Neighbourhood Watch

Hackett Newsletter
***Electronic Copies of the Newsletter***
www.nhwact.com.au & http://northcanberra.org.au/ November, 2009
Hackett Community Association Emergency 000
Attendance 13 1444
Meeting Crimestoppers 1800 333 000
Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 7.30 to 9.00pm Enquiries 6256 7777
ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland Street Chair, Newsletter Coordinator
Topics for discussion include: Traffic in Hackett and forming working Dorothy Mackenzie, 6248 9281
groups for the next year. Mackenzie2602@optusnet.com.au
All HCA members are invited and members of the Hackett community Newsletter editor
wishing to join can do so at the meeting. Jochen Zeil: jzeil@bigpond.net.au
Treasurer
North Canberra Community Council Pat MacNamara, 6249 1669
Engraver
Annual General Meeting Hillig Volker, 6257 0506
Wednesday, 18 November 2009, 7.30 pm Deadline for next newsletter:
ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland Street Saturday November 28, 2009
Sponsorship and distribution of this Newsletter
Guest Speakers is authorized by NHWatch ACT Inc. Ass’n.
Gay Williamson & Kelvin Walsh
ACT Planning and Land Authority
Sustainable Future Workshop Report
Building resilience to climate change

Sustainability is crucial to Canberra's future. It means to recognize that social,

economic and environmental well-being is interdependent and that meeting
our needs today must not compromise the opportunities of future generations.
How does this reflect on future urban development?
All welcome!
For further information see http://northcanberra.org.au/

Help Mapping Rabbit Warrens

Field identification and training sessions
Volunteers are invited to participate in a second round of mapping rabbit
warrens at Mount Majura, Mount Ainslie and the Watson Woodlands.
Volunteers will receive free training in the use of Global Positioning System
Notice of AGM - 2009
(GPS) and an introduction on how to identify active rabbit warrens / burrows in Guest speaker: Shane Rattenbury
the field. MLA
Come to the information session on the mapping project; rangers of Parks, Date: Thursday 5 November 2009
Conservation and Lands will demonstrate how to identify warrens
Thursday, 12 November 2009, 6.00pm to 7.00pm Time: 7.30 pm
Meet at the gate Philip Avenue nature park entrance Place: ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland
Car parking at Kellaway Street St, Hackett
Bring sturdy shoes and something to write Please join us afterwards to celebrate
For enquiries and to register your interest as a rabbit mapper, please contact our achievements in 2009, and thank all
the FoMM coordinator at Email: admin@majura.org or Phone: 62477515 those who have worked on our
For more information on the project see overleaf and visit www.majura.org campaign.
Please note that only members can vote
Walk Against Warming at the AGM, and it's not possible to join
Keep the 12thDecember 2009 free in your Diary on the night. If you would like to join
Walk Against Warming 2009 will be the biggest, most important event in its five C4C, please contact us.
year history. It will coincide with the International Day of Action on Climate
Change and the crucial Copenhagen Climate Talks in Denmark. Email: curfew4canberra@gmail.com
Register now at: walkagainstwarming.org.au Website: www.curfew4canberra.org.au
 Follow-up Rabbit Control Program
A rabbit control project begun in autumn in the Mount Majura
Nature Park had considerable success, reducing rabbit
numbers by about 85% as recorded by spotlight counts.
Volunteers mapped rabbit burrows and Parks, Conservation
and Land (PCL) staff hired contractors who used the data to
locate, fumigate and destroy rabbit warrens. If you walk
regularly on Mt Majura, you may have noticed an
improvement in the grass cover due to both fewer rabbits
and recent rain. However, the remaining rabbits are
breeding...
Representatives from the Mt Ainslie Weeders, the Friends of
Mt Majura and the Watson Woodland Working Group met
with PCL staff in October to plan how to follow up on the
project. It was decided to improve the maps, provide GPS
training to volunteers and to start the mapping of warrens
and the control program earlier to avoid the worst heat of
summer, the peak of the fire season and to give the rabbits
less time to recover their numbers. The plan is to start
mapping mid November and complete it by mid December,
enabling the contractors to begin control work in early
January.
Do you have time to help mapping the rabbit burrows? We
would love to see you at the field information session on the
12 November. See details on the front page. For more
information visit www.majura.org
The project is supported by the Molonglo Catchment Group
and the North Canberra Community Council.
ACT Cycling and Pedestrian Networks
On 21 October Russell Yell of Cardno, Eppell, Olsen gave a
presentation to the North Canberra Community Council
(NCCC) on a review being undertaken on ACT cycling and
pedestrian networks.
The review of Canberra's commuter bicycle network is part
of the Sustainable Transport Action Plan. One of the main
priorities of this review is to ensure there is an equal
emphasis on the needs of commuter cyclists, recreational
cyclists and pedestrians, including visually and mobility
impaired people.
As a result of this process a seven year program from 2010-
11 to 2016-17 will be developed that will form the basis for
capital works programs from 2010-11 onwards. The review
will also undertake a more detailed assessment of the
requirements for pedestrian and cycling networks in the
City, Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin town
centres. This will then guide the development of pedestrian
and cycle networks for each town centre. The report will
also review and develop cycle and pedestrian networks for
major employment centres such as Fyshwick, Hume,
Mitchell, Barton/Parkes and the Canberra Airport.
Russell's presentation focused on what the review might
mean for North Canberra. He covered a number of issues
including:
The need to reconfigure cycle and pedestrian routes
through and around Civic, by creating a Civic cycle loop.
This will include addressing poor crossing points, narrow
footpaths, clutter, safety, bike parking, bus stops and
disabled access.
Developing on-road cycle paths through north Canberra
especially linking Ainslie and Lyneham to Civic and the
possibility of a recreational cycle link near Majura Road.
Better access in and out of the Dickson shopping centre.
There was also discussion about a bicycle path along the
base of the Majura/Ainslie nature reserves, although the
lack of lighting was seen to be an issue for this.
Continues page 3
Casuarina
Walking Trail
before (left)
and after the
upgrade work.
(Photographs:
Waltraud Pix)
Upgrade of Casuarina WalkingTrail
A $100,000 upgrade of the popular Casuarina Walking Trail
on Mount Majura Nature Reserve was officially opened on
the 2nd October 2009 by Chief Minister and Minister for
Territory and Municipal Services, Jon Stanhope.
Works to upgrade the walking track commenced in April
2009 following a meeting of Friends of Mount Majura
(FoMM) coordinator Waltraud Pix and representatives of the
Hackett Community Association Jochen Zeil and Bruce
Smith with the Chief Minister in April 2008 to secure funds for
the repair of a badly eroded west slope section of the track.
FoMM members worked with staff of Parks, Conservation
and Lands on the design of the track under the main
headings safety, minimizing the environmental impact of
construction, future maintenance work and keeping the
bush character of the track. Upgrades have involved the
construction of a number of rock steps along with water
diversion bars to direct water off the track, preventing
erosion. A hard surface has also been created to improve
safety on this scenic section of the walking trail. The
upgrades were completed by local company MakinTrax.
"I am pleased to open the upgraded Casuarina Walking
Trail," said Mr Stanhope. "As one of the more popular
walking tracks in the ACT, the upgrade to the trail has been
welcomed by local park users”.
Mr Stanhope said that the Casuarina Walking Trail takes
walkers through a range of native habitats and includes
some fantastic views of north Canberra.
"At the start of the trail, walkers can view the endangered
Yellow Box-Red Gum Woodland habitat for the threatened
Swift Parrot. As the trail progresses higher up Mount Majura,
walkers can admire the Drooping She-oak, an important
feeding plant for the Glossy Black Cockatoos.”
"I encourage all Canberrans to visit Mount Majura and
experience a bush walk along the upgraded Casuarina
Walking Trail," Mr Stanhope said.
Opening the upgraded Casuarina walking trail (from the
left): Daniel Iglesias, Parks Conservation and Lands,
Waltraud Pix, Friends of Mount Majura (FoMM), Darren
Stuart, MakinTrax, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, Noel
Birchall (FoMM) (Photograph: Ian De Landelles)
 Hackett Community Association
AGM September 2009
Chair's report (summary)
Nine well attended Committee meetings
have been held since the last AGM in
2008. After the closure of the Blue Gum
Lounge the Committee moved to ACT
Sports House, where it currently meets
on the 3rd Tuesday of most months.
HCA members are entitled to attend the
Committee and listen in.
The last year was a very mixed one for
Hackett. There is still a great deal of
indifference and unfortunately of NIMBY.
On the other hand, we also have a very
active group of people who are working
very hard indeed on Hackett's behalf
both in the HCA and in other groups, and
they have had some successes. Traffic
will be an on-going problem for Hackett,
especially with the ACT population
expected to reach 400,000 by 2020 as
recently announced. HCA has continued
to explore relief options with Roads ACT
and held a public meeting in November
Exercise and Well Being 2008. While there was general
Helen Palethorpe, OAM gave a community talk at the Holy Cross Church on agreement that something needed to be
Wednesday 26 August, 2009. done, there was also considerable
Exercise is something that makes eyes glaze over when we are asked about it. disagreement as to what. Traffic lights at
We have engineered all need for exercise out of existence, and now we are the intersection of Phillip and Majura
suffering the consequences. Half of the population do enough to stay healthy, Avenues seems to be the preferred
but is this good enough? options. Roads ACT unsuccessfully put
Why do we need to exercise? The link between exercise and disease has traffic lights forward for the current ACT
been studied since the 40s. One of the first studies was a comparison of Budget and will try again next year.
measures of heart disease between bus drivers and conductors. Yes you Some relief may be provided in the
guessed it: the conductors, the more active occupation, were healthier! longer term by the development of
Majura Parkway, but this has a number
The known benefits of regular exercise include a reduced risk of chronic/life
of problems of its own that are being
threatening disease, of certain cancers such as breast and colon and of Type 2
addressed by the NCCC. The Hackett
Diabetes. Regular exercise helps to maintain healthy body weight, joint
traffic problems have recently received
function and joint muscle support and helps to regulate blood sugars. It reduces
some media attention.
the risk of falls and fractures by maintaining strength, balance, bone density
HCA was represented at the opening of
and bone mineral content. Furthermore it improves cognitive function, mood
the Majura SES new base in Hackett and
and sleep, retards the onset of dementia and reduces incidents of depression.
has supported the Clean-Up Australia
What exercise is best? Aerobic Activities stimulates all the vascular Day 2009. It supported the creation of a
systems of the body, improving blood flow to the brain, lungs, liver and all vital Hackett community garden and while a
systems not just the heart. We need to allow time to walk, use the steps or stairs fund application to the ACT Government
whenever possible. This reduces the incidence of most lifestyle diseases, was unsuccessful, the Committee still
improves the mood, enhances and maintains cognition. Strength Training or supports this project in the longer term.
resistance training makes use of weight against gravity. Over 60s will see rapid NCCC created a North Canberra
muscle loss which can be reversed with twice weekly 45 min sessions in gym website http://northcanberra.org.au/ and
work, or other work such as heavy gardening, chopping wood, to maintain Hackett and HCA have their own
muscle and bone strength and reduce the risk of falling. Balance Training segments.
affects the vestibular system, sensory feedback and vision. Dance, Tai Chi, Traffic concerns will continue to be a
sports or exercise involving the shifting of weight outside the center of gravity subject for HCA activity and any member
will improve balance and reaction time. Flexibility Training such as Yoga or who wishes to be involved should join
stretching exercises help to manage joint pain and improve the mood. the traffic working group.
How much exercise should we do to stay healthy? Australian Standards
aim for 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity physical activity. At this level you ACT Cycling and Pedestrian
will not lose any weight; an hour a day should be undertaken if weight loss is Networks (continues from page 2)
needed. A measured 10,000 steps/day using a pedometer is an effective way to Public consultation will commence on
maintain good blood levels. Healthy aging can be achieved with a combination the 9th November 2009. Following the
of strength, flexibility and balance training. We would then be physically more consultation, the next stage of the review
able and find it easier to maintain social connections. will bring all proposals together, and then
The challenge is how to overcome barriers (excuses) and move from an prioritise to get the best value for money
intention to exercise to action and then habituation. We need to break our and achieve the most impact.
routines, harness our determination, seek support and encouragement and More information will be put up on the
use motivators to become and stay regularly active in order to maintain or TAMS website shortly; Russell can be
improve our health. contacted: Russell.yell@cardno.com.au
DAVID MCREYNOLDS
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call Stratos Parascus on
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Open Tues, Wed, Fri;
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Garment
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open seven days
20 Gilbert Street
Hackett
Watson Pharmacy
QCPP accredited
Pharmacy needs
Post Office, Newsagency, Gifts
Hire: Wheel chairs, walking frames
Scripts: Free pick-up & delivery
Seniors' Discount
Open: 8.30 to 6.00 (Mon-Fri)
8.30 to 12.30 (Sat)
Pharmacy: 62411506 Post Office: 62411505
Fax: 6241 3787
cdixon@peterblackshawdickson.com.au
Meg's Toy Box:
a volunteer-run community toy library,
provides toys at a minimal hire fee for
children up to 6 years of age.
Hours: Wed 10am-noon, Sat 2pm-4pm.
Located at the back of St Margaret's Uniting
Church, corner Antill St and Phillip Ave,
Hackett.
Phone Helen 0416 568 024, or just drop in.
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OFFICE: 18 Bragg Street HACKETT
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Ceiling Lights Garages
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Hackett ACT 2602
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BRAY FENCING
Chainwire Colorbond
Wanted: Zone Leaders
Flagpoles Rural Fencing Hackett Neighbourhood Watch
Fully Insured Free Quotes
needs people to volunteer as zone leaders
and to fill temporary vacancies while zone
324 Antill St Hackett ACT leaders are sick or on holidays. The job is
(since 1965) easy, and involves delivering newsletters to
P (02) 6248 0303 between 20 and 30 homes once a month.
M 0428 480 303 To volunteer, please contact
F (02) 6249 8228 Dorothy on 6248 9281 or
brayfencing@bigpond.com Patrick on 6249 1669.