Month: March 2025

Having taken extended leave while raising her five children, Darah was ready to resume her teaching career.

Equipped with a bachelor’s degree from the Philippines, she was excited to increase her skills, but found the costs prohibitive.

“When you have a big family, budget is always tight, and you can’t always fit in upskilling expenses,” Darah said.

A grant through the ACT Government’s Return-to-Work Program proved helpful.

Through grants of up to $1000, the program helps eligible women prepare for, obtain and maintain employment, ultimately assisting them to achieve increased financial independence.

Darah first heard about the program in her daughter’s school newsletter. Once her application was successful, she felt she was guided and mentored at every step.

She went on to use the grant for driving lessons, renewing her Ps, and booking a language proficiency test.

She now has a conditional offer letter from University of Canberra for a Master’s degree in teaching.

Return-to-Work grants are available to assist ACT women who are looking to re-enter the workplace and face additional barriers to employment and training opportunities.

As well as more formal training and education, grants can be used for related assistance such as childcare while attending interviews, appropriate clothing and even WiFi to apply for jobs.

Return-to-work grants are available to women who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• low income (based on Centrelink means testing)
• have been out of the workforce for six months or more
• not currently employed or not worked for more than four months (full-time or part-time equivalent) during the past 12 months
• not currently on maternity, or paid/unpaid leave
• plan to return to paid work within the next 12 months
• has been a resident of the ACT for more than three months; (note: residency requirements may be waived if applicant has relocated to escape domestic violence)
• has not previously received the ACT Women’s Return to Work Grant.

Darah hasn’t looked back since submitting her application.

“I encourage other women to apply for the grant as it has boosted my confidence, inspired me to have a career despite having a long career break and provided me with a support network,” Darah said.

For more information on the Return-to-Work Program or to apply for a grant, visit the ACT Government website.

^{Darah encourages other women to apply for a Return-to-Work grant.}

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Five ACT pharmacies are set to offer Canberrans a new way of accessing treatments for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) as part of a trial.

The trial will allow pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for simple cases in individuals aged 18–65.

Participating pharmacies include:

• Capital Chemist Charnwood
• Gold Creek Discount Drug Store
• The Pharmacy on Petrie
• Life Pharmacy Group Erindale
• PharmaSave Woden Pharmacy.

The trial aims to reduce pressure on other healthcare providers and ensure greater access to treatment

Who is eligible for UTI treatment by a participating pharmacist?

You are eligible for UTI treatment at a participating pharmacy if you are:

• female or a person with a uterus
• aged between 18 to 65 years (inclusive)
• displaying symptoms consistent with an uncomplicated UTI, which may include:
  • burning or stinging (hurting) when you urinate, or a
  • frequent or urgent need to urinate.

What is the difference between an uncomplicated and a complicated UTI?

A UTI is usually an uncomplicated UTI when you:

• are otherwise healthy
• are not pregnant
• have no abnormalities or obstructions in your urinary tract
• have an infection in the lower section of their urinary tract (bladder and urethra) indicated by symptoms including:
  • burning or stinging (hurts) when you urinate
  • frequent or urgent need to urinate.

What will the pharmacy consultation involve?

At your consultation with the pharmacist, you will be provided with an information sheet and asked some screening questions. This is to make sure you receive the right treatment and care.

You should call the pharmacy before you go to check opening hours and to ask if you need to book a consultation.

There will be a fee for both the consultation and antibiotics if required.

You may be referred to your doctor (GP) or the Emergency Department if you need additional care or urgent treatment.

You can also attend your local ACT Government Walk-in Centre for free treatment of UTIs.

Later in the year these pharmacists will also be able to resupply the contraceptive pill to eligible women.

The University of Newcastle is leading this trial in association with the University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, University of New England, Charles Sturt University, The George Institute for Global Health and the Hunter Medical Research Institute.

To find out more, visit https://www.health.act.gov.au/health-professionals/pharmaceutical-services/act-pharmacy-uti-and-contraceptive-pill-trial

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Work is progressing on the new CIT Woden campus, with the development application (DA) for the main building now approved.

Cranes are in place onsite, and construction is ramping up on the main structure which is due for completion in 2025.

Woden will soon have a state-of-the-art educational facility, a new light rail ready public transport interchange, and more green spaces for residents, students, commuters, and businesses.

So far, this project has created more than 500 jobs and represents the biggest change to the Woden town centre in more than 50 years.

CIT Woden will have an ongoing and positive impact on the delivery of vocational education and training in the ACT and will support the revitalisation of Woden.

In recent weeks the basement excavation has been completed, the first tower crane has arrived, and storm water works are underway along Callam Street to service the new public transport interchange.

A second tower crane will arrive next month, and the concrete slab will be poured to support the north pod of the building, which will house specialist learning environments for hairdressing and beauty therapy, creative design, media, and music.

The building will incorporate smart, sustainable campus design, and current technology to offer courses that meet the vocational education and training requirements, and industry demands of a rapidly growing ACT workforce.

As part of this project, Canberrans will see:

• specialist learning environments for hairdressing and beauty therapy, creative design, and media and music
• state-of-the-art cyber training and digital learning spaces
• a training restaurant and bar with simulated kitchens
• collaboration and group-work learning spaces
• a multi-purpose hall available for external events, common areas and greenspaces
• incubator hubs and spaces for collaboration with industry and local business.

It is expected 6,500 students will use CIT Woden each year, creating more business, employment and education opportunities for Woden.

Feedback from various community consultations has been incorporated into the design of the building and precinct. This feedback has been incorporated to improve weather protection, connections to nearby active travel routes, safety, precinct activation and build in more green space.

Feedback from the community also highlighted the need to make CIT Woden a safe place through improved passive surveillance, providing pick up and drop off facilities, disability and business access around the campus and transport interchange was important. This will be delivered through a slow speed local access street connecting Bowes and Bradley Street.

The precinct will also include new public spaces and family friendly areas, together with more planting and canopy cover, that will see the heart of the town centre transformed.

For further information on the CIT Woden project visit builtforcbr.act.gov.au

^{Artist’s impression of entry and student central area.} .

^{Artist’s impression of student common area.}

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In an Australian first, the ACT Emergency Services Agency has announced a new zero emissions breathing apparatus truck will join the ACT Fire & Rescue Fleet.

The new vehicle was unveiled during the Australasian Fire and Authorities exhibition and conference in Brisbane. Another six vehicles will join the ACT Emergency Services Agency fleet over the coming years.

The electric breathing apparatus truck is a nimble vehicle designed for urban environments. It will provide specialist breathing apparatus capabilities at varied incidents such as structure fires, hazardous materials, chemical, biological and nuclear incidents.

The ACT Government has committed to net zero emissions by 2045. With the arrival of this vehicle, as well as the other six vehicles to be released over the coming years, the ACT Government are helping reduce emissions to make the ACT a more liveable city now and, in the future.

The innovative vehicle will also provide long-term financial benefits to the ACT Emergency Services Agency.

Replacing one diesel fire truck with one electric one will save $12,250 in fuel per year. It will also help reduce emissions with an estimated reduction of up to 17 CO2 tonnes per year.

For more information on this vehicle visit esa.act.gov.au

^{The truck on display at the Australasian Fire and Authorities exhibition and conference.}

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CIT students have claimed four medals at the WorldSkills national championships in Melbourne.

Thirteen students from the ACT, including 12 from CIT, qualified for the biennial ‘Skills Olympics’ that tests almost 500 of Australia’s best young trade students against each other in competition.

CIT’s Floyd Lucas-Baxter, a 19-year-old refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice, received a gold medal.

Cooper Camden-Smith received silver in wall and floor tiling, while Charlie Elms (cabinetmaking) and Lachlan Usher (plastering) each won bronze.

Liam Dowling was also recognised with a Certificate of Excellence in carpentry, while Rifaat Romzi received the Brody Young Star Award for the most potential creative dishes in cookery.

CIT’s Interim CEO Christine Robertson said it was a wonderful result for the students, their teachers and mentors, but also more broadly for the ACT.

“The ACT is grappling with a skills shortage, like elsewhere across the country, but these tremendous results reflect the CIT’s ongoing commitment to excellence in vocational education and training as we build the ACT’s workforce of the future,” Ms Robertson said.

“The ACT region is relatively small in population, but the proportionally big contingent we qualified for WorldSkills is testament to our ambitious student cohort and the exceptionally dedicated teachers who mentor them on their career pathways.”

Floyd Lucas-Baxter, 19 – a third-year apprentice with OCR ACT – said the three days of competition had sapped him of energy but filled him with confidence as he takes the next steps in his career.

“I was so tired by the end of it,” he said. “I’ve had harder physical days on the tools, but this was long days on your feet and there was no rest from thinking about the tasks. It was so hard, there was a time crunch, and in refrigeration you need to do things in a specific order of events or there’s no coming back. I had to be on point the whole time.”

Like his fellow medallists, Lucas-Baxter credited the support of his CIT teachers, his employers and his mentor for the World Skills competition.

“It’s taken a toll on them too, they’ve been so supportive to let me prepare,” he said.

“Refrigeration is clearly something I’m meant to do, and everything’s fallen into place.”

^{The ACT team}

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Released 21/02/2025

Clean Up Australia Day takes place Sunday 2 March 2025, this year the ACT Government will again participate and host two events to celebrate the 35^th anniversary. Canberrans are encouraged to get involved and help make this the biggest one yet.

‘Crews are undertaking additional activities across the ACT,’ said Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne. ‘Like last year, crews will again be out in action on the day as well. You will see us in the Lanyon Valley on the southside and near Harrison Oval on the northside.

‘I encourage interested Canberrans to join us at these sites, get to know some of the City Services crew members and learn more about what they do to support our beautiful environment.’

Day: Sunday 2 March 2025
Time: 10am to 12pm
Locations:

1. Meet at Harrison District Playing Fields off Katoomba Street to cover the urban open space that weaves through Harrison.
2. Meet at Gordon Oval number 2 off Heidelberg Street to cover the open space between Lanyon Marketplace and Point Hut Pond District Park.

‘The ACT Government has proudly supported Clean Up Australia Day for more than two decades. On top of their own daily litter picking and cleaning efforts, every year after the event our City Services crews pick up 500-600 bags of rubbish collected during the registered activities across the ACT, and arrange for their disposal,’ Minister Cheyne said.

‘This year event organisers also have the option to drop-off the waste collected from their Clean Up Australia Day activity for free. They will receive a voucher to redeem at Mitchell or Mugga Lane Resource Management Centres. Event organisers can also choose for City Services to collect the waste.

‘We all know that litter challenges go far beyond one day and that is recognised by Clean Up Australia which is designed to inspire and empower communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.

‘As a reflection of this, our clean-up activities are extending beyond the day. For the next two weeks we are undertaking a range of additional efforts to reduce litter.

‘This includes compliance activity to issue infringements for unsecure loads. Camera operations are underway at various locations to identify vehicles that are carrying loads where rubbish could fall off onto the road.

‘Unsecure loads create litter on roadsides that is unsightly, and littering of any kind is illegal under the Litter Act 2004. This includes travelling with an uncovered load in a car, trailer, truck or ute, even if it does not result in littering.

‘Unsecure loads are also a major safety hazard as litter can create dangerous projectiles and put motorists, pedestrians and cyclists at risk.

‘Fines of $1,500 for an individual or $7,500 for corporations can apply for unsecure loads. Signage is being placed on roadsides reminding the community to cover their loads or risk a fine.

‘Securing a load is easy and can be done with a purpose-built cover. Otherwise, a tarpaulin or other durable material can help to cover loose items.

‘Crews regularly undertake litter picking on major roads including the Monaro Highway, Ginninderra Drive and Gungahlin Drive and unsecure loads can quickly undo their work which they take pride in.

‘Compliance officers will also be out on the north and southside looking for abandoned shopping trolleys. Any trolleys found outside of a shopping precinct will be collected and impounded.

‘Additional cleaning of our lakes and ponds is also underway to remove litter and debris. This includes litter that is floating in the water, washed up on the shoreline or trapped in the reeds.’

Clean Up Australia Day

Clean Up Australia Day started 35 years ago out of a desire for the community to mobilise in removing rubbish and pollutants. Every year, events are held on the first Sunday of March and this year there are more than 30 community-hosted events being held across Canberra so far.

Visit the Clean Up Australia website at www.cleanup.org.au to register or find an event near you.

– Statement ends –

Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases

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Released 20/02/2025

Canberrans in the south are set to benefit from expanded health care options, with the new health centre in Conder receiving conditional development approval, and Tuggeranong’s new hydrotherapy pool now past the halfway mark in construction.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith welcomed the progress, highlighting the ACT Government’s commitment to delivering quality health infrastructure and services closer to where people live.

‘These are exciting milestones for both projects, ensuring that more Canberrans will have better access to important health services in their local community,’ Minister Stephen-Smith said.

‘With conditional approval now in place for the South Tuggeranong Health Centre, the team is working on finalising the remaining approvals to enable construction to begin. The new health centre will provide important services, including paediatrics, diabetes clinics, falls and falls injury prevention, chronic disease programs, and a virtual care room for people unable to attend appointments in person.

‘The design of the centre has been shaped by extensive engagement with clinicians and the local community to ensure it meets their needs. The final plan includes 11 consultation rooms and a flexible layout that will support the range of healthcare services.

‘We have partnered with Shape as the Head Contractor to build this facility. Shape brings extensive experience in delivering health infrastructure projects, ensuring high-quality outcomes for the community.’

Minister Stephen-Smith also highlighted progress on the new hydrotherapy pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre in Tuggeranong.

‘Construction on the hydrotherapy pool is well past the halfway mark, meaning we are on track to deliver this much-anticipated facility later this year,’ Minister Stephen-Smith said.

‘Over the past few months, workers have been pouring the concrete shell of the hydrotherapy pool, testing it, and curing it. Work is now focused on tiling the pool and constructing the surrounding building.

‘As part of this investment, we have also built a new creche and community room for the members of the leisure centre. This is being fitted and furnished now and will open soon.

‘The ACT Government continues to invest in community health initiatives like these projects across the Territory, so more Canberrans can access the services they need closer to home.’

You can find out more about the government’s health projects at builtforcbr.act.gov.au/projects/health.

– Statement ends –

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

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Released 18/02/2025

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Yvette Berry has today launched the second year of free three-year-old preschool.

Since it was established last year, the program gives Canberra families of three-year-old children access to up to 300 hours of free preschool delivered by a degree-qualified Early Childhood Teacher.

More than 140 Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services offer the service. The program also supports Canberra families with the cost of living.

The free three-year old preschool program is the ACT Government’s biggest ever investment in the early childhood sector and is continuing in 2025 with a new cohort of children set to benefit.

“Child learning and development in the years before school are key determinants of future school achievement, social, emotional and health outcomes, and ultimately life opportunities,” Minister Berry said.

“Equitable access to quality, play-based early learning is a powerful way to support children’s learning, wellbeing, and development, and it has lifelong benefits. That’s why we set access to universal quality early childhood education for three-year-old children as a key part of Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT.

“Of course, the three-year-old preschool program is not only important for learning and development, but it will also help Canberra families with the cost of living, with the average family with a three-year-old preschooler saving $1329 in the family budget. In the last quarter, 3180 children across Canberra benefitted from the program.”

The 2025 three-year-old preschool campaign will be running over the coming weeks to encourage families to take part in this nation-leading initiative.

Minister Berry said the ACT Government is committed to giving every child a fair start to life.

“We have long recognised the benefit of investing in quality early childhood education and we will continue to invest in our children and young people’s learning. We’re also supporting the ECEC industry through the Valuing Educators, Values Children workforce strategy, taking action to improve sector supports, build capability, enhance career pathways and professional recognition,” Minister Berry said.

The full list of ECEC services taking part in three-year-old preschool can be found at www.education.act.gov.au/early-childhood/free-three-year-old-preschool.

– Statement ends –

Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases

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