Page 906 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 20 March 2019
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during off-peak times on weekdays plus all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The government is responding to the needs of our ageing population and we are working closely with the community to make it easier for an ageing population to walk safely and access local shops and accessible transport.
In addition to the programs I have already spoken about, we recognise that footpath upkeep generally is important to ensure that walking around our suburbs is both easy and safe. Officers from TCCS assess all reported issues regarding footpaths as soon as possible. Urgent repairs are generally made within seven working days and less urgent issues are scheduled in larger contracts for efficiencies.
Members would be aware that our community paths have been built over many years to the design standards of the era in which they were built. We are working to better connect existing path connections and create new connections. This is a significant undertaking that needs to be approached strategically, which involves assessing and prioritising requests.
Of course, that is only one part of what the government is doing to support our age-friendly city. I was really delighted over the past year to be working with our local men’s sheds on the south side, particularly Weston Creek men’s shed, which only started in 2014. It was operating at the back of the Eternity Church in Kambah, which was not in Weston Creek. We managed to find them a new location at the Rivett depot. We had the official opening earlier this year, just a few weeks ago. It is a fantastic location for the community, close to public transport. It provides them with a shed where they can grow their activities.
Men’s sheds provide a really important place for older men to connect with one another socially and to contribute to the community, whether it is making toys for children or repairing furniture at the local school.
The government has also committed to build a new men’s shed at Hughes, right next to the Council on the Ageing building in Hughes. It is a significant investment and we are really looking forward to that men’s shed opening so that more people, particularly in Woden Valley and the inner south, can participate in the men’s shed there and we can grow that social inclusion aspect of those men’s shed models in Canberra. I recently had the fantastic opportunity to visit a unique men’s shed, the Canberra Model Railway Society, with Mr Pettersson. They come in all shapes and forms, and I really hope that more people can get access to them in Canberra.
Finally, I would like to recognise the important contribution that older people make to the ACT community more broadly. It is appropriate that we have a week dedicated to our seniors. I once again congratulate everyone involved in making ACT Seniors Week happen this year.
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (6.28): I thank all members for their contributions today. It was quite interesting to hear some of the views. I will agree that whilst the territory
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