Page 567 - Week 02 - Thursday, 9 March 2006
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almost all of the parks were very attractively presented, clean and well maintained. This is a significant achievement, considering it is estimated that over 10 million people visited town and district parks in 2005.
The recommendations arising out of the usage and satisfaction survey are being considered as part of the ongoing management of Canberra’s urban parks and open spaces. Canberra has over 450 playgrounds dotted throughout the region. Many of these were built when the suburbs were first developed, so it is important that we have a program in place to ensure they meet high safety standards. The government is already undertaking a systematic upgrade of all playground equipment across Canberra in order to bring it up to the new Australian standards. This playground safety program also helps to ensure that children have safe and interesting places to enjoy themselves.
The ACT government has either initiated or supports several programs aimed at raising public awareness to address the issue of littering and pollution of waterways. These include Landcare; Adopt-a-Road—which includes businesses—adopt a wetland; clean up Australia Day; a second butt-free city campaign, in conjunction with the Butt Littering Trust; a campaign targeting illegal dumping at charity collection bins; and the targeting of litter and dumping in public laneways in Civic and main shopping centres. The government is participating in the Keep Australia Beautiful sustainable cities program. In addition, the new Litter Act introduced in September 2004 provides a more effective piece of legislation to prevent littering and supports these programs. Our urban rangers and police utilise this legislation and can issue on-the-spot fines ranging from $60 to $1,000 to offenders.
The government has also been proactive in managing graffiti across the city. Following extensive public consultation, the government introduced a graffiti management strategy for Canberra in 2004. Rather than being reactive, the new strategy contains five main elements to achieve a proactive role in graffiti management. It seeks to strike a balance between prevention, removal, diversion, community awareness, education and legislation. This strategy will reduce the cost of graffiti removal to the ACT government and the community.
As a result of the drought, extensive efforts have been made to regularly water some 18,000 young street and park trees throughout Canberra to ensure their survival during the extended dry conditions. The drought has had a serious impact on urban street and park trees throughout Canberra. It is estimated that, over the past couple of years, at least 7,000 trees have died due to the dry conditions. A program is currently in place to have those trees removed by June 2006. Following this program a further tree planting program is to be commenced.
The government has continued an urban upgrade program throughout the city. This program aims to improve the physical condition, character and appeal of public places. Public safety concerns are addressed by the redesign of unsafe spaces, replacement of lighting and improvement of access. Safer urban spaces are more appealing and the installation of comfortable, well-placed furniture and engaging public artwork encourages the use of public areas.
The first stage of the City Walk West project was completed in July 2005. This is a streetscape upgrade project that extends along Alinga Street from Northbourne Avenue
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