The ACT Government has released draft planning changes to allow more medium-density housing near light rail stops in Downer and Watson.

The Draft Major Plan Amendment (DPA-09) would rezone parts of the Northbourne Avenue and Federal Highway to enable up to 1,000 additional homes, consistent with the National Housing Accord.

The ACT Government intends to enable 30,000 new homes by 2030, planning and sustainable development minister Chris Steel MLA said.

Under the proposal, sites in Watson would be rezoned from low-density (RZ1) to RZ3, with a two-storey height limit.

Areas in Downer and parts of Watson closer to light rail would be rezoned RZ4, allowing three-storey development, or up to five storeys on some blocks near Northbourne Avenue.

The government is also preparing a separate draft plan amendment for the Thoroughbred Park precinct, expected later this year.

Community consultation is open until 4 November through the ACT Planning website. 

$50 million endowment secures future of ANU Indigenous students

The Australian National University (ANU)’s Kambri Scholars Program has reached its $50 million endowment target, securing ongoing support for Indigenous students in perpetuity.

The milestone was achieved with a $16.33 million donation from Claire and Charles Gibbon through the Gibbon Foundation, matched by the ANU. Their gift brings total donations to $25 million.

Launched in 2020, the program provides financial, academic and pastoral support to Indigenous scholarships. Since then, 82 scholarships have been awarded, including to 2022 recipient Faith Stevens from Galiwin’ku in Arnhem Land.

“Having a scholarship has changed my life,” Ms Stevens said. “It’s allowed me to come down here to try and do better, for me and my community, and for other Indigenous communities too.”

Aunty Anne Martin, Director of the ANU Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre and Professor in the Practice of Indigenous Advancement, said: “This is about empowering the next generation of leaders. It is a powerful affirmation of all that we have worked so hard to achieve in opening the doors of ANU to Indigenous students from every corner of the country and ensuring those doors remain open for generations to come.

“The support of our donors is a beacon of hope and a testament to what’s possible when people believe deeply in the potential of others.” 

Ms Gibbon said she was delighted to see the impact the program has on the lives of Indigenous students.

“The Tjabal Centre’s ability to scale, as well as the program’s long-term structure, and inspiring leadership by Professor Anne Martin and her team strongly align with our Foundation’s values and objectives. Conversations with Kambri Scholars further highlighted the importance of supporting their education at ANU. We feel privileged to be associated with the Centre and ANU.”

The Gibbon Foundation’s recent donation follows a $5 million contribution from inaugural corporate partner Wesfarmers in 2024.

Grants for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations

Ten local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) will share in $823,000 through the ACT Government’s Establishment and Expansion Fund (AEEF).

The program, launched this year, provides start-up and growth grants from $15,000 to $150,000, supporting governance, strategic planning, workforce development, infrastructure, and service expansion to build a human services sector led by and designed for Indigenous people.

Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, said the funding was “a vital investment in the long-term wellbeing and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Canberra”.

Recipients include:

• Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm Aboriginal Corporation – $150,000
• Sisters in Spirit Corporation – $150,000
• Worldview Foundation Limited – $100,000
• SEARMS Community Housing Aboriginal Corporation – $93,300
• Corroboree Services Limited – $84,700
• Corroboree Empire Limited – $80,000
• Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation – $50,000
• Yeddung Mura (Good Pathways) Aboriginal Corporation – $50,000
• Yerrabi Yurwang Child & Family Aboriginal Corporation – $50,000
• Yarruwala Corporation – $15,000

New program to help multicultural communities prepare for emergencies

Canberra’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities will soon have tailored support to prepare for disasters.

EmergencyRedi, a $1.87 million project jointly funded by the ACT Government and the federal Disaster Ready Fund, is a two-year partnership between the Australian Red Cross, Multicultural Hub Canberra, and the ACT Emergency Services Agency.

It will deliver workshops based on Red Cross programs to help people understand local hazards, build psychological resilience, and plan for emergencies.

“Getting people to take action now and get prepared for emergencies is critical to ensure they’re ready before disaster strikes, and that they are more resilient through the recovery,” Jessi Claudianos (Australian Red Cross ACT) said.

“CaLD communities can be particularly vulnerable due to factors like language barriers, so it’s essential that we’re supporting them with access to tools and resources that meet their specific needs.”

New bulk billing GP clinics

Three new bulk billing GP clinics will be established in Canberra under a $24.3 million federal funding package.

An Expression of Interest is open until 8 October for organisations to run the clinics, which will add to the existing Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Canberra.

ACT Senator Katy Gallagher said: “This is about making it easier and more affordable for Canberra families to see a doctor when they need to. Bulk billing is central to Medicare and central to Labor’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible.

“For too long, Canberrans have struggled with GP availability and high out-of-pocket costs. These new clinics will help change that, ensuring more people can get care close to home without worrying about the bill.”

The government’s goal is for 90 per cent of GP visits nationwide to be bulk billed by 2030.

For more information, visit Capital Health Network | Tenders – CHN Tenders and Grants.