What I'm working on for Murrumbidgee

What i'm working on:

As your Minister and local Member in Government:

  • Building light rail to Woden.
  • Transitioning Transport Canberra's buses and depots to zero emissions.
  • Introducing transit enforcement officers on our bus network to keep the public and drivers safe.
  • Implementing MyWay+, a new ticketing system for Transport Canberra.
  • Building a new Community Centre in Woden.
  • Planning a new Community Centre and Library in Molonglo.
  • Building a new transport interchange in Woden.
  • Building the John Gorton Drive Bridge in Molonglo.
  • Planning future transport connections in Molonglo including the East-West Arterial.
  • improvements to Mawson shops including releasing land for a second supermarket.
  • Designing new paths on Melrose Drive and Streeton Drive.

My key planning priorities as the Planning Minister in 2024-25 are:

  • Plan for more housing in and around key precincts, shops and rapid transport connections. A key priority will be the development of a new Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework.
  • Enable diverse housing choices and increase the number of dwellings in the missing middle, such as town houses, terrace homes and low-rise apartment living. (Missing Middle Housing Reforms)
  • Plan for the growth of Canberra’s newest regions including Molonglo.
  • Outline Canberra’s future job and innovation precincts.
  • Support community needs across the ACT.
  • Identify and commence planning for Territory Priority Projects.
  • environmental protections including protecting adjacent blocks 402 and 403 Stromlo, as well as the remainder of Block 12, Section 1, Denman Prospect from future development.
  • Focus on design and implementation for the new planning system.

These priorities are intended to be complementary to the existing Planning Strategy 2018, specific actions under the District Strategies and other relevant planning policies.

  •  Consulting on 1300 homes in north Curtin including urban design, landscape design, built form, access and design quality on the site.

What I have achieved for the City:

  • Established Australia's first Skills Centre of Excellence focused on Electric Vehicles at CIT
  • Established Canberra's Active Travel Plan
  • Rolled out 106 new battery electric buses in Transport Canberra and released the Transport Canberra Zero Emissions Plan.
  • Reformed the ACT Road Transport laws to make our roads safer for all users.
  • Released the ACT's first Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan and passed the Circular Economy Act 2023.
  • Banned single-use plastic by establishing the Plastic Reduction Act 2021.
  • Introduced Bulky Waste Collection for all Canberra households.
  • Delivered Garden Organics waste collection to all Canberra households who want one.
  • Updated litter laws targeting illegal dumping and hoarding.
  • Banned thermal waste to energy projects in the ACT.
  • Planning and design of a new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to improve recycling rates, and to create better quality materials like recycled paper and glass bottles that can be used right here in Canberra
  • Planning and design of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service to all Canberra households including new large-scale composting facility in Hume.
  • Starting to transition Canberra’s bus and rubbish collection vehicles fleet to zero emissions.
  • Rolled out the e-scooter share scheme in Canberra.
  • Strengthened the ACT’s Animal Welfare laws and recognise animals as sentient beings and animal accreditation framework.
  • Reformed the ACT’s Cemeteries and Crematoria Act and built Canberra’s first public crematorium.
  • Established the Canberra Dog Model and Cat Plan.
  • Abolished overdue fines in ACT Libraries.
  • Campaigned for marriage equality with Canberra’s LGBTIQ+ community.
  • Campaigned for and achieved blood donation equality reforms.
  • Introduced a new 2 stage procurement process including the Ethical Treatment of Workers Evaluation.
  • Hosted Canberra’s Multicultural Summit, oversaw 3 multicultural festivals and made Canberra an official member of the Welcoming City network.
  • Planting over 50,000 urban trees and passed the Urban Forest Act to protect and grow our urban trees.
  • Designed Southern Memorial Park - a new cemetery for Canberra’s Southside.
  • Reformed our procurement system to support ethical procurement including tackling modern slavery.
  • Reformed the Government Procurement act including adding probity requirements to the legislation.

WODEN

  • Built Australia's largest purpose-built electric bus depot in Phillip.
  • Built a new CIT campus in Woden.
  • Funded improvements to the public spaces around Mawson shops.
  • Funded a new Woden Community Centre.
  • Funded and signed contracts with Canberra Metro build light rail Stage 2a to Commonwealth Park on the way to Woden.
  • Upgraded Woden Library.
  • Built a new Men’s Shed in Hughes.
  • Built new separated cycle paths on Corinna and Furzer Streets.
  • Built the Heysen St link shared path between Weston and Woden.
  • Built the #WodenExperiment to reimagine Woden Town Square.
  • Built a new playground at Lyons, Eddison Park, Torrens shops and Farrer park.
  • Funded female-friendly changeroom upgrades will be carried out at playing fields in:
    • Mawson
    • Phillip
    • Hughes
  • Funded North Curtin playing fields changeroom and toilet upgrades.

WESTON CREEK

  • Upgraded Weston Creek’s Main Street (Brierley Street).
  • Upgraded Duffy shops.
  • Provided a new home for Weston Creek Men’s Shed.
  • Built the Heysen St link shared path between Weston and Woden.
  • Built a new playground at Waramanga.
  • Campaigned against the closure of local bank branches.

MOLONGLO

  • Made Molonglo a Town Centre.
  • Funded Stromlo District Playing Fields.
  • Protected Bluetts Block and Coombs Peninsula, making it part of the Molonglo River Reserve.
  • Funded a new community activity centre space in Coombs.
  • Built new shared paths on the Cotter Road and Annabelle View Avenue.
  • Approved new community recreation, community facilities, transport services in Denman Reach including around 1000 homes and 20% affordable homes.
  • Established the Stromlo Forest Park's tracks and trails based masterplan and funded works to implement the plan.

INNER SOUTH

  • Funded a new toilet at Red Hill Shops

KAMBAH

  • Built a new shared path on Sulwood Dr in Kambah and new Mannheim Street intersection.
  • Campaigned for and upgraded the Mount Taylor car park on Sulwood Drive.
  • Campaigned for and upgraded Kambah Village's public spaces.
  • Upgraded the Tuggeranong Laneways and Anketell Street and funded the Tuggeranong Foreshore improvements.