Tuggeranong Community Council Newsletter Issue 20: October 2012 Election winners and losers

L to R: Mick Gentleman (ACT Labor), and (Canberra Liberals) and Amanda Bresnan (ACT Greens)

The big winners in the seat of At the time of writing the loser at the drew Wall and Mick Gentleman. I am Brindabella at the recent ACT elec- polls appears to be Greens member, looking forward to working with them tion were Canberra Liberals Leader, Amanda Bresnan. She is a victim of in the future,” he said. Zed Seselja, Liberals newcomer An- the overall swing away from the drew Wall and Labor’s Mick Gentle- Greens that has also seen defeats However, he warned the Council will man. for her party colleagues, Caroline Le also hold them accountable to the Couteur and Meredith Hunter. many promises that were made to Mr Seselja successfully moved from Brindabella voters during the elec- Molonglo to his home seat of Brinda- Ms Bresnan said she also lost votes tion campaign. bella attracting a popular vote, which through the personal popularity of appears to have assisted the Liber- Canberra Liberals Leader, Zed Se- Mr Tsoulias said he was sorry to see als to gain a third member in Mr selja and the Canberra Liberals Ms Bresnan lose her seat Wall. Mr Wall is a 28-year-old small “Triple Rates” campaign, which also businessman and a newcomer to targeted the Greens. “She was a tireless worker for politics having joined the Liberal Brindabella. Amanda would be seen Party four years ago. Despite her loss she says she is at most Council and community looking forward to a break from poli- events mixing with constituents,” he Labor’s Mick Gentleman has been re tics, spending time with her husband said. -elected to the Legislative Assembly and possibly working overseas for a filling the position vacated with the while. “She regularly attended Council retirement of the long serving and meetings where she provided up- colourful, John Hargreaves. Tuggeranong Community Council dates and reports on the happenings President, Nick Tsoulias, congratu- in the Legislative Assembly,” Mr Mr Gentleman last served in the As- lated all members elected to the seat Tsoulias added. sembly from 2004 to 2008 and cred- of Brindabella. its himself with the successful intro- “I hope she will continue to have an duction of the Gross Feed-in Tariff “I congratulate and Bren- interest in the Council,” he con- during that period. Meanwhile former dan Smyth on being re-elected to cluded. Community Services Minister, Joy Brindabella and I especially welcome Darryl Johnston Burch was easily re-elected. new members in Zed Seselja, An- TCC Secretary

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CONTENTS PAGE What they promised

The following is a list of many of the $19.2m for stage 2 of the du-

election promises made to Brinda- plication of Ashley Drive. bella voters by the major political parties. Election winners and losers 1

What they promised 2/4

Bresnan departs proud of achievements 3

Lake gets some overdue TLC 4

News in Brief 4 Private sector partnership to Provide more car parking develop the stage one light rail spaces in Tuggeranong. 55plus News 5 network. Upgrade roads including dupli- Don’t Forget 5 Twenty additional buses and cation of Athllon Drive. Provide an urgent care clinic services across the top ten routes. in Tuggeranong. More Rapid services. Introduction of a green waste New bus shelters. bin. Six fare free days to try out Cutting car registration instal- ACTION. ment penalties. Bulk billing GP Clinic in Chis- Re-establish the Office of the holm. Ageing. $15m to improve hospital out- Introduction of a shuttle bus patient services. service to feed into the Rapid An additional 500 nurses, doc- bus lines. tors and allied health profes- Establish a land bank for aged sionals. care accommodation. $600,000 to establish a water Undertake a seniors transport play area at the Lakeside Lei- study sure Centre. Overhaul planning in the ACT. A new emergency services Increased funding for non- centre at Calwell. government schools in Tug- $4m to employ additional fire- geranong. fighters. Build a swimming pool in Lan- $250m Health Infrastructure yon. Program. Increase penalties for assaults $6.8m for road safety opera- on care, protection and emer- tions team, additional police gency service workers.

vehicles and alcohol ignition vehicle locking system.

$11m in local shopping centre upgrades. $80m to meet elective surgery waiting lists. $26m to upgrade sporting Support for High Speed Rail ovals and facilities, including and Light Rail. Kambah and Greenway ovals. Support for measures to make $3m for new premises for the wood heaters cleaner and Tuggeranong Introductory more efficient. English Centre. Continued on page 4

Tuggeranong Community Council acknowledges its supporters.

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 2 Bresnan departs proud of achievements

action is required. In fact, I had dis- cussions with the AHHA after my draft legislation was released. While we had different views about what level of standards to pursue, I be- lieve the discussion was very pro- ductive and positive and we agreed to continue talking about legislation, which the AHHA actually viewed in general as a positive move. Improv- ing efficiency of wood heaters also makes them cheaper and more ef- fective to run.

“While I will no longer be your political representative, I will take a keen interest in the work of the TCC.”

We need to remember in this whole debate that wood smoke has a real impact on people with respiratory and heart disease, and is something Outgoing Greens member for Brindabella Amanda Bresnan says she is leaving with a the Asthma Foundation has called proud record. (Photo citynews.com) for action on and asked voters in the It is with sadness that I leave the belling – with the growing impact of election to consider the impact wood ACT Legislative Assembly in not re- obesity, diabetes, heart disease and smoke has on people’s health. taining my seat in the 2012 election. other diet and lifestyle related dis- eases on the health system, food The campaign run by the AHHA dur- It has been a huge honour to repre- and diet is an area where tough de- ing the election was very disappoint- sent the electorate of Brindabella cisions will have to be made. ing, not just because I had talked to and be an elected representative of them in good faith, but also because the community. It is an experience I had legislation pass to establish an it completely misrepresented the many years ago I never thought I official visitor for people with a dis- Greens proposals. The Greens have would have had, and one in which I ability who live in group homes and never called for wood heaters to be have learnt much. It has certainly to reform the way the official visitor banned and have sought at all times made me a stronger person and scheme works, both which had been to discuss matters with the industry. taught me much about myself. sought for years. I also had legisla- tion pass to establish a fairer system We have also been overwhelmed by “I am very proud of what I of repaying fines for people who are the number of emails and phone calls from people who suffer nega- and the Greens achieved vulnerable and disadvantaged, something the Tuggeranong Com- tive health impacts from wood over the last 4 years, which munity Council (TCC) campaigned smoke, and had to listen to them and has made a difference to the on. The ACT was the only state or the groups that advocate on their community.” territory not to have such a scheme behalf. It was very unfortunate that it and now it does. was turned into a political issue and While I have lost my seat, I am very that sensible a discussion didn’t oc- happy to have had a strong personal An issue I worked on over the 4 cur. vote and have received many, many years and which the TCC and other emails, phone calls and messages organisations have been concerned I would like to thank everyone in- from people and community organi- about, is wood smoke and the im- volved with the TCC for welcoming sations – it does make me feel like pact this has on people’s health. me to your meetings and working my work over the last 4 years has with you on various issues over the helped people. I released draft legislation and a dis- past 4 years. While I will no longer cussion paper which focused on im- be your political representative, I will I am very proud of what I and the proving the emissions standard and take a keen interest in the work of Greens achieved over the last 4 efficiency of wood heaters, some- the TCC. I wish the TCC and its years, which has made a difference thing the Australian Home Heating members all the very best. to the community. I had legislation Association (AHHA) themselves Amanda Bresnan pass the Assembly on fast food la- have recognised as an area where Former ACT Greens Member for Brindabella

Tuggeranong Community Council Working with our community www.tuggcc.com Page 3 From page 2. Lake gets some overdue TLC Increase mental health funding by $35m. $1.5m for housing for people ex- periencing mental illness. $1.9m over four years for dental hygienists. A feasibility study into a second hospice and a second birth centre for the ACT. Introduce a mobile primary health clinic. Expand breakfast clubs. Fair pension indexation for ACT public servants. $127,000 for 10 interpreter schol- arships. $500,000 for a cultural under- standing grants program. $100,000 for an ACT level Multi- cultural Advisory Council. $600,000 for a financial counsel- ling service in the ACT. $4m for a Canberra Urban tree forest program. $386,000 for urban drinking water Piles of rubbish collected from Lake Tuggeranong by TLC volunteers. fountains. $10m to protect Canberra’s na- On Sunday 21 October, volunteer Special thanks to Lindell McConnell, ture reserves. members of the Tuggeranong Lake who liaised with Cleanup to A Library for Lanyon. and Catchment Carers (TLC) met at get necessary supplies. She also $2.8m to build better, greener and Lake Tuggeranong to begin a spring organised and ran the BBQ, engage with the community on cleanup. planning matters. Thanks also goes to Southern ACT Incentives to increase local and The TLC aims to look at ways to en- Catchment Group’s (SACTCG) Wa- regional food production. sure a master plan is developed to terwatch coordinator, Martin Lind, for $28m to community sport and manage the catchment with a view help throughout the day. Once again recreation facilities. to reducing the problems that cause the community spirit came to the fore $2.4m to develop a micro-credits blue green algae outbreaks and lead with volunteers saying they are look- program and measures to protect to lake closures, reduce rubbish ing forward to future events to help small business. around the lake and raise community support Lake Tuggeranong. awareness. The next activity planned by the TLC News in Brief Volunteers collected 40 to 50 bags is to begin planting around the lake of rubbish from around the lake. on 25 November. If you are inter- They commented that there was a ested and want to be involved TCC Meeting 6 November significant reduction in the number of please ring the SACTCG on plastic bags collected with only 2 6296 6400. Minders of Tuggeranong Homestead bags of plastic rubbish compared to (MOTH) will address the next meet- the 6 bags that have been collected Glenys Patulny ing of the Tuggeranong Community TLC Co ordinator (SACTCG) on previous occasions. Council (TCC). They will outline the historical significance of the home- stead and the work being under- taken on nearby Tuggeranong Creek. The TCC meeting will also be briefed on a traffic study being un- dertaken in the Tuggeranong Valley. The TCC will meet on Tuesday, 6 November 2012. The meeting will commence at 7.30pm in the upstairs formal dining room at the Southern Cross Club at Greenway. New mem- bers and guests are welcome.

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Valley Voice 55plus News

We are pleased to announce that a number of new activities have com- menced at the Tuggeranong Seniors Centre.

A weekly CoreFit 55Plus class be- gan on 19th October. This class aims to improve cardiovascular en- durance, muscle strength and flexi- bility while having fun. Nov 6: TCC General Meeting, Beginning on 1 November, a weekly 7.30pm Tuggeranong Southern Coffee, Chat and Craft activity aims Cross Club Tuggeranong Community Council’s to give folk a chance to work on their newsletter, Valley Voice is designed to 7: Calwell/Lanyon Probus Club chosen craft in pleasant surround- inform Valley residents of issues that Meeting.10am Lanyon Vikings impact on them and to act as a vehicle ings, or just meet and chat over a Club. Contact 0403 072 813 cup of tea or coffee. for other community groups and organi- sations to communicate with residents. 16 to 18: Canberra Country Also commencing in November, a Music Festival, Hall Grounds Valley Voice is produced on a regular talented instructor is available to basis and is circulated amongst TCC help you participate in International 17: St Francis of Assisi Primary members and friends. If you wish to Circle Dancing, another good way to School Calwell Fete receive copies of Valley Voice in the keep fit. future please email [email protected]. 23 Nov to 2 Dec:

Tuggeranong Festival Meanwhile, if you have articles or im- Anyone who is interested in any of these activities can email the Club at ages you wish to contribute to Valley Dec 1: Tuggeranong Festival Family Voice please email them to [email protected], or call into Day. Tuggeranong Town Park [email protected] by the 20th of each the Tuggeranong Seniors Centre in month. Greenway for further details. 4: TCC General Meeting, 7.30pm Tuggeranong Southern Please feel free to pass Valley Voice on New members are always welcome. Cross Club to those who you think may be interested in its contents. Maggie Watts 5: Calwell/Lanyon Probus Club ______55 Plus Club Meeting.10am Lanyon Vikings Publicity Officer Club. Contact 0403 072 813 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.

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