Inner North

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 7 September, 2010 - 13:12

Today I joined the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools to launch a new plan and partnership to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities in all ACT schools.

The strategic plans launched this morning will guide us as we take on the most important of challenges, making sure every young Canberran gets an education that helps them reach their potential.

If an education system is working properly every student will find education a challenge. But some kids face special challenges when it comes to education and none more so than those with disabilities.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 1 September, 2010 - 16:00

Today I launched the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Matters – Strategic Plan 2010-2013.

The strategy, aimed at closing the education gap experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students has been developed by the ACT Department of Education and Training in consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Consultative Group, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, the Australian Education Union, the Network Principals’ Reference Group, the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services and ACT Health.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 31 August, 2010 - 17:41

Canberrans are more water-wise, less wasteful and more satisfied with the quality of the ACT's public schools and services at The Canberra Hospital, according the ACT's Government latest report card on life in Canberra.

The Measuring Our Progress report, which now has a dedicated website, was released by the Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope.

Measuring Our Progress provides a snap-shot of life in Canberra against 28 indicators in areas including health, safety, sustainability, and education. It aims to provide a complete picture of our progress, as a community and as a Government, towards a healthy, safer and more prosperous city.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 29 August, 2010 - 06:00

I have asked the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA) to establish an expert reference group made of community and industry members as well as professional associations to work with ACTPLA in considering issues raised in submissions received so far on draft variations to the Territory Plan 303 and 301.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 28 August, 2010 - 11:51

I have released draft master plans for the Dickson and Kingston centres for further public comment.

These draft master plans are the next step in delivering ACT Labor’s election commitment to invest more than $300,000 in new master plans to ensure the people of Dickson and Kingston have better access to supermarkets, retail, transport, housing and parking.

These draft master plans are the result of significant community consultation including workshops in Dickson and Kingston, several drop-in sessions as well public comment through the ACTPLA website.

This master planning process is about positioning Dickson and Kingston to better cope with changes in population, development pressures and the need for additional supermarket space.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 26 August, 2010 - 23:05

I have approved, with conditions, a new $99 million student accommodation project at the Australian National University.

The five to seven storey building between Marcus Clarke and Kingsley streets will provide accommodation for more than 550 students, retail and commercial space, community facilities and additional city car parking. It is to be built to best practice residential standards.

“This is an extremely important project for Canberra. It will help provide more low-cost accommodation for students, something the Government believes is important to supporting our economy.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 26 August, 2010 - 10:31

The ACT Labor Government will set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020, and 80% by 2050, based on 1990 levels, Minister for the Environment Climate Change and Water, Simon Corbell, announced today.

Mr Corbell will today table the milestone targets with the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Bill 2010.

Last year the ACT Government announced its commitment to make Canberra carbon neutral by 2060 and these targets set important milestones towards implementation of that long term goal.

The ACT Government has consulted widely on potential targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the Territory, and has analysed evidence based arguments on human caused global warming.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 19 August, 2010 - 17:34

New laws passed by the Legislative Assembly today will help ensure new homes in Canberra are more environmentally friendly by setting higher standards for energy assessors.

Climate change is the biggest challenge the Canberra community and all Australians face.

That’s why ACT Labor is working with industry and the community to ensure Canberra continues to develop in a more sustainable way.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 17 August, 2010 - 14:06

Consultation on the Eastern Broadacre discussion paper will be extended until the end of November.

Many Canberrans are taking an interest in this paper and I want to ensure that as many people as possible get to have their say on this important piece of planning work.

“That’s why I have asked the ACT Planning and Land Authority to extend the consultation period until 28 November.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 6 August, 2010 - 20:43

The ACT Government is reminding Canberrans to comment on proposed planning changes, one designed to encourage more housing to be developed in existing suburbs and another aimed at maximising solar access of new homes and developments.

Draft Variation No. 303 to the Territory Plan includes:

a change to the minimum block size for dual occupancy development; and
new rules for secondary residences, sometimes referred to as "granny flats" that will provide greater opportunities for small additional dwellings suitable for our ageing and changing population.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 3 August, 2010 - 11:53

Evatt Primary School today officially became the first ACT public school to start generating its own solar electricity under the ACT Labor Government’s Solar Schools Program.

I officially ‘flicked the switch’ on Evatt Primary School’s 10 kilowatt array of solar panels this morning. Along with Kingsford Smith School, Evatt Primary is one of the first public schools to install a solar power system and is already feeding energy back into the grid saving the school up to $7,000 per year.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 21 July, 2010 - 11:04

I have released the Eastern Broadacre discussion paper which explores the possibility of creating an employment corridor extending from the Majura Valley to Symonston and Hume.

The possibility of creating an employment corridor in the area was first identified in Canberra’s Spatial Plan and later explored through the Eastern Broadacre Planning Study. That study identified areas that might be suitable for future development for industrial uses and those which should be set aside for other needs, including biodiversity conservation.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 17 July, 2010 - 07:32

The ACT Government is supporting a national move to help minimise the impact of noise on people who live in areas where external noise may affect their quality of life.

The ACT has joined with other states and the Northern Territory at the recent Building Ministers’ Forum to support the development of a construction standard to ensure residential buildings in busy areas are constructed in a way that helps to minimise noise from external sources.

As we move towards having more infill development and more buildings are built in parts of our cities where external noise is greater, we need to introduce measures that will limit the potential for this to become a source of irritation to residents.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 17 June, 2010 - 14:06

This morning I joined students from Lyneham Primary School, and Brindabella Christian College in working up a sweat at the launch of the 2010 Minister’s Physical Activity Challenge.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 6 May, 2010 - 17:43

The ACT Government has announced a package of supermarket site releases in group centre redevelopments at Dickson and Kingston, and new developments at Casey and Amaroo in Gungahlin.

The package provides the opportunity for independent chain operators, including locally-grown independent chain Supabarn, to secure large format stores that will complement Supabarn's entry into fast-moving wholesale competition in the ACT.

It will also assist in the entry of a new ALDI store at Casey.