Category: MIL-OSI

The ACT Government is continuing to invest in local shop upgrades across Canberra.

Residents of Evatt, Lanyon and Calwell can now have their say on the preliminary designs of their local shops. Upgrades have been focused on safety and access, with additional improvements included to encourage Canberrans to spend more time in their suburbs and shop local.

Evatt

• The shops on Heydon Place will receive safety and access improvements including upgraded paths, crossings, and accessible parking bays.
• New art murals, tables and seating are proposed, as well as designs for play elements, which may include a new nest swing, balancing logs, and steppers.

Lanyon Marketplace

• The intersection of Balcombe and Sidney Nolan streets is proposed to be raised with a new pedestrian crossing to slow vehicles and improve pedestrian safety.
• The Box Hill Avenue underpass will also be upgraded with improved stairway access, an art mural and new lighting to improve safety.
• Other improvements may include a new shade structure at the skate park, better landscaping, and new seating to provide spaces to sit and gather.

Calwell Group Centre

• Proposed playground nature and accessible play improvements include a slide, steppers and new shade structure.
• Other potential improvements include raised planting beds, tree planting, new art murals as well as seating and tables.

To view the designs and find out how you can provide feedback, visit yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/local-shop-improvements. Feedback closes on Monday, 21 August 2023.

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They’re the people who help us get from A to B, and those who ensure our most vulnerable community members can access important services.

However, Canberra’s frontline workers – including health workers, bus drivers and parking inspectors – are among those most likely to experience threats, physical assault and verbal abuse while on the job.

“You go to work to do your job, you don’t expect to get hurt,” local bus driver Brett* said.

After eight years working for Transport Canberra, Brett has had his fair share of negative encounters driving a bus.

“For me, things have gotten worse since COVID … people just seem to be more aggressive,” he said.

Brett believes that many Canberrans have simply forgotten how to behave.

“A lot of people don’t even acknowledge you; they just walk in straight past you,” he said.

Sometimes a situation can escalate, like the time a passenger threw a can at Brett’s head.

“That’s the sort of thing that can happen. You never know what’s going to trigger someone,” Brett said.

“This guy went from nought to 100 in less than a second. If someone gets on the bus and wants to be violent, there’s only so much you can do.”

And he’s not the only bus driver to have these experiences.

“Drivers have had drinks thrown over them – all sorts of things have happened. You shouldn’t have to put up with that.”

After only eight months working as an ACT Government parking compliance officer, Anushka* can empathise with Brett’s stories.

Just a few weeks ago, a disgruntled Canberran approached Anushka when he was issuing a fine for a car parked in a loading zone.

The owner of the illegally parked car approached Anushka aggressively and began yelling and swearing at him.

“I was trying to explain the rules, but he didn’t want to listen. He just kept screaming at me,” he said.

“Luckily there were another two inspectors close by … we always stay close in case something happens. When they walked over, he left.”

Anushka understands the frustration of receiving a parking fine, particularly given the current cost of living.

“The community should understand, we don’t have a personal issue with anyone. We’re just trying to do our job,” he said.

“We’re trying to help the community. Everyone should have access to parking.”

Fortunately, Access Canberra and Transport Canberra have several measures in place to help support their staff members through workplace incidents.

“I feel like they really care about our safety … they really support me well,” Anushka said.

“When it’s all said and done, it’s still a good job. I won’t be changing anytime soon,” Brett said.

And in the meantime, Brett wants to issue a little reminder to Canberrans.

“Use your manners, a bit of politeness. And don’t use the bus like your own personal bin.”

Support services are available to Canberrans who have experienced occupational violence through WorkSafe ACT.

* For personal privacy, surnames of interviewees have been removed.

_{Anushka has been yelled and sworn at while doing his job.}

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The completion of the Canberra Hospital expansion and a new northside hospital headline the Health update of the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan.

The plan outlines two areas of focus – hospital infrastructure and community health – with the purpose of improving acute services infrastructure and delivering more health services in the community.

The government will continue to invest in infrastructure across the Canberra Hospital campus through the implementation of the Canberra Hospital Masterplan. The plan provides a long-term framework to guide the redevelopment of the campus over the next 20 years.

At the centre of the Masterplan is the new Canberra Hospital Critical Services Building, opening next year.

The Critical Services Building will provide Canberrans with access to a bigger emergency department, more treatment spaces and more operating theatres.

Funding was provided in the 2023-24 ACT Budget to progress detailed design of the new northside hospital, which will ultimately see an investment of more than $1 billion.

Additional investments in community health services and primary care will help to keep Canberrans healthy and out of hospital.

The government will roll out four new Health Centres to deliver community-based services in South Tuggeranong, North Gungahlin, the Inner South and West Belconnen.

These Health Centres will provide integrated multi-disciplinary care with a focus on preventive care and advice, early intervention, and the management of chronic illness.

Through the 2023-24 ACT Budget, the government has committed funding to design and construct the South Tuggeranong Health Centre and to begin planning and design work for North Gungahlin and the Inner South.

Other projects identified in the plan include:

• expanding and upgrading endoscopy suites at the Canberra Hospital to help meet patient demand
• a fit-for-purpose Acute Palliative Care Ward at Canberra Hospital. Early planning is already underway with construction anticipated to begin late 2024
• the Watson Health Precinct – a new precinct to support youth mental health and alcohol and other drug services as well as a residential rehabilitation service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
• a strategic review of community health assets across the ACT to develop a long-term plan for the upgrade, renewal and construction of these facilities.

To view the updated Infrastructure plan, including the health sector updates, visit www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au

^{An artists impression of the Canberra Hospital Expansion.}

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Canberra continues to be a destination of choice with the latest national and international visitor survey data showing 5.57 million visitors to Canberra over the year to March 2023.

Canberra experienced the highest growth in domestic overnight visitation, overnight stays and expenditure of all Australian states and territories during the 12-month period.

Not only did visitors come in droves, they also spent up big with Canberra recording its highest ever visitor expenditure of $3.33 billion in a 12-month period, surpassing the record annual high reached for year ending December 2022 by $300 million.

This demonstrates the ACT Government is on track to reach its target of $4 billion in expenditure by 2030 under T2030: ACT Tourism Strategy 2023-2030.

Of the 5.57 million visitors, 5.4 million were domestic and 130,000 were international visitors. The number of international visitors is also set to increase with Fiji Airways due to start a direct service from Canberra this month, which will open up the north American market.

The data shows that compared with December 2019 – before the pandemic began – the domestic leisure and visiting friends and relatives market has fully recovered. While the number of visitors coming for business is lower, they are spending more money.

The government will continue to invest in initiatives that attract visitors and improve the ACT’s destination appeal. This includes continuing investment in the Aviation Stimulus Fund to attract more direct domestic and international flights to and from Canberra, extending the successful Tourism Product Development Fund for another year and supporting year-round destination marketing activities.

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All three replacement bridges in the Umbagong District Park are now open for the community to enjoy.

The timber bridges were constructed in 1986 and closed to the public in April 2021 after a safety audit revealed the bridges needed replacement.

The new steel, handrailed bridges have a rusted finish in contrast to the white timber bridges they once were. This rusted finish complements the natural setting and colours of the Umbagong native grasslands.

Two of the smaller pedestrian bridges were opened in July. The third larger bridge has now been completed. The larger bridge includes a new accessible lookout area and seating which provides enough space for wheelchairs or mobility scooters to turn around safely.

Bollards have also been installed at either end of the three bridges to deter vehicles from driving through the park to protect the area from potential damage.

While engaging with the community the ACT Government heard how valued the park and bridges are. With the project now complete, the new bridges will allow Canberrans to stop and appreciate the nature of the park including birds, grasslands, and lizards.

Additional improvements have also been carried out in the park including formalising the carpark off Florey Drive and recycling healthy timber from the original three bridges to create seating.

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Community Gardens are places where Canberrans can grow food, make friends and connect with nature, while also creating great habitats for local animals.

Community Gardens Grants program

The grants program aims to support community garden projects throughout the ACT. Previous projects include traditional and indigenous food gardens, micro-forests, and urban gardens.

Funding can be used to build or enhance community gardens by:

• buying tools and materials.
• hiring equipment.
• or cover the costs of contractors.

Since its development the program has helped both new and existing community gardens operated by a diverse range for community groups including not-for-profit groups, school communities, owner’s corporations and religious groups.

Canberra City Farm

Canberra City Farm located on Diary Road in Fyshwick has received funding across two rounds of the Community Garden Grants. The farm has grown into a beloved community space for many Canberrans.

Grant funding allowed the garden to expand its plots to welcome more members and share gardening knowledge across generations.

“The grant funding received in 2019 allowed us to plant an additional 25 allotments with the main expense being installing irrigation and hiring equipment,” President of the Canberra City Farm John Peters said.

“Many of our older allotments are farmed by retirees, and our newer allotments, which came from our grant funding, are farmed by young families who live in apartments. They travel to the farm by bike or bring their kids, have picnics, and enjoy their time outside.

“The retirees have the practical knowledge of how to grow plants and produce in Canberra, and through working together this knowledge is passed onto the younger groups.

“We recognise we are a community asset and welcome schools and other garden groups to the farm. We give these groups a tour of the farm, which is both educational and social.”

^{President of the Canberra City Farm John Peters at the garden in Fyshwick.}

Apply for the 2023-24 grants program

This year there is $100,000 of grant funding available, split across two categories. Not-for-profit community organisations, schools, churches, and owners’ corporations are eligible to apply .

• Category one: $40,000 available
  Up to $10,000 per project that will fund minor improvements or expansion of existing gardens or establishing small low-impact gardens.

• Category two: $60,000 available
  Up to $20,000 per project to establish new large-scale food production community gardens, or for significant garden infrastructure.

More information about the Community Garden’s Grant program, including details on how to apply is available on the Everyday Climate Choices website: climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/community-garden-grants

More information about the Canberra City Farm and upcoming events can be found in the farm’s website: ccfarm.org.au

Applications for the 2023-24 program close on Thursday, 7 September 2023.

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Two mental health services specifically for young people have opened in the new adolescent health-focussed wing of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.

Located on the Canberra Hospital Campus, the new 14 bed adolescent unit includes eight medical beds and six beds for mental health patients. This is the first time the ACT public health system has had dedicated mental health beds available for young people.

Canberra Health Services’ Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will operate the six dedicated mental health beds – providing care for young people who require treatment for acute mental illness.

The eight medical beds will be used for young people who have been admitted to hospital, with two being designed to be easily adapted to meet demand in the unit.

A safe place for young people

Clinical Director of CAMHS Ilona DiBella said the specialised team was experienced in working with young people and their families.

“The CAMHS Adolescent Mental health Unit is a safe place for young people as staff are conscious of and attentive to adolescent’s vulnerabilities,” she said.

“Having a dedicated inpatient space for young people from 12 up their 18th birthday experiencing mental health problems means that young people who require treatment for moderate to severe mental illness can now access this in a purposefully designed setting that considers their developmental, psychological and physical needs.”

Features of the new Adolescent Unit

The new Adolescent Unit includes:

• 14 patient beds – eight medical beds and six dedicated mental health beds
• a negative pressure room to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
• a bariatric rated room with lifter for the treatment of obese patients
• a treatment room
• a sensory room within the mental health section of the unit
• interview spaces, and
• a dedicated place for recreation and therapeutic activities, a family lounge and courtyard.

New adolescent day program 

The Adolescent Day Program has also moved into its permanent home at the Centenary Hospital. The new purpose-built facility provides a welcoming space that has been specifically designed for the program.

The program provides a range of mental health programs to support individual and group therapy, parenting sessions, activity-based programs and psycho-education to assist with the continued recovery of young people.

Kieran Dixon, Adolescent Day Program Team Manager said an important element of the program was young people being able to connect with “… others who have similar stories or have been through similar things and being able to have that shared experience and learn how to recover together.”

Healing artwork by local artists

Artwork has been created and curated for both the new adolescent unit and the Adolescent Day Program.

In the adolescent unit, artwork by Canberra based artists Paul Summerfield, byrd and Julie Bradley, as well as Indigenous artist Natalie Bateman helps create a place of healing and inspiration for the young people receiving care.

In the Adolescent Day Program, Canberra based visual artist Jodie Cunningham’s artwork helps to create an uplifting and engaging space.

For more information on the Centenary Hospital Expansion Project, visit the Built for CBR website.

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