Canberrans are encouraged to be mindful of snakes as they become more active and visible in the warmer weather as they emerge from hibernation in search of food and water.
The ACT has eight native species of snakes, with Eastern Brown snakes frequently seen across Canberra from October until March.
According to Access Canberra, you can discourage snakes from entering the yard by: keeping lawns and gardens well maintained, storing piles of wood or compost heaps above ground, and ensuring pet food and water bowls are not accessible to native wildlife.
If you do see a snake, remember: when left alone, snakes present little danger to people and animals; if you see a snake, move pets and children away until the snake moves off; when bushwalking let friends or family know where you’re going, wear enclosed shoes, take a backpack with a first aid kit and be alert at all times; keep gardens, sheds and aviaries well maintained; don’t attempt to capture or kill snakes, instead call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 for further advice, or call a licensed snake catcher.
For more information on snakes in the ACT, visit bit.ly/snakesintheACT
‘Optimism’ for fast rail link
regional areas with funding from the sale of the State’s share of the Snowy Hydro Scheme.
The NSW Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro announced the rail link as one of five priority areas to be funded under the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, created from the proceeds of the sale of the scheme to the Federal Government.
In a statement signalling bipartisan support, NSW Shadow Minister for Transport Jodi McKay welcomed the announcement, and said the State Government had adopted NSW Labor’s policy which would see travel times between Canberra and Sydney reduced to three hours.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it’s pleasing to see the rail corridor prioritised as part of the fund.
“I guess for the first time in a while there would be a significant source of funding that could be allocated to track work and to buy new trains,” he said.
“It gives us cause for optimism that we actually might see something get done here.
“This would appear to be a genuine commitment to spend it [the money] in regional NSW, and one of the projects we’ve been pushing for a long time has been shortlisted to be funded out of this fund. That’s pretty encouraging.”
NSW Labor and the ACT Government have each committed $5 million to a business case assessing the feasibility of faster rail between Sydney and Canberra.
Solar supplier warning
The ACT Government has warned Canberrans not to engage with Dominion General Group of Companies Pty Ltd (ABN 97 605 383 293) which trades in the ACT as Mr Solar, Mr Solar Canberra and Mr Solar Australia, or its sole director Mr Rajan Walia.
ACT Fair Trading Commissioner David Snowden said Mr Rajan Walia “has a demonstrated history of taking deposits for the installation of solar systems that he then does not supply”.
Mr Snowden urged Canberrans not to enter into any agreement with Mr Walia or associated companies, and to undertake due diligence when entering into contracts for solar or similar services.
Anyone who has had problems in their dealings with Mr Rajan Walia and his businesses within the ACT can contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
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