.
Directorate: Treasury/Access Canberra
Issue: [Image provided of comparative rates for Compulsory Third Party Insurance for ACT vehicle registration]. The caller raised the issue of lack of competition amongst CTPI providers and an increase in the fees across all providers.
Response: The Chief Minister said that the cost of CTPI has been falling due to competition amongst the new entrants, more than under the previous arrangement where there was only 1 provider. In the end these premiums have to go through an actuarial process and have to be at a level to maintain the viability of the insurance scheme. Some new entrants have been offering bundled package deals, and last figures from the regulator were they were re-filing for lower premiums. The Chief Minister noted a significant fall in premiums from one provider for a family passenger car falling to $565 which is a decrease of 4.2%, another company premium down 1.5%, whilst the average has fallen $8.43 or 1.5%, despite the inflation over the period, so this was both a real and a nominal decrease. The Chief Minister was surprised at the caller’s experience and said he would get someone to check the figures for the caller’s individual case.
OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and a representative from Road Transport Regulation obtained further information on the caller’s specific circumstances. It was identified that the caller’s experience in increased fees for registration renewal was as a result of personal circumstances with his vehicle, not due to an increase in the CTPI provider fees.
Directorate: Health
Issue: The hospital smoker’s also block the footpath which I cycle on daily and they are stressing the trees there by compacting the soil and killing the grass. It's an ugly mud hole
OUTCOME: ACT Health contacted the caller and advised of the smoke free environment policy, and noted that the staff are technically outside of the zone when they smoke on the footpath. The caller understood the difficulties around implementing a smoke free zone. The caller was concerned about the vegetation of the area. ACT Health advised the caller that we would ask the relevant team to review the area to see if they can make any improvements.
Directorate: EPD - Planning/Economic Development
Issue: Are the problems at Woden & Tuggeranong the first nails in the coffin for the Y plan? Can ACT continue with the failed Town Centre concept?
OUTCOME: The Chief Minister said that was not the case. The Commonwealth Government underpins the planning framework and makes decisions about where they locate major government departments which does have a strong impact on town centres, such as we have seen recently with the discussion about moving the Department of Immigration away from Belconnen. However, the ACT Government was investing in Tuggeranong with the new CIT campus in the heart of the town centre and upgrades to the public realm. The ACT Government was also responding in Woden, with 1100 ACT Health staff to be located there. Many ACT Government staff were teachers, health workers etc, and so were spread throughout the ACT rather than concentrated in town centres, while its administrative staff were based mostly in Woden, Gungahlin and the CBD.
Directorate: CMA
Issue: As I am over 70 at present I do not have to pay on the bus. Will this benefit apply to the light rail or will there be a bus I will be able to take into the city?
Response: The Chief Minister said yes there will be a unified ticketing system. Transport Canberra will be looking into one ticketing system across all public transport.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Has the Chief Minister (or Screen ACT) had an opportunity to speak to local cinemas or distributors about screening films in the 4k resolution most of their projectors can already do, rather than 2k which is little better than most HD home TVs?
Response: The Chief Minister said that he was not in regular dialogue with cinema operators and that the caller should raise this issue directly with the cinema operators.
Directorate: Economic Development
Issue: Have asked the local cinemas directly. They largely said 2k was 'just what the distributor gave us'. Is this something within scope for Screen ACT to address?
OUTCOME: ScreenACT encourages the development, production and promotion of screen content through a range of programs and funding initiatives that supports the growth and development of the local screen/film industry. ScreenACT also provides assistance to visiting productions. Film screenings including resolution specifications at independent cinemas is a matter between the cinema and the film distributer/production company, and is not a matter for ScreenACT.
Directorate: EPD
Issue: Could government car parks be turned into solar farms by having some sort of carport structure installed with solar panels on top. A lot of parking lots in Queensland and down the coast are covered so why not do the same and make them a two-in-one structure?
Response: The Chief Minister said this would not be considered for surface car parks, as they would not be there for long enough to justify the investment, but that the Government was looking at future structured multi-story car parking and that this could be considered for that.
Directorate: EPD
Issue: Will the ACT government be offering real sanctuary to the 267 refugees who may be sent back to the concentration camp that Is Nauru?
Response: The Chief Minister highlighted that the ACT is a refugee friendly city that has signed the applicable charter however someone’s immigration status is in the hands of the Federal Government. But we have demonstrated that both the ACT Government and Community Organisations welcome refugees and provide appropriate support in terms of services and encourage full participation in the ACT Community.