PM Makes Calwell Call Fall in Valley Crime

Tuggeranong Community Council Newsletter Issue 15: May 2012 PM makes Calwell call Fall in Valley Crime

Crime rates in the Tuggeranong Valley have fallen according to the latest statistics recently released by ACT Policing.

The number of offences recorded in Tug- geranong for the first quarter of 2012 totalled 1,991 compared to 2,222 for the same period last year and 2,670 for last quarter of 2011. Offences ranged from assaults, property damage, motor vehicle theft and robberies.

In releasing the statistics, ACT Policing said they reflected a decline in crime rates across the ACT compared to the same period last year.

Acting Superintendent of ACT Policing Intelligence, Chris Meagher, said crime statistics allow members of the community to see what crimes were occurring in the ACT and their suburb, with the ability to view trends over time.

“Of particular significance is the number L to R: Jayson Hinder, CEO of the Calwell Community-owned Bendigo Bank, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Nick Tsoulias, Vice President of the Tuggeranong Community Council of assaults reported in the City area has decreased from 101 to 76, or by 24.7%,” Calwell Shopping Centre recently played John Agius, the CEO of the Calwell he said. host to Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and Branch of the Bendigo Bank and Tugger- Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan. anong Community Council Vice Presi- According to the statistics Tuggeranong dent, Nick Tsoulias. ranked third for overall offences behind Both were in the Tuggeranong Valley Belconnen (2,490) and North Canberra selling the recently released Federal Ms Gillard also took time out to enjoy (2,438). Budget. Shoppers were surprised to see coffee with a small group of local shop- two such high profile politicians in the pers and children. The worst performing suburb in Tugger- Tuggeranong Valley followed by a pack anong was its largest, Kambah, report- of journalists, photographers and cam- This is the Prime Minister’s second visit ing a total of 312 offences in the first eramen. to the Tuggeranong Valley in three quarter of this year followed by Green- months. In February Ms Gillard, Educa- way, which includes the Tuggeranong The Prime Minster was officially wel- tion Minister, Peter Garrett and local Town Centre, with 302 offences and comed to the Calwell Shopping Centre member, Gai Brodtmann, visited St Mary Wanniassa recording 251 offences. by owner and local businessman, Con MacKillop College at Isabella Plains. Tsoulias. Mr. Tsoulias presented the Of the three suburbs, Kambah recorded Prime Minister with a book on his fam- Ms Gillard officially opened the St Jo- the highest number of assaults, property ily’s history and links with Canberra. seph the Worker Campus of the Can- damage, traffic and other offences. berra Regional Pathways Trade Training She also met with representatives of Centre. local The Men’s Shed, Frank Vrins and Continued on page 4

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

CONTENTS PAGE Chisholm planning protests

Residents’ spokesman, Wayne King,

said he thanked the Council for its support. Mr. King said residents do not want a beautiful piece of open space to be PM makes Calwell call 1 destroyed by the building of 22 ugly two

Fall in Valley crime 1 storey units in the middle of their quite tranquil suburb, and especially at the Chisholm planning protests 2 cost of Chisholm Community Park.

Greens claim planning success 3 “Some residents have received an email Tax review 3 from the Planning Minister, Andrew Barr, talking about further consultation with the $2m art centre upgrade 4 community, but they are concerned that Crime statistic, Tuggeranong Valley 4 this is just another way to be seen to be Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan meets with doing the right thing and then selling the More time top pay fines 5 Chisholm residents. land anyway,” he said. Paid parking push 5

Two planning projects for Chisholm have Mr. King said residents are not opposed Cost of living 6 to the right development in the right ar- raised the ire of local residents. Both Libs line up for Brindabella 6 projects are for residential develop- eas, but not on what has been known as ments, the first planned for the vacant their neighbourhood park. A Green field for Brindabella 7 land behind the Chisholm shops and the News in Brief 7 second on land at the corner of Deamer “There are other areas around Chisholm and Heagney Crescents which has long that are more suitable, including vacant Scouts take to the skies 8 been used as a neighbourhood park. land further along Deamer Crescent,” Mr. King concluded. Cane takes on 55+ 8 The proposed developments have local Off Beat, Nomadic gnome 9 residents up in arms forcing the ACT Meanwhile, another group of Chisholm residents has expressed concerns over Don’t Forget 9 Government to place on hold the sale of one block until further consultation with plans for the sale of land at the corner of residents. In the case of the Deamer and Proctor and Mead Streets for the devel- Heagney Crescents proposals, the Tug- opment of a four storey housing project. geranong Community Council (TCC) has called on the ACT Government to de- The land is directly behind Chisholm clare the a neighbourhood park. shops and adjoins the site of a new Aldi supermarket. This site includes a playground and had been earmarked for future development. TCC President, Darryl Johnston, has For many years residents have fought for already expressed concerns over the it to be declared a park. scale of the development and the impact it will have on traffic flow, particularly in The issue has once again come to a Benham Street. head with plans for as many as 22 residential units on the site. At the last Coun- He said Benham Street already carries cil meeting members voted in favour of buses, general traffic, large delivery writing to the ACT Government calling on trucks to Coles and smaller trucks servic- it to officially declare the land a park. ing the other shops in Chisholm.

One resident suggested it be developed For more information see: Hansard de- as a park to celebrate the 175th anniver- bate on Planning in Chisholm or visit: sary of the arrival to Australia of the sub- Chisholm Park Website. urb’s namesake, Caroline Chisholm.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 2 Greens claim planning success Tax Review

The ACT Assembly has passed amend- Requires written notice of draft A review of taxation measures in place in ments to increase public notification for variations to the Territory Plan to the Australian Capital Territory has seen draft variations to the Territory Plan, de- houses within adjoining sections the ACT Government accept 26 of the concessionalisation and new houses in (section is a piece of land review panel’s 28 recommendations, older suburbs. bounded by roads – our houses noting one and rejecting another. are on blocks within sections); These amendments were based on the For knock-down rebuilds in older Among the review’s recommendations Planning and Development (Public Notifi- suburbs, it requires the proponent were proposals to abolish stamp duty on cation) Amendment Bill introduced by the of the development proposal to real estate conveyancing; abolish duty Greens to the Assembly in March. give a written notice, including the on general insurance and life insurance plans, to residents of adjoining policies; progress a road user charge “These amendments give a better bal- properties. It will also explain system through a national agreement ance to the rights of residents to be in- what codes and regulations the between all the States and Territories; formed and have a say in developments plans have to meet. and pursue the introduction of parking that affect them with the need for an effi- fees in Canberra’s Parliamentary Trian- cient planning system,” Greens Planning “People in Canberra want to be able to gle. spokesperson, Caroline Le Couteur, have a say on planning issues in their said. The bill improves notification in neighbourhood, but all too often, they The review also recommended allowing three key areas: find out about proposals after the date the deferral of rates for some ratepayers; Requires deconcessionalisation for feedback has passed, Ms Le Couteur adopting ‘site value’ of land as the basis proposals to have pre DA consul- said. for valuations; expanding the Home tation in the same way that major Buyer Concession Scheme; abolishing developments will have to have These amendments will improve that in a residential land tax; and reviewing the as a result of PABLAB2 which number of key areas,” Ms Le Couteur administration of the ACT’s Ambulance should come into operation concluded. Levy. shortly; Source: Media Release Releasing its response to the review, the ACT Government said the report by the Taxation Review Panel confirmed that ACT Government Tax Review the ACT’s taxation mix was not unusual when its circumstances were taken into account.

“When compared to the size of the econ- omy and incomes, the Territory is not a high taxing jurisdiction. Overall, the ACT’s taxation system has relatively higher economic efficiency compared to other jurisdictions,” the Government’s response stated.

It said the Panel had noted that the States and Territories had to resort to inefficient taxes due to the history of Commonwealth-State financial relations. New Taxes “The need for joint Commonwealth and New $ Taxes State/Territory action on long-term reform has been recognised by the Panel. The Government notes the Panel also suggests that measures could be taken that would improve the efficiency of the current system,” it said.

The Government said the Panel had also argued for the nation’s system of allocation of GST revenue to not be a disin- centive for tax reform.

“Overall, the Panel’s work provides a very useful starting point for the Govern- ment to consider improvements.”

It said Roundtable discussions would be held with the community over the next few months seeking feedback on the ACT Taxation Review and its recommendations. (See p 5, Paid parking push)

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 3 From page 1, “Fall in Valley Crime” $2m art centre Greenway recorded the highest number upgrade of sexual assaults, theft and traffic in- fringements. All three suburbs about

equalled on motor vehicle theft.

On the other hand, residents of Macar-

thur ranked the most well behaved re-

cording the lowest overall crime rates in

Tuggeranong.

The most common recorded offence in

Macarthur was the issuing of traffic in-

fringement notices. CrimeStatistics can

be found at police.act.gov.au. Feedback

is welcome.

Crime Statistics Tuggeranong Valley

Minister for Arts and Member for fist quarter 2012 Brindabella Joy Burch

Ranking Suburb Total Offences Minister for Arts and Member for Brinda- 1 Kambah 312 bella, Joy Burch, has announced a $2 million upgrade of the Tuggeranong Arts 2 Greenway 302 Centre. 3 Wanniassa 251 Ms Burch said the project will be funded in the 2012-13 ACT Budget and will see 4 Calwell 134 the internal building layout re-designed 5 Chisholm 130 to provide a new gallery, a new multi- purpose space, a new dance studio. 6 Conder 125

She said it will also include improve- 7 Isabella Plains 102 ments for the existing dance studio and performance spaces providing more 8 Gordon 93 opportunities for arts activities. 9 Richardson 84

"The work will improve the functionality 10 Bonython 74 of the centre adding a new foyer with a dedicated reception desk to welcome 11 Gilmore 73 visitors and improved office accommoda- tion for staff and community arts offi- 12 Monash 67 cers," Ms Burch said. 13 Banks 66

"The Tuggeranong Arts Centre is highly 14 Theodore 46 valued and utilised by our community, I am committed to improving the function- 15 Gowrie 43 ality and usability of the Tuggeranong Arts Centre to meet these needs," she 16 Fadden 39 said. 17 Oxley 32 The $2 million investment follows the 18 Macarthur 18 allocation of $200,000 in the 2011-12 Budget for the design of capital improvements at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, and will see these important capital im- Roadworks update at TCC meeting provements delivered. Director Roads ACT, Tony Gill, will be Several sets of traffic lights have been Ms Burch said the Tuggeranong Arts guest speaker at the next meeting of the proposed and residents are concerned Centre supports a vibrant range of com- Tuggeranong Community Council. they will add to traffic flow problems. munity and professional arts activity and there is an overwhelming demand for the Mr. Gill is expected to address road The TCC meeting is also expected to be current art gallery and exhibition space, safety concerns in Tuggeranong and attended by residents concerned over studio and performance facilities by ex- provide an update on various road pro- various planning projects for Chisholm. isting programs and growth in arts activ- jects. ity at the Centre. The works are ex- The TCC will meet at 7.30pm on Tues- pected to be completed next year. The meeting will also be given a briefing day 5 June in the upstairs function room on traffic control measures proposed as of the Southern Cross Club at Green- Source: Media Release part of the duplication of Ashley Drive. way.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 4 More time to Paid parking push

pay fines Senator Humphries has criticised the ACT and Federal Labor Governments for Canberra’s system of traffic fine admini- failing to invest in infrastructure and pub- stration will be reformed to give low in- lic transport in the capital. come earners a fair go. “With an ill-equipped public transport Greens Member for Brindabella, Amanda system that has lacked real funding and Bresnan, said the previous system of infrastructure development for years traffic fine administration was described under Labor, it is unreasonable for the by the courts as a ‘sledgehammer government to expect Canberrans to just approach.’ go without their cars. This measure is purely another money-hungry mecha- “There was no flexibility for payments, Increases to Canberrans’ cost of living nism that will feed the Labor and Greens’ and failure to pay a parking or traffic fine look set to occur following the recom- addiction to spending taxpayers’ money.” in time meant a person would automati- mendations of the Quinlan review into he said. cally lose their licence. There are people ACT taxation, according to ACT Liberal in Canberra who are losing their employ- Senator, Gary Humphries. Senator Senator Humphries predicts that another ment, their income and their housing, Humphries said recommendation 9 of hit to the hip pocket will see a reduction simply because of late fines. The Greens the review urges the government to im- in visitors to the Capital and those seek- legislation has made significant reforms plement paid parking in the Parliamen- ing to visit, live and work in the ACT. to the traffic fine system to ensure it is tary Triangle. fair and flexible,” Ms Bresnan said. “Paid parking will reduce traffic numbers, “ACT Labor look set to cash in by slug- that’s for sure – tourists, families, those Under the reforms people will have; ging Canberrans more just to park their employed within the parliamentary trian- cars”, Senator Humphries said following Options to pay fines through in- gle – it will simply see them look over the the release of the review. “The review stallments; border as the costs just keep rising and claims that forcing Canberrans to pay for A system of community work and make Canberra a less attractive place to parking will ease congestion, despite not visit, live and work in”, Senator social development programs, having examined the reasons for an in- which people on low income or Humphries concluded. crease of traffic flow throughout the par- with special circumstances can liamentary triangle,” he said. undertake in lieu of payments; Source: Media Release Options to waive fines in special circumstances; Opportunities to provisionally reinstate a person’s license when they are participating in a pay- ment plan (only for licences sus- pended for late fines)

Ms Bresnan said in NSW, a similar system of Work and Personal Development orders has been increasing the amount of revenue the Government is collecting, reducing reoffending, improving the par- ticipation of vulnerable people, and en- gaging more people in drug and alcohol and mental health treatment. These are exactly the type of positive impacts we want here in the ACT.

“These new laws will result in far more just and fair outcomes for some of Can- berra’s most vulnerable individuals and families, and responds to calls from the community for the ACT to have this sort of system,” she said.

“We’re letting people who are on a low income or are disadvantaged have a fair go and helping them to stay on their feet,” Ms Bresnan said.

The Greens’ Road Transport (General) (Infringement Notices) Amendment Bill 2012 can be found at: http:// www.legislation.act.gov.au/b/db_44043/ default.asp Source: Media Release

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 5 Cost of living Libs line up for Brindabella

Canberrans will receive a cost of living statement with the ACT Government Budget ACT Opposition Leader, Zed Seselja has announced.

Mr Seselja said the Canberra Liberals’ Financial Management (Cost of Living) Amendment Bill 2012 would have en- sured Canberrans receive the full financial implications of the government’s Budget decisions, but both the Greens and Labor parties excluded land taxes from the Bill.

He said ACT Labor proved that their commitment to ‘open and accountable’ government is nothing more than spin, by refusing to tell Canberrans how much their massive land taxes will cost households.

“It is utterly despicable that the same government which just recently introduced a $50,000+ per unit tax on top of its already massive land taxes doesn’t believe it’s appropriate for Canberrans to understand the implications of these decisions,” Mr Seselja said. Liberal team for Brindabella, L to R: Val Jeffrey, ACT Opposition Leader Zed Seselja, “While I am glad that Canberrans will Nicole Lawder, Andrew Wall and Brendan Smyth now receive more information about cost of living implications because of our Bill, Small business owners, decorated and Merinda Nash and President of Federa- I am appalled that the government, with experienced defence personnel, commu- tion of Indian Associations ACT the support of the ACT Greens, refused nity sector workers, mums and dads, (FINACT), Jacob Vadakkedathu, who is to give details of taxes which directly community volunteers, commonwealth the first candidate of Indian background affect households.” public servants and a law lecturer are in the history of self-government,” Mr among the candidates that will join the Seselja added. “The Canberra Liberals’ consistent focus six incumbent MLAs to run in the 2012 has been on local services and lowering election for the Canberra Liberals. "In Molonglo, Jeremy Hanson and Steve the cost of living. That’s why we’ve al- Doszpot will stand with experienced ready announced policies to lower car Leader Zed Seselja said he is impressed campaigner and mother of four Giulia rego, make housing more affordable and with the calibre of the team and excited Jones, small business owner James lower the cost of sporting activities,” Mr about the prospects for the Party in the Milligan, former air force Group Captain Seselja concluded. 2012 election. Murray Gordon, law lecturer and the first Korean Australian candidate Elizabeth Member for Brindabella, Brendan Smyth, “Along with the diverse experiences of Lee and Tom Sefton, who is a Common- who moved the Bill said that it should our team, we have many cultures repre- wealth public servant and recently re- not take legislation for the government to sented, including what we believe are turned from Afghanistan.” take notice of the cost of living problems the first candidates of Indian and Korean they have helped create. background, to run in an ACT election,” “I am proud of this team and we all stand Mr Seselja said. ready to take our local government mes- “A cost of living analysis in the budget is sage and policies to the community and something the Canberra Liberals have “The new candidates will add to the ask for their support in October 2012,” been pushing for the last two years,” Mr strong and unified team in the Assembly. Mr Seselja said. Smyth said. They have close ties to their local communities and are committed to our plan Meanwhile Mr Seselja has congratulated “I am disappointed, but not surprised, of being the best local government in Mr Jeffrey after being named one of the that it took legislation for the government Australia,” he said. ACT Honour Walk Plaque recipients. to only partially agree to such a basic and logical request. "In Brindabella, Brendan Smyth and I will “I’d like to especially congratulate Mr be very well supported by Tharwa com- Jeffrey who is highly regarded as unoffi- “The Canberra Liberals will continue to munity hero Val Jeffrey, small business- cial ‘Mayor’ of Tharwa after saving it from fight to take the cost pressure off Can- man Andrew Wall, and Community sec- the 2003 bushfires. Mr Jeffrey also berra families. This legislation is a small tor CEO Nicole Lawder.” makes a significant contribution to the step in that direction,” Mr Smyth said. Tharwa community through his General "In Ginninderra, Alistair Coe and Vicki Store, which has become a respected Source: Media Release Dunne will be joined by Commonwealth local institution,” Mr Seselja concluded. public servant and community advocate Matthew Watts, small business owner Source: Media Releases

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 6 A Green field for Brindabella News in Brief

Call to upgrade hospital crossing

The Canberra Pedestrian Forum has called on the ACT Government to provide safer facilities for people who cross Yamba Drive, to get to or from the Can- berra Hospital.

The call follows the death of a hospital staff member and the serious injury of another after both were struck by a car while crossing Yamba Drive on 3 May.

Forum spokesman, Leon Arundell said the section of Yamba Drive from Launceston Street to Hindmarsh Drive would have to experience two casualties over five years to qualify for Black Spot funding.

“It has exceeded this figure in less than Greens candidates for Brindabella, L-R: Johnathan Davis, Amanda Bresnan, Ben Murphy four months. On 11 January a teenager was injured when his bicycle and a car The ACT Greens have announced their disenfranchised in our community. He is collided at Launceston Street, and on 4 candidates for the seat of Brindabella in currently working in the property indus- May a motorcyclist was injured in a colli- the 2012 election. They are Amanda try, studying Politics and Policy at the sion with a car at the Bateson Road in- Bresnan, Ben Murphy and the youngest University of Canberra, and has many tersection,” Mr. Arundell said. Greens candidate, Johnathan Davis. volunteering commitments, particularly within Canberra’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, Ms Bresnan is the sitting member, ACT transgender, intersex and queer Greens Whip, and spokesperson on (GLBTIQ) community. Aldi makes a start Health, Transport, Corrections, Disability, Housing, Industrial Relations, Ageing Ben Murphy is a vocational trainer, elec- Work has commenced on a new Aldi and Multicultural Affairs. Prior to being trician, and an environmentalist, a combi- supermarket in Chisholm. The $3.5 mil- elected in 2008, she was the former Act- nation that has been a driving force in his lion dollar supermarket is being built in ing Director of Policy and Projects with life. Through experiences with friends Benham Street, behind the existing Chis- the Mental Health Council of Australia. and extended family Ben has become holm group centre. increasingly aware of issues that affect Amanda is committed to achieving social Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Last year the Economic Development justice in our community. She has a par- Directorate undertook community and ticular interest in consumer rights and He has retrofitted his home for increased stakeholder consultation on the pro- the provision of general and mental energy efficiency, established commer- posed sale of the Chisholm site. Feed- health services. Amanda is also passion- cial recycling facilities at his work and back from the community was strongly ate about the rights of people with a dis- been actively involved in the Tugger- supportive. It is expected the store will ability and people from culturally and anong Youth Centre and Tummy Rum- be open for business later this year. linguistically diverse backgrounds. bles community food outlet. Ben has a passion for music, bushwalking, chess Johnathan Davis is the youngest ACT and recycling old computers and laptops Anger over housing Greens candidate ever. At just 20, Joh- for needy people. nathan has a passion for contributing to plans public life and giving a voice to those Source: Media Release Opposition to an assisted housing project at Chisholm is growing with calls for a public meeting to discuss the proposed development.

The ACT Government has released plans for a 4 storey complex on the corner of Mead and Proctor Streets behind the existing Chisholm group centre.

However a growing number of residents have objected to the development. They are primarily concerned over its height and the impact it will have on traffic flow.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 7 Scouts take to the skies Cane takes on 55+

2011 Citizen of the Year and Volunteer- ing Australia CEO, Maureen Cane has been appointed the 55 Plus Club Presi- dent. Ellen Thomas has taken on the role as Treasurer. The 55 Plus Club is facing the future with confidence. As well, new Committee appointments have been made to the Management team.

Teething problems in the new building have been largely overcome and tele- phone lines and new office equipment have been installed, enabling the Club to undertake more of the day-to-day run- ning of the Tuggeranong Seniors Centre.

We appreciate the continuing support we receive from the Community Services Directorate and Communities @ Work.

A forum organised in the Seniors Centre ACT Scouts and Canberra Centenary hot air balloon rises from the lawns last month by our local Member of Par- of Old Parliament House. liament, Gai Brodtmann, with C@W and 55 Plus Club support, was well received. Scouts ACT has launched the first Hot ”The program is designed to utilise many Air Balloon training program for Scouts. of the normal Scouting program skills The Hon Bernie Ripoll, Parliamentary This is in addition to its Youth Adventur- such as navigation, meteorology, knots, Secretary to the Treasurer, gave an in- ous Activities Program which already logistics and leadership, giving them a teresting and stimulating presentation on includes canoeing, sailing, skiing, mo- new context to develop well-rounded Cyber Scams. torsports, mountain-biking, flying and young Scouts for the community,” Mr. bushwalking. McConnell said. We hope to arrange further guest speak- ers on topics of interest to our members Scouts ACT Chief Commissioner, Peter The ACT Scouts Balloon was officially in the future. Harris, said this is the latest and one of launched on 14 May by ACT Chief Minis- the most exciting training programs we ter, Katy Gallagher. Maggie Watts can now offer our older youth members. Source: Media Release.

He said once qualified, balloonists will be piloting the Scout balloon at Centenary, Scouting and Community events across Australia in 2013.

“The purchase of an 84,000 cubic foot, hot-air Balloon has been achievable with the support of the ACT Government and the Australian Ballooning Federation (AFB). Venturers and Rovers will be trained as ground-crew and pilots. They will then promote Scouting and the Cen- BARR SMITH AVENUE, BONYTHON tenary at many local and national events,” Mr. Harris said. Tuggeranong Community Council acting secretary, Ross McConnell, is also Scouts ACT Air Activities Co-ordinator and is now a trainee Balloonist instructor.

Mr. McConnell said the program will en- courage our older Scouts to spend many early mornings gaining competent ground crew qualifications, inflating, chasing and deflating the balloon.

“Some of them will become student pilots under ABF tuition, and on completion of their exams and at least 15 hours of flying will become private pilots.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 8

Valley Voice Off Beat

Nomadic gnome

Jun 5: TCC General Meeting, 7.30pm Tuggeranong Southern Tuggeranong Community Council’s Cross Club. Guest Speaker: newsletter, Valley Voice is designed to Tony Gill, Director Roads ACT inform Valley residents of issues that impact on them and to act as a vehicle 10: Lions Club, Tuggeranong for other community groups and organi- Homestead Markets sations to communicate with residents. Nomadic gnome at the South Pole 23-24: Lifeline Book Fair Vikings Valley Voice is produced on a regular New Scientist reports that a nomadic Erindale basis and is circulated amongst TCC gnome is travelling the world to highlight members and friends. If you wish to a little-known quirk of our planet: gravity 30: Applications close for the receive copies of Valley Voice in the changes depending on where you are. Community Centenary Initiatives future please email [email protected]. Fund Thanks to the earth's bulginess, this Meanwhile, if you have articles or im- globe-trotting garden gnome weighed Jul 3: TCC General Meeting, ages you wish to contribute to Valley significantly more at the South Pole than 7.30pm Tuggeranong Southern Voice please email them to anywhere else in the world he has been Cross Club [email protected] by the 20th of each weighed. month. 8: Lions Club, Tuggeranong Rather than being a perfect sphere, the Homestead Markets Please feel free to pass Valley Voice on Earth bulges in the middle. That means to those who you think may be interested points at the poles are closer to the core Aug 7: TCC General Meeting, in its contents. than points on the equator. That dis- 7.30pm Tuggeranong Southern ______tance, plus some extra gravity- Cross Club counterbalancing inertia from the Earth's Valley Voice is published by the Tugger- spin, means that you - or a gnome - anong Community Council (TCC). Mate- would weigh more at the South Pole than 12: Lions Club, Tuggeranong rial in this publication comes from a vari- in Hawaii. Homestead Markets ety of community and government based sources and therefore does not neces- That could be a problem when compar- sarily reflect the views of the TCC. ing weights of objects, or precise Sept 4: TCC Annual General Meeting, amounts of chemicals, say, from different 7.30pm Tuggeranong Southern Material submitted to the TCC for inclu- parts of the world. To raise awareness, a Cross Club sion in Valley Voice may be subject to German scale manufacturing company, editorial changes. Material that includes is sending an acrylic garden gnome 9: Lions Club, Tuggeranong dates, times and contact details is cor- around the world, accompanied by a set Homestead Markets rect at the time of publishing. Therefore, of scales. the TCC cannot be held responsible if it 15: Floriade opens. is not informed of any changes to that So far, the gnome has visited Lima, information prior to publication. Mumbai, Mexico City, Durban, San Fran- cisco, New Caledonia (in the southwest Oct 2: TCC General Meeting, Pacific ocean), Sydney and the South 7.30pm Tuggeranong Southern Tuggeranong Community Council. Pole, where he weighed between 308.26 Cross Club. E: [email protected] grams and 309.82 grams. If you'd like a W: www.tuggcc.com visit from Kern the Gnome, you can fill 14: Lions Club, Tuggeranong out a form at the Gnome Experiment's Homestead Markets Tuggeranong Community Council Inc. (TCC) website. is an incorporated, voluntary, not for profit, non political, community based association operat- ing within the Tuggeranong district of the Tuggeranong Community Council acknowledges its supporters. Australian Capital Territory.

TCC is formally recognised as the peak community representative body in Tuggeranong pro- moting the goals and aspirations of local residents 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 9