Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Released 22/12/2025

The ACT Government is encouraging Canberrans and visitors to get outdoors and enjoy some of our beautiful national parks and nature reserves over the holiday period. Whether you’re after a gentle stroll, a scenic lookout or a family-friendly bushwalk, there are a number of trails across the territory to explore.

Minister for City and Government Services Tara Cheyne said the parks offer something for everyone, from easy loop walks to relaxing river-side tracks.

“These walks give people the chance to connect with nature, enjoy some fresh air and appreciate the unique landscapes the ACT has to offer. With a bit of planning and care, a day out in the bush can be fun, safe and rewarding,” Minister Cheyne said.

Among the ACT’s most underrated trails are:

• Church Rock Heritage Loop (Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve)
  A signed 2.5 km heritage walk featuring short steep sections, rough surface and steps. Suitable for most fitness levels, it offers a fascinating look into Tidbinbilla’s natural and cultural past.
• London Bridge Walk (Googong Foreshores)
  An easy 4.5 km circuit through woodlands to the iconic 20,000-year-old London Bridge Arch and the heritage-listed London Bridge Homestead.
• Mount Arawang Loop (Canberra Centenary Trail)
  A short 3.5 km return walk to the highest point on Cooleman Ridge, with spectacular views to the Brindabellas.
• Molonglo Gorge Track
  A striking 6.5 km return walk along the 15-million-year-old gorge, climbing cliffs and skirting the river’s edge. The area is an important wildlife corridor, perfect for spotting rare woodland birds.

“These tracks offer beautiful scenery and a sense of discovery. They’re a chance to explore places many locals haven’t visited, right on our doorstep.” Minister Cheyne said.

With thousands of people expected to visit ACT’s parks and reserves this summer, the ACT Government is reminding everyone to plan ahead and stay safe.

“Our parks are beautiful, but they are also natural environments that can be unpredictable. Whether you’re heading out for a short stroll or a half-day adventure, preparation is essential. A little planning can make the difference between a great day out and a dangerous situation.” Minister Cheyne said.

“Visitors are encouraged to let someone know their plans, avoid walking alone, and record their party’s details in trailhead registers where available. Anyone without local contacts can register their trip with ACT Policing.

“Before you head out, research your walk, check weather conditions and choose an activity that matches your experience level. Carry plenty of water, wear sturdy footwear, pack sun protection and warm layers, and download offline maps. Conditions in our parks can change quickly.”

The ACT Government is also reminding visitors to stick to marked tracks, obey all closures, and avoid entering parks or reserves on Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger days, during Total Fire Bans, or during an active bushfire.

“If you’re already in a park and conditions deteriorate, especially during smoky weather or high fire danger, you should think very seriously about leaving. Your safety must always come first.”

Campers should only use designated sites, keep clear of unstable or fire-affected trees, and use only approved fireplaces. Mobile phone reception may be unreliable, so visitors should not rely solely on phones or GPS.

Personal locator beacons are available for hire at the Tidbinbilla and Namadgi Visitor Centres, and emergency phones are located at Cotter Campground and Casuarina Sands.

“This is a wonderful time to reconnect with nature. With the right preparation and awareness, people can enjoy everything our parks have to offer safely and responsibly.”

Before visiting, check alerts, track closures, fire danger ratings and access information on the ACT Parks website.

– Statement ends –

Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

Released 20/12/2025

The ACT Government is reminding Canberrans to think sustainably this holiday season and look for opportunities to reduce waste, reuse and recycle where possible.

“More rubbish and recycling is generated during the festive period than at any other time of the year,” said Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne.

“We encourage everyone to minimise their waste throughout the holidays and consider how items can be reused or recycled. Sometimes there is confusion about what can be recycled in the household recycling bin and it is important Canberrans know what they can and can’t recycle.”

The following items can go in the yellow recycling bin:

• Christmas cards, envelopes and wrapping paper – even with small amounts of glitter and tape
• cardboard packaging and pizza boxes –  scrape off any food waste and flatten to save room
• all empty bottles, jars and cans
• empty plastic containers – no need to rinse.

These items cannot go in the recycling bin:

• plastic bags – empty the recycling out loose into the bin
• soft plastics
• Christmas decorations (including tinsel, trees and lights)
• disposable coffee cups and cutlery
• plastic toys
• leftover food or rubbish
• cellophane or foil wrapping
• polystyrene
• electronic waste, Christmas lights or batteries
• nappies or sanitary items
• broken crockery.

If you’re in doubt about which bin to put waste in this festive season you can search the A to Z guide for recycling and waste for local recycling and disposal options: www.act.gov.au/recyclopaedia.

“If you have a full recycling bin over the holidays, you can drop off your excess recycling at the free recycling drop off centres located in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Mitchell, Phillip and Tuggeranong. These centres are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including Christmas Day. They accept steel and aluminium cans, paper, cardboard and plastic food containers,” said Minister Cheyne.

Eligible bottles and cans can be returned for recycling through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) for a 10-cent refund. With the warmer weather, comes more empty drink containers and extended depot opening hours to give you more time to return them. All ACT CDS depots will be open from 8:30am – 6:00pm, every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Any waste that cannot be recycled or disposed of in household bins can be taken to the Mugga Lane resource management centre. The Mugga Lane and Mitchell resource management centres are open every day, except Christmas Day.

Bin collections scheduled for Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December 2025, will be rescheduled to Saturday 27 December 2025.

Impacted suburbs are Aranda, Bruce, Dunlop (south of Ginninderra Drive), Evatt, Florey, Giralang, Hawker, Higgins, Holt, Kaleen, Latham, Lawson, Lyneham (north of Ginninderra Drive), MacGregor, Macnamara, McKellar, Page, Scullin, Strathnairn and Weetangera.

All other collection days, including Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day will be collected as per normal.

“The summer holidays give Canberrans an opportunity to do a festive clean-out. Any unwanted items including clothing, toys and furniture in good condition can be donated to a charity store during business hours, including to Goodies Junction in Mitchell or Mugga Lane,” said Minister Cheyne.

“You can also book a bulky waste collection with all Canberra households eligible for one free service per financial year of up to 2 cubic metres. Canberrans living in an apartment or townhouse with shared waste can contact their body corporate or building manager to make a booking on their behalf.

“I urge the community to correctly dispose of hazardous waste such gas bottles, batteries and items with embedded batteries, as they can cause fires if placed in household bins. Residents can visit the A-Z guide to find out locations to safely dispose of hazardous waste.

“We can all do our part this holiday season to ensure we reduce waste, reuse and recycle where possible.”

– Statement ends –

Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to a single vehicle collision overnight that left the driver in a critical condition.

About 8.15pm last night (Friday, 19 December 2025), police received calls to attend a dark coloured Mitsubishi Triton ute that was on its roof on Fincham Crescent in Wanniassa (near St Anthony’s school).

The driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, had been ejected from the ute during the incident.

The man was attended to by witnesses, police and ACT Ambulance Service paramedics and was transported to hospital in a critical condition.

While police spoke to multiple witnesses at the scene, a man who it is believed witnessed the collision, left before speaking to officers. He is urged to contact police as soon as possible.

Anyone else who witnessed the Mitsubishi utility prior to 8.15pm in the Wanniassa area or has dashcam footage of it, should also come forward.

Anyone who can assist police should provide their contact details to Crime Stoppers via the Crime Stoppers ACT website, quoting 8250995.

ACT Policing is seeking to identify a man and two vehicles following a theft in Braddon last month.

About 10:55pm on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, a man allegedly attended a takeaway business on Mort Street in Braddon and stole two red outdoor umbrellas valued about $2,000 total.

CCTV footage depicts the man putting one umbrella in each utility vehicle before he drives away in one.

Following enquiries, police are now seeking the public’s assistance to identify the man and vehicles involved in the incident.

The man depicted in the image that police are seeking to identify is described as Caucasian in appearance with brown hair and a moustache. He was wearing a cap, denim jeans, black top and black shoes.

The vehicles are believed to be a white Nissan Navara and a red Toyota HiLux.

Police are appealing to anyone who saw either vehicle or has dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

Anyone who can identify this man or has information about the theft incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers via the Crime Stoppers ACT website or call 1800 333 000. Please quote 8231121. Information can be provided anonymously.