Welcome to our 2022 Spring newsletter

We are so pleased to welcome some new members to the committee recently, following the departure of some long standing members earlier this year. Laura has put together this newsletter and Kimberley is managing our social media. Phoebe is also helping with our IT systems.

However we could still do with more help, particularly to help organise events like the Summer Soiree mentioned below and to review the urban development proposals in our area. Read on for more information and contact us here if you’d like to join the committee

Save the Date

We are planning a picnic on the afternoon of 12th February 2023 4pm-7pm on the grass behind the primary school hall and opposite Lyneham Commons.

More details to follow.

Concerns around BCC car park

The Brindabella Christian College car park remains a concern for the LCA. Cars cross over the Brigalow St footpath to enter the car park when the footpath is busy with students and families from both schools. The Lyneham Community have been working to ensure that the car park development is investigated and brought up to ACT design standards, codes, guidelines and legislation.

In early 2022, the ACT Roads committed to a wider Traffic Analysis of Brigalow street, including a review of the path network and the feasibility of a new wombat pedestrian crossing to divert some of the vulnerable pedestrians to the western side of Brigalow Street. This is a fantastic start, however many vulnerable pedestrians will still be put at risk by the car park.

In mid 2022, 613 ACT residents petitioned the ACT Legislative Assembly to ensure a Transport Impact Assessment was conducted of the car park. Minister Chris Steel responded to the petition, discussing the ACT Roads review of the Brigalow path network and a wider Brigalow St traffic analysis. An assessment of the car park was omitted from the ACT Government response. The Lyneham Community continues to seek a response from the Government regarding an assessment of the car park and an opportunity for community consultation.

We will continue to advocate for safe sustainable active travel in Lyneham, and to protect our public open green spaces, and uphold the ACT Planning and Development Legislation. Please reach out if you would like to get involved or help in any way.

Working Bee Sunday 27 November

The Magpie Hill rejuvenation project has been picking up speed, with the Friends of Magpie Hill now holding working bees nearly every month.

You might have noticed the erosion control work in the southern corner of the park near the corner of Wattle and Mackennal Streets that was completed in our first working bee. Hopefully over time we can plant some natives to stabilize the ground behind the coir logs.
We have also marked out a no-mow regeneration area around the rocks between the basketball court and Earle Street and have started removing weeds so that the remnant native plants can start to take over.

Anyone is welcome to join us for the next working bee from 10am on Sunday 27 November. To participate in Park Care activities you are required to register your attendance (this will also give you insurance cover for any accidents). Please RSVP by emailing us at magpiehill@lyneham.org.au. You can also let us know if you would like to be added to the Magpie Hill mailing list.

North Lyneham park regeneration project

We are also looking for more volunteers to help implement our tree planting project in three neighbourhood parks in North Lyneham for which we received an ACT Government grant. If you are interested please email the committee here.

Wild bee hive locations wanted

ACT Biosecurity is collecting data on the distribution of wild bee hives (European honey bees) across the territory by asking for reports of the locations of any wild bee hives you may be aware of, or discover while wandering around the suburb and local parks.

The preferred reporting option is to use the eWasp Mobile App which now has the capability for offline reporting for areas without mobile phone coverage. This allows you to drop a pin on the exact location of the bee hive, and then automatically generates a report to the eWasp team.

Anyone unable to use the eWasp App please send the GPS location and a description of the bee hive location to ACT Biosecurity at ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au

Light Up Lyneham 2023

Unfortunately due to committee turnover, we did not have sufficient time and resources to organise Light Up Lyneham for 2022, which is an event we all hold dear. However, planning is underway for a community event in February 2023 and we are looking forward to a reinvigorated Light Up Lyneham in Winter 2023.

Kamberra winery redevelopment

The owners of the former Kamberra winery on Northbourne Avenue have been planning for some time to redevelop this area into a residential and commercial precinct namedKamberra Estate. The ACT Government has recently released Territory Plan Variation DV383 to progress the project.

Public comments on the Territory Plan Variation are due by 18 November. For further details you can contact Kamberra’s consultant Tanya Parkes on admin@taniaparkes.com.au

New Territory Plan and District Strategies

As part of its reform to the ACT’s planning system, the ACT Government has just released a draft update of the Territory Plan and new District Strategies to guide future development in Canberra. Lyneham is covered under the Inner North and City District Strategy. Public Comments are being sought by 14 February 2023. Further details are on the YourSay website.

North Canberra Community Council

The North Canberra Community Council (NCCC) is looking for new suburban representatives at their upcoming AGM in November. The LCA is entitled to two representatives on the NCCC committee. This involves attending the monthly NCCC meetings and reporting back to the LCA on relevant items. The NCCC is also looking for a new secretary. The secretary role is a perfect role for anyone interested in expanding their understanding of housing, development and related issues across North Canberra. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact us.

Gazebo and table for loan

If you’re holding a social or community event and need an 3mx3m portable gazebo or 2m long folding table, LCA now have them for short-term loan to members.

Just contact us with your dates. To avoid disappointment it’s probably best to arrange a week or two in advance. There is no charge but a refundable bond will be required.

New members

We love new members, and want even more! Please encourage your local friends and neighbours to join. The more members we have, the more support we can provide each other and the more attention we can get from our politicians.

Joining is free and open to everyone over 16 years of age, living in Lyneham or north O’Connor. Join online at lyneham.org.au/join.