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Mobility, Sustainability and Quality of Life

Submitted by Charles Thomas on 11 March, 2011 - 9:25am

An address by Enrique Penalosa
At the Canberra Business Centre 9 March 2011
Enrique Penalosa is a former mayor of Bogotá, Columbia, and while in office the rejected the advice of a Japanese firm to build very expensive highways and instead “invested in the poor” by providing schools, libraries, footpaths and parks. Thus instead of providing infrastructure for the relatively privileged which made the poor feel like second class citizens, infrastructure was provided for the majority of people.
He emphasized that a city is a means to a way of life and should be planned with that in mind. “A good city is where people want to be outside.” “Footpaths are the most important element of a democratic city’s infrastructure… and of its transport system as well.” He considered that public good should prevail over private interest. For example, all waterfronts should be open to the public — not privately owned and exclusive.

Traffic Calming

Submitted by Anonymous on 9 March, 2011 - 1:28pm

As I currently live in Belconnen, I am amazed at the lack of traffic calming infra-structure in what is already a well populated urban area. In my home city of Brisbane, there has in recent years been widespread installation of speed bumps, street scaping and other traffic calming measures to force traffic to slow on what would otherwise be quiet residential streets. There seems to be precious little of this implemented in Canberra. Therefore we have lunatic drivers constantly speeding along quiet residential streets like Hennessy Street in Belconnen. And the lack of pedestrian crossings and other infrastrucure on College Street is an absolute disgrace. I have frequently witnessed pedestrians virtually risking their lives to cross this road amid the speeding traffic. I do not believe that Canberra is a particularly pedestrian-friendly city and after nearly ten years in power I really cannot see what, if anything, the Stanhope(less) government has done to address this.

Shopping Trolleys

Submitted by belcc on 11 November, 2010 - 12:56pm

The ACT now has new laws regulating abandoned shopping trolleys, to try and prevent them being left out in the landscape, waterways, bike paths etc. This will come into effect next February.

Please see attached a Q&A document, for your information, which was prepared by the ACT Greens office.

Preventing Vehicle Theft - 7 Easy Tricks

Submitted by Samantha on 26 May, 2010 - 8:41pm

Within the last two years, vehicle theft rates have dropped as much as 18 percent. Automobile thefts do still happen though. You need to take steps to cut back the chance your auto can be stolen.

1-Don’t leave your vehicle running

You are inviting thieves when you leave your vehicle running, even if it’s locked. Even if your stop at the ATM or coffee shop could be only a couple of minutes, turn off your vehicle. Only use remote start up systems to get your auto at a good temperature if it is safely locked behind a fence. Leaving your vehicle running unattended is not legal in some states.

2- always lock your doors

No matter what, lock the doors to your vehicle. Over half of all stolen cars are unlocked. Even if you don't lock the doors, take your keys with you.

New Cemetery for Southern Canberra

Submitted by Shirley Gourgaud on 29 April, 2009 - 1:03pm

A proposal for the development of a cemetery in southen Canberra has been made by Mr Robert Smeaton, Chairman of the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority.
Belconnen residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the issue during this first consultation process which ends on the 22nd May 2009.

For more details from TAMS please click here.

The surveys and fact sheets are also available at all ACT Public Libraries and Canberra Connect Shop fronts.

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