The ACT Government’s latest initiatives include a new endoscopy suite; consultation on off-the-plan property contract laws; a renewed Affiliated Schools Program with the University of Canberra; a scholarship scheme to bolster the maternity workforce; and the construction of a new dog park in Franklin.
Endoscopy
North Canberra Hospital has a new endoscopy room where thousands of extra procedures will be performed, health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.
It cost $1.5 million to upgrade and expand the endoscopy suite. An endoscopy procedure room, the equipment cleaning and processing room, waiting and consultation rooms, and sterile store area were refurbished.
The new public endoscopy room will allow for 500 additional procedures this financial year, and more than 1,500 next financial year, Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“Having access to the latest technology will also improve image quality and resolution, leading to more precise diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.”
New endoscopy suites at Canberra Hospital will begin construction next year.
Consultation on off-the-plan property contract laws
The ACT Government has opened consultation on law reforms protecting off-the-plan home buyers from unfair contract cancellations.
“We want to hear from those who have experience with buying and selling off-the-plan properties, to make sure that our current laws are working for them,” Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said.
In late 2021, in response to concerns that property developers were taking advantage of rising property prices, the government amended the Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act 2003 to prevent property developers or sellers from cancelling or rescinding off-the-plan contracts unfairly. If a seller cancels a contract under a sunset date or delay event rescission clause, they must get consent from the buyer or an order from the Supreme Court.
A consultation paper, Review of laws protecting off-the-plan home buyers from unfair contract cancellations, is on the YourSay Conversations website.
People who have bought or sold off-the-plan property can make a submission or complete a short survey. Consultation closes on 20 May.
Affiliated Schools Program
The ACT Government and the University of Canberra have signed a five-year $12.8 million Affiliated Schools Agreement for 2024 to 2028.
The program, started in 2019, creates collaborations between public schools and the university. Research conducted between UC and Affiliated Schools will be shared throughout the Education Directorate, and made available to all sectors via professional learning, resources, and programs.
The new agreement includes teaching placements for UC students in all ACT public schools. School-based teaching clinics will include non-Affiliated schools. All ACT public school teachers will be able to attend the annual Affiliated Schools Seminar Series, and other professional development and learning opportunities. UC will offer postgraduate qualifications and micro credential courses – including scholarships to study the Master of Education (Professional Practice) – for ACT public school teachers.
Education minister Yvette Berry said the new agreement reflected global best practice for collaboration between public schools and the tertiary sector.
Scholarships for maternity workforce
Applications are now open for a new scholarship scheme to build and develop the ACT’s maternity workforce.
The 2024 Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme provides a $50,000 funding pool for midwives, nurses, doctors, and other health professionals to study or for professional development. Each applicant can receive up to $4,500.
The Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme is open to:
- Midwives, nurses, and doctors working in Canberra’s public maternity system workforce.
- General practitioners providing shared care to pregnant women in the ACT.
- Maternity staff members at Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, and staff members from Tresillian Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre.
The Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme is funded for three years, and will run annually until July 2026.
Applications for the 2024 round close at 5pm on Wednesday 15 May.
The scholarship scheme is for professional development in the priority areas outlined in the Maternity in Focus: First Action Plan 2022-2025, health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said. It complements the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Study Incentive Program and mandated minimum nurse/midwife-to-patient ratios.
For more information, visit Maternity in Focus | Health (act.gov.au).
New dog park
Construction has begun on a fenced dog park in Franklin – Canberra’s eighth and the third in Gungahlin.
Major works will take nine months to complete, and the park will be open in summer. The 2,870 m2 recreation area will have a dog agility area with low and tall bar jumps, weave poles, pyramid ramp, hoop tunnels, and log balance beams; and an irrigated grass area for ball and frisbee play.
