Amateur (but armed) architectural criticism – a fitting end to one of the world’s worst buildings -
Sky Plaza.

The Clean Energy Future website has an intriguing promise of a house being built in Crace which will be able to flip around to follow the sun:
The rotating house, in the suburb of Crace, will be the first of its kind in the nation’s capital.
Currently under construction, the four-bedroom home, designed by DNA Architects [...]

davidsitsky has shared with YouTube:
Christmas Lights at Bissenberger Crescent
Let me know if you see anything more elaborate.
View Larger Map

I had a bulldoze – rebuild exercise on our house about 8 years ago. Love the result – brilliant design, works magic.
However, it has become apparent that the quality of the cement render is appalling. Rust showing through, cracks everywhere, a couple of spots where we are waiting for it to arrive on the ground.
HIA [...]

WIN News’ Ellena Midgley has just tweeted on WorkSafe actions at the Nishi Apartments:
Worksafe ACT blitz on Nishi development #Canberra twitter.com/EllenaMidgley/…
— Ellena Midgley (@EllenaMidgley) December 4, 2012

A playground (on the hill that Thynne Street in Bruce encircles) has been under construction  for nearly 2 years and I don’t know how to go about putting pressure to get it opened. As you can see from my pictures, today, it is pretty much ready to go. The sad part is that this is [...]

For some time now we have had a bird with a curious call which I can only describe as a two tone  coo – eee, repetitive and penetrating. 
It kicks off at about 4.30 am. and continues through the day. 
Can anyone please identify?

Your house is your biggest investment so it’s essential your roof and guttering protect it from the elements.
If your roof leaks in heavy rain, it may mean your roof tiles are cracked, broken or missing or the flashing needs to be repaired or replaced.
If your gutters are rusty, leaky, blocked and overflowing, with undersized downpipes [...]

Territory and Municipal Services want you to know they’re making progress in their war against English broom in Namadgi National Park.
Over the past 20 years Namadgi National Park has worked in partnership with the Canberra Bushwalking Club to combat one of the region’s most invasive weeds, English broom.
…
“English broom seedlings can remain viable in the [...]

With even the most staunch “it’s too early” objector having to can it come the weekend because its December, it’s time to start the thread for 2012.
I have a nearly two year old now, that’s a good enough excuse for me to get out and go look at other people’s lights without needing [...]

Bad jokes aside can anyone recommend a good pool repair/maintenance company to do some pool repairs in Canberra?
I have been going to a major franchise/chain store for my regular water checks and chemicals but recently when my pool had issues and needed to be looked at I found them less than satisfactory. 
Bad communication, bad service [...]

Simon Corbell has announced the release of the Briggs report into workplace safety in the ACT construction industry.
“The Government commits to providing a detailed response to each recommendation of the inquiry by the end of February 2013. In the interim, I can announce today that the Government will immediately take action on the report’s findings [...]

Simon Corbell is celebrating what he sees as a big win for Canberra’s water security under yesterday’s Murray Darling Basin Plan:
“The final plan shows that Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDL’s) will not be reduced from 40.5GL to 29GL as was proposed in an earlier draft plan, and this means that Canberrans will continue to enjoy water [...]

BeeJay76 has sent this in:
Came across this heroic specimen on Gubur Dhaura in Franklin. Is it a different species, or is it the magical earth on the hill?
Your thoughts hive mind?

The ABC has word of a warm and wet summer coming our way:
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting the chances of receiving above median rainfall for Canberra at about 60 per cent, with a wetter than normal season more likely in northern parts of NSW.
Based on current figures warmer than average summer days are [...]

Worksafe brings word the much needed construction sector Inquiry Panel has been given until this Friday to report:
The Inquiry Panel looking into compliance with safety requirements in the ACT’s construction sector has asked the Attorney General for a one week extension to the deadline for completing their report in order to ensure the report includes [...]

Neighbours pool seems to be leaking. Can we force something to be done about it they won’t do anything?

It seems a simple enough premise. If people buy land with one lease purpose, at a value to suit that purpose, they get a windfall if the Government agrees to vary the lease purpose to something more lucrative.
Rather than bank the money from having an amenable government it seems manifestly self evident a part of [...]

Did anyone read this article in the Canberra Times about the OwnPlace scheme?
Oddly enough, I can’t find it anywhere on the Canberra Times website now.
But I was absolutely appalled by the apathetic and unfriendly attitude of the Land Development Agency. I don’t care if it’s not LDA’s responsibility. At the very [...]

We’re looking to get a carport and/or pergola installed, any recommendations on installers?
There was a recent thread on enclosed carport installations and an older one on pergolas, but was hoping there are some additional recommendations.

Google is totally failing me today…
I discovered that I am allowed to enclose the frontyard of my yet to be built shoebox-with-windows as long as I use “courtyard walls”. After trawling ACTPLA documents, I also discovered that the wall can go across 70% of the width of my small block. And that it needs to [...]

NatColbert has sent this in:
Hi guys, sorry this isn’t a better photo, but I had to stop and take it with my phone, this morning in Theodore St, Curtin, am sincerely wondering what the owners would have thought when they got home, what they would do about it, and if the garbo’s noticed it at [...]

I’m badly affected by this as my house is ready to move in but no power… still in apartment with huge mortgage/rent/storage costs etc…. can’t shop around for power as we stuck with ACTEW monopoly in Canberra…
Anyone else affected?
[ED - The SMH has a story on this]

Territory and Municipal Services have the depressing news that some people out there get their jollies destroying new tree plantings:
“Our reserves and urban open space areas are for people to enjoy, so it is very disappointing when our staff and members of the community find trees damaged or stolen,” said Michael Brice, Manager, Urban Treescapes.
“An [...]

Has anyone bought security doors lately? I’m interested in getting screen doors for the front and back so that I can catch some breezes without losing a toddler/gaining uninvited guests.
I’m thinking Crimsafe (or similar) for the front. Are they worth the extra money?
If anyone can recommend a local business that was a pleasure to [...]

I have heard that the Molonglo development has higher standards that guides home owners and builders to have a more energy efficient home through double glazing or using an insulated slab.
Is this correct?

My old concrete driveway isn’t doing too well and its time to look at replacing it.
Its on a sloping land and probably needs ripping out before a new on is laid, I was originally going to break it up myself but perhaps I might include this in the quote.
Any suggestions or recommendations on people for [...]

I’m heading to Ikea in Sydney on the weekend, and won’t be able to bring everything back in a trailer. I’ve seen the local “buy and deliver it for you” service, but their pricing is a bit much.
I know last time I was there the Homebush store delivered to Canberra for a flat fee of [...]

The ABC has bad news for the real estate bulls who spent years telling us that up was the only way real estate prices could go:
New figures show house prices in Canberra dropped 1.3 per cent in October.
The latest RP Data-Rismark report has found the median house price in Canberra is now $490,000, the [...]

Has been giving me a few chuckles lately.
[Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it to images@the-riotact.com ]

Hi,
I was wondering if anybody could please tell me how is it like to live in the Parkview complex in Holt, or around that Kippax shops area.
Thanks heaps!

Hi guys,
I’m new to Canberra and is in the market for a room to rent. I found a place I like, but the rental agreement requires the tenant to continue paying rent until a replacement tenant is found, if the tenant wants to move out earlier than the agreed fixed term.
I know that renting is [...]