CANBERRA LAKE ESTATE
2024 Garbage truck collections
Our garbage bin collection schedule has changed. The green FOGO bin has changed from a weekly service to fortnightly commencing on 8 January 2024. More details are available at: https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/recycling-and-waste/collection/bin-collection-calendar
Editorial note (5 Jan 2024): the ACT Government website was incorrect at the time this blog was posted. FOGO collections are remaining a weekly collection. The ACT Government's website has been updated to reflect this (see link above)
CLE 2022 SEASON'S GREETINGS GATHERING
SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER, 4pm - 6pm
Come join the CLE community at our annual festive gathering, the first since COVID restrictions relaxed. Just bring some nibbles, drinks and a chair. Venue is the driveway between Units 18, 19, 21 and 26
ACCESS TO GAS METERS
Jemena, the business authorised to read and maintain CLE's gas meters, have advised that residents that have meters within their courtyards must provide "... unimpeded 24hr access to its basic metering equipment in the event of an emergency." (Clause 6.2.3 Network Operator Rules) https://www.dropbox.com/s/f4cuwvufe6nzqb4/Jemena-Network-Operator-Rules-v3.pdf?dl=0
Jemena's Meter Reading Factsheet also explains that: "Meters may not be the most beautiful garden accessories, but it helps our meter readers to have safe and unhindered access. Trees, fences, walls and landscaping can obstruct access to the meter. We ask that you ensure: there are no permanent obstructions to the meter, such as tress, bushes, or walls." https://www.dropbox.com/s/ys18gnpf4ar4iju/Meter-reading-and-billing-FAQs.pdf?dl=0
CLE Maintenance Obligations
The Canberra Lake Estate (CLE) Executive Committee (EC) routinely receive questions from owners about where their obligations fall in relation to the upkeep of their respective townhouses and lot holdings. These questions sometimes relate to maintenance of townhouses, including gardening, and insurance coverage.
The principles that the EC applies to help inform them in relation to these issues are:
Subject to the exceptions below, owners are responsible for their townhouses and lot holdings (this link illustrates the boundary between common property and private holdings) in all respects, including garden and building maintenance (both external and internal).
The two exceptions are for external painting and building insurance (not house contents insurance).
In relation to external painting, a portion of our strata fees is set aside to meet the cost of repainting the entire complex every 10 years or so. While this task is expected to include the filling of hairline cracks and superficial rendering problems, insufficient money is collected to repair significant rendering defects. For this reason, significant rendering defects is a maintenance obligation that falls to owners. Equally, if a townhouse requires painting outside of the scheduled 10-year timeframe, this kind of maintenance would also generally fall to owners.
In relation to gardening, the EC has a contract with a horticulturist to maintain the complex’s common area gardens. Private gardens, remain the responsibility of owners. There may be occasions where the horticulturist encroaches upon private gardens in the performance of their contractual obligations (e.g., extending mulching into a private garden to avoid an unsightly demarcation), but this would be an exception rather than the general rule.
Finally, in relation to insurance, the complex has a collective building insurance policy that provides coverage of the common areas and townhouses, but it does not extend to house contents. Details of what is covered under our building insurance policy and the kinds of insurable events is available from the Owners Portal through Link Strata Management under the following link.
CLE COLOUR SCHEME
For those owners wanting to know the external colours of their townhouse they are depicted in the image above
CLE UTILITIES MAP
For those owners requiring the location of the various utilities (gas, electricity, water) and associated access points that run through out the complex please see the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SQWdUUw5E4hL3v_gPxRQio4EI-Kf2idZ
RATS and MICE
Some CLE residents have reported seeing increased numbers of rats within garden areas and backyards within the estate. This has been caused by a wetter than usual Summer creating abundant food sources, followed by further rain flushing rats and mice from their homes. There are a number of options available to residents to make their homes more rodent proof, as well as options to reduce their numbers through various traps. The following article at The Conversation discusses the pros and cons of different types of traps that can be used within and outside of the home, with due consideration to the native animals. https://theconversation.com/how-to-control-invasive-rats-and-mice-at-home-without-harming-native-wildlife-180792
The CLE Executive Committee will also be investigating some broader control options for the estate.
SNAKE SIGHTINGS
On the back of a few snake sightings within the complex over the summer months, the Executive Committee sought the advice of professional snake handlers on what we can do to discourage snakes from our habitat and to help inform our community of what to do should we come across a snake. We encourage the CLE community and especially families with young children and pets to
examine the report that can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/s/aycswj97gztqo2s/Canberra%20Lakes%20Estate.pdf?dl=0 and the video of the snake handler's site inspection that can be found at https://youtu.be/oOmQc77LyXA
NO PARKING ON GRASS NATURE STRIPS
Consistent with the ACT's Parking laws, the Canberra Lake Estate House Rules prohibit the parking of vehicles on grass nature strips (and, in particular, along the northern boundary).
The ACT Government's website explains, "the nature strip can perform its essential role as a conduit of services and make a highly valuable contribution to Canberra's picturesque street character, which in turn can lead to higher individual property values". Moreover, "residents are required to protect street trees by not parking on nature strips. This compacts the soil, damaging the tree root system".
For further information see: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-07/canberra-drivers-are-killing-the-citys-trees/12003316
Valet maintenance and repairs
Ever had trouble with your ducted vacuum, intercom or security alarm? Valet are the firm that originally installed these features into our CLE townhouses. If you're needing assistance their contact details are set out in the accompanying image.
CLE XMAS PARTY
Due to COVID restrictions, the Executive Committee will not be hosting this year's festive season gathering. Such gatherings will be entirely at the discretion of residents. Tim and Catherine Creevey (Unit 30), for example, are hosting an informal gathering of neighbours in the common driveway of Units 28, 29 and 30 on Saturday 11 December, 2021 between 3pm and 6pm. If you are interested in attending bring your nibbles, drinks and a chair. Applicable COVID, hygiene and social distancing protocols will apply.
INTERVIEW WITH TERRY RING
Terry Ring, the original architect for CLE, recently visited the complex. In an interview captured by video, Terry gives an account of his original vision for the complex and how this vision has been realised through the development of the gardens and the manner in which owners have cared for their townhouses. Click on the Terry Ring image to see the interview.
(video produced by James Kelly)
MEETING WITH LOCAL MP, TARA CHEYNE
The Executive Committee recently met with local member (and Minister for various portfolios including Business and Better Regulation), Tara Cheyne. Amongst a broad range of issues discussed, the Executive Committee also raised with Tara:
- Opportunities for the regeneration of CLE's southern and western boundaries
- Enhanced security in John Knight Park and along Townsend Place
- Improved sequencing of the traffic lights at the corner of Aitken Drive and Joy Cummings Place following the duplication of Aitken Drive
- Broader plans for the development of the Lake Ginninderra foreshore and, in particular, Emu Bank
WHO IS JOY CUMMINGS?
Joy Cummings was Australia’s first female Lord Mayor and the Lord Mayor of Newcastle from 1974-1984. She had many achievements during her time in office and left a tremendous legacy to the city after her death in 2003.
Joy Cummings was a politician for, and of, the people. Her genuineness, warmth and compassion for all citizens of Newcastle made her a popular Lord Mayor and much-loved member of the community. She was re-elected for three consecutive terms before she retired after a stroke in 1984. (source: monumentaustralia.org.au)
ACT BULKY GOODS WASTE COLLECTION
COMING TO BELCONNEN IN APRIL 2021
The rollout of the bulky waste collection service across Canberra will start in Belconnen from April 2021.
Goods waiting to be collected under the scheme must be placed on your driveway (adjacent to the verge) the night before collection. Please do not place on the garden or in visitor car parks. Details on the what items are acceptable under the scheme can be found here
www.cityservices.act.gov.au/recycling-and-waste/collection/bulky-waste-collection/book-a-bulky-waste-collection including information on how to book a collection for a single unit development (as we each have our own bins).
CLE COMMUNITY FORUM
THURSDAY 11 MARCH @ 5.30PM
SWIMMING POOL ENCLOSURE
The Forum is intended to allow owners to provide input and raise issues with the Executive Committee in relation to the management of the complex.
The Executive Committee is concerned that, in response to COVID-19, avenues for communication to the Executive Committee are not as accessible as they were in the past.
The Forum will also help inform CLE's AGM which is scheduled for the following week.
CLE SEASONS GREETINGS GATHERING
SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER, 4PM - 6PM
Come join the CLE community at our annual festive gathering. Just bring some nibbles, drinks and a chair. Venue is the driveway between Units 18, 19, 21 and 26
SLOWER STREETS INITIATIVE (NOV 2020)
The ACT Government is working with local residents’ groups including CLE to encourage people to slow down and share the road with their neighbours who are walking and cycling.
Restrictions on organised sport and other activities, means more people are staying local: working, shopping and exercising in their suburb and more people on our suburban streets.
With physical distancing here to stay for the foreseeable future, Slower Streets has been developed to assist people who are walking and cycling and may need to use some of the road for exercise.
UPDATED HOUSE RULES (Oct 2020)
As a result of a recent special resolution CLE now has a set of registered and updated House Rules. These can be found at the 'House Rules' tab on this website
GARDEN REFURBISHMENT - AUGUST 2020
The central garden corridor is about to be refurbished to restore it to its former glory. Residents may need to exercise care as the work proceeds.
COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS MARCH 2020
*** NEWS ALERT *** Pool reopened until the health authorities advise otherwise (Oct 2020)
GRAVITY LOUVRES MARCH 2020
Wondering where to source those gravity louvre wall vents that seem to lose their panes as they get older?
They can be sourced through the link below
Gravity Louvre Wall Vent | Suits 125mm Ducting | SKU HS5W
GARAGE DOOR REMOTES MARCH 2020
Lost your garage door remote or need a back-up? They can be cheaply sourced on ebay from the link below