Community Noticeboard
Events for March 2012
ENLIGHTEN: See Canberra in a whole new light
Friday & Saturday 2-3 & 9-10 March 2012 from 6pm to 11.30pm
With autumn just around the corner, now is the perfect time to invite your family and friends to see the capital in a whole new light during ENLIGHTEN on 2, 3, 9 & 10 March.
Be entertained with late night openings at over 11 attractions plus spectacular architectural projections and a buzzing entertainment precinct. ENLIGHTEN 2012 features 35 free and ticketed events, from exclusive blockbuster exhibitions to live performance, tours and talks and exclusive dining experiences.
Part of the Canberra Festival, ENLIGHTEN, provides a spectacular new perspective on some of Australia’s most famous attractions, linking them through late night openings and a memorable array of fun and surprising experiences for visitors.
For more information go to canberrafestival.com.au/enlighten
Tickets can be booked online at ticketek.com or by phone on 132 849.
Call for applications - Heritage Grants Program
The ACT Heritage Grants Program assists the community in conserving and promoting the heritage of the ACT. Applications for the 2012-2013 round are now open to individuals, community groups and incorporated non-profit or private organisations.
For further information including application forms call (02) 6207 2160 or visit www.environment.act.gov.au/heritage
Please note the Program priorities have been revised with a greater focus on conservation and engagement activities.
Applications close 5.00pm on Friday 4 May 2012
All Libraries ACT branches closed for annual planning day
Libraries ACT wishes to advise that all ACT public libraries, including the ACT Heritage Library will be closed on Wednesday 21 March 2012 to allow all staff to attend the annual Libraries ACT planning day.
It is important that all Libraries ACT staff come together for one day a year and have the opportunity to contribute to the planning of future services, programs, events and initiatives for the library service. Due to the seven day per week operation of libraries, this is the only way library staff can meet together for this purpose.
Regular programs including children’s Story Time and Giggle and Wiggle will also not run on this day, nor will the mobile library and home library services.
The Canberra Connect Civic driver licence service located within the Civic Library as well as the ArchivesACT service located upstairs at the Woden Library will also be closed.
The community can still make use of all online services, including searching, reserving and renewing items. Items can be returned using the return chutes located outside each Libraries ACT branch.
For more information call 6205 9000 or visit www.library.act.gov.au
Our City, Our Community newsletter delivered to your home
Keep a look out in the mail next week for the Our City, Our Community newsletter that will be delivered to households from Monday 19 March. The newsletter is an annual summary to update the community on projects and initiatives, as well as resident’s entitlements and obligations delivered by the ACT Government. Included with the newsletter this year is the 2012/2013 NoWaste calendar.
The newsletter will also be available from ACT Public Libraries and Canberra Connect Shopfronts
Nominations called for members of the Non-Government Schools Education Council
The Non-Government Schools Education Council is established under section 106 of the Education Act 2004, to provide advice to the Minister on all aspects of non-government schooling in the ACT. A copy of the Act can be found at http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2004-17/default.asp
Nominations are sought from members of the community who are interested in being appointed to the council. A member of the council is appointed for a term of not longer than 3 years.
Nominations close Friday 30 March 2012.
Nominations, including a current curriculum vitae incorporating relevant background, should be forwarded to:
Non-government Schools Education Council Secretariat
c/- Liaison Unit
ACT Education and Training Directorate
PO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601
For further information please contact the Manager of the Liaison Unit on 6205 9301 or det.ngso@act.gov.au
Rabbit Control Program
The ACT Government will conduct a rabbit control program from Sunday 18 March 2012 to Monday 16 April 2012 between Dairy Road in Fyshwick and the Kingston railway line, including the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve. The program will use 1080 and pindone poisons.
Users of these areas are requested not to touch or interfere with poisoned carrots or caged bait stations. Domestic animals are at-risk of poisoning and must be kept away from the area. Warning signs will be posted at entries to the control area.
For further information contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
Coffee and Cupcake Day in Franklin
Come along and enjoy a delicious Sunday treat! The Community Development Program ‘Mingle’ is an exciting Land Development Agency (LDA) initiative that aims to build vibrant communities.
Where: on the corner of Charlotte Barton and Amy Witting Street
When: 10am to 11am, Sunday 18 March 2012
Join our Mingle database and be the first to know about events? Email mingle@act.gov.au
Open Day at the new Adult Mental Health Unit
The new Adult Mental Health Unit, located at Canberra Hospital, will be open to the public between 1.00pm and 6.00pm on Friday, 23 March 2012.
The open day will provide interested members of the community with a rare opportunity to view the inside of the unit before the first consumers are transferred to the new unit in early April.
Mental health staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions as you tour the facility.
The entrance to the new unit is located on Dann Close, on the southern end of the Canberra Hospital campus. Public parking is available in the nearby multi-storey Southern Car Park or in the Yamba Drive South car park.
For further information about the open day please phone 6205 9788 or email yourhealthourpriority@act.gov.au
Notice of intention to close part of a public road - Athllon Drive
Under the Public Roads Act 1902, notice is given that it is intended to close part of the Athllon Drive road reserve adjacent to Blocks 11, 13 and 17 to 19 Section 130 in the Division of Phillip, District of Woden Valley.
It is proposed to amalgamate the segment of road reserve (being a strip 2.1 metres wide) and the adjoining blocks for a future development. The closure will not affect the existing thoroughfare or access to any leases along Athllon Drive.
A plan showing the area affected is available for inspection during business hours at the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, 16 Challis Street, Dickson, ACT and on
www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/annual/2012.asp
Anyone wishing to object to this closure may do so within one month after the publication of this notice by setting out any objections in writing to:
The Minister for Planning
Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate
GPO Box 1908
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Attention: Gerry Gagliardi
Bill Hirst
Surveyor-General of the ACT
Delegate of the Minister
Aerial spraying at Stromlo Forest Park
Aerial spraying will be conducted in West Stromlo during the week of the 26 March – 30 March 2012.
The spray application will target Paterson’s Curse using a registered herbicide, and will be dependent on weather conditions.
For more information please contact Territory Venues and Events on 02 6256 6700.
Expressions of Interest - Tree Advisory Panel
Expressions of interest are being sought from suitably experienced members of the community who are interested in serving as a paid member of the Tree Advisory Panel. The Tree Protection Act 2005 requires the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services to appoint a Tree Advisory Panel of three or more people who have extensive experience in the areas of arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, natural and cultural heritage or landscape architecture. Applicants must also have an understanding of the hazards and risks associated with trees in the urban environment.
The main responsibilities of the Tree Advisory Panel are to provide advice to the Conservator of Flora and Fauna on the following matters: consideration of trees for inclusion on the ACT Tree Register; approval of activities relating to protected trees including removal; and reconsideration of decisions made by the Conservator.
Interested persons should submit a brief letter of interest with information on relevant experience, qualifications and contact details by 5.00pm Monday 9 April 2012.
Further information may be obtained from Richard Allen on 02 6207 5878. Expressions of interest should be addressed to:
Mr Richard Allen
Urban Treescapes
Territory and Municipal Services Directorate
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
Commencement of the Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011
The Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011 (the Act) commences on Friday 30 March 2012. The Act transfers the provisions dealing with the management of unit titles to a separate statute. The Act will assist owners, managers and others involved in managing units plans to understand their roles and legal responsibilities in the day-to-day activities of managing a units plan.
More information can be found at
www.justice.act.gov.au/factsheet/view/5/title/unit-titles or
www.ors.act.gov.au/community/unit_titles
Grants to improve the lives of children
Schools, businesses and community groups are being invited to help make a difference to the lives of children or young people who may be facing problems by applying for funding through Schools as Communities Strategic Projects grants.
The grants offer up to $5,000 per applicant to devise programs that focus on identifying possible challenges facing children or young people and preventing them from worsening.
Applications are being sought for projects where families, schools, communities, local businesses and government work together to benefit children, young people and their families.
For more information visit www.dhcs.act.gov.au or call 02 6207 8228.
Applications close Monday 30 April.
Neighbour Day
Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration of community, bringing together the people next door, across the street or on the next farm for a beer, a barbie or just a cuppa.
Since 2003 there have been five principal aims which have shaped Neighbour Day -
1. Strengthen communities and build better relationships with the people who live around us;
2. Create safer, healthier and more vibrant suburbs and towns;
3. Promote tolerance, respect and understanding;
4. Break down community barriers; and
5. Protect the elderly, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.
Held on the last Sunday in March every year, it’s the perfect day to say thanks for being a great neighbour and for being there when I needed you most.
Tharwa Fish Habitat Project Information Evening
Studies of the Murray-Darling Basin have shown that native fish populations are currently at or below 10% of pre-European settlement levels. In order to help boost these populations the ACT Government together with the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach (UMDR) initiative will be building an Engineered Log Jam (ELJ) in the Murrumbidgee River downstream of Tharwa bridge.
ELJ’s are artificial habitat structures made of large logs stabilised with rock. The ELJ provides habitat, food and shelter and enhances the opportunity for fish to move freely through the river. Come and join us at a public information meeting from 6pm – 7pm at Tharwa Public Hall. The meeting will feature a presentation by Dr Andrew Brooks, expert in ELJ design and construction from the Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Queensland.
Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP by Monday 19th of March to felicity.grant@act.gov.au or 6207 2490.
More information can be found at www.upperbidgeereach.org.au
New Open Government Media Release Site and closure of Chief Ministerâs website
In line with the ACT Government’s commitment to making information easier to find, the website www.chiefminister.act.gov.au and media release subscription service will be closing down permanently on 3 April 2012.
From 3 April 2012, all ACT Government Minister’s media releases and ACT Government Directorate’s media releases will be available from the ACT Open Government website at www.cmd.act.gov.au/open_government.
If you wish to receive ACT Government media releases you will be able to subscribe to the RSS feed of the ACT Open Government media release site.
For more information please email ACTGOVMedia@act.gov.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Transport Service Workshops â 4 and 11 April
Do you have trouble getting to appointments, shops, school or social events?
We’re setting up an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander transport service to help get you moving around town. No matter your age, come along to a workshop and share your ideas to help us build a great service that will work for you.
Join us for a workshop and lunch at:
Boomanulla Oval, Narrabundah: 9am – 1:30pm, Wednesday 4 April or
Northside Community Centre, Dickson: 9am – 1:30pm, Wednesday 11 April
RSVP by Monday 2 April by ringing Maurice Walker 6205 9106, so we can organise catering, childcare and a lift if you need it.
Asbestos Awareness website is now live
The new-look Asbestos Awareness website was launched on Tuesday 27 March and aims to be a central source of information about asbestos for homeowners, builders and tradespeople, providing advice and resources about this dangerous material.
Visit the ACT Government Asbestos Awareness website at www.asbestos.act.gov.au
Opening of 2013 ACT Arts Fund
artsACT will be opening the 2013 ACT Arts Fund on Tuesday 10 April 2012. Applications are invited from ACT-based individuals, groups and organisations wishing to undertake arts projects, programs and activities in 2013.
Applications for One-Off Project Funding, Communities Working With Artists Funding, Program Funding, ACT Creative Arts Fellowships and ACT Book of the Year will close on Monday 21 May 2012.
All applicants are encouraged to attend an Information Session at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 2nd Floor, North Building, Civic Square, on:
Wednesday 11 April 2012 6:00pm - 7:30pm
NOWaste Easter Services
Residents are advised of the following change to garbage and/or recycling collections. Residents who would normally receive garbage and recycling collection services on Good Friday will now have these collections on Saturday 7 April 2012. Bins must be placed on the kerb by 7.00am on Saturday 7 April 2012. All other collections will continue as normal.
The following waste and recycling services will be closed on Good Friday 6 April 2012:
• Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, Symonston
• Mitchell Resource Management Centre, Flemington Road, Mitchell
• Corkhill Bros Green Waste Recycling Service, Mugga Lane, Resource Management Centre, Symonston
• Canberra Sand and Gravel Green Waste Recycling Service, Parkwood Road, Belconnen
The Canberra Sand and Gravel privately owned green waste operations in Mitchell will be closed from Friday 6 April 2012 until Monday 9 April 2012 (inclusive). Please note this is not an ACT Government facility.
For more information visit www.tams.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
Reconciliation Action Plan artwork competition
The Justice and Community Safety Directorate is holding an artwork competition as part of the development of its Reconciliation Action Plan.
Open to indigenous and non-indigenous Australians of all ages, the competition will be open to artworks of any medium, but they must have a Canberra theme.
The competition closes on Friday, 18 May 2012.
Entry forms for the competition, including terms and conditions, can be found at www.justice.act.gov.au
Earth Hour
On Saturday March 31st, millions of global citizens, from one hundred different countries, will unite in the action of lights out. Will you be one of them?
Earth Hour is a call to action to every individual, every business and every community. It starts with a flick of the switch at 8:30pm Saturday March 31st, in a collective display of commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all - the planet.
To find out more and register, go to www.earthhour.org.au