ACT Government

Today is Wear It Purple Day, a day to unite LGBTQIA+ youth and allies to shine a light on schools, community organisations, universities, and workplaces coming together to create a more inclusive future for all Australians. 💜 This year’s theme is "Your Passion, Your Pride" and by wearing purple, you can demonstrate to rainbow young people that they are celebrated and respected, acknowledging they have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming. The ACT Government is committed to making Canberra a more welcoming and inclusive city for LGBTQIA+ people. This includes within the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) with its ambition to build a workforce that is rich in diversity, including embedding an inclusive culture. The ACTPS remains committed to creating a workforce that reflects the community it serves. Wear purple, find out more about the origins of Wear it Purple, learn more about LGBTIQA+ communities and how you can be inclusive all year around, not just on days of significance. To find out more, go to: https://bit.ly/3SkOSPe

Canberra’s new public transport ticketing system MyWay+ is expected to be operational in November this year. The next phase of the transition to MyWay+ will involve approximately six weeks of user testing for the new system. Approximately 200 user testers will get an early hands-on experience in using the MyWay+ mobile app, MyWay+ online account, as well as testing the new MyWay+ equipment on buses and at light rail stops. Applications to be a user tester are now open and close at 5pm, Sunday 8 September. Apply now at: https://bit.ly/4cJcch1 Find out more about MyWay+ here: https://bit.ly/3AoSt8O

Designs for the new South Tuggeranong Health Centre have been released and the Development Application notified. 🏥 The health centre will be located in Conder and will have a range of services available including: 🤍 Paediatrics 🤍 Pathology collection 🤍 Dementia care 🤍 Diabetes clinics 🤍 Falls and falls injury prevention 🤍 Chronic disease programs 🤍 A virtual care space for people to access specialist services closer to where they live Construction is expected to start early next year and be completed towards the end of 2025. To find out more info on the health centre and updates on health centres across Canberra visit: https://bit.ly/3X24jxd

Libraries ACT has joined Access Canberra in offering Canberrans with hidden disabilities, conditions, or chronic illnesses more support and extra help through the globally recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand Program. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand Sunflower is a simple yet powerful tool. By wearing a sunflower on something like a lanyard or pin, individuals voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent. Whether it’s neurological, cognitive, neurodevelopmental, physical, visual, auditory or other non-visible conditions, the sunflower helps identify those who may need extra support, understanding, or more time without them having to ask. Libraries ACT staff received training to gain a better understanding of hidden disabilities, and how they can provide support.

They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade – or in Kai McKenzie’s case, a Japanese-inspired fashion label. 🍋 After being let go from his full-time electrician role late last year due to company downsizing, Kai started his fashion line Minami Studios to help reconnect with his culture and heritage. Kai always had a love for fashion and started designing pieces to wear on an upcoming trip to Japan. ✈️ His designs took off online, and he quickly amassed over 74,000 Instagram followers. With no experience running a business, Kai reached out to the Canberra Business Advice and Support Service (CBASS), who provide local business owners up to four hours of free advice, tailored to their business needs. Learn more about Minami Studios and the CBASS program at: https://bit.ly/3YXXcbI

A big round of applause to the green-thumbed recipients of the 2024-25 Community Garden Grants! 🎉 Congratulations to: 🌼 Canberra Environment Centre 🌱 Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc 🌼 Holy Spirit Parish, Gungahlin 🌱 The Food Cooperative Shop 🌼 Red Hill Primary School P&C 🌱 Church of Christ Ainslie ACT Inc 🌼 Canberra Student Housing Co-operative 🌱 Miles Franklin Primary School P&C 🌼 Scullin Community Group Inc 🌱 Old Narrabundah Community Council 🌼 Canberra Muslim Community Inc 🌱 SEE Change Belconnen Community gardens provide Canberrans with a place to meet and socialise, be active, and support the environment. We look forward to seeing their gardens flourish! For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3sBrROr

Canberrans are invited to help shape the future of rental and occupancy laws for the ACT. 🏠 A consultation about what minimum standards should be introduced to offer renters better protections and about how occupancy laws can be improved is now open for community members and stakeholders. From minimum requirements for locks and ventilation, to electrical safety requirements, the proposed changes aim to establish a clear baseline for habitable living conditions. The consultation will seek views around whether there is a need for stronger protections for occupants, such as those for residents in university student accommodation, crisis accommodation or boarding houses, around how occupancy agreements can be ended, the rules around occupancy fee increases and protections for caravan parks residents. The consultation is open until 2 September 2024. Visit YourSay Conversations to fill out a short survey or a provide a submission: https://bit.ly/3MADLi5

Hear from business and industry experts about the importance of female leadership and the challenges and opportunities as we transition to a net-zero future. The ACT Government is hosting two free panel discussions focusing on the role of women in business sustainability and the energy transition. These in-person events are happening on Thursday 5 September from 12.30pm, at 220 London Circuit, Canberra. 🎤 Panel session 1: Shaping your Sustainable Business: Hear from women leading the charge to net-zero Are you looking for sustainability solutions for your business? Hear from local business leaders as they share their expertise and experience navigating changes towards a net-zero future. Speakers include: • Anna Walton – Owner, North Canberra Osteopathy • Holly Trueman – CEO, Screen Canberra • Morgan Sutton – Engineer and Project Manager, National Electrical Contractors Association • Ros Malouf – Executive Branch Manager, Climate Change, Energy and Water Programs, ACT Government Learn more and register https://bit.ly/3MhbqwV 🎤 Panel session 2: Women in the Energy Transition Women have made significant contributions to the energy transition, yet gender diversity and underrepresentation remain a challenge in the field. Speakers include: • Tori Murray – Senior Aviation and Space Manager, Canberra Airport. • Megan Ward – Head of Origination and Corporate Affairs, Neon Australia • Rosemary Barnes – Founder, Pardalote Consulting. • Elizabeth Ratnam – Board Member, Energy Innovation Fund Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3AzMa2x

Congratulations to our ACT athletes that have been selected in the Australian Paralympic Team for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games! 🥳🏅 The following athletes will fly the flag for Australia – and Canberra – at the Games. 🏃♀️ Athletics: Angie Ballard, Vanessa Low, Chad Perris, James Turner, Michael Roeger, Sarah Walsh 🏊♀️ Swimming: Jasmine Greenwood, Alex Saffy, Ricky Betar, Jesse Aungles 🚣♀️ Rowing: Nikki Ayers Also, congratulations to all the coaches and support staff from Canberra who will be travelling with the athletes to the Paralympics as well! Good luck! #Paris2024 #ImagineWhatWeCanDo

More new EV chargers have come online across Canberra this past month! 👏🔌 Thanks to ACT Government funding, with support from Evie Networks and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, there are new DC fast chargers in: 📍 Calwell 📍 Curtin 📍 Hobart Place in the City 📍 Jamison Plaza 📍 Braddon A trial is also underway to assess the suitability of charging an EV using a streetlight’s existing electricity supply. 💡⚡ This type of charger is a convenient option and a great way to increase EV charging options without the need for additional infrastructure. The ACT now has 170 public EV chargers, and 46 of these have been supported by government funding. To find out more, head to: https://bit.ly/4dVqCMJ