Halifax Regional Detachment RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Kayla (Kadey) Westcott, from Truro, who was reported missing on April 11, 2025. She is believed to have been last seen on Highway 102, near exit 5A (Kelly Lake scale house).
Westcott is described as 5-foot-7, approximately 140 pounds. She has red hair and hazel eyes.
It is believed that Westcott is travelling towards Dartmouth (Shubie Trail).
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 Kayla (Kayda) Westcott is asked to contact the Halifax Regional Detachment RCMP at 902-490-5020. 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.
Attributable to Inspector Ross Grantham, Manawatū Area Commander:
Central District Police officers acted swiftly to deal with incidents involving youth offenders last night and in the early hours of this morning.
At around 8.15pm yesterday Police received a report of an aggravated robbery in the Square, Palmerston North. One person received minor injuries and the group of offenders fled on foot with stolen items.
Police conducting area enquiries located the group on Featherston Street but they evaded police. A police dog team responded quickly and tracked the offenders to Mersey Terrace where they were arrested while attempting to leave the area. Four youths aged between 11 and 15-years-old are due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, charged with Aggravated Robbery.
Then, in a seperate incident at around 1.30am today, a commercial premises in Foxton was burgled after a vehicle was used to gain entry to the premises. The offenders fled in a vehicle that was subsequently observed travelling at speed into Palmerston North.
Police deployed road spikes near Karere Road which were successful at bringing the vehicle to a stop on Pioneer Highway, where two youths aged 14 and 15-years old, and one 24-year-old man were arrested. The 15-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North Youth Court on Tuesday 15 April, and the 24-year-old is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday 15 April, facing charges in relation to the matter.
I’m proud of the work that Police staff do all day, every day, and I hope these arrests give victims of crime some reassurance that Police will respond quickly to incidents and hold offenders to account.
We understand the frustration and fear that offending causes in our communities and we will continue to respond with focus and professionalism to keep our communities safe.
A man was arrested after allegedly attempting to steal a car at Seaford last night.
Police were called to Commercial Road, Seaford just after 9pm on Saturday 12 April by reports of an attempted robbery.
A 19-year-old woman was sitting in her car in the shopping centre car park when she was approached by a man who asked for a lift.
They had a brief conversation before he allegedly reached in and dragged her out of the car.
Witnesses quickly intervened, pulled the man out of the car and detained him until police arrived.
Fortunately, the victim wasn’t injured during this incident.
The 20-year-old South Brighton man was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. He was refused police bail and will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday 14 April.
Police thank the public for their swift intervention and coming to the young woman’s aid.
Halifax Regional Detachment RCMP is asking for the public’s help in locating a woman seen on the side of Highway 102 near Exit 6.
Police temporarily closed the highway earlier today as part of the investigation.
The individual is described as having reddish hair tied back in a ponytail. She was seen wearing white shoes, black leggings and a dark, possibly green jacket or hoodie.
Police are concerned for the individual’s safety and would like to make contact with her.
Today’s buyback event in Syracuse resulted in 638 guns being turned in, including 130 assault weapons, 333 handguns, 2 ghost guns, and 150 long guns. Following today’s gun buyback event, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 9,000 guns out of New York communities.
“We can only succeed in reducing gun violence if we use every strategy available,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “Gun buybacks have and should continue to be part of our approach in Syracuse. For people in possession of guns they no longer want, buybacks provide a safe way to dispose of those weapons, and that’s good for our neighborhoods. I thank Attorney General James for teaming with the Syracuse Police Department to administer this effective program in Syracuse.”
“I would like to thank the Attorney General’s Office for organizing another gun buy back event in the city of Syracuse,” said Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile. “Events like these, along with other proactive initiatives and the efforts of the hardworking men and women of law enforcement, are the best team strategy for driving gun violence numbers down while protecting our law-abiding citizens.”
“The Syracuse Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence works with a team of community partners to put an end to the grief and sadness that gun violence creates,” said Lateef Johnson Kinsey, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence. “We share a commitment to get guns off our streets because we know fewer guns will make safer neighborhoods. I’m grateful to Attorney General James for assisting our work with another gun buyback program. Without the help of Attorney General James, we could never undertake such an effort.”
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jobie Patterson, age 53, of Syracuse, pled guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to traffic firearms and possession of child pornography. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Patterson admitted that between approximately December 2022 and January 2023, he conspired with others to unlawfully transfer firearms. Patterson admitted that a coconspirator acquired firearms using a straw purchaser in Georgia, then sent photographs and videos of those firearms to Patterson in Syracuse. Patterson then sold those firearms to a customer in Syracuse. Patterson further admitted that he knew that the customer had previously been convicted of a felony, and that the use, carrying, or possession of the firearms by the customer would constitute a felony. Patterson acknowledged that at a meeting in Syracuse, he sold the customer 4 handguns.
Patterson further admitted, as part of his guilty plea, that he committed the separate offense of possession of child pornography. Patterson admitted that in May 2023, the defendant knowingly possessed sexually explicit images and videos of a 16-year-old female child. Patterson admitted that in a series of messages he exchanged with the child, the defendant directed the child to produce and transmit specific sexually explicit images to him, which she did. Patterson acknowledged that he then knowingly possessed those images in his personal cloud storage account.
At sentencing, currently set for August 13, 2025, on the firearms-trafficking conspiracy, Patterson faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Patterson may be required to forfeit the firearms involved in the crime. On the child pornography offense, Patterson faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Patterson also faces a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life, to follow any term of imprisonment. Patterson may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his offense and must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
The Southwest Nova RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) has charged a man with drug trafficking offences as part of an investigation that began in 2024.
On April 10, the Southwest Nova RCMP SCEU executed a search warrant at a home on Hwy. 203 in Ohio. Officers safely arrested a man and seized cocaine (1.1kgs), cannabis (3.3 kgs), unstamped tobacco (60K cigarettes), cash ($50K), paraphernalia associated to drug trafficking, and a machete.
James Edward Reid, 64, of Ohio, has been charged with:
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)
Possession for the Purpose of Selling (cannabis)
Selling Unstamped Cannabis – Excise Act
Unlawful possession or sale of tobacco products – Excise Act
Selling of Tobacco Products and Raw Leaf Tobacco
Possession Tobacco – No Taxes Paid – Revenue Act, Nova Scotia
Possession Unstamped Tobacco – Revenue Act, Nova Scotia
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
Reid was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in Barrington Provincial Court on June 11 at 9:30 a.m.
The investigation, which is led by the Southwest Nova SCEU, is ongoing and is being assisted by Shelburne RCMP Detachment, Bridgewater Police Service, the Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia and the Department of Service Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The purpose-built facility is set to open in January 2025.
In brief:
The new facility for Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation is being built in Wanniassa.
This article contains details about the building and Gugan Gulwan’s services.
Work is on track at the new home of the Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation in Wanniassa.
It will support Gugan Gulwan to deliver expanded services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans, including:
children
young people
families.
The purpose-built centre will offer services in a culturally appropriate and familiar setting.
It will have a private central gathering place. There will also be a fire pit to acknowledge traditional and contemporary cultural practices.
The new facility will tell the stories of pre-colonisation, post-colonisation and contemporary history with an ongoing connection to Country through artwork and storytelling.
It seeks to reflect and uphold Aboriginal identity, including when connections to Country may be elsewhere.
Considered, sustainable design
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have culturally led the design. Interpretive work within will reflect this.
The unique façade features 43 highly detailed precast panels. Each weighs an average of eight tonnes.
The project is targeting 5-star Green Buildings certification. Features include:
a performance glazing system
efficient lighting
a large solar PV system.
The building will also collect water with a 1,700L rainwater collection tank.
Gugan Gulwan and its leadership
Gugan Gulwan’s commitment is to protect, nurture and support children, youth and their families as they grow – from birth, through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.
Gugan Gulwan work in collaboration and partnership with their clients through a range of programs.
Damien Coke has recently been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation. This follows the retirement of Kim Davison after decades of service.
Mr Coke is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba man, with significant connections to the Yuin nation and maintains a strong connection to his cultures.
He has extensive experience in cultural engagement for corporates and change management for diversity and inclusion outcomes.
Mr Coke is also a highly experienced senior manager and administrator, having held positions including Chief Operations Officer for Reconciliation Australia and Executive Director, Business Services at Indigenous Business Australia.
“This is a beautiful and unique building, which in many ways reflects the organization that is Gugan Gulwan,” Mr Coke said.
“My vision for this new building is not just a place that is beautiful and unique. My vision is for this place to be a home away from home for the community. A place that is culturally safe and where all mob feel welcome – always.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Construction crews have been busy preparing the schoolgrounds for new buildings.
In brief:
Construction has started on the Garran Primary School modernisation.
The groundwork has been laid, and buildings will be constructed on the northern section of the schoolgrounds over the coming months.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.
Construction work on the Garran Primary School modernisation is now underway.
Over the last few months, construction crews have forged ahead on the project. This has included:
excavating the site
pouring the foundations for new buildings
installing stormwater infrastructure to support the new school and preschool campus.
Now that the groundwork is in place, it’s time to start building up.
Over the coming months you’ll see buildings rise out of the ground in the northern sections of the schoolgrounds. This will include the library, preschool and learning community buildings.
Once complete, the modernisation of Garran Primary will increase capacity up to 975 students from preschool to year 6. It will include:
new learning areas
playgrounds
a new double gymnasium
hard courts
green spaces
and more.
The first stage of the project involves the construction of the new school campus and preschool. This first stage of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025 with students moving into the new school campus shortly after.
The second stage of the project will involve:
demolishing the old school buildings in the southern half of the school grounds
building a new double gymnasium
building external learning play spaces.
This second stage of the project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The two new suburbs will bring the number of suburbs in the district to seven.
Two new suburbs in the Molonglo Valley will be named Bandler and Sulman.
These honour prominent Australians Faith Bandler AC and Sir John Sulman.
These new suburbs will sit within the Molonglo Valley 3 East development. This is the next major stage of suburban development in the area.
Bandler will be developed first. It will sit east of Whitlam across John Gorton Drive.
This will bring the number of suburbs in the district to seven.
Naming Canberra suburbs and places allows us to celebrate influential people from all backgrounds.
Faith Bandler AC
Ida Lessing Faith Bandler was a human rights activist, social justice advocate and author.
She helped raise public awareness and understanding of:
the cultural heritage of South Sea Islanders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
women’s issues.
Faith’s daughter Associate Professor Lilon Bandler said the naming acknowledged her mother’s dedication to creating a more just, inclusive world.
“She had an unwavering commitment to civil rights and social reform that has left an indelible mark on our history. It is deeply moving to see her legacy honoured through the naming of this new suburb in Canberra, a city she visited many, many times.
“As her daughter, I find it particularly fitting that the Division of Bandler will be located next to the Division of Whitlam. My mother often spoke of the importance of visionary leadership in creating social change,” Lilon said.
Sir John Sulman
Sir John Sulman was an architect and town planner. He helped shape Canberra in its early development and influenced the city’s design.
He was appointed Knight Bachelor of the British Empire in 1924. This was in recognition of his influence and contributions in architecture.
“Members of the extended Sulman family are delighted that my great-grandfather Sir John Sulman is being so very appropriately honoured,” Sir John’s great-grandson Emeritus Professor David Carment AM said.
“He deserves this recognition for his significant contributions to Australia as an architect, patron of the arts, town planner and writer, and particularly for his vital role in Canberra’s development,” David said.
Suburban themes
Each suburb in the ACT has a theme used to help name its streets.
For Bandler, the theme will be ‘Australian Social and Cultural Life’.
For Sulman, it will be ‘Humanities and Social Sciences’.
A possible town centre
There is another suburb expected for the Molonglo Valley. This is yet to be named.
The National Capital Authority is currently considering the reclassification of the commercial centre of Molonglo as a Town Centre.
Have your say
The ACT Place Names Advisory Committee welcomes suggestions of names and feedback from the Canberra community.
More information about how places are named and how to provide feedback is available on the Place names page on the ACT Planning website.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust will use their grant to develop a self-guided interpretive trail at Mulligans Flat.
In brief:
The 2024 ACT Heritage Grants program is funding 13 local projects.
These grants help individuals and groups with projects that celebrate the region’s history.
The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust is one of the recipients.
The recipients of the 2024 ACT Heritage Grants program have been announced.
This year’s program will fund 13 individual or community group projects to the value of $206,500.
Funding was prioritised for projects that:
aim to conserve and promote the region’s diverse heritage
enhance local and visitor experiences.
ACT Heritage Grants program aims to help Canberrans honour many years of culture, stories and history.
Previous recipients have showcased the region’s rich history and First Nations heritage. This year’s Canberra and Region Heritage Festival program featured 22 projects funded through these grants.
This year’s selected projects include restoration of heritage places and objects, oral histories, publications and tours.
They will use this to create a self-guided interpretive trail at Mulligans Flat.
“This will showcase the geological heritage of Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary and tell stories about how geology has shaped the landscape and people’s connections to country,” CEO Dr Jason Cummings said.
The trail will give visitors to Mulligans Flat a new opportunity to engage with its natural and cultural landscape.
It will be particularly useful for school groups and will form part of the Canberra Tracks network.
“We will incorporate Ngunnawal perspectives and stories and take people on a journey through geological time. Interpretive signage will be installed to showcase local geological features and share stories about how geology shapes landscape features – water, plants, animals and people,” Jason said.
2024–25 individual recipients and projects
Cuppacumbalong: Roof Conservation Works – $63,500
Tidbinbilla Pioneers Association: Oral Histories in the modern era – $22,200
Tidbinbilla Pioneers Association: Rock Valley Homestead Conservation Works – $17,000
Canberra Baptist Church: Conservation Management Plan – $15,525
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
You could spot kangaroos, koalas, platypus, echidnas, frogs, lizards, snakes and so much more.
In brief:
Canberra is home to many different types of wildlife.
This article lists locations in Canberra where you can see native wildlife.
Canberra has been given the name of the bush capital for good reason. Our bushland is the perfect habitat for a variety of native wildlife.
We’ve put together a guide for spotting native animals and birds.
Please remember that although wildlife can be cute and is exciting to see, do not:
Approach or disturb the wildlife
try to touch them,
feed them or
destroy their habitats in any way.
Give our native wildlife lots of space and keep as much distance as you can to ensure you stay safe and protect their habitat.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is home to a wide range of Australian wildlife. You could spot kangaroos, koalas, platypus, echidnas, frogs, lizards, snakes and so much more through the vast sub-alpine habitats.
There is also the Threatened Species Conservation program, which helps research and recover threatened species. This includes the Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Northern Corroboree Frog and Grassland Earless Dragon.
Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary has a program of reintroductions of species and allows them a place to grow and thrive. A predator-proof fence protects the wildlife inside and keeps them safe from introduced predators and pests like foxes and rabbits.
A few of the native wildlife that call Mulligans Flat home were extinct on the mainland of Australian or found only in specific areas of Australia until their reintroduction. You might get lucky enough to see an Eastern Bettong, Eastern Quoll, New Holland Mouse any many more different species.
This reserve is located next to the Kingston Foreshore and is one of the ACT’s most important wetland habitats. There are several different bird hides where you can watch birds and wildlife.
For the full wetlands experience, download the Jerrabomberra Wetlands app and choose from three route options to wander.
If you are looking for a place to view free flying birds, head to the Canberra Walk-in Aviary. You’ll find over 500 birds including nearly 60 different species from both Australia and around the world.
Do scaly reptiles pique your interest? Visit the Canberra Reptile Zoo to see native snakes, lizards, geckos and more. You can not only watch the reptiles, but you also can sign up to touch them and some special volunteers get to hold them as well.
If you’re into bird watching, the Canberra Birds site is home to all things bird-related in Canberra. Learn about different bird species, where they have been spotted and how to report and observe birds. There is also an amazing photo gallery full of the birds people have spotted.
Do you have a child that is obsessed with wildlife? Enrol them into one of the many young ranger programs that happen throughout the year. Kids can go on guided tours to see many different animals throughout Canberra. From frogs to birds there will be something to keep the kids fascinated.
Canberra is home to over 90 amazing parks, many of which are filled with local wildlife. Search the area and see the different kinds of wildlife you come across on your travels. Whether you stay in your own suburb, or travel out to one of the national parks, you are bound to come across many interesting species.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Savannah McGuirk is using her PhD learnings to solve real-word problems through her start-up.
In brief:
Savannah McGuirk takes PhD learnings to solve real word problems with a start-up.
She seeks advice to make sure her business is compliant.
Advice from the Access Canberra Business Assist Team confirms she’s on track.
While completing her PhD, Savannah McGuirk discovered an industry problem that was yet to be solved.
With her research pointing the way, Savannah launched her business, Remote Water Analytics.
From research to start-up
“Research is funny like that,” Savannah said. “You never know where you going to end up.”
“I started out my PhD looking at carbon levels in soil, but soon discovered that soil moisture was impacting remote sensing satellite and drone data for carbon monitoring. What I also found, was there is no consistency in methods for monitoring soil moisture levels with optical satellite data.”
That’s when things shifted for Savanah. She saw the application of her scientific research for the purpose of solving real world industry problems.
Remote Water Analytics is in its infancy as Savannah finalises her PhD, but she’s already working with some clients. She’s using state-of-the-art remote sensing technologies, like satellites and drones alongside advanced data science, AI and machine learning to pull comprehensive insights into soil and water conditions.
“We can do soil moisture mapping as well as long and short-term soil monitoring. We can also provide geospatial data visualisation. Satellite data gives us near real-time access to accurate and actionable information,” she said.
Savannah said they can help small scale farmers or large agricultural operations to adopt more sustainable practices.
“To be honest, I was surprised there wasn’t already a product in market that could affordably, reliably and efficiently test soil moisture remotely.
“Soil sampling and testing is an expensive and labour-intensive endeavour, particularly over large areas when we’re dealing with large agricultural holdings.”
But it’s not just agricultural applications that Remote Water Analytics can deal with. Savannah is currently working with a local Canberra civil construction company who are developing a new Canberra suburb.
“Construction companies can’t work when it’s wet without damaging the surfaces which they have already carefully prepared. By accurately monitoring soil moisture levels, we can get them back on site as quickly and safely as possible after rain, ultimately helping them get their job done faster and realise real financial savings.”
ACT Government business support
Earlier this year, Savannah attended the ACT Government’s first CBR Small Business Expo. Curious to see what was on offer, she came across the Access Canberra Business Assist Team.
“I overheard them speaking to someone else, and they sounded helpful,” she said.
“It got me thinking about whether there were any permits or licences I need to operate a soil and water management business.”
Like a true Canberran, and scientist, Savannah was keen to know that she was following all the correct processes and had all the right licences and permits.
After hearing Savannah’s story, the Business Assist Team got to work on her behalf, seeking advice across government, including from the ACT Environmental Protection Authority.
Kim from the Access Canberra Business Assist Team said they were glad to provide advice to Savannah.
“Savannah’s business is a bit niche, and we were able to give her peace of mind that she was compliant with necessary regulations,” said Kim.
Savannah agreed.
“It was reassuring to be able to access the team by email and get confirmation that I had done the right things and was compliant in running my business,” she said.
As for what’s next for Savannah, her business is one of 24 across Australia participating in a business accelerator program run by the Commonwealth Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
“It’s a three-month accelerator program to support drought-resilience in Australian agriculture.
“I’m a scientist, so I’m looking forward to learning many of the skill sets I need to run and operate a successful start-up,” she said.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Community gardens give easy access to fresh produce and increase the resilience of local food production.
Twelve Canberra projects have received a grant through the Community Garden Grants Program.
They will each receive a share of $100,000 in total funding.
The benefits of community gardens
Community gardens offer opportunities for local climate action.
The program also helps Canberrans connect and learn in a shared space.
The gardens give easy access to fresh produce and increase the resilience of local food production.
Havelock Community Garden
The Canberra Student Housing Co-operative is a 2024 recipient.
They plan to use their grant funds to turn the Havelock Community Garden in Turner into a communal food production space.
This will make it a place for community connection and socialising.
They also see it as a means of engaging and educating the student community on growing and maintaining a garden.
“Education is a big part of what we’re trying to do. Through the grant, we can carry out all these projects we wouldn’t have been able to do before,” Cooperative Director Benjamin Mason said.
While volunteers and skills are plentiful, cost has been a barrier.
“This grant means we will be spending less of our budget on the inventory required to run the garden. It means we can now start gardening,” Benjamin said.
Growing their own food will bring substantial cost benefits, as well as environmental and social ones.
“We have our own bulk food storage that all residents can access as part of the housing co-operative. The overarching plan is to eat the food from the garden, but anything we can’t eat fresh will be used in our pickling program,” he said.
2024 Community Garden Grant funding streams
There are two funding streams in 2024.
In Stream 1, there is a total of $40,000 to:
improve and enhance existing gardens
build non-food-related gardens.
In Stream 2, there is a total of $60,000 to:
set up large-scale food production community gardens
build significant infrastructure to increase food production in existing gardens.
2024 grant recipients
Stream 1:
Canberra Environment Centre: $7,835.76 to boost capacity to produce food in their community garden and increase resilience to climate change
Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc: $2,000.00 to buy zero-emission power tools for the Charnwood Community Garden
Holy Spirit Parish, Gungahlin: $2,641.79 to enhance the productivity and sustainability of their existing gardens
The Food Cooperative Shop: $2,872.72 to install vertical garden infrastructure and hold composting workshops
Red Hill Primary School P&C: $4,068.65 to plant a bush tucker garden and enhance existing food gardens
Church of Christ Ainslie ACT Inc: $3,922.60 to improve seed raising capabilities, build more garden beds and create a frog bog along with native plantings
Canberra Student Housing Co-operative: $2,239.00 to convert the Havelock Community Garden into a communal food production space
Miles Franklin Primary School P&C: $8,000.00 to build the Gambara Garden, complete with fruit trees and vegetable gardens
Scullin Community Group Inc: $2,832.84 to plant an edible sensory hedge at the Scullin Shops.
Stream 2:
Old Narrabundah Community Council: $18,947.00 to install secure fencing around their newly renovated gardens
Canberra Muslim Community Inc: $22,000.00 to build the GM Multicultural Community Garden at Gungahlin Mosque
SEE Change Belconnen: $22,470.41 to build the demonstration verge garden network. This will build verge gardens in five locations across Belconnen.
The Community Garden Grants Program began in 2015. It has since supported 87 community garden projects.
Find more information on the Community Garden Grants program and this year’s recipients at the Everyday Climate Choices website.
The Canberra Student Housing Co-operative plans to use their grant funds to turn the Havelock Community Garden in Turner into a communal food production space.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
More Canberrans will have access to weekly collection of food scraps and garden waste.
In brief:
The Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection pilot provides a weekly collection of food scraps and garden waste.
The pilot is being expanded to include more than 1,150 households in multi-unit developments in Tuggeranong and Belconnen.
Participating households will be formally notified of their involvement in the coming weeks.
The ACT Government is expanding the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection pilot. From September, the pilot will include more than 1,150 households in multi-unit developments in Belconnen and Tuggeranong.
The FOGO pilot began in November 2021. Each week food scraps and garden waste are collected from about 5,300 households in:
Belconnen
Bruce
Cook
Macquarie.
From September, the collection pilot will service more Canberrans, including:
772 households in Belconnen
400 households in Tuggeranong.
These homes will be in multi-development units.
About one-third of items put into household rubbish bins in the ACT is food. This is equal to around 26,000 tonnes of food waste going to landfill each year.
Since the pilot began, it has diverted more than 3,475 tonnes of food and garden waste from landfill. This material has been turned into valuable compost. This supports a circular economy within the ACT and reduces the amount of harmful greenhouse gas emissions that come from our landfill.
The Belconnen and Tuggeranong households added to the pilot will continue to provide information. This data will inform a future Canberra-wide rollout of FOGO. It will also provide insights to help improve waste management practices for multi-unit developments.
Participating households will receive a letter to announce their involvement. There will also be information sessions over the coming weeks. Details will be provided to residents and building managers on the correct use of FOGO in their buildings.
Those households will get an easy-to-use kitchen caddy with compostable liner bags for food scraps. They will also get access to a light green lidded FOGO bin within their shared waste enclosures. There will be no changes to regular bin collections within the expansion areas.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
New and improved facilities will allow community organisations to offer a welcoming, secure and inclusive environment.
In brief:
Plans to upgrade the Watson Health Precinct are moving ahead.
There will be new and improved facilities offering vital rehabilitation services.
A new drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be built.
The Watson Health Precinct upgrades are moving ahead.
Plans have been conditionally approved and a Head Contractor appointed.
Important upgrades
Community health organisations have provided vital rehabilitation services from the precinct for almost 20 years.
New facilities will replace the site’s ageing infrastructure. This will help these organisations ensure a welcoming, secure and inclusive environment for people as they recover.
It will also allow them to double their capacity in the future.
The ACT Government will build new facilities in the precinct for:
the Ted Noffs Foundation – who offer live-in alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services for young people
Marymead CatholicCare – who provide a residential care facility for young people with mental health conditions.
“Seeking support for drug and alcohol treatment is a massive step for any young person to undertake. Having a space that is designed and created to allow for young people to feel safe, comfortable and promotes treatment removes one barrier to young people accessing support. We welcome the ACT Government’s commitment to improve the treatment options for young people in the ACT,” the Ted Noffs Foundation said.
“Young people struggling with mental health concerns deserve and will appreciate the new welcoming and fresh interiors, inspiring the sense of new beginnings and motivation to work towards their identified mental health recovery goals,” Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn said.
A new facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The precinct will also expand. A new alcohol and other drugs rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be built.
It will be a residential facility with 24 beds.
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (Winnunga) will run the service.
Winnunga has led the facility’s design and will be responsible for its construction and operation.
This partnership will help ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive culturally appropriate care for the best possible recovery.
Monarch Building Solutions has been engaged as the Head Contractor for the work on the existing services.
They will work with Winnunga and their Head Contractor as they build their new facility.
Construction is expected to be completed in early 2026.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Palmerville Heritage Park sits in an historic cultural space near McKellar, Evatt and Giralang.
In brief:
The ACT Government will build a 650-metre loop path in Palmerville Heritage Park.
Palmerville Heritage Park is in north Belconnen.
This will help people better explore the area.
The ACT Government will build a new loop path through Palmerville Heritage Park.
It will be approximately 650 metres long.
The park is a popular open space in north Belconnen.
It sits in an historic cultural landscape near McKellar, Evatt and Giralang.
This location represents a connection to the early rural settlement of the ACT. There is evidence of past land use in this area as a rural settlement from the early 1800s to the 1950s.
Canberrans have requested the continuation of the park’s existing walking trail to create a loop.
This will help people better explore the area.
Ginninderra Creek runs along the park’s east side. As the area is flood prone, this will influence the final alignment of the path and the materials used to build it.
Once heritage and environment approvals are complete, the final alignment will be released ahead of construction procurement.
Construction procurement is expected to begin in early 2025.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
A climate-wise garden can create a shady haven for your family while providing a habitat for native animals and insects.
In brief:
Canberra is expecting hotter temperatures, more heatwaves and less predictable rainfall.
Creating a climate-wise garden helps keep your home cooler and contributes to reducing urban heat.
This story has tips for creating a climate-wise garden for summer.
Spring is a great time of year to plan your summer garden.
Whether you have a large yard, a small courtyard or balcony, you can create a beautiful garden that:
thrives in local conditions
helps keep your space cool in hot weather
is a habitat for native animals and insects.
By planning your climate-wise garden, you can lower the temperature around your home. This can help you save energy and reduce your cooling bills during the hot months.
Choose plants for Canberra’s climate
Canberra’s climate is changing. This means we will have:
hotter temperatures
more heatwaves
less predictable rainfall.
Roads, footpaths and buildings absorb the sun’s heat and makes urban areas hotter than nearby green spaces.
Living infrastructure (like the plants and trees in your garden) can reduce urban heat during hotter weather and heatwaves.
A climate-wise garden has plants that consider sun, shade and water needs, and frost tolerance.
The ACT Government’s Canberra Plant Selector is a free online tool that can help you choose the best plants for your climate-wise garden.
You can search for plants suited to Canberra’s climate based on sun, shade, frost tolerance and water needs. Not sure what exactly you’re looking for? Use the handy quiz feature to get some recommendations tailored to your space.
Don’t have space for a tree? Adding greenery to a westerly facing wall can help keep it cool during those hot summer afternoons. You can also consider an overhead trellis or placing some plants on your balcony or veranda. Another option is to install a shade structure, such as a sail.
Planting a tree in a hot space helps, but what about the ground surface underneath? If it’s compacted dirt, artificial grass, or pavers, some of the cooling effects of the tree are lost. Think about understory plants that might work well in your space. If you can’t plant directly into the ground, consider pots or planters.
Use water wisely
Planting only grass or groundcover won’t help you beat the heat. Grass and other forms of ground cover are coolest when irrigated or combined with shrubs and trees that also provide shade.
Consider getting a rain tank to capture runoff from your roof. You can use this water to keep your lawn and garden irrigated and cooler in hot conditions.
If you already have trees and shade in your space, installing a small pond or other water feature can help keep things even cooler. Ponds can also provide habitat for frogs and insects, as well as providing a welcome respite for local wildlife.
Help keep our city cooler
Having a climate-wise garden isn’t just about keeping your own home cool. Landowners, builders and the community play an important role in reducing Canberra’s urban heat.
The ACT Government is helping the Territory to adapt to the effects of climate change through living infrastructure like trees and plants.
As Canberra’s urban environment grows and evolves, the ACT Government is committed to ensuring our tree canopy and living infrastructure also expands.
By 2045, across Canberra’s urban footprint, the ACT Government aims to achieve:
30 per cent tree canopy cover or other forms of living infrastructure, such as green roofs, shrub beds, wetlands and rain gardens.
30 per cent permeable surfaces, such as lawns, gravel and porous paving.
Canberra’s Living Infrastructure Plan outlines how we can nurture and grow our natural assets. The Plan will grow our urban forest, make our city and buildings more climate resilient and empower the community with the tools and resources to become climate ready.
Read more like this:
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)
Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced he is once again cosponsoring the bipartisan, bicameralInvest to Protect Act,reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05),John Rutherford (FL-05), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) this week. This critical legislation would make targeted investments in small and midsize departments with fewer than 175 sworn police officers, providing vital funds for recruitment, retention, training, and officer support.
During the 117th Congress, the bipartisanInvest to Protect Actoverwhelmingly passed the House with 360 votes. Other versions of the legislation have also passed the Senate. Despite broad support, a final agreed-upon bill has not yet fully passed out of Congress. This reintroduction renews the effort to deliver critical support to law enforcement officers serving communities across the country.
“New Hampshire’s local law enforcement does critical work to keep our communities and our families safe, and this bipartisan legislation will ensure they have the resources and training needed to do their jobs,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “By making increased funding available to our local departments, this legislation will improve recruitment, retention, mental health support for officers and ensure they have the support to keep our communities safe. Whether they are keeping deadly fentanyl and other illegal drugs off our streets, protecting individuals from violent crime, or acting as first responders to physical and mental health emergencies, our local police departments do lifesaving work each and every day, and this legislation will help support their work and keep Granite Staters safe.”
The bipartisan, bicameralInvest to Protect Act of 2025would:
Invest in officer safety, de-escalation, and domestic violence response training, allowing officers to receive critical training that will make them more effective at their jobs;
Create grants for small departments to recruit new officers to bolster their departments;
Provide retention bonuses to keep existing officers as a part of their communities;
Fund officers’ tuition for graduate studies in mental health, public health, and social work up to $10,000; and
Allow departments to provide mental health resources for their officers.
The critical need to support small and midsized police departments:
The vast majority of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. are smaller than 200 full-time sworn officers.
More than 94% of local U.S. police departments have fewer than 100 sworn officers.
Small law enforcement agencies protect and serve our communities with strained resources and growing needs for additional support, training, and funding.
Read the full bill text here.
The bipartisan Invest to Protect Act is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Troopers Coalition,the National Sheriffs’ Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).
“The Fraternal Order of Police applauds the recent reintroduction of the ‘Invest to Protect Act’ in the House. This crucial piece of legislation would establish a program within the U.S. Department of Justice to provide grants to small departments for their training, recruitment and retention, college tuition, and social services like therapy and treatment. Year after year, this bill has remained a priority of the FOP. We owe it to our smaller departments to better equip them with the tools they need to carry out their duties to the best of their ability as they work tirelessly to protect our communities. We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Gottheimer and Rutherford to introduce this bill in the House. We look forward to working closely with Congress to ensure this gets across the finish line,” said the Fraternal Order of Police.
“On behalf of the National Tactical Officers Association and its over 40,000 members nationwide, I am proud to support the Invest to Protect Act,” said Thor Eells, Executive Director of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). “This bipartisan legislation is a needed step in providing critical training and equipment to smaller and rural police departments to help ensure the health, security, and safety of both law enforcement and the citizenry that they are sworn to protect.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
This is the first stage of work to regulate assisted reproductive services and improve access to information on heritage for donor-conceived people.
In brief:
New laws will better support donor-conceived Canberrans and their families.
New regulatory requirements for clinical practice are being introduced.
A new ACT donor register will help donor-conceived people access family information.
People who use and are conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART) are now better protected in the ACT.
A new piece of legislation – the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act (2024) – is in place.
It requires Canberra ART providers to continue adhering to strong clinical and ethical standards.
These will better support the health and wellbeing of donor-conceived Canberrans and their families.
Improving access
The new legislation is the first stage in the ACT Government’s work to regulate and improve access to ART services in Canberra.
It supports Canberrans who:
use ART to become parents
are donor-conceived and wish to access information about their parents’ donor, in a timely and sensitive manner.
It also introduces regulatory requirements for clinical practice by ART providers, including:
registration requirements
conditions around providing clinical services
requirements for gamete (sperm or eggs) retrieval and use
requirements for embryo creation and storage.
“The legal regulation of the ART industry is a necessary step for all those who access fertility treatment in the territory and will help assure Canberrans that the industry is operating ethically and that they will be in safe hands while accessing treatment,” National Director of Donor Conceived Australia Aimee Shackleton said.
An ACT donor register
The new law ensures donor-conceived Canberrans will be able to access information about their parents’ donor/s from their ART providers. This includes information on genetic heritage and any half-siblings they may have.
It also establishes a donor register. A register will make it an easier, more streamlined process for donor-conceived people to find such information.
Stage 1 of the donor register
The new law sets up the first stage of the register.
Through this, donor-conceived individuals who are conceived after 29 March 2025 can access details about their donor, including identifying information. Parents will also be able to access this information, where the gametes were donated after 29 March 2025.
This first stage will also include the establishment of a voluntary register. This will start in March 2025.
This will allow for existing donor-conceived people and past donors to voluntarily add their details to the register.
“We are grateful the ACT Government has legislated to create a voluntary register enabling those who wish to make connections with family, and share vitally important medical information, to now do so in a safe and appropriate manner,” Aimee said.
Stage 2 of the donor register
The second stage will include a retrospective register for all donor-conceived individuals. There, people can access information about their parents’ donor, irrespective of when they were conceived or born, if those records still exist.
This will be put in place after extensive community and stakeholder consultation.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The park’s impressive eagle centrepiece was designed by Ngunnawal artist Lynnice Church.
In brief:
A new park on Aspinall Street, Watson is now open.
It provides families a vibrant new space to play and learn more about Ngunnawal culture.
It is part of the Section 76 Watson site, which will include new housing.
The new Maliyan Park in north Watson is now open.
It is located on Aspinall Street, near the Negus Crescent intersection.
This new neighbourhood park celebrates Ngunnawal culture through:
vibrant artwork
new trees and plantings
diverse play equipment.
It was designed with the aim of sharing Ngunnawal culture while enjoying time outdoors.
The park’s centrepiece is a Maliyan (wedge-tailed eagle) structure. This was designed by Ngunnawal artist Lynnice Church.
The impressive structure signifies the Maliyan’s importance to the traditional custodians. It is believed she was chosen to create resources for Ngunnawal people.
Other artworks include native animals and insects designed by Ngunnawal artists Jazz and Krystal Matthews from Wilay Designs.
The park also features a selection of endemic plants with a special and practical connection to Ngunnawal community and culture.
Visitors will find play equipment for a range of ages and play styles. There is nature play, swings, slides, climbers and spinners.
Older children and adults can make use of exercise equipment and a kick-around space.
Maliyan Park is a unique space for local families to play, relax and learn more about Ngunnawal culture.
It is part of the Section 76 Watson site that will provide for:
approximately 200 new homes
a demonstration housing project of approximately 20 to 30 homes while keeping high-quality trees to continue to provide habitat for wildlife and reduce urban heat.
Section 76 was developed in consultation with the community. This includes input from the Dhawura Ngunnawal Caring for Country Committee.
There is play equipment for a range of ages and play styles.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Here is a list of fun experiences in Canberra for you and your toddler.
When it comes to keeping toddlers busy, not just any activity will do.
They have moved beyond entertainment for babies but aren’t quite ready for school-aged fun.
Luckily, Canberra has plenty of facilities and activities for kids of all ages, including toddlers.
Here are some toddler-friendly activities loved by Canberra families:
The Discovery Centre at the National Museum of Australia
The Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre is a play space for children from birth to 6 years. It is jam-packed with different activities, including:
a quiet reading area with books
a wheelchair-accessible rocking deck
platforms, ropes, ramps and stairs to climb
light projections
and plenty more.
There are also activity sessions during the school term, including:
pyramid making sessions on Wednesdays
story time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Little Griffins Play & Learn
Join a free event for babies and toddlers aged 0 to 4 on the last Friday of every month at the National Capital Exhibition. Each month has a different theme and includes activities like arts and craft and music.
When you’re finished, pop next door to the Canberra and Region Visitor Information Centre at Regatta Point. There is colouring in and some fun activities from Questacon. There is also a playground next door to the Centre.
Curious Corner at the National Gallery of Australia
On the first Thursday of the month, the National Gallery of Australia hosts a program designed for children aged 3-5 and their caregivers.
The sessions encourage curiosity and creativity. They build on ideas from the Gallery through creative making in the Tim Fairfax Learning studio.
The event is free, and bookings are essential.
Little Faces at the National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery hosts a range of family-friendly activities. Little Faces is a way for babies and toddlers to explore portraits through play, music and fun.
Bookings are essential.
PlayUP at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
PlayUP is a playful way for young families to explore the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The exhibition includes play spaces, roleplay, craft activities, story time, and more.
PlayUP is open from 9am to 4:30pm daily.
National Arboretum Canberra
The National Arboretum Canberra’s outdoor educators host weekly nature-based playgroups for children aged between 18 months and 5 years.Sessions run from 10am to 2pm on Mondays and Fridays during the school term.
The Playgroup is designed for children to build physical and emotional confidence and unleash their creativity. It also helps them to become environmentally conscious individuals.
Playgrounds
Regardless of what side of Canberra you live in, you’re never far from an excellent playground.
Some popular Canberra playgrounds include:
Ruth Park Playground in Coombs
Farrer Nature Play & Adventure Trail
Boundless Canberra
Pod Playground at the National Arboretum Canberra
Point Hut Pond Gordon District Playground
Moncrieff Community Recreation Park.
Yarralumla Play Station
The Yarralumla Play Station in Weston Park includes:
the Weston Park Miniature Railway
Lake Walter Mini Golf
Mini Farm Friends.
Catch the mini train for a farm visit for an exciting day out. Afterwards, grab a babycino and some lunch from the Station Stop Café. There’s also a playground across the road.
National Dinosaur Museum
Dinosaurs are a source of fascination for toddlers. The National Dinosaur Museum is a fun, interactive way to learn about the earth’s ancient history. Explore the indoor exhibitions and then venture outside to the landscaped dinosaur garden.
Giggle & Wiggle
Giggle and Wiggle is a free program held at Libraries ACT for babies and toddlers up to two and their carers.
The program focuses on language development. Sessions include singing, dancing and sharing rhymes.
Families are encouraged to spend time in the library afterwards to build connections and make friends.
Questacon
Questacon is always a hit with kids, but Mini Q is built specifically for curious toddlers.
There are a range of activities and spaces for children aged up to 6. Each area is designed to help children learn about the world around them.
There is a play café, vet office and mechanic. You’ll also find water play, a space-themed area, and much more.
Mini Q is included with general admission. There may be session times in place during peak periods like school holidays and long weekends.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are the perfect place for toddlers to spend some time outdoors. There’s plenty of space to run, wander and explore.
Head to the Visitors Centre to get a guide and map. The staff can also tell you about the family-friendly activities available at the Gardens.
The ‘Who Lives Here?’ children’s discovery walk takes 30 minutes and is designed for children up to 8. It’s fun and teaches children about their environment.
There is also Bush magic: storytime in the Gardens on the first Friday of the month from 10am-11am.
Canberra Zoo and Aquarium
A visit to Canberra Zoo and Aquarium is about so much more than just seeing animals and sea creatures.
There are 2.6km of walking trails, complete with an Adventure Trail with interactive activities for kids.
When it comes to playing, AdventureLand is the star of the show. It’s the Zoo’s playground space for children aged 2-12.
There are 55 activities available for children, including:
cubby houses
a tree house
animal sculptures and structures.
There’s even a toddler-specific area that’s close to the toilet block and baby change room.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Receiving specialist care in a place that feels like home helps people with eating disorders apply their skills once they are ready to leave.
In brief:
Canberra’s brand-new Eating Disorders Residential Treatment Centre in Coombs is complete.
Appointments will begin the week commencing 26 August 2024.
The centre is Australia’s first publicly run 24/7 residential eating disorder centre.
The new Eating Disorders Residential Treatment Centre in Coombs is now complete.
It is Australia’s first publicly run 24/7 residential eating disorder centre. This is a brand-new service for the ACT region.
Appointments will begin the week commencing 26 August.
Residential treatments will begin in the coming weeks.
The importance of residential care
Receiving specialist care in a place that feels like home helps people apply their skills once they are ready to leave the service.
“We believe residential treatment, with 24/7 specialist eating disorder care in a home-like environment, is an essential option for successful recovery for many within the stepped system of care for eating disorders, and we’re excited to see more treatment options expanding across Australia for the more than 1.1 million Australians directly impacted each year,” Butterfly Foundation CEO Dr Jim Hungerford said.
Eating disorders can have significant impacts on the physical, psychological, and social-emotional wellbeing of all affected.
As such, the centre provides therapeutic services that include:
specialist treatment
intensive nutritional treatment
psychological treatment.
Consulting with stakeholders
The centre’s completion is an important milestone for those with, or caring for someone with, an eating disorder.
The ACT Government worked with various stakeholders to finalise its design.
These include clinicians, non-government organisations, people with lived experience of eating disorders, families, carers and the wider Canberra community.
“Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) looks forward to families and carers being active participants in the vital role of the Residential Treatment Facility and to continue providing our counselling, education and support services to the broader Canberra community,” ACT Director at EDFA David Quilty said.
National charity The Butterfly Foundation also shared insights. It runs the Wandi Nerida residential recovery centre for eating disorders in QLD.
The Australian Government has supported the establishment of the Coombs centre.
It will complement other eating disorder services in the region, including the Eating Disorders Clinical Hub and the early intervention service.
Getting help for eating disorders
If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing an eating disorder or body image concerns, contact the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or find support services at Butterfly.