|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Gunsmoke 83...Gunsmoke 83...
|
 Click to download "Did you know Canberra Airport is jeopardizing the Gungahlin Town centre?" - A paid article from the Capital Region Proper Planning Group Inc. | Click to download "Gungahlin under threat from Tralee" - A paid article from the Canberra International Airport |
Planning studies are being finalised for the new suburb of Casey following an information night held on 24 June
The key issues are:
- Retention of the ridgeline in a natural state
- Housing mixed-larger blocks on elevated land and smaller blocks and units near the commercial centres
- Aged care accommodation in the group centre
- Community & recreation facilities in the group centre
- Bush fire management
- Traffic congestion through Nicholls – need to build Clarrie Hermes Drive sooner rather than later
- Bicentennial horse trail from Hall to the Federal Highway
- Retention of the trees along Horse Park Drive
- Wider streets than in some other parts of Gungahlin
- Impact of new retail areas on existing shops
- Places for kids to play (kick football, etc)
- Retention of other substantial tree clumps.
The preferred Concept Plan included in this newsletter provides some information on how these issues raised by the community have been included in the planning for the suburb.
New branch of Anglican Church opening in Amaroo
Growing – moving – adapting. These three words describe the push for a new branch in the Gungahlin Anglican Church.
Starting on 5th September, the new branch will meet at the Amaroo school hall at 5.00 pm on Sundays.
Tim Baxter, associate minister of the Anglican Church, is excited about the move. “The facilities at Amaroo are great, and the new time will help families who have other commitments on Sunday mornings and find it hard to get to Church.”This new venture will be different to the other activities at Gungahlin Anglican Church, but in other ways it will have a very similar flavour. “Whatever happens we will always be discovering more about God by listening to his word.”
Contact Tim Baxter on 6255 5022 if you want to know more.
Gungahlin and Mitchell Voters Action (GAMVA)
Click to download GAMVA Election Issues |
On the 16th June the GAMVA group held an establishment meeting at the Palmerston Community Hall. There was general agreement that political parties and politicians are very interested in community issues in the lead up to an election. With the next term of office for the ACT government being 4 years; now is the time to promote issues that are considered important to our community. The GAMVA meeting endorsed the following operational guidelines for the group:
The purpose of GAMVA is: To promote issues of importance to the Gungahlin and Mitchell region by encouraging political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs. GAMVA will actively support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell community.
The objective of the GAMVA group is: To inform voters and make recommendations to the local community, in a manner which enables them to elect members of government that can demonstrate genuine and sustainable commitment in addressing the needs and issues of the Gungahlin and Mitchell region.
To achieve this objective, GAMVA undertakes to:
- encourage political parties to develop election policies that are responsive to the region's needs.
- actively support candidates who demonstrate sustainable commitment to the Gungahlin and Mitchell district.
- act as a resource by working with political parties and election candidates to develop strategies and election policies that are in the best interests of the Gungahlin and Mitchell community.
- canvas and consult with the community, in an effort to identify the issues that are important to them.
- develop transparent and fair methods of collecting, measuring and reporting election related information to the Gungahlin and Mitchell community.
- provide information to the community in a way that is accurate, unbiased, understandable and presented in a manner voters can relate to.
- conduct meetings that will provide an open forum where political parties and election candidates can present information and be made aware if issues identified as important to the local community.
GAMVA will hold meetings on the second and forth Monday of each month, until the ACT election is held on the 16th October 2004. All meetings will be held at the Gungahlin Raiders Club and will commence at 7.30pm. Following is a list of the meeting dates and proposed topics:
9th Aug - Meet with party candidates – Liberals or ALP
23rd Aug - Meet candidates - Democrats and Greens
13th Sept - Meet candidates - Local parties and independents
27th Sept - Review and confirm preferred candidates
11th Oct - Confirm marketing and election day strategies
25th Oct – Review outcomes and plan 2008 strategies
For more information see: www.gcc.asn.au/gamva
On the next page there is a list of items identified by GAMVA as a starting point of election issues. If you would like to suggest changes, or add to this list please contact:
6242 9444 or email info@gcc.asn.au
This article is authorised by Ian Ruecroft (GAMVA Coordinator).
Gungahlin Regional Community Service
Gungahlin Regional Community Service, Gungahlin Community Resource Centre, Gungahlin Youth Centre, Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre
Ph: 6228 9200, E-mail: grcs@gungahlin.org
Playgroups
An opportunity to meet other parents and have fun with your child.
When: Tuesday 9:30am – 11:30am
Where: Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre
When: Friday 9:30am – 11:30am
Where: Gungahlin Community Resource Centre.
Cost: $2 per family plus fruit for children.
For more information phone 6242 6077
Gungahlin Youth Program(GYP)
GYP is a community program for all Gungahlin Youth, aged between 11 and 25, with a focus on 12-18 year olds. GYP has trained and experienced youth workers who develop and facilitate a youth program in a safe and secure environment that meets the needs of Gungahlin youth.
Youth Centre Program Times - Drop In
Wednesday 3pm-6pm
Thursday 3pm-6pm
Friday 3pm-9pm
Saturday 10am-2pm
Young Parents Playgroup
Friday 11am-1pm - An opportunity for young parents under 25 and their children to get together and have some fun.
For more information on any Youth Program ring the youth workers on 6228 9211
BOARD MEMBERS REQUIRED
Gungahlin Regional Community Service would like to invite residents and/or people with an interest in Gungahlin to volunteer for positions on the Board of Management.
Enquiries to Jenny on 6228 9200
$$$$$$TAX HELP$$$$$$
Need help with your 2003/2004 tax return? Did you earn below $35,000? If so, you could be eligible for FREE assistance with your 2003/2004 tax return.
Contact Gungahlin Regional Community Service on 6228 9200 for appointment time with the ATO Tax Help Volunteers available Mondays and Wednesdays until the end of October 2004.
Coffee Break
A women’s discussion, craft and coffee group. Come to one, two…. Or all sessions!
When: Thursday 10am-12noon
Where: Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre
Cost: $3.00 per week
Childcare available at $3.00 per week for 1 child; $4.00 per week for 2 or more children. Bookings Essential: call on 6242 6077.
Are you interested in Volunteering?
Do you have time on your hands? Want to do something worthwhile? We are looking for volunteers for a variety of different activities such as helping with groups and helping people with their shopping. Volunteering can be fun, rewarding and a great source of personal development.
For more information contact the volunteer coordinator on 6242 6077
Gungahlin Walk & Talk
A Walking Group for Everyone! All ages and capabilities welcome From 9.30-11.00 am Thursdays. Start the walk from Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre. Just come along, no need to ring first.
Letters to the Editor
Broadband may be available in Gungahlin, but trying to get it is an interesting experience to say the least!
Here is a copy of an email forwarded to Kate Lundy, and others:
Dear Kate,
Firstly let me congratulate you on the lobbying that you have done so far to improve communication services in the Gungahlin area. I have a long standing Telstra mobile service which could not receive coverage to my property for the first few years. The nearest spot I could get calls was about 50 metres down the street. The coverage now is excellent and I can regularly get 5 "bars" reception.
However, let me tell you about my recent experience in attempting to get Optus broadband DSL. I have lived in Noongale Court, Ngunnawal since December 1996. It is Just over 1 km to the new Telstra exchange that was recently opened in the Gungahlin Town Centre, with a blaze of publicity about how broadband has finally come to Gungahlin.
My home phone service is provided by Optus and I have Optusnet dial-up. I have been connected to this service for a number of years. I also have a back to base alarm system. My understanding is that Optus use Telstra's phone lines. Following extensive publicity about Optusnet DSL, I decided to try and get it installed. Here is the chronology of events since Mid April 2004 - Visited Optus Shop in Fyshwick. After checking my phone number, advised that DSL "should" work, but they have had some problems with people with back to base alarms. DSL self installation kits not available, so please fill in details and we will ring you when they arrive. Should be about 2 weeks
7/5/2004 - No contact from Optus, so visited shop again. DSL kit had arrived but they hadn't got around to contacting me. Completed application form and told that they would check if installation is possible and get back to me. Supplied with self installation kit, but told not to use it until I hear from Optus.
10/5/2004 - Received email from Optusnet broadband support "Welcome to OptusNet DSL. The information below explains some of the tools and special benefits available to you, once you're all set up and connected...."
12/5/2004 - $90.00 deducted from Bank Account for cost of self installation kit.
13/5/2004 - Rang Optus Shop Fyshwick. Advised by them that the email is not confirmation of the service.
Could be a couple of weeks yet.17/5/2004 - $59.00 deducted from Bank account for DSL set up fee
18/5/2004 - Looked at instructions in self installation kit. "If you do not receive the "Important Confirmation" email or letter in the next five to 10 days, call OptusNet DSL broadband Customer Service on 1300 309 333"
24/5/2004 - Regular monthly payment for Optusnet dialup NOT deducted, so assumed that DSL installation was progressing
28/5/2004 - No contact from Optus, so rang 1300 309 333 to find out the latest. Advised by them that they can't find a path for my connection, so are looking for an alternative path. A spot has been booked for 10/6/2004 to look for an alternative path!!!!!
8/6/2004 - Contacted by Optus. Not able to be connected to DSL. No path available. Please ring 1800 000 994. Rang Optus and advised by call centre operator that service is not available and that $59.00 connection fee has been refunded to my account. Regular dialup charge will recommence on 24/6/2004. They could not tell me when, or if Optusnet DSL would be available to me in the future. What do I do? Sorry can't help you!!!!!!
So, back to the dark ages again. Thought you would like to add my story to your collection of case studies about the joys of living in Gungahlin. Look forward to any progress or resolution you can squeeze out of Telstra or Optus.
Graham Wilson
Email: wilsgr@optusnet.com.au
Excerpts of a letter from Annette Neale of Ngunnawal re ‘pair gain technology’ and slow download
In January 2004, Telstra sent us all a glossy brochure announcing access to ADSL in Gungahlin. This got me interested but on reading the small print I realised the cost would be about $60 per month - a bit expensive for us. Then with the opening of the new telephone exchange and announcements by the Chief Minister I again thought I'd see about getting my ISP to provide ADSL to our home. It took some time but eventually I received a response " A search of your telephone line has been unsuccessful due to INCOMPATIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE known as PAIR GAIN TECHNOLOGY. Unfortunately ADSL will not work as it requires full copper wiring from exchange to the premises. An attempt to have your line replaced by one capable of receiving ADSL was also unsuccessful as NO FULL COPPER WIRING WAS FOUND IN THE AREA".
As I understand it, even though we have two phone lines into our house, we actually only have two half phone lines. Apparently other consumers all over Australia and even in parts of Amaroo have had full (two strand) copper wiring in place to provide telephone and internet services. We pay the same rental costs, why didn't we receive the appropriate technology when our phone lines went in?
| © Gungahlin Community Council Inc. ~
|
