Chris Steel MLA | Politician
Chris Steel MLA
Reviews
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25.01.2022 The new #Torrens play space is officially open with four more play spaces opening before the Summer holidays including the new #Waramanga playspace. I want to particularly thank the local residents and families involved in coming together to work with the ACT Government on the design these projects and participate in the reviews of playspaces in their communities. These new playspaces will support children’s physical and social wellbeing by giving them more opportunities to d...o what they do best playing. Following feedback, the Torrens playspace includes something for people of all ages from a climbing web through to a basketball half court, as well as shaded seating for relaxing parents and grandparents close to the local cafe. Local artists Dai Cameron and Edward Mowat were involved in painting bright artwork on the concrete walls to capture children’s imaginations. Other new play spaces include tree balance beams, log steppers and large play equipment with a climbing structure and slide at Waramanga; a dirt bike track, accessible spinner and picnic shelter at Higgins; a nature play circuit, climbing slope and birds nest swing at Narrabundah; and skateboard ledge and ramp, as well as a nest swing and spinner at Richardson. These playspaces will also help to revitalise local shopping centres in four locations by providing public spaces that families can enjoy for years to come. It’s been a big year for play spaces across our city, with over 50 play spaces refreshed as part of the ACT Government’s fast-track infrastructure program, 2 new natural play spaces opening at Yerrabi Pond and Kambah District Park and now 5 brand new play spaces opening just in time for the summer holidays. The ACT Government will continue to invest in renewed play infrastructure to give children the best start and provide better public spaces for Canberrans. For further information on each of the new play spaces, visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au
23.01.2022 Labor has the right plan to create and protect local jobs to support the recovery, while investing in health education and taking action on climate change. HEALTH We will continue to provide better healthcare. We built the Weston Creek Walk-in Centre to provide free local health services and we’ll build the Canberra Hospital Expansion and new walk-in health centre in Coombs staffed with 400 new nurses and doctors.... EDUCATION We’ve built the best education system anywhere in Australia and we’ll make it even better by building new schools and giving young people new opportunities by building CIT’s new major campus in Woden. And I’m proud that as a former early childhood education advocate, Labor will deliver universal access to preschool for 3 year olds. CLIMATE CHANGE Labor were the architects of 100% renewable electricity, and if elected we’ll build Australia’s largest battery, recycle food waste, buy 90 electric buses, and support households to put on solar or a battery, or upgrade to an electric heat pump. Learn more about Labor’s plan here: actlabor.org.au/future
22.01.2022 ACT Labor were the architects of % renewable electricity in the ACT - and if elected we’ll make Canberra the renewable energy capital of Australia, creating 2,000 jobs on our way to net zero emissions. If re-elected this October, ACT Labor will start work to deliver one of the biggest renewable battery storage system in Australia. ACT Labor’s Big Canberra Battery will deliver at least 250MW of battery storage ensuring lower electricity prices and a more stable and resi...lient power grid. A re-elected Labor team will help more Canberra households benefit from cheaper, renewable electricity through a zero-interest loan scheme for solar panels, household battery storage and hot water heat pumps. This $150 million commitment is one of the most significant investments in clean energy in the ACT’s history, and will create and protect 1,200 local jobs. ACT Labor will transition our public bus fleet to zero emissions, which will create 500 local jobs. This ambitious transition starts with a re-elected Labor Government buying 90 battery electric buses in the next term, building a new zero-emissions bus depot in Canberra’s North and building electric bus infrastructure at the new Woden Depot. Labor will cut emissions through the introduction of a food recycling scheme. By composting food waste through our green bins, a re-elected ACT Labor Government will reduce the ACT’s emissions from the waste sector by approximately 30%. ACT Labor will also continue to build new, zero-emissions schools across Canberra and support non-government schools to become more sustainable through a low-interest loan scheme for solar panels and battery storage systems. Now more than ever we need a Government with a proven plan to take action on climate change, reduce power bills and ensure a better future for our city. We are doing this because it’s the right thing to do.
22.01.2022 We've had some really positive announcements on light rail in the last couple of weeks. Approvals are progressing and a substantial investment from the Commonwealth gives us all confidence in the project. But none of this is possible without you. ... Canberrans love light rail, and since we opened the service in April 2019, it's been used more than 6 million times. Thank you for continuing to be COVID safe on public transport and thank you for using light rail!
22.01.2022 I have just knocked in my final door of the election campaign - and I’d like to finish by thanking the people of Murrumbidgee for the their engagement with me over the term. I’ve been proud to represent our community as your Labor Member in the ACT Legislative Assembly since 2016 and as a Minister in the ACT Government. Directly prior to entering the Assembly, I worked as an education advocate for the policies that improve lifelong outcomes for children like universal acces...s to preschool, and I’m proud that if re-elected ACT Labor will extend preschool to all three year olds. Since being elected I have been working on the urban regeneration of my home Town of Woden like the Woden Experiment and upgrades to our Library, and as a result Woden is now turning a corner. A re-elected ACT Labor Government invest in the future of the town centre by building a major new CIT campus, a new public transport interchange and community centre, and we will bring light rail to Woden creating over 6000 jobs. Labor has proven during this pandemic and throughout our term that we put the health of the community first. It’s why in Government I have worked with the Labor team to deliver our promise to build the Weston Creek Walk-in Centre to provide free public health care. Labor will extend those services to include medical imaging, and if we are re-elected we will build the Canberra Hospital Expansion. I live with my family in Kambah and in the last term I advocated for and delivered upgrades to Kambah Village and improved safety at the Mount Taylor car park, and there is more to come. If re-elected, Labor will continue to invest in new schools and community facilities for the region of Molonglo and Weston Creek and ensure that it has the roads and sporting infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing community, just like we have by building the new pool at Stromlo Forest Park, and now we’ll upgrade Cooleman Court’s Main Street and fast-track the Molonglo Town Centre. As a Minister I have worked to improve animal welfare laws, brought forward legislation to ban single-use plastic and drafted Canberra’s first urban forest strategy. We have made green bins available to every household in Canberra ahead of schedule and Labor will extend collections to food waste if elected. I have actively taken action on climate change and as Transport Minister I have published our plan to make Transport Canberra’s fleet zero emissions and Labor will buy 90 electric buses and build two new electric depots to start the transition. I am proud of what I have achieved, both as your local representative and as a Minister in the ACT Labor Government and I am seeking your support again, so Labor can invest in the community infrastructure our city needs, protect and create jobs, and support the recovery.
22.01.2022 A re-elected ACT Labor Government will build a new home for RSPCA ACT and the animals that they care for . We look forward to working together to deliver Project Home for the RSPCA and continuing the strong partnership between the RSPCA and the ACT Government to promote the welfare of the ACT’s animals.
21.01.2022 Tuggeranong has never looked so good - with the opening of the upgrades to the Laneways to the Lake - and there is still more to come. The completion of the Laneways project is a significant step in the ACT Government’s investment in the regeneration of the Tuggeranong Town Centre. These latest upgrades follow stages one and two of improvements to Anketell Street, but I am pleased to let Tuggeranong residents know that the ACT Government has further plans for the Town Centre.... Next year active travel improvements will be delivered in and around the Tuggeranong Town Centre including completing missing walking and cycle links and upgrading existing paths in the Town Centre. At the 2020 election, ACT Labor also committed to upgrade the Tuggeranong Foreshore including new landscaping and seating, building a new playground and installing new toilet facilities in consultation with the community. Key features of today’s completed upgrades include: - clear views to the lakeshore through the Tuggeranong Square and Laneways - new pavement with sufficient space suitable for pedestrians as well as outdoor dining - new shade structures - 40 large deciduous trees which when matured will provide additional shade; - low-level walls with inbuilt seating and - an irrigated grassed space near the lakeshore. The upgrades have been completed in time for the community to use the space for the Christmas market in December but also for future community events like SouthFest.
21.01.2022 Visiting Tuggeranong’s CIT to announce that Labor will fund the training for EVERY Transport Canberra diesel bus mechanic to gain the skills they need to work on our new battery electric buses. No worker will be left behind as we tackle transport emissions. We’ll also pioneer a first in Australia electric heavy vehicle training course through CIT. Labor will also provide extra funding to CBRIN to increase engagement and conduct activities in more geographical locations ac...ross our city including Tuggeranong CIT. This will include working more closely on campus with these foundation members to hold localised events such as collab labs, coaching, and workshops.
21.01.2022 Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who have helped the ACT Labor campaign over the past few months.
21.01.2022 Just 5 days to go! #votelabor
20.01.2022 If any gardening groups would like to take some free tomato stakes send me an email to [email protected] for the pickup details.
19.01.2022 The ACT Government has proposed its final plans for the Woden transport interchange, and wants to know your thoughts. The project will replace the 50-year-old ...structure, to integrate with the new CIT campus and light rail. Head to https://www.planning.act.gov.au/development-applica/pubnote to view the plans and have your say.
19.01.2022 The Transport Workers’ Union, representing the drivers, has provided notice that industrial action will take place as part of ongoing enterprise bargaining negotiations. Household waste and recycling kerbside collections will be disrupted on Monday 2 November 2020 due to planned industrial action by drivers employed by collection contractor Suez. Green waste bin services, bulky waste collections and the wheeled bin assistance service are unaffected by the industrial action an...d will continue as normal. The ACT Government encourages both parties to reach agreement as quickly as possible. The ACT Government will implement contingency measures to support residents in affected suburbs. Residents will be advised through ACT Government websites, signage on entry to the affected suburbs, notices at local shopping precincts in the area, local radio and media coverage, social media accounts and information through Access Canberra. Up-to-date information can found at www.cityservices.act.gov.au or by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81. Residents in impacted suburbs can dispose of up to three large plastic garbage bags for free from Saturday 31 October to Sunday 8 November 2020 at the following temporary rubbish only dropoff sites between 9 am and 6 pm: Waramanga Walpiri Place, off Namatjira Drive Kambah 66 Springbett Street, near the tennis courts Gowrie 7 Finlay Place, near the Scout hall Weston Hilder Street, at the Weston Neighbourhood Oval. Alternatively, three large plastic garbage bags can be disposed of for free at the Resource Management Centres between 7.30 am and 5 pm: Symonston Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, Mugga Lane Mitchell Mitchell Resource Management Centre, Flemington Road. Recycling can be dropped off at the ACT Government centres, open 24 hours a day. Suburbs that will have their household waste and recycling bin collections impacted by the industrial action are listed below. Chapman waste Chifley waste and recycling Coombs waste Curtin waste Denman Prospect waste Duffy waste Farrer waste and recycling Fisher waste Greenway waste and recycling Holder waste Kambah waste and recycling Lyons waste and recycling Mawson waste and recycling Oxley waste and recycling Pearce waste and recycling Rivett waste Stirling waste Torrens waste and recycling Uriarra Village waste Waramanga waste Weston waste Wright waste Yarralumla waste
19.01.2022 Democracy sausage unlocked - thanks to the Farrer Primary School P&C volunteers.
18.01.2022 Beam Canberra has launched with their purple scooters - now available to hire and help meet the huge demand we have seen since the launch of the e-scooter share scheme in Canberra.
17.01.2022 Beam Canberra has launched with their purple scooters - now available to hire and help meet the huge demand we have seen since the launch of the e-scooter share scheme in Canberra.
16.01.2022 Long covered up, the story-time pit has been revealed at #Woden Library! Work is continuing to build new community spaces on the second floor of #Woden Library which will be available for after-hours use. Credit:... 1977 photo of the story time pit from the ACT Heritage Library, #005916 1978 photo of the story-time pit in use from the Canberra Times, #002618
14.01.2022 Disruption due to protected industrial action continues. If your garbage bin is usually collected Monday, they will instead be collected on Tuesday next week - so leave your bin out. Recycling will not be collected as it is an off week. Suburbs with their bin collection normally on Tuesdays will be most affected next week with no garbage or recycling collections. Drop off points will be available. Green bins will still be collected on the normal days unaffected in all suburbs.
13.01.2022 ACT Labor will establish an outpatient imaging service at Weston Creek Walk-in Centre with CT, ultrasound and Xray, enabling patients to receive these services quickly and on site. This commitment is part of our plan to hire at least 400 new health professionals if re-elected. Our nurse led walk-in centres have been there when we needed them most, including providing vital testing for COVID-19.... Under ACT Labor, we will deliver even more healthcare services at our nurse-led walk in centres, taking pressure off our emergency departments and delivering free, accessible public healthcare across the city. The Canberra Liberals have been critical of walk-in centres, but Canberrans have embraced them. An ACT Labor Government will ensure nurse-led walk-in centres continue to provide free healthcare for Canberrans seven days a week. We will also build a new walk-in health centre in Molonglo which will have a focus on prevention, early intervention and coordinated care for people with chronic illness.
13.01.2022 The Deputy Prime Minister today announced $132.5M in Federal funding for light rail Stage 2A. The Commonwealth Government’s support for the project is very welcome. The project is critical to the Territory’s Jobs and Economic Recovery plan, and this is an important signal of support as we continue progressing the approvals for the entire stage 2 project.... Light rail is seeing more Canberrans choose public transport, with more than 43% of people surveyed stating they had never used public transport before catching light rail. Stage 2 of light rail will extend the benefits of better public transport, by extending the line to create a north-south spine for our city-wide light rail network. Whilst this project will be very disruptive during construction, it will deliver long term transport and economic benefits for our city, with better quality, mass transit, powered by 100% renewable electricity.
13.01.2022 It’s been a big year for play spaces across our city, with over 50 play spaces refreshed as part of the ACT Government’s fast-track infrastructure program, 2 new natural play spaces opening at Yerrabi Pond and Kambah District Park and now 5 brand new play spaces opening just in time for the summer holidays.
13.01.2022 From today, eligible local businesses across Canberra can register to participate in ChooseCBR, a digital discount voucher initiative designed to encourage spending at local businesses. The Canberra community can also sign up from today to redeem the discounts, which can be used at participating businesses from Wednesday 9 December. The program, which was an ACT Labor election commitment, will support local businesses across a range of industries, including retail, tourism, ...accommodation, arts and recreation, personal services and hospitality sectors, all of which have been significantly affected by COVID-19. To be able to participate, businesses must: have a physical shopfront in the ACT; and have received JobKeeper payments during 2020; and be in the retail, tourism and accommodation, arts and recreation, personal services and hospitality sectors (as per ANZSIC codes); and have less than $10 million in turnover per annum. From 9 December, consumers will be able to login to the ChooseCBR website to access a range of vouchers worth $2.50, $5, $10 and $20 Vouchers will be able to be redeemed at participating businesses from the same day. As Christmas fast approaches, this is a great way for businesses to get a bit of extra support after a difficult year. For more information visit: https://choosecbr.act.gov.au/
11.01.2022 He’s out there every day, maintaining our dams and he’s doing a damn good job. We’ve been lucky to have substantial rain throughout spring and for the first time in four years, our drinking dams are nearing 100% capacity. The ACT Government also manages 16 suburban stormwater dams at Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and Belconnen.... These dams play an important part in flood mitigation and water quality control across Canberra. Just as important as the dams themselves are our staff who manage and monitor our stormwater dams. So I’m pleased to introduce you to the ACT’s very own ‘Dam Man’.
08.01.2022 I have just knocked in my final door of the election campaign - and I’d like to finish by thanking the people of Murrumbidgee for the their engagement with me over the term. I’ve been proud to represent our community as your Labor Member in the ACT Legislative Assembly since 2016 and as a Minister in the ACT Government. Directly prior to entering the Assembly, I worked as an education advocate for the policies that improve lifelong outcomes for children like universal acces...s to preschool, and I’m proud that if re-elected ACT Labor will extend preschool to all three year olds. Since being elected I have been working on the urban regeneration of my home Town of Woden like the Woden Experiment and upgrades to our Library, and as a result Woden is now turning a corner. A re-elected ACT Labor Government invest in the future of the town centre by building a major new CIT campus, a new public transport interchange and community centre, and we will bring light rail to Woden creating over 6000 jobs. Labor has proven during this pandemic and throughout our term that we put the health of the community first. It’s why in Government I have worked with the Labor team to deliver our promise to build the Weston Creek Walk-in Centre to provide free public health care. Labor will extend those services to include medical imaging, and if we are re-elected we will build the Canberra Hospital Expansion. I live with my family in Kambah and in the last term I advocated for and delivered upgrades to Kambah Village and improved safety at the Mount Taylor car park, and there is more to come. If re-elected, Labor will continue to invest in new schools and community facilities for the region of Molonglo and Weston Creek and ensure that it has the roads and sporting infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing community, just like we have by building the new pool at Stromlo Forest Park, and now we’ll upgrade Cooleman Court’s Main Street and fast-track the Molonglo Town Centre. As a Minister I have worked to improve animal welfare laws, brought forward legislation to ban single-use plastic and drafted Canberra’s first urban forest strategy. We have made green bins available to every household in Canberra ahead of schedule and Labor will extend collections to food waste if elected. I have actively taken action on climate change and as Transport Minister I have published our plan to make Transport Canberra’s fleet zero emissions and Labor will buy 90 electric buses and build two new electric depots to start the transition. I am proud of what I have achieved, both as your local representative and as a Minister in the ACT Labor Government and I am seeking your support again, so Labor can invest in the community infrastructure our city needs, protect and create jobs, and support the recovery.
08.01.2022 Thank you so much for your support and helping a to re-elect a Labor Government in the ACT.
07.01.2022 The new Cabinet has been announced after Members were sworn into the ACT Legislative Assembly this morning. I would like to thank Labor Caucus for their support to remain in Cabinet. I was pleased to be re-appointed as the Minister for Transport and City Services and the Minister for Skills, including responsibility for the major projects of light rail stage 2 and the new CIT Woden campus.... I’m looking forward to taking up the new role of Special Minister of State including responsibility for Digital and Data Strategy, including Cyber security, and procurement. Congratulations to new Minister Tara Cheyne who will take on the portfolio of Minister for Multicultural Affairs. It has been a pleasure to work with the multicultural community over the past two years as Minister and I look forward to continuing to engage with the multicultural community in the future. More here on the responsibilities in the administrative orders which come into effect tomorrow: https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2020-707/
07.01.2022 Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who have helped the ACT Labor campaign over the past few months.
07.01.2022 You can view the ABC's ACT election night coverage on ABC News 24 from 5:30pm with results expected after 6pm. I will be speaking with Dan Bourchier at around 5:45pm.
06.01.2022 ACT Labor will build a ‘flow’ style mountain biking trail from Stromlo Forest Park to Cotter Recreation Area creating a link between the two popular recreation hubs. The new track will complement the great mountain bike facilities currently available in the nation’s capital. Under ACT Labor, we have consistently delivered for the tourism sector and we know the sector is a critical contributor to the ACT’s COVID recovery. Our new goal is to grow the ACT’s overnight visitor exp...enditure to $3.5 billion by the end of the decade. The pandemic isn’t over and only ACT Labor has the right plan to create and support local jobs and businesses.
06.01.2022 Message from the new Minister for Multicultural Affairs regarding the National Multicultural Festival: "The National Multicultural Festival will not be held in February 2021. Instead, we will look to postpone the event, likely to the final quarter of 2021. This has been such a difficult decision. The NMF has such a special place in Canberrans' hearts - at its core is its vibrancy, with so many cultures coming together to celebrate and interact in one space - and for its 25...th anniversary we want a festival that retains as much of the usual look, feel and spirit as possible. Festival organisers will continue to work closely with stakeholders, noting the importance of this event on their own calendars."
06.01.2022 Construction will begin later this year on Woden’s new public transport interchange on Callam Street with the development application for the project now open for public comment. This new, state-of-the art facility is a significant investment in jobs and will improve public transport connectivity to Woden. Better public transport is a key commitment of the ACT Government, and the new public transport interchange will facilitate future growth in transport services to Woden.... The project will also lay the groundwork for operations as a new bus interchange and the arrival of light rail including building the light rail station. The new interchange is the first stage of the exciting new CIT project that will bring state of the art learning facilities and 6500 students to Woden. Importantly, this will deliver more than 520 jobs with local Canberra construction companies, and we’re asking those businesses to register their interest in delivering the transport components. Community consultation was held late last year with a high level of feedback and public support for the new public transport interchange. The consultation findings showed that the community want ample protection and shelter from the weather, the inclusion of green spaces and a safer, better signed and accessible interchange. The community has spoken, and their concerns and suggestions were heard, particularly in relation to the future bus priority on Callam Street and the addition of more green space. Following community feedback the ACT Government will consider the design of a new North/South road connection through Woden by connecting Bradley Street with Bowes Street as part of the CIT project. Woden has historically been a concrete jungle, so the new interchange will include new tree plantings and additional canopy cover with new green spaces to be built as part of the CIT Woden project. Construction on bus layovers and road upgrades is likely to commence in the coming months, and the public transport interchange in the third quarter of 2021. The project is part of the ACT Government’s $14 billion Infrastructure Plan and commitment to grow our employment base to 250,000 by 2025. The DA is now available: https://www.planning.act.gov.au/development-applica/pubnote I encourage everyone to visit the website, view the plans and have your say.
05.01.2022 Expansion complete. More than 40 new car spaces are now available at the very popular North #Weston Park and Ride on Kirkpatrick Street. You don’t need a permit to use this park and ride, but for some of our other locations you do. Find out how you can apply for a permit at: bit.ly/parkrideTC
04.01.2022 Congratulations Marisa Paterson on winning a seat in the Assembly last night. I’m looking forward to working with you to represent the people of Murrumbidgee for the Labor Party over the next four years.
02.01.2022 Light rail is about creating jobs, a better public transport system and the future of our City and Woden Town Centre. Stage 1 of light rail has been a great success and ACT Labor wants to reach all of Canberra. We deserve the same high quality mass transit that the Northside has benefited from. Stage 2 of light rail will create 6,000 jobs for Canberra at a time when our city needs it the most.... Labor promised and delivered light rail stage 1 under budget and if re-elected we will deliver stage 2.
01.01.2022 Democracy sausage unlocked - thanks to the Farrer Primary School P&C volunteers.
