Neighbourhood Watch

Hackett Newsletter
***Electronic Copies of the Newsletter***
www.nhwact.com.au & http://northcanberra.org.au/ September, 2009
Hackett Community Association Emergency 000
Attendance 13 1444
Annual General Meeting Crimestoppers 1800 333 000
Tuesday, 22 September 2009, 7.30 to 9.00pm Enquiries 6256 7777
St. Margaret’s Church Hall Chair, Newsletter Coordinator
Dorothy Mackenzie, 6248 9281
Please come along at 7.00pm to join the Association or to renew your Mackenzie2602@optusnet.com.au
membership before the official beginning of the meeting at 7.30pm. Newsletter editor
Agenda item: Change of the HCA constitution re membership. To view the Jochen Zeil: jzeil@bigpond.net.au
constitution visit the Hackett website at Treasurer
http://northcanberra.org.au/suburbs/hackett/hackett-community-association/ Pat MacNamara, 6249 1669
Come along, have your say, be part of your local community association and Engraver
Hillig Volker, 6257 0506
North Canberra Community Council Meeting Deadline for next newsletter:
Saturday September 26, 2009
Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 7.30 pm
Sponsorship and distribution of this Newsletter
ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland Street is authorized by NHWatch ACT Inc. Ass’n.
Guest speakers
(1) Edwina Richardson, Urban Waterways Coordinator, will discuss three Friends of Mount Majura
urban wetland developments in the Inner North at Banksia St, O'Connor
(construction commences late 2009); at Dickson; and at Lyneham Spring Wildflower Walk
(2) Caroline Le Couteur MLA, ACT Greens, Member for Molonglo will Sunday, 11 October 2009
discuss the Hot Water Bill recently passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly. Celebrate the beginning of spring and
See http://northcanberra.org.au/ see out winter with a wildflower walk in
All welcome. the Mount Majura nature reserve. Join
local botanist Michael Doherty and
explore the floriade of spring on the
Friends of Mount Majura mountain. Please bring a gold coin
Horehound Blitz donation for a list of the flora of Mt Majura
Join the Friends of Mount Majura for second horehound massacre and Mt Ainslie or download a copy from
When: Sunday, 20 September, from 9am to 1pm the “Species lists” page of the FoMM
Where: Meet at the Hackett reservoir off Rivett / French Streets website at www.majura.org.
What to bring and wear: Enclosed footwear, preferably household gloves When: Sunday, 11 October 2009, 2pm-
with long cuffs or garden gloves, a weeding tool such as trowel, small mattock 4pm
or hoe. Densely woven clothing is recommended to reduce the attachment of Where: Meet at Helms Place off Rivett
burrs; please do not wear woollen clothing as you will look like a hedgehog after Street in Hackett
the weeding. Tea and coffee will be provided. Bring: Sun protection and water, and
On our working bee in August we made a big in-road on horehound and opened magnifying glass if you have one
passages between the National Tree Day 2009 planting site and the drain line Enquiries: phone 6247 7515 or e-mail
planted with a corridor of shrubs earlier in the year. We hope to clear the area of admin@majura.org.
weeds over time by working from the edges of horehound infested sites. If
No booking required
rabbit numbers can be kept at a low level and with some more assistance we
should see the area regenerating from a degraded paddock to a beautiful
native habitat for the furry and feathered friends.
Carers wanted for National Tree Day plantings: Please contact me if you The attractive
can help looking after the seedlings. The task involves walking the area from flowers of
time to time, perhaps once a week, and securing any dislocated stakes. Tiger orchids
Many thanks. Waltraud Pix, FoMM co-ordinator are found on
Ph: 62477515 or Email: admin@majura.org. Mount Majura
from end of
Neighbourhood Watch Dinner September to
the middle of
ACT Neighbourhood Watch will be holding a dinner at the Helenic Club on 23 October
September at 7 pm to celebrate its 25th anniversary of operations. (Photograph:
Please ring Dorothy McKenzie (6248 9281) or Patrick McNamara (6249 1669) W. Pix).
if you would like to join the Hackett contingent at the event.
 An update on the contamination within the Mt Majura and Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve
In May this year, Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) discovered bonded asbestos (e.g. small pieces of fibro
sheeting) across the lower western slopes of Mt Majura and Mt Ainslie within the Nature Reserves behind the suburbs
of Hackett, Ainslie and Campbell. It appears that this contaminated building material may have been dumped in the
reserve many years ago.
TAMS has since employed a contractor to clean up the majority of the contaminated material. In keeping with the
Environment Protection Authority and ACT Health's recommendations for this site, TAMS has also employed a
consultant to develop a draft management plan for the area.
The majority of the reserve is open to the public, however, there are a few smaller sites (that are barriered off with red
coloured webbing and clear signage) that require further remedial works. Contaminated material contains low levels of
bonded asbestos and is classified as low risk. The remedial works at these smaller sites may include the removal of
contaminated fill with machinery.
If members of the public see material that may contain asbestos (e.g. fibro sheeting) within urban open space or a
nature reserve, they should notify Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. Canberra Connect will collect the relevant
information and pass it onto the appropriate authority.
It is important members of the public do not handle any material that may appear to be asbestos, nor should they
venture within the taped off areas. Parents should ensure children are kept clear of the taped off areas at all times.
Anyone wishing to obtain further health related information regarding asbestos should contact
ACT Health on 6205 1700 from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

INNER NORTH COMMUNITY FAIR

Sunday, 20 September 2009, 11am-3pm
Banksia St. O’Connor
Planned Wetland Display - Eco Stuff & Eco Advice - Sustainability Organizations & Programs -
Local & Organic Food - Vibrant Entertainers - Children Activities - Volunteering Opportunities
Contact: www.environment.act.gov.au/water

NEW TRAFFIC PRESSURES IN NORTH CANBERRA EXPECTED

Residents of Hackett and other inner north Canberra suburbs can expect a major increase in traffic in their suburbs
unless new local traffic arrangements are developed. That was a key message delivered by Mr Tony Gill in his
presentation to the North Canberra Community Council on 19 August. Mr Gill, Director of Roads ACT, outlined a
number of major traffic developments that will affect North Canberra residents in different ways.
Extension of Sandford Road: Plans are being developed to extend Sandford Road in Mitchell through to the Antill
Street/ Federal Highway roundabout. This will provide access to the Federal Highway from the new suburb of Kenny
(to be developed shortly) and also from Mitchell.
Mr Gill acknowledged that this is likely to lead to increased traffic on Antill Street and therefore on roads through North
Canberra suburbs generally. He said he did not expect that this would result in widening Antill Street. He also stated
that the increased traffic volume would need to be addressed through local traffic arrangements. In the case of
Hackett he thought that the installation of traffic lights at the Majura Ave/ Phillip Ave intersection would help to remove
the incentive for drivers to take a shortcut through Hackett. The traffic lights did not, however, receive any funding in
the most recent ACT Budget and a proposal is being developed for the next budget round, although there is no
certainty that funding will be allocated.
The Hackett Community Association is very concerned about this increased volume of traffic. While traffic lights may
assist, there is no guarantee of funding and other local traffic arrangements need to be discussed.
Majura Parkway: The realignment of Majura Parkway (currently Majura Road) will link the Federal and Monaro
highways; provide increased access to and from Gungahlin and access to Canberra airport. The need for the
upgrade has been primarily generated by the expansion of Gungahlin and the development of office space at the
airport. Prior to the construction of Horse Park Drive, there were 5,000 vehicles per day along Majura Road. This has
now increased to 18,000 a day. The Parkway will have capacity for 40,000 a day.
The realignment has been controversial because it will impact on bike riders using Majura Pines, on the girl guides
facility and on Mt Majura Nature Reserve. The realignment is being justified by a future High Speed Train route
connecting to the airport rather than the city. In its submission on the Parkway, the North Canberra Community
Council argued that any future train should connect cities to cities, not airports to airports. Roads ACT is currently
revising the Environment Impact Statement about the Parkway in light of the comments it has received and intends to
resubmit it by the end of September.
Cycle paths: Mr Gill also said that Roads ACT (which has responsibility for cycle paths) has commissioned a
consultant to work on future development of cycle paths. They are keen to hear from residents and from local
associations about their priorities for cycle paths in North Canberra. The Hackett Community Association has raised
the possibility of a cycle path going from Hackett to Civic behind Ainslie in the Nature Park.
If you have any views on this, or any other ideas, please raise them at the Hackett Community Association
AGM advertised in this newsletter.
 ACT POLICING MEDIA RELEASE
Project Safe Plate a
resounding success

More than 650 vehicles in Canberra

are better protected against registration
plate theft following the success of a
community partnership project
involving ACT Policing and Westfield
Woden yesterday (Sunday, August 23).
Project Safe Plate was held in the
Neptune St car park, almost directly
across from the Woden Police Station,
for four hours from 11am yesterday.
The program involved the removal of
conventional screws which retain
vehicle registration plates and their free
replacement with tamper-proof screws.
The safety screws are a “one-way”
design which requires a special tool for
removal. The tool is held at all ACT
police stations.
A Message from the President.
Westfield purchased the tamper-proof
Dear Members of ACT NHW screws and provided the venue while
As you are aware the Annual General Meeting of ACT NHW was held last ACT Policing provided the “manpower”
Thursday and for your information I have set out below details of the newly and also used the occasion to engage
elected Board of Management. A copy of this including contact details will be with the community and present its
posted on the website in the near future. latest crime prevention and road safety
awareness materials and programs.
Unfortunately Ursula Macdermott was unable to attend the AGM due to ill
health but our appreciation for her outstanding contribution to NHW over the More than 50 ACTP officers, recruits
last 25 years and in particular for the last six years as President of the and volunteers were kept busy over the
Association was recorded with acclamation. four hours, with the queue of cars at
one period stretching to Corinna Street
It was gratifying to see so many of you at the meeting as well as nine police in Phillip.
officers. The guest speaker, Commander Bruce Hill Deputy CPO - Response,
outlined some of his work history and spoke about various aspects of ACT South District Superintendent Lesa
Policing; the need for ACT Police to engage and work with the community and Gale, whose General Duties officers at
the close working relationship with NHW which ACT Policing believes in and Woden Station developed and
continues to support whole heartedly. organised Project Safe Plate, said the
outcome was excellent and extended
The Board of Management is looking forward to the various challenges an her thanks to staff and volunteers who
Association such as ours must meet and to an interesting couple of years. assisted, as well as all those motorists
We also look forward to better communication with our members and if you who took advantage of the opportunity
have anything you would like us to consider or any ideas for the betterment of to assist police in preventing crime.
the Association, please do not hesitate to contact me.
MICHELLE MORELL
My best wishes to you all - Margaret MEDIA & MARKETING ASSISTANT
Margaret Pearson, President ACT POLICING
ACT NHW Inc (Association) Tel +61(0) 2 62567753 Ext 161753
GPO Box 1047 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Fax +61(0) 2 62567466;
Phone: 02 6286 8613; Mobile: 0414 628 686 www.afp.gov.au

President Margaret Pearson

Deputy President Graeme Hush ***** NEW NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEEDED *****
Vice President - North Clare McGrath
The present editor of the Hackett neighbourhood newsletter,
Vice President - South Brian Schiller
Jochen Zeil, is due to retire at the end of 2009. We therefore
Secretary Ruth Oldfield
need a new editor. Anyone with some computer skills, with a
Public Officer Christine Coulthard
concern for the welfare of our Hackett community and a few
District Officers:
hours a month to spare, please do consider getting involved.
Belconnen (David Ault, Matthew Watts)
Canberra North (Mick Motion-wise)
Gunghalin (Christine Coulthard) Please ring Jochen Zeil (6247 7515); Dorothy McKenzie (6248
Tuggeranong (Nick Tsoulias) 9281) or Patrick McNamara (6249 1669) if you would like to
Weston Creek (Lex Clark) discuss what is involved or if you consider becoming newsletter
Woden (Shirley Lithgow) editor.
DAVID MCREYNOLDS
Your local Plumber (Lic.No 662)
NO CALL OUT FEE FOR
HACKETT CUSTOMERS
For all your plumbing,
draining and gas-fitting needs
Blocked Drains Extensions
Maintenance New Work
Repairs
98 Rivett Street HACKETT
Phone: 6247 8464
Mobile: 0418 160 521
ENAMEL PAINTERS,
MAINTENANCE AND
DECORATORS
For all your painting and
maintenance
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
Obligation free quotes
call Stratos Parascus on
0413086348 or 62577752
40 Rivett Street
cdixon@peterblackshaw.com.au
Open Tues, Wed, Fri;
9 am—5pm
Garment
Altering & Repairing
Service
open seven days
20 Gilbert Street
Hackett
Watson Pharmacy
QCPP accredited
Pharmacy needs
Post Office, Newsagency, Gifts
Hire: Wheel chairs, walking frames
Scripts: Free pick-up & delivery
Seniors' Discount
Open: 8.30 to 6.00 (Mon-Fri)
8.30 to 12.30 (Sat)
Pharmacy: 62411506 Post Office: 62411505
Fax: 6241 3787
cdixon@peterblackshawdickson.com.au
Meg's Toy Box:
a volunteer-run community toy library,
provides toys at a minimal hire fee for
children up to 6 years of age.
Hours: Wed 10am-noon, Sat 2pm-4pm.
Located at the back of St Margaret's Uniting
Church, corner Antill St and Phillip Ave,
Hackett.
Phone Helen 0416 568 024, or just drop in.
Ailean OnLine
PC’s; LAPTOP’S; SERVERS; NETWORKS
ADVICE, REPAIRS, DESIGN & HELP
Broadband, Internet phones (VoIP)
Office or Home Networks
37 Years experience. Business established 17 years.?
P: 6101 8362
F: 6161 4758
E: Sales@ailean.com.au
OFFICE: 18 Bragg Street HACKETT
Northside Electrics Pty Ltd
? Ceiling Lights ? Garages
? Exhaust Fans ? Extensions
NO CALL OUT FEE FOR HACKETT CUSTOMERS
All work Guaranteed 80 Rivett St
Hackett ACT 2602
Nev Davis (02) 6249 1949
Licensed Contractor 0412 741 172
BRAY FENCING
Chainwire Colorbond
Wanted: Zone Leaders
Flagpoles Rural Fencing Hackett Neighbourhood Watch
Fully Insured Free Quotes
needs people to volunteer as zone leaders
and to fill temporary vacancies while zone
324 Antill St Hackett ACT leaders are sick or on holidays. The job is
(since 1965) easy, and involves delivering newsletters to
P (02) 6248 0303 between 20 and 30 homes once a month.
M 0428 480 303 To volunteer, please contact
F (02) 6249 8228 Dorothy on 6248 9281 or
brayfencing@bigpond.com Patrick on 6249 1669.