Home | Latest News | Engagement Feedback | Engagement Hints | Using the Online Engagement Calendar

Welcome to ACT Community Engagement Online

Community engagement refers to the many ways in which the government and the community work together.

The ACT Government is committed to engaging the Canberra community in the development and implementation of government policies, programs, projects, public works and services.

The information found on these pages is designed to assist members of the community and the government to work together to achieve improved decision-making on policies and programs. We encourage your feedback.

Latest News

Due 29 September 2008
Draft Noise Environment Protection Policy

he Environment Protection Authority (EPA) works with business and industry to protect the environment. The Draft Noise Environment Protection Policy published by the Department of Territory and Municipal Services is a public document and written submissions are invited from interested persons or organisations before COB 29 September 2008.

Any written submissions should be forwarded to:
Environment Protection Authority
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601

Due 1 September 2008
High Standards in ACT School Education

The quality of school education in the ACT is of the highest importance for our territory’s future. In February 2008, the Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr MLA launched a discussion paper on high standards in ACT school education to promote community debate on ways in which the ACT could maintain and enhance excellence in all ACT schools.

The paper proposed the establishment of an ACT School Standards Authority, built on the foundation of the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies. The paper proposed an independent body that would provide a cost-effective approach to quality assurance across both the public and non-government school sectors.

The paper that follows, together with a wider consultation process, will encourage debate on the functions of an ACT School Standards Authority and allow for the development of a preferred operational model. Input from educators and the wider community will assist the Government in its decisions on an ACT School Standards Authority.

If you would like to comment on the paper please see the Department of Education and Training website at www.det.act.gov.au or contact the school standards unit:

Contact
email: schoolstandards@act.gov.au
phone: (02) 6205 0352
fax: (02) 6205 9418

Public asked to comment on school leaving age

Consultation Closes on 31 October 2008

On August 18 2008 Minister for Education and Training Andrew Barr released a consultation paper outlining proposals for raising the ACT’s school leaving age.

Pathways to the future – a consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education, training and work asks young people, their parents, carers, teachers and the wider ACT community about raising the school leaving age above 15 years and how this may be best done. A copy of the paper is available at http://www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/30679/Pathways_to_the_Future.pdf

Interested parties are invited to comment. Comments on the options in this paper can be made by completing the Community Response Form available from the ACT Department of Education and Training website at www.det.act.gov.au Consultation closes on 31 October 2008.

Library Satisfaction Survey

Minister for Territory and Municipal Services John Hargreaves announced that satisfaction in ACT library services has increased.

There has been a particular increase in satisfaction in relation to opening hours Minister Hargreaves reports. "Following community consultation we made changes to library opening hours earlier this year. We have seen an increase in satisfaction in relation to opening hours from 88% to 96%. In addition, the mobile library service received 100% satisfaction, increasing from 89% since the last survey".

In 2007 and 2008, community surveys show that around six in 10 ACT residents are a member of ACT public libraries and use ACT library services. Library user satisfaction continues to be very high - around 90% satisfaction or more for each of the different services provided by ACT libraries.

Preparing Kingston and Dickson for the future

A re-elected Stanhope Government will fund new master plans to ensure the communities of Dickson and Kingston have better access to supermarkets and retail, transport, housing and parking.

The master plans will also establish control mechanisms to guide land release and redevelopment to ensure Kingston and Dickson remain safe, accessible, attractive, culturally rich, economically viable and ecologically sustainable into the future.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on the draft master plans once they are prepared, providing an opportunity for residents of Dickson and Kingston to have a say on the future of their regions.

ACT Accessible Public Transport Consultation - Consultative Forum

Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, John Hargreaves, today announced his support for the consultative workshop to update the Action Plan for Accessible Public Transport in the ACT.

The consultative workshop will be held for people with disabilities, carers, families and friends and will allow a forum for valuable community input.  The forum will endeavour to identify issues needing to be addressed as well as suggestions for improved access to the public transport system and services in the ACT.

Maunsell, Access Audits Australia and the Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) will be presenting the forum to be held on Monday 25 August from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Hughes Community Centre (Council on the Ageing), Wisdom St, Hughes.

For more information contact the Public Transport Policy Unit on:

Phone (02) 6207 1423
Fax (02) 6207 7160

Postal Address:
PO Box 151
Civic Square ACT 2608

Street Address:
Macarthur House
12 Wattle Street
Lyneham ACT 2602

The Canberra Plan

The ACT Government's vision for the future was outlined on August 11 2008 with the launch of the Canberra Plan - Towards Our Second Century.

Building on the original plan launched in 2004, Towards Our Second Century highlights the achievements of the past four years and outlines future priorities for the ACT Government including a new phase of community engagement on planning for the future. It is a starting point for a community conversation about the issues that go to the heart of who we are as a city - conversations about future urban form and sustainable transport, conversations about reducing our ecological footprint, and conversations about the implications of our shifting demographic.

Canberrans can comment on the plan by visiting Canberra Connect shopfronts or ACT Government Libraries, logging onto www.canberraplan.act.gov.au   or contacting Canberra Connect 13 22 81.

Portable Long Service Leave Scheme for the Community Sector

Community comment is invited on the proposed creation of a portable long service leave scheme for the community service sector in the ACT.

The ACT Government recognises that the community services sector is a vital industry in the Territory — performing a range of critical health and community services, and employing a significant portion of the workforce.

The proposed scheme will assist community service organisations to strengthen their capacity, sustainability and workforce retention.

The ACT Government, in partnership with Urbis invite written submissions from individuals, interest groups, industry and other stakeholders to put forward their views on the proposed scheme.

Portable Long Service Leave Scheme for the Community Sector discussion paper  395KB
Portable Long Service Leave Scheme for the Community Sector discussion paper  87KB

Written submissions may also be made to the ACT Office of Industrial Relations.

The closing date for submissions is COB on Monday 15 September 2008.

Inquiries about the discussion paper can be made by email to communityservicesplsl@act.gov.au or by phone to 6205 3095.

Information about the consultations with the community sector is available from the ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services on 6207 4434

Government engages with local community – Citizen Centred Governance

Canberrans are being asked to provide feedback to the Government on proposed reforms to the way Canberrans engage with government on its services

The Government is looking at ways to strengthen community consultation processes to improve the delivery of policies and services that benefit all Canberrans

The discussion paper and consultation details are available at www.cmd.act.gov.au/policystrategic 

Consultation into the Future Use of Community Sites

GHD Pty Ltd's consultation into the Future Use of Community Sites
GHD Pty Ltd has been engaged by the ACT Government to undertake the community consultation process on the future use of eight community sites.
The eight community sites are Cook, Weston Creek, Melrose (Chifley), Village Creek (Kambah), North Curtin, Holt, Mount Neighbour (Kambah) and Rivett.

GHD announced the beginning of its community consultation process on Friday 6 June and will report to Government on the community's views in mid August 2008.

Engagement Activities

Land Rent Scheme Information Sessions

Public information sessions for the ACT Government’s Land Rent Scheme are filling fast, with more sessions scheduled to meet the strong community interest.  The Scheme is an initiative under the ACT Government’s Affordable Housing Action Plan.

The first information session is already booked out and sessions scheduled for 21 July, 7 August and 4 September are filling fast.

The Land Rent Scheme, which commenced 1 July 2008, will allow low-to-moderate income households to rent instead of buy the land component of a house and land package — holding out the prospect of home ownership to low-to-moderate income earners.

For more information about the CIT information sessions, contact Libby Oakes-Ash from the Land Development Agency on 6205 4054, or by email at libby.oakes-ash@act.gov.au. Further information is available on the Land Development Agency website at http://www.lda.act.gov.au/?/home/residential/landrent

Attendance at the information session is compulsory for Canberrans wishing to access the Land Rent Scheme.

Ainslie Shops Upgrade
Ainslie Shops is to be upgraded in 2008 with funding of $1.6 million. The upgrade is a continuation of the suburban precincts refurbishment program, which commenced in 1995. Centres already refurbished include Holder, Griffith, Mawson, Higgins and Holt.
In the 2007/2008 financial year funding of $1.6 million has been made available to enable construction of the upgrade. A further $145,000 has been allocated for the creation of public artworks for the centre.
Copies of the sketch designs for the project are available at www.tams.act.gov.au.
A tender to complete construction design and to manage the construction process is planned to be let during September 2007. The construction works for the upgrade of Ainslie Shops are expected to commence in mid 2008. Works will be carefully planned to minimise impacts on businesses and users of the centre. As construction approaches plans and notices will be displayed at the shops to let people know what is happening. These will be updated as construction progresses.

Human Rights Commission 2008 Workshop Calendar
The Commission provides a fair and accessible process for dealing with complaints about discrimination, health services, disability services, services for older people, community services, and services for children and young people; as well as promoting service improvement and developing awareness in government, and the community, of human rights.
A part of promoting service improvement and developing awareness, the Commission runs a series of workshops on related topics.  All workshops are free.
For information on these workshops go to the Commission website  or telephone: (02) 6205 2222, Fax: (02) 6207 1034 or 6207 0587 or TTY: (02) 6207 0525

Requests for Comments

Due 12 September 2008
Social Isolation Amongst Older People in the ACT - Valuing and Including Our Seniors
As an older person, have you ever felt lonely, or felt that you were not being included in your community?

The ACT Office for Ageing has recently contracted Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia (CIRCA) to undertake research into social isolation amongst older people in the ACT. They will be looking at the older community generally, and also specifically at men and women over 60 years from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women over 50 years. As part of this research CIRCA is undertaking a public consultation on this important issue.

If you are experiencing social isolation as an older person, or know somebody who is, we would very much like to talk with you. For more information go to: http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/ageing/social isolation

Due 8 September 2008
Citizen Centred Governance

The Citizen Centred Governance discussion paper has been released for public comment.

Its recommendations are aimed at improving community engagement and feedback.

Comments on this document can be emailed to engage@act.gov.au 

The closing date for comments is 8 September 2008.

Due 23 August 2008
Towards more solar efficient housing

The Minister for Planning, Mr Andrew Barr has released an issues paper for public comment.

In March 2008, the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA) hosted a workshop including: government officers; sustainability experts from the community and the research and academic sectors; and industry representatives. The workshop aimed to identify issues pertaining to the solar efficiency of subdivision and housing. A number of options were identified at the workshop and additional comments were sought from participants. These ideas have been further developed by participants and included in this issues paper where possible.

The purpose of this paper is to seek further views from the community to inform future policy development.

Comments should be provided by 23 August 2008

Please provide your comments in writing to the ACT Planning and Land Authority.

ACT Planning and Land Authority
GPO BOX 1908
Canberra ACT 2601
Attention Craig Weller
Or by email to craig.weller@act.gov.au
If you need further information please contact Craig on (ph) 02 6207 1780

Engagement Feedback

Review of Philanthropy in the ACT

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged Urbis to undertake a review of the nature and extent of philanthropic giving in the ACT, with the aim of identifying its adequacy, trends, impediments and opportunities for growth.  The Report of the Review of Philanthropy in the Australian Capital Territory and the ACT Government's response to the report are now available.

Report of the Review of Philanthropy in the Australian Capital Territory  121kb
ACT Government's response to the report  1.9Mb

The Red Tape Review

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged MinterEllison Consulting to review administrative and regulatory requirements that apply to non-profit organisations in the ACT.  The aim of the Review was to identify any areas of unnecessary compliance burden that may be modified, reduced or removed to assist the efficiency and viability of the non-profit sector in the ACT.  The Report of the Review of Administrative Requirements of Non-profit Organisations in the ACT 2008 and the ACT Government's response to the report is now available.

Report of the Review of Administrative Requirements of Non-profit Organisations in the ACT 2008  378kb
ACT Government's response to the report  52kb

Review of ACT Government Concessions

The report of the Review of ACT Government Concessions was tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 1 April 2008 by Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Minister for Disability and Community Services. There are twenty-four findings in the report relating to ACT Government Concessions. These findings will influence future policy and program development for concessions, which assist eligible Canberrans to meet energy, water and sewerage charges, public transport, motor vehicle registration and other costs.

In its response, the ACT Government agreed with seven of the findings and noted seventeen findings. The ACT Government is seeking to achieve a more coordinated concession system in the ACT, within work that is focussed on improving the accessibility and promotion of concessions to the community.

Review of ACT Government Concessions  729kb
Review of ACT Government Concessions  518kb

ACT Government Response - Review of ACT Government Concessions  170kb
ACT Government Response - Review of ACT Government Concessions  227kb

ACT 2020 Summit 5 April 2008, Canberra  - May 2008
The Canberra 2020 Summit was held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on Saturday, 5th April 2008.
The theme of the Summit was "Innovation" in recognition that Canberra's core natural asset is its people. Approximately 300 people attended the Summit, including local and federal Members of Parliament, public servants, and members of community and interest groups.
The Summit was facilitated by Lynette Glendinning of PALM Consulting Group and this report was developed by PALM. Every effort has been made to ensure the ideas and proposals conveyed by Summit participants have been presented accurately and as they were intended. In some cases, actual words used have been included. 

Tharwa Bridge Community Consultation  - December 2007
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has announced that following community consultation and advice from experts, the ACT Government will retain the existing Tharwa Bridge and provide design construction to allow for general traffic to use the bridge. This will cost the ACT Government approximately $14 million. Feedback from the consultation and advice is available on the Territory and Municipal Services website at http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/about_our_department/community_engagement/tharwa_bridge_community_consultationblah

Territory and Municipal Services Community Satisfaction Survey 2007 
The main purpose of the survey was to determine members of the ACT community's level of satisfaction with a range of products and services offered by TAMS. This was the first whole-of-department survey undertaken since the formation of TAMS on 1 July 2006 and will be conducted twice a year. This survey will be used as a benchmarking tool to measure future customer satisfaction levels for TAMS.  A summary of the findings is available on the Territory and Municipal Services website at http://www.tams.act.gov.au/functions/about_our_department/community_engagement  under the heading of Community Engagement Feedback.

ACT Disability Service Delivery System 
The consultations conducted to date have covered a wide range of matters about the disability service delivery system in the ACT. The comments received so far have informed the development of the draft disability service system models proposed in the paper, The ACT Disability Service Delivery System: Proposed models derived from consultations September-November 2007. The models will form the basis of discussion at the concluding summit that will be held: This document is available on the Disability ACT website at http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/disability_act

Framework for response to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections 
The HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Sexually Transmissible Infections: A Strategic Framework for the ACT 2007-2012 has been released. This Framework confirms the ACT Government's commitment to improving the overall wellbeing of the community by working towards reducing the incidence and impact of these conditions.

Minister launches Palliative Care Strategy
ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher launched the ACT Palliative Care Strategy at Clare Holland House hospice. The strategy will provide direction for further strengthening palliative care services in the ACT.
Members of the ACT Palliative Care Strategy Working Group were instrumental in its development, as were members of the community and the palliative care sector who provided input and feedback on the draft strategy.

Unit Titles Act 2001
The Unit Titles Act 2001 is being reviewed. This legislation affects owners, tenants, owners corporations and managing agents of townhouses, shops, offices, dual occupancies and multi-storey residential apartments. Public meetings were held in August 2006 to help to inform the development of an issues paper. The issues paper (357KB) was available to comment during November 2006. An online survey was also run over several months during these consultation activities.

Framework paves way for Consumer/carer participation (Media release 31/07/07)
The view that consumers and carers had a right to participate in decision-making about mental health services they had accessed or would like to access is the main thrust of the Consumer Participation and Carer Participation Across Mental Health ACT - A Framework for Action launched by the ACT Minister for Health, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA.

Chief Minister releases health and environmental reports on Water2WATER  (Media release 19/7/07)

Exploring Regional Water Security Options  (Media release 11/7/07)

New Process for Restructured Territory Plan  (Media release 9/7/07)
ACT Minister for Planning Andrew Barr today announced a new process for the implementation of the new Territory Plan, with the appointment of an independent assessor and reference group to work with ACTPLA.

Target for 40% Reduction in Water Use for New Developments  (Media release 6/07/07)
Minister for Planning, Mr Andrew Barr, today released a new policy that will require all new developments and re-developments in the ACT to reduce mains water use by 40%.

Progress on Canberra Social Plan  (Media release 30/6/07)
The ACT Government has taken great strides forward in achieving the vision, goals and actions set out in Building Our Community - the Canberra Social Plan, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today. A copy of the report is available from the Chief Minister's Department website www.cmd.act.gov.au

Sports Grants Target Participation  (Media release 2/7/07)
This grants round sees $70,000 in funding being delivered for programs specifically targeting groups such as women, youth at risk, older populations, people with a disability and people from linguistically diverse backgrounds. A complete list of all funding recipients is available at www.tams.act.gov.au

ACT Legislative Assembly 2007 Redistribution  (Media release 29/6/07)
Objections to the proposed redistribution of the ACT Legislative Assembly's electoral boundaries are now available for public viewing.

Water2WATER Consultation Program - Thank you for your feedback
The Water2WATER consultation process closed on 22 June 2007. Over the past three months, ACTEW has received extensive feedback regarding the proposal to supplement Canberra’s water supply by purifying Canberra’s used water and adding this to the Cotter reservoir, which would also be enlarged.

Water - Contingency Plans Continue Despite Stage 4 Delay 

New Child & Family Centre assists Tuggeranong Families
The Centre was designed in consultation with the community, including local children.

Young People's Plan 2004-2008 Progress Report  260KB

Government Introduces New Dog and Cat Laws 

News and information on the ACT's new Youth Detention Centre

Parking at our public hospitals 
Pay parking at Canberra's public hospitals ended at 9pm Friday 25 May 2007.

Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Community Consultation—March 2007

Carers Recognition Grants

Launch of Human Rights Commission to strengthen ACT community 

2005 ACT Secondary Student Drug and Health Risk Survey Report Released 

Government's commitment to new schools going strong 
Planning and development work on the new Gungahlin College and the new West Belconnen P-10 school is well underway, with new phases of the construction of both schools about to begin.

2007 ACT International Women’s Day Awards

Change to Canberra Day Public Holiday from 2008

Pre-natal reporting legislation passed
The Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2006 (No.2) unanimously passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

ACT Budget 2006-2007 Mid Year Review

New Youth Detention Centre

Redevelopment of Lyons Estate 

Report released on Dragway (30kb)

2005-06 Progress Report on the Implementation of the Government Response to the Report on Review of Carers Legislation in the ACT
This reports progress on the implementation of the Government Response to the Report on Review of Carers Legislation in the ACT during 2005-06 and provides an update on the steps that are underway to introduce a Carers Recognition Legislation Amendment Bill to better support carers.

2005-06 Progress Report on the Implementation of Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-07
This is the second report on the implementation of the Caring for Carers in the ACT - A Plan for Action 2004-07. It reports progress made during 2005-06 and provides an overview of the key initiatives that are being undertaken across the ACT Government. This Report builds and extends the work that progressed the actions from the First Progress Report and takes stock of all the initiatives that are currently in operation that aim to improve the lives of carers in the community.

Second Report on Key Findings of the Review of the Children and Young People Act 1999

Towards 2020
Outcomes
Views of the community considered before making final decisions

Planning System Reform Project
New ACT planning legislation an Australian first

Draft ACT Multicultural Strategy 2006-2009
This document presents the outcomes of broad consultation with the ACT Community throughout 2005-06.

Amendments to the Children and Young People Act 1999 from 1 August 2006
On 1 August amendments to the Children and Young People Act 1999 came into effect. A number of these changes are intended to facilitate the partnership between the Office for Children Youth and Family support and other community services, making it easier for us to work together to protect children. In order to inform the community of these changes, a News and Information brochure is now available.

Kingston Variation 256 tabled
22 August 2006
Planning Minister Simon Corbell has tabled a Variation to the Territory Plan designed to address issues arising from Kingston’s transformation over recent years into a Group Centre with a significant leisure and entertainment focus.
“The changes in Variation 256 are aimed at achieving a balance between the concerns of nearby residents about the incompatibility of adjoining commercial land uses and maintaining the ongoing economic and social vitality of the Group Centre,” Mr Corbell said.
“Draft Variation 256 was prepared in response to community concerns regarding the potential for the intensity of some businesses to have an adverse impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.
“The major changes proposed in the Variation are new precinct boundaries that do not allow club, drink establishments, service stations and indoor entertainment facilities in the area abutting the residential areas. These new precinct boundaries and land use restrictions establish an appropriate buffer between the higher activity parts of the commercial centre and residential properties.”
Mr Corbell said Draft Variation 256 attracted 25 written comments when the ACT Planning and Land Authority publicly notified it in March 2005.

ACT Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan 2003-2008
Mid Term Progress Report 2006

Report on consultations with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community

Towards a Sustainable Community Services Sector in the ACT - Report of the Community Sector Taskforce
The Community Sector Taskforce (Taskforce) was established in April 2005 and reported in March 2006. The Taskforce report, 'Towards a Sustainable Community Services Sector in the ACT', considers a range of industrial relations matters identified as impacting on the community sector. These matters include funding, conditions of employment, recruitment and retention, occupational health and safety and industrial relations advice. This is the Final Report of the Taskforce.

Canberra 100 - Celebration of a Century Consultation Report

2005 Ministerial Multicultural Summit
A booklet, The Way Forward, summarising the issues raised at the Multicultural Summit is available electronically. For a hard copy of the booklet please call 6207 6014 (DHCS).

Engagement Hints

How do I contact the hard to reach?

Some ideas for involving hard to reach groups in the community such as young, homeless and isolated people are: to use hotlines; to find out how the group information network works and piggy back on it (eg a bulletin where they go to get their milk and bread); and to go where they gather and talk to them.

For a project report on community consultation and the hard to reach see Community consultation and the hard to reach: local government, social profiling and civic infrastructure

Why do community engagement?

Both the community and the government decision-makers need to fully understand the problem or opportunity and the available options if an acceptable solution is to be found.
Effective community engagement facilitates community and government understanding and improves decisions by bringing all perspectives to the table, resulting in more sustainable decisions.
Engaging the community in government decision-making allows the decision-makers to incorporate the community’s fears, concerns, needs and desires into the decision process.
It helps government to identify critical issues early, with the result that government resources are used more efficiently in the long term.
It garners public support for the final decision, and decisions that are widely supported by the community tend to be sustainable.

Using the online engagement calendar

The calendar on this website provides community access to details of formal community engagement activities conducted by the ACT Government.

The calendar is also a planning tool for ACT Government officers to use to assess community availability when scheduling their engagement activities.

So don’t forget to submit details of your engagement activities so that the calendar will be a useful community and government resource.

Please submit your engagement activities online or email details to ceu@act.gov.au