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April / May 2003

Light Rail, Public Transport's Future
By Ian Ruecroft

Simon Corbell's statement about the light rail loop around the central area of Canberra is an interesting proposal. As a tourist attraction it would have merit, particularly if the Federal Government were making a major contribution to its construction costs. The proposed route would link areas of significant employment, but what would it link them to? Certainly not to the areas where the people live and not to the areas where traffic problems are existing and growing.

The proposed route links Civic, Russell, Barton, Kingston, Manuka, The Parliamentary Triangle, The ANU and Dickson, with two crossings of Lake Burley Griffin. To pick a more expensive route would be a challenge and the people living in the area could not generally be called disadvantaged. Obviously there will be a time when constructing this loop will be viable and an important link in any ACT light rail network. Unfortunately to suggest it as the starting point may actually kill off any chances that light rail has of being seriously considered in the current Public Transport Futures Feasibility Study. Also there does not appear to be any urgency to constructing this loop as the first stage of the ACT light rail network.

The Civic to Gungahlin route would be a better start for the light rail network, as it does have many factors to identify it as a priority:

The construction costs are relatively low when compared to other options i.e. Civic to Belconnen or Civic to Woden/ Tuggeranong.
The financial benefits to the Territory, from the increased revenue received from the sale of ACT Government land along Northbourne Ave and in the Mitchell/ Gungahlin region, would make a significant contribution to the construction costs.
A light rail link would increase Gungahlin's attraction for potential employment opportunities.
The link would assist in the revitalisation of Mitchell as a viable trading centre.
Light rail would ease traffic problems for Gungahlin and North Canberra residents.
Light rail would probably remove the need for the construction of Monash Drive.

Gungahlin is the fastest growing area in Canberra with another 70,000 people to take up residence here. It's our turn to be considered first.

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Family and Community Fitness
By Ian Ruecroft

The GCC is running a nine-week program that will offer Gungahlin families an opportunity to identify and address issues related to weight, fitness and co-ordination. The program will be structured to cater for school-aged children accompanied by at least one parent or responsible adult. The number of participants will be limited to 12 families.

The program will commence during the week 5th to 9th May 2003 and will assist in promoting community fitness values and help families to address the issues of diet, exercise and weight containment. Adults would receive information and support related to therapeutic weight management, childhood obesity, family food habits and exercise.

To date there has been limited response from Gungahlin residents and it is intended to offer the unfilled positions to other areas of the ACT via the Chronicle. If you are interested in becoming involved in the program, contact Ian Ruecroft (02) 6242-9444.

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Watch that bin lid!

On garbage collection days, some residents are over-filling their bins to the extent that the lids do not close. Whilst this may not seem a problem as you come home from work and your bin is empty, what is happening is that crows and dogs are pulling all of the contents out of the bin. They are actually capable of lifting the semi-open lid and then proceed to pull the rubbish out. The rubbish doesn't end up collected but rather in the yards of all of your neighbours and in the lake etc. Please ensure that your bin lid is properly closed to prevent litter from polluting our streets and homes.

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Presentation at the 14 May GCC Public Meeting
Mulanggari Community Association

The Mulanggari Community Association will be presenting their vision for the future of the East Gungahlin area (Mulanggari) at GCC May public meeting.

Over the past few months the group has been undertaking extensive research and making approaches to the various government agencies in an attempt to ensure that early planning will result in appropriate development around an 'historic precinct' for the area.

Some of the activities the association has already undertaken include:

December: initial contact with PALM, who showed interest in the Association's early proposal;
January: a research visit to The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES). This facility is in Melbourne and serves as a potential model for development of the 'historic precinct' in the Mulanggari area;
February/March: workshops with the Heritage Unit and PALM to discuss which portions of the East Gungahlin area are to be set aside and appropriately conserved. The Association has also been actively providing input to the Canberra Spatial Plan and also lobbying ACT politicians.

If you are interested in learning more about the CERES development concept go to www.ceres.org.au, or wish to become involved with the Mulanggari Community Association, contact Dennis and Maree Rose (Wells Station) on (02) 6241 2379 or ausrose@webone.com.au.

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Fire-wise gardens and homes
PALM

These are some of the ways in which you can improve the fire-resistance of your home and garden.

How can you make your home and garden better protected from fire? Some of the best ideas, from local, interstate and CSIRO research, can be found in two pamphlets that Planning and Land Management (PALM) and the National Capital Authority have produced.

The FireWise brochures provide residents with practical advice about the types of materials and plants to use, and how the design of their home and garden can help to lessen the impact of fire. They are not mandatory techniques, but residents who have been affected by the fires will be encouraged to consider them in rebuilding their homes. The measures can also be applied to housing in new areas and for existing dwellings.

Here are some tips to start you off:

Choose plants that have broad, fleshy leaves, dense foliage, smooth bark and retain salt. These features make them more difficult to burn. Plant them away from the house and gutters.
Avoid structures built of combustible materials attached directly to the house such as decks, pergolas, fences, lattice and trellis panels. If timber is used it should be dense dressed hardwood.
Minimise crevices in buildings and unusual roof lines to prevent embers getting lodged.
Maintain your garden and house by removing debris, keeping grass low and watered.

The pamphlets are available from PALM, www.palm.act.gov.au & www.nationalcapital.gov.au

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New Town Centre Retail Development
By Barry Dee

On Friday 14th March the outcome of a tender process for Sections 13 and 14 in the Gungahlin Town Centre was finally announced, resulting in a $40 million boost to the region by the private sector.

Coles Myer will develop Section 13 with a Coles Supermarket, specialty retail and commercial space.
Woolworths will develop Section 14 with a Big W, specialty retail, commercial space, residential apartments above the complex and a 600-place underground car park.

During the construction phase in excess of 500 jobs will be generated and after completion there will be an anticipated 600 or more jobs delivered in the retail sector.

The Gungahlin Community Council welcomes the announcement as it signifies that Gungahlin is starting to achieve a critical population that allows it to realise the commercial developments that are taken for granted in the other town centres.
However whilst delivering a significant boost to the retail and employment opportunities to the Gungahlin region, the sale of blocks 13 and 14 with the current through-traffic arrangements on Hibberson Street, will ensure that the Gungahlin Town Centre will remain a hazardous centre well into the future.

The Gungahlin Community Council at this stage cannot fault the building design of the proposed development, but is bitterly disappointed that the Minister for Planning has proceeded without appropriate and due consideration for consultation on a pedestrian precinct and proper town square. The government had an opportunity to deliver this significant development boost to the region and also address and allay community concerns about traffic issues in the town centre at the same time.

Instead the Minister has deliberately ignored both the strong support from the community and a successful motion in the Legislative Assembly that called for appropriate consultation before selling the blocks. Instead we now have a situation where pedestrians will have to continue to compete against through-traffic and any notion of a town square has been reduced to an oversized grassed median strip, bounded on all sides by roads.

The Council clearly recognises and has never disputed that the Gungahlin Town Centre will not be based on the enclosed shopping malls that are found in the other major shopping centres, but strongly believes that a pedestrian precinct and proper town square is highly compatible with the concept of "the Modern Urban Village".

Minister Corbell has announced that community views will be sought on the development of the Town Centre Common, however the GCC remains somewhat sceptical in light of the attitudes toward previous "consultation" that have occurred. The Community is encouraged to express their views during the consultation period and this will probably be the last chance to express your opinion in support of the pedestrian precinct and town square before it becomes too late.

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Gungahlin Regional Community Services

Interested in joining a community arts project?

The Gungahlin Community Network is currently working on a mural to adorn a wall at the Gungahlin Community Resource Centre.

If you would like to be part of the mosaic project, and meet new friends in the process, call Amanda on 6242 6077.
The Network meets Wednesday 10am to 12 noon at the Centre located in Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin. Low cost childcare available.

New Playgroup starting

A new playgroup will be commencing at the Gungahlin Community Resource Centre on Friday 2nd May, 10.00am to noon. Playgroups provide both parents and children with an opportunity to socialise and have fun.
Two existing playgroups are currently held on Tuesdays at the Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre from 9.30am to 11.30am; and 12 noon to 2.00pm.

Cost $2.00 per family, plus fruit for children. Phone 6242 6077 for more information.

Gungahlin Youth Centre

Are you aged between 11 and 18 ?
If you want something that is 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 Pool Comps, Crazy Craft, a Road Ready course and heaps more.

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 Schools and Community Mentoring Project

We are seeking volunteers who can spare an hour or two during the week and who would like to help others in the community. In schools, help may be required with reading, writing, maths, craft, sport or homework. In the community, there are opportunities to help residents in a wide range of activities.

If you would like to volunteer please contact the Project Officer on 62051750 or email: mentor@goldcreek.act.edu.au

Do you have an idea for a Gungahlin Community Festival?

If so, please contact Jenny on 6228 9200 or email: grcs@gungahlin.org

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Gungahlin News - A collection of Gungahlin related news snippets

The ACT Legislative Assembly passes a motion making public transport a priority for Gungahlin

Greens MLA Kerrie Tucker gained the support of the ACT Assembly on 5th March calling for the ACT Government to make improved, fast and efficient public transport a priority for Gungahlin residents.

"I am delighted to have gained Assembly support for this motion as it focuses on the transport needs of Gungahlin; the potential to address these needs immediately with creative public transport options; and includes Gungahlin in any light rail network as well," Ms Tucker said.

"As Gungahlin residents would attest, transport services across Canberra have been inequitable. It makes sense to pay special attention to Gungahlin as we move towards more effective and attractive public transport services," Ms Tucker said.

The motion, as passed is: that this Assembly-

applauds the government's proposed investigation of a light rail system for Canberra
notes the proposal of its first stage being a network linking Civic, Barton, Russell and the Parliamentary Triangle
calls on the government to a) make the public transport needs of Gungahlin residents the first priority for its sustainable transport plan b) explore a range of innovative public transport options, including a trial of ADART services and bus-only lanes between Civic and Gungahlin c) ensure that Gungahlin residents enjoy significantly improved public transport services before a light rail network is operational, and that extension of the network to Gungahlin is timetabled into later expansion.

3D "drive through" video model of the Gungahlin Town Centre in the Year 2013 released.

A computer generated animation of how the Gungahlin Town Centre will look in the year 2013 was launched by ACT Minister for Planning, Simon Corbell, at a Business and Community Breakfast on 20th March. The breakfast launched the Gungahlin Development Authority's next series of consultation on the Gungahlin Town Centre, which will include distribution of a digitally animated "drive through" of the Town Centre in ten years time.

"The Gungahlin Town Centre promises to be one of the most unique and innovative Town Centre developments in the country. The animation I launch today will greatly assist people understand just how their Town Centre will look and feel once fully developed," Mr Corbell was quoted as saying.

The animation, developed by local Canberra firm, Concept 3, for the Gungahlin Development Authority, features a "drive through" impression on the future form of the Town Centre and is designed to give the community a better idea about how the Town Centre is being developed.

Over the next few months, the Gungahlin Development Authority will be taking its animation 'on the road', conducting consultation and focus groups, and will hold a Community Open Day at the Gungahlin Marketplace on Saturday, 29 March 2003. The animation will also be available in DVD format for community organisations, local businesses and schools.

"The Gungahlin Development Authority will also be working with the community to ensure that any concerns over traffic in the Town Centre will be addressed through current and future road works. Woolworths and Coles are also expected to commence their own program of consultation over their respective projects during this time," Mr Corbell said.

Construction Commences on the Gungahlin Early Childhood Centre

On 27th February the Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Ms Katy Gallagher turned the first sod for the new Gungahlin Early Childhood Centre, due to open in October 2003.

Gungahlin Early Childhood Centre will offer 90 childcare places for children in the years prior to school.

"The building of Gungahlin Early Childhood Centre is part of the Stanhope Government's commitment to expand child care infrastructure in the ACT, with a particular focus on Gungahlin," Ms Gallagher said.

"Plans for the early childhood centre incorporate two meeting rooms that will be available for hire. The incorporation of the meeting space will provide an opportunity for the Gungahlin Early Childhood Centre to be the focus for a range of services for children and their families as well as the broader Gungahlin Community."

Welcome Back Jacqui Burke

Mrs. Jacqui Burke is once again a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly as a Liberal Member for Molonglo.
Her reappointment occurred on an electoral count back after Gary Humphries left the Assembly to take his seat in the Senate replacing retiring senator Mrs. Margaret Reid. The council welcomes Mrs. Burke back and we look forward to seeing her again as a regular attendee at our monthly meetings.

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Gold Creek Homestead Progress Meeting

Thursday 10 April 2003, 7:30-9:30pm

A meeting will be held on the 10th of April to outline the progress and future direction of the Gold Creek Homestead site. The meeting will be held at the Gold Creek (Senior Site) School theatrette. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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Sleep Tight, Sleep Right 2
by Peter Garbutt

In this issue, we follow on the important issue of sleeping. Having chosen a good quality mattress, we now need to determine what we should be doing on this mattress. OK, stop right there. I'm talking SLEEPING. The position in which you have your body on your well supporting bed is important.

If you cannot comfortably hold a position for 5 minutes while you are awake, you cannot expect your body to maintain it for 8 hours whilst you are asleep. People will have all sorts of positions that they consider comfortable in their preferred position of sleep.

The three main ones are

a). Back;
b). Side; and
c). Stomach.

Of these, stomach is by far the worst. Whilst sleeping on your stomach, you invariably turn your head to one side. This is necessary when sleeping on your stomach otherwise, you simply cannot breathe. By holding your neck in a rotated position for long periods, you begin to put postural stress on the muscles, ligaments and joints in the neck. You will find that if you turn your head to the side from where you are sitting right now, it will get uncomfortable before very long. If you are also sleeping with a pillow (as you should be in a normal sleeping posture) you put your neck into side bend as well as the rotation. If you happen to be sleeping with two pillows and on your stomach, then stop right here and throw one of your pillows away. Apart from the atrocities that you are committing to your neck, your pelvis probably isn't in its happiest state either.

Quite often, when people lie on their stomachs, they have one leg out to the side in a figure 4 type configuration. This configuration, maintained for a sustained period will cause stress through the pelvis, lower back and even the knee. So as you can see, lying on you stomach should be ruled out as one of your options for a sleeping posture. Either back or side are fine, although a good pillow is essential. There are many types of pillows on the market, and many of these are good pillows.

What makes a good pillow is the ability to support your neck and head in a neutral position whilst you sleep. Whether you are sleeping on your back or side, your neck should be in a neutral position. This means that if someone were to look at your neck from behind while you are lying on your side, it would look straight. If lying on your back, there should be support under your neck, maintaining a gentle upward curve in your neck. The majority of pillows that allow this are contoured pillows. If you go looking for a contoured pillow, make sure you get the right size for your neck. Whilst the life span of a good bed is generally about 10 years, the life span of a good pillow is approximately 18 months to two years. A good pillow will help you get a better night's sleep, have your neck feeling better in the morning, and decrease the chances of creating neck problems whilst you sleep.

If you have any questions regarding your sleeping posture or pillow, feel free to ask your chiropractor.

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Gungahlin Community Council Inc. on the Internet
www.gcc.asn.au

Have you visited the Gungahlin Community Council website lately? If not you do not know what you may be missing out on!
Our web site is a rich source of information and is updated on a regular basis, often up to several times a month depending on what is happening at the time. The web site is intended to keep the community properly informed about council activity in-between editions of Gunsmoke and our public meetings; it also acts as an online archive and information resource.
On the home page of the web site you can see at a glance upcoming council events, notices, the latest Gungahlin related news and details of our forthcoming meetings.

From the home page you can navigate to various areas of interest that include:
"Gunsmoke" an online archive of selected articles from the current and previous Gunsmoke editions. Useful if you have thrown out an old copy of Gunsmoke and there was an article you needed.

"Email" a section of the site that lets you easily send a personal message to the GCC Executive Committee via an online web form.

"Your Say" is similar to the email section but an area of the web site where you can submit comments with regard to the Council, Gungahlin and Gungahlin related issues and have them published for all to see. Most comments are published verbatim so long as they are not rude or defamatory.

"Working Groups" and "Issues" sections keep you abreast of some of the more detailed and complex issues that the Council has been handling. A good example of this is the recent unsuccessful campaign for a pedestrian precinct and town square for the Gungahlin town centre.

"Media" has all the press releases as issued by the Council. Unfortunately a sad fact of life is that not everything gets reported correctly and here you can see exactly what the council had to say in regard to particular issues.

"Links" a growing directory of links and contact details for Local Government, ACT and Gungahlin Community organisations and resources. We encourage Gungahlin-based individuals and organisations to submit information to include on this directory that is FREE of charge!

"Membership" provides information on how to join the council, our constitution, and the minutes of previous meetings.
If you have Internet access or are passing by any of the public libraries where you can obtain free internet access, we encourage you to become involved and take a look at our website: http://www.gcc.asn.au

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Goodbye Summer And Good Riddance
By Lisa Kaveney

That was one summer I think the entire city, regardless of age, occupation or gender, would happily like to forget or cancel due to lack of interest. That's not to say, we have been stagnant or bored. In fact many businesses have done very well due to the drought and bushfires. Others though have done it tough, dealing daily with the constant wind and heat which took its toll and left many locals tired and bewildered.

I keep reminding myself that something good always comes out of something bad and many wonderful stories of amazing generosity and kindness continue to be told.

And finally we have had rain. Dams are looking a little fuller, gardens a little brighter and I don't think I have ever been so excited by germinating clover. The determination of plants and seeds to shoot after such extreme conditions never ceases to amaze me. With this flush of plants also come weeds and pests and usually thicker and faster than ever before, due to lack of competition and survival of the fittest. We have a terrible weed at our place called cat's head. It has a seed about the size of a 5 cent piece with spines about 5mm long that if trodden on send a spine-chilling pain through your whole body. When these appear, always with the first decent rain in summer, I become a vigilante and nothing resembling this plant lives in or near my garden.

I know many people like to have a chemical-free garden, and I do too, with one exception, Roundup-glyphosate. It takes up to ten days to show results but I get instant satisfaction from knowing that the weed's life is now over.
Sticky weed is another little nuisance, climbing in form, not difficult to pull out but often in hard to get at places, under bushes, between rocks or inside ramps. It has a seed a little like forget-me-not's only bigger and just as sticky. Birds seem to be responsible for its ever-increasing numbers on our land.

Another weed that gives me grief is Patterson's curse. For starters I hate the colour purple and secondly its grip on our district continues to get stronger. After a drought many of these weeds appear where they have not been before, often coming into an area in grain and hay even if it is guaranteed clean. (I know one farmer who promised to share his wife if even one weed appeared in his sold hay. He was of course joking but his wife was not amused.) Anyway I would rather be chasing weeds than struggling to keep my plants alive.

JOBS FOR APRIL

Prune hydrangeas
Fertilise fruit trees
Separate crowded succulents and re-pot as needed · Take note of the autumn colours of trees in local gardens and store the information for future use · Lift and store dahlia tubers
Take cuttings of correas, croweas
Plant spring bulbs, including daffodils, jonquils, hyacinth and scilla
Aerate and fertilise lawns
Take cuttings from roses and keep deadheading. Plant winter and spring seedlings.
Buy or order bare-rooted shrubs, ornamental and fruit trees.
Get vegie garden going.
Now's the time to plant cabbage, silver beet and broccoli seedlings.
Plant natives.

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New Veterinary Hospital Opens in the Gungahlin Town Centre
By Roma Hosking

On the 29th January the new Gungahlin Veterinary Hospital in the Gungahlin Town Centre was officially opened by the Minister for Urban Services Mr Bill Wood MLA.

The new hospital on Crinigan Circle, near Woolworths petrol station and Magnet Mart represents a significant investment in veterinary services by the joint partners Dr. Michael Hayward, Dr. Tony Wilson and Dr. Sarah Webb.

The hospital has state of the art design and equipment. This new facility is significantly larger than the original practice previously located at Dr Hayward's residence in Nicholls. There are three consulting rooms, and the treatment area includes a laboratory, pharmacy, two operating theatres, a separate imaging area with X-ray, endoscopy and ultrasound facilities and a dedicated Intensive Care Unit. "We intend to offer the best in modern veterinary care to the residents of Gungahlin. Our new hospital is ten times the size of the original clinic - we have been lucky to grow along with the area and we are committed to its residents and pets." said Dr Michael Hayward.

The hospital will be hosting an open day on Sunday 13 April, where Gungahlin residents are invited to see behind the scenes of the new facility.

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Household security over the holidays

Remember the following commonsense points:

Cancel the milk and papers for the period you are going to be on holidays.
Organise with your neighbour to daily clear your letterbox of any normal and junk mail.
Organise with your neighbour to put your rubbish and recycling bins out and bring them back in on collection days.
Let your neighbours know when you are going to be away and ask them to keep an eye on your property for you

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