November brought about serious misconduct claims for a Greens MLA who was stood down indefinitely and then resigned from politics. A TV series began filming in Canberra starring international actors and a beloved star of Love on the Spectrum. A new social venture opened in Belconnen, while Capital Property bought a London Circuit carpark.
L’affaire Davis: Aftermath of Johnathan Davis’s resignation
The resignation of Johnathan Davis from the ACT Legislative Assembly and the ACT Greens has left his colleagues “shellshocked”, party leader Shane Rattenbury said. ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals have questioned the Greens’ handling of allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against Mr Davis.
Mr Davis, 31, was stood down last week while police investigated allegations that he had had inappropriate sexual relations with a then-17-year-old – which is legal, age of consent in the ACT being 16 – and a 15-year-old.
No 15-year-old has been identified, Mr Rattenbury said; he had no information confirming any illegal conduct by Mr Davis; and Mr Davis had indicated to him that he did not believe he had done anything illegal.
International TV series begins filming in Canberra
Canberra is taking a big step towards being on the map as a film industry destination with filming of international TV show, Austin, now underway.
Produced by one of Australia’s leading production companies, Northern Pictures, the comedy-drama is set to hit the screen on ABC TV and ABC iView next year.
Written and created by Darren Ashton, Ben Miller, Lloyd Woolf, Joe Tucker, Adam Zwar and Kala Ellis, the production features a star-studded English and Australian cast. Beloved British film and screen actors Ben Miller (Bridgerton) and Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones’s Diary, Veep) take centre stage while Aussie favourites Gia Varides (Strictly Ballroom, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Roy Billing (Underbelly, Jack Irish) are first-grade support.
The lead role and title character, Austin, is played by break-out star of Love on the Spectrum, Michael Theo, taking on his first acting role.
Social Bean ‘missing puzzle piece’ for Daydream Machine
The Social Bean Café & Emporium, a new social venture opening at the Belconnen Community Centre this Thursday, is the “missing puzzle piece” for the Daydream Machine, an award-winning creative studio for neurodivergent youth, founder (and 2022 ACT Local Hero of the Year) Luke Ferguson says.
The Daydream Machine is one of 20 local businesses and artisans that will sell their wares at the Social Bean, described by Heidi Prowse OAM, executive manager of Capital Region Community Services, which runs the Centre, as “more than a café: it’s a community-centric hub committed to building connections, supporting local artisans, and promoting sustainability.”
Capital Property buys London Circuit carpark for $53 million
The London Circuit carpark opposite the Melbourne Building in City West has been sold for $53 million by the City Renewal Authority (CRA) to Capital Property Group, part of the Capital Airport Group which owns Canberra Airport.
Capital Property Group will build a high-quality mixed-use development on the prime location on the south-west corner of London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue.
The $53 million sale will see the developers of Canberra’s award-winning Constitution Place start construction on the project by the end of 2024, with completion scheduled for 2027. It will include replacement public car parking and have an emphasis on sustainability.
