Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Keep an eye on those around you, looking out for signs they may be struggling.
In brief:
The festive season isn’t a happy time for everyone.
There are many ways to show people you care if they are having a hard time.
You can assist charities in a number of ways.
The festive season isn’t always easy or enjoyable for everyone.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can show a fellow Canberran that someone cares.
Consider those around you
Loneliness, grief or the stress of preparing for the holidays can get people down or leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
When things are not going well for you or someone you know, it is important to remember that you are not alone and there are people and services that can provide help, support and assistance.
As well as being aware of your own mental health, keep an eye on those around you, looking out for signs they may be struggling. It could be a friend, family member, colleague or neighbour.
There are resources available if you need help with your mental health. Find out more by visiting the ACT Health website.
Aimed at people under 25, their parents and carers, MindMap is a unique online tool where young Canberrans can find appropriate service information in a safe and anonymous way.
If the situation is life-threatening, call Triple 000 immediately or visit your nearest Emergency Department.
Ways you can give this Christmas
There are also plenty of ways you can help locally this Christmas.
While most charities will gladly accept financial donations, Canberrans can help those who might be doing it tough by donating gifts, toys, gift cards and/or non-perishable food items to one of the following charities.*
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Every ACT Policing vehicle can enforce the road rules anywhere, anytime.
In Brief:
There will be more drivers on the road during the summer.
Road safety is a priority for the whole community.
This story outlines how to be safe on the road as well as penalties for driving offences.
As the festive season kicks off and you are planning holidays, road trips and celebrations it’s crucial to remember that road safety should always be a top priority.
Whether you’re travelling interstate or staying in Canberra keeping safety in mind can ensure a smooth enjoyable journey for everyone on the road.
Impaired driving
With more people celebrating during the summer months, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal drugs is dangerous.
ACT Policing will have the power to immediately remove people who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol by imposing immediate licence suspensions.
First time low-range drink drivers will receive an immediate fine. They will also receive a six-month loss of licence under the new infringement scheme.
In addition, a new combined drink and drug driving offence, for which penalties will be significantly higher than for separate drink and drug driving offences, will commence.
From 1 January 2025, roadside drug testing for cocaine will be in operation in addition to the current roadside drug testing for methamphetamine, MDMA or ecstasy, and cannabis that contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Every ACT Policing vehicle can enforce the road rules anywhere, anytime. So if you drink or take illegal drugs and drive, you can stop it…or cop it.
Plan your trip and take breaks
It’s important to plan your trip and take regular breaks. Plan to stop, rest, and stretch your legs to stay alert.
We know there will be more motorists on the road in summer, particularly on the Kings Highway. This is because Canberrans commute to holiday destinations on the south coast. No one wants to cause a serious crash or fatality that keeps families apart for the holidays so please:
put the phone away
slow down and drive to the conditions
be patient during expected periods of congestion
leave a safe distance with the vehicle in front
rest when tired.
Keep distractions at bay
Research shows that driver distraction increases the risk of an accident. Taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles the risk of a crash, with mobile phones often being the source of that distraction.
Leave your phone alone while driving. Mobile device detection cameras are in operation in the ACT and fines apply.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Lyons Oval playground is one of Canberra’s most recently upgraded playgrounds.
In brief:
Canberra has more playgrounds than any other state or local council in Australia.
This story includes a list of playgrounds that have been upgraded or built in 2024.
In Canberra, most homes are within 400 metres of a local playground. If you have kids, it’s likely you’re well acquainted with every playground near your home.
As Canberra’s population grows, there are more playgrounds all over town. Existing playgrounds are also updated to ensure they remain great places for local kids to play.
Read on to find out more about some of the playgrounds that were built or updated in 2024.
The upgraded Wakool Circuit playground now features:
a climbing tower
an area for toddlers
a frog sculpture
a nature play area with timber and stilt steppers
logs and carved boulders
seating, picnic table and shelter.
The swing frame has been retained but now has a toddler seat and a band seat. The existing rocker and combination unit have also been retained. The combination unit now has a new kaleidoscope panel.
This upgraded playground has had significant upgrades, including:
stone and timber steppers
an accessible spinner
a nest swing
a brown snake sculpture.
There is also climbing equipment for older children including climbing polls, a pommel walk and a vortex. You’ll also find picnic tables, shelter and seating.
This playground opened in 2022 and has quickly become a favourite among Canberra families. Upgrades including public toilets are planned for January 2025.
Issued for ANGLE VALE near Ward Belt in the Northern Mount Lofty Ranges.
Warning level Advice – Avoid Smoke
Action Smoke from ANGLE VALE structure fire is in the Angle Vale and Ward Belt area.
Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.
Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.
If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.
More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
You’ll find caring, welcoming staff members at ACT Child and Family Centres.
In brief:
The ACT’s Child and Family Centres provide parenting support and advice.
Services are available for anyone pregnant and for families with children up to 8 years old.
Centres are located at Tuggeranong, West Belconnen and Gungahlin.
Parenting isn’t always easy. Sometimes we all need a bit of help.
The ACT Government’s Child and Family Centres can be that helping hand when you need it.
The centres offer assistance and advice to support your child’s:
health
wellbeing
learning
development.
“Primarily, our major focus is around parenting. But this exists around all the other things that are going on in a person’s life,” Gungahlin Child and Family Centre Team Leader Shiobhan Tunks said.
“How someone parents children might be impacted by so many factors. The most important thing to know is the range of things we can help with is really varied, is matched to the family’s needs and it is 100% free.”
child development assessments through the Child Development Service
referrals to other health, wellbeing and support services
advice from a qualified social worker
playgroups and parenting groups.
A caring and welcoming staff member will chat to you about available support.
You can help yourself to tea and coffee and there is a parents’ room and children’s play space in each centre.
Your questions answered
Whatever you need to ask about your child’s health, wellbeing and development, staff are here to listen and help.
“Parenting doesn’t always come naturally. There are always things to learn about how we can parent our children. What we find, is that all parents want what’s best for their children. We can give parents new tools that they weren’t aware of, that can actually make things feel a lot easier for them and their children,” Shiobhan said.
Most services are for families with children up to 8 years and some services are available for children up to 12 years.
Services are also available when you’re pregnant and continue after the birth of your little one.
Skilled, compassionate staff
Shiobhan says working in a Child and Family Centre is very rewarding.
“It feels like a very important job. It’s diverse; each family is different. And there’s a level of creativity and flexibility in the work because we want to be able to work with where parents and families are at, in the moment.
“Staff continue to receive ongoing training and supervision, and what we are offering is current best practice. The programs we use are evidence based, they are effective. And we work with our colleagues in the Child Development Service and Maternal and Child Health so there is a lot of cross pollination of ideas and skills,” she said.
A man has been arrested after a pursuit through the northern suburbs earlier this morning.
About 12.30am on Friday 25 April, Northern District patrols spotted a red MG bearing false plates on Montague Road at Pooraka and attempted to stop the car however it took off a speed.
PolAir were overhead and tracked the car travelling at 130km/h in a 60km/h zone. The car turned onto Berryman Drive and made it’s way onto North East Road and eventually back onto Montague Road.
The sedan drove through the back streets of Valley View where it was successfully spiked on Brougham Drive.
The car eventually came to a stop on Wright Road and the occupant ran from the vehicle and headed north over fences of residential properties.
Patrols quickly set up cordons and PD Enzo was called in to assist with the search of the man, where he tracked him to a property on Malbanda Avenue at Para Vista and he was arrested without incident.
Police searched the car and located a taser, a knife and ice pipes.
Checks revealed the car had been stolen from a Glengowrie address in December last year.
A 41-year-old man from Semaphore Park was charged with engaging in a police pursuit, driving unlicenced, possessing a prohibited weapon, carrying an offensive weapon, illegal use and altering plates. He was granted police bail to appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 4 June.
Issued for KORUNYE near Two Wells in the Mid North.
Warning level Advice – Avoid Smoke
Action Smoke from KORUNYE is in the Two Wells, Middle Beach and Lower Light area.
Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.
Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.
If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.
More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.
Former medical practitioner extradited to Tasmania for sexual offences
Friday, 25 April 2025 – 8:00 am.
Detectives from Tasmania Police’s Taskforce Artemis have extradited a 64-year-old man from New South Wales to Tasmania for sexual offences, including child sexual abuse.
The man, a former medical practitioner, will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court today after being charged with three counts of rape, and three counts of indecent assault.
The abuse is alleged to have occurred in the 1990s when the man was a registered medical general practitioner in the state of Tasmania. As the matter is now before the courts, no further comment can be made.
It is acknowledged that offences of this nature are deeply disturbing, and Tasmania Police strongly encourages anyone with information about any form of sexual abuse, regardless of the passage of time, to come forward and report it.
Reports can be made directly to police on 131 444, or by visiting a police station or Arch https://arch.tas.gov.au/.
You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au
Any concerns or incidents involving government employees can be reported directly to the Integrity Commission or the Office of the Independent Regulator.
The Tasmanian Government’s Keeping Children Safe website is available at https://keepingchildresafe.tas.gov.au/
Support for victim survivors, if required, is available through Arch or via https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/get-support/
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force have now arrested an 18-year-old male in relation to the death in Nightcliff yesterday afternoon.
At 12:35am this morning, an 18-year-old male handed himself into the Palmerston Police Station and was taken into custody.
Police can confirm the 18-year-old was on bail with conditions to remain in a remote Territory community and did not have an electronic monitoring bracelet as a condition of his bail.
Charges are yet to be laid.
Detectives are urging anyone who has information to make contact on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, and quote reference P25111518.