Here in the RiotBunker we’ve thoroughly enjoyed being able to wash our cars on a hot day for the first time in years.
If you too have been celebrating this rare opportunity to do things people from developed countries take for granted, then be sure to take a picture and send it in to images@the-riotact.com and [...]

The Bureau of Meteorology estimates a 40% chance of rainfall today. Predicts isolated showers and thunderstorms.
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN10035.shtml
Its now 2:30pm, 30 degrees, windy and I think the chances of rain and storms are about 95%.
Get your horses undercover and enjoy the rain! http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24650617-29277,00.html

Opposition Leader Zed Seselja has announced a solution to the impasse on siting the proposed data centre/power station.
After early discussions with both Technical Real Estate and the ACT Greens, Opposition Leader Zed Seselja has indicated that there may yet be a positive outcome to the Tuggeranong Power Station and Data Centre issue.
A dialogue is now [...]

For the first time in many a year tomorrow it will be legal to wash your car.
So if you are giving your pride a joy a loving sponging why not get a photo of it and send it in to us? ( images@the-riotact.com )
While bikinis are welcome it’d be nice to get some prime Riot [...]

It seems Michael Costello has given his permission for the data centre to be moved according to the ABC.
This from the TRE people who said that if they had to move, they would leave
Curiouser and curiouser.
[ED - a bluff called.]

The ABC informs us that the controversial Tralee development has gained the approval of Queanbeyan Council.
The proposal is now off for sale to the highest bidder on Sussex Street before the NSW Government makes a decision.
If it goes ahead it might at some point impinge on Terry Snow’s plans to turn Canberra Airport into an [...]

I don’t know about anyone else but I don’t suffer form hayfever. I never have, and I believed quite rightly that I would never ever.
Having said that, for some reason I have been stricken with hayfever for the last month and it’s really knocking me about due to lack of sleep, red sore eyes and [...]

Green Square in Kingston is a simple thing. A small patch of green grass surrounded by some pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
So it is with some surprise that I read in the Canberra Times that our local government has managed to mess up such a simple premise.
“The office of Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, who is the [...]

[First filed: 6 November 2008]

Some Rioters may have come across this dumping ground in Bruce near the stadium and some of the newer residences in the suburb:
The dump has been there for some time. When I first noticed the dump, there was merely a sign or two saying words to the effect of “no [...]

Hi folks. I rarely come here but I think the site is a real gem.
Did anyone hear, see those fireworks around Mawson last night?
I saw some go off over near Lyons, and at what must have been 2am a whole bunch more went off right near my window.
I suppose we get it from time [...]

[ 23 November, 2008; 3:00 pm; ] In 2006 and 2007 Al Gore came to Australia to train 250 everyday people to go out and present his climate change slide show made famous in the movie “An Inconvenient Truth”.

“Telling The Truth” follows seven of the Climate Project presenters as they take their message out into the community.

Vanessa Morris, a local Canberran, former [...]

[First filed: November 07, 2008 @ 11:10
Second filing: November 08, 2008 @ 14:35]

This photo was taken this morning in Gungahlin.
Whilst we all attempt keep within the water restrictions why should a big truck like this who claims to use tank water be allowed to fill up from the mains water supply?
UPDATED: Eggman has added [...]

Simon Corbell has celebrated his return to power by announcing he wants to see a reduction of plastic bag use of 80% in the next year.
To achieve this Simon is planning “a range of measures”, the only one of which he names is a 10c levy on plastic bags.
Now here’s a question, will this include [...]

ACTEW have announced that, Kalloo Kallay, you’ll finally be able to wash your car!
ACTEW Managing Director Mark Sullivan has announced short-term relief from water restrictions through Canberra’s BIG spring clean, which will run from Saturday 15 – Sunday 30 November.
For this two-week period (three weekends), current Stage 3 Water Restrictions will be slightly relaxed to [...]

The ABC has a classic piece of Jon Stanhope mystery theatre with the angry man huffing and puffing about the dire consequences of our elected assembly having any say in his planning administration.
Particularly he wants his beloved datacentre/powerstation to be built on the edge of Tuggeranong and nowhere else.
Suddenly his planning process is sacrosanct, never [...]

I wondered what Rioters think of todays dust blowing from the impressive new mountain so quickly built just SE of Magnet Mart.
It is my observation, here and interstate that the real estate developers and construction industries are cut much slack when it comes to dust emissions from their sites.
In past weeks works for the [...]

Putting the lie to TRE’s accusation that investors would stay away from Canberra in droves, another investment group has revealed advanced plans for a data centre and associated stand-by power station.
On 666 this morning, two reps of the proposal explained that they have identified a site, have had discussions with Liberals and Greens (nothing sinister [...]

For a few months now there appears to be work around the steps of the National Library, with the purpose of beautifying the area. Personally, I have seen nothing wrong with the stairs at the Library.
However, what would be helpful is if you could walk around the whole lake without crossing a road.
At the [...]

[First filed: October 28, 2008 @ 09:30]
The Canberra Times has a piece in which Technical Real Estate tries to put the frighteners up the Greens and all opponents of their planned data centre / power station.
It seems they’re frustrated from doing business in a functional democracy and have determined that the only viable place for [...]

The National Capital Authority has announced that they’re bringing down 44 of the eucalypt trees lining Anzac Parade and will be at it for the next two weeks.
“Planted in the 1960s, the Argyle Apple and Blue Gum eucalypts are in various locations on both sides of Anzac Parade. There are over 400 trees along Anzac [...]

I’m a relatively new resident of Flynn, and one of the many draws of our property was the abundance of wildlife, including many beautiful native birds.  From the day we first saw our property, there were rainbow lorrikeets, king parrots, rosella’s, galah’s and cockatoo’s to name a few.  Spotted in there was the occasional Indian [...]

The ABC radio news has lead its bulletin with news that the Greens MLA-elect from Ginninderra, Meredith Hunter, will lead the party in the Legislative Assembly.
This despite Shane Rattenbury pulling in 9555 votes in Molonglo at 0.9 of a quota compared to Meredith’s 6125 votes at 0.6 of a quota.
On the other hand one man [...]

By popular demand here’s a story about spring planting here in Canberra.
…
Over to you guys and girls.

After Sepi’s strident call for an end to water restrictions during the week it appears Canberrans are taking matters into their own hands.
The ABC reports that our stalinist water use targets have been flouted!

ACTEW is reminding Canberra residents that mandatory water restrictions are in place, after the ACT exceeded its daily water consumption target [...]

I have heard quite a few stories about plants being stolen from gardens around the suburbs. One story was artificial grass taken from a front yard ($1500 worth)! 
Plants cost a lot of money and for some of us our garden is our pride and joy.
A few years back we had 8 conifers stolen from [...]

Water restrictions have been very tough on gardeners. And likewise on car owners who like to keep their cars looking shiny and clean.
The restrictions have been imposed on us for a long time now.
Initially most people complied willingly with restrictions, as a short term measure to get us through the drought. But years later [...]

Walking around the city in mid-afternoon a couple of weeks ago, I started wondering why exactly Civic is so lifeless at ground level in so many places.  Especially west of Northbourne, whole block frontages are blank walls, fire door exits, or frosted glass.  The footpaths are a shabby collection of pavers and cracked concrete joined [...]

[ 25 October, 2008; 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] Water conservation is a serious business, it’s an important business, but is it a fun business?

For example on my list of “fun things” I find such items as: Water pistols, wet t-shirts, water slides, dancing under the sprinkler, turning the hose on a friend, and sitting in a wading pool on Australia day listening to [...]

ACTEW are running a competition for who has the most bucolic memories of hanging out at the Cotter:
Entries are encouraged from across the community. To enter, draw, paint or write in 100 words a response to one of the following:
• What object would you place in a time capsule in the new Cotter Dam and explain [...]

[First filed: October 13, 2008 @ 16:04]

In the thread about Johnboy’s question about bees t’other day, most people seemed to be unaware that swarming season is starting.
Bees swarm in Spring, when they realise they’ve become over-resourced, and feel the need to breed.
So they gorge themselves on honey, and go hunting for new places to start [...]

The GetUp Climate Torch Relay reached its finale yesterday with a great event on the lawns in front of Parliament House.
While Messrs Rudd and Turnbull were otherwise occupied with the melting global financial system (as opposed to melting polar ice caps), Greens leader, Senator Bob Brown was on hand and spoke passionately, vehemently and inspirationally.
Can’t [...]

Its time to have your say on how we can become a more sustainable region and better protect our environment.
The Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment is an independent voice for sustainability and environmental issues. They want to hear your views so they can ensure their Office gives priority to the issues that are important to [...]