Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Police today (April 12) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Kwai Chung.
Wu Hoi-sing, aged 70, went missing after he left his caring home on Lei Muk Road this morning. Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.
He is about 1.65 metres tall, 72 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion, and is bald with short black and white hair on both sides. He was last seen wearing a grey jacket, black trousers and black shoes.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or 5217 5562 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
April 13, 2025, Lakelands, Nova Scotia… East Hants District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 47-year-old John (Joao) Mederios, from New Minas, who was reported missing on April 13, 2025. He was last seen near the variety store in Lakelands, on Piggot Lake Road.
Medeiros is described as 5-foot-10 and a medium build. He has light coloured hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black Columbia jacket, back hoodie, black pants, brown boots and carrying a black gym bag.
When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of John (Joao) Mederios is asked to contact the East Hants District RCMP at 902-883-7077. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca , or use the P3 tips app.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Police today (April 12) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Mong Kok.
Moran Dante Elaine Cipolla, aged 27, went missing after she left MTR Mong Kok East Station yesterday (April 11) afternoon. Staff of a rehabilitation centre then made a report to Police.
She is about 1.5 metres tall, around 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a pointed face with white complexion and long black hair. She was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved hoodie, a pair of black trousers and black sport shoes.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
JPC Innovation and Technology Competition 2024-25 Award Presentation Ceremony cum Carnival held today The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming; the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; the General Manager of Information Technology Department of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Mr Yung Fai; and the Director of Operations of Police, Mr Chan Tung, officiated at the ceremony.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Chow said that since its establishment in 1974, the JPC has been committed to training young people to become youth leaders and crime-fighting partners through diversified activities, striving to nurture a new generation of law-abiding young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and equipped with positive thinking and an aspiring mindset. He noted that as the Police step up enforcement against “space oil drugs”, the competition introduced the theme of youth drug prevention, encouraging participants to raise anti-drug awareness among young people through creative solutions.
Mr Chow also highlighted the quality of entries received, underscoring the pivotal role of experiential learning in STEAM education, which fosters students’ curiosity while developing their teamwork and problem-solving skills. He added that the JPC will launch more innovative activities to nurture I&T talents for Hong Kong and our country.
The competition aims to encourage primary and secondary school students to utilise their knowledge and skills in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) to construct innovative and feasible “Smart City” solutions. Two “Best Smart City Awards” were introduced to recognise the most innovative entries in artificial intelligence and gerontechnology, while the “Best Safe City Awards” were also presented to acknowledge innovative solutions for fraud prevention and crime fighting, youth drug prevention, and community safety enhancement, ensuring that citizens can continue to thrive in a safe living environment. The competition was divided into four categories, namely junior primary school, senior primary school, junior secondary school and senior secondary school. Over 1700 students from nearly 160 schools participated, and over 1 300 submissions were received. The list of winning teams has been uploaded onto the JPC website.
To further encourage the younger generation to engage with innovation and technology, some winners introduced the creative ideas and stories behind their works at the award presentation ceremony. An I&T carnival was also held and featured a workshop on simulated evidence collection at crime scenes and a number of virtual reality games, allowing participants to learn about the work of the Police, while experiencing the fun of technology.
This is the fourth consecutive year that the JPC has organised the competition which combines experiential learning and policing elements to nurture future young leaders to join hands in preventing and combating crime. The competition was supported by the Education Bureau, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Digital Policy Office, the Association of I.T. Leaders in Education, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, the Hong Kong Computer Society, the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Hong Kong Extra-curricular Activities Masters’ Association, the Hong Kong New Emerging Technology Education Association, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong STEM Education Alliance and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Issued at HKT 16:45
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Correctional officers stopped a 38-year-old male remand person in custody from committing suicide by hanging in Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre today (April 12).
At 12.03pm today, a correctional officer found the remand person in custody attempting suicide in the toilet of a dayroom by hanging with a pair of trousers tied to a window grille. The officer immediately rescued him and called for reinforcements. The remand person in custody was found unconscious and was subsequently sent to a public hospital for further treatment. The case has been reported to the Police.
A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, “The department uses all possible measures to prevent persons in custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first-aid services.”
The person in custody was remanded for the offence of conspiracy to defraud in April 2024.
Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
The Home Affairs Committee has published its report into the police response to the 2024 summer disorder.
The report commends police officers and staff for their efforts during last summer’s unrest, despite significant risks and injuries, calling the violence faced unacceptable. It acknowledges systemic challenges stemming from outdated structures and highlights the need for reform, echoing commitments recently made by NPCC Chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens who has outlined his own vision for a new era of policing.
The Committee’s recommendations, including around national mobilisation and addressing dis and misinformation on social media, are deemed timely and vital for improving policing effectiveness. The report rejects claims of ‘two-tier policing’ and appreciates the complexity of the response to such unprecedented events. The findings will inform ongoing discussions, with further insights expected following the next HMICFRS report.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington is the NPCC Lead for Operations and the former Gold Commander of Operation Navette. He said:
“The report rightly praises the efforts of police officers and staff in responding to the events of last summer, often in the face of very real risk and injury. Nobody should go to work and be physically assaulted, have bricks and petrol bombs thrown at them, and end up in hospital with potentially life-changing injuries. Unfortunately, that is what happened last year, and it was utterly unacceptable.
“Policing leaders are proud of the work our officers, staff and volunteers do and the sacrifice they make to keep people safe. However, the fact that we are working in a system that was designed more than 60 years ago is far from ideal, and this report highlights the need for reform in specific areas, which aligns with the work of the newly founded Police Reform Programme.
“We know that there are number of obstacles, from a policing perspective, that limit effectiveness in policing across the UK, so these recommendations are extremely timely and will inform conversations that we are having with partners.
“The Committee cite previous findings from the Inspectorate that the national mobilisation plan could have been made earlier, and this is a helpful recommendation. Hindsight can be useful, and these learnings are important, but we are pleased that the Committee also recognise how complex of a situation this was for policing to respond to, and that on the whole, the service did so well.
“We are pleased that the report robustly disagrees with the notion of ‘two tier policing’, and that the policing response was entirely appropriate given the levels of violence and criminality that were on display. We are also appreciative of the consideration given to the dangerous of mis and disinformation on social media, which remain substantial areas of risk for policing and something that the Inspectorate have been evaluating as part of their own review into the disorder.
“We will carefully consider all of the Committee’s recommendations, noting that the Government will also be waiting for the publication of the second HMICFRS report later this year in order to ascertain how they can support policing in implementing these collective findings.”
Serious Two Vehicle Crash, East Derwent Highway, Geilston Bay
Sunday, 13 April 2025 – 5:44 am.
At approximately 10:48pm on Saturday 12th April 2025, emergency services responded to a two-vehicle crash on the East Derwent Highway Geilston Bay, at the intersection of Sugarloaf Rd. A silver Opal sedan, driven by a 19-year-old man from Warrane, had been travelling south on the East Derwent Highway, when it collided with a north bound white Toyota Camry at the intersection of Sugarloaf Rd. The Toyota was being driven by a 32-year-old man from Berriedale. There were a combined total of 7 occupants in both vehicles, all of which were transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital for medical treatment or assessment. A 17-year-old woman who was travelling in the Opal sedan at the time of the crash has suffered serious injuries. Investigations in relation to this crash are ongoing, however initial investigations suggest that excessive speed may have been a contributing factor in this crash. Police would like to ask anyone with information about this crash or those who may have observed the manner of driving of the vehicles prior to the crash, to contact police on 131 444 or crime stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting ESCAD number 531-12042025.
WASHINGTON — National Governors Association (NGA) Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado and Vice Chair Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma issued the following statement regarding the fire at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg:
“We are relieved to hear that Governor Shapiro and his family are safe following the arson attack on the Governor’s Residence. On behalf of the nation’s governors, we extend our support to the Shapiro family as they recover from this distressing event.
“We strongly condemn all acts of violence and ask our citizens to rise above these kinds of destructive actions.
“Governors are not only public leaders but also parents, spouses, and neighbors. Incidents like this remind us of the very real challenges government officials and their families can face. We are thankful for the swift actions of local first responders and emergency personnel who helped ensure everyone’s safety.
“The National Governors Association stands in solidarity with Governor Shapiro and his family during this time.”
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the fire was determined to be an act of arson. Governor Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The incident remains under investigation.
Update: Annapolis District RCMP arrested the suspect in an armed robbery that occurred on April 9 in Middleton. On April 10 at approximately 2:20 p.m., officers located and safely took one person into custody on Commercial Dr. in Middleton. He will be held for an upcoming court appearance. More information will be shared when available.
Original text below:
RCMPNS is looking for public assistance to identify and locate a man in relation to an armed robbery involving a knife that occurred earlier this afternoon at a grocery store on Commercial St. in #Middleton. During the robbery, an employee of the store was assaulted and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The man fled the store on foot.
The man is described as being in his 20s and was wearing a blue plaid jacket, light coloured sweatpants, black Addidas sneakers, and a mask at the time of the incident. The blue jacket and sneakers have been recovered.
Anyone who sees this man is asked to call 911 and to not approach him. Anyone who can identify the man or who has information about this incident is asked to contact Annapolis County District RCMP at 902-825-2000.
RCMPNS is actively searching for the man and investigating the incident. RCMP Police Dog Services and an RCMP drone operator are engaged in addition to general duty officers. Residents can expect to see a heavy police presence. There are no road closures at this time, however, the public is asked to avoid Commercial St. to allow officers to do their work.
East Hants District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 45-Year-Old Paul Joseph Freel, from East Uniacke, who was reported missing on April 13, 2025. He is believed to have been last seen on April 4, 2025.
Freel is described as 5 foot 11 and approximately 250 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Paul Freel is asked to contact the East Hants District RCMP at 902-883-7077. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca , or use the P3 tips app.
Note: Photo of Paul Joseph Freel Westcott is attached.
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in her 40s in Lewisham.
At 06:41hrs on Sunday, 13 April London Ambulance Service alerted police to a seriously injured woman in Hatfield Close, SE14.
First responding officers were immediately deployed along with London’s Air Ambulance. Despite the emergency services best efforts, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Shortly after, at 06:52hrs, a 44-year-old man self-presented at Lewisham Police Station in connection to the incident. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
It is believed the two parties are known to each other. Her next-of-kin have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers.
A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
A road policing officer was a couple of hours into her shift yesterday Saturday 13 April, when she responded to a report received shortly after 2pm of a group of people fighting on the side of the Lethbridge Street in Feilding.
She intervened and the situation began to calm down. However, the arrival of another aggressive person saw the incident flare up again, putting the officer in a potentially dangerous position.
Other Police staff were travelling to the incident but were still several minutes away. Fortunately, several members of the public saw what was happening, and came to the officer’s aid while she worked to resolve the situation.
Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says, “What started out as a fairly typical callout involving a handful of people quickly escalated with the arrival of an aggressive person. I appreciate that members of the Feilding community stepped in to provide assistance until this officer’s colleagues arrived.
“We work hard to be there for the community and we’re always grateful when they’re there for us.”
One person is reported to have received minor injuries as a result of the incident. No Police staff were injured.
Two people were arrested and have been charged with assault. A 35-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman are due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Thursday 17 April.
An 18-year-old man was also charged with driving while disqualified, and the vehicle he was driving has been seized and impounded. He is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on 24 April.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The new ticketing system will go live on buses and light rail from Wednesday 27 November 2024.
In brief:
The new public transport ticketing system, MyWay+ is now live.
The new MyWay+ phone app and website are available now. Canberrans can also purchase a MyWay+ card now.
Canberrans can also travel for free on public transport every Friday.
If you need support or have questions about the new ticketing system, please visit transport.act.gov.au or call 13 17 10.
The ACT Government’s new public transport ticketing system, MyWay+, is now live.
MyWay+ allows you to simply tap on and off public transport with your bank card or payment method on a mobile phone.
Old MyWay cards will no longer be accepted but Canberrans can purchase or order a new MyWay+ card if they wish.
The new MyWay+ mobile phone app and online portal are also available.
The app lets you plan and pay for your journey across different modes of transport, check accessibility options and receive personalised messages for your favourite bus and light rail services.
A MyWay+ account allows you to:
access personalised and convenient travel management
transfer any travel credit from old MyWay cards
make contactless payments
register concessions
order a new MyWay+ travel card
view travel and transaction history
customise your real time journey notifications in the MyWay+ app.
The MyWay+ app can be downloaded for free from:
The app lets you plan and pay for your journey across different modes of transport, check accessibility options and receive personalised messages for your favourite bus and light rail services.
No account, no problem
For Canberrans who do not want to use the new digital features as part of the MyWay+ system, there is still a physical MyWay+ travel card available from retail outlets (including concession travel cards).
Passengers can also use a credit card, debit card, Apple or Google Pay on their mobile phone to tap on and off.
Fare Free Fridays
Starting from Friday 6 December, Canberrans can use public transport for free every Friday.
Canberrans will still be required to tap on and off each service to support data collection, but will not be charged for the fare.
Ongoing improvements
There will be several system improvements to the MyWay+ system over the coming weeks.
These improvements will be based on user feedback as well as planned future software and system updates designed to enhance the user experience and meet the needs of Canberrans. Transport Canberra provides a regular update on its website to the improvements that are being made.
Please be kind to our bus and light rail drivers as the new system rolls out, and they get you from A to B.
Help is available
Customer service representatives will be located at major bus and light rail stops and interchanges over the coming weeks.
For further information, including access to the MyWay+ account, real-time journey planner and MyWay+ app along with a list of retail agents, visit www.transport.act.gov.au
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
From left: Daniel Bartholomaeus, Hannah Costello, Vanessa Brettell, Megan Gilmour, Marilyn Ralston, Peter Ralston OAM.
In brief:
The winners of the 2025 ACT Australian of the Year Awards have been announced.
The four categories recognise people who go above and beyond for their communities.
They are now finalists in the national awards, to be announced on 25 January 2025.
The winners of the 2025 ACT Australian of the Year Awards have been announced.
They will join the other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2025.
Read on to find out more about the winners.
2025 ACT Australian of the Year recipient – Megan Gilmour
Social innovator Megan Gilmour wants to create a world where all children are seen and heard.
In Australia, 1.2 million children are at risk of missing school due to complex medical and mental health challenges.
Megan advocates for change in education systems for these vulnerable children.
She drew on her lived experience to co-found MissingSchool. The organisation develops school solutions that help students continue learning alongside their peers.
MissingSchool launched the world’s first national telepresence service, allowing children in hospital or at home to join lessons in real time.
It has restored school connections for some 6,900 students since 2018.
2025 ACT Senior Australian of The Year recipients – Marilyn and Peter Ralston OAM
Peter and Marilyn Ralston support people with vision impairment or other disabilities to run, walk and be active.
They began Achilles Running Club Canberra in 2013. Peter is President of the club.
Through Achilles Canberra, volunteer guides team up with people with disability. Together, they join fun runs, club training and the weekly Parkrun.
In the past three years, Peter has guided blind athletes 120 times at Parkrun. Achilles Canberra has enabled several blind members to each achieve hundreds of Parkruns.
Peter and Marilyn also serve the community through other charity work.
2025 ACT Young Australian of the Year recipient – Daniel Bartholomaeus
Daniel Bartholomaeus is an artist and neurodiversity advocate.
Daniel, who has autism and ADHD, inspires and motivates others. This is especially the case within the neurodiverse community.
He not only uses his art to express himself, but also to forge common pathways for people with mental ill-health and those of different abilities.
His art and lived experience help bridge the gap between neurotypical and neurodiverse people.
Daniel is a mentor with The With Friends Initiative, a social group for neurodivergent young people.
2025 ACT Local Hero recipients – Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello
Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello use hospitality to empower vulnerable women.
Their business, Cafe Stepping Stone, operates as a social enterprise. It employs women who experience significant barriers to employment. These women are mostly from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
The café’s two locations offer culturally and linguistically diverse women employment pathways, on-the-job training and qualifications. These help them enter or return to the workforce.
Hannah and Vanessa’s inclusive employment practices assist female workers who:
are the sole income earners in their household
are new arrivals to Australia
have limited English or minimal employment history
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Connor is an emergency communications officer in the ACT Ambulance Service communication centre.
If you ever have to call an ambulance, chances are you’ve found yourself in a bit of a stressful situation. Your head is probably racing with thoughts, your heart pumping, and possibly your body is shaking. When someone answers the phone, your words may spill out in a tangle, as you desperately try and get someone to help.
For the person on the other end of the phone, each call is also a pressured step into the unknown.
Connor is an emergency communications officer in the ACT Ambulance Service communication centre. Straight out of school, he started his career in the communication centre for the ACT Police, and worked there for five years. For the last three years, he’s worked in the ambulance call centre – his role including everything from taking emergency triple zero calls to ambulance enquiries and patients’ transport bookings.
He says working in the emergency call centre is, “like what you see on TV”, but despite almost a decade working in the field, “you can’t prepare yourself for the intensity or the unknown when you answer the phone”.
Emergency call takers manage emergency calls from start to finish, following a script of questions that help triage the resources required for a job. Call takers are supported by the ambulance dispatchers and paramedic clinicians, who also sit in the call centre, and the three work together to provide the relevant advice or send the appropriate care.
“We have a series of questions that we need to ask to arrange the best help for you. But some people don’t like the questions. [They ask] ‘where’s my ambulance? Why are you taking so long? Why are you asking me all these stupid questions? Why aren’t you focusing everything on me and helping me’?” says Connor.
“We reassure people our questions aren’t going to delay any help we’re going to organise for them, but they don’t like it sometimes.”
That can sometimes lead to verbal abuse, with the callers taking their stress and frustrations out on the call taker. Connor has had callers get so irate they not only threaten him, but threaten to also track down and harm his family.
“It’s tough. It’s not the standard that you want to listen to. It’s not nice being yelled and screamed at,” he says.
“[For the caller], it’s the worst point in their life at that time, hence why they call an ambulance, but at the same time, I don’t deserve to cop that.”
After difficult calls, staff are encouraged to step away from the phone and take some time either by themselves or with a team member to debrief. They also have a peer support network who are available to support staff after difficult phone calls, plus an Employee Assistance Program.
Despite the occasional abusive call, Connor loves his job. He loves knowing he’s helping people, and he finds the shift work suits his family – he and his wife have three kids – plus he loves the camaraderie of the team.
“You get close with your team, and they’re like your second family,” he says.
He said it’s a role that could suit anyone – they have staff ranging from those straight out of school to people from other industries including childcare and hospitality. And by the time you’re working independently in the role, you feel fully confident. Everyone gets a full six weeks of training, followed by eight weeks working on the phones where you’re supported one-on-one by a mentor – Connor is currently mentoring a new staff member – before you’re signed off as an independent call taker.
If you feel you’re in urgent need of medical attention, Connor always encourages people to call for an ambulance. But also remember that the service is there to help people in genuine emergencies. If you’re experiencing a non-urgent medical situation, there are other medical services that can help, such as your GP, or Canberra’s walk-in centres. If you do need to go to the hospital but have someone who can safely transport you there, that can also be a good option.
“We treat everyone, no matter who you are. We’ll give you the best advice that we can at the time,” says Connor.
“There is a misconception that if you go in an ambulance you get seen quicker, but you don’t. Whether you go to hospital yourself or via an ambulance, the triage system once you get to hospital is exactly the same.”
And if you find yourself in a position where you are calling an ambulance, don’t forget that the person on the other end is trying to help you.
“They don’t understand that we might have just got off a CPR call, or we might have just dealt with a child having a seizure or febrile convulsions, and we’ve just hung up that phone,” he says.
“We’re humans on the other side of the phone.”
* For personal privacy, surnames of interviewees have been removed.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
From coffee cups to clothing, there are some items that do not belong in your recycling bin.
Canberrans are great recyclers, but sometimes people mistake items as recyclable when they’re not.
Things you can put in your recycling (yellow) bin include:
aluminium and steel cans
glass bottles and jars
paper and cardboard
plastic bottles and containers.
However, plenty of other items turn up in yellow bins across the ACT every day. These include everything from coffee cups to clothing and computers to cat poo.
While some of these things can be recycled, your yellow bin is not the place for them. Visit the A to Z guide of waste and recycling to find out what to do with them.
Here are some items Canberrans commonly try to recycle through their yellow bin.
Bagged recycling
Plastic bags cannot go in your recycling bin. If you put items in your yellow bin inside a plastic bag, the whole bag will go to landfill. Waste sorting facilities will not open the bag as there may be other contamination inside.
Don’t let the bag cancel out what’s inside. Simply place recyclable items – loose and empty – into your recycling bin and reuse your bags another way.
Soft plastics
Soft plastics include things like chip and lolly packets and bread bags. Like plastic bags, these can’t go in your recycling bin.
The general rule is that if you can scrunch it up, it can’t go in your recycling bin. Put it in your landfill (red) bin instead.
Even though items like milk bottles and berry punnets may feel a bit soft, these are still considered hard plastics and can go in your household recycling.
Takeaway coffee cups
There is a lot of confusion around these. While many takeaway coffee cups are made from cardboard, they cannot go in recycling bins. This is due to the type of materials they’re made from, including the plastic coating often found on the inside.
You should also put the disposable lids in your landfill bin as they cannot be recycled either.
Timber
Timber can be reused but not via your household recycling bin.
You can dispose of reusable timber by dropping it off for free at second-hand locations like Goodies Junction. If the timber is valuable, you could try a local ‘buy nothing’ group or consider contacting places like Thor’s Hammer or ACT Recycling.
These items can also be recycled but your recycling bin is not the place for them.
You can try giving them another home by:
passing them on to a friend
selling or giving them away online
donating them to a charity
dropping them off for free at Goodies Junction at either Mitchell or Mugga Lane.
Batteries andeWaste
It’s imperative batteries and eWaste are disposed of correctly. These items can cause fires and should not go in any of your household bins.
You can drop off batteries for free at over 50 locations across Canberra. These include most supermarkets and hardware stores.
Both eWaste and batteries can be disposed of for free at a resource management centre – either at Mitchell or Mugga Lane.
Animal waste
While this one may seem obvious, animal waste is not recyclable and must not go in household recycling bins. Animal waste should only be placed in landfill bins.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Carlotta is the first restaurant by Chris Lucas in Canberra. Image: VisitCanberra
In brief:
Many new restaurants, cafés and bars have opened in Canberra in the second half of 2024.
This story includes a list of new eateries to try.
We hope you’re hungry, because there are plenty of new places to check out:
Ballyhoo has seriously good food, with a fun, laid-back atmosphere. The food is a blend of Mediterranean and South American cuisine.
Expect Australian-influenced Mediterranean food designed for shared feasting. Savour antipasto, handmade pasta, and meat and seafood cooked in a wood oven from Naples.
The iconic building at the top of Red Hill has reopened with two Italian restaurants: Lunetta and Lunetta Trattoria. The latter is on the ground floor with a more relaxed vibe. Upstairs, Lunetta offers elevated dining with beautiful views.
Wildflour are famous for their seasonal pastries, and Macquarie residents can soon get their fix. Their new shopfront is set to open in mid-November.
This Korean barbecue spot joined Capital Food Market in September. Wagyu beef is a star on the menu, but there are also salads, seafood, soups and more.
Hao Chi is another new addition to Belconnen’s Capital Food Market. The menu includes a range of dumplings and buns, as well as noodles, fried rice, and snacks.
Southsiders can now easily get their hands on NYC-style donuts. Brooklyn Donut and Coffee have a large menu with traditional and filled donuts. Enjoy flavours like red velvet, New York cheesecake, and dark choc peanut butter.
Looking for a cozy coffee spot in Tuggeranong? Look no further. Mocha Mystic also have a varied breakfast and lunch menu. Fritters, momo (Nepalese dumpling), salads, toasties and more are on offer.
Bombay Duck, Greenway
Authentic Indian is now available at South.Point in Tuggeranong. Curries, chat, rice, biryani, and naan all feature on the menu.
Espresso Room has opened near Coles in the Canberra Centre. The coffee is a focus but you’ll also find pastries, donuts and takeaway lunch items.
This isn’t a new opening, but it is a long-awaited reopening. This award-winning Turkish restaurant is known as an ideal spot for a special occasion meal.
The former chef of the now-closed XO in Narrabundah is bringing southeast Asian street eats to New Acton. Grab takeaway lunch from Monday to Friday in the form of fragrant curries.
Flui is a casual fine dining restaurant. The cuisine is modern Australian with influences from the Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia.
This bar and restaurant offers authentic Mexican. The menu includes tacos, burritos, chimichangas, paella and much more.
This deli-style café is on the edge of Yerrabi Pond. They make their sandwiches with golden schiacciata bread. The fillings showcase Italian deli meats and fresh cheeses.
This sushi train restaurant has recently opened on the Kingston Foreshore. Enjoy fresh sushi, sashimi, udon, rice bowls and hot dishes while overlooking Lake Burley Griffin.
Fans of K-Pop will love this new Korean eatery. Extra hungry? Go all out and dig into a platter. They include black pink fried chicken, house-made pickle radish, coleslaw and dinner rolls.
Mawson shops have established themselves as a suburban foodie haven. The newest addition is Mawson Kebab and Grill, where you’ll find an extensive menu with Turkish classics.
This soon-to-be-opened Italian restaurant in Gungahlin has a build your own model. Select from five different pasta types, choose a sauce and then add your extras.
Anketell Street’s newest café has something for everyone. Classic breakfast dishes, healthy bowls, pastas, burgers and more are all available.
This Parisian-style pastry shop is proving popular among locals. Expect to queue for croissants, eclairs, escargot, tarts, savoury pastries and more.
Salted butter rolls, cookies, buns, sticky rice balls and sweet cakes. These are some of the goods available at this Korean bakery. Arrive hungry, as the pastry cases are bursting with creative, decadent creations.
Seoul Sistaz blends Korean cuisine with soul food. The result is delicious dishes like bulgogi toasties, iced black sesame lattes, and triangle spicy bulgogi. kimbap,
The newest location on Mort Street offers the same healthy food Eighty/Twenty customers have come to know and love. Acai bowls, salads and smoothies are fan favourites.
This Indian restaurant in the historic Melbourne Building offers authentic Indian cuisine. A host of curries feature on the menu alongside dosa, Jalfrezi, samosa and more. There are plenty of vegetarian dishes on the menu.
This bar on Dairy Road in Fyshwick specialises in heavenly cocktails. The food menu includes bar snacks, pita pizza, cheese and charcuterie plates and sliders.
Verity Lane’s newest addition includes new and traditional flavours of Vietnam. Phở, bánh mì and rice paper rolls are some of the fresh, tasty options available.
This Italian micro bakery is one of the newest stallholders at the Old Bus Depot Markets. Apple crumble brioche, Biscoff and roasted hazelnut snails, and crème brûlée bombolini are some of their featured menu items.
This family-owned business has a large menu full of Vietnamese favourites. Their banh mi menu includes vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian options.
Crispy, golden focaccia baked fresh by a local home baker. Bink By B’s focaccias are available in three flavours: garlic butter, rosemary and sea salt, and olive, tomato and rosemary.
The much-loved mobile pizza fan has taken up residence at The Jetty. Chef Hem has been named one of the world’s best pizza chefs. One bite and you’ll understand why.
Taste Taiwanese bubble tea at the Canberra Centre. Flavours include brown sugar boba milk with Biscoff sauce, matcha boba milk tea, and lychee green tea.
Banana Blossom opened its first Canberra store in June and has fast become a favourite among city workers. Fresh salads, rice bowls and noodles feature on the menu.
If you were a bit fan of Lim Peh’s when they were at Verity Lane Market, you can breathe a sigh of relief: they’re coming back. This time, their Singaporean-inspired hawker bowls will be available at Westfield Woden. You can expect them to open very soon.
Who knew that specialty coffee and Korean-inspired sandos paired so well? The sandos are made with cloud-like shokupan bread with locally sourced ingredients.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
A Justice of the Peace may witness signatures and perform other duties.
In brief:
A Justice of the Peace (JP) certifies documents for members of the public.
Damiano Costa has been a JP for more than 50 years.
This article shares some of Damiano’s experience as JP and provides more information about finding a JP.
Most Canberrans will seek the services of a JP, or Justice of the Peace, when they need a document certified. But what is actually involved in being a JP?
A JP is authorised to:
administer oaths and affirmations
witness statutory declarations and affidavits
witness signatures
attest and certify documents.
They’re the people who can certify your passport documents or witness your signature. They might do this in their home, on a weekend or after hours, but they’re not paid for this.
An office of the JP is an honorary role. This means they can’t charge fees or accept payment for their services . Before providing JP services to the ACT community, an individual must:
complete the required training
make a successful application to the Attorney-General
attend a swearing-in ceremony.
Damiano’s story
Damiano Costa has been a JP since 1967. At the time, he was working for the Department of Immigration, who were then responsible for issuing passports.
“Five hundred people were employed in the public service in Immigration at the time and I was the only person speaking Italian,” Damiano said.
For the Italians who migrated to Australia after the war, the services of someone like Damiano were critical.
“Also, when we created the Italian Club in Forrest, people needed documents certified for various reasons, and they also needed interpreting and translation,” he said.
“I decided to become a JP to make it easier for myself, because we were limited to where JPs were available and there were not very many at that time.”
Becoming a Justice of the Peace meant Damiano was able to help other members of the Italian community in Canberra. He recalls people from Cooma and Goulburn coming to Canberra to have documents translated and certified.
Over the years, he has helped many Italians with passport applications, bank loans, and speeding fines. He’s also helped them transfer their Italian pensions to Australia, an important responsibility that has since been transferred to the Italian Embassy.
How JPs work
Part of the responsibility is being available to perform the role at all reasonable times, including after hours and on weekends.
Some JPs perform their duties from their homes, but others meet people in mutually convenient locations. JP services are also available at public locations such as:
* shopping centres
* public libraries
* police stations.
Damiano has made visits to nursing homes to perform duties for older people who are unable to travel to him.
Looking for a JP?
JPs are available at a range of public locations. Often no appointments are necessary, however you may have to wait. You can also search the online JP Register to find a JP near you.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
There is an option for families, mountain biking, road biking, people new to cycling, and nature lovers.
Canberra is an excellent city for cyclists. Across the capital, you’ll find a network of shared use paths, on-road cycling lanes and free bicycle parking facilities. There are also plenty of bike trails that showcase our beautiful bushland.
Here are a few bike rides to check out.
For families: Lake Tuggeranong District Park
Lake Tuggeranong District Park was designed for lakeside recreation. About 6.77kms of shared use path encircles the lake. Most of the route is flat, making for a fun ride for families. Several sections have recently been upgraded, including path widening and line marking.
There is plenty of parking, plus public toilets and drinking water.
If the kids need to stop and rest, there are plenty of picnic tables, including some with shade. There are also a number of playgrounds around the lake. This includes the recently upgraded Tuggeranong Town Park Playground.
A big drawcard for families with young children is the learn to ride centre. It is designed to teach children from preschool to year 4 how to safely ride a bicycle or scooter.
Feeling adventurous? Tuggeranong Skate Park is near the western boundary of the park and has a section for beginners.
For mountain biking: University of Canberra Stromlo Forest Park
UC Stromlo Forest Park has more than 50km of mountain bike trails. They are professionally built and maintained, and suitable for all levels.
If 50km sounds a bit overwhelming, there are six suggested loops designed for different levels of ability.
There are almost 500 parking spaces at UC Stromlo Forest Park. Next to the main car park, you’ll find Handlebar. This undercover bar and café is a great spot to refuel and soak up the amazing views. Public barbecues and picnic tables are also available.
Before you visit, make sure you’re familiar with the rules and guidelines for the park. This is especially important if it’s your first visit or you’re new to mountain biking. Read the Park Rules and Guidelines.
For road biking: Lake Burley Griffin Eastern loop
This 9km route around the eastern portion of Lake Burley Griffin. It includes the Kingston Foreshore, Bowen Park, the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, the Molonglo River and Grevillea Park.
You’ll be treated to a nice mix of restaurants and cafes, parks and bushland. The Jerrabomberra Wetland is a waterbird wonderland with more than 170 different bird species.
From there, you can pop into Dairy Road where you’ll find a collection of places to eat and drink.
The shared paths of Eastern Loop are flat, making for a leisurely ride. There are beautiful views of the city, the lake and the surrounding bushland. There are also public toilets scattered along the loop.
For newbies: Lake Burley Griffin Central loop
The 5km ‘bridge to bridge’ loop is one of Canberra’s most well-known walking and cycling routes. If you’re new to bike riding, it’s an excellent route because it’s so familiar. It’s also quite flat with a short climb up to both Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue bridges.
The loop will take you past some iconic Canberra destinations. You’ll pass the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Carillon and the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre. You’ll also ride along the Australians of the Year Walk and catch views of the Captain Cook Memorial jet and Black Mountain Tower.
There are plenty of spots to grab a coffee or something to eat on either side of the lake.
For nature lovers: the Canberra Centenary Trail
This trail is 145 kilometres long and is divided into seven sections. The entire trail is a 3-day ride, averaging just over 45 kilometres per day. You can also explore each section individually.
The trail is a blend of urban and rural settings and includes nature forests, nature reserves and bushland hills.
You’ll see plenty of native flora and fauna along the way, including birds.
The trail is mostly flat, with some hilly sections which may require you to dismount. It’s designed to be accessible for cyclists with moderate ability.
A journey planner for cycling and walking routes
A guide to cycling in Canberra
A map of all cycling routes across Canberra
Regional walking and cycling guides.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.
You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Friends of Light Street is a registered community group supported by Adopt-A-Park.
In brief:
The Adopt-A-Park community grants program supports registered community groups who volunteer to improve Canberra’s local parks and spaces.
The program is now open to applications for grants of up to $40,000.
This story describes the Adopt-A-Park program and the work of one of the community groups that it supports.
Caring for Canberra’s green spaces is a joint effort between the ACT Government and community members.
One of the ways this happens is through the Adopt-A-Park community grants program. Adopt-A-Park supports more than 95 registered volunteer community groups who give their time to improving Canberra’s local parks and spaces.
Under the program, the ACT Government provides grants of up to $40,000 to improve neighbourhood spaces.
This year’s focus is on controlling or removing declared pest plants.
Friends of Light Street Park
Friends of Light Street Park is a registered community group in Griffith. It was set up one year ago by local residents with an interest in preserving their local park. They used their grant to remove harmful cotoneaster plants. This invasive species threatens local wildlife due its dense thickets.
“The cotoneasters have been removed and we have also completed a website and asked residents to become members and volunteers to support our efforts to revitalise our park as an important community green space,” a member of Friends of Light Street said.
“When the community takes a real interest in our green spaces, we gain pride in our shared spaces.
“Community-led ideas creates shared ownership, and in our experience, more heads are better than one.”
How to apply for a grant
The Adopt-A-Park community grants program is now open for applications and will close on Monday 23 September 2024.
Anyone wanting to volunteer can join a registered group and those that are already a registered volunteer group are encouraged to apply.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Base Soaps co-founder Mick Cronin wanted the company to have a social purpose.
In brief:
A local social enterprise has turned a gift-giving experiment into a flourishing business.
The owners received support from the Mill House Ventures.
A new program is now open to help social enterprise businesses scale up.
Many of us may have tried some DIY soap-making in the past. But chances are, few of us are like Mick Cronin and Lianne Brink. These two founded Base Soaps from their home just outside of Canberra.
Base Soaps started as a gift-giving experiment in 2017. With a little help along the way, it is now a fully-fledged business. It sells tens of thousands of bars and liquid soaps across the country.
Co-founder Mick has a PhD in Chemistry. He wanted Base Soaps to have a social purpose – to help to address preventable diseases in Australia’s rural and remote communities.
He wants people to know that their for-profit, for-purpose business is a social enterprise. This means giving back is embedded into the company’s constitution.
“You can, simultaneously, have environmentally thoughtful, high-quality hygiene products, and contribute positive impact to rural and remote Australian communities,” he said.
“Some Australian communities suffer incredibly high rates of preventable diseases.
“We assist by contributing to existing programs that address preventable diseases in Australia’s rural and remote communities.”
One is Otitis Media – better known as middle ear infection. Both co-founders were concerned with the high rates of this in children in Indigenous communities.
They set up the constitution of Base Soaps to require them to donate at least 50 per cent of profits to causes that address these kinds of issues.
Asking for support along the way
A number of mentors have helped Mick and Lianne along the way. Many of these were found via Base Soaps’ connection to Canberra’s social enterprise intermediary, The Mill House Ventures.
The Mill House Ventures provides a comprehensive suite of through-life support for local social enterprises and their founders. These range from short workshops to mentoring programs.
Their latest program, Scale for Impact, is now open for applications. It aims to help established social enterprises, like Base Soaps, to identify future growth opportunities.
Scale for Impact is an initiative developed by The Mill House Ventures through funding from the ACT Government.
“The Scale for Impact program offers established social enterprises in Canberra tailored business support to help identify potential growth opportunities and pathways to philanthropic, sponsorship and/or investment funding,” CEO of The Mill House Ventures, Craig Fairweather, said.
Mick from Base Soaps encourages other entrepreneurs keen to make a difference to connect with The Mill House Ventures.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re already established, or simply have an idea. Go in with an open mind and you’ll quickly find out if this is the best way to make change, and enjoy yourself in the process,” said Mick.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Electric vehicles take advantage of the ACT’s 100 per cent renewable electricity supply to help reduce emissions from transport.
In brief:
The ACT Government has added 10 more electric vehicles to its fleet.
Electric vehicles are better for the environment and cheaper to run.
Making your next car electric could save you money.
Canberra continues to lead the nation in supporting the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs).
About 10 new electric vehicles are coming onto ACT roads every day. In fact, you might spot a few new ACT Government EVs out and about this spring, including:
a ute
two tipper trucks
a litter picking truck
a delivery van.
These vehicles will join the City Services fleet as a trial to see how the ACT Government can continue to provide essential services in a more environmentally friendly way. An additional four electric passenger vehicles have also joined the fleet in the past month. These vehicles join more than 400 electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles already in the ACT Government fleet.
The trial will showcase the variety and availability of EVs for commercial use and promote their benefits to local industry and community. The new vehicles have been funded through the ACT Government’s Social Cost of Carbon Fund and Zero Emission Government Fund. These funds aim to reduce emissions produced by government activity.
Making the switch
Zero emission vehicles, like EVs, are better for the environment and quieter than petrol and diesel vehicles. They’re also much more affordable to run.
Making your next car electric could save you around $18,000 in running costs over 10 years. It could also reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by around 3 tonnes per year.
The ACT Government offers multiple incentives for people and businesses when they purchase an EV. And with new public chargers being installed all over the city, charging your EV is quick and easy.
Canberran’s are embracing EVs at a rapid pace, with over 9,100 EVs currently registered. If you’re thinking about making your next car electric, but not sure where to start, check out this handy guide on EVs for beginners.
Transport contributes over 60 per cent of the ACT’s emissions. This means electric vehicles have the potential to make a big difference as the ACT continues towards our goals of net zero emissions by 2045.
For more information about zero emissions vehicles in the ACT, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Almond, chocolate or plain? Canberrans have plenty of options when it comes to croissants and other pastries. Image: VisitCanberra
In Brief:
We asked Canberrans on the @weareCBR Instagram account to name their favourite local pastry spot.
This list includes cafés, pâtisseries and bakeries around Canberra.
Whether it’s a croissant for breakfast, a box of Danishes for the office morning tea or a mid-afternoon sweet treat, Canberran’s can’t get enough pastries.
Here are the results:
The scent of baked bread will lure you into this bakery tucked away at Fyshwick Markets. Inside, you’ll find a pastry counter heaving with fruit Danishes, croissants, Italian cream-filled donuts, Portuguese tarts and more.
Wildflour sell a range of different pastries, but they’re most well-known for their croissants. Ube, matcha, pistachio, salted caramel, Biscoff, black tea and mango are just some of the flavours that they’ve featured on their ever-changing menu.
Knead has the feel of a traditional bakery, offering all of the classic pastries. There are croissants, seasonal frangipanes, Portuguese tarts and fruit Danishes. But you’ll also find surprises, like brookies (a brownie cookie hybrid) and a cracking crème brulee tart.
This small but mighty bakery at Curtin shops has the feel of a traditional suburban bakery. Their hearty, flavourful savoury pies are a favourite among Woden residents.
This is not your traditional bakery – unless you’ve recently arrived from the Mediterranean. You’ll find traditional, chocolate and almond croissants alongside Turkish sweet pastries and Borek.
French-influenced pastries are the star at this bakery. You’ll find croissants, cinnamon buns, Danishes, escargot and more.
Le Bon Mélange make just about every baked good under the sun – and pastries are no exception. You’ll find a huge variety of both sweet and savoury options.
Locals queue at this suburb gem to stock up on pastries. There’s cardamon buns, greens and cheese escargots, kouign-amanns, croissants, seasonal pastries and more.
Danishes, scrolls, cruffins, croissants – this family-run bakery offers an impressive lineup of pastries. With a Lyneham location opening soon, more Inner North residents will be able to get their Bakehouse fix.
Located on Beltana Road, this bakery offers a range of fresh pastries to fuel your Pialligo adventures. Choose from croissants, pain au chocolat, escargot, cinnamon buns, Danishes, cruffins and more.
It’s hard to walk by the pastry counter at Tinker Tailor without treating yourself to a golden, flaky pastry. Danishes, croissants and scrolls are some of the delights regularly on offer.
Three Mills not only have five locations across the city, but you can purchase their goods at shops and cafés around town. One taste of their delicious pastries and it’s easy to see why. There’s a big selection of fresh pastries and even bake at home packs.
This French-inspired artisan bakery has a large selection of classic and unique freshly baked pastries. Try a Moorish custard Danish or indulge in a crookie (that’s a croissant with cookie dough, for the uninitiated).
From their cultured butter croissant to their flaky morning buns, locals love pastries from Sonoma. You’ll often have to queue to secure a sweet treat, but rest assured that every moment is worth it.
Sometimes, only a classic will do. Dobinsons has been serving Canberra since 1994 and have earned a reputation for delicious sweet and savoury pastries. Crispy spinach and feta triangles, fruit tarts heaving with shiny fruit and the decadent Nutella Danish are some of the crowd favourites.
It’s little surprise that this bakery, run by French bakers, make an excellent croissant. They also infuse their baked goods with seasonal flair, offering specials like peanut butter, fresh apple and coconut pastries or mandarin and chocolate croissants.
Located inside Manuka Court, this little pâtisserie offers a taste of Europe to the inner south. Chef Wim is Dutch, but trained in France, so you’ll find Dutch boterkoek (butter cake with fruit and nuts) alongside croissants and Belgian chocolate custard twists.
Over the years, Silo has earnt a cult following in the Canberra community. As a result, you may need to jostle your way to the front of the cue for a pastry, but it’s all part of the charm. You’ll find the counter stocked with a stunning lineup of sweet and savoury pastries that will keep you coming back for more.
This bakery is worth the trip to Fyshwick for fresh pastries. If you’d rather not make the journey, the Cedar Husk truck makes its way around Canberra delivering to baked goods to people’s homes. Follow them on Facebook to see when they’re coming to your area.
Prefer your morning pastry with a side of spectacular views? The Café at the Arboretum is in the Village Centre. Take a seat and soak up the views or order takeaway and enjoy a picnic among the trees.
Good Neighbour is one of the newest additions to Kingston’s café scene. Alongside their basque cheesecake and New York style chunky cookies, you’ll find a selection of fresh pastries available at the front counter.
This artisanal French pâtisserie made the move from Melbourne to Dickson earlier in the year. Chef Lilette bakes all your French favourites, from eclairs to croissants and tarts.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
ACT Health has launched three new initiatives to support pregnant people and new parents.
In brief:
ACT Health has launched three new initiatives to support pregnant people and new parents. These are:
Maternity in Focus survey – gathering feedback on ACT public maternity care
INFANT program – offering first-time parents free support with feeding and playing with their babies.
My Pregnancy Options website – covering everything from pregnancy options and decision making to abortion and contraception options in Canberra.
Maternity in Focus survey
The new Maternity in Focus: ACT Maternity Survey is now underway.
The survey will help gather insights into the experiences of women and birthing people in the ACT.
It invites people to share feedback about their pregnancy, birth and postnatal care, particularly in terms of what is being done well and how maternity care in the ACT public health system can continue to be improved.
“This survey is open to any woman or person who gives birth in the ACT through public maternity care and whose baby is in their care. This includes non-ACT residents who give birth in the ACT,” Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Marina Buchanan-Grey said.
Anyone who gives birth in the ACT after 1 September 2024 through public maternity care can complete the survey. It will remain ongoing.
Parents can find the survey postcard inside their ‘blue book’.
It features information on reproductive health services in the ACT, all in one place.
The content covers pregnancy, contraceptive and abortion options and is:
accurate
reliable
pro-choice
accessible.
Community health organisation Women’s Health Matters developed the website with ACT Government funding.
“You can use the website to help you make a choice, to understand your choices, or to help someone you know,” Women’s Health Matters CEO Lauren Anthes said.
The website contains a list of GPs and clinics that provide no-cost abortion services.
It was developed in collaboration with a Consumer Advisory Group of women and gender diverse people. These people have lived experience of having an abortion or experiencing barriers accessing healthcare in the ACT.
The Maternity in Focus: ACT Maternity Survey survey will help ACT Health gather insights into the experiences of women and birthing people in Canberra.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Companion animals help people with their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
In brief:
The ACT Government has awarded $200,000 in funding through the Companion Animal Care Grants Program.
The funding will support community groups in Canberra who improve animal welfare.
This story lists the groups who have recieved grants, and what the funding will be used for.
The ACT Government has awarded $200,000 in funding through the Companion Animal Care Grants Program. This funding will support community groups to improve animal welfare across Canberra.
Most of the groups receiving funding through the program rely on volunteers and community support. They rescue, rehome, advocate and care for companion animals such as cats and dogs.
Groups to receive funding include:
ACT Pet Crisis Support
ACT Rescue and Foster
Canberra Pet Rescue
Canberra Street Cat Alliance
Completely Rescued
Labrador Rescue
Pets and Positive Ageing
Pets in the Park
The Rabbit Sanctuary.
These groups will use the grants for a wide variety of activities including to support:
volunteer-run vet clinics to help pet owners with a Healthcare Card to care for their pets
services for older pet owners to help them keep their pets as their health declines
homeless people with companion animals by providing access to medications to treat the chronic health conditions of their pets
purchasing food and litter for foster carers to assist with rehoming cats in need
training for rescue dogs to increase the chances of rehoming them
desexing of rescue dogs to reduce the number of unplanned and unwanted litters
upgrading animal care facilities including a cattery and small animal enclosure
the rescue and rehoming of domestic rabbits.
Companion animals help many people in Canberra with their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
With the cost of living crisis, there has been an increase in abandoned and surrendered animals. This has led to more demand for the important work of these support groups.
This funding will provide support for and recognise the efforts of volunteer groups that care for Canberra’s companion animals.
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