Tuggeranong Community Council Newsletter May 2013 Federal Budget benefits or blues?

on the Parkway / Cotter Road interchange. The ramp metering will control the timing of traffic entering the Tuggeranong Parkway using traffic signals located at controlled entry ramps,” she stated.

“The project is expected to reduce the occurrence of traffic jams in the northbound lanes of the Tuggeranong Parkway during morning peak traffic, which will be a welcome relief for the many south-side commuters who rely on this road,” Ms Brodtmann said.

“ will also share in over $690 million in additions and amendments to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and $29.6 million for support in the dis- pensing of chemotherapy medicines. $96.7 million will be made available to increase the number of Commonwealth Support Places in sub-bachelor and post -graduate level studies,” she concluded. Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and the Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann, talking with students during a visit last year to St Mary MacKillop College, Isabella Plains. “Canberrans will pay the price Federal Member for Canberra, Gai She said Canberrans will also benefit for Labor’s economic Brodtmann, has welcomed the 2013-14 from some targeted investments in our vandalism” Federal Budget saying it will provide real community. benefits to Canberrans. However, Mr. Hanson said attacks on “Federal Labor will invest $5 million in public service, superannuation, reduc- However, ACT Opposition Leader, Jer- 2014-15 towards the development of a tions on family tax payments, scrapping emy Hanson, warns Canberrans will pay dedicated service for children in the the baby bonus, introducing paid parking the price for what he describes as Emergency Department of the Canberra in the parliamentary zone, ongoing effi- „Labor‟s economic vandalism.‟ Hospital,” she added. ciency dividends, potential wage squeezes, reductions in office space, Ms Brodtmann says the Budget is one of “This will help streamline and better co- and university cuts are all going to affect which she is proud. ordinate paediatric emergency and inpa- the lives of Canberrans and damage the tient services for around 15,000 Can- city‟s economy. “It will make a real difference to the lives berra children each year. The ACT Gov- of many Canberrans,” she said. ernment will contribute the remaining “Canberrans will pay the price for Labor‟s establishment costs and fund the recur- economic vandalism and would be within “The savings measures outlined by Fed- rent resourcing requirements,” Ms their rights to ask their local Labor repre- eral Labor map a path back to surplus by Brodtmann said. sentatives why they should trust Labor 2016-17, while significant investment has given the repeated assertions about been made in important areas like edu- “To ease traffic congestion that regularly budget surpluses and security of public cation reform and the National Disability plagues the Tuggeranong Parkway at service jobs,” Mr. Hanson said. Insurance Scheme,” Ms Brodtmann said. peak-times, Federal Labor will invest $300,000 to implement ramp metering Continued on page 3

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 1

CONTENTS PAGE TCC addresses Senators on

Tuggeranong air pollution

The Tuggeranong Community Council cooking and cleaning,” Ms Woodward (TCC) was among groups to give evi- recounted. Federal Budget benefits or blues? 1/3 dence before a government committee TCC addresses Senators on inquiring into air quality and public “I order my groceries on line, I have a Tuggeranong air pollution 2 health. hairdresser visit my house and only

Paid parking slammed 3 watch my grandsons play soccer from TCC Secretary, Darryl Johnston and the car.” Calwell master plan motion 3 TCC member, Rusty Woodward gave evidence before the Senate Community Ms Woodward told senators her life is Concern over Southquay landscaping plans 4 Affairs Committee inquiry into the impact virtually on hold during the wood fire of air quality on public health. The Armi- season. Violence on the rise: Seselja 4 dale Air Quality Group and the Australian

More parking for Erindale 4 Home Heating Association were among “For someone like me who believes in others to give evidence. staying involved, it‟s frustrating to be Next TCC meeting 4 incapacitated by something which could Mr Johnston told Senators the major be better controlled,” she said. Fall in youth detention rates 5 source of air pollution in Canberra in TCC membership fees now due 5 winter was from the burning of wood for Mr Johnston said the TCC did not want domestic heating. to ban wood heaters or let people freeze Public service petition 5 in winter. News in brief 6 “Government statistics show only two- point-three per cent of Canberra house- “For some people wood heaters are their Huge ACT deficit still on the cards 6 holds burn wood for heating yet they are only form of heating,” he told Senators.

Women bear twice the domestic load 7 responsible for 71 per cent of our particle pollution. This is compared to just 10- “The TCC supports the introduction of Don‟t Forget 7 point-1 per cent from vehicles, ” he said. tough new emissions and efficiency stan-

dards for new wood heaters,” he said. “This is supported by the ACT Govern- ment which says, ‘smoke from domestic “The new standards need to be based on wood heaters is the largest source of air public health, set independent of the

pollution in Canberra.’ It goes on to warn, wood heating industry and coupled with ‘wood smoke pollution is an environ- a program to encourage householders to mental issue and is linked to a number of give up their old polluting and non- serious health conditions,” he quoted to compliant wood heaters,” he added. Senators. “We believe this will lead to the introduc- Ms Woodward, who suffers from a lung tion of new cleaner and more efficient condition, told the inquiry she was im- wood heaters. People who want to con- prisoned in her home in winter because tinue to heat their home with wood can of neighbourhood wood smoke pollution. with heaters that use less fuel, are cheaper to run and are better for our “During the summer months I am able to health and the environment,” Mr Johns- manage my condition and participate in ton said. both social and volunteering activities.” she told the hearing. “We have introduced regulations to make our vehicles cleaner and more efficient to “Winter presents a whole new scenario reduce air pollution in our cities and to once people start their wood fires,” she protect public health, why can‟t we do said. the same with wood heaters,” he asked Senators. “Even using my oxygen, this affects my breathing to a debilitating level, which The Senate Committee is continuing to restricts my ability to perform simple take evidence and is due to report on its tasks such as washing up, bed making, findings by 26 June 2013.

Tuggeranong Community Council acknowledges its supporters.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 2 From page 1 Paid parking Calwell master “More than 1,200 public service jobs are going next year, with more to come,” he slammed plan motion said. ACT Liberal Senator, “This is on the back of efficiency divi- has slammed plans to extend paid park- dends that have been cutting deep into ing to the Parliamentary Triangle. This the public service and almost 3,000 jobs follows the Federal Budget announce- that were lost in the six months leading ment that paid parking will be introduced up to December last year.” from July 2014.

“The full extent of job cuts still remains Senator Humphries agrees the Parlia- unclear,” Mr. Hanson added. mentary Triangle lacked many services and facilities, unlike Civic and other “Our city prospers when the national Town Centres. He also said family and economy is strong and in surplus, and other commitments meant many workers people trust their government. Despite in the Parliamentary Triangle do not the spin from Wayne Swan the grim real- have to use their cars. ity is that Labor has not delivered a sur- plus for 23 years,” he said. “For them this decision simply means an Liberal Member for Brindabella, additional cut to their standard of living,” Andrew Wall “This is a bad budget for Canberra, Mr he said. Hanson said The future of the Calwell Group Centre Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann and Tuggeranong Homestead has been “Labor‟s $19billion budget deficit and has successfully called for an inquiry into assured, according to Liberal Member for public service job cuts, expose the full the decision and the level of amenities Brindabella, Andrew Wall MLA. effect of their mismanagement of our provided in the Parliamentary Triangle. economy and expose all the broken Mr Wall says the area has been placed promises,” concluded Mr. Hanson. “People working in the triangle deserve on the list for up coming master plan- access to the same services and facili- ning. This follows the adoption of a mo- ties offered in other business districts tion he introduced into the Legislative around Canberra, such as Tuggeranong Assembly. and Woden, particularly if they are to pay for parking,” Ms Brodtmann added. “As a result of years of campaigning and lobbying from the Canberra Liberals, we ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher has finally have the Calwell master plan on supported the introduction of paid park- the list,‟” said Mr Wall. ing but believes monies collected should go into ACT Government coffers. “The ACT Labor Government has con- tinually neglected to recognise the need Paid parking is expected to cost workers for a strategic plan for Calwell but I wel- $11 a day for long term parking or more come their support for this motion,” he than $2600 a year. The Joint Standing said. Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will conduct the en- “I look forward to seeing this master plan quiry, which is due to report by 27 June. ACT Opposition Leader, being developed as a priority and deliv- Jeremy Hanson ered to the Assembly,” he added.

“Local business owners and residents should have confidence their views will be included into how the precinct will be developed and the Tuggeranong Home- stead‟s heritage values preserved into the future,” Mr Wall said.

Source: Media Release

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 3 Concern over Southquay Violence on the landscaping plans rise: Seselja

TLC spokesperson, Glenys Patulny is Shadow Attorney-General concerned deciduous trees will add to has raised his concern about the in- the Lake‟s blue-green algae problem. crease of violent assaults in our commu- nity. “Lake Tuggeranong has major blue green algal outbreaks every summer The Criminal Justice Statistical Profile for forcing its closure,” Ms Patulny said. the March quarter has reported an in- crease in the number of assaults causing “Deciduous tree leaves add to the nutri- grievous bodily harm from 4 to 10 from ent load on the Lake as they lose all their December last year. leaves over a short period compared to evergreens which shed all year round,” “Whilst there have been improvements in she said. some areas there are still significant ar- eas of concern that need to be ad- “Lots of oxygen gets taken up in their dressed,” Mr Seselja said. breakdown leading to poor water quality and contributing to conditions like blue- “I am particularly concerned about the green algae,” she added. rise of violent offences in our commu- nity,” he said. TLC spokesman, Glenys Patulny on the Ms Patulny said the TLC did not want shores of Lake Tuggeranong. any more pressure on the Lake. “In recent months we have seen some Image; Canberra Times very public assaults where victims have To that end the TLC is putting forward a needed hospitalisation, including an al- Water conservationists have expressed motion for consideration at the next Tug- leged stabbing at the bus concerns over landscaping plans at the geranong Community Council meeting. interchange and a serious assault at planned Southquay development at Erindale McDonald‟s,” he added. Greenway. The motion calls for the planting of ap- propriate native species on the fore- “Both incidents occurred in front of other The Tuggeranong Lake Carers Group shores of all lakes and ponds in the Tug- members of the community, causing very (TLC) is concerned deciduous trees will geranong Valley. distressing memories for them to now be planted at the new development on deal with.” the shores of Lake Tuggeranong. “These sorts of incidents have no place in our city and we should be doing all we More parking for Erindale can to prevent them.”

The ACT Government will examine op- “Erindale Group Centre business owners “The ACT Government needs to outline tions for additional parking at Erindale and the Capital Edge Community Church what strategies they will put in place to Shopping Centre. The move following have raised their concerns about the lack reduce the number of violent assaults,” the successful adoption of a motion put of parking numerous times with the Gov- Mr Seselja concluded. forward by Liberal Member for Brinda- ernment, however their concerns have bella, Zed Seselja MLA. been continually ignored,” Mr Seselja Source: Media Release said. Mr Seselja said the motion called for the provision of more parking surrounding “The Capital Edge Community Church Next TCC Meeting the Erindale Group Centre, particularly even expressed a desire to utilise the around the Capital Edge Community unleased territory land adjacent to their The ACT Director of ABC News, John Church. He said the motion was sup- facility for parking, however, until this Mulhall, will be guest speaker at the next ported unanimously as all parties recog- motion, there had been no action from Tuggeranong Community Council (TCC) nised the entire Erindale Group Centre the Government,” Mr Seselja added meeting. has been placed under significant park- ing pressures for some time now. Source Media Release Mr Mulhall has a long and outstanding media career having worked in television in Wollongong and Sydney as a reporter, producer and news director.

He will address TCC members on the role of ABC radio and television in Can- berra and local news coverage.

The next TCC meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 June. It will commence at 7.30pm and will be held in the upstairs function room at the Southern Cross Club Greenway. Members and guests are welcome to attend. Visit; www.tuggcc.com.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 4 Fall in youth detention rates TCC membership fees now due on early intervention and diversion from

detention,” she said. Tuggeranong Community Council (TCC)

members are reminded that 2013/14 “The After Hours Bail Support Service membership fees are due on 1 July. operates each evening and into the early

hours of the morning. Its aim is to reduce Membership fees are set at $5 single the likelihood of young people being and $7 couple and allows people to vote placed on remand for a short period until on matters of importance to the Tugger- the necessary arrangements can be anong community. They can be paid at made to grant them bail,” she added. the next TCC meeting or via the internet

using the following banking details. Ms Burch said since it commenced in

October 2011 it has helped divert 53 BSB 032636 young people from custody. Acc No 22-9560

With reference to the payee‟s name. “This also significantly reduces the num-

ber of short remand episodes at Bimberi, Those who no longer want to continue which in 2009/10 accounted for almost their membership of the TCC are ad- half of all remand episodes,” Ms Burch vised to email the TCC Treasurer on added. Minister for Children and Young People and [email protected].

Member for Brindabella, “The Bendora Transition Unit, which Recent initiatives have helped achieve a commenced operating in August 2011, significant reduction in youth detention assists in preparing young people who Public service rates in the ACT over the past two years, are returning to the community from Bim- according to Minister for Children and beri,” she said. petition Young People and member for Brinda- bella, Joy Burch MLA. “Since opening, 15 youths have transi- More than 800 signatures have been tioned from Bimberi into the community collected on a petition calling for the re- Ms Burch was commenting after releas- via the unit, with encouraging results,” tention of public service jobs in the Tug- ing population data from the Bimberi she said. geranong Town Centre. Youth Justice Centre.

“Last year, twice the number of young The petition has been organised by the She said the figures show since 2011 the people than in 2011 were given commu- Tuggeranong Community Council (TCC), average population at Bimberi has fallen nity leave to participate in work or rec- Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann by almost 20 per cent. reation activities,” Ms Burch stated. and is supported by the Tuggeranong

Hyperdome Shopping Centre and Com- "Our data shows that since the imple- “This better prepares them to return to munities@Work. mentation of youth justice initiatives im- the community as a result of the work plemented to divert young people away undertaken in Bendora Transition Unit,” The petition is in response to an an- from detention, the average Bimberi Ms Burch said. nouncement by the Department of Fami- population declined to 21.8 in 2012, and lies, Housing, Community Services and this year is trending below 18," Ms Burch "Early indications are that this work is Indigenous Affairs Department it is look- added. decreasing the rate of reoffending.” ing for new space for its national office,

as part of a plan to consolidate more Ms Burch said this trend is in large part “We will continue to monitor the progress than 2700 staff into one or two buildings. due to two programs. She sighted the of those who go through the Unit to as- The TCC is concerned the relocation of After-Hours Bail Support Service and the sess its success in reducing recidivism,” Departmental staff will have a serious Bendora Transition Unit at Bimberi. Ms Burch concluded. impact on local businesses.

“These programs were funded in the Source: Media Release Ms Brodtmann has promised to present 2011-12 ACT Budget as part of signifi- the petition to Parliament shortly. cant youth justice reforms that focused

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 5 News in brief Huge ACT deficit still on the cards bor Government have contributed to keeping the ACT Budget on track for a Osteoarthritis takes toll near record deficit.

New figures released by the Australian “The report shows the actions of the Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Federal Government, through its reduc- show osteoarthritis is putting more peo- tion in public service numbers and the ple in hospital and leading to a rise in early calling of the Federal election, has joint replacements. had a real negative impact on the ACT, with the ACT Labor Government on track Osteoarthritis is the most common form for a near record deficit<“ he said. of arthritis in Australia with about 1.8 million Australians (8 per cent of the At the same time our superannuation population) having osteoarthritis com- liability has increased to a record $7.765 pared with 443,000 having rheumatoid billion, making up 67% of our total liabili- arthritis. ties. Net Debt has also deteriorated by $593 million since June 2012, due to additional borrowings undertaken by the Shadow Treasurer and Member for Government,” Mr Smyth added. Human Services to boost Brindabella, Brendan Smyth call centres “This comes at a time when taxes con- The March Quarter 2013 Consolidated tinue to fall short. The Government‟s The Department of Human Services is to Financial Reports show that the ACT Lease Variation Charge brought in $7.5 beef up its call centres and review its Budget is still on track for a $362 million million less than originally budgeted. It is ageing IT system, under measures an- deficit this financial year, according to time told the people of the nounced in the 2013-14 Budget. Shadow Treasurer and Member for ACT how he‟s going to dig the budget Brindabella, Brendan Smyth. and the economy out of the hole that he, Funding of $30 million is to be provided and Federal Labor, have created for the to the Department to ensure it can pro- Mr Smyth said the combined efforts of ACT,” Mr Smyth concluded. vide better services to Australians who the Gillard-Swan Federal Labor Govern- call Centrelink for advice, along with ment and the ACT‟s Gallagher-Barr La- Source: Media Release $102.2 million over five years to support the upgrade of the child support IT sys- tem.

Minister for Human Services, Senator Jan McLucas said the funding would allow additional staff to be employed to act as a ''surge capability'' in call centres. “The Department received over 44 mil- lion Centrelink-related calls in 2011-12, that's around 160,000 calls per day,” Senator McLucas said.

Fix My Street goes mobile

Canberrans can now more easily contact the ACT Government via their smart phones and upload location data and photos to the popular 'Fix My Street' service, thanks to a new mobile interface for the Canberra Connect website.

Minister for Territory and Municipal Ser- vices, said the new mobile friendly interface will make ac- cessing information and payment ser- vices and reporting issues easy while on the go.

"By enhancing mobile access to the Canberra Connect website and Fix My Street service, people will be able to provide online feedback to the govern- ment and immediately report neighbour- hood issues such as a pothole or broken footpath as they find them,” he said.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 6

Women bear twice the Valley Voice

domestic load

New data analysis released by the Aus- tralian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has shown Australian women spend around twice as much time on childcare and household work as men.

The AIFS' fact sheet, Families Working Together - Getting The Balance Right was released to coincide with National Families Week . June 4: TCC General Meeting, 7.30pm Tuggeranong It reveals mothers with children under Southern Cross Club five years old spend around 41 hours a week on childcare and 32 hours on Tuggeranong Community Council‟s June 9: Tuggeranong Homestead newsletter, Valley Voice is designed to household work, while fathers spend Markets about 17 hours on childcare and 15 inform Valley residents of issues that impact on them and to act as a vehicle hours on household tasks. June 21: Canberra Truffle Festival for other community groups and organi- www.trufflefestival.com.au sations to communicate with residents. Director of AIFS, Alan Hayes said the factsheet also showed mothers stepped July 2: TCC General Meeting, Valley Voice is produced on a regular up their involvement in paid work as their 7.30pm Tuggeranong kids got older, from 14 hours a week to basis and is circulated amongst TCC Southern Cross Club members and friends. If you wish to 25 hours a week on average when the youngest was aged 5-14 years. receive copies of Valley Voice in the July 14: Tuggeranong Homestead future please email [email protected]. Markets “Despite working more in paid employ- Meanwhile, if you have articles or im- ment, women continued to spend much Aug 1 to 31: Canberra Fireside the same time on household tasks as ages you wish to contribute to Valley Festival. Visit: Voice please email them to they had when their children were www.firesidefestival.com.au younger, spending an average of 29 [email protected] by the 20th of each month. hours a week on household work. Men's Aug 6: TCC General Meeting, responsibilities remained much the same 7.30pm Tuggeranong Please feel free to pass Valley Voice on as their children got older,” Professor Southern Cross Club Hayes said. to those who you think may be interested in its contents. Aug 10: National Science Week, Source: PS News ______CSIRO Discovery Centre Acton.

Visit: www.csiro.au/discovery Valley Voice is published by the Tugger- anong Community Council (TCC). Mate- rial in this publication comes from a vari- ety of community and government based sources and therefore does not neces- sarily reflect the views of the TCC.

Material submitted to the TCC for inclu- sion in Valley Voice may be subject to editorial changes. Material that includes dates, times and contact details is cor- rect at the time of publishing. Therefore, the TCC cannot be held responsible if it BARR SMITH AVENUE, BONYTHON is not informed of any changes to that information prior to publication.

Tuggeranong Community Council. E: [email protected] W: www.tuggcc.com

Tuggeranong Community Council Inc. (TCC) is an incorporated, voluntary, not for profit, non political, community based association operat- ing within the Tuggeranong district of the Australian Capital Territory.

TCC is formally recognised as the peak commu- nity representative body in Tuggeranong pro- moting the goals and aspirations of local resi- dents and other community groups and organisations within the Tuggeranong Valley. TCC receives partial funding from the ACT Government.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 7