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April / May 2004

Why the Gungahlin Community Council opposes GROUND FLOOR RESIDENTIAL development in the Gungahlin Town Centre
Roma Hosking (Gungahlin Community Council)

As you may have seen on the front page of the Chronicle – (16 March) and Canberra Times – (17 March on page 10), the Council has been vocal and very critical of specific aspects of development applications from Coles-Myer and Woolworths.

The Council does not in any way object to the commercial aspects of both these developments. Like the rest of the community, the Council eagerly awaits the new BigW Department Store and Coles Supermarket, as well as associated commercial development that will follow. Furthermore the Council holds no objection to residential above the ground floor – residential apartments over commercial, shops and offices.

However both developments propose a significant departure from the intent of the Territory Plan that concerns planning of the Gungahlin Town Centre.

The original plans as progressively and interactively developed with extensive community consultation by the former Gungahlin Development Authority, over an extended period of time, are simply being thrown out and totally disregarded.

Ground floor residential development has been proposed along the new Gungahlin Common (a southern extension to Gungahlin Place) as well as along Gozzard and the (yet unbuilt) East Street. These areas are clearly within in the retail core (or heart) of the town centre. (Refer to the black blocks on the location map below that show where ground floor residential has been proposed) The Territory Plan (the blueprint for planning across the whole of Canberra) clearly states that in the Core Retail Areas of the Gungahlin Town Centre, ground floor residential development is categorically not permissible.

To put what is being proposed for Gungahlin Town Centre in a manner that is easy to understand simply imagine how Garema Place and Bunda Street (in Civic) would be affected if ground floor residential dwellings were allowed there.

In such a scenario there would be significant impact on the businesses and social vitality of those areas. It would impact directly on the café and restaurant businesses. It would be extremely unlikely that business proprietors would even consider locating their commercial premises between residential frontages (and ask yourself - if you ran a business would you want a shop that is hard to find?). Finally the social gathering and meeting place aspects of Garema Place would be totally lost. There is no example of any communal / community meeting places in the ACT (of similar proportions to that of the new proposed Gungahlin Common) that directly adjoins or abuts to an area of ground floor residential dwellings.

Simply stated by allowing ground floor residential development in the retail core areas of the Gungahlin Town Centre this will:

• Significantly reduce the effective size of the town centre retail core area.
   
• Substantially decrease the amount of retail and commercial frontage (reduce the number of shops)
   
• Have the potential to disrupt and curtail commercial operations (e.g.: Street front cafés and other businesses)
   
• Preclude active street frontages (which are demanded by the Territory Plan) on the affected streets and
   
• Compromise and otherwise disrupt the previously planned heart of the Gungahlin Town Centre.

Whilst the Coles-Myer and Woolworths have both suggested that ground floor residential use will only be used as a temporary measure; there has been no attempt to provide any commitment nor is there any legislative or legally enforceable mechanisms to ensure that the lessees will be required to provide commercial ground floor uses at any time in the future.

Many residents are well aware that previously the Council put forward a proposal for a pedestrian town square precinct in the Town Centre (to eliminate dangerous through vehicular traffic along Hibberson Street). This had overwhelming support from the community but was flatly rejected by both the Planning Minister and Government bureaucracy as it was claimed that the Council proposal was inconsistent with the long standing Territory Plan for the Gungahlin Town Centre.

The Council is now extremely concerned and fails to see why a group of developers that represent “Big Business” interests (in this case Coles-Myer and Woolworths) should be able to flex their corporate muscle, be offered or otherwise be permitted to seek special dispensation when their developments too are clearly also inconsistent with the Territory Plan and established planning and control guidelines.

Unfortunately the Planning Minister – Simon Corbell has already signaled intent (in response to a Question Without Notice asked by Helen Cross in the Assembly) that he is seriously considering exercising his planning “Call-In” powers to short-circuit the planning process and approve the developments with the ground floor residential components.

The Council Executive firmly believes that the existing Territory Plan for the Gungahlin Town Centre that PRECLUDES ground floor residential development in the existing retail core area is a sensible way to proceed and will avoid problems many years into the future.

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Opening of Horse Park Drive Extension
Roma Hosking (Gungahlin Community Council)

HORSE PARK DRIVE EXTENSION LINKING GUNDAROO ROAD TO THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY was opened by Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope on Wednesday 11 February, 2004. Photo: Jon Stanhope with Tony Gill, ACT Roads.

The new road is an extension of Horse Park Drive and will allow for shorter trips and contribute to the reduction of traffic on Gungahlin Drive, Barton Highway and Northbourne Avenue. Horse Park Drive forms part of the north/south bypass loop around Civic and provides Gungahlin residents with an alternative access via Majura Road to the Canberra Airport, Fyshwick and the Monaro Highway. The project is part of the Road Safety and Congestion Program and provides the first carriageway of Horse Park Drive between Gundaroo Drive and the Federal Highway. The length of the first two-lane carriageway is approximately 7.5 kilometres long. The second carriageway will be built in approximately 10 years time. The works also include signalised intersections at Gundaroo Drive and Anthony Rolfe Avenue, a two span bridge over Sullivans Creek, a new junction with the Federal Highway, which includes a major rock excavation, and on-road cycling lanes.

The 10.35 million dollar construction contract (including GST) was awarded to Canberra Contractors on 28 February 2003. Construction work commenced on 18 March 2003.

Since this time the contractors, ACT Procurement Solutions and Roads ACT have worked together to ensure the timely delivery of this important piece of infrastructure for the residents of Gungahlin.

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GCC Public Meetings

The Gungahlin Community Council Inc. holds a monthly public meeting that is open to all on the second Wednesday of each month with the exception of January. Meetings are held at the Gungahlin Resource Centre (at the Gungahlin Town Centre) between 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Schedule for April/May

• 14 April – Discussion of local issues, community input invited.
• 12 May - Speaker Ravi Chandra, Subject “Awareness campaign on roads ACT programs.

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Gunsmoke 81 Deadline

The next issue of Gunsmoke is due out in June 2004. Advertisements and articles need to be in by 17 May 2004.

Email: gunsmoke@gcc.asn.au
Postal: 3 Halifax Close Palmerston 2913

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The Draft Sustainable Transport Plan
Ian Ruecroft (Gungahlin Community Council)

This document is described as "a strategic framework to guide the planning and development of transport in the ACT". The document is 36 pages overall and comments relating to the "Plan" were due 9th Feb 2004. The GCC has copies of the document and anyone wishing to view these should contact 041 7272 019. The Council did submit an 11-page response to the document; these comments can be viewed on our website. www.gcc.asn.au

General comments

The GCC commends the government for its commitment in establishing future ACT transport needs. The Council is very supportive of planning and development focused around public transport models and has been a vocal supporter of futuristic public transport models that are likely to encourage public transport use in excess of 25% for all work related journeys.

Members of the Council's transport committee have considered the Plan in relation to:

1. the ACT's current and future development;
2. transport issues related to the Gungahlin district;
3. information currently available relating to transport issues or concerns for the whole of the ACT;
4. information received at meetings of the Public Transport Futures Feasibility Study consultations;
5. public transport experiences of cities with populations and densities comparable to Canberra.

The GCC considers that the recommendations of the Plan are a good starting point for a focussed consideration of the ACT's transport network. However, the report fails to recognise that informed decisions can only be made with current and accurate information. This is particularly the case in relation to public transport. Following is a list of the recommendations made by the GCC relating to the Draft Sustainable Transport Plan

1. Road networks - Recommendation:

1a) That resources be committed to investigating the viability of the construction of a public transport corridor between Madigan Street (Hackett) and the intersection of Limestone and Ainslie Avenues. This public transport corridor could provide reasonable traveling times between Gungahlin, Civic, Barton and Russell, whilst relieving congestion along Northbourne Avenue.

2. Local employment opportunities - Recommendations:

2a) That the principle of development based on the Town Centre development model (with Civic and the Parliamentary Triangle being the main areas of employment) be identified as a sustainable model for the ACT; with Town Centres in all districts being treated equitably in relation to community facilities, services and employment opportunities.

2b) That Gungahlin, Mitchell and Tuggeranong should be identified as disadvantaged areas (in relation to employment) requiring the commitment of resources to plan and implement initiatives that will provide these areas with equitable employment opportunities. This should include the establishment of population triggers linking development, incentives and other initiatives with the creation of full time employment opportunities.

2c) That resources be committed to exploring options, community consultation and the development of strategies to overcome the stagnation of employment in the Gungahlin Town Centre and Mitchell area, including the establishment of milestones for monitoring progress.

3. A public transport system for the ACT - Recommendation:

3a) That informed debate take place within the ACT community to publicise public transport options, in an effort to gauge the community's support for real public transport reform.

4. A public transport system for the ACT - Recommendations:

4a) That the ACT Government commits resources to obtain a detailed and accurate estimate for "a public transport system" which would include bus, light rail and other feasible options.

4b) That informed debate should take place where ACT residents can decide which public transport option they would prefer for the "public transport system". This system should have a minimum function of linking all ACT Town Centres and areas of significant employment. Such consideration should be focused to include the following factors:

• the construction, maintenance and running costs of the proposed system;
• the likely attraction of the service for ACT residents, tourists and others;
• the community's preparedness to pay for and use the proposed system;
• the sustainability, flexibility and options for extension of the system;
• the possibility of Federal funding contributing to the construction of the system;
• the likely impact the service might have in attracting patronage from current optional users of public transport;
• the provision of benefits to disadvantaged districts of the ACT (including Gungahlin and Tuggeranong);
• the government's ability to identify and recoup construction costs through development fees and betterment levies, fairly imposed on development in districts likely to benefit from public transport infrastructure.

5. Light rail, with the Civic to Gungahlin route given priority Recommendations:

5a) That resources be committed to establishing an accurate costing for the construction, maintenance and operation of a high quality public transport network, linking all Town Centres and districts of significant employment. The vision of an ACT light rail network should be the preferred model, unless other alternatives are proven to deliver superior outcomes and long-term public transport benefits.

5b) That construction of a light rail link from Civic to Gungahlin should happen over the next three years, with land sales along the route delayed until commitment to the project has been confirmed.

5c) That development around public transport hubs should be identified as a separate development charge, with the revenue from this source being used exclusively for light rail construction and expansion.

Note: Available information indicates that the amount of revenue received from land sales in Gungahlin, during 2003, would easily cover the costs for construction of a light rail system from Civic to Gungahlin; including track, power, rolling stock, stations and a depot.

6. Park-and-Ride facilities - Recommendations:

6a) That resources be committed to construct quality Park-and-Ride facilities at EPIC, Bruce Stadium and other suitable venues throughout the ACT. Major facilities should be established as dedicated public transport interchanges and gathering points; linked to a light rail network and local bus services. Park-and-ride facilities should be provided with extensive security fencing, surveillance cameras, adequate lighting and covered walkways.

6b) That a network of local area gathering points should be established to provide public transport pick-up and park-and-ride facilities.

7. Express bus services for Gungahlin - Recommendation:

7a) That Gungahlin be provided with express bus services to all other Town Centres and areas of significant employment.

8. Bus services to districts impacted by changes in parking provisions - Recommendations:

8a) That resources be committed to provide suitable public transport services to districts affected by changes to parking provision and cost.

8b) That larger employers (in districts affected by changes to parking provision and/or cost) be encouraged to survey their workforce to establish what type of facilities and services would encourage their workforce to utilise public transport.

9. Development focussed around public transport corridors and hubs. - Recommendations:

9a) That resources be committed to implement visionary planning principles along public transport corridors, and in developing districts.

9b) That public transport hubs should be established at practical locations along the public transport corridor; with a range of appropriate development radiating from these hubs which will capture the maximum public benefit from the public transport system.

10. Betterment taxes for public transport infrastructure - Recommendations:

10a) That cost associated with the establishment of a futuristic public transport system should be recouped by the imposition of fees on development and/or redevelopment along public transport corridors.

10b) Development fees and/or betterment levies should be fairly imposed on developments in districts likely to benefit from public transport infrastructure. Such fees should be calculated to reflect the location of the project, i.e. the actual walking time from the public transport hub to the development.

10c) Revenue from betterment fees should be used exclusively for the improvement or extension of the public transport network; with a clearly identified mechanism for collection, accrual and expenditure of the available funds.

11. Cycling in the ACT - Recommendations:

11a) To the greatest extent possible, cycling should be facilitated thorough the establishment of separate bicycle paths rather than through on-road cycling.

11b) Bicycle paths should be designed and constructed to a higher standard than is currently provided.

11c) Commuter cycling should be supported with appropriate facilities at employment and education centres.

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WHITEHAVEN ESTATE UPDATE
Barry Dee (Gungahlin Community Council)

The first meeting held at the Nicholls Community House between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on February was chaired by Neil Savery Chief Planning Officer. Sixteen people attended including representatives of the Whitehaven Estate, nearby Ngunnawal residents, ACTPLA, Gungahlin Lakes Community & Golf Club, Australian Federal Police and the Gungahlin Community Council.

After discussion by Whitehaven Estate residents and nearby Ngunnawal residents it appeared that there are two related but separate issues that require resolution: - 1) access through the estate via the pathway and through the gate which is now closed. 2) safety of people using the estate being involved in an accident with vehicles on the estate.

Neil Savery said that the pathway was private property because although at the planning stage it was meant to be a public right of way, when the lease agreement was signed this was overlooked and not included in the lease.

On point 1) Neil Savery said that ACTPLA was looking at several options, which included using Mulleun Close and rerouting the pathway across the golf course to it or compulsory acquisition of the right of way through the Whitehaven Estate. A working group was formed to look at the options.

On point 2) the residents of Whitehaven were looking to see what internal improvements could be made to improve safety.

The second meeting, was held at Amaroo Public School on 5 March between 6.00pm and 7.30pm under the chairmanship of Simon Corbell, Minister for Planning, over seventy people attended. Once again these included representatives of the Whitehaven Estate, nearby Ngunnawal residents, ACTPLA, Gungahlin Lakes Community & Golf Club, Australian Federal Police and the Gungahlin Community Council.

A similar process to the first meeting also came to the same conclusions with the Minister suggesting that the working party look at the solutions on offer and report back to another public meeting called by him in the future.

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Gungahlin Regional Community Service

Gungahlin Community Resource Centre
Gungahlin Youth Centre
Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre
Ph: 6228 9200,
E-mail: grcs@gungahlin.org

School Holiday Program

The Gungahlin School Holiday Program will operate during April at:

• Joint Campus in Nicholls (13th–23rd April), and
• Burgmann (13th -23rd April).

Forms can be collected from the schools as well as at Palmerston, Good Shepherd and Amaroo Schools or the Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre. For more details contact Christine on 6242 4811

School Holiday Program - 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’s 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 Walk & Talk

A Walking Group for Everyone! All ages and capabilities welcome. From 9.30am-11.00 am Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre, Yarrawonga St. Call Selina for more information 6228 9228

Gungahlin Community Network

The Gungahlin Community Network (GCN) is a group of Gungahlin residents who meet weekly to undertake community service projects. Not only does this network initiate activities that respond to community needs, but it also offers social support, friendship and is inclusive of all ages and abilities.

The Network is currently working on a community arts project and you are invited to join in. Childcare is available for participants. The Network meets each Wednesday from 10.00am to 12.00pm at the Community Resource Centre, Gungahlin Town Centre. For more information contact Selina on 6228 9228.

Position Vacant

Home Care Worker/Domestic Cleaner GRCS provides domestic assistance (i.e. House hold cleaning) to frail aged clients and people with disabilities. We are seeking a suitably experienced person for the part time position of home care worker.

Salary: $14.52 per hour Hours: Flexible - up to 22.5 hours per week.

Employment is under the GRCS Employment Agreement. Salary Packaging available.

For Duty Statement and Selection Criteria please contact reception on: 6262 4827 or via email at grcscw@gungahlin.org

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Community Council and developer work together to achieve more effective outcomes for Gungahlin Town Centre
Barry Dee (Gungahlin Community Council)

The Gungahlin Community Council and local property developer Koundouris/Russell Group have worked together to achieve an effective planning and development outcome for the new “Gungahlin Square” development (Section 10, Gungahlin). This complex will be the home for the new ALDI supermarket in the Gungahlin Town Centre.

Through the public notification phase of the development application the Council identified a number of significant design and planning issues. The Koundouris/Russell Group were both approachable and responsive to the Council’s concerns and through negotiation the following beneficial planning outcomes have been achieved:

• Basement car parking capacity has been significantly increased to allow 177 places
   
• The street verge of Hibberson Street is likely to be extended, allowing enhanced use of the pavement areas for uses such as street cafes, thereby reducing dangerous on-street parking and increasing space available for pedestrians and street trees.
   
• All two-bedroom apartments within the complex will have 2 dedicated car parking spaces, ensuring this will be a quality residential development.
   
• Acoustic treatments will be applied to apartments. This will ensure that apartments facing streets or above loading bays will have minimal noise intrusion.
   
• The developer has made provision for the later introduction of mechanical (vertical stacking) car parking solutions should parking need to be further increased at some later date.
   
• At the request of the Council an offer was made to the ACT Government Housing Trust to make a number of apartments available for purchase as “affordable housing”.

“We are extremely pleased with the positive outcomes that we have been able to achieve through negotiation with the developer. The Council found the Koundouri/Russell Group were very approachable and responsive to our concerns”, stated Gungahlin Community Council President, Mr Barry Dee.

Details of the final plans for the “Gungahlin Square” development were shown at the public meeting of the Gungahlin Community Council on Wednesday, 10th March 2004. Approval by ACTPLA had been granted and development is expected to commence in June this year and take approximately 18 months to complete.

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AMAROO SCHOOL CROSSING
Lindsay & Fiona Garrick (Residents Amaroo)

The recent installation of a new crossing on the southern side of the Good Shepherd Primary School, Burdekin Avenue, by Roads ACT has resulted in unsafe conditions as exemplified by the above photo. The crossing is on the apex of a bend and safety is further jeopardised by parents who, against basic road rules, continue to park in no-parking zones within 20 metres of and 10 metres after the crossing. The problem is compounded by an increasing number of parents and children using the side entrances to the Good Shepherd Primary School in contradiction to the conclusions of the 2001 SMEC/Young Consulting report on “Amaroo Traffic and Parking”, commissioned by PALM. This report made strong recommendations for access to the school through the main entrance so as to reduce congestion on Burdekin Avenue and which addressed the issue of safety on Burdekin Avenue as a result of school traffic flow. In addition to the above the current location of the crossing forces nearby residents to reverse out of their sloping driveways in close proximity to the crossing with poor rear mirror visibility. Surely, for the sake of public safety and the safety of our children this public danger needs to be rectified without delay.

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Ankle Sprains
Peter Garbutt (Enhance)

Ankle sprains are a very common injury with most people knowing how to treat one in its acute stage. Unfortunately rehabilitative care is often ignored. When you sprain an ankle, there are a number of injuries that you can actually do to yourself. You may simply overstretch a ligament or muscle tendon, giving low grade inflammation and some discomfort. You tear a ligament, muscle or tendon, even break a bone or two. Very commonly, regardless of the soft tissue injury, you may cause joint dysfunction, or subluxation, whereby one or more of the joints in your foot or ankle no longer go through their full range of movement. This may cause pain and will certainly delay the healing process and increase the chance of further injury.

Re-injury is very common with ankle sprains, as many would know. The single biggest reason for this is lack of suitable rehabilitative care. As I mentioned earlier, everyone knows the basic Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation routine (RICE)for the acute stage of the injury. After this however, it is important that scar tissue be kept to a minimum, inflammation reduced as quickly as possible, and the ankle retrained in how it is to respond when under stress. From the time we begin to walk, we are training our ankles about how to react to various surfaces and conditions, when to tighten certain muscles and when to slacken off others, when to give, and when to remain firm. Much of this is lost when we damage our ankles, as the injury affects the neurology of the joint. Make sure when you injure your ankle again, that you take care, not only of the acute stage with R.I.C.E., but follow it up with a full assessment and rehabilitation program with your local chiropractor.

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Introducing Pastor Rod Holmes
Rod Holmes (Cornerstone Christian Church)

Hi, my name is Rod Holmes and I have just taken over from Roma Hosking at Cornerstone Christian Church as pastor. I have a military background, spanning 15 years in the Army, traveling around most of Australia, gaining various life experiences. After a few years of Bible College training I became Associate Pastor at a church in Liverpool, Sydney, after which my wife Kerri and I shifted to Shepparton where we have been Pastors for the past four years.

At Cornerstone we are seeking to help build a better community in the Gungahlin area. To do this we need your support. If you have a heart to see young people, families and children grow in a wholesome Christian manner, and would like to be part of a small caring group, then come and give us a visit. Some think that church is a thing of the past, but why not come along and enjoy our music band, have a coffee, and hear a relevant message designed to encourage people to seek God for themselves, giving them the opportunity to grow as a person. There is also an opportunity to get to know others and see how they cope with life!

This Good Friday, we have a short memorial service at 9:00 am. This is a time to reflect on the real meaning of Easter and to take time out of our busy schedule to remember what Jesus did when He died over 2000 years ago.

On Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at 10:00 am. This will be a time of understanding what the resurrection is about, why it happened and what significance does it have for us today.

So come along and enjoy an “Easter with a Difference”. We meet at Palmerston Primary School Hall, Kosciusko Avenue, Palmerston. For further enquiries please give us a call on (02) 6255 6087 or email us on cornerstonecc@bigpond.com, or visit our website at www.cornerstonecc.org.au.

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GOLD CREEK NEWS
Kevin Cox (Friends of Gold Creek Homestead)

In February Urban Services Minister Bill Wood announced the establishment of a consultative committee to consider options for the future of the 11-hectare Gold Creek Homestead site in Gungahlin.

The Committee comprises one representative each from Gungahlin Regional Community Service, Gungahlin Community Council, Friends of Gold Creek Homestead and the Gungahlin Lakes Community and Golf Club, and three representatives from relevant areas of the ACT Government. David Marshall is Chair of the Committee. Mr Marshall brings a wealth of experience to the role having successfully chaired the Tuggeranong Homestead Authority when it went through a similar process, and his background in tourism and business ensures he will bring an innovative approach.

The Committee will host a community forum that will be held at the Gungahlin Lakes Club from 5.30pm-7.00pm on a date in April that will be advertised in the Chronicle. The purpose of the forum is to brief residents on the Committee’s deliberations, provide an overview of the current state of the Homestead site and encourage those attending to raise their ideas for the future use of the property.

Community members or groups are encouraged to register their community use ideas with the Gold Creek Homestead Site Committee Secretariat on 6207 7038. This is to ensure that a comprehensive list of community ideas can be considered for the Committee’s recommendation to the Government on the future use of the site.

Expressions of interest will also be sought from developers who will be required to incorporate a strong community use focus into any plans for the property. This will be clearly articulated in the evaluation criteria that are being finalised.

The committee meets approximately every three weeks and has developed a timeline in order to make recommendation to Minister Wood by 30 July 2004.

To keep up to date with progress visit the "Friends of Gold Creek Homestead website" at http://magazines.fasfind.com/goldcreekhomestead

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GARDENING TIPS TO CREATE A WINNING STYLE
Lisa Kaveney (Dog Trap Design)

These styles may not appeal to everyone, but they are certainly leading garden design fashions of the moment.

There is something to tickle everyone’s fancy and personal taste.

1. Work against the expected. Take up the good fight against straight paths and straight fences. Go for unexpected, irregular lines. Forget a laser light roof, take a chance on a pergola that adds year-round colour—and costs a fraction of the price.
    
2. Bring bold colour into the hardscape. Don’t just look to flowers for colour. Paint the floors and walls of your garden, and then plant your flowers to match.
    
3. Go for the ‘Big Bang’ theory. Give your garden a blast, and plant it so all your plants flower simultaneously.
    
4. No garden is complete without a sense of surprise the enticing route supplies, so don’t create a static experience, seen in one eyeful. Paths should lead somewhere.
    
5. Create a space no matter what the size of your property; always try to create a sense of place by suing a consistent motif or material.
    
6. Add vistas, tying all the garden spaces together by a perpendicular ‘long-view’ centreline. The multiple openings and enclosures along the line create a sense of surprise that counteracts the formal geometry.
    
7. Views from within the house are important. A fountain or focal point, centred within view of a window, allows the sound and movement of water to bring a peaceful vista.
    
8. Add to your age; for that instant aged look vines and large hedging specimens are a must. Plant in every crevice and choose large-scale plants that add presence and individual character to the garden rooms. Their lushness will create an instant sense of serenity and timelessness.
    
9. Get to know your natives; you would be surprised at how many you like, and the amazing range of textures and colours available.
    
10. Don’t forget texture; consider making combinations of surprising foliage and bark.
     
11. Be ecologically minded, there are always plants endemic to your locality. Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding the ones you like.
     
12. Look to nature for inspiration. Emulate the grace of meadows or the way wild flowers and wild grasses seem to dance together.
     
13. Follow you heart instead of standard colour prescriptions. Rather than typical white and blue, add red and yellow - exuberant, but not cheesy.
     
14. Court birds and insects. You’ll see that you like the same colours and plants that they do.
     
15. Make your garden appeal to every sense – beauty, flavour, fragrance, and kinetic effect. Pots of cabbage, fennel, flowering tobacco, and lettuce carry this off magnificently.

Why not add just one of these elements to your garden and enjoy the effects?

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 dead-heading. Plant winter and spring seedlings
• Buy or order bare-rooted shrubs, ornamental and fruit trees
• Get vegie garden going – now is the time to plant cabbage, silverbeet, and broccoli seedlings
• Plant natives

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From the Office of Helen Cross MLA
Helen Cross (MLA - Molonglo)

For the members of the Gungahlin Community Council In response to a question raised on the night of 10 March 2004

Below is the result of research done in my office following that meeting.

The efficacy of speed detection devices in the ACT: an effective speeding countermeasure?

Types of speed detection devices:

1. speed cameras
2. red light cameras
3. LTI 20-20 & Ultralyte laser
4. Radar
5. Certified police vehicle inspector

A two-year study conducted by Robin Anderson of the ACT Dept of Urban Services was commissioned by the NRMA to evaluate the effectiveness of the speed program here in the ACT. The study made pre- and post-implementation comparisons. The study’s results are generally in favour of speed detection devices, which were first introduced here in October 1999.

Results

• After six months of surveillance of vehicle speeds, 26% reduction in the proportion of vehicles speeding.
• After 18 months, this study found that crashes at the initial camera sites (the program was expanded in August 2000) had decreased by 36% and fatalities had decreased by 74%.
• 63% decrease in vehicles exceeding the limit by 10 km/h; in 1998 a traffic survey showed that 75% of motorists regularly exceeded the speed limit by 10 km/h.
• 15% speed reduction in those areas that are peripheral to the speed camera network.
• The total revenue raised from speed camera fines in 1999-2000 was $1.195 m.

My views:

However, the study’s results do not demonstrate that the cameras are having a global effect in reducing road trauma. While road trauma is being reduced at road camera sites, road trauma in non-camera areas has not declined, and this suggests some sort of transference effect. For instance:

• 74% decrease in fatal crashes at initial speed camera sites, as compared with a 41% increase at sites without speed cameras.
• The severity of crashes at the camera sites dropped substantially to 4% while severity at non-camera sites increased to 3.2%.

Yes, speed detection devices are reducing road trauma, but only in those areas where motorists anticipate/know of their presence. The prediction of the location of these devices becomes a crucial variable. This suggests that the influence of speed cameras in modifying driver behaviour and attitudes in areas away from speed cameras is not great. The solution would therefore be to increase the incidence of mobile camera vans.

Effective road safety programs demonstrate global effects by aiming to change basic driver attitudes. The effectiveness of speed-detecting devices also depends upon the motorists’ perception of the efficacy of the program. It is therefore important that the program is clearly seen as being aimed at increasing road safety rather than as a strategy to raise revenue. The ACT has demonstrated a commitment to this, as all cameras are at sites where there has been a history of speed-related accidents.

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