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Gunsmoke 71...Gunsmoke 71...
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 Click to download GCC Community Survey 2002 Report |
Also refer to the Activities Section of this site to read more about this topic
The ACT Chief Minister Answers Your Questions…
Mr. Jon Stanhope MLA was the guest speaker at the October public meeting of the Gungahlin Community Council. After outlining what his administration had achieved in the 12 months since the October 2001 election, Mr. Stanhope agreed to answer a number of questions from the floor. A few of the many questions and the answers given are reproduced here:
What about the provision of a Community Health Service in Gungahlin?
There was nothing planned at present, but Mr Stanhope undertook to look into the issue of health care for Gungahlin and the considerable distances that people are forced to travel for medical appointments.
What about the concern over present traffic flow within the Town Centre and indications that the majority of residents would prefer a Town Square?
Mr Stanhope undertook to obtain a briefing from both the Gungahlin Development Authority and Planning and Land Management on the issue and report back to the Council on the findings. Mr Stanhope stated that safety issues are of paramount concern.
Will the ACT Government stop shifting the blame to the Federal Government when it should be “biting the bullet” and possibly admitting that there may not be significantly increased employment opportunities within Gungahlin? If this is the case will the government look towards other long-term solutions?
Mr. Stanhope replied (tongue in cheek) that in terms of capital works the ACT Government could offer Gungahlin the gaol. He commented that Gungahlin already has a higher employment base per ratio of residents when compared to Weston Creek, Belconnen or Tuggeranong. Planning for the future is necessary and this is being done through Planning Minister Corbell’s “Spatial Plan” and the economic white paper that is being prepared. These are not being done in isolation and are taking a broad view with a range of work that will address issues around Gungahlin.
The Barton Highway roundabout is a “Black Spot”, what can be done to fix this dangerous intersection?
Mr Stanhope said that the Barton Hwy is a Federal road, however, he will take advice on the Black Spot Program and what is the ACT’s responsibility – he will ascertain what representation has already been made to the Commonwealth and what options are open.
Letters to the Editor
Disclaimer: Unless explicitly advised otherwise “Letters to the Editor” published may include views, opinions and/or recommendations of individuals that do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the Gungahlin Community Council Inc. as a whole. Additionally publishing of received letters does not necessarily indicate the commitment or endorsement of the council to any particular course of action.
Dear Editor,
Could I encourage more Gungahlin residents to participate in the Gungahlin Community Council meetings? They take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in the building that houses the library.
There are two big issues which people need to be involved in/ aware of.
The first involves all residents and that is the design for the rest of the Gungahlin Marketplace. Those of us who have been here for a while are getting the impression that the Gungahlin Development Authority thinks ‘community consultation’ means listening to us and then doing what it wants anyway, usually in favour of commercial interests. There has been overall support for a ‘people place’ in the middle instead of allowing Hibberson St to run through the centre as it dangerously does now. The Authority says that this wouldn’t be in the best interests of business development.
The second issue is the new Amaroo school, which is proposed as a K-10 school of well over a thousand students. Both the primary and the secondary buildings seem to be based on ‘cheque book’ education, rather than what is best socially and educationally for our young people. The Council has set up a sub-committee to look into this.
We need community support on both these issues if Gungahlin is to continue to be a desirable place to live.
Audrey Guy
7 Hughes Cres
Ngunnawal
Dear Editor,
I am writing about a matter of some importance to residents of Gungahlin.
During a conversation with a number of business colleagues I have been informed that TransACT is planning to deliver an inferior service into Gungahlin or possibly not deliver a service at all. It appears that a cheap, second-rate solution is intended as a short-term cost-cutting measure. Unfortunately, this will have long term detriment to the Gungahlin community and could result in Gungahlin becoming Canberra’s ‘Broadband Ghetto’.
Gungahlin residents deserve what the rest of Canberra is getting (or is going to get). Anything less is unfair and discriminatory. Why should businesses that need affordable broadband be forced to move south? Why shouldn’t Gungahlin have Pay TV like the rest of Canberra? As Telstra doesn’t seem able to deliver broadband to this area we need to send a clear message to the assembly that we expect the government to help TransACT as much as is necessary to ensure that they deliver a service into Gungahlin that is just as good as anywhere else. Gungahlin is an urban area of the ACT, not a rural area, and has the right to the same standard of modern services as the rest of the city.
My concern is that the community is unaware of TransACT’s intention as to the broadband infrastructure planned for Gungahlin. Ted Quinlan and Brendan Smyth are the appropriate politicians to contact requesting that:
· “The Assembly commits itself to the principle that Gungahlin should have equally good Broadband services to the rest of Canberra’
· “The Assembly take every possible step to assist TransACT to deliver the same services to Gungahlin that it delivers to the rest of Canberra”.
As you are well aware infrastructure takes time to plan and decisions made now will impact the long term. My concern is that the broadband infrastructure will mirror the road transport infrastructure that Gungahlin currently ‘enjoys”. It is in Gungahlin’s interest to express to the ACT Assembly the level of broadband infrastructure that they expect to be delivered.
Yours faithfully
Mark Hosking
Telstra ADSL Finally For Gungahlin?
The following is an article that has been reproduced from Penton iTnewswire website. (http://www.itnews.com.au/) The article (whilst not directly referencing Gungahlin) could indicate that ADSL Broadband technology may finally become a reality in the region no later than next year:
Telstra fills DSL holes
By iTnews staff
Tuesday, 19 November 2002
Telstra will spend $10 million in 2003 upgrading regional and outer metropolitan exchanges for ADSL.
The move will see an additional 100 exchanges added to the 800 that are already equipped for ADSL. Telstra claims 40 of the upgrades will be completed before the end of 2002.
Telstra will also begin testing new "mini ADSL" devices suitable for use in Remote Integrated Multiplexers or RIMs in early 2003, as well a new full sized ADSL RIMs for newly developed suburbs.
Telstra claims it is also "working out new technically feasible and cost effective ways to assist more customers access alternative copper paths for ADSL and ISDN
"These important new initiatives will be underpinned by improvements to Telstra's existing broadband register, a key tool for tracking customer demand. An improved method for capturing customer registrations will be introduced in the 2003," said Telstra networks and technology group managing director, Doug Campbell.”
Gungahlin Community Council Footnote:
Senator Kate Lundy (Senator for the Australian Capital Territory and the Federal Opposition spokesperson for IT & Telecommunications matters), was made aware of the above news article. The senator was asked to pursue Telstra for formal undertakings, specifically in the following areas given the information provided in the news article:
That the existing suburbs of Gungahlin currently on RIM devices will be included in the initial testing of the “mini ADSL” devices.
That the new North Gungahlin suburbs (those areas covered by the ACT Government Draft Variation to the Territory Plan DV130) will have full access to ADSL as part of the development of the area.
That proper mobile-Telecommunications coverage will be provided at the same time as these new (Northern) suburbs are being developed.
In a reply email, Senator Lundy has indicated in a positive manner, “I'll see what I can do.” Hopefully Telstra will respond in a positive manner too!
Community Environmental Forum “Working together for the Environment”
The forum was held on 16 October 2002. This was the first annual Community Environment Forum supported by the Conservation Council of South East Region and Canberra (CCSERC), and Environment ACT. There were roughly 100 representatives of no less than 40 local community environment focused groups from within the ACT and surrounding region. The forum was professionally facilitated and organised in to two main sessions.
Speakers in the first session included:
- Nicola Davies – Executive Director of the CCSERC who set the general scene and tone of discussion for the forum.
- Mr. Bill Wood MLA – Minster for the Environment, who discussed the concept of Participation, Partnership and Progress and how important these concepts were for effective protection and conservation of the environment.
- Dr. Maxine Cooper – Executive Director of Environment ACT, discussed her role within Environment ACT, acting as a “link” between the Minister, the Community and the Department. Dr. Cooper also went on to explain the roles of the various committees that advise Environment ACT, the work they undertake and how the community can engage them.
- Professor Peter Cullen, winner of the Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2001, delivered the keynote address. His speech discussed the Murray-Darling Basin. He covered the issues, current consultation processes and explained that Canberra is the largest urban area in the Basin. Professor Cullen is optimistic on how Canberra can make a large contribution to the upkeep and care of the Basin over time.
- Finally, Mr Gary Croston - Manager of Environmental Protection within Environment ACT gave a very interesting talk about water initiatives and directions in the ACT. This included coverage of Water Management and Water Sensitive Urban Design issues.
The second half of the forum was the workshop session. The workshop was based on a series of topics and issues that participants had thought the most relevant from an initial exercise that identified the “hot” issues. The purpose of the workshop session was for each of the 12 tables of participants to come up with a series of “Objectives”, “Activities” and “Champions” for each the following “hot” issues: water, communication, sustainability, planning and urban development, partnerships, bio diversity and habitat loss.
The only criticisms of the forum would be that there was that not nearly enough time was allowed to do justice to the workshop topics and that allocation of workshop topics was on a random basis. Apart from that the forum offered an ideal opportunity to network and attempt to gain an understanding of the issues affecting other groups with similar environmental concerns.
North Gungahlin Structure Plan – Draft Variation 130 and Preliminary Assessment documents:
On October 22 Planning And Land Management (PALM) released the North Gungahlin Structure Plan for public comment and consultation.
The Structure plan covers the six new Gungahlin suburbs of Bonner, Casey, Forde, Jacka, Moncrieff and Taylor along with the undeveloped parts of Amaroo and Ngunnawal. These are expected to be the main areas for residential development in Canberra over the next 20 years and by 2022 these suburbs will be home to about 34,500 residents. However before broad scale development can commence, a revised Structure Plan that includes the detailed planning for the new suburbs needs to be approved, this needs to take into account modern-day and future needs. Community consultation has been a strong feature of this work, with many ideas and comments put forward about the things that people would like to see in the planning for North Gungahlin.
The issues of key environmental concern that the community may wish to comment on are:
- Proximity of the residential “urban edge” (the interface between residential development and Hills, Buffers, Ridges, open areas or Nature Park. This is especially prevalent in Bonner and Forde with their proximity to the sensitive Mulligans Flat Nature Park area,
- Introduction of appropriate controls or other such limitations on domestic animals along the sensitive “urban edges” of the new suburbs,
- Ensuring that there are appropriate firebreaks in place to minimise ongoing risk from bush fires,
Preservation of significant stands of vegetation, including young trees, not just trees that meet the criteria as significant under the current interim Tree Protection Legislation.
- Water sensitive urban design issues and other relevant sustainability issues such as use of rain water tanks, grey water recycling, solar assisted hot water systems etc
- And finally ensuring that there is longer-term provision for the introduction of Light Rail. Whilst light rail is unlikely to be implemented immediately appropriate transport corridors need to be set aside to ensure that Light Rail can be easily introduced between the B8 and B9 zones (medium density residential group and local centres) without the need to later resume land.
Officially the community only has until 20 December to submit comments on the Draft Variation and Preliminary Assessment. The Council has asked the Minister for Planning Mr. Simon Corbell MLA to extend the consultation period to at least 10 January 2003, on the basis that with the number of public holidays and leave taken by public servants over this period it would be probable that almost no work would be carried out over that period. The extension of time takes into consideration the time available by the unpaid voluntary members of the Gungahlin Community Council to analyse the available material in order to make a proper and considered submission to Government. At time of writing the Council still awaits a response from the Minister.
For additional information on DV130 and the Preliminary Assessment please contact Alison Stringer, Project Manager, PALM Structure Planning and Design on 6207 2693 or alternatively email Alison.Stringer@act.gov.au
Tree protection for the ACT – “The Next Steps”:
Environment ACT has released a Public Discussion Paper as part of the Government commitment to implement a permanent and workable tree protection regime for Canberra. This will be achieved by taking into consideration the experience gained from the current Interim Tree Protection Act that has been in force for over a year.
The comprehensive discussion paper identified issues that have arisen with respect to the current interim legislation and presents options for permanent tree protection and seeks community response.
Some of the key issues considered include:
- Tree protection and complex developments,
- Intrusiveness of tree protection in backyards,
- Heightened fear of trees near houses,
- Legal responsibility,
- Adequacy of enforcement,
- Consideration of landscape value,
- Limitations of the current size based criteria,
- Protecting young and small trees,
- Problem tree species,
- Role of the tree advisor and appeal process,
- Public land, nature strips and other urban open spaces.
The community consultation period is from 28th October 2002 to 20th December 2002. And comments should be forwarded to Environment ACT, PO Box 144 LYNEHAM ACT 2602. Alternatively contact Environment ACT on 6207 3943 or email: environmentACT@act.gov.au for more information.
Athlete in the office - Part 4
Peter Garbutt
OK so not everyone is burdened by a desk and computer to sit at all day. Some people have other impediments to a normal healthy life thrust upon them by work. This issue is devoted to those that spend their working day standing up. Those of you who do it would have noticed by now this is not such an easy task and it can get quite tiring by the end of the day, particularly if you are required to stand in one position all day. There are a number of exercises that can be done similarly to the desk jockeys that will help make the end of the day that little bit more bearable, and the long-term state of your body a little more functional.
One common complaint at the end of a standing day is that the lower back feels tired and sore. This can be due to a number of things: amongst the more common are wearing incorrect shoes, or having weak abdominal musculature. Wearing high heel shoes whilst standing all day will tend to ungulate the lower back to such an extent as to put too much pressure on the joints in that area. This causes the muscles in the area to contract to try and protect the region, and eventually muscle tiredness, aching, and weakness will occur. Weak abdominal muscles will also lead to this type of problem as the lower back falls into more of a curve as the day goes by. Apart from wearing sensible shoes and strengthening your abdominal muscles, a simple exercise can be performed throughout the day to help alleviate this problem. By simply tucking the pelvis forward from the bottom, the curve in the lower back is reduced, and some of the pressure is temporarily released. This should be done before there is a lot of pain to help the back through the day.
If you are to be in one position for a long time, for example, ironing clothes, a foot stool may be of assistance. By putting one foot up at a time, the lower back is given some relief. This is a much better alternative to sticking your hip out to one side as an alternative standing posture. People that adopt this posture generally have a favourite side that they prefer to stick their hip out to. This will put undue stress on the sacroiliac joints in the pelvis, and also the muscles surrounding the hip and pelvis, leading to other problems. If your job necessitates your standing for a long period, try to move around periodically, whether that be by walking around a little, or squatting down, or preferably both. Your body needs constant variation of stimulation.
If you happen to be working at a desk, or some other workstation, try to put things as close to you as possible, having your posture as upright as possible. Many neck problems can be caused by having your head down all day. Standing jobs have just as many postural pitfalls as sitting jobs, so you still have to look after yourself!
Gardening Tips
YOUR BEST HEDGE
It’s unusual now to see a garden without at least one hedge. The many great gardens of the world have hedges everywhere, Yew, for dark green walls, Lonicera and Buxus form intricate parterres and borders.
Hedges pruned with strict, sharp lines or sculptured into soft long clouds provide the order, strong form and perhaps control that sometimes we need in our surroundings.
Hedges have been used for thousands of years, as shelterbelts and windbreaks.
Patchwork paddocks in southern Italy are edged with rows of dark green Cupressus and productive orchids in New Zealand are protected by towering hedges.
In our gardens, hedges give us privacy, protection, mystery, intrigue, natural screens and dividers. They define garden bed shapes, property boundaries and garden rooms.
The definition of hedge is a continuous row of plants of either the same or very similar species that is regularly pruned to give it a shape other that the way it grows naturally. And yet a hedge may be a simple row on plants left to grow naturally in shape and form. In essence a hedge is many plants trained as one.
FORMAL
Demand for formal gardens will never end. Control is much too ingrained in human psyche to ever give them up and with certain houses and sites (and clients) it will be an obvious inevitability.
DETAIL
Hedges, really quite simple in themselves may be designed into intricate patterns to create more interesting detail. In some gardens and effect that works well is where pattern replaces colour for garden decoration. Knot gardens are without a doubt the most complicated hedges of all and may be viewed from all sides.
TIDY & NEAT
I know it sounds a little silly that for some this is what gardening is all about. For the tidy freak that still wants plants, the hedge is a godsend. It may be clipped within and inch of its life into geometric perfection and the offending leaf-fall may be quickly removed.
A GOOD HEDGE
The greatest hedges look as if they are just one plant. They show an even and smooth surface with no gaps or holes, whether vertical, horizontal or curved. Foliage must extend right to the ground or to an even height when the hedge is raised (pleached hedge) and show a clean, straight line. Pruning should be required no more than 4 – 5 times a year. If deciduous, the twiggy growth should show a pleasing interwoven look. Flowers should show evenly over the entire hedge and any foliage colour should cover the whole hedge. Hedge plants must be very resistant to pests and diseases so the best foliage possible is always on display.
THE HEDGE GROWER
Patience: everyone wants a hedge in a hurry. The very best of hedges may take years to grow with painstaking pruning and shaping. Allowing plants to grow too tall before they have joined up is a quick way to ruin a hedge.
Willingness to invest: Hedges are expensive to buy, as you need a lot of plants, a general guide is to position plants apart by one fifth to one quarter of the plants normal mature width.
Be ruthless and picky: Prune, prune, prune, and don’t start a hedge unless you are prepared to be ruthless when necessary. The first chop is at planting time and depending on species and how well it has been grown, should be cut down by about one half—conifers are an exception to the rule. Don’t allow new growth to become rampant, new shoots should be headed back to encourage laterals.
JOBS FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY
- Lift tulip bulbs.
- Dead head callistemon.
- Liquid fertilise flowers and vegetables fortnightly.
- Deadhead roses regularly and remove suckers.
- Feed citrus trees.
- Trim hedges.
- Plant flower seeds for mid-summer to autumn.
- Sow vegetables such as capsicum, pumpkin, Chinese cabbage and cucumber.
- Don’t cut lawns as short in hot weather.
- As tomato plants begin to flower, fertilise and pinch out smaller growth.
- Plant lettuce seeds at staggered intervals to avoid a glut.
- Use all water saving strategies you can think of. Use sud saver option on the washing machine, bucket out the bath and put a large bowl under the tap in the kitchen to catch every drip, then this can be put on the garden.
- If you haven’t mulched yet, DON’T, every drop of water will be needed at soil level.
- Take cuttings from Rhododendrons and Azaleas.
- Keep deadheading roses.
- Tip prune citrus trees and keep well watered.
- Cut back annuals such as violas and petunias and fertilise well to boost another show of flowers.
- As they finish flowering cut back foxgloves, delphiniums, campanula and lupin.
- Thin the fruit on apple and pear trees.
- Divide, sort and replant bearded irises.
- Tip prune native shrubs.
Gungahlin Regional Community Services Update
Volunteer Drivers
Urgently needed to provide transport to Gungahlin residents for medical appointments and center-based activities. Mileage reimbursed. Commitment of 2-4 hours per week. Contact Gayl on 6242 6077.
Christmas Hamper Donations
Our Community Work Program provides food hampers for families over the Christmas period. Donations of non- perishable food items for local families would be gratefully received and can be left at Gungahlin Community Resource Centre or the Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre.
What does Gungahlin Regional Community Service do?
Are you a part of a new organisation or group in the Gungahlin area? Would you like to know what services are provided by GRCS? We will provide a guest speaker for one of your meetings. For bookings contact Jenny on 6228 9200.
Christmas Celebration
Join GRCS & the Gungahlin Library at the Gungahlin Community Resource Centre on Friday 13th December 2002.
- 5.30pm Christmas Craft
- 6.00pm Christmas Performance
- 6.20pm Christmas Stories
- 6.45pm Christmas Carols
- Free Sausage Sizzle
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
Gungahlin Youth Centre
Are you aged between 11 and 18 ? If you want something fun and different to do in the school holidays, why not visit the Gungahlin Youth Centre. There are all sorts of exciting events happening throughout the holidays FREE or low-cost, with trips to the coast, Crazy Craft, Pool Comps, and Road Ready course.
All activities are fully supervised and run in a safe and friendly environment. We are located behind the library, so why not drop-in, or phone us on 6228 9211 and find out what’s happening these holidays?
Gungahlin Out Of School Hours Care
Gungahlin School Holiday January program will be held at Gold Creek and Holy Spirit Primary Schools from Monday 6th January to Friday 31st January 2003 7.30am – 6.00pm. For enrolment forms or more information, please phone Christine or Kirsti on 62424811.
Positions Vacant
GRCS require suitable workers to fill vacant positions in two programs. Gungahlin Out of School Hours Care require both permanent and casual staff. For details contact Janine or Kirsti on 6242 4811.
New suburbs for North Gungahlin
Bonner, Casey, Forde, Jacka, Moncrieff, Taylor, and parts of Ngunnawal and Amaroo are likely to be the main areas for development in Canberra over the next 20 years.
A revised Structure Plan, which gives a clear idea of housing density, location of facilities and general layout, was released for public comment in October. PALM will accept written comments on it until December 20.
The proposal includes a web of open space connecting 8 commercial centres, 3-4 primary schools, 1 high school, 1 potential college and several ovals, with high-density residences located close to commercial centres, community facilities and public transport routes. Ninety-five per cent of dwellings would be within 500m of a potential bus stop.
Ten information sheets and three detailed reports about the proposal are available from www.palm.act.gov.au under “consultation”, from the Gungahlin Resource Centre and from PALM shopfront in Dickson.
A drop-in information session about Forde planning will be held upstairs of the Gungahlin Marketplace on December 12 from 4-8pm.
For more information and details about upcoming consultation activities contact Alison Stringer on 6207 2693.
Proposed North Gungahlin Structure Plan
key:
B8/9= medium density residential;
C=commercial group centre;
D=commercial local centre;
---- = study area boundary;
Gungahlin Veterinary Hospital
Gungahlin Veterinary Hospital will be opening its doors in December. The practice started in 1995 as a house call practice and progressed via rented rooms at Nicholls’ original community centre to purpose-built home-based premises in Nicholls, now very outgrown. Drs Michael Hayward and Tony Webb, together with specialist surgeon Dr Sarah Webb and all their staff are looking forward to meeting you, and serving your pets needs, in spacious new surroundings.
The new hospital is located next to Woolworths Plus Petrol on Crinigan Circle. The telephone number will remain the same, so please continue to ring 6242 7276 for appointments and information. We look forward to seeing you!
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