Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Belconnen Oval Wetland is part of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways Program.
Work on the Belconnen Oval Wetland to improve water quality and catchment health has now commenced.
The new wetland will help to remove harmful nutrients before they enter Lake Ginninderra and will also provide habitat for native species and provide an excellent place for locals to enjoy.
There will be new trees and water plants planted around the wetland, which will filter an estimated 30 per cent of harmful nutrients like phosphorous before it enters the lake.
Temporary fences will surround the area for the community’s safety to restrict access until works are completed. This is expected to happen by mid-2024.
Belconnen residents were asked to share their thoughts on the project, which shaped an improved final design.
The Belconnen Oval Wetland is part of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways Program, designed to remove pollutants from stormwater before it flows into lakes and ponds.
Through projects like the floating wetlands in Lake Tuggeranong and the re-naturalisation of Tuggeranong Creek, the government hopes to help foster native biodiversity across the city, reduce harmful pollutants, keep water safe, and preserve Canberra’s natural environment.
For more information about the construction work and other projects helping to protect local waterways, visit tthe ACT Healthy Waterways Program page on the Environment website.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Additional outdoor dining opportunities will allow more Canberrans to enjoy the warm weather over summer.
The ACT Government is making it even easier for businesses to provide outdoor dining by offering a one-day turnaround on simple applications this summer.
Outdoor dining permits will now allow food businesses to use public space adjacent to their premises, subject to certain conditions being met, while applications for ongoing use are being considered.
The current process has a turnaround of approximately 10 business days, depending on the complexity of the application.
The fast-track permits will provide timely and streamlined processes for applicants, making it easier for existing restaurants, cafés, and other food-based businesses to expand their trading spaces outdoors.
The new scheme forms part of the ACT Government’s broader reform program to improve regulation, making it even easier for businesses to activate public spaces and grow their business.
In addition, more outdoor dining opportunities will allow more Canberrans to enjoy the warm weather over summer.
Outdoor dining permit approval will depend upon availability of public unleased land adjacent to the premise.
Any furniture that is not fixed to the ground will need to be removed outside of operating times.
Access Canberra’s Event Coordination and Business Assist Team is available to help businesses thrive by assisting them to develop and expand their business opportunities as well as to provide a direct contact point to understand current opportunities and flexibility under ACT legislation.
It also provides an initial contact point in government to help navigate business and regulatory requirements.
Businesses or event coordinators can contact the Event Coordination and Business Assist Team directly at ACBusinessTeam@act.gov.au or alternatively by calling 02 6205 4400 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Further information and scenarios have been added to the Access Canberra website to inform businesses what is allowed under liquor licensing.
License holders and food businesses will be contacted about opportunities available this summer.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The ACT Government’s effort to plant thousands of city-cooling trees is on track.
The ACT Government’s tree-planting effort to help to cool the city is on track.
New data released in the Government’s annual tree report revealed it is positioned to plant more than 64,000 trees by mid next year.
The initial target was 54,000 trees.
More trees being established in the suburbs and city will strengthen Canberra’s resilience to the urban heat island effect – something which is exacerbated by climate change.
This is the fifth large tree planting in the ACT’s history.
The new stock is set to grow canopy cover across the city, especially in new and emerging suburbs built after 1990.
In addition to the planting, the Government has invested in more tree maintenance staff to manage the ACT’s large and ageing urban forest.
New laws to protect Canberra’s trees for a generation come into effect from 1 January 2024.
For the first time, all trees planted on public land will be protected, as well as trees over 8 metres tall on leased land.
Information sessions for industry and the community will be held throughout November to provide an overview of the new tree laws before they come into effect.
It is hoped the combination of more plantings, improved maintenance and protection of existing trees will ensure Canberra’s trees provide lasting benefits to generations of Canberra families.
The ACT Government has set a target of 30 per cent canopy cover or equivalent by 2045.
Canopy cover is measured by LiDAR data, the scientific standard in determining tree coverage across Canberra’s urban footprint.
This is detailed in the annual Urban Tree Canopy Coverage Report which explains each suburb’s tree canopy data.
Canberra’s city-wide canopy cover was last measured in 2020, estimating that Canberra has a canopy cover of 22.5 per cent.
LiDAR data is updated every five years to determine the success of the tree planting program and urban forestry policies.
Suburbs with the highest levels of tree canopy cover above the 30 per cent target include:
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Anna completed a site visit at the National Gallery of Australia.
Anna Mongan felt sure she wanted to pursue a career in education.
That was until she took advantage of the Understanding Building and Construction Program (UBCP) as a year 9 student at Melba-Copland Secondary School.
The first of its kind in both the ACT and Australia, the curriculum-based program is designed to remove barriers preventing young women and gender diverse students from safely, equitably and fully participating in the building and construction industry.
It does this through targeted, careers-focused learning in schools, to help young women and gender diverse students discover the option of this career pathway, including a vocational pathway.
As part of the program, Anna completed a week-long work experience placement at consultancy RPS Group, where she was mentored by Practice Lead Tracy Wilcox.
Tracy is a National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) committee member and is committed to championing diversity in the traditionally male-dominated industry.
“I do this because I never had it myself,” she said.
“There is a resource shortage across industry, which means there is a whole pool of talented individuals we are not even considering, this includes women. Diversity is important at all levels, and we need to open doors to give people a chance.”
Anna’s week was packed with new experiences, including project management meetings, site visits and the opportunity to speak with RPS clients as well as those at all levels of the business.
“The environment was very supportive and welcoming. I was given all these great opportunities to try things and listen in on things so that I get a taste of what it would actually be like to work here,” Anna said.
Melba-Copland began offering the Understanding Building and Construction Program just this year.
A pilot program of four schools ran in 2022, developed in a partnership between the ACT Government and NAWIC, and partly funded by a National Careers Institute (NCI) Partnership Grant.
The program is now offered at five ACT public schools:
Alfred Deakin High School
Calwell High School
Harrison Public School
Mount Stromlo High School
Melba-Copland Secondary School.
The ACT Government is committed to a target of 10 per cent female employment in the ACT construction industry.
Increasing women’s participation in the construction industry and other traditionally male-dominated industries is a key focus of the ACT Women’s Plan 2016–26.
It also aligns with the Future of Education Strategy in partnering with industry to bring real-life learning into the classroom and take learning into the broader community.
While work experience gave Anna welcome insight into consultancy work, she feels she might pursue a trade apprenticeship.
“I haven’t quite decided what I want to do but I 110 per cent want to do it within the construction industry,” she said.
For now, her priority is graduating year 12 – something Tracy strongly endorses.
“It’s important to have a Plan B if you’re going into a trade. It’s all about being able to change and adapt as your body and situation change,” she said.
Tracy’s strongest piece of advice, however, is simple: “Take every opportunity, understand your worth and back yourself”.
At the end of her placement, Anna is happy to recommend the UBCP program to other students because it has provided her with meaningful opportunities to explore this industry.
“I can say I will be going back to school and bragging about this great chance I was given,” she said .
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Sam Davies shares his story in the Be That Teacher campaign.
UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra teacher Sam Davies loves being a teacher.
He is just one of eight teachers across Australia sharing their stories in a new initiative called Be That Teacher.
The joint Australian, state and territory government campaign aims to showcase the value and importance of teachers while encouraging people to consider a career in teaching.
Teachers across Australia share why they choose to teach and their inspirational stories about the lasting impact they have had on their students.
“If life is about creating meaningful moments, you get a meaningful moment every day in this profession,” Sam said.
“Every day we have the opportunity to make a real and positive difference in the lives of our young people.”
Ewen McMahon is one student at UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra who has benefitted from Sam’s dedication.
“I only had him for one semester in Year 11 English, but he inspired me with just how involved he is in the class – how quickly he got to know everyone personally. He will go out of his way, in his own time, to make sure everyone’s okay and understanding the work, to check if anyone has questions and has what they need to get the work done,” Ewen said.
“He just goes above and beyond. He just really cares and that comes out through in the way he teaches as well as who he is as a person.”
While there are many excellent teachers like Sam across the country, more are needed.
It is hoped both the plan and the Be That Teacher campaign increase the number of people choosing to become teachers and ensure that existing teachers remain in the profession.
“I hope that anyone considering a career in teaching will be touched by these remarkable stories, and that they will see how fulfilling this profession is,” Sam said.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Riders can expect seven elite jumps and a progressive jump line with 10 rolls and jumps catering for beginners to intermediate levels.
The new BMX freestyle facility at University of Canberra Stromlo Forest is ready to host its first event this weekend, the ACT Jam 2023.
The track is designed by the Freestyle ACT BMX Club and caters to the needs of beginners entering the sport, right through to elite level riders.
Riders can expect seven elite jumps and a progressive jump line with 10 rolls and jumps catering for beginners to intermediate levels.
“I’m ecstatic to see Freestyle BMX be catered to with such a high-quality BMX facility. Off-road cycling tends to start with riding a BMX bike, jumping dirt jumps,” Tyson Jones-Peni, President, Freestyle ACT BMX Club, said.
“The bike control you learn from Freestyle BMX riding is hard to replicate on any other bike and with a facility like this, we can expect to see the next generation of BMX rippers come out of Canberra,” he said.
The BMX project is another step towards the ACT Government’s vision of the University of Canberra Stromlo Park Master Plan.
The track provides a new place for the community to meet and be active while enjoying the increasingly popular sport.
It is also ideal for hosting BMX freestyle events, such as the ACT Jam 2023.
“Canberrans love riding bikes – we have the highest participation rate in the country. And with amazing facilities like we have here at UC Stromlo Forest Park, it’s not hard to see why,” Nick Hannan, Executive General Manager, AusCycling, said.
“Around 16,000 Canberrans rode a mountain bike in the last year. What’s really exciting is that participation among women and girls has gone up more than 180% over the last five years.
“Local riders like Caroline Buchanan and Harriet Burbidge-Smith are winning some of the biggest events in the world and inspiring the next generation back home to get on a bike.”
The ACT Jam is sponsored by Boost Mobile.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Construction is underway on modernised southside mental health service facilities for children and adolescents.
A parents’ room for families with younger children, a purpose-designed therapeutic arts and play activities space, and more interview rooms are some of the fresh features for the new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Southside fit-out in the Woden Town Centre.
Construction has started on the 1,032 sqm ground floor refurbishment in Bowes Place in Woden, to replace the current accommodation in Callam Offices.
This will provide a better client experience and a more modernised work environment for staff to support the mental health treatment and care of their clients.
Upgrades will include a new waiting room near the main reception that supports young people to regulate in a low-stimulus environment if needed. There will also be modern treatment spaces for assessments and an overall aesthetic design to appeal to young people and their families or carers.
Office and administration spaces will be modernised to provide better workspace layouts for staff, a quiet room for staff to conduct activities that need additional privacy, a dedicated staff breakout room, modernised safety systems and a high-quality acoustic design throughout to minimise noise.
CAMHS Southside has operated from Callam Offices in Woden since 2001, but the location no longer meets the contemporary best-practice requirements for the team and the service.
The Callam Offices facility is busy and staff saw around 5000 clients last year. The new location will be more easily accessible for clients and close to amenities, public transport, and public parking.
CAMHS Southside will relocate to the new Bowes Place facility in early 2024 once construction is complete.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Pharmacist Rebecca Richardson.
Canberrans who already use an oral contraceptive pill may be able to obtain a re-supply of their contraceptive at one of five participating pharmacies as part of a new trial.
Under the pharmacy trial, which is being led collaboratively by NSW Health and the University of Newcastle, people aged 18 to 35 may be able to get their next supply of the pill after a consultation with a participating pharmacist if they have been:
taking their existing pill for contraceptive purposes; and
continuously prescribed a low-risk oral contraceptive pill in the last two years by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
This initiative expands on the current trial of pharmacists supplying medications to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
Enabling pharmacists to supply certain low-risk medications when it is safe to do so is one way of providing more timely access to medications and treatments for Canberrans and reducing pressures on primary health care providers and emergency departments.
The highly trained pharmacists participating in the trial will be able to have a conversation with eligible Canberrans to determine whether they can provide medications, or whether the person needs to see a doctor or nurse practitioner.
The five pharmacies participating in the trial are:
Capital Chemist Charnwood
Gold Creek Discount Drug Store
The Pharmacy on Petrie (Civic)
Erindale Pharmacy
Pharmasave Woden Pharmacy
ACT Branch President of the Pharmacy Guild, Simon Blacker, said this is a step forward for Canberra women.
“It’s a good example of community pharmacies partnering with GPs and other health professionals to treat common health conditions with increased accessibility, in a safe and efficient way to unclog the health system,” he said.
“The ACT has now joined NSW, Queensland, and Victoria in the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill to women by community pharmacists. Community pharmacies in the ACT are ready to do more for patient’s health by having community pharmacists working to their full scope of practice, and we look forward to working further with the ACT Government on this.”
For more information visit on the pharmacy prescribing trial for the oral contraceptive pill or uncomplicated UTIs, visit: www.health.act.gov.au/pharmacy-trial
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Shirley Smith High School logo and uniform have been officially released.
Today the Shirley Smith High School logo and uniform were officially released in advance of the new school’s first year of operation in 2024.
Community input was sought on three potential design options for the school’s logo and uniform.
Following this community consultation, the final logo and uniform were chosen.
The final design concept chosen by the community is the ‘Curly S’.
The Curly S logo represents the initials in the name Shirley Smith, as well as the handwritten and the mechanical coming together, to show the relationship between people, community and the institution of education.
The community’s preferred colour for the logo is ‘fresh green’.
The student uniforms have both the Curly S logo on the chest, as well as the handwritten S design on the uniform body.
Located in Kenny, Shirley Smith High School is the ACT’s 91st public school.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Students get hands-on experience in caring for dogs.
Forget laptops – for some students, giving treats and tummy rubs are all in a day’s learning.
Nestled alongside bushland at CIT’s Bruce campus, CIT Dog Day Care is an authentic learning environment for aspiring animal care professionals.
Here, students pursuing careers in animal care gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting.
This not only equips them with essential skills towards a career in a field facing a shortage of qualified professionals, it’s also just great fun.
Erin, a current CIT student, says “I’ve always wanted to do an animal course. Working here gives us a real hands-on experience so that we know what we should be looking for. We’re supported the whole way by our teachers to work with the dogs and their owners – the support gives you a real boost to deal with all parts of the job.”
Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students provide the best of care for their doggy clients.
This practical experience is complemented by classroom lessons throughout the week.
Some students are completing Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASBAs), some are Fee-Free TAFE course graduates – all are gaining foundational skills towards a career in anything from veterinary nursing to dog grooming.
As well as learning the optimal ways of communicating with the dogs in their care, students develop customer service skills liaising with their owners.
Small dogs attend day care on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and large dogs on Fridays.
The numbers of participating dogs are limited, ensuring students get to know each one well enough to offer individualised care.
Each day, the dogs enjoy high-quality care including multiple walks, grooming or bath time, play, basic training and socialisation – and plenty of attention and affection.
Maree, a supervisor, says the facility is “a unique space for students to develop real skills. Here they get a lot of preparation, true hands-on dog experience. They have an opportunity to see a range of natural behaviours and are able to develop the skills to manage situations in a supportive environment, all whilst collaborating and learning from other students.”
The CIT Dog Day Care facility has become popular with pet owners who appreciate the personalised attention their dogs receive from the enthusiastic and dedicated students and staff.
Its success highlights the close relationship between the Canberra community, CIT and industry, creating a safe, enjoyable environment for furry friends while contributing to the development of the next generation of animal care professionals.