Neighbourhood Watch

Hackett Newsletter
***Electronic Copies of the Newsletter***
www.nhwact.com.au & http://northcanberra.org.au/ October, 2009
Hackett Community Association Emergency 000
Attendance 13 1444
Meeting Crimestoppers 1800 333 000
Tuesday, 20 October 2009, 7.30 to 9.00pm Enquiries 6256 7777
ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland Street Chair, Newsletter Coordinator
Dorothy Mackenzie, 6248 9281
http://northcanberra.org.au/suburbs/hackett/hackett-community-association/
Mackenzie2602@optusnet.com.au
Come along, have your say, be part of your local community association
Newsletter editor
and help to shape the future of Hackett.
Jochen Zeil: jzeil@bigpond.net.au
Treasurer
North Canberra Community Council Meeting Pat MacNamara, 6249 1669
Meeting on Engraver
Hillig Volker, 6257 0506
Pedestrian and Cycle Infrastructure Review Deadline for next newsletter:
Wednesday, 21 October 2009, 7.30 pm Saturday October 24, 2009
ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland Street Sponsorship and distribution of this Newsletter
is authorized by NHWatch ACT Inc. Ass’n.

Guest Speaker
Russell Yell Friends of Mt Majura (FoMM)
Senior Transport Engineer, Cardno Woody Weeds Working
Party
All welcome! This is your opportunity to directly input to the Sunday, 18 October from
infrastructure schemes for cycling and walking improvements in North 9.00am to noon
Canberra. Meet at the nature park entrance
See http://northcanberra.org.au/ for details between 85 and 87 Mackenzie Street
opposite Hull Place and Russell Street.
ABC NEWS COVERAGE OF TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN Friends of Mt Majura (FoMM) will hold
HACKETT a working party to remove woody
On 17 September ABC radio and TV news ran stories on the "rat-running" weeds that grow at the lower slope of
problem in Hackett. Mount Majura behind Mackenzie
Street.
James Walker, Chair of the Hackett Community Association, was interviewed
about the congestion through the suburb caused by commuter traffic - All woody weeds growing in the nature
particularly at the Phillip Ave/Majura Ave intersection. reserve are escapes from gardens and
urban public land.
Tony Gill, the Director of Roads ACT, was also interviewed, and he noted that
the problem was likely to get worse with the extension of Sandford St to the Come along, enjoy a cuppa and give
Federal Highway. as little or as much time as you want.
He said that this reinforced the need to come up with solutions for the Please bring sun protection, enclosed
Phillip/Majura intersection. It was noted, however, that there is no possibility of foot wear and body-covering clothing.
Government funding until next financial year. Equipment and morning tea will be
provided by us; information on weeds
The full ABC media clip can be seen on the North Canberra CommunityCouncil
will be available.
website (http://northcanberra.org.au/ - scroll down until you get to the story)
Enquiries: phone 6247 7515 or
If you are interested in issues related to traffic in Hackett, come to the
e-mail to admin@majura.org
Hackett Community Association meetings. Next meeting see above.

***** NEW NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEEDED *****

The present editor of the Hackett neighbourhood newsletter, Jochen Zeil, is due to retire at the end of 2009. We
therefore need a new editor. Anyone with some computer skills, with a concern for the welfare of our Hackett
community and a few hours a month to spare, please do consider getting involved.
Please ring Jochen Zeil (6247 7515); Dorothy McKenzie (6248 9281) or Patrick McNamara (6249 1669) if you would
like to discuss what is involved or if you consider becoming newsletter editor.
 INNER NORTH COMMUNITY FAIR
We would like to thank you for your contribution to the success of the Inner
North Community Fair on Sunday, 20 September. The aims of the Fair were
to raise awareness of the proposed wetland development at the Banksia
Street site and to showcase a range of environmental products and
initiatives available to the local community. Over 50 organisations
participated on the day. Highlights included the smoking ceremony
performed by Wiradjuri Echoes, daleks spreading ecological messages and
a clothes swap organised by ACT otherwise.
The support for the wetland was overwhelming. On the day sixty people
signed up to become wetland carers. The Fair attracted media interest
making the front cover of the City Chronicle. We look forward to further
developing the Inner North Community Fair concept further for the proposed
wetlands in Dickson and Lyneham.
Thank you again for your participation.
Barbara Chevalier (For the Inner north SEE-Change group); Edwina Richardson (Urban Waterways Coordinator,
Dept of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water); Bonnie Reynolds (Catchment Coordinator, Ginninderra
Catchment Group) Contact: www.environment.act.gov.au/water

Mountain Matters: Explaining Change in the Mount Majura Nature Reserve

For those of you who walk in Mount Majura Nature Reserve (MMNR), this information may be of interest. When next
you walk past the Lower Hackett Reservoir, you will notice a new and unusual fenced area just behind the reservoir on
the right hand side of the green Reserve notice board. This fenced area is another example of the Friends of Mount
Majura (FoMM) at work on behalf of the Hackett community. Here is what it is all about.
FoMM successfully applied for a grant from the ACT Government for the fencing costs of a small project, which while
designed by the parkCare group, has the support of the Park Rangers. This project is designed to provide information
and insight into how two factors affect the landscapes of Mount Majura that we enjoy so much.
What is this information, and why is it needed? It is needed to answer two questions that often occur to anyone who
regularly enjoys walking in MMNR, and who notices how the landscape changes. We all walk past the signs that
declare one of the objectives of MMNR is to “protect the grassy woodlands” within its boundaries. That is, it is not just
the woodland trees are to be protected, but also the ground layer of grasses and wildflowers. In contrast to the tree
layer, which changes little over periods of years, the ground layer can change a lot within months. Our memories of the
details of such change, when, what and how much, is far from perfect. But, repeated photographs can capture any
change, refresh our memories and often generate some surprise.
For example, in this the area behind the reservoir, 2005 photographs show an abundance of native grasses where
there are none now in 2009. The question is: why the big change in the grassy layer, and is this change permanent?
One can quickly think of two plausible reasons for this change. The first is seasonal (year-to-year) variation in rainfall.
Most grasses respond best to summer rain, while forbs, and some grasses, respond best to winter rain. Because the
rainfall during the last few years has been very low, that is why there are so few grasses and forbs now. The other
possible reason is grazing pressure. While MMNR is protected from grazing by sheep and cattle, there has been no
management of grazing by kangaroos and rabbits. In the last few years, populations of both these grazers have
increased, and because rainfall has been low, their grazing impacts on the ground layer are greater than before.
Either of these reasons is persuasive. Most likely they act together, but which is more important? If we don't know
which, then how can MMNR be effectively managed? The matter can't be decided because we have only opinions but
no data: while the rainfall was recorded, there are no measurements of kangaroo and rabbit populations. Opinions,
even if based on experience, are no substitute for facts.
Returning to the FoMM project. It cannot contribute understanding of the past four years but over the next few years, it
will provide an answer to the question: what is the most important influence on the grassy layer within MMNR seasonal
rainfall variation or grazing by kangaroos and rabbits? The areas being fenced will do this by working as a sieve. Two
plots of land will be fenced: one to exclude both kangaroos and rabbits, the other just kangaroos. Nearby is another
plot that is unfenced. All three plots will receive the same rainfall but different grazing regimes.
Thus, by erecting these two small fenced areas and photographically recording the change within them, FoMM
volunteers will demonstrate the relative influence of rainfall variability, and kangaroos and rabbits on the diversity and
abundance of the ground layer. The changes will also be obvious to the interested walker because you will be free to
walk around each plot and closely examine them. The fencing will be temporary: established and recorded for 5 years,
then removed and the subsequent change monitored for a further 3 years. Furthermore, any interested public in
MMNR will be provided with an informative and dynamic demonstration of how and why the vegetated landscape
changes. FoMM members hold that the increased understanding that can develop from this simple demonstration
project will enhance public appreciation of the value of Mount Majura Nature Reserve, and of all other ACT Parks and
Reserves.
We hope you will keep an eye on the project. If you wish to be involved, please contact the FoMM coordinator
Waltraud Pix at admin@majura.org or Phone 62477515.
 Did You Know?

At the last NCCC meeting, Caroline

Le Couteur gave backround
information on the ACT Green’s Hot
Water Bill. The diagrams below are
from her presentation.
Greenhouse gas emissions
from home energy use
(Baseline Energy Estimates 2008)
Cooking
5% Standby
5%

Water Lighting
heating 11%
23%

Other Refrigeration
appliances 12%
24% Heating
&
Excerpts from Chief Minister Jon Stanhope's Speech Cooling
20%
to the Neighbourhood Watch 25th Anniversary Dinner
on 23 September 2009
Average running costs for different hot water systems

“Neighbourhood Watch is grounded in something that goes to the core of

who we are as a social species; the desire for safe homes, safe streets,
caring neighbourhoods, good neighbours.” So said Jon Stanhope, Chief
Minister, in his keynote speech at the dinner held to celebrate twenty-five
years of Neighbourhood Watch operations in the ACT. Mr Stanhope also
credited the success of Neighbourhood Watch to its partnership with ACT
Police, which he described as the best in Australia.
“Over the past two and a half decades there have been hundreds of
domestic and commercial break-ins foiled, thanks to the men and women of
Neighbourhood Watch. And probably no-one can accurately calculate how Figures from ACT Government’s HEAT program
many would-be thieves have been deterred from trying their luck by the
presence of the Neighbourhood Watch logo staring down from a street sign
or from the side of a rubbish bin. In addition, through its newsletters
Neighbourhood Watch provides householders across the city with useful
information about things they can do at home and in their yards to reduce
their own personal risk of becoming a victim of crime.”
Mr Stanhope said it was always heartening Government to see the statistics
heading in the right direction, and that's what they're doing at present. “The
latest Criminal Justice Statistical Profile shows substantial falls in most of the
major categories of crime across the Territory including sexual crimes,
burglary, break and enter, robbery, motor vehicle theft and weapons
offences. Motor vehicle theft fell by 12.2% and weapons offences by 17.1%
in the latest year of data.”
The Australian Federal Police
“Just to give you a sense of the extent to which ACT Policing depends on the celebrates 30 Years of Service to the
help of the public, since the Crime Stoppers 1800 number was established, Australian Community and you are
almost 700 arrests have been made as a result of calls from members of the cordially invited.
public, almost 2000 charges have been laid, $870,000 worth of property has
been recovered and drugs with a street value of almost $16 million have The AFP will be proudly celebrating this
been seized.” important milestone with an Open Day
featuring displays, demonstrations and
Mr Stanhope concluded his speech by congratulating everyone who has information sessions that will share the
been involved in Neighbourhood Watch over the past two and a half AFP story.
decades, and thanking them on behalf of the Canberra community. He
acknowledged the problems overcome to ensure the survival of NHW in When: Sunday 18 October 2009,
difficult times past, and credited it with a renaissance in the present, with its 10:00am to 4:00pm
expansion in new areas of Canberra and its rejuvenation in older suburbs. Where: The AFP International Training
To support this revival, Mr Stanhope said the Government has committed Complex, Majura road, ACT
$20, 000 a year to Neighbourhood Watch each of the next four years. Parking available on site.
Patrick MacNamara See www.afp.gov.au for details
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.