Woden Valley

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 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 26 July, 2010 - 11:56

The Lyons community will soon benefit from a significant revamp to their local shops including new lights, footpaths, seats and bike racks, with works starting this week, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.

The $1.1 million upgrade of the Lyons shops will revitalise the area, providing locals and traders with a safer, more accessible and more attractive centre. The upgrade will begin this week and will be completed later this year.

The work is part of the Government's ongoing investment in improving the amenity of shopping centres across the ACT.

In the past year, the Government has completed upgrades to shopping centres at Melba and Garran while upgrades to shopping centres at Deakin and Ainslie are currently underway.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 24 July, 2010 - 07:10

In an exciting weekend for local sport, the upgraded Phillip Oval and Harrison District Playing Fields both get their first official use today.

For the first time in seven years, AFL matches at the senior club level will be hosted at Phillip Oval this Saturday, 24 July 2010 (between 9 am and 5 pm).

Phillip Oval’s elite sporting complex now boasts a $2.3 million pavilion as well as tiered seating on the viewing banks. The sporting community will also benefit from the new drought tolerant resistant couch grass, a turf cricket pitch and new AFL goal posts.

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 1 July, 2010 - 14:31

The new $2.3 million pavilion at Phillip Oval is complete with the ACT Government officially taking possession of it today.

The new pavilion is part of ACT Labor’s drive to ensure all Canberrans have access to quality sporting facilities even in the face of ongoing drought and the impacts of climate change.

This multi-million dollar pavilion includes change rooms for teams and officials, public toilets, canteen facilities, as well as first aid and storage areas.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 25 May, 2010 - 23:01

The ACT Labor Government will bring 6 new sporting ovals online this year and develop 2 new major facilities in the Gungahlin Town Centre and Throsby over coming years.

Since 2001 ACT Labor has invested around $30 million to drought-proof sportsgrounds to ensure Canberrans have access to excellent sporting facilities even in the face of the ongoing drought.

We are adding to this investment with more than $13 million for upgrading and developing new sporting facilities at Gungahlin and Throsby.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 14 May, 2010 - 10:39

The Woden School will expand to include year 11 from 2011 and years 11 and 12 from 2012.

I am pleased to announce the School, which currently caters for 84 students in years 7 to 10 with mild to severe special needs, will now expand to cater for students in their college years.

The expansion is part of the ACT Government’s commitment to improve services, access and educational opportunities for students in the ACT with special needs, a key recommendation of the Review of Special Education in the ACT conducted by Professor Tony Shaddock last year.