A report, “21st Century public transport solutions for Canberra,” has been prepared by an independent group of citizens who believe that in this election year, Canberrans need to be fully informed of the cost to date of light rail and that there are better public transport alternatives available. The report analyses the costs and benefits of light rail in Canberra. It reviews the flawed decision making that led to the ACT Government investing in light rail.

“Bus rapid transit (BRT) is the obvious solution for rapid public transport on the stage 2B route. It offers cheaper, faster, more frequent and more adaptable transport than light rail,” the report says
said. “BRT requires fewer transfers between bus and/or light rail services, costs half as much, can be built more quickly, is twice as cost-effective, and will be at least ten minutes faster than light rail stage 2.”

The paper’s recommendations for the ACT include calls to:

  • evaluate adopting a trackless tram system to replace light rail;
  • cancel existing contracts and abandon work on light rail stage 2B;
  • speed up replacing the bus fleet with electric vehicles;
  • expand the number of transit lanes; and,
  • seek funding Commonwealth funding for a trackless tram trial.

It shows that the actual cost of Light Rail Stage 1 is in excess of $1.78 billion, contrary to promises that it would cost only $614 million. It finds that the cost to date of Light Rail Stage 2A, originally estimated by the ACT Government at $268 million, is now more than $1.2 billion, making its 1.7 kms, one of the most expensive tram tracks in the world.

The report reserves its strongest criticism for Stage 2B – with a projected travel time that will be much longer than an express bus and will be many times the cost of other competitive transport systems such as electric buses and trackless trams.

The light rail currently proposed for Canberra will serve only a tiny percentage of the population. At rush hour, most passengers on a LR journey to/from Woden will need to stand while on buses, most passengers are provided with seats now.

The environmental impact of Canberra’s light rail will be greater than that of alternative systems because of the concrete and steel tracks. The trees in the centre of Commonwealth Avenue will have to go.

The report recommends light rail should be the subject of a public enquiry if the ACT Government persists with it because of its unsuitability to Canberra’s topography, its cost to Canberrans and the negative impact it is having on the ACT’s AAA credit rating.

A bridge capable of carrying more than 100 tonnes will be needed to get light rail across Lake Burley Griffin. Other major bridges will be needed to traverse into and out of State Circle, cross Hopetoun Avenue and navigate into Woden.

Electric buses are more efficient, can be deployed on a variety of routes and are emission free. Their introduction would not disrupt traffic.

The report concludes that light rail Stage 2B should not proceed.

The report is written by Leon Arundell, John Bell, Kent Fitch, Russ Morison, Mike Quirk and Anthony Senti. The Deakin Residents’ Association Committee has agreed to make the accessible to Canberrans from our website. Report can be downloaded from the link www. deakinresidents.asn.au  

Contact for media enquiries is Anthony Senti (0432 247 782) or John Bell (0438 732 953)

One of DRA’s core objectives is to maintain the garden suburb. Our efforts that were part of Floriade have been widely recognised as a success. We are therefore concerned with the trend to reduce the visual appearance and greenness of our suburb especially close to the shops in Hopetoun Circuit where there is flagrant violation of the regulations and codes designed to maintain nature strips. We strongly support the guidelines as set out by the ACT Government. Why are they not enforced?

We have reported the illegality to Fix my Street but it continues as regular occurrence with up to 10 vehicles parked on nature strip, construction of hard stand parking bays, erosion and degradation of vegetation, plus the operation of a commercial cleaning business complete with vans and vehicles from a residential home.
Questions have been raised In the Legislative Assembly on our behalf.
DRA would like to see nature strips that look this this.

The violations continue, see photos below.

Canberra’s storms on Friday night 8 December has moved to recovery mode. Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) specialist crews have been working their way through 500 jobs reported to their system and an additional 200 directions from the ACT SES.

A brittle gum Eucalyptus mannifera that came down across Stonehaven Cres was so large it couldn’t be readily moved. As with previous losses of street trees in Deakin, including on Stonehaven Cres it showed shallow roots. One suggestion is that this is result of short watering during establishment.

Deakin Residents’ Association Inc.

Annual General Meeting

Canberra Bridge Club, 22 November 2023, 1900h

  1. Welcome from Chair, John Bell
  2. Members –  in attendance
  1. AccordionJill Adams
  2. Yvette Amaral
  3. John Bell
  4. Kay Blue
  5. Karl Chamberlain
  6. Pam Core
  7. Llois Cutts
  8. Sue Gage
  9. Jack Gault
  10. Jenny Gault
  11. Dianne Goodman
  12. Carol Guida
  13. Rami Greiss
  14. Dorothy Holt
  15. Martin Jennings
  16. Di Johnstone
  17. Cleopatra Kosmas
  18. Brian Leonard
  19. Suzanne Leonard
  20. Peter Longland
  21. Lochie MacLean
  22. Dennis Martin
  23. Robin Miller
  24. Kay Newman
  25. Mark Rebentrost
  26. Judy Shalders
  27. Margaret Simmonds
  28. Rebecca Vavic
  29. Phil Waite
  30. George Wilson
  31. Lyn Wilson
  32. Brigitta Wimmer Sample Description
  1. Ann-Mari Jordens
  2. Peter Pharoah
  3. Fiona Carrick
  4. Denis Taylor
  5. John Edquist
  6. Deborah Price
  7. Keith Mountain
  8. Maryanne Mountain
  9. Ian Elsom
  10. Robyn Tegart
  11. Margaret Barclay
  12. Terry Hodge
  13. Annalisa Koeman
  14. Graham O’Loghlin
  15. Denise Rawling
  16. Tony Stewart
  17. Marea Fatseas
  18. Bill Magee
  19. Adele Sinclair
  20. Kate Dawson
  21. Sally Chandler
  22. Sue Hart
  23. Thomas Emerson
  24. Denby Angus
  25. Julie Stuart
  26. Jim Stuart
  27. Richard Hart
  28. Lincoln Magee
  29. Nerelle Poroch
  30. Benjamin Stau
  31. Jacob Stau
  32. John Lamb
  33. Zhiwen Zheng
  1. Helen Allnutt
  2. Krystyna Fitzgerald
  3. Hal Leaver
  4. Marion Leaver
  5. Brian Heaney
  6. Jacqueline Elliot
  7. Margaret Bowen
  8. Gabrielle Tryon
  9. Jenny Bramley
  10. Mary Bau
  11. Jim Bain

Also Canberra Federal MP Alicia Payne.

  • Proxies – Nil
  • Confirmation of Minutes of Annual General Meeting of 9 November 2022

Confirmed

Moved: Sue Gage

Seconded: Mark Rebentrost

President’s Report

The President read his report to the meeting; this is attached as an appendix.

He thanked the outgoing committee and in particualr di Johnstone for her role over 20 years in support of DRA.

He proposed that the report be accepted.

Accepted

Moved: Mark Rebentrost

Seconded: Di Johnstone

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer presented his report. This is attached as an appendix.

He proposed that his report be accepted.

Accepted

Moved: Martin Jennings

Seconded: Rebecca Vavic

  • Election of Committee Members and Office Bearers for 2024.

As insufficient nominations were received to fill all vacancies on the committee, all the above nominations were deemed to be elected, in accordance with Rule 14.4.

*Krystyna Fitzgerald was absent, but gave written consent to her nomination.

  • Marea Fatseas, ISCCC Chair thanked John Bell for his service and contributions to ISCCC.
  • George Wilson extended thanks to Di Johnstone for her service to DRA.
  • Deakin Heritage project: John Bell indicated that DRA had been successful in obtaining a grant of $14,780 for Discovering and valuing Deakin’s heritage. This was fully described in a DRA media release dated 14 September 2023. A historian, Ann-Mari Torrens, has been engaged to assist with the project. Ann-Mari described the stages of the history: Aboriginal history; European occupation 1828-1912; Old Deakin; Central Deakin and West Deakin. Di Johnstone appealed for photos of old Deakin, preferably out of copyright. The final product will be informative signboards, to be unveiled in Heritage week 2024.
  • Incoming President, Mark Rebentrost thanked John Bell for his service, saying he has big shoes to fill. He stated that he wants to spend less time in ACAT and that Deakin is the best place for a family to live.
  • John Bell raised the matter of a membership fee. He stated that we receive a grant from ISCCC, for communications. However, we need funding for 3rdparty appeals.
  • George Wilson: noted that we do not know who our members are, as many members leave without informing DRA. He also discussed a project in which the DRA is supporting The Woden School. 
  • A speaker from the floor: indicated that he endorsed a membership fee and asked whether DRA could open a Facebook account.

The meeting closed at 7:51 pm.

Deakin Residents’ Association Inc. was privileged to have Senator David Pocock as guest speaker before our Annual General Meeting Canberra Bridge Club, 22 November 2023

Senator Pocock presented a summary of his Vision for Canberra and spoke to its five pillars, 1. Housing, 2. Events, 3. Innovation,  4. Transport and 5. Sustainability. He encouraged attendees to support his push for more investment and long-term thinking for Canberra as Australia’s national capital. He said we could subscribe for updates using the form at the bottom of the homepage at visionforcanberra.com

He also referred to his role on the current inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on National Capital and External Territories. Chaired by our local member Alicia Payne MP, it is examining ways to foster and promote the significance of Australia’s National Capital. Anyone who would like to be kept in the loop regarding the inquiry is encouraged to register at the link

The Senator then took questions from the floor on a range of topics from housing shortage,  enforcement of planning laws and the role of the Commonwealth.

Health Minister and Winnunga CEO speaking at ISCCC AGM/Public Forum 14 Nov 2023

The ISCCC welcomes you to join us at our Annual General Meeting and Public Forum on Tuesday, 14 November, at 7-9pm at the Eastlake Football Club. Please register to attend at:

https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist?aid=178021

At the ISCCC’s AGM, held 7-8pm, we will report on the ISCCC’s work and hold elections for ISCCC committee positions. We welcome nominations for committee positions. The draft agenda, the roles for which elections will be held, and the nomination form are at:

From 8-9pm, the ISCCC is delighted that we will have two speakers on health-related issues. The ACT Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, will provide information and answer questions about the proposed walk-in health centre in Griffith. The CEO of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, Julie Tongs OAM, will speak about the work of Winnunga, which is based in neighbouring Narrabundah.

Summary Record and Presentations made at ISCCC Public Forum, 10 Oct 2023

See the record of the ISCCC’s 10 October public forum and speakers’ presentations at:

Estate Development Plan for Canberra Brickworks available for comment until 17 November

The Estate Development Plan for the Canberra Brickworks has been released for community comment until 17 November. The EDP can be accessed via the link below:

https://www.planning.act.gov.au/development-applications-assessments/development-applications/da-details?da-number=202341982&amendment-version=

ACT Government training on new planning system

The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate is delivering training on the new planning system up until the commencement of the new planning system in late November 2023 and beyond:

https://www.planning.act.gov.au/planning-our-city/planning-system/training-education

Update on Kingston Arts Precinct (KAP)

Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) have been approved for the Kingston Powerhouse Historic Precinct, Former Transport Depot Kingston, and John Fowler Road Locomotive 16161. See: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/kingston-arts-precinct. Further engineering and planning review of carparking requirements has been undertaken, as well as a review of mixed use possibilities. The next community engagement will be held at the end of November 2023.

ACT Government’s Environment and Planning Update

https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/2311598/epf-update-october-2023.pdf

In addition, the annual report of the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development (EPSDD) Directorate has been released.

https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2296706/2022-23-epsdd-annual-report.pdf

Marea Fatseas
ISCCC Chair

DRA is pleased to announce an important event on the 22nd of November, 2023. This is an opportunity for residents who care about the future of our neighbourhood to come together.

Our guest, Senator David Pocock, will be with us to discuss his ‘Vision for Canberra’. It’s a chance to hear directly about plans and ideas that could shape our city. There will also be a Q&A session where you can ask questions and engage in dialogue.

The event will also include the DRA Annual General Meeting at 7 pm, a moment to reflect on our association’s activities and goals. Afterward, at around 7:30 pm, we’ll have an informal gathering with drinks and light refreshments, providing a space to meet the new Committee and other residents.

📍 Where: The Bridge Club, Duff St, Deakin
📅 When: 22nd November 2023 ⌚
Time: Starting at 6 pm

We hope you can join us for this informative and community-focused evening.

MEDIA RELEASE – Heritage to be showcased in Deakin

The Deakin Residents’ Association is delighted to announce that the ACT Government has approved
a grant of $14,780 for the Deakin Residents’ Association (DRA) to undertake a project under the
ACT Heritage Grants program 2023-2024 for Discovering and valuing Deakin’s heritage.

The aim of this project is to document and describe heritage aspects of Deakin, emphasising its
importance in the historical development and legacy of Canberra as the national capital based on
Walter Burley Griffin’s designs and garden city principles. The project is planned in stages, with
Stage One being to design and install two Canberra Tracks signs, one at the Deakin shops and one
at La Trobe Park, describing the heritage aspects of Deakin; and to engage an historian to write a
more detailed historical overview of the development of Deakin for the DRA website which will be accessible via the Canberra Tracks app.

Currently there is no publicly accessible information in Deakin describing the suburb’s extensive
and significant social and architectural history, environmental value and heritage importance. This
project will provide signage, and a Canberra Tracks link will provide readily accessible information
to residents, tourists and other visitors.

The DRA also plans to engage school students, community
groups such as the Scouts (based in La Trobe Park), local schools and businesses in the project.

The project will also promote a wider understanding and knowledge of some related historical
developments in Australia. For example, information on signage in La Trobe Park will highlight the
important role of Charles La Trobe who, after the establishment of Victoria in 1851, was its first
Lieutenant Governor and oversaw the establishment of Melbourne’s beautiful Botanical Gardens.

Some streets and parks in Deakin are named after early State Governors.

The DRA hopes, subject to further funding, to undertake the development of a comprehensive
social data base and additional signage in other relevant locations, a heritage trail map and other
material on such issues as landscapes and treescapes. The DRA plans to celebrate Stage One during
the Heritage Festival in 2024 and will keep residents informed of these plans.

Contact can be made with Dr John Bell, President, Deakin Residents’ Association on 0438 732 953.
This project is supported with funding made available by the ACT Government under the ACT Heritage Grants Program.