Council invites the Weston Creek community to the 27 September 2023 Public Meeting. This meeting will focus on the current light rail development (LR Stage2A) between Alinga St in the City and Commonwealth Park, including the raising London Circuit project. The presentation will be delivered by Major Projects Canberra Officials. This is going to be a discussion about how the project will be delivered.
EVENT: SEPTEMBER 2023 PUBLIC MEETING.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2023. TIME: 7:30 PM
LOCATION: WESTON CREEK COMMUNITY CENTRE, off PARKINSON STREET
The meeting will be webcast live via our Facebook pages. Questions that we receive will be presented to the speakers. Please let us know your question in advance by email or the Facebook pages.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Confused about all the changes on Commonwealth Ave and around the Civic area occurring because of the commencement of the Raising London Circuit project and the subsequent Light Rail Stage 2A project? There is a lot of information to process and lots of variables. The Project Team from Major Projects Canberra has agreed to present to our September Public Meeting and help clear up any questions we may have. This presentation is not about whether the project is a good idea, the Government has already taken that decision. This meeting is about how they will go about the work, and what we need to be mindful of as we move around.
Last month we passed on a tip from one of our followers about cheaper energy plans being available. Following some investigation, we contacted ACTEWAGL and asked about energy plans. In short, there is a new plan now available called ACT Simple Saver 3.0 and it provides significant reductions on the reference rate for electricity and gas. Maybe one of our local MLAs could direct a question in the Legislative Assembly to the Energy Minister or Consumer Affairs Minister about why individual consumers need go through an annual charade to obtain the best available energy price? The ACCC has been active on this issue as well (see: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/australians-urged-to-compare-electricity-plans-as-market-offers-exceed-safety-net).
On an electricity related point, it has come to our attention that early on the morning of 5 September 2023 some homes in the area were impacted by a significant lightning strike. If you have found, for example, that your internet router/modem, television, stereo equipment, computers, oven or security lights no longer function it may be worth talking to your electrician to ensure your electrical connections remain safe and your insurance company about your coverage. If you are not covered for such an event it may also be worth considering upgrading your cover, considering the forecasts for more releases of energy from the atmosphere as the climate is warming.
The Planning Reform process continues to provide distractions. Most recently, the announcement that the Government will allow for dual titles in the existing Urban RZ1 zones for properties over 800 square metres attracted quite a bit of attention. Council’s initial reaction was that such a change would achieve very little by way of additional housing because most existing houses were sighted in a way that would not be conducive to a second residence on the relevant blocks, the statutory costs were high and the Government’s erroneous assumption that established residents would seek to be property developers. The Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services will now move towards considering the draft District Strategies and the District Plans. Council has already provided significant material on what the Weston Creek Community would expect to see, based on the feedback received from the community and have been advised this will be considered during the Committee deliberations.
We do note that the Planning Governance Review that was a commitment during negotiations over the final form of the Law has yet to commence. Council has previously expressed concern that this review could go the way of many of the other undertakings Government makes and be allowed to slip (for example, the independent planning advisory service agreed in the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement). We continue to remind our elected representatives that this important piece of work is at risk of “falling between the cracks”.
Council had previously scheduled a Special General Meeting for 19 September 2023, at 7.30 pm to seek to ratify a revised Constitution. This meeting was to be held via Zoom, with proxy voting being permitted. Unfortunately, this meeting did not proceed due to the disruption caused by the lightning strike mentioned above. Revised arrangements will be advised shortly.
There has been quite a bit of media attention to the future of Community Councils as a way for the Government and Community to engage. A statement summarising Council’s position is on our website. The Chief Minister made this remark about Community Councils in a recent response to a question asked in the Legislative Assembly:
“They are one of many forms of engagement, and I do not value them more highly than the Have Your Say Panel. I value the Your Say Panel most highly.” {the full text of the exchange will be posted to Council’s website}
So, it is in the above context we provide early advice that Council’s 2022-23 Annual General Meeting will coincide with the October 2023 Public Meeting. All Committee positions will be declared vacant at this meeting with eligible members being invited to nominate. We understand the majority of the existing Committee is not seeking a further term. As we observed last month, this will be the time for the Weston Creek Community to decide if it wants to be represented by a Community Council or not, noting the new Planning Laws taking effect, the Commonwealth’s Housing initiatives and subsequent Territory action occurring, and a Territory Election scheduled for later in 2024. Should anyone wish to take up a role, retiring Committee members will be available to ensure orderly transition.
For the avoidance of any doubt, without new Committee Members, Weston Creek Community Council will surely fold.
CELEBRATING WORKING TOGETHER AND ACHIEVING.
The Weston Creek Community Council (WCCC) continues to be a forum for residents to meet, share ideas and to convey concerns to government. We are non-partisan, advocating for the best services and facilities for the people of Weston Creek. To continue to function successfully we need community input and feedback. We really need volunteers to join your Council to assist with a few tasks.
Please consider nominating for an executive role at the Annual General Meeting.