Published: 19 June 2018

The Labor-Greens government is holding up a vibrant urban renewal proposal because of one tree, even though it uprooted hundreds of native gums for its own development project without hesitation.

A proposed development at Manuka is potentially being held up because of a single protected London Plane tree.

“The Barr government is being very hypocritical about tree protection,” Ms Lawder said.

“The government’s approach to the protection of this tree is in stark contrast to the cavalier approach it took to the removal of hundreds of mature native gum trees along Northbourne Avenue.

“No tree can get in the way of the government’s development projects, but it just takes one tree to potentially hold up other urban renewal plans.

“While I strongly support the value of trees in our town centres and suburbs, I think we have to adopt a sensible approach to tree protection, especially with common trees,” Ms Lawder concluded.

The London Plane tree is a type of European tree which has been widely planted across the City in the past years.

The tree on the proposed development site was placed on the ACT Tree Register in 2012.

Published: 22 April 2018

For weeks, Moncrieff residents have been pleading with the Labor-Greens government to clean up excessive rubbish and litter that is polluting their neighbourhood.

Of note are the polystyrene waffle pods that are flying around Moncrieff.These pods are lightweight and susceptible to breaking down. Whenever there are strong winds, the pods and other rubbish from around the suburb end up littering parks, waterways and reserve areas.

Moncrieff residents have lodged multiple complaints to the government but aren’t getting any response.

Quotes from Member for Yerrabi James Milligan:

“I am hearing from a lot of Moncrieff residents who are pretty unhappy.

“They have asked the government over and over again to provide basic services to remove the litter, but the government isn’t doing enough.

“They are expected to pay excessive rates, but the government never follows through on its end of the bargain which is to provide basic services.

“This is just one more issue in Moncrieff that the government is choosing to ignore. Moncrieff doesn’t have a bus service, it doesn’t have a reliable bin collection service, and it isn’t getting the basic maintenance required to keep the suburb clean.

“The government needs to clean up its act and start delivering services that residents are already paying for.”

Quotes from Shadow Minister for Urban Services Nicole Lawder:

“Sadly, the concerns of residents in Moncrieff are not unique. On a daily basis, we hear the frustration people have when trying to get the government to fix street lights or remove rubbish in common areas.

“This government is happy to collect rates and taxes from residents but is loath to deliver basic urban services.”

Published: 23 May 2018

Member for Brindabella, Nicole Lawder, joined the children at Holy Family Primary School in Gowrie today, for fun morning reading activities. The highlight was being part of the annual National Simultaneous Storytime organised by the Australian Library and Information Association.

Ms Lawder said “Every year, a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.”

“Last year 686,324 participants at over 6,129 locations read the same book at the same time. Hopefully this record will be broken in 2018” said Ms Lawder.

This year at exactly 11am on Wednesday 23 May Australian readers shared Hickory Dickory Dash written by Tony Wilson and illustrated by Laura Wood.

“It is a fun event with a serious side. It aims to promote the value of reading and literacy” said Ms Lawder.

It also promotes the value and fun of books, promotes an Australian writer and publisher and promotes storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country.

One of the objectives of the program is to provide opportunities to involve parents and grandparents to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

“As a Grandmother who loves reading to my grandchildren, I love the opportunity to read aloud to young people” said Ms Lawder.

Media Contact Deborah Seccombe

P 02 6205 1520 M 0451 255 891 E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published: 23 March 2018

“City of Canberra” finds a home - but not in Canberra

While I am pleased that the Beyer-Garrat 6029 locomotive has found a new home, it is disappointing that that home was not in Canberra, Shadow Heritage Minister Nicole Lawder said.

The new owners of the locomotive, formerly known as the City of Canberra, have struck a one year storage and use agreement with Transport Heritage NSW and the NSW Rail Museum.  

“While it is good news that the 6029 Locomotive has found a home in Thirlmere near Sydney, it is unfortunate that it has been lost from Canberra,” Ms Lawder said.

“Important parts of Canberra rail history were lost when the Australian Railway Historical Society ACT Division went into liquidation.”

The famous engine 6029 once operated in Canberra and was on display in Canberra but was acquired by private owners in November last year. The locomotive was sold as part of the ARHS liquidation.

The 6029 entered service in NSW and the ACT in 1954 and retired in 1972. In the 1980’s it was restored to operational condition and operated as a heritage train for the Canberra Railway Museum. It received renewed mainline accreditation in December 2014, named City of Canberra with the first public trips taking place on 28 February 2015. It is the largest operational steam locomotive in the Southern hemisphere.

“The new owners were keen for anyone who had worked with the locomotive to maintain their involvement.

“Fortunately, Thirlmere is not that far away from Canberra.

“I hope there will be opportunities for the locomotive to visit Canberra in the future.

“It is important that we do not lose active connections with these important parts of our transport heritage,” Ms Lawder concluded.

Media contact Deborah Seccombe: