The ACT Government is considering an alternative location for Traction Power Substation 8 (TPS8) as part of Light Rail Stage 2B to Woden.
The initial site was the grassed area at the corner of Gunn Street and Guilfoyle Street, Yarralumla.

The new proposed location is the Denison Street car park in Deakin, opposite Deakin House.

The DRA is seeking further information about how this alternative site would integrate with the planned Molonglo Interchange and the Kent Street Station, including potential impacts on access, traffic, parking, visual amenity, and local businesses.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming community information sessions:

Community Information Sessions

Session 1

• Date: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
• Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
• Location: Denison Street car park (Opposite Deakin House)

Session 2

• Date: Thursday, 11 December 2025
• Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am
• Location: Denison Street car park (Opposite Deakin House)

The DRA will continue to follow this issue closely and engage with residents, neighbouring community groups, businesses, and relevant government agencies. Further updates will be posted as more information becomes available. More information about Stage 2 at https://www.act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden/stage-2b

If you would like to raise concerns or provide feedback, please contact the DRA at: vicepresident@deakinresidents.asn.au

The following summarises the outcomes of the Deakin Residents Association Annual General Meeting held on 13 November 2025 at 6:00 pm.

Despite earlier concerns that we may not have sufficient nominees for a 2026 Committee, the meeting was well attended and generated constructive discussion.

Engagement with Canberra Girls Grammar School

Sandie Simmons and Nancy Lee represented Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS). They noted that the School will celebrate its 100th year of operation in 2026, and members suggested that this milestone would be an excellent opportunity for CGGS to showcase aspects of Deakin’s history.

They also outlined a range of opportunities for collaboration with the DRA, particularly through their community-service program. One suggestion was that students might assist older residents with computers and digital skills. There was also discussion about opportunities for students to help record local heritage and stories associated with notable residents and historic homes.

Members noted that intergenerational learning could work both ways, with students benefiting from the knowledge and experiences of older residents while offering practical support to the community. More information for residents interested in participating will be circulated shortly.

Heritage Documentation and Local History

Several members expressed interest in extending last year’s Heritage project to document the heritage of Deakin, especially the histories of homes associated with influential or long-standing residents. CGGS students may be able to contribute to this work as part of their community-service activities.

Liaison with Local Businesses

DRA aims to strengthen engagement with local businesses.
Jason El-Khoury from HIVE attended the meeting, spoke about current trends in the real-estate market, and expressed enthusiasm for continuing last year’s successful Easter egg hunt. HIVE is also keen to explore additional initiatives that may benefit or interest the Deakin community.

Yarralumla Residents Association Update

Peter Pharaoh from the Yarralumla Residents Association (YRA) outlined several initiatives underway in Yarralumla, including a Christmas event and local tree-maintenance activities. He also described YRA’s concerns regarding proposals to convert existing open space and parkland into a permanent traction facility for the proposed Light Rail extension to Woden.

Peter also noted that YRA has a volunteer team working on their streetscape due to limited council support. Their approach helps maintain the appearance and amenity of Yarralumla and provides a model the DRA may wish to explore for Deakin. More information will follow as this idea develops.

ACT Finances and Rates Concerns

MLA Fiona Carrick provided an overview of the ACT’s financial position, including the increasing burden of debt servicing. Forward projections indicate that interest payments will exceed $1 billion in FY 2028/29. Concerns were raised that more services appear to be directed to the north side of the lake, while rates remain higher on the south side with unclear benefits returned.

We have written to Ms Carrick taking up her offer to obtain information from ACT Treasury on the total amount of rates paid by Deakin households and the level of expenditure in the suburb.

Members also requested information on how unimproved value is calculated and how revenue is allocated across suburbs.

For those interested in a more detailed overview of ACT finances, the ISCCC is hosting a public forum with guest speaker Dr Khalid Ahmed (former senior ACT Treasury official):
Monday 24 November 2025, 7:00–9:00 pm, Eastlake Football Club.
More details are available at the link

Ms Carrick also expressed concern about insufficient community space and the growing number of major residential developments proposed for Woden—including 17 new apartment towers, one at 54 storeys.

Committee for 2026

We are pleased to confirm that a full Committee has been formed for 2026, including Treasurer and Secretary positions. Nominations were received and accepted for the following members:

• Jack Gault – Public Officer
• John Bell – Treasurer
• Peter “Batch” Batcheldor – Secretary
• Mark Rebentrost
• George Wilson
• Martin Jennings
• Brian Leonard
• Carol Guida
• Jim Bain
• Leanne Thomas
• Philippa Rowland
• Peter Longland

The positions of President and Vice President will be determined by the Committee following further discussion.

We have also been approached by representatives of the Forrest Residents Group (FRG) regarding closer collaboration with the DRA, given our shared interests, adjacency, and overlapping community concerns. The Committee agreed that this opportunity should be explored further.

Volunteers for DRA Projects

We received strong interest from members willing to contribute to ongoing and emerging DRA priorities, including:

• Bikeway and active-travel advocacy
  • DRA is working with Pedal Power is exploring options to establish a safe, continuous cycling route from Woden to Civic.
• Improving street landscapes, nature strips and amenity
  • Members are encouraged to continue reporting issues through FixMyStreet.
• Rates and benefits
• Traffic speed and volume issues
• The Deakin heritage project

Probable closure of the Scout Group in Deakin

The DRA is saddened to learn that the Scout Group at Latrobe Park is likely to close due to an inability to attract sufficient leaders to continue its youth-development activities.

The Group began in December 1925 as Second Canberra and has operated from the Latrobe Park Scout Hall since 1963, when the Hall was opened by the then Governor-General, Lord De L’Isle. Local parents and Scouts raised funds for its construction, including through bottle drives.

In 2003 the Group was renamed Air Scouts Canberra, reflecting the aviation-themed program introduced by me as the then Group Leader.

In light of the Group’s impending closure, I am proposing to contact former Scouts, leaders, parents and supporters to gauge interest in a gathering at Latrobe Park. Such an event could:

• provide an opportunity to reminisce and acknowledge the Group’s century-long contribution to youth development in Deakin and Canberra.
• help collect stories, photographs and memorabilia for the Deakin heritage project; and
• offer a forum to consider alternatives to closure and fund raising.

The Committee agrees that this idea warrants further consideration and planning.

Warm regards,
George Wilson AM
Vice President, Deakin Residents Association
 0418 236 575
 www.deakinresidents.asn.au

George Wilson Vice President, Deakin Residents Association  wrote to members on 9 October about  the Deakin Residents Association’s Annual General Meeting on 13 Nov 2025 and inviting involvement in DRA activities for 2026 including nomination for the for one of our working groups and joining the 2026 committee.

 Community Service & Local Partnerships

A key recommendation from our survey was to strengthen partnerships with local schools and community organisations — including Alfred Deakin High School, Canberra Girls Grammar, Canberra Grammar, Scouts, and the Canberra Deakin Football Club.

This year’s AGM theme will highlight how these groups contribute to community service and explore opportunities for residents to collaborate on local projects.

 Landscapes & Amenity

Deakin’s public spaces continue to suffer from neglect. The uglification is getting worse. Excessive signage, overgrown verges, and poor maintenance detract from the suburb’s appeal.

Although we weeded the 2023 Floriade bulbs, the garden beds at the shops are often neglected, and piles of sticks used as mulch are unsightly and pose a fire hazard. Abandoned vehicles and illegal parking continue to damage nature strips.

We are working with local businesses and the ACT Government to restore the shopping centre’s appearance and secure proper watering facilities for Floriade 2026. Sustained improvement, however, will depend on consistent community care and involvement.

 Rates & Local Services

Deakin rates have increased sharply — in some cases exceeding $20,000 per household.
We’re seeking volunteers to help calculate the total rates paid across Deakin’s 2,000+ households and assess whether residents are receiving fair value in return.

The DRA continues to advocate for better footpaths, streetscapes, park maintenance, and amenities around the shops.

 Light Rail – Costs and Consequences

While some residents support light rail, most consider it a poor investment, especially given advances in driverless cars and shared transport options.

The project will significantly impact native bushland near Parliament House, especially the area in front of The Lodge.

In our meeting with our MP Alicia Payne, she recognised community concerns but was hesitant to raise the matter with the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital, claiming that light rail has been endorsed in multiple ACT elections.

However, DRA believes many residents remain unaware of the project’s scope, cost, and impacts, including new traffic lights proposed for Adelaide Avenue and the destruction of bushland around Parliament House (a Commonwealth responsibility).See photo.

The DRA proposes a community walk along the planned route to assess likely tree losses and traffic delays.
Even the project’s Environmental Impact Statement concedes that visual impacts will be “high to moderate adverse””.

 Bikeways & Active Travel

Discussions with Pedal Power ACT confirm that their 2025–26 Budget submission includes design and construction of a Hopetoun Circuit / Mugga Way path linking Lake Burley Griffin to Flinders Way.

Design work is proposed for 2027–28, with construction in 2028–29.
In the meantime, we’ll advocate for a footpath upgrade fund to improve connectivity and pedestrian safety.
Residents are encouraged to report issues or suggestions through Fix My Street.

 Friends of La Trobe Park

We’re looking to form a Friends of La Trobe Park group to plan improvements such as:

• Repairing guardrails and repainting furniture
• Restoring the barbecue area
• Planting native species to attract birds and wildlife

We also plan to hold community events — such as a fete or Christmas gathering — to build stronger local connections and involve younger residents through schools and social media.

 Get Involved

Visit www.deakinresidents.asn.au or report issues via Fix My Street.

 Annual General Meeting

Thursday 13 November · 6:00 pm
Canberra Bridge Club, Duff Street, Deakin

Join us for the DRA Annual General Meeting — an opportunity to help shape Deakin’s future.
We are seeking community-minded residents to join the 2026 DRA Committee. It’s not onerous: Most correspondence and meetings are conducted online.

• The 2026 focus will be on priorities identified in our recent community survey.

 Apply here: nomination form

No committee — no DRA. Many of us are moving on, and new involvement is essential to keep the Association active and effective.

If you’re unable to nominate yourself, please consider encouraging someone who could assist with one of our working groups or serve on the Committee.

Together, we can restore pride, amenity, and community spirit to Deakin.

 Photos of neglected nature strips, abandoned vehicles, and garden beds needing care

At an informal weekend get together on 30 and 31 Aug 2025, there was strong agreement that the appearance and general “uglification” of Deakin needs to be reversed. We discussed DRA priorities.

Many ideas were suggested, but there was also consensus that we should focus on a few achievable areas rather than spreading ourselves too thin.

Three themes emerged as our starting priorities:

• Nature strips, parks and gardens
• Bikeway development
• Community events, membership, promotion and governance

We also agreed to make better use of social media tools like Instagram and WhatsApp to keep the conversation going and to share updates.

It was clear that informal gatherings like those this past weekend are valuable. Some future catch-ups could be working bees, or site meetings at places like La Trobe Park to discuss specific projects.

Next Steps

Nature strips, parks and gardens

• Jack Gault will coordinate planning for a contribution to Floriade 2026 and follow up on a standpipe for watering flowers and other plantings at the shops. Support will also be sought from local businesses.
• Jim Bain will be in support monitoring the state of nature strips and coordinating regular submissions to Fix My Street.

Bikeway development

• Peter Boege and Peter Longland will investigate opportunities with ACT Active Travel and Pedal Power to improve bikeway connections.

Community events, membership, promotion and governance

• Peter Batcheldor will explore ways to engage more effectively with local schools, Scouts, and businesses to highlight the benefits of partnering with the DRA.

Other

• Latrobe Park enhancement remains a priority.
• A working bee to weed the emerging bulbs would be beneficial.
• The ‘mulch’’ opposite the bus stop is a pedestrian and fire hazard.
• Speed, traffic volume of street parking is getting worse.

Thank you to members who participated – together we can make real improvements for Deakin.

Regards,
George

Vice President

George Wilson (Vice President}  and John Bell (Treasurer) met with David Pocock and Alicia Payne lon 11 Aug and 13 Aug 2025 
Here is a short report on their discussion
Meetings with Senator Pocock (11 August) and Alicia Payne MP (13 August 2025)

We met with Senator David Pocock and Alicia Payne MP to raise concerns about:

• the role and effectiveness of the National Capital Authority (NCA)
• the deteriorating and unattractive appearance of Canberra, particularly the inner south
• the proposed Stage 2B light rail extension.

Senator Pocock

Senator Pocock was sympathetic to the issues raised. As a member of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories (JSCNCET), he explained that initiating an inquiry into Stage 2B would be difficult without government support.

He noted his strong working relationship with fellow committee member, Senator Andrew McLachlan (Liberal, SA), and undertook to raise our concerns with the Committee.

We showed him how the light rail route would adversely impact land managed by the NCA and the Commonwealth Parliament. He was particularly interested in the map we provided, which highlighted the proposed route through bushland in NCA-controlled areas.

Alicia Payne MP

Alicia Payne was less persuaded.

We argued that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Stage 2B was inadequate, and suggested the JSCNCET should consider further investigation. Ms Payne replied that the ACT Government had been re-elected three times with a clear policy to advance the tram. We countered that while the electorate may support the concept of light rail, the public remains poorly informed about the specific proposals, costs, and alternatives for Stage 2B.

We also raised concerns about accessibility: the overwhelming volume of documentation, combined with non-searchable PDF files, makes it extremely difficult for citizens to review the material.

She questioned the accuracy of Commonwealth Grants Commission advice on fiscal equalisation, We provided her with a copy of the advice for reference.

She expects to be re-elected as Chair of the JSCNCET. She acknowledged that the Committee could hold hearings on the tram. We urged her to ensure the Committee examines both the direct impact on NCA-managed areas and the broader responsibility of the NCA under the National Capital Plan to protect and promote Canberra’s role as the national capital.

General Concerns

In both meetings we emphasised the community’s frustration at the ongoing “uglification” of Canberra, including within areas under the NCA’s direct responsibility.

John Bell and George Wilson

SAVE THE DATE
Seniors in the community

7pm – 9pm Monday 25 August 2025
Eastlake Football Club
3 Oxley Street, Griffith ACT

– Online attendance available too –

Share your thoughts, ask questions and tell us what matters most to
seniors, their families, friends and carers. Everyone is welcome.

Hear from:
Basil La Brooy

Housing and Ageing Advisor COTA ACT.

“Council of the Ageing ACT – what we do and how we can help seniors.”

Annie Dallimer

State Manager, Client Services, Dementia Australia

Tina Raymond
Dementia Support Specialist

“Dementia Australia, services and programs to support people on their

journey with dementia”
To attend in person, please register at Trybooking:
https://www.trybooking.com/DDVOL
To attend online, please register on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Oroz7R3TTJWqXJrPiowOjg

Complete the survey today and help shape Deakin’s future!
👉 Click here to complete the survey

The Deakin Residents Association (DRA) is exploring ways to improve local amenities and strengthen community connections. To guide our next steps, we need your input. The DRA represent local residents, advocating for their interests and enhancing the quality of life in the suburb. The DRA does this by engaging with the ACT government, providing feedback on planning and development proposals, and organizing community events. We have recently conducted a survey of DRA members. Respondents have highlighted areas as top priorities, with suggestions for action:

1. Promote and support Deakin shops & businesses and adjacent landscaping

– Participate in garden development and landscaping to enhance local green spaces and support Floriade in 2026.

2. Maintain Nature Strips, streets and paths & better management of parking

– Prevent vehicle damage to vegetation. More effective action by Traffic Rangers.

3. Safer roads, especially for children

– Improve cycling access, especially bikeways around schools. Traffic calming features, school crossings and signage.

4. Review Light Rail Extension to Woden

– Demand a proper cost-benefit analysis. Publicise alternatives (e.g. electric buses). Join a community walk along the proposed route through Parliamentary bushland.

5. Enhance recreational facilities, such as Latrobe & Rosemary Dobson Parks

– Suggest improvements to increase their amenity and appeal.

6. Strengthen Development Oversight

– More community input to avoid poor planning decisions.

7. Continue Heritage Signage Program

– Promote awareness of the Deakin Anticline and other historic features.

8. Celebrate Canberra Girls Grammar Centenary

– Explore community participation in the upcoming celebrations.

9. Social, or community matters

– Christmas Parties, fetes, markets, or other community-focussed events. Advocating for improved government services.

With ACT Government budgets under pressure, Deakin risks being left behind. We believe local leadership matters. Together with schools, Scouts, sporting groups, and local businesses, we can make a real difference. You can get involved:

Come to a social event to meet neighbours, share ideas, and help set community goals.

Special General Meeting of the DRA 

Where: The Canberra Bridge Club
5-7 Duff Place (behind the Deakin Shops)

When: Thursday 17 July 2025 at 7:30 pm

The meeting will commence with several short presentations addressing some of the key issues raised in the survey and then the floor will be open to discussing possible actions that can be taken to make Deakin and even more attractive. 

We want to hear from residents of Deakin, about what you like or dislike, and what you want done. 

Come prepared to make your voice heard!

For more information, contact us at secretary@deakinresidents.asn.au .