News

A new Gungahlin Community Centre will be built in the town centre if the Barr Government is returned in October's election, ACT Labor has pledged. ACT Labor MLA for Yerrabi and Labor spokesperson for Community Facilities Suzanne Orr said that the centre would be co-designed with residents and reflect the diverse views and needs of Canberra’s fastest growing community. She said the centre could include...

Eyes across the region turned skyward last night when a large meteor appeared, with sightings noted in most Canberra suburbs and surrounding areas. Descriptions ranged from a "tail of light with a greeny, gold colour" to a "massive tail that changes colours for about three to five seconds". Dr Brad Tucker, an astrophysicist with ANU, told Region Media the fireball was definitely...

The ACT region recorded its wettest winter in four years, and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is predicting there's much more rain to come during spring. Despite the Antarctic blast that blanketed southern NSW with snow last weekend (22-23 August), temperatures during winter were mild compared to previous years, according to BOM's preliminary winter summary. Winter 2020 was one of...

The ACT's budget deficit has blown out to a record level and will hit a peak in 2020-21 of more than $900 million as the government spends up big to counter the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. The government has released a budget update dripping with red ink but says that without the extra spending and concessions...

Floriade may blossom into a Canberra-wide event even without the COVID-19 restrictions that have seen it reimagined on a smaller scale this year due to the ban on large gatherings. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the positive response from the 90 or so community groups that have embraced the suburban plantings at sites across the city meant the government would...

More details have been released about the proposed new high school in Kenny which is expected to open to up to 800 students by 2023. The $72.5 million school will cater to students from years 7 to 10. "The school will provide high-quality general and specialist learning environments, incorporating both indoor and outdoor learning areas, as well as integrated spaces...

Will it or won't it actually snow in Canberra? The Bureau of Meteorology says it's the best chance yet but don't expect to be snowed under in a winter wonderland. "Widespread snow will spread across much of NSW late on Friday and early Saturday, falling in places like Orange, Crookwell, the Barrington Tops, Blue Mountains and many other towns and communities...

The ACT Government has extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for a further 90 days to 19 November. The decision grants Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman additional powers to help combat the pandemic. The first public health emergency declaration came into effect on 16 March and was extended until this Friday (21 August). Despite the ACT having no active cases of...

Don't pack away the puffer jackets, scarfs and beanies just yet - winter is still with us, and we might even get snow before the end of the week. One forecaster has gone so far as predicting thundersnow - storms producing snow instead of rain - along with "blizzard conditions likely over the Snowy Mountains, Brindabella ranges and Victorian Alps...

Despite petrol prices dropping to a two-month low, Canberra's average unleaded price has soared above Sydney and the national average just months after Chief Minister Andrew Barr gave petrol companies an ultimatum to lower prices. Canberra's average unleaded petrol price sat at 122.5 cents a litre as of 16 August, above the national average of 117.8 cents, and well above...

The ACT Government is looking to ramp up waste services in Canberra's booming northern suburbs, including new waste facilities, greater recycling and the adoption of new technologies. Transport Canberra and City Services has issued a tender for a consultant to conduct a feasibility study into upgrades to the Mitchell Resource Management Centre and investigate other potential waste sites in the inner...

A breach of the Education Directorate's email distribution list, which resulted in pornography and inappropriate material being sent to public school students, occurred after some students were able to figure out the email address codes. One student accidentally sent an email to the entire Year 8 public school cohort when trying to share work with his class on Friday (14...

Work has begun on expanding Canberra’s free public Wi-Fi network, more than three years after it was recommended by a peak social service body. ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) CEO Dr Emma Campbell welcomed the expansion of the network to cover every Canberra town centre, 16 group centres and a number of popular community locations and businesses, but said the rollout...

The lifeless limbs of a mannequin lay trapped under a light-rail vehicle at the Gungahlin terminal in a dramatic display to highlight the need for greater safety around Canberra's light-rail network. The safety training exercise brought one light-rail vehicle to a halt as emergency services sprung into action in a real-time exercise involving Transport Canberra, Canberra Metro Operations, ACT Policing and...

The already-drenched NSW South Coast between Batemans Bay and Eden will cop the brunt of widespread rainfall and possible flooding this weekend, with more than 200 mm expected between this Friday and Sunday (7 and 9 August). Even areas that have experienced serious rainfall deficiencies in the Cooma-Monaro region are forecast to see rainfall of more than 100 mm over the...

Some businesses and activities will be able to recommence from 10:00 am Monday, 10 August, as the ACT moves to stage 3.1 of eased restrictions. But decisions on larger events and a move from the 'one person per four square metre' rule have been postponed for another fortnight. People will be allowed to dine-in at food courts, casinos and gaming...