Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

A free legal service that supports Canberrans involved in consumer or credit law disputes has received a funding boost ensuring it will be available for another year.

The Consumer Law Duty Service assists with disputes in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT). It is available to all Canberrans but prioritises helping people who may not be able to afford legal representation.

Canberrans can seek free legal advice and in some cases representation from the service when they bring their disputes before ACAT. This improves the access to justice for vulnerable Canberrans by placing lawyers at the same location as ACAT.

The free legal service can assist with issues between individuals and businesses including:

• disputes relating to the sale of goods or services, and unfair contract terms
• debt recovery (contacted by debt collectors, or served with legal documents about debt)
• consumer credit (mortgages, credit cards or personal loans).

Care Consumer Law solicitor Agata Pukiewicz says that staff find fulfilment in supporting those who are most disadvantaged in the community.

“Our legal team consists of staff who are very committed to social justice and achieving positive outcomes for our clients, which brings a huge level of satisfaction and fulfilment,” Agata said.

“We help with fair trading and contract matters, including consumer protections under the Australian Consumer Law (consumer guarantees), unfair contract terms and misleading and deceptive conduct.

“We also deal with debt recovery and bankruptcy issues, where we assist clients who are pursued by creditors and debt collectors in relation to alleged or outstanding debts.”

Agata said the rising cost of living had increased the demand on the free legal service.

“Many Canberrans, even those previously living on comfortable household incomes, are now experiencing financial pressures and even hardship,” she said.

“We are observing an increase in home and car repossessions, with lenders more ready than before to take such drastic actions, and sooner. We are also observing more people owing several credit cards, payday lending and Buy Now, Pay Later debts, even to the extent of having to resort to Buy Now Pay Later products to meet most basic living expenses, such as grocery shopping.”

New funding has been provided by the ACT Government to local community organisation Care Incorporated to allow the service to be extended for another year.

The funding comes in response to the increasing need for legal support in relation to consumer or credit law disputes, and the challenges faced by people on low or middle incomes wanting access to this legal advice.

The service is available Monday from 9am to 4pm in the Legal Assistance Room at the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, 15 Constitution Avenue.

More information about the service is available on the Care Community Services website: carefcs.org/acat-duty-service

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The ACT’s City Renewal Authority has been recognised in this year’s Australian Good Design Awards for its 2020 City Walk upgrades.

The project received the Good Design Award Winner Accolade in the Architectural Design category for its outstanding design and innovation.

City Renewal Authority Director Design and Place Strategy Lucy Wilson said the award highlights the ongoing transformation of Canberra’s main pedestrian-only shopping precinct.

“Our team has helped create a thriving high street experience in City Walk, featuring a mix of plantings, street furniture and public art,” Ms Wilson said.

“It has been wonderful to see the upgrades embraced by the community – our data shows it has contributed to a 340 per cent increase in evening visitation. Its popularity can be observed walking through the beautiful space, where crowds of people are now enjoying meals, being together and people-watching.”

Ms Wilson said the public could expect a similarly high standard from further planned upgrades in both Garema Place and along the rest of City Walk.

“We are now planning beautiful and functional new public spaces in City Walk from Ainslie Place to Allara Street,” Ms Wilson said.

“As evidenced by the 2020 City Walk upgrades, well-designed public spaces bring people together and encourage them to stay longer – that’s what we want for both City Walk and Garema Place.

“It’s great for social connection, for local business and – more generally – for our City Centre as the heart of Canberra.”

Initial design work for the next stage of City Walk upgrades is about to get underway, with public feedback and suggestions to be sought in early 2024. The works will also complement the upcoming Garema Place upgrade, with final designs on this project also due next year.

About the Good Design Awards

The Good Design Awards are the highest honour for design and innovation in the country and reward diverse projects across 11 design disciplines covering more than 35 categories and subcategories. For more information, visit the Good Design website.

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E-waste is being thrown away and piling up at an alarming rate across the world. As technology changes and improves, 40 million electronic devices are being discarded each year.

Canberra-born business WV Technologies is tackling this problem head-on and is a great example of circular economy in action.

Circular Economy

A circular economy ensures that materials and resources are captured and recirculated, adding value to products that were previously considered waste. Circular economies create jobs and reduce waste.

Through servicing a national group of business and government departments, WV Technologies saves more than 100,00 devices from ending up at the tip in landfill.

Computers, laptops, tablets and phones are sanitised, refurbished, and resold by WV Technologies, which helps reduce the impact of e-waste on the environment. Through its business model, WV Technologies contributes the same in energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction as removing around 40,000 households from the grid.

WV employs specialised staff to sanitise each device and destroys all data held before the device is resold.

“Some IT devices are recycled which does reduce the impact on the environment but if we can refurbish and reuse IT assets, we can be 40 times more effective in saving energy and resources,” Managing Director and co-founder of WV Technologies Kurt Gruber said.

“Alternatively, devices that are not suitable for refurbishment are broken down and recycled where possible, recovering maximum resources and minimising the amount of e-waste ending up in landfill.”

^{Managing Director and co-founder of WV Technologies Kurt Gruber.}

Community and social benefits

Some items that are refurbished are put into a community laptop program to assist students at the Canberra Institute of Technology who may not be able to afford their own.

WV Technologies also employs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, at-risk youth and long-term unemployed.

To find out more about WV Technologies and its circular economy business in action, please visit the Everyday Climate Choices website: climatechoices.act.gov.au

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Canberrans will have access to more housing in suburbs where they may want to live, with the ACT Government reforms of the planning system aimed at providing more housing choices.

The ACT Government has released district strategies, the Territory Plan and design guides, that will support Canberra’s growth while retaining the elements that have made Canberra one of the world’s most liveable cities.

The new Territory Plan makes changes to RZ1 zoning.

Any Canberra block over 800sqm in an RZ1 zone will be able to build a second dwelling on their block up to 120sqm.

This will increase housing supply in existing suburbs to meet ever-growing demand.

Other requirements of the Territory Plan will apply to these new developments.

These include the mandatory site coverage provision and the requirement for soft landscaping and tree planting on blocks.

The new planning documents align with the ACT Government’s commitment to the National Housing Accord and the National Planning Reform Blueprint agreed at National Cabinet.

Planning reform is just one of several methods being used to address housing supply in the territory – one of the country’s fastest-growing jurisdictions.

The new documents incorporate significant feedback from the community and industry professionals, particularly regarding infill developments.

The final documents are being released to allow community and industry to become familiar with the new system ahead of transition.

The new system is expected to be in place from 27 November 2023, following Legislative Assembly approval.

Development applications must demonstrate how new developments meet the Territory Plan assessment outcomes. On specific development types, applications must show they respond to the design guidance set out in the design guides.

A training and education program will be rolled out over the coming months with key representatives from industry, the community, and other users of the new system.

More information about the new planning system and the finalised documents is available on the ACT Government’s planning website.

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Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) services at Canberra Hospital have been boosted with the recent installation of a new 3 Tesla (T) MRI machine.

The new machine will give Canberrans access to the latest medical imaging technology.

The extra power of the new MRI allows scans to be done at a greater level of detail. The time taken to complete scans can also be reduced, which improves the rate at which MRI scans can be processed and overall treatment times for patients.

This new 3T MRI machine comes following the recent installation of a new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at Canberra Hospital and the expansion of medical imaging services in the community through the new Weston Creek Imaging Service.

The MRI replacement project is one of many infrastructure projects happening across the Canberra Hospital campus, including the Critical Services Building, the expansion of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, upgrades to Pharmacy and Medical Imaging services, and a new cancer research centre.

In the three months since the new Weston Creek Imaging Service opened, 1878 people have used the service instead of going to the Canberra Hospital, providing:

• 589 CT scans
• 464 ultrasounds
• and 825 x-rays.

The imaging service at the Weston Creek Community Health Centre provides a great connection to the Weston Creek Walk-in Centre and a better option for non-urgent patients to get CT scans, ultrasounds, and x-rays without needing to go to hospital.

Canberrans are reminded that consumers over the age of 16 with a referral from a GP, specialist or allied health professional can walk in to get an x-ray at the Weston Creek Imaging Service if an on-the-spot appointment is available.

However, for CT scans and ultrasounds patients will need to make an appointment through the Medical Imaging Service at Canberra Hospital, so they can work out if the scan is right for this service. To book, call (02) 5124 2159.

^{The new 3 Tesla (T) MRI Machine at the Canberra Hospital.}

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Work has started to deconstruct the Garran Surge Centre.

The purpose-built centre played a critical role in during the COVID-19 pandemic as a testing site, vaccination centre and COVID-19 treatment clinic for minor injuries and illnesses.

Once the centre has been deconstructed, an improved Garran oval will be returned to the community. The oval will include a new cricket pitch, modern LED lighting and a drought-tolerant playing surface.

The upgraded oval is expected to open for Garran Primary School students and public use by mid-2024.

In addition to the removal of the surge centre, the final Critical Services Building crane at the Canberra Hospital Expansion project has also been removed.

The two cranes that worked on the building were named Cranosaurus and Lightening McCrane by students from Garran Primary School. The flags from the cranes have been returned to the students.

Construction of the critical services building is moving at pace with more of the façade now visible as scaffolding is removed. Inside the building, installation of internal facilities is also progressing well.

For more information about the Garran oval restoration please visit: builtforcbr.act.gov.au

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Work has kicked off on improvements along Tuggeranong Foreshore.

Upgrades to the foreshore between Reed Street South and Tuggeranong Town Park follow completed upgrades in recent years to Anketell Street, the laneways and pedestrian and cyclist improvements.

Upgrades the Tuggeranong Foreshore include:

• improving the Tuggeranong Town Park playground with new play equipment and picnic spots
• upgrading the existing Tuggeranong Town Park toilet with new, accessible features
• improving the accessibility and safety of the foreshore path network, including path widening, removal of obstacles, new seating and upgrading lighting
• renovation of the existing boardwalk to improve safety and accessibility
• skate park works to address safety issues and rideability, such as minor resurfacing and replacement of damaged ramp surfaces.

There were more than 657 ideas from the local community during the feedback period last year. The upgrades will improve connections in and around the town centre, improve public access and safety and encourage the community to spend more time in public spaces.

Seven work zones will be set up to allow as much area as possible to remain open as work is carried out. A staging program is available online showing the anticipated start dates of each work zone.

The improvements to Tuggeranong Foreshore are expected to be completed by mid-2024.

More information about the project can be found on the Built for CBR website: builtforcbr.act.gov.au

To learn more about Canberra’s largest urban infrastructure improvement program, please visit the City Services website: cityservices.act.gov.au/bettersuburbs

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The Tuggeranong community can now submit ideas to help improve Richardson as part of a new initiative from the ACT Government.

The new ‘My little big idea’ pilot program aims to involve the community in the decision-making process and up to $40,000 is available for ideas that could have a big impact in Richardson.

All ideas for improvements will be considered, with one winning idea to receive the funding to make it happen.

Potential ideas could include a street library, fitness or cooking classes, a playgroup, event, or series of activities.

A community panel and the public will have the final say on which idea will receive funding which will be shared in 2024.

The program will build on previous programs inviting input from Canberrans on what is needed in their suburb and explore how similar approaches can be used alongside existing budget consultation processes.

To learn more, submit an idea or join a community panel, please visit yoursay.act.gov.au

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Ongoing cost of living pressures continue to impact household budgets.

With all Canberrans trying to make their dollars stretch further, here are some tips that may help you become a savvy consumer and save some money along the way.

• Set up a realistic budget
• Shop around
• Read and keep paperwork in relation to purchases
• Look after your receipts
• Know your consumer guarantee rights and when you’re entitled to a refund, repair or replacement
• If something goes wrong with a purchase, talk to the business and describe the problem and explain how you would like them to fix it.

Learn more about consumer guarantees in the ACT.

Use unit pricing when grocery shopping

Considering unit pricing is one way to help you budget and save while grocery shopping.

Unit pricing at supermarkets shows not just the cost of a product, but the value of that product as a cost per standard unit of measurement. This is usually displayed on shelf labels.

Unit pricing allows you to compare the cost of grocery products quickly and accurately – for example between brands, specials and package sizes, between packaged and unpackaged, or between fresh and frozen.

Learn more about unit pricing.

Other tips to help you get the most out of your grocery shopping

• Meal plan and check what you’ve got in your cupboards, fridge and freezer before going shopping, so you use up things before they go out of date
• Write a shopping list
• Choose in season fruit and vegetables
• Shop around for the best prices
• Try supermarket or home brands.

Review your memberships and subscription services

Whether it’s a gym membership, newspaper subscription, streaming service or food delivery service you’re signed up to, it pays to review your memberships regularly. These small monthly costs can soon add up.

Before signing up to a new subscription, make sure you read and understand the terms and conditions and are aware of any ongoing fees before clicking through online.

When reviewing membership and subscription services consider:

• What services do I use?
• Is there a better deal or a cheaper plan?
• Is there a low-cost alternative?
• Can I rotate through subscriptions?

Look for the best deal before filling up

Feeling the pinch at the petrol bowser? Doing a little research before you fill up might help save you money.

While a lot of factors can influence the price you pay for fuel, a quick look at a petrol price app or website before you fill up can help you compare and save.

Have a look at the list of fuel price reporting apps and websites available.

https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app

Review your bills  

When it comes to paying utilities or renewing annual insurances beware of paying a ‘loyalty or lazy tax’.

A loyalty tax refers to the practice of businesses offering lower rates or premiums to new customers while charging higher rates or premiums to long-term customers, who have been loyal to a company or institution for many years.

Consider comparison websites

It pays to shop around and compare premiums with other providers to ensure you’re getting the best product, premium or policy based on your circumstances.

To compare energy suppliers and make sure you’re getting the best deal, you can use the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website.

Using comparison websites can be helpful but they have limitations and may not cover all your options. ASIC’s Moneysmart website has tips on using comparison websites.

If you’re finding it hard to keep up with regular payments like gas, electricity and phone, visit Moneysmart for steps you can take to sort things out.

You can also call the free National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

Visit ASIC’s Moneysmart website

ASIC’s Moneysmart website contains tips, tools and resources to help you manage your money, reduce your debt and plan for your future.

It also has information on budgeting, reducing living costs and getting help if you need it.

Find support

Do you know what concessions, rebates and other supports are available to Canberrans from the ACT Government? See what you might be eligible for.

If you require emergency support or financial assistance, you can find contact details for a range of support services on the Australian Government website.

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ACT Government electric operational vehicles were displayed at King Edward Terrace on Thursday, ahead of World EV Day on 9 September.

While most Canberrans would be familiar with the territory’s electric buses, they may have been surprised to also see electric mowers, a street sweeper, excavator, tipper truck and mini-bus.

Transport Canberra and City Services’ growing electric fleet demonstrates the ACT Government’s commitment to achieve zero net emissions from government operations by 2040.

Next year, these vehicles will be joined by an electric litter collection truck, which will replace a diesel utility vehicle. Another 94 electric buses are also set to be added to the fleet over coming years.

The bus transition, combined with the introduction of light rail, means 20 per cent of overall public transport trips in Canberra are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.

The addition of electric buses to Canberra roads is having an impact on Transport Canberra staff, as well as the environment.

Trainer Assessor Jeff works in bus operations, carrying out licence upgrades and in-house training.

This includes showing bus drivers how to operate the new vehicles.

“After extensive familiarisation training at the beginning of the year, I then spent the first initial six weeks teaching drivers how to work the electric buses. Within that six weeks I drove over 200 kilometres just in the Tuggeranong depot training staff, before handing the training over to my colleagues to continue the education,” he said.

To Jeff, the buses present both a big and little change. “Someone asked me how to describe it once and I said they are wonderfully normal.

“They have lots of power, they go very well compared to diesel buses. They are like any new car, it’s always nice to drive something that’s brand new. They go very nicely, they drive and steer like any other bus and are quite comfortable,” he said.

In addition to buses and maintenance vehicles, Transport Canberra and City Services is also ensuring all newly leased government passenger vehicles are zero emissions where fit for purpose.

The target is to transition the entire passenger fleet to zero emission by 2025.

World EV Day presents a great time to showcase the electric vehicles in Transport Canberra and City Services’ fleet and highlight what’s next for the transition.

In its fourth year, World EV Day helps to unite companies, individuals, governments and others for a day of announcements that continue to propel e-mobility around the world.

More information on World EV day can be found online at WorldEVday.org

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