Woden Community Festival 2008: Volunteers Needed!

Community News and Information Published by Woden Community Service Inc. & Woden Valley Community Council Inc. with a distribution of 12,500 ______Issue #3. March 2008______

Woden Voice encourages its read- Hot topics ers to take part in Earth Hour to - Woden Community Festival p1 help tackle climate change. Please join in and turn off your - Planning Changes p7 lights 8—9 pm, March 29, 2008. - Eddison Park facelift p3 For more information go to: - Bus Interchange upgrade p3 www.wwf.org Woden Community Festival 2008: Volunteers Needed!

Woden’s second community festival the Future competition for school that give our community great will be held in Spring at Eddison children to express their vision for strength that we often don’t know Park in the heart of the valley. the sort of community they would about or enjoy as we could.” like to grow up in. Early preparations are underway Woden Community Service and following Woden Valley Commu- “Woden is often seen as just a com- Woden Valley Community Council nity Council and Woden Community mercial centre where people come to want to establish a community man- Service’s successful bid for festival work and shop. Many don’t realise agement committee to oversee all funding through the ACT Govern- that there are thousands of families aspects of the festival. ment’s Chief Minister’s Department. and residents living here in the geo- graphical centre of Canberra,” “Although the festival will only be The community festival will be a Woden Community Service (WCS) for a day it will take months and celebration of the Woden Valley, its Director Chris Redmond said. many people to organise and stage, people and community, its past people with an interest in assisting to which is little known by many, the “Woden Valley is undergoing a plan the festival or organise activi- present which is full of opportunity physical transformation with un- ties for the day are urgently needed.” with its rejuvenation and its future precedented commercial and resi- which is full of potential. dential development and the renewal “We are now looking for volunteers of many of the suburbs with many to help make this festival a great Numerous activities are being new people and communities mov- success. It is going to be a lot of planned including a Lady of the ing into the area.” fun,” Chris Redmond said. Lake competition to crown a host for the festival, a Local Hero contest “There is much to celebrate in the If you would like to volunteer your asking community members to ac- valley, a great diversity of commu- time, please contact Emma Walter at knowledge people in the community nity members and groups, cultural WCS on 6282 2644 or email wcsad- doing great things and a Woden of organisations and other resources [email protected]

Woden Community Service Inc. PO Box 35 Woden ACT 2606 Ph: 6282 2644 E: [email protected] W: www.wcs.org.au Deadline for submission of articles for the next issue of Woden Voice is 28/05/08

Woden Valley Community Council Update

ment is going to put in a lot of emissions down to a minimum. Eddison Park money into refurbishment of the My solution on that is to have a upgrade Interchange, closed circuit tele- gentle increase on parking facili- vision sets and enhanced light- ties and a very, very big increase The ACT Government has allo- ing so that for the intervening in public transport quality and cated more than $1 million dol- period it is a pleasant place for service delivery." lars to upgrade Eddison Park in people to go and a safe place for Phillip. $750,000 will be used to people to go whilst they are redesign and landscape the travelling." No commencement Chifley pond, with work expected to date for the upgrade was given. Playground begin in July and completed by the end of October this year. A spokesman for Minister Har- $275,000 has also been allo- Phillip Oval greaves says work is expected to cated to improve the picnic fa- Work is well underway on the commence on the new play- cilities, playground and fitness Phillip Oval redevelopment pro- ground in May, 2008. trail. The grant is welcome by ject. At the WVCC, Minister WVCC, which has lobbied con- Hargreaves advised that the sub- sistently for the park to be im- surface irrigation system had Woden Community proved. been installed and the first layer Cultural Centre? of soil laid. The Minister said ACTEW has granted an exemp- The WVCC has received Woden Bus tion to water the grass and as $20,000 from the Stanhope Interchange soon as the turf is ready, the Government to carry out a feasi- oval will be open for use. bility study for a Community At the WVCC meeting on Cultural Centre in the Woden March 5th, Minister for Terri- More parking v Town Centre. While the Coun- tory and Municipal Services, cil is grateful for the funding John Hargreaves said the gov- Climate Change received, it is unfortunately well ernment has allocated money to short of the $50,000 requested to improve security and refurbish Minister Hargreaves told the engage a commercial consultant the Woden Bus Interchange. WVCC meeting that there is a to carry out the project as ini- need for more parking in the tially planned. WVCC will now As to whether the interchange Woden Town Centre, but this review its approach and seek will be replaced in the future, must be balanced against the further discussions with the the Minister says, will depend need for people to use their cars ACT government. on the results of changes being less. Minister Hargreaves said, made to the Belconnen Inter- “It’s pretty obvious that though Old school sites there have been plenty of car change. "I want to see the ex- Minister Hargreaves also told park spaces created with the perience of Belconnen, which the WVCC meeting that Cabi- new buildings, there is still an will see the elimination of the net was currently considering a unmet demand in the Woden interchange and the installation submission about the future of area. We need to measure that of four bus stations, to see school sites based on the results against the need to be green- whether or not it has application of the community consultation house conscious. We need to in Woden,” Mr Hargreaves said. process. A decision will be an- make sure we keep our CO2 “In the meantime, the govern- nounced soon.

The next WVCC meeting will be held on Wednesday April 2, 2008 at 7.30pm at the Hellenic Club. Please come along. www.wvcc.org.au or [email protected] or (02) 6281 0096 Local development update Town Centre

1) The proposal for the new building to replace 2) WVCC has also raised major objections to the the Sirius Building and Penryhn House in the Development Application for a 13 storey Town Centre. The new building is proposed to building on the old YMCA site immediately to have an increase in Gross Floor Area from ap- the north of, and adjacent to, the Phillip pool proximately 9,000 sq metres to 49,164 sq me- and ice skating rink. The proposed building tres. The objection was the additional off site will overlook the pool and severely impact on car parking requirements that the development the amenity of its users. Diagrams show the will generate, together with concerns in respect development will overshadow the site and the to protection of pedestrians from wind impact. newly reconstructed Football Park at certain Wind studies showed that the much larger times of the year. There are other concerns building will have a significant impact on a in relation to wind impact on the pool and very windy corner of the town centre. traffic as entry to the building will be along the northern edge of the pool site.  The Government has undertaken some im- The Territory Plan in the area (north of provements to parking in the town centre, how- Launceston St and adjacent to Melrose Drive) ever, this will be far exceeded by the new office allows for offices with the maximum building demands. The offsite car parking requirements height of generally six storeys. Taller buildings generated by the development were not clear up to a maximum of 12 storeys may be per- and we requested further information. mitted provided certain matters specified in the  The ACT Planning Authority (ACTPLA) has Plan have been satisfactorily addressed. WVCC advised that it has approved the new Sirius De- believes they have not been addressed. In addi- velopment Application. We are pleased that tion the tennis courts on the site would have to ACTPLA has required much more stringent be demolished and this, together with the action to protect pedestrians from wind effect. negative impacts on the pool, requires a Pre- ACTPLA has not however advised how much liminary Assessment to be un-dertaken under off site parking is expected to be generated by the Legislation . ACTPLA should require this the development or how that parking demand assessment to be undertaken before the DA. will be met. This remains a major issue. We await the outcome of these objections. Lyons Farrer 1) WVCC has made comment on the proposed 1) A development application has been lodged to units to be built on the old Burnie Court site extend the Farrer shops at the front and back. with respect to solar orientation and advised The proposal is most welcome as the shops are that the Council will not support a nine sto- in dire need of a revamp. rey tower on the corner of Launceston and Mel 2) Mandir Ashram Pty Ltd Aged Care proposal. rose Drive, which the developers have flagged A Preliminary Assessment (PA) is being pre- for the future. pared for the ACT Government’s plan to sell a direct grant of land at the corner of Yamba Drive 2) An objection against the variation of a lease in and Beasley St (adjacent the Catholic Church) to Tasman Place to allow up to 14 multi-units has Mandir Ashram. The proposal is in response to been made by WVCC. Tasman Place already the Commonwealth Government’s funding for has one dual occupancy and an eight unit multi- 60 aged care beds to the company. The parent unit development in the cul-de-sac. The addi- body of the company, the Mandir Association, tional units will incur unacceptable traffic con- built and runs the Mandir Temple in Mawson gestion, parking and safety issues as well as im- Drive, Mawson. Some Farrer residents have pacting on residential amenity. Local residents raised concerns with the consultant undertaking have also lodged objections. We note that the the PA about the proposal in relation to traffic Territory Plan is being changed to prohibit this and access to the site and other impacts on the type of development in the future (see article on adjacent residential area. The opportunity for A New Planning System). comment on the PA will be available once it is lodged with ACTPLA for consideration.

If you would like a copy of WVCC comments on Development Applications please send an email to [email protected]. Gina Pinkas, WVCC Planning Officer. What’s on at Woden Community Service

Woden Community Service Canberra’s own Social Groups WCS has some exciting social groups for people Choir of who want to have fun and meet new people: Chifley Social Group Social group for older people including activities Hard Knocks and regular outings. Morning tea and lunch is provided. Fridays 10.30-1pm at YMCA Health The national success of the Choir of Hard Knocks and Wellness Centre (Cnr Eggleston Cres and has inspired the creation of a similar group in Maclaurin St Chifley). Cost is $5.00. Transport Canberra called the ‘Gateway Community Choir’. can be arranged, please call Lorraine on 6260 5400 The choir is made up of people from marginalised English Classes backgrounds in the ACT, including vendors of the If you are interested in learning or improving Big Issue magazine, and supported by Woden your writing and speaking English skills – then Community Service Inc. this is for you! Mondays, 9.30 – 11.30am at St Albans Church Chapel St Lyons. For more in- On the Australia Day long weekend, The Big Is- formation, ring Ben on 6282 2644 sue staff had the pleasure of taking the vendors Hub along to see and meet the Choir of Hard Knocks The Hub is a drop-in service that operates every perform at the National Convention Centre. second Thursday of the month, with representa- tives from Housing ACT, Carers ACT and other Program Manager, Fiona Day said, “It was truly organisations. Next Hub is on Thursday 10th inspiring for the vendors to see firsthand the suc- April at Lyons Primary School, Toombs Pl Ly- cess enjoyed by The Choir of Hard Knocks, ons from 2.30-4pm. Come along, and enjoy the knowing that a number of their members had pre- free BBQ! viously worked as vendors themselves. The day For more information ring Ben on 6282 2644 was a wonderful example of how community programs, like The Choir of Hard Knocks and The Big Issue can really turn people’s lives around.” CHRIS McCARTHY DENTURE CLINIC The Big Issue is committed to working with mar- 65 Colbee Court Phillip..& Hawker ginalised people throughout Canberra to ensure they enjoy the benefits of social inclusion through l Quick Repairs l Relines our involvement in projects such as the Gateway l New Dentures l Mouthguards Community Choir. No Referral Necessary 6281 0099 “There is a new sense of pride and hope amongst Canberra’s vendors after their recent brush with fame, so next time you see one of the hardworking New NHW Group for Hughes team selling The Big Issue remember they are Neighbourhood Watch has been revitalised in looking for “a hand up, not a hand out”, Ms Day Hughes. A public meeting was held at the end of said. 2007 and a new group has been formed. Dr Kris Veenstra was appointed to Area Coordinator with a For more information on The Big Issue program small committee to assist. Residents of Hughes are please call Fiona Day, Program Manager, The encouraged to participate in the re-established NHW Big Issue 6282 2644. group. For further information please contact Kris o n 6 282 61 82 o r vi a e ma i l a t : [email protected] SELLING YOUR HOME?

Marcia and Noel specialise in providing the finest, supportive real estate services -

• to achieve optimum results; and • to ensure selling is a positive experience for their clients.

To enjoy their services, please phone - Simon Corbell MLA Marcia 0422 454 383 Your local member in the Woden Valley or Labor Member for Molonglo Noel 0412 334 725 Attorney General; Minister for Police and Emergency Services Marcia Delander Noel Lane Licensed Agent Licensed Agent Phone: 6205 0000; Fax: 6205 0535 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] GPO Box 1020, Canberra ACT 2601

LIC’D AGENT CANBERRA WIDE PTY LTD T/A RICHARD LUTON PROPER- TIES For a fairer, safer Canberra… 12 BOUGAINVILLE STREET, MANUKA ACT 2603 Authorised by Simon Corbell MLA ~ ACT Legislative Assembly, London Circuit, ACT, A new planning system for the ACT The ACT now has new planning legislation and a new Territory Plan, which is designed to make planning processes and development approvals simpler and quicker. It was passed in the ACT Leg- islative Assembly on 6 March. The Minister for Planning Andrew Barr, said the new provisions will allow residents to build a new home without having to go through the Development Application process, making it cheaper and easier. The new Territory Plan also has changed the land use for some of the old school sites. Mr Barr said “Some surplus school sites currently remain zoned as schools and therefore cannot be legiti- mately used by some community groups, the changes will alter the land use provisions on some sites to ensure they can be used for the community uses including supportive housing, cultural facilities, child care and aged care .” The new Territory Plan will also strengthen the Garden City provisions, which were introduced in 2003, to maintain the character of Canberra’s suburbs by restricting redevelopment of single and multiple residential dwellings. Of particular interest to Woden residents, is the restriction on multi-unit developments in A10 areas (or core areas). Mr Barr said that an evaluation identified areas on some streets and blocks where the high numbers of units have been causing concerns with traffic, parking, privacy, solar access and orientation. The new Territory Plan will now limit the number of multi-unit developments on blocks with narrow front- ages, such as in culs-de-sacs, and will include controls to ensure that no more than three dwellings can be built on individual standard residential blocks of 1,400 square metres or more and which have a street front- age of 20 metres or less in A10 areas. The proposed changes to the ACT planning system will also allow over-the-counter sales of leases for single dwellings, include measures to help ensure that land allocated for housing is used for this purpose and not left undeveloped.

Woden Valley Community (WVCC) congratulates the Government on these improvements to our planning system. The new Plan and Legislation come into effect on the 31 March. Details are available on the ACT Government’s Legislation Register at www.legislation.act.gov.au. The new Territory Plan is listed as a noti- fiable instrument.NI2008-27. A summary of the planning reforms are on ACT Planning Authority’s website. Gina Pinkas WVCC Planning Officer CHRIS McCARTHY DENTURE CLINIC 65 Colbee Court Phillip..& Hawker l Quick Repairs l Relines l New Dentures l Mouthguards

No Referral Necessary 6281 0099

Peter Hurley Master of Social Science (Counselling) Graduate Diploma in Counselling Personal Counsellor: General Counselling Issues Men’s Issues Midlife/Life transition issues. Member: Australian Counsellor’s Assoc. Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0403224922 for appointment

Southlands Shopping Centre, Mawson Unit 8 / 93 Mawson Place [email protected] email: [email protected] Do you really know the Looking for a change current market value in Property Management?? of your property? It costs nothing to change For a FREE Market Appraisal over to Elders Woden. We’ll do all the work for you! Phone CHRISTINE RYAN on Contact LEE MCCAULEY on 6103 1424 or 6103 1424 Today! 0414 444 673

www.elderswoden.com.au YMCA Health and Wellness Centre

The YMCA vision for a Health and Wellness The educational gymnastic program for pre- Centre at the old Melrose Primary School in schoolers will be in full swing on Monday and Chifley is slowing gaining momentum and it Thursday mornings. looks as though 2008 will be an exciting year! You can check out all these programs by drop- As a community organisation we love to work ping in and picking up a timetable, phoning on in partnership with other organisations. Woden 62810124 or checking the website on Community Service will be starting an aged www.canberra.ymca.org.au the staff would day care program at the facility soon and other love to see you! such day groups would be welcomed. Below: Andrew Bird, Instigator of Lungs for The centre-piece of our wellness centre is the Life Program community gym. From February more programs and longer operating times are offered. A unique new physical activity program is called “Lungs for Life” and is for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Just as it is important for everyone to get regular exercise it is even more important for people with limited lung capacity but many commercial programs can prove to be too daunting. This special class will be safe and supportive and as an extra bonus oxygen will be available at no cost through the generosity of the YMCA Aux- iliary. All people with lung disorders are welcome but a doctor’s medical clearance is required.

Other programs of special interest are the Mobiliser classes, for people with physical dis- abilities, and a four-week resistance training program for people concerned about maintain- ing bone density. This program is called “Making Bones About It” and will be offered in March.

As well, the gym will be open and supervised until 7pm Monday to Thursday so that people in the workforce can have a convenient place and time to work out. The YMCA’s regular classes for older people will be offered throughout the week as well as a class for young parents with their babies and toddlers.

A new program called “Active Start” (a boot camp without the boot!) will be available for people of all ages on Tuesdays and Thursday at 6pm. Perfect for those people just coming home from work – and older children (over 8) are welcome to participate with their parents! Why not work on family fitness? Woden Seniors Club has something for everyone When Anne Murray is asked what people do at Woden Seniors Club she likes to tell them the story of the woman on the walking frame. Anne, who has been president of the 700-strong Club for almost eight years, believes the story typi- fies the way a person’s life can be changed through social and recreational interaction. The woman, in her early 80s, had mobility problems and was dependent on a walking frame. Then, the Community Bus began bringing her to Woden Sen- iors for gentle exercise – which, at first, she could only do sitting in a chair. “Four months later,” says Anne, “she was walking to the club from her home in Curtin unaided. Not only is she still coming to exercise classes and other activities, but she’s a volunteer at Brindabella Gar- dens!” 8mm FILM to DVD The club’s activities cater for all ages from 50 to VIDEO TAPES to DVD over 90. These include Bridge and Solo, carpet Video & Photography of Weddings, Formals, Deb Balls etc bowls, computing, craft, painting and drawing, table Video Editing / DVD Production. tennis, folk and ballroom dancing, Tai-Chi, and not SCHUSTER'S VIDEO & least, the Woden Seniors Choir which performs at PHOTOGRAPHY. nursing homes around Canberra each week. Est.1981 High on the club’s current agenda is the first stage Ph 6288 8357. of its master plan, designed to increase the size of email [email protected] the building (on the corner of Corinna Street and Melrose Drive) to allow for the growing number of over-50s in Canberra. Anne Murray is hoping to raise more capital funds for the project, one avenue being the establishment YMCA of Canberra of Friends of Woden Seniors, with early signs ‘very The YMCA has opened a disability friendly positive’. Another fund-raiser will be the ‘Baby community gym in the old Melrose Primary Boomers Revue’ in at the Southern Cross Club in School building on the crn Eggleston Cres & April, with star performers from Canberra Philhar- MacLaurin Cres, Chifley. monic and other well-known musical groups. We run programs and classes for: Woden Seniors Club President, Anne Murray, with Admin older people, young parents, people with dis- Assistant David Temple. abilities, people with chronic diseases, people with pulmonary disorders and programs for families. We have a supervised open gym session for all open till 7pm Mon-Thurs. No membership fees – pay as you come! No special clothes required! No loud music! Come and see what’s available

Ph: 62810124, [email protected] MLA’S CONTACT LIST______

Postal address for all MLAs: Legislative Assembly for the ACT, GPO Box 1020, Canberra, ACT 2600.

Government: ACT Greens: Jon Stanhope, MLA Dr Deb Foskey, MLA Member for Ginninderra Member for Molonglo Chief Minister; Treasurer; Minister for Business & Eco- [email protected] nomic Development; Indigenous Affairs; Arts; Environ- (02) 62050161, Fax: (02) 62050007 ment, Water & Climate Change. [email protected] (02) 62050104, Fax: (02) 62050433 Liberal opposition: Zed Seselja, MLA Katy Gallagher, MLA Member for Molonglo Member for Molonglo Liberal Leader; Shadow Minister for Planning& Housing Deputy Chief Minister; Minister for Health; Children & Affordability; Education & Training; Corrections; Young People; Disability & Community Services; Women Inidigenous Affairs; Human Rights; Illicit Drugs; [email protected] Infrastructure; Young People. (02) 62050840, Fax: (02) 62053030 [email protected] (02) 62050323, Fax: (02) 62053001 Andrew Barr MLA Member for Molonglo Brendan Smyth, MLA Minister for Education & Training; Tourism, Sport & Rec- Member for Brindabella reation; Industrial Relations; Planning. Deputy Leader; Shadow Treasurer; Shadow Minister for [email protected] Business & Economic Development; Government & Ac- (02) 62050011, Fax: (02) 62050157 countability; Tourism; Sport & Recreation; Police; Mental Simon Corbell, MLA Health [email protected] Member for Molonglo 62050099, Fax: (02) 62050859 Attorney General; Minister for Police; Emergency Services. [email protected] Steve Pratt, MLA (02) 62050000, Fax: (02) 62050535 Member for Brindabella Shadow Minister for urban Services; Emergency Services; John Hargreaves, MLA Transport Planning; Transport; Multicultural Affairs Member for Brindabella [email protected] Minister for Territory & Municipal Services; Housing; (02) 62050106, Fax: (02) 62050412 Multicultural Affairs [email protected] (02) 62050020, Fax: (02) 62050495 Jacqui Burke, MLA Member for Molonglo Karin MacDonald, MLA Shadow Minister for Health & Disability Services; Housing. Member for Brindabella [email protected] [email protected] (02) 62050133, Fax: (02) 62050427 (02) 62050130, Fax: (02) 62050418 Vicki Dunne Mick Gentleman, MLA Member for Ginninderra Member for Brindabella Shadow Minister for Environment, Water & Climate [email protected] Change; Family & Community Services; Women; Heritage; (02) 62050131, Fax: (02) 62053017 Ageing. [email protected] 62050283, Fax: (02) 62053106 Wayne Berry, MLA, Member for Ginninderra Bill Stefaniak, MLA, [email protected] Member for Ginninderra (02) 62050021, Fax: (02) 62050498 Shadow Attorney General; Minister for Gaming & Racing; Industrial Relations; Arts; Special Projects. Mary Porter, MLA, [email protected] Member for Ginninderra (02) 62050112, Fax: (02) 62053000 [email protected] (02) 62050100, Fax: (02) 62050040 Independent: Richard Mulcahy, MLA Member for Molonglo [email protected] (02) 62050111, Fax: (02) 62053002 Advertising in ‘Woden Voice’ Woden Voice is distributed to 12,500 households in the Woden area. If you would like to advertise in this newsletter, Here are our rates per edition: 6cm x 4 cm $35.00 8cm x 6cm $70.00 8cm x 8 cm $80.00 ¼ A4 $105.00 ½ A4 $210.00 A4 $420.00

Ads need to pdf print ready, 300 dpi and correct size. Sponsorship Sponsorship of Woden Voice is tax deductible. In exchange for your support, your business logo will be displayed prominently in each edition.

For more information about advertising & sponsorship please contact Emma Walter at Woden Community Service [email protected],au

Deadline for next edition is 28 May, 2008.

Woden Community Service Inc. and Woden Valley Community Council Inc have produced this newsletter on behalf of the Woden Community