Public Issues

Canberra 2030 “Time to Talk” report now out

Check out the Time to Talk Canberra 2030 Outcomes Report!
The Outcomes Report from the Time to Talk Canberra 2030 consultation has been released. The Report is available at the Belconnen Library and Canberra Connect Shopfronts or you can view the Report online at www.canberra2030.org.au

If you would like a hard copy of the Report please call 6207 6457 or email communicationsandengagement@act.gov.au

TravelSmart

The TravelSmart - Belconnen project is a large-scale Voluntary Travel Behaviour Change Project intended to encourage the use of healthier, more sustainable transport modes. read more....

One-stop health centre for

North West Belconnen now open

Plans for a one-stop medical, health and wellbeing centre for north west Belconnen were unveiled at a public meeting at Charnwood Primary School, on (21 February 2006).

The proposal for a co-operative medical practice operating in synergy with government and private sector health and allied health services, was presented by the West Belconnen Community Health Committee and widely welcomed by around 80 local residents, community group representatives, politicians, government officers, doctors and health and allied heath care professionals, attending.

“The overwhelming support at the public meeting has provided a launching pad for an innovative centre, providing not only bulk-billing GPs but a range of other early intervention, health and wellbeing services, to meet the needs of west Belconnen,” according to Committee Chairperson, Roger Nicoll

“Health promotion, physiotherapy, child and maternal health, counselling and support groups, nutrition and exercise programs, pathology and mental health support are examples of the sort of things that the centre could include and we have made good progress towards partnerships in many of those areas.”

“The Committee is thrilled by the continued strong support across all sectors which means we have the very real prospect of community, government and private sector working together to deliver a leading edge centre over this and coming years.

The Committee announced that, following an independent assessment of the potential sites for such a centre, the Committee has selected a self-contained section of the old Charnwood High School off Cartwright Street. The building is managed as a community and business centre by Life Projects Ltd on behalf of the Canberra Christian Life Centre church which also meets in part of the building.

“The old high school was the most financially viable option but it had added benefits including opportunities for expansion, nearby meeting and function rooms as well as possibilities for partnerships with existing tenants such as the Charity Computers, work for the dole and the Re-runs clothing and opportunity shop,” according to Committee member, Peter White.

Negotiations to raise the $515,000 required to fit-out the building, supply equipment and furnishings and enough capital to open the doors are underway with government, business and community sectors, according to Committee Secretary and Treasurer, Michael Pilbrow.

“To put the start-up cost into perspective, that’s about the cost of a five bedroom home in many Canberra suburbs, and when you think that our target population is close to 22,000 people, that’s a relatively small investment per person for a health initiative with this sort of potential.”

These announcement were made as the Committee reported back to the community the results of its Community Health Survey, and the findings of detailed demographic and health needs research as part of a recently finalised Feasibility Study and Business Plan.

Independent feasibility consultant, David Bailey of Professional Management Solutions declared the proposed operation viable with two or three full-time equivalent medical practitioners, support staff and allied health facilities.
“Based upon the size of the population and the number of doctors in the area, the north west Belconnen operation would be fully viable and sustainable and the Ginninderra Medical and Dental Practice at the town centre would have little or no impact on that viability,” Mr Bailey said.

The next steps towards the implementation of the centre are a formation meeting in mid March, of the community co-operative to run the centre, continued sponsorship and partnership negotiations and a membership drive run in association with the Charny Carnival on March 25.

Contacts

For more information or a membership application:

Email: mailto:info@westbelconnenhealth.coop
Phone: (02) 6258 9354
Postal: West Belconnen Health Co-operative Ltd
PO Box 6865
Charnwood ACT 2615

http://www.westbelconnenhealth.coop/

For more details on the North West Belconnen Health Centre Committee Click here

Leap into Frogwatch!

Learn about the fascinating world of frogs, how to identify different species,
and help protect these precious creatures and their habitats.

Frogwatch is an exciting community activity open to everyone with an interest in frogs. Frogwatch aims to involve large numbers of volunteers of all ages to undertake frog monitoring in the ACT and Region. It’s fun and it’s free!

Contact details for the Ginninderra Catchment Group:
Ginninderra Catchment Group
Kippax Health Centre
PO box 446, Holt
ACT, 2615
6278 3309
Shelley Cooper, Catchment Coordinator: landcare@ginninderralandcare.org.au
Rachelle McConville, Waterwatch and Frogwatch Coordinator: waterwatch@ginninderralandcare.org.au

Canberra's most wanted: can you identify these persons Click here They have committed serious crimes. The AFP are seeking your help.

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