Why neglected Tuggeranong can expect some love this term

The swing against ACT Labor was 3.7 per cent overall, but in the far south, voters had a particular message for Andrew Barr’s government – one he says Labor has heard loud and clear.

Brindabella voters delivered an almost 7 per cent rebuff to Labor and booted out a minister, Mick Gentleman, reflecting a common concern that Tuggeranong is the forgotten district and is not getting its fair share of infrastructure and funding.

That’s a perception that Mr Barr wants to change, and Tuggeranong residents can expect to see more resources being poured into the south this term.

“We’ll learn the lessons there clearly,” Mr Barr said.

“With two new members in Tuggeranong, we will have a particularly renewed focus there.

“We’ve heard that message; we’ve seen our vote in Tuggeranong be between 33 per cent and 41 per cent over the last eight years, so we know we can get support in Tuggeranong, and we’ll look to rebuild that.”

And those two new Labor members – Catlin Tough and Taimus Werner-Gibbings – aren’t about to let Mr Barr forget, pledging to keep reminding the Chief Minister about the area’s needs.

Mr Werner-Gibbings – a former public servant best known for his part in staging the free Shakespeare by the Lake performances – was forthright about his new role.

“It’s being really, really annoying in a constructive way for the people of Tuggeranong, working with all my colleagues, working really closely with Caitlin and being in the Chief Minister’s ear and his ministers about what Tuggeranong needs, what we’re looking for and what we think we can do best,” he said.

Ms Tough – a former public servant and public health advocate now raising a young family – said it was important to enact the Tuggeranong plan that Labor took to the election.

She said the area was of an age where it was ready for renewal, including its shops and sporting and community facilities.

“That plan was created from myself, Taimus and our fellow Labor candidates talking to the people of Tuggeranong, knocking on tens of thousands of doors over the course of the year and finding out what the community is looking for,” Ms Tough said.

“So just over the term, I want to make sure that plan is enacted and things are happening.”

She pinpointed action on the Richardson shops and facilities for children and teenagers, as well as bringing back a sense of community.

That renewal would be integral to Tuggeranong growing again after a stall in the area’s population.

“Tuggeranong is a changing demographic at the moment,” Ms Tough said.

“More young families like my own are moving into Tuggeranong. Its housing is more affordable, it’s got big wide open spaces and wonderful nature places for kids to have a great time.

“As we get that more renewal and young families come back into the region, we are going to see that natural growth in Tuggeranong.”

Mr Werner-Gibbings said he wanted to ring the bell for the area’s public schools and their place in the community.

“I’m really looking forward to promoting the public schools in Tuggeranong and helping them feel more energised, properly at the heart of suburban communities,” he said.

Brindabella could have easily handed three members to the Canberra Liberals, with Green Laura Nuttall winning a nailbiter over Liberal James Daniels for the fifth seat.

The message to the government is clear. Don’t deliver in the south this term, and voters will continue to punish you.