Category: MIL-OSI

Anyone can be a green thumb if you know what to grow, and a key part of that is understanding your local climate.

The ACT Government’s Canberra Plant Selector is a free online tool that can help you choose the best plants for your climate-wise garden.

The tool features over 340 species. You can search for plants suited to Canberra’s climate based on sun, shade, frost tolerance and water needs.

Climate-wise gardens can help protect you against extreme heat, rainfall events and bushfires.

Edwina Robinson is a landscape architect and founder of Canberra social enterprise The Climate Factory.

The Climate Factory builds demonstration micro-forests around Canberra that cool the local environment, and work to inspire others to build their own community micro-forest.

Edwina recommends gardeners try the Canberra Plant Selector and says your climate-wise garden can help keep your home cool in hot weather – and can also provide a haven for native birds and pollinators.

“You might choose to have higher water use plants closer to the house. These will look lush and green and help keep your outdoor space cool. And consider incorporating a pond. It could even be a pond in a waterproof pot – full of wetland plants with leaves for dragonflies to land on,” she said.

“Canberra’s climate is likely, on average, to get hotter and drier in the future. So prepare your garden soil with organic matter. Choose plants carefully. And think about how you will water your plants during dry weather.

“The Canberra Plant Selector is a must for learning about garden plants. You should also visit local nurseries that specialise in plants for Canberra’s climate. And talk to neighbours who have gardens already,” she said.

Everyone can help to make Canberra a climate-ready city. As a climate-wise gardener, you can preserve water, reduce urban heat and create important habitat for native species.

View the Canberra Plant Selector.

Learn more about sustainable practices at home and at work at climatechoices.act.gov.au or email SustainableHomeAdviceProgram@act.gov.au.

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Rower Nikki Ayers and road cyclist Jay Vine have been named Athletes of the Year at the 2023 CBR Sport Awards.

They received the awards for Para Sport and Women’s Sport, and Men’s Sport respectively.

Volleyball team the CBR Heat took home the Team of the Year award.

The awards, held last night, celebrate the ACT’s top athletes, teams and special contributors, and acknowledge their outstanding achievements.

The 2023 CBR Sport Award winners are:

• Athlete of the Year – Para Sport: Nikki Ayers (Rowing)
• Athlete of the Year – Women’s Sport: Nikki Ayers (Rowing)
• Athlete of the Year – Men’s Sport: Jay Vine (Cycling, Road)
• Team of the Year: Canberra Heat (Volleyball)
• Rising Star: Cameron Myers (Athletics)
• Minister for Sport and Recreation Award’s for Event Excellence: Cricket ACT – Festival of Cricket
• Minister for Sport and Recreation’s Award for Innovation: Capital Athletics – Unification of Athletics in the ACT
• Minister for Sport and Recreation’s Award for Inclusion: Hockey ACT – Pride in Sport Program
• ACT Sport Hall of Fame – Associate Member: Graham “Joe” Henstock (Hockey) and Laurie Fisher (Rugby Union)
• ACT Sport Hall of Fame – Full Member: Grant Bluett (Orienteering)

For more information about this year’s winners visit the CBR Sport Awards website.

Rower Nikki Ayers was named both Athlete of the Year – Para Sport and Athlete of the Year – Women’s Sport.

Volleyball team the Canberra Heat was named team of the Year.

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CIT Bruce has launched a new campus convenience store, YalaPlus, enabled by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.

The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is the first education institution in the southern hemisphere to use the technology.

Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology uses AI to determine what shoppers take or return to shelves.

Computer vision and deep learning techniques simplify the shopping experience by removing checkout lines, helping students get in and out quickly.

The technology uses synthetic datasets that mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios to ensure accuracy in virtually any environment.

Professional services company Cognizant helped provide the solution integration to ensure seamless payment options for students.

At YalaPlus, students enter the store using their credit card or mobile wallet at the entry gate.

Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology then detects what they take from or return to the shelves and creates a virtual shopping session.

When students complete their shopping, they can leave the store without waiting in line, and their credit card is charged for the items they take.

CIT Student Association chief executive officer Andrew Scotford said the innovative stores would create an improved and more flexible student experience.

“Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology will benefit all students, especially those studying outside of regular business hours,” he said.

“Many CIT students are balancing work, study and training, so flexibility and accessibility are important to them.

“There are also 48 students who live on the CIT Bruce Campus that don’t have easy access to nearby shopping. YalaPlus now offers convenient access to products such as food, beverages and other essential items.”

CIT interim chief executive officer Christine Robertson says the Institute, now in its 95th year, is entering an exciting era of progress.

“CIT will open a new state-of-the-art, digitally connected Woden CIT campus in 2025, but innovation doesn’t wait. We’re committed to uplifting our existing facilities and experiences for students and staff,” she said.

The Student Association also plans to open two more stores at CIT campuses, at Fyshwick and at Bruce, in early 2024.

Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium is home to two other locations using this technology in Australia.

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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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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.

For more information about outdoor dining and the Event Coordination and Business Assist Team, please visit www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au.

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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 .

Learn more about the Understanding Building and Construction Program.

^{Anna learnt a great deal on work experience at RPS Group.}

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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.

The planting program is supported by the introduction of the Urban Forest Act 2023 and the Urban Forest Strategy.

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:

• Isaacs
• Reid
• Aranda
• Cook
• Forrest
• Deakin
• Garran
• Braddon
• Weetangera

For more information visit: www.cityservices.act.gov.au/trees-and-nature/trees/urban-forest-strategy

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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.

The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan was developed to address the national issue of teacher workforce shortages.

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.

If you are a school leaver, graduate or career switcher thinking about a career in teaching, view the pathways into teaching, scholarships and support available to you.

“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.

Read more on the Be That Teacher website.

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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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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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