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Giant crane arrives in Canberra

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

More than 100 semi-trailers were needed to deliver the crane pieces, and it took almost three weeks to build.

In brief:

  • A giant crane is helping to build the new Molonglo River Bridge.
  • The crane will reach heights of up to 143-metres, it is one of the tallest cranes to ever come to Canberra.
  • This article provides more information on the crane.

A giant crane has arrived in Canberra to work on the Molonglo River Bridge project.

The crane is one of the tallest to ever come to Canberra.

A crane enthusiasts dream

Standing at up to143 metres tall, the crane is taller than Parliament House, which is 107 metres high.

More than 100 semi-trailers were needed to deliver the crane pieces, and it took almost three weeks to build.

The crane is:
-capable of lifting steel beams up to 80 metres long – nearly the length of four basketball courts
-has a capacity of 1,600 tonnes, or the weight of 260 elephants.

To aid in the construction of the new bridge, Coppins Crossing Road is now closed for up to three weeks.

This will allow the crane to lift the steel girders into place.

To safely view the crane in action, park at the Namarag Reserve carpark off Thancoupie Crescent. Please do not go beyond barriers or stop on Coppins Crossing Road.

The Molonglo River Bridge Project

When completed, the 200-metre-long Molonglo River Bridge will be the longest weathering steel bridge in Australia and the tallest road bridge in Canberra.

It will support the growing region and better connect suburbs in the Molonglo Valley to Belconnen and the rest of Canberra.

Construction began in January 2024. Initial works included the realignment of the northern approach road to Coppins Crossing. The new temporary road opened in May 2024.

The bridge’s foundation and substructure are now complete. The superstructure of the bridge is being constructed.

The Australian and ACT governments jointly fund the project under the Commonwealth’s Investment Road and Rail Program.

For more information visit the Built for CBR website.

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Key milestones for southside health projects

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Once complete, the new health centre will offer a range of vital services.

In brief:

  • Two important southside projects have reached key milestones.
  • These are the South Tuggeranong Health Centre and Southside Hydrotherapy Pool.
  • This article details the progress on these projects.

Canberrans living in the south are set to benefit from more local healthcare options.

Two important southside projects have reached key milestones.

  • The new health centre in Conder has received conditional development approval.
  • Construction on Tuggeranong’s new hydrotherapy pool has passed the halfway mark.

South Tuggeranong Health Centre

Remaining approvals are being sought to allow work to begin on the South Tuggeranong Health Centre.

Once complete, the new facility will offer a range of vital services.

These will include:

  • paediatrics
  • diabetes clinics
  • falls and falls injury prevention
  • chronic disease programs
  • a virtual care room for people unable to attend appointments in person.

The new centre will ensure southside residents can access the services they need closer to home.

The centre’s design has been shaped by extensive engagement with both clinicians and the local community.

The final plan includes 11 consultation rooms and a flexible layout.

The ACT Government has partnered with construction company Shape as the Head Contractor to build the facility.

Southside Hydrotherapy Pool

The hydrotherapy pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre is on track to be completed later this year.

Over the past few months, workers have poured, tested and cured the pool’s concrete shell.

Construction has passed the halfway point. Work is now focused on:

  • tiling the pool
  • constructing the surrounding building.

There will also be a new creche and community room for leisure centre members to use.

These are being fitted and furnished now and will open soon.

More health services for Canberra

These projects are in addition to others across the ACT, designed to deliver high-quality health care closer to where people live.

These include new health centres in:

  • North Gungahlin
  • the Inner South
  • West Belconnen.

Find out more here.

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Funding boost for local sporting clubs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Tuggeranong BMX Club in Kambah is one recipient of the Scheme.

In brief:

  • The ACT Government offers the Sport and Recreation Investment Scheme.
  • The scheme is providing funding to 38 local sport, recreation and community clubs.
  • Clubs will use the funding to improve their facilities and get more Canberrans involved in sport.

The latest round of the ACT Government’s Sport and Recreation Investment Scheme provides funding for 38 local sporting and recreation clubs.

It will help clubs develop places for sport and active recreation that are:

  • fit for purpose
  • sustainable
  • accessible.

The investment aims to help more Canberrans get involved in sport.

2025 funding recipients

The ACT Water Ski Association is one club to receive funding.

It will use the funds to upgrade its water ski clubhouse facilities at Molonglo Reach.

This will include a refurbished kitchen and bathrooms.

The Tuggeranong BMX Club in Kambah will replace its BMX start gate.

Belconnen Netball Association in Charnwood will build:

  • a new female and male toilet
  • change facilities
  • a fully accessible toilet with shower
  • better storage space.

“We are delighted to receive this investment from the ACT Government to upgrade our off-court facilities at Charnwood to ensure they are a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all our participants and supporters,”President of Belconnen Netball Association Kim Clarke said.

“Our current toilet and storage facilities are not suitable to cater for up to 2,000 users on competition days and this support will ensure a safe, accessible and welcoming environment for everyone to play and attend our netball activities and competitions.”

More information on the program

The Scheme offers four funding options. These are:

  • The Community Sport Facilities Funding Program. This supports the development of new high-quality, sustainable facilities. It also covers the upgrade of existing facilities. The goal is to help maintain or increase physical activity in the community.
  • The Club Enhancement Program. This helps sporting and recreation groups to further develop their local services and programs. It can include:
    • buying equipment
    • upskilling coaches and officials
    • supporting improvements to club governance.
  • The State Organisation Support Program. This provides funding through three-year agreements. Funds are for improving organisational capacity and capability.
  • The Industry Partnership Program. This allows the ACT Government to co-invest with state sporting organisations in projects that are:
    • innovative
    • collaborative
    • scalable
    • sustainable.

For more information visit the Sport and Recreation website.

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UPDATE: Death in custody – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force (NTPF) is continuing to investigate the death of a 24-year-old man in police custody earlier this week.

Around 1:10pm on Tuesday, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a male had been involved in an altercation with a security guard at the Coles supermarket in Alice Springs.

It is alleged a 24-year-old Aboriginal male was placing items down the front of his clothing when he was confronted by security guards.

One of the security guards was assaulted and there were two police officers, who were in plain clothes at the time, in the supermarket who rendered assistance to the security guards.

The man was placed onto the ground by those police officers, and lost consciousness a short time later.

Initial first aid was provided, including CPR.

St John Ambulance attended the scene, and the man was conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after 2:20pm.

The NTPF Major Crime Section Detectives are in Alice Springs investigating the death with oversight from the Professional Standards Command. Police are also investigating this matter on behalf of the Coroner.

The cause of the man’s death is currently undetermined, and the forensic pathologist is required to complete further investigation to provide any substantive cause of death.

Police believe the man was involved in an incident near the Commonwealth Bank on Gregory Terrace just prior to the incident at Coles. It is alleged that during this incident the 24-year-old has assaulted a woman who was not known to him. Police have since identified this woman and investigations remain ongoing.

Detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the incident at Coles or on Gregory Terrace to make contact on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said “Detectives have collected a considerable amount of evidence and the public can be assured that a full and thorough investigative report will be prepared for the Coroner.

“Police are in contact with the man’s family and are providing support through our Cultural Reform Team and I have visited the community of Yuendumu today to provide an update. We are also providing welfare support, alongside the NT Police Association, to the members involved. 

“Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family, our members and the entire Alice Springs Community and we thank them for their patience as we work through this investigation.”

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Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2025/D2 published

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

We’ve published Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2025/D2 Factors to consider when determining the amount of your inbound, cross-border related party financing arrangement – ATO compliance approach.

This draft PCG outlines our compliance approach and risk assessment framework, providing:

  • general factors relevant in determining and testing the amount of a taxpayer’s inbound, cross-border related party financing arrangement
  • specific examples on how we use the factors in our compliance approach
  • the types of documentation and evidence that we expect taxpayers to prepare in determining the amount of their cross-border related party financing arrangements.

The draft is open for public comment until 30 June 2025. If you would like to submit comments, refer to the instructions within PCG 2025/D2.

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Arrest – Sexual Assault – Palmerston

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a 37-year-old male in relation to a sexual assault committed on a female, aged under 16, in the Palmerston CBD late yesterday afternoon.

The offender was not known to the victim.

Detectives from the Child Abuse Taskforce identified and arrested the alleged offender earlier today.

He remains in police custody, with charges expected to be laid later this evening.

Anyone who witnesses crime is urged to contact police on 131 444 or dial Triple Zero in an emergency. You can anonymously report crime via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Arrest – Domestic violence and firearm offences – Leanyer

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Strike Force Lyra, with specialist assistance from the Territory Response Group and Dog Operations Unit, have arrested a 27-year-old male in relation to domestic violence and firearm offences in Leanyer yesterday afternoon.

On Saturday, the male attended a residence in company of two other persons and allegedly demanded money from a female victim before threatening to shoot and kill her. The victim is believed to be known to him. The offender allegedly continued assaulting and threatening the victim for some time and demanded the victim to remove her jewellery before he fled the scene.

Later that day, the alleged offender returned to the victim’s residence and made further threats.

On 28 May 2025, police executed a coordinated high-risk apprehension resulting in the alleged offender being apprehended in Leanyer without incident. During the arrest, the offender was located in possession of a firearm and a machete, concealed within his clothing.

He has since been charged with:

  • Aggravated assault
  • Assault with intent to steal – Aggravated
  • Make a threat to kill a person
  • Trespass
  • Drive Unlicenced
  • Possess / Carry / Use Controlled Weapon
  • Possess / Use Firearm while Unlicensed
  • Possess Unregistered Firearm
  • Going armed in Public

He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

Strike Force Lyra continues to actively seek out those who commit Domestic and Family Violence offences. Domestic and Family Violence has no place in our community, and we appreciate the brave victim-survivors and witnesses who report these incidents to Police.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

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Burnie man on firearms charge

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Burnie man on firearms charge

Thursday, 29 May 2025 – 2:15 pm.

A 64-year-old man has been arrested and remanded in custody after the discovery of illicit drugs and a homemade gun at a Burnie residence.
The arrest follows the search of a property in the suburb of Romaine on Monday, where Tasmania Police allege a quantity of illicit substances and a homemade firearm were located.
The Burnie man was taken into custody and has since been remanded to appear in court at a later date.
Police remain committed to targeting the possession and distribution of illicit substances and unlawful firearms in the community.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or via the website at www.crimestopperstas.com.au

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Wind turbine fire kept crews busy overnight

Source:

CFA crews were kept busy last night with a wind turbine fire at a wind farm in Great Western.

The wind farm fire began at about 9.30pm on Wednesday 28 May and seven CFA units from Ararat, Stawell and Great Western fire brigades attended the scene.

CFA District 16 Commander Ben Townsend said the fire was monitored by the company last night and crews were called back when it reignited at about 3.20am.

“CFA crews that attended did what they could do to create safety zones and remained clear of the structure,” Ben said.

“Crews were initially called out because the main body of the wind turbine was on fire. They contacted the operator of the turbines and shut them down.

“Crews left the scene in the hands of the owners to monitor and just after 3am they got called back because a blade had caught fire, dislodged and fell to the ground.”

The scene is now under control and will be investigated.

Submitted by CFA media
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Father calls for smoke alarms in all bedrooms

Source:

Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner, Community Safety, Joshua Fischer, Ashlea and Michael Vamplew with Harlow and Cranbourne Fire Brigade CFA member Zoe Russell.

A Cranbourne father who saved his daughter when a fire broke out in their family home is calling on Victorians to fit smoke alarms in all bedrooms.

The call comes as the latest figures show that between May 2024 and May 2025, FRV and CFA responded to more than 1,880 residential fires across Victoria, while 18 people died in preventable house fires during 2024.

Most fatal fires and those that cause serious injuries occur in bedrooms and living areas, however, FRV and CFA’s most recent survey of Victorians revealed just 17 percent of Victorians are protected by smoke alarms in their bedrooms.

On a cold August night last year, Michael Vamplew and his partner Ashlea woke to hear their two-year-old daughter Harlow screaming for help, after a fire took hold in her bedroom when her bed linen was ignited by a malfunctioning nightlight and powerboard.

Despite having smoke alarms installed in the hallways, no alarm was triggered as Harlow’s bedroom door was closed, containing most of the smoke inside.

“We heard her scream and call for help. I saw smoke rolling out beneath her bedroom door,” said Mr Vamplew.

“I knew we were in trouble and did what any other parent would do – the door was swollen shut from the heat of the fire, so I kicked it down. I just prayed that my daughter was safe. As I opened the door, she was standing there and I just grabbed her.”

Mr Vamplew saw flames had engulfed the majority of Harlow’s bedroom, from floor to ceiling.

“If there was a smoke alarm in the bedroom, it would have picked up the initial smoke before there was such a large fire,” he said.

In line with the family’s home fire escape plan, while Mr Vamplew got Harlow to safety, Ashlea helped to evacuate the other children and contacted the authorities with FRV and CFA arriving to tackle the blaze. Harlow was treated for third degree burns to her feet.

The Vamplews have since installed interconnected smoke alarms throughout their home so when one alarm activates, all will now sound.

“Everyone should definitely have smoke alarms in their bedrooms because they allow you to act before it is too late,” said Mr Vamplew.

“We have three children under four and if the fire had been in our one-year-old’s room, then the situation could have been significantly worse.”

Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner, Community Safety, Joshua Fischer hopes the Vamplew family’s lucky escape sends a strong message to all Victorians.

“What happened to the Vamplew family clearly demonstrates why it is so vital to have smoke alarms fitted in every bedroom of your home,” said Joshua.

CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook hoped this Smoke Alarm Action Day (1 June), residents feel prompted to reevaluate the placement and condition of their smoke alarms.

“We know fire risk is greatest when you are asleep, because we can lose our sense of smell. Without a working smoke alarm in your bedroom, your family may not wake up in time to safely escape,” Garry said.

When checking, installing, or replacing your smoke alarms, FRV and CFA advises:

  • Only working smoke alarms save lives.
  • Smoke alarms should also be installed in every bedroom and living area.
  • Smoke alarms must be located between each bedroom area and the rest of the house and on each level.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling at least 30cm from the wall or installed on the wall at least 30cm from the ceiling to avoid dead air space.
  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected, so when any alarm is activated, all smoke alarms will sound.
  • Fire services recommend the use of smoke alarms powered by a 10-year long life battery.
  • Smoke alarms should be tested monthly by pressing the test button on the alarm and waiting for the test alarm to sound.
  • Smoke alarms should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or dusted at least once a year to remove particles that will affect smoke alarm performance.
  • Replaceable batteries in a smoke alarm need to be changed yearly.
  • Smoke alarms, including those attached to mains power, should be replaced every 10 years
  • For more information, go to www.vic.gov.au/smoke-alarms
Submitted by CFA media