Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

In brief:

• Festive light displays are very popular in Canberra.
• Being safe and respectful makes things more fun for everyone.
• This article includes tips for those who want to enjoy the displays this year.

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For many Canberrans, the festive period is their time to shine.

From northside to south, the city hosts many spectacular festive light displays each year. These can bring delight and unify the community.

Enjoying them safely and respectfully makes the experience more fun for everybody.

Here are some top tips for Canberrans keen to enjoy the displays this year. Read on, whether you’re planning your own display or following the lights throughout the ACT.

Tips for organising a festive light display

• If you’re planning a significant light display, tell your neighbours ahead of time. Let them know how you will manage any light or noise concerns.
• Direct any spotlights or bright lights away from your neighbours’. Be sure to turn off your display at a reasonable time.
• If your display makes noise, keep the volume below 45 decibels. If it can be heard at your neighbour’s house, it’s too loud.
• Most displays do not need any ACT Government involvement. However, it may be considered a ‘special event’ if:
  • you’re hosting a big display
  • encouraging large numbers of visitors
  • selling food, drink or merchandise.
• Think your festive light display may be considered a ‘special event’? Call the Access Canberra Event Coordination and Business Assist team on (02) 6205 4400 or email ACEvents@act.gov.au. You can also visit the Access Canberra website.

Tips for visiting a festive light display

• If you’re driving, take care when parking. Parking laws apply in residential areas. Do not park on people’s properties or nature strips. Take care not to block access to neighbouring driveways.
• Be aware of fellow motorists, and pedestrians including children and dogs.
• Follow the road rules and don’t cause traffic congestion.
• Consider using public transport to reach your location. You could also cycle, walk or use a scooter.

• Remember, littering of any kind, including cigarette butts, is illegal.
• Bringing your dog? Pick up after it and be sure to keep it on-lead except in designated off-leash areas.

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After helping save a stranger’s life by providing CPR, Esther was inspired to pursue a career in emergency services.

Today she works in the ACT Ambulance Service Communications Centre, where she answers emergency calls.

She is also training as a dispatcher, as part of the Centre’s triage team which allocates resources to various jobs.

While she enjoyed her previous career in the airline industry, Esther could not be happier in her current role.

“I worked for Qantas in customer service for 24 years, and many of the skills I developed during that time are relevant now, because it’s all about dealing with people,” Esther said.

“People calling the emergency line are often quite panicked, but if I can help bring down their stress levels and make them feel confident in my abilities and willingness to help, it goes a long way towards achieving a good outcome.”

A successful outcome was certainly achieved when Esther and her husband responded to a sudden emergency in Tuross Head on the south coast, where they were holidaying with their daughters.

“Richard and I were playing cards with our girls when we heard loud noises coming from next door and someone was yelling into a phone about needing an ambulance,” Esther said.

“The two of us climbed over the fence and saw a man in his 50s lying on the ground, completely blue and obviously not breathing. We jumped in and commenced CPR straight away,” she said.

As they were in an isolated area, it took a long time for an ambulance to arrive, and Esther and her husband had to keep doing compressions for a full 50 minutes.

They were eventually assisted by a police officer, who arrived about 25 minutes into proceedings.

“By the end I had no skin left on my hands but my husband and I just kept switching in and out – we work really well as a team,” Esther said.

Incredibly, the man survived, and Esther and her husband were later presented with St John’s Save a Life Award, by the Governor-General of Australia, the Honourable David Hurley.

“While it is very nice to receive an award, the best part of this was that we got to give someone some extra time with their family and friends, and I know how much that would mean to me,” Esther said.

“If I were to take one lesson from this, it is that normal people can administer CPR, and having knowledge of first aid skills can actually save a life.”

Esther says she’s glad that she was able to help, and is grateful that the incident helped steer her onto her current career path, where she feels she gets to make a positive difference to the community every day.

“It really is a feel-good job because you help people in their time of need,” she said.

“I really love going into work and absolutely love the team I work with, they are like my second family, and we enjoy spending time together in and out of the office.

“I would absolutely recommend this job to anyone who wants a career with a real purpose – if you have empathy and like helping people you won’t regret it.”

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We asked Canberrans on the We Are CBR Instagram page to tell us their favourite place to grab a bite to eat in the city centre. Here are the top restaurants and cafes in Canberra’s CBD, as voted by you!

Dishing the deets on #1

It’s no secret that Canberrans love chicken and chips. The restaurant with the most votes is Fricken Chicken on Lonsdale Street.

An Italian love affair 

From bottomless pasta to hand-stretched pizza, it’s clear that Canberrans love Italian food. Some local favourites include:

Mezzalira on London Circuit    
Amici on Northbourne Avenue  
Mama’s Trattoria on West Row
Briscola on Alinga Street

Enjoy the vibrant flavours of Asia

The café capital

Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect flat white, a cheesy toastie or some smashed avo on toast – these cafés are the perfect place to grab a quick pick-me-up:

Good vibes, great food  

Looking for somewhere to grab dinner and a drink after work? These top spots are your venues of choice:

The future public park at the Acton Waterfront will be known as Ngamawari (pronounced ‘nar-mar-wa-ree).

The name was gifted by local Ngunnawal representatives at a special ceremony today, which also saw the National Capital Authority (NCA) announce works approval for the new park.

Ngamawari – which means ‘cave place’ in Ngunnawal language – recognises the cultural significance of the limestone caves flooded during the creation of Lake Burley Griffin.

The name signifies these landmarks and the important role they played for shelter and art along the Molonglo River.

“Ngamawari reflects the truth telling story of this place – a place of significance to Ngunnawal people” Ngunnawal Elder Dr Caroline Hughes AM said.

“There is so much Ngunnawal history in this place that has not been told such as the limestone caves that have been hidden by Lake Burley Griffin at a time when Ngunnawal were excluded from the conversation and development of Canberra.

“Ngamawari celebrates and educates all about Ngunnawal Country, history and language,” she said.

City Renewal Authority CEO Malcolm Snow said the idea to recognise Ngunnawal culture has been a popular theme in public consultations on the Acton Waterfront project.

“We have been working closely with the Ngunnawal community representatives and artists on how the park’s design can celebrate and embed Ngunnawal culture and history,” Mr Snow said.

“It is now a great honour to accept this Ngunnawal-language name, which will help forge the identify for what will become a major Canberra destination featuring an adventure playground, cafes, native gardens and events lawns.

“Thank you to the Ngunnawal community for giving this name to the Acton Waterfront – it is precious gift that will leave its mark on future generations of visitors to the park.”

The City Renewal Authority wishes to thank the United Ngunnawal Elders Council, Dhawura Ngunnawal Caring for Country Committee and the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Aboriginal Corporation for sharing this name, as well as their insights and knowledge of the area.

The official naming comes as the NCA has provided works approval for the development of the public park following their recent public consultation.

A tender process is currently underway for the delivery of early works in 2024. It is expected the temporary park will open to the public in 2025-26, followed by the permanent park in 2028.

Please note: The new park name will officially come into effect once publicly notified on the ACT Legislation Register in early 2024.

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In brief:

• Whether you’re swimming a pool or in a waterway, it’s important to keep safe.
• This story shares safety advice for swimming in backyard and public pools and inland waterways.

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There’s nothing like a swim to cool off in the hot weather.

Don’t have a backyard pool? Canberra’s public pools are all open for summer. Plan a visit to:

• Dickson Aquatic Centre
• Manuka Pool
• Canberra Olympic Pool
• Gungahlin Leisure Centre
• Stromlo Leisure Centre
• Lakeside Leisure Centre.

Canberra also has inland waterways where you can swim.

Wherever you go, these simple guidelines will help you keep safe in and around the water this summer.

Go prepared

The ACT has several inland waterways, including Kambah Pool and Cotter Bend.

Remember to take extra care when swimming in inland waterways. Hazards are always present and can catch you by surprise.

It doesn’t matter how confident you are in and around the water. You can prepare by following safety advice:

• Avoid going alone.
• Tell a responsible person where you are going. Let them know when you plan to return, and what to do if you are late.
• Always closely supervise children who are in or near the water.
• Know your limits – consider your swimming ability and endurance before visiting waterways. If unsure, stay away from the water’s edge.
• Always wear a life jacket when boating and fishing.
• Understand the dangers. Water depth in rivers can change suddenly and there may be rocks and logs hidden below the surface. Surfaces can be slippery, and currents may be stronger than they appear.
• Be careful when getting into the water and avoid diving.
• Check the weather conditions and be prepared for changes regardless of the forecast.
• Do not enter the water if signs advise of hazards and never enter the water in times of flood.
• Do not consume alcohol if you are planning on entering waterways or need to supervise children in or near the water.
• Be prepared for an emergency. Take a first aid kit and ensure people in your group are trained to use it.
• Carry multiple means of communication, including waterproof options if you are boating or fishing. Check whether your phone has range before entering the water.
• Locate and keep a look out for emergency phones near waterways in case you do not have good reception.

Visit the City Services website to check current advice on conditions in Canberra’s lakes, ponds and rivers.

Be a backyard lifeguard

Whether it’s your own pool or you’re visiting someone else’s, be a backyard lifeguard. Follow these steps to keep everyone safe this summer.

• Check that your pool fences, gates and other barriers are secure
• Keep pool barriers clear of objects and plants that kids can use to climb into pool areas
• Ensure the pool gate is always shut
• Actively supervise children in and around the pool
• Know how to perform CPR
• Teach kids to swim and be safe around pools
• Pool toys and floatation aids are for fun, not safety. Stay close and supervise children
• Avoid alcohol when swimming.

New rules for home swimming pools in the ACT commence on 1 May 2024. Find out more at Home swimming pool safety reforms – Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate – Planning (act.gov.au)

For information on being a backyard lifeguard visit planning.act.gov.au/backyardlifeguard.

Read more like this:

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The ACT’s new planning system is now in effect.

This milestone comes after extensive research and work with the community and industry to create the new framework for the city.

The ACT Government has also released an update to the City Plan and a new City Centre Urban Design Guide, which will guide development and design in the City Centre.

The new, modern planning system will better fit a growing and sustainable Canberra.

It will support delivery of the 100,000 dwellings required to meet population and demand by 2050.

The new planning system will allow the Government to plan for this growth in a measured and sustainable way.

It will mean Canberrans have the services and infrastructure they need now and into the future

The Government has also released an update of the 2014 City Plan today which provides a clear vision and framework for future development in the City Centre as a place for all Canberrans.

The City Plan is supported by a new City Centre Urban Design Guide that works alongside the previously announced Housing and Urban Design Guides to improve development outcomes and guide the design and assessment of developments in the City Centre.

Training programs on the new planning – for both community and industry – have been occurring since September.

Development applications under the previous system will continue to be assessed.

More information about the Planning System and the City Plan is available on the ACT Government’s new Planning website.

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Owners corporations in the ACT can now register for the Solar for Apartments Program.

The program provides owners corporations up to $100,000 in grant funds and access to a zero-interest loan, to install rooftop solar in eligible apartment complexes in the ACT.

Eligible owners corporations need to apply to the Solar for Apartments program to get funding.

Half the funds are in the form of a grant and half is funded by a zero-interest loan that the owners corporation will need to pay back.

The program aims to allow more Canberrans to enjoy cheaper, cleaner energy from solar and further support the ACT’s transition to a low-emissions future.

The program is co-funded up to $3.6 million under the Solar Banks Initiative of the Australian Government and the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme.

The benefits of these solar installations will flow to the residents. Many residents in multi-unit developments are renters.

This announcement comes as the Sustainable Household Scheme reaches a significant milestone of 20,000 applications.

This amounts to more than 1 in 10 Canberra households accessing the scheme to address cost of living pressures while reducing their carbon footprint.

It is anticipated over 2,100 households will benefit from the Solar for Apartments Program, which could provide a 35 per cent reduction in electricity bills for Canberrans living in apartments.

This program supports the ACT Government’s commitment to being a global leader in climate action and allows apartment households to share in the benefits of solar.

Brighte is the exclusive finance and administration provider of the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme.

“Brighte is proud to continue supporting the ACT Government’s nation leading programs by extending finance to apartments, making sustainability more inclusive, affordable and accessible to everyone,” Brighte founder and CEO Katherine McConnell said.

For more visit the Climate Choices website

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The ACT Government is working with Canberra’s local brewers to deliver a new pilot project to train Canberra’s next beer brewers.

‘Brewed to Succeed’ is proposed to be a state-of-the-art training program to meet the diverse requirements of Canberra’s local brewing industry.

Bentspoke Brewing approached the ACT Government and CIT in 2022 about the need for skilled workers in artisan fermented products in the beer and wine industries.

The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is now partnering with BentSpoke to deliver a new workplace program to strengthen local brewing businesses and train more employees in the specific skills sets they need to have a great career.

The pilot will test the potential delivery of a full-time course through CIT, incorporating food production, distilling, wine making and brewing.

“The new brewing course at CIT will empower newcomers to enter the beer industry with the necessary knowledge to hit the ground running, while simultaneously enhancing the skills of employed brewers, thereby strengthening and supporting the local brewing industry,” Richard Watkins, Co-owner and Head Brewer at BentSpoke Brewing, said.

In the ACT, 0.7 per cent of the labour force is in the brewing industry – more than double the 0.3 per cent proportion in Victoria and Western Australia.

The initial program will provide teacher training for an existing expert brewer who will then deliver the course to around 12 students employed in the industry.

The training model could serve as a basis for future programs in other emerging industries facing skills shortages where accredited training isn’t currently available.

Support for more brewing skills is part of the ACT Government’s Skilled to Succeed agenda, and forms part of the Skills Industry Action Plan for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector, which will be released in the coming months.

The program is being delivered by CIT in collaboration with local brewers, following a successful grant of nearly $80,000 through the Skilled to Succeed Innovation Grants Program.

The first students are expected to undertake training from April 2024.

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The Education update of the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan was released today.

Key elements include:

• a new college in Gungahlin
• the modernisation and expansion of both Majura Primary School and Garran Primary School
• a new CIT campus in Woden
• planning for more schools in the Molonglo Valley.

The Infrastructure Plan update outlines projects with a total value of more than $1 billion, to build and renew public education and training facilities to meet the needs of a growing Canberra.

It is the biggest investment in education infrastructure in ACT Government history.

As the Territory continues to grow, the ACT Government is building new public schools and upgrading education facilities across Canberra.

This will support all Canberrans to access inclusive, high-quality education close to where they live.

In addition to new, modernised and expanded schools across Canberra, the update also makes clear the scale of work delivering maintenance and upgrades across the public-school network.

This includes works at 37 public schools as part of the Public School Infrastructure Renewal Program, roof replacements works in schools across the city, infrastructure investment to support inclusive education and planning work for future expansions of capacity in key growth areas.

Building new educational and skills facilities and upgrading existing ones will meet the needs of students, teachers and families into the future.

The new CIT Campus in Woden will see new educational and community facilities built in a central, well-connected area, complemented by a new light rail enabled public transport interchange.

This project also includes the relocation of the Yurauna Centre from the city to CIT Bruce campus.

The new centre will offer courses in literacy, numeracy, communication and vocational training in a culturally sensitive environment, tailored to the need of First Nations people in the region.

The full Education update of the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan can be found at www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au/infrastructure-plan.

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