General News

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 23 August, 2010 - 17:50

Canberrans are being urged to have their say on a draft bill designed to further secure the balance between making housing more affordable, protecting the environment and ensuring Canberra can continue to develop and grow.

Today I released an exposure draft of the Development (Environmental Impact Statements) Amendment Bill 2010. The draft bill is designed to refine the triggers for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ensure the level of environmental assessment is appropriate for the scale, complexity and likely impact of a proposed development.

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 12 August, 2010 - 12:23

A new report shows sport contributes around $245 million a year to the ACT economy and provides full time work for around 2,860 Canberrans.

The Access Economics study called Building an Active Community also finds that around 27,000 Canberrans contribute more than three million hours annually to voluntary roles in the sector.

The study shows that participation in sport and recreation saves the community $84.5 million in associated health costs, and that halving the current rate of physical inactivity across the ACT could save up to an extra $47.2 million a year.

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 11 August, 2010 - 16:00

The ACT Government will bring forward the delivery of affordable houses in Gungahlin by 14 months thanks to a $9.76 million investment from the Federal Government's Housing Affordability Fund.

The funding announcement by the Federal Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, which includes $7.6 million for a collector road and bus route to Crace and $2.16 million for new roads and services such as paving and stormwater infrastructure in the Gungaderra West estate in Harrison.

The investment wwill accelerate the development of serviced land in Crace and Gungaderra West and complements the ACT Government's own efforts to increase the ACT's housing stock, particularly for low income earners.

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 5 August, 2010 - 22:39

The newest edition to Canberra’s sporting forces has a name - the Canberra Cavalry.

Canberra's Australian Baseball League (ABL) team will join the stable of elite sporting teams that represent our city around Australia and around the globe.

The Cavalry join teams such as the Brumbies, Raiders, Capitals and Darters, in showing Australians and those from further afield that Canberra is a city that loves its sport.

This is an important part of supporting local tourism operators by showing there’s more to Canberra than history and politics, that there are so many reasons to visit the city.

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.