Category: MIL-OSI

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Updated playground in Aranda now open

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The playground offers play opportunities for children and areas for families to gather.

The Banambila Street playground in Aranda is now open.

The playground has been updated and offers features for all age groups and families.

Toddlers (0-4 years)

Play opportunities for small children includes a hidey ‘wombat’ tunnel for crawling.

There is also a toddler seat on the swing set. A basket swing and spinner are perfect for toddlers and children of all ages.

The frog rocker has been retained.

The landscaping in and around the play space provides opportunities for climbing, crawling and balancing.

Juniors (5-9 years) and pre-teens (10-13 years)

The raised teepee includes a fishing trap net, ladder and a slide.

Teens (14-17 years), adults and seniors

Fitness equipment including horizontal bars and a mountain step climber are available for teen play and exercise by the general community.

Family and community

There is seating, including a picnic table and shelter that offer space for family and community gatherings.

A shade sail covers the all abilities play area and there’s a concrete path through the playground.

Cultural design elements

The region where the Aranda play space holds an ancient cultural and spiritual connection to the Ngunnawal people and has for thousands of years.

The artwork for Aranda, by artist and cultural consultant Bradley Mapiva Brown, reflects connections to country to Dharaban, Galambary and the Molonglo River.

The floral motif used throughout the design portrays the Yam Daisy, referred to as Dharaban. The daisy has been harvested by Ngunnawal women and children for thousands of years and is used by the Ngunnawal people as a staple to create damper and native tea and to aid healing wounds.

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2024 Canberra Gold Awards winners announced

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Gold Awards recipient Margaret Constance was one of the first Avon ladies in Canberra and went on to work in the Supreme Court for 25 years.

Each year, the Chief Minister’s Canberra Gold Awards recognise the unique contributions of individuals and groups who have lived or operated in the ACT for 50 years or more.

This year, 71 individuals and 15 groups were awarded. Over the last half-century, each of them has shaped not only our city, but the people who live here. Whether that’s placing an instrument in a musically-gifted student’s hands for the first time, raising a family in Canberra, or leaving a mark on an industry.

While the awards celebrate Canberra’s history, there was much recognition of the people who have helped shape our future: the teachers, principals and programs supporting the city’s schools.

Leanne Fisher was born in Canberra in 1963 and has worked for the Department of Education for 20 years.

“I’m just about to retire in three weeks’ time, it’s a nice way to finish,” she said.

Paul Branson, Principal of Belconnen High, was also born in Canberra and is a self-titled “product of public schools”. Educated at Hackett Primary, Dickson College and the Australian National University, Paul was nominated for his contribution to public schooling.

“There’s lots that I love about Canberra, lots of things happen here. I know people say it’s boring, but that’s not true at all,” Paul said.

“Someone once said to me, Canberra thinks you’re boring too!”

The ACT Instrumental Music Program was one of the groups that received a Gold Award. Now in it’s 51st year, the program is part of ACT public schools.

“We were nominated by a former student,” former principal Naida Blackley said.

“It’s about providing opportunities for students to access musical instruments in a group learning situation.”

Many awards recipients spoke of their love of the city, and in particular, their love of Lake Burley Griffin.

Margaret Constance’s arrival predated the construction of the now-iconic landmark.

“In 1962, we moved to the newly developed Red Hill, and there were still sheep grazing on the perimeter,” she said.

“I saw the building of the National Library, the High Court, the Portrait Gallery, and the lake. And I saw Woden and Belconnen Develop. They were the first suburbs – I think they were called satellite towns then.”

Margaret was one of the first Avon ladies in Canberra and went on to work in the Supreme Court for 25 years.

Ali Hosain was another Gold Award recipient who fondly recalls memories of Canberra being developed.

“When we came, Canberra was not a very impressive place,” he said.

“[Now] Canberra is so beautiful. We’ve travelled the whole world but there’s nothing like Canberra.”

If you would like to nominate a person, group, or yourself, nominations are open year-round and can be made online.

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Proposed Dickson Shops upgrade revealed

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The design proposes a series of spaces that encourage socialisation and conversation.

The draft design for the Dickson Shops upgrade is now available to view. The ACT Government is seeking feedback and suggestions from the community.

The design enhances the unique identity and character of Dickson shops while providing much needed upgrades and improvements.

Here are some of the elements included in the design:

Safety and pedestrian experience

The designs include enhanced lighting, upgraded paving and widened footpaths. Circulation spaces for pedestrians are included, with more seating opportunities and bicycle parking.

The project proposes widening the pedestrian link from Cowper Street to the post office. It will also consider ways to improve the pedestrian crossing on Badham Street.

Community connection

Providing spaces for the community to gather and socialise is main feature of the design.

It proposes decluttering Taglietti Square (the library plaza) and other courtyards. This would create more spacious, accessible and adaptable areas for small events and activities. This approach also supports outdoor dining.

The design for the area south of the post office includes opportunities for incidental play. This will help to create a family-friendly space that is safety distanced from traffic.

Existing artworks have been retained and repurposed in the proposal. The landscape design visually aligns with the iconic Dickson Heritage Library, designed by Enrico Taglietti.

The plans propose reusing existing bricks as a feature in the paving design. This supports sustainability and respects the history of the area.

Large mature trees have been kept and there is more greenery to mitigate urban heat.

Consultation is open until 23 April 2024, with construction expected to begin in 2025.

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Take a virtual tour of the new CIT Woden campus

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A new video has been released to showcase this state-of-the-art public education and transport hub.

Construction is ramping up at CIT Woden with Canberrans invited to suggest names for the three public green spaces surrounding the main building.

A new video has also been released to showcase this state-of-the-art public education and transport hub. This helps the community picture these new areas and understand how the campus will interact with the new public transport interchange.

View the new fly-through video.

The first of the three public spaces is a 169-metre-long boulevard running east-west. It features native landscaping and forms a critical pedestrian link between the interchange and the town centre. This central corridor will include a series of spaces for public seating, outdoor dining, and retail frontage.

Situated at the northern end of the CIT Woden campus is a sunny 3700 square metre break out space for students and the public to enjoy. It includes canopy trees and gardens providing wind and sun protection, as well as dog clean-up facilities.

The third public space at the western end is a welcoming 1295 square metre plaza. It is surrounded by a mix of native and non-native planting and features a gathering and ceremony space. There is also seating with charging ports, accessible paths and featured paving.

Naming these spaces is an opportunity to connect people and places. It will also help to provide signage and wayfinding for students, staff and visitors across the CIT Woden Campus.

The following themes are a guiding framework to help the public to think about possible names.

  • First Nations
  • Innovation
  • Education

The community can put forward names under a single theme for all three public spaces or mix and match spaces, themes, and names.

Canberrans can submit their naming suggestions on the ACT Government’s YourSay page. You can also present their ideas in person at pop-up information sessions being held at Westfield Woden, CIT Reid and CIT Bruce.

A short-list of names will be reviewed by the CIT Woden place naming committee including representatives from First Nations advisory groups. The chosen names will be revealed later this year.

With CIT Woden Campus opening in 2025, the community won’t have to wait long to start enjoying the public plazas and green spaces around the precinct.

Place naming consultation will run until the end of April 2024. Place naming consultation will run until the end of April 2024.

To submit your names visit www.yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/cit-campus-woden/citcampuswoden-placenaming.

For further information on the CIT Woden Campus project visit www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

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New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Kids of all ages will find something they enjoy at the upgraded Burrumarra Avenue playground.

Gungahlin locals – with two legs and four – will soon have even more places to play.

Kids are now enjoying the upgraded Burrumarra Avenue playground in Ngunnawal. The CaseyCommunity Recreation Park is well on its way and work will soon begin on the new dog park in Franklin.

Burrumarra Avenue playground, Ngunnawal

The suburb’s only fully fenced playground, the upgraded space provides more fun and accessible play opportunities for all ages and abilities.

These include:

  • nature play with balancing elements
  • new all-abilities equipment with a timber double swing and spinner
  • junior fort with slide and climbing elements catering to ages 0–13
  • toddler (ages 0–4) play opportunities such as a double-rocker, seesaw and platypus sculpture
  • picnic tables, shelter and seating
  • four new trees and landscaping including mulched garden beds
  • Ngunnawal artwork and play elements.

Find out more at builtforcbr.act.gov.au

Casey Community Recreation Park

Work continues on the Casey Community Recreation Park, which is scheduled to open around the middle of this year.

The park is really taking shape with all play equipment now installed and construction continuing for the installation of the multi-purpose court, accessible toilet facilities and the picnic areas, as well as the carpark upgrades.

The park will offer  a wide range of new recreation facilities, including:

  • shade structures, BBQ and picnic areas
  • play equipment for all abilities
  • design emphasising nature play
  • accessible toilet facilities
  • a multi-purpose court for different sports
  • a cricket net
  • a flying fox
  • 12 new parking spaces, including one accessible space, plus surface upgrades and new lighting
  • grassed areas including an amphitheatre and open play spaces.

Find out more at builtforcbr.act.gov.au

Franklin dog park

Construction will soon begin on the new Franklin dog park.

This is expected to take about nine months to complete.

Conveniently located near the new community recreation park on the corner of Oodgeroo and Nullarbor avenues, it will feature:

  • an agility area with play elements
  • an irrigated grass area for ball and frisbee play
  • deciduous trees for canopy cover.

Find out more on the City Services website.

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More affordable rentals for Canberra

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The 54 new units will be affordable rentals and include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

The ACT Government is investing in the delivery of more affordable rental properties in Woden.

Marymead CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn will deliver a 54-unit build-to-rent development in Curtin.

This is supported by the ACT Government’s $60 million Affordable Housing Project Fund.

All 54 units will be affordable rentals and include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2025 and be completed by mid-to-late 2026, pending planning approvals.

The Government established the Affordable Housing Project Fund in 2023 to grow the supply of affordable rental properties in Canberra and strengthen the community housing sector.

The Curtin development is one of six projects identified for support under the fund. Others include:

  • a CHC Australia and Canberra Southern Cross Club 140-unit build-to-rent project in Phillip, which will include 70 affordable rental units; and
  • the Government’s $4.5 million contribution to the Ginninderry women’s housing initiative – a partnership between Housing Australia and CHC Australia as part of a joint venture to deliver the first women’s housing build-to-rent-to-buy pilot program.

In total, the six projects are expected to deliver up to 280 new affordable rental properties in Canberra.

These will contribute to the Government’s commitment to deliver 600 additional affordable rentals by 2025–26.

“Marymead CatholicCare is extremely excited to partner with the ACT Government and the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn’s North Woden Parish to deliver a brand new affordable rental development in Curtin,” Marymead CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn CEO Anne Kirwan said.

“This project has been five years in the making, and we have worked closely with the ACT Government to support this initiative and enable the Archdiocese to be able to use its own land to meet a growing need within our community – housing.

“This build will increase rental supply in the ACT for individuals and families who earn less than $100,000 and who are experiencing rental distress,” Anne said.

Community housing providers and landholders are encouraged to submit proposals to access the Affordable Housing Project Fund.

They can do this via the Government’s request for proposal process, which closes on 9 April 2024.

More information is available on the Government’s Housing website.

Build to rent, which is aimed at increasing the supply of rental properties available for long-term tenure, is an important part of the Government’s ACT Housing Strategy to improve rental supply and affordability.

With the Canberra population on track to reach half-a-million people by 2027, the project will help ensure the right mix of housing options for a growing city.

The Government will announce further community housing partnerships for affordable build-to-rent projects soon.

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First-ever Canberra Monopoly game hits shelves

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Featuring everything from Floriade to Mooseheads, the game captures the essence of the ACT.

Canberra is getting its own version of the world’s most popular game.

The first-ever official Monopoly Canberra edition was developed with the help of Canberra residents.

It pays tribute to everything that’s unique to the region – from Floriade to the Belconnen Owl.

Locally themed squares replace the likes of Mayfair and Park Lane, and circles have been added to the board’s design to reference Canberra’s infamous abundance of roundabouts.

“For years, Canberra has been on the list of cities we’ve wanted to honour with its own custom Monopoly board, but we’ve wanted to get it just right,” Dale Hackett from Winning Moves, the makers of custom Monopoly Boards, said.

“It’s been such a privilege to develop this edition over the past year, inspired by suggestions from locals, to create a game we think Canberra residents and tourists alike will truly be proud of.”

The custom Canberra-themed squares and cards include:

  • Brown: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Cockington Green Gardens
  • Light Blue: Canberra Theatre Centre, National Museum of Australia, National Portrait Gallery
  • Pink: Yarralumla Play Station, GoBoat, National Dinosaur Museum
  • Orange: Floriade, Enlighten, Canberra Balloon Spectacular
  • Red: Canberra Outlet Centre, Old Bus Depot Markets, Westfield Belconnen
  • Yellow: BrodBurger, Mooseheads, Akiba
  • Green: Canberra Airport, University of Canberra, Royal Australian Mint
  • Dark Blue: Australian War Memorial, Parliament House
  • Local Icons: Belconnen Owl, Telstra Tower, Lake Burley Griffin, GIO Stadium Canberra
  • Utilities: Icon Water, ActewAGL.

The new Monopoly: Canberra edition is available now at all retailers throughout the ACT.

The Monopoly game first hit shelves in 1935. Since then, it has been played by more than 1 billion people.

Today, the game is adored all around the world, played in 114 countries and enjoyed in over 47 languages.

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Canberra tourism industry wins big at national awards

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Staffed by VisitCanberra, the CRVC at Commonwealth Park offers an exceptional experience for visitors and locals alike.

The ACT has won seven awards at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Gold awards

The Canberra Region Visitors Centre (CRVC) was named best Visitor Information Service in Australia, leading the awards for the Territory’s tourism industry.

Staffed by VisitCanberra, the CRVC at Commonwealth Park offers an exceptional experience for visitors and locals alike.

It attracts 220,000 visitors each year, many of whom head to the CRVC as their first port of call.

Two other local entrants won gold at the Awards. They are:

  • the National Capital Authority for the Lights on the Lake event, in the Events and Festivals category
  • the Royal Australian Mint in the Cultural Tourism category.

Silver awards

  • The Museum Shop at the National Museum of Australia took home silver in the Tourism, Retail and Hire Services category
  • Alivio Tourist Park won silver for Caravan and Holiday Parks
  • Jamala Lodge won silver for Unique Accommodation

Bronze award

  • The National Arboretum was awarded bronze in the Ecotourism category.

Ongoing success

Canberra’s tourism industry is unique. The past year has seen record leisure and visiting friends and family (VFR) numbers, and the Territory’s events, venues and business continue to provide new and enticing experiences for visitors.

As a result of the industry’s hard work, Canberra is on track to grow the value of tourism to the ACT economy to $4 billion by 2030.

This focuses on the ACT Government’s tourism 2030 strategic vision of a thriving, sustainable destination that benefits Canberrans.

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The people keeping our community clean

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Craig Harrington and his team at the Allara Street depot look after the city.

If you think keeping your house clean is a big effort, spare a thought for the cleaning and maintenance teams who keep Canberra tidy.

Whether it’s your local shops or the city centre, it takes a big effort to keep Canberra clean and safe.

Across Canberra, the ACT Government manages 90 shopping centres. Town centres and group centres are cleaned daily, while local shops vary from daily to three times a week.

Canberra’s cleaning and maintenance teams start their day at 5am with daily responsibilities ranging from leaf blowing and street sweeping to cleaning toilets and emptying garbage bins.

Other duties include:

  • picking up litter
  • cleaning surfaces
  • pruning bushes
  • lifting trees
  • pressure cleaning pavement
  • removal of graffiti
  • repairs to damaged street furniture
  • minor maintenance of garden beds.

It’s a big job on any given day but after a big event, things can really pick up. This is especially the case for Craig Harrington and his team at the Allara Street depot, who look after the city.

When Craig and his team begin their day, they don’t always know what challenges will await.

“The whole day can be a challenge because you don’t know what you’re going to get until you get on site,” Craig said.

However, Craig loves his job and the crew he works with.

“I like the early starts, I like being out in the open, you’re meeting different people every day,” he said.

He just asks the public to be respectful, give them plenty of space and give them a smile in recognition of the work they do.

“The public could just be a little bit more aware that what we do, we have to do it,” he said.

“But generally, when they see us they could just probably give us a smile and give us a bit of room so we can get on and do what we’re doing.”

Find out more about the ACT Government’s regular maintenance program for local shops by visiting the City Services website.

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CIT supports the electrification of Canberra

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

CIT’s Electric Vehicle Certificate III is the first course of its kind in Australia.

Canberra is transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels and towards electrification, which means the future is looking different for Canberrans – particularly our tradies.

According to ACT Government modelling, Canberra will need at least 1,290 extra electricians and 270 more electrical engineers before 2045.

CIT is helping to ensure that the ACT has people who have the skills to install technology in homes and businesses. The institution is providing important future skills development, particularly in the electrical trades, to prevent local and national skills shortages.

“In Canberra, we have the biggest concentration of electric vehicles to people,” Richard Lindsay, CIT automotive teacher and national VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year 2022, said.

“What that means is that the demand on the servicing industry in Canberra is growing higher and higher by the month.

“Being at the forefront of the transition with the Electric Vehicle Certificate III is definitely helping to make sure that the industry is ready for the increase in customer demand that is coming through,” Richard said.

Until this year, CIT was the only training organisation in Australia delivering this course. Richard says that it is a point of pride for both students and the staff at CIT.

“For the students going through the brand-new Certificate III, the thought of being some of the first fully qualified electric vehicle technicians in Australia is a huge thing for their status in the automotive industry. They’re going to be leaders in their field,” he said.

The course is attracting attention from a broad range of students.

“From an apprentice point of view, we’re seeing a big increase in interest, especially from students who may not have thought about a mechanical path previously,” Richard said.

“Because the vehicles are so autonomous these days with the way they’re working, it’s definitely taking some more interest from the more tech-savvy kids that would have normally gravitated towards a gaming or IT path.”

The ACT Government will propose to the Commonwealth that a new centre of excellence be established at CIT Fyshwick. The centre would expand CIT’s Electric Vehicle Training Centre to train more EV automotive technicians.

Extra funding will support the feasibility of a broader Future Energy Skills Hub at CIT which will incorporate the centre of excellence and support the expansion of training in electrotechnology.

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