Chief Minister Talkback Summary - 6 March 2015


Posted on 06/03/2015

Calls received on air

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Top of Flinders Way T-junction with Mugga Way is a good place to park to go walking, but the curb is too steep/gutter is too high. Is there any way to improve this with a ramp to make it more driveable?

Response: The Chief Minister said this suggestion could be looked into.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and advised that some drivers use the pram ramp at this location to access the nature strip via the footpath for parking. This activity is causing erosion due to the grade and recent rains. The caller was advised that this activity, parking on the nature strip or verge is illegal (Australian Road Rules) and is causing damage to the footpath.  Obstruction of the footpath also makes it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists particularly children and the elderly.  The officer advised the caller that alternative parking is available on the road along Mugga Way and that there are currently no plans to build an off street parking area in this location given the available street parking.

Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: Will EPIC remain with the introduction of light rail? I heard rumours that it will be closed down.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that EPIC will remain where it is as an important anchor on the light rail route, frequently hosting large events that require public transport solutions. The Chief Minister mentioned a co-location study undertaken in relation to the racing clubs, as well as some possible future developments up the Federal Highway end of the site relating to low cost accommodation and a tourist park, and that the facilities were ageing and may need future rejuvenation.

OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and provided a copy of the Feasibility Study released by Minister Burch on 17 March 2015.  The caller’s concern was in relation to potential relocation of the Farmer’s Markets from EPIC.  The caller was advised that this would be an important consideration in the next tranche of assessments. 

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: The road surface at Wentworth Avenue is in disrepair, as is Brisbane Avenue.

Response:  The Chief Minister noted that a section of Wentworth Avenue had been upgraded recently, that the government is aware of the issue and further upgrades are planned. The Chief Minister also noted there was a program of resurfacing and upgrading in that area.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS spoke with the caller and advised the planned upgrade of Wentworth Avenue is  scheduled to begin in the second half of 2015.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Queanbeyan City Council have a policy for removing any illegal graffiti within 12 hours. What is the ACT Government policy on removing this blight, this epidemic of tagging in Canberra?

Response: The Chief Minister noted that the government did have a team to deal with graffiti removal from public property/assets, but that the issue with white washing was that it would get tagged again. The Chief Minister noted the greater success of commissioned street art in reducing unwanted graffiti.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and discussed why graffiti is becoming more common in the ACT and why only some of it is removed by government contractors. The caller was advised of the TAMS graffiti removal policy and the officer explained that TAMS only remove graffiti from government assets, unless it is offensive, and explained where there are legal graffiti sites and murals approved by Arts ACT. 

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Only one traffic light at the intersection of Sternberg and Erindale Drive in Fadden.

Response: The Chief Minister undertook to source some more information for the caller.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and advised that these are a particular type of traffic lights called roundabout metering signals; they only operate during the morning peak period. Their purpose is to create gaps in the traffic approaching the roundabout from Sternberg Cres which otherwise takes priority at the roundabout causing long delays for northbound traffic on Erindale Drive. 

Directorate: National Capital Authority

Issue: Parking meters in Parliamentary Triangle don’t accept notes or coins, only credit cards, and there is insufficient signage. The caller had to use a credit card which put her over her limit.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that this area was run by the National Capital Authority and the ACT Government could not fix this situation. The Chief Minister also noted the increasing use of technology, such as apps to pay for services like parking, and that payment technology was developing so fast that soon people would not be using notes and coins to pay for services, but that the ACT government recognised the importance of maintaining these services in the meantime.

Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: An indoor cricket facility closed at Lyneham. Are there are plans for a new indoor cricket facility in Gungahlin or near the area?

Response: The Chief Minister replied that he understood a number of operators were interested in running multi-sport centres in the area and that he could recall a development application for one in Gungahlin, but that he would need to check. The Chief Minister also noted his understanding that Sport and Recreation looked at the facility needs across the ACT and the need to release some sites for new facilities.

OUTCOME: Sport and Recreations Services spoke with the caller and informed them of the Indoor Sports Facility Feasibility Study currently underway and also that a Development Application (DA) for an indoor facility at Gold Creek Country Club was approved in 2013 by the ACT Planning and Land Authority. At this stage it appears that there has been no further action by the lessee to implement the approved DA. 

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: New development near Page shops, where units have been built with area for placing garbage bins right on the street corner, a bit of a blind corner, and that this made it a dangerous hazard on garbage collection days, due to poor design of the development.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that some negotiation would probably be required with the body corporate, but that he could get someone to have a look and see if anything could be done to mitigate the situation, such as some signage.

OUTCOME: Territory and Municipal Services will consult with the body corporate of the development to ensure that kerbside collection of bins is segregated on both Petterd and Ogilby Streets to improve the line of sight for vehicles approaching the intersection from Ogilby Street.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Lack of bus-stop seats and shelters was a problem for elderly bus users, who relied on ACTION but could not travel in wet or hot weather with no shelter or seats while waiting.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that bus shelters were allocated based on usage data around number of passengers per stop, and that as the system was upgraded more and more shelters were becoming available. He also accepted that demographics may need to be taken into account as well, and that shelter and accessibility were important for the future of the transport network.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and gave information in relation to the Flexible Bus service, which the caller’s mother is now using.

Directorate: Asbestos Response Taskforce

Issue: The caller is moving to ACT from NSW next year and wished to see a database of Mr Fluffy affected houses.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that Mr Fluffy operated in the 1960s, 70s and into the early 80s, so that newer suburbs in Canberra would not be affected. He also noted that a list of affected properties would be published in the middle of the year, that any details of Mr Fluffy would be on the property file adn that there was a duty of disclosure, so that no one could unwittingly purchase a Mr Fluffy home. He also noted that the government owned more than half of affected homes now, through the Buyback scheme, which would rise to nearly 90% by the end of the scheme.

OUTCOME: The Asbestos Response Taskforce contacted the caller and informed them a list of affected properties will be publically released in the week of 30 June 2015. A formal register of houses affected by loose fill asbestos is required to enable legislative and regulatory requirements to take place, such as the mandating of asbestos management plans for these properties, attachment of new planning permissions and the capacity to break residential tenancies.

Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: Future of Manuka Occasional Childcare Committee Association (MOCCA) with no way to fund building. The caller also asked whether a peppercorn rent would be requested of MOCCA.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that the government was going to make land available for the purpose of the childcare centre and that MOCCA would have first right of refusal to take up tenancy once the building had been built (not by the government). The Chief Minister noted that a peppercorn rent arrangement could not be offered as it was unfair to other operators in the ACT.

Directorate: Treasury

Issue: The caller is a pensioner who had trouble with her hot water system. ACTEW came out and did their job but smelt gas from the meter. ACTEW provided a number to ring to have the problem fixed. The person came to do the work, fixed the leak but had to disconnect the gas to do so. However, the gas was not reconnected and the caller was told to contact a gasfitter to have the gas reconnected. This was a financial strain the caller could not bear.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that this would be better dealt with off air but that he could arrange for the gas to be reconnected for the caller.

OUTCOME: A message was left with the caller providing the contact details of ActewAGL with a request to ring to discuss concerns.

Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: The caller suggested that miniatures could be made based on Canberra’s public artworks for sale to promote Canberra.

Response: The Chief Minister noted this was a fantastic idea and that he was happy to encourage that. He noted the success of other artists in promoting Canberra icons such as the bus shelters.

OUTCOME:Artists that are represented in the ACT public art collection may be interested in producing miniature versions of their works for sale.  The detail about how to best deliver such a project, including Intellectual Property rights, project management responsibilities and appropriate resourcing, would require further investigation.

Calls not answered on air

Directorate: EPD/ACT Policing

Issue: Issue to do with heritage and heroin in Oaks Estate and public housing.

OUTCOME: ACT Policing contacted the caller and undertook for the Acting Officer in Charge of ACT Policing to contact the caller to set up a meeting with Police. The caller was also contacted regarding heritage in oaks estate.  Representatives of Oaks Estate Progress Association, including the caller, met with the Minister for Planning and an official on 16 March 2015 to discuss these concerns. 

Directorate: ACT Policing

Issue: Houpeton Circuit in Deakin and everyone speeding through school zone.

OUTCOME:  ACT Policing contacted the caller and provided assurance these concerns had been passed onto the Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations who will task her members to pay attention to the school zone in the area of Hopetoun Cct and Stonehaven Crescent in Deakin.

Directorate: Asbestos Response Taskforce

Issue: What’s happening with waste from Mr Fluffy houses. The caller lives at Tarago.

OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and advised that the trucks currently passing through Tarago are not associated with the Taskforce demolition program.  The caller was also advised that the demolition material from the Eradication Scheme will be retained in the ACT and placed at West Belconnen.  All demolition waste, including soil and rubble will be disposed of at the asbestos pit in the West Belconnen Resource Management Centre at Parkwood.

Directorate: National Capital Authority/ Access Canberra Parking Ops

Issue: Mental health and exercise.

OUTCOME: An official contacted the caller and ascertained that the caller’s issue related to parking fines being incurred near Lake Burley Griffin in the Parliamentary Triangle, while undertaking voluntary support work for vulnerable isolated mothers. The caller had contacted the National Capital Authority about this but reported she had not received a sympathetic response. The official suggested that the caller may wish to write to the Federal department responsible to raise the issue as a global issue, rather than a personal one.

The official also explained the ACT government ‘pay by phone’ system which the caller may find useful to extend her parking without having to cut short her support work to run back to a machine. The caller was advised she could use this system to park outside the Parliamentary Triangle, at the Hyatt for example, and stroll across to Questacon and still have coffee with her group by the lake. 

SMS/TEXT

Directorate: EPD

Issue: What’s happening with the solar farm at Uriarra?

Response: The Chief Minister noted that the Minister for the Environment and the Planning Minister are dealing with this issue and we are waiting for an announcement.

OUTCOME: The caller was concerned (as a resident of Uriarra Village) about the siting of the proposed solar farm and that some indication was given in the media that a potential movement was afoot, but without any real certainty or clarity that could provide relief to the community. The caller was advised that the development application was still live, and would remain live until such time as a decision was made. The caller was also informed that there were discussions underway in good will to resolve the issues, including addressing concerns of the community. Any agreement to change the solar farm proposal would require agreement to a range of details by a range of parties and, as such, it was not appropriate to pre-empt an outcome at this time.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: I am not a cyclist but I worry for all the cyclists riding down Belconnen Way/Barry Drive cyclist verge that is potholed and dangerous. Could this please be fixed?

Response: The Chief Minister noted work was already underway with funding allocated for upgrades to roads in the area.

OUTCOME: An officer of TAMS contacted the caller and advised patching works are planned to be undertaken on this site this financial year. 

Directorate: N/A

Issue: Do listeners know that the 666 ABC pass some text message details on to ACT staff to follow up. Very strange they pick and choose who they follow up and who they don't. I wonder which directorate will ring me about this text?

Response: The Chief Minister confirmed that the ABC provides a printed list of all phone numbers for issues to be followed up.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: The management of road work signs, particularly the speed limitations leaves much to be desired, it appears that you now use a private entity to undertake this. It's common to see signs up well before work is undertaken and still up when the work is complete. Needs more proactive management.

Response: The Chief Minister agreed that some works were undertaken by contractors and that they were responsible for managing signage in those cases. The Chief Minister noted that while some signs could perhaps be put up too early or left up too long, it was important to note that the speed limits needed to be followed for construction sites even when workers were not present as the road was not in its usual condition.

Directorate: JACS

Issue: Why is the emergency services station being built opposite Canberra High next to a nursing home, on a busy street where students come and go around 8.15 am and 3 pm . Cars also come around from Belconnen Way.

Response: The Chief Minister noted that emergency services stations were located in places to provide the best possible response times, which often means placing them on major roads and at strategic locations.

OUTCOME: The caller was contacted and the site selection process was explained in detail, some questions were answered about perceived noise impact (e.g. use of sirens etc) and the loss of some trees. The caller was also assured that no sporting amenity would be lost as a result of the station being built in that location.

Directorate: CMTEDD

Issue: Is there any movements on Uber as they are advertising on social media for drivers to join.

OUTCOME: The directorate provided advice to the caller on the status of the Government’s Taxi Innovation review, which is still underway, and the opportunity to provide further input when the Discussion Paper is released in April.  The caller was also advised that Uber is not currently operating in Canberra. 

Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: I’m wailing in mourning for the Skywhale.

OUTCOME: The Chief Minister noted the caller’s message.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: The waterskiing area at dairy flat has been closed for so long when will it be reopened as there is nowhere else for us to ski in the ACT?

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller on 12 March 2015 and discussed access to the Molonglo Reach water ski area. The caller was advised that the Environment and Planning Directorate (EPD) make the decision to open or close Molonglo Reach based on water quality and safety from submerged obstacles, among other things. TAMS only act on instruction from EPD when closing Molonglo Reach.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Surely they could cover the roadwork signs until they are needed?

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the constituent and advised, in general, maintenance signage is only installed as work is about to be carried out and removed when the work is complete. On reseal sites the speed is reduced until lose stones are removed. This reflects the hazard to motorists and signage is important.

Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: Thanks for great couple of months of sport.

Response: The Chief Minister agreed this had been a great success for Canberra and confounded the sceptics as Canberra supported these events. The Chief Minister also highlighted the great cultural activities occurring such as the success and large crowds for Enlighten, and drawing attention to the upcoming Art Not Apart art festival.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Please pass on my thanks to the Chief Minister with regards to litter cleaning of the road verge on Long Gully Rd. More importantly, the call from the relevant department informing me that the works had been completed.

OUTCOME: The Chief Minister acknowledged the caller’s thanks.

Directorate: Access Canberra

Issue: The suburb of Crace in the ACT now has almost 4,000 people, a large commercial hub including the largest SupaBarn in the ACT, a pub, two restaurants, a large retirement home, a gym, a childcare centre and hairdresser. It also contains [text cut off]

OUTCOME: Access Canberra contacted the caller and determined his message related to having a Red Post Box installed within the suburb of Crace. The caller advised he has been in touch with Australia Post with little response to date. Access Canberra advised that responsibility for the installation of postal infrastructure sits with Australia Post and is not subject to ACT planning processes.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Any chance of the street sweepers cleaning the bridge that crosses the Monaro Highway on Hindmarsh drive?

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the caller and advised the road has been swept and the footpath will be cleaned in the next week.

Directorate: Asbestos Response Taskforce

Issue: Could you please ask the Chief Minister whether land from bought back Mr Fluffy homes in heritage areas will be subdivided after demolition? Current heritage listings prohibit subdivision and changes to the streetscape.

OUTCOME: The variation to the Territory Plan will not affect heritage precincts. 

Directorate: JACS

Issue: We drive too fast!!!!! You need to go on a tax payer funded jolly to the UK and see the M25, where folk travel at 85 miles per hour when the limit is 70.

OUTCOME: The Chief Minister noted the caller’s message.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Singapore has the right approach to graffitti. I see online that two German guys have been sentenced to 9 months gaol and a good whipping.

Response: The Chief Minister reiterated that he thought street art could be a good option for discouraging graffiti.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: As a permanent solution to prevent graffiti maybe bushes can be planted in front of buildings and fences where possible?

Response: The Chief Minister acknowledged this could be a good option.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Could the Chief Minister answer what is the future of the roundabout on the Barton Highway intersecting with William Slim Drive and Gundaroo Drive. The intersection is way too busy for a roundabout and requires traffic lights for traffic peaks like similar intersections elsewhere.

Response: The Chief Minister confirmed that a $10m project was in train that would commence mid-year and will involve the installation of traffic signals for the intersection.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: The walking path from Dryandra Street to Canberra Stadium is overgrown with grass forcing walkers, dogs and cyclists into the centre. It would be great to have it mowed. Please.

Response: The Chief Minister advised he would get someone on to it.

OUTCOME: The caller was contacted by a TAMS officer on 16 March 2015 following a site inspection.  The inspection found that the footpath between the GDE and the stadium was within specification and had ample room either side for walkers. The area between Dryandra Street and the GDE is scheduled to be mown during the week beginning 16 March 2015.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: When will something be done at the McKellar shops? A clean up is needed.

OUTCOME: The former McKeller shops site was inspected on 16 March 2015 and found to be tidy and free from litter.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Re CM talkback - call back from knowledgeable staff, action in train, what more could I ask? Many thanks!

OUTCOME: The Chief Minister acknowledged the caller’s thanks.

Directorate: Economic Development

Issue: I am involved with girl guides. We have a couple of our groups that meet in community centres in Forde and Ngunnawal. Lovely buildings hired through Communities at Work but we have heard that these rental arrangements will end in 2015. Will we need to look for alternative accommodation?

Response: The Chief Minister undertook to provide an answer.

OUTCOME: A Senior Manager from ACT Property Group contacted the caller.  The caller was informed that Communities@Work, as the venue manager, has notified hirers that the Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre’s availability would be reducing in 2015 due to increased use by programs run by the organisation.  Hirers were informed that Forde and Gungahlin Community Centres may be available as alternatives and contacts were provided.

Directorate: EPD

Issue: I urge you to run the light rail to the Canberra International Airport. We have travelled overseas, as you would have, and all big cities have a rail line.

OUTCOME: An EPD officer contacted the caller to discuss the Light Rail Master Plan project which is currently investigating future extensions to the Capital Metro light rail network and a potential connection to Canberra Airport. The caller was advised that the Draft Light Rail Master Plan will be released for community consultation in the coming months and was encouraged to provide feedback on the work.

Directorate: TAMS

Issue: Morning Andrew could someone please look at the mowing in the Monash area. It is awful. Also the roundabouts are looking very unloved.

OUTCOME: An officer from TAMS contacted the calelr and discussed the length of the grass along the arterial roads in Tuggeranong. The TAMS officer explained the arterial mowing program and the current schedule.