Pool supporters say a proposed new stadium at Regatta Place should not overshadow plans for the Canberra Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park. The stadium proposal comes from a consortium led by Canberra Airport. Friends of Canberra Olympic Pool president Terry Slevin says the aquatic centre already has land and $138 million allocated. He says whether the two facilities can share the site is a technical question for Infrastructure Canberra. The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn says no decision has been made to sell Archbishop's House.
A proposed 25,000-35,000 seat stadium in Canberra's CBD near Commonwealth Park could impact the Griffins' original city plan. The Canberra Airport and a business consortium propose buying land from the Catholic Church for the venue, which would host sports and music events. Historian Tony Maple warns the stadium could encroach on the Griffins' legacy and reduce parkland around Lake Burley Griffin. The National Capital Authority will work with all parties as the concept develops.
A new proposal for a city stadium in Canberra has reignited debate, with the Archbishop’s House land at Regatta Place as a potential site. The plan, inspired by the success of the Christchurch stadium, has gained support from city leaders and the ACT’s multi-hatted minister Chris Steel. The airport-led consortium aims to present a $500 million business case, with funding expected to be split between the federal and ACT governments. The stadium’s location offers views to the lake and the Brindabellas, with existing public transport options nearby.
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A consortium of Canberra business leaders has proposed a 25,000-seat waterfront stadium near Regatta Place. The plan, modelled on Christchurch's Te Kaha Stadium, would require Commonwealth land currently occupied by the Archbishop's House. ACT Senator Katy Gallagher and Treasurer Chris Steel have responded cautiously, noting transport and parking concerns. The federal government will also weigh in, as the proposal involves Commonwealth land and competes with plans for a new pool and convention centre.
A consortium led by Canberra Airport has proposed building a 25,000 to 36,000-seat stadium in Canberra’s city centre within four years. The group plans to acquire the Archbishop’s House site and surrounding land, donating it to a stadium trust. They will present a planning package to the Commonwealth, which would need to approve and fund the project. The proposal has received support from business and sporting leaders, with ACT senator Katy Gallagher and Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton expressing interest.
Canberra Airport has proposed building a new stadium in the city centre, at a site previously ruled out by the ACT government. The venue would host international music acts and major sporting events, with crowds within walking distance of public transport, hotels, and restaurants. The proposed site includes the Archbishop's House at Regatta Place, on Commonwealth land. The design is inspired by New Zealand's Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch, which opened in 2026 and cost around $531 million. Canberra Airport said it would contribute to the proposal's development but would not own or operate the stadium.
Canberra Airport has proposed a 25,000-seat city stadium on Commonwealth land at Regatta Place, near Commonwealth Park. The proposal, inspired by Christchurch’s Te Kaha Stadium, aims to revitalise the city centre and create a venue for major events. The airport will work with stakeholders to develop the concept, with a cost estimate expected in four to six months. Chief Minister Andrew Barr previously opposed the site, citing community concerns.
A new Nepali food truck, The Sekuwa Shack, is parked at the Harrison District Playing Fields in Canberra. Owner Rajesh Chaudhary, who previously worked as a courier, opened it a few months ago. He says trade is busiest after sports games at the oval. The menu includes chicken sekuwa, a grilled meat skewer marinated in spices, and steamed vegetable momos served with a tomato and chilli dipping sauce. The truck is open from 2 pm to 7 pm, seven days a week.
Advocates say stigma still stops drug users from getting health care, even though the ACT decriminalised small amounts of illicit drugs in 2023. Speaking at a Canberra memorial for overdose victims, Hayley Shaw described nearly dying from an overdose at 14 and her friend Daniel's death at 29, after he struggled to get adequate pain relief during cancer treatment. GP Ben Harkness said some users avoid mainstream services for fear of judgement.
The Canberra Loy Krathong Festival returns to Ping Ping Thai Food in Kambah on Saturday 31 October, running from 11 am to 6 pm. Entry is free and includes cultural performances. The program features a live band, a tribute show to Thai rock musician Sek Loso, Thai dance, Thai boxing, a Thai fashion show and a pageant competition. Loy Krathong is traditionally held around the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar and is associated with gratitude and new beginnings. Food and drinks are available to purchase, and some prize-based activities carry a small fee.
The Irish Film Festival returns to Canberra's Palace Electric from Friday 6 to Monday 9 November, with its biggest programme in 12 years. The lineup spans dark comedy, horror, music, family drama and documentaries about Ireland's past. Opening the festival is Chasing Millions, an Irish-Australian co-production inspired by Belfast's 2004 Northern Bank heist. Festival director Enda Murray says Irish filmmaking now feels more confident. The 2026 event also marks 80 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Ireland, and the Irish Embassy has backed it as part of that anniversary.
Belgravia Leisure has introduced allied health services at three of its Canberra recreation centres, so people can book physiotherapy, exercise physiology and dietetics around their workouts. A physiotherapist is available at Stromlo, and an exercise physiologist and dietitian are based at Gungahlin. Sessions are open to the whole community, not only members. Patients managing chronic conditions can access discounted rates through a GP care plan, and eligible people can use Medicare, DVA, NDIS, HICAPS or workers' compensation. Belgravia says all its allied health staff are accredited.
The Suburban Land Agency released more land than planned in 2025-26, but its income was $22.9 million below budget. Income reached $406.4 million, up from $237.3 million the previous year. Some mixed-use sites, including blocks in Molonglo, have struggled to sell. The agency blamed softer market conditions, higher interest rates and deferred settlements. It has budgeted for income of $434.3 million in 2026-27, with land releases expected to increase in coming years.
A woman held captive by a man at a Lyneham home in June 2024 has told an ACT Supreme Court pre-sentence hearing the abuse left her with lasting trauma. Sisituutuumata Fulivai, 47, was found guilty earlier this year of 20 charges, including forcible confinement and rape. The woman, then 24, escaped and ran naked onto the street, where police found her. In her statement she described crippling PTSD and panic attacks. Fulivai will be sentenced at a later date.
Sisituutuumata Fulivai, 47, was found guilty of 20 charges at the ACT Supreme Court, including sexual intercourse without consent and unlawful confinement. His victim told the court he had held her captive for two days at his Lyneham home in June 2024. She escaped naked and was found by police. Prosecutors said he posed a significant risk to women and called for a significant prison term. His barrister argued rehabilitation should still be considered. Justice Belinda Baker reserved her decision and will sentence Fulivai, who remains in custody, at a later date.
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The ACT Government is considering a new suicide prevention plan and will hold a roundtable early next year, following a parliamentary inquiry into men's suicide rates. Mental Health Minister Marisa Paterson said she welcomed a multi-partisan approach. Independent MLA Thomas Emerson criticised the government's response, arguing that several recommendations were labelled existing policy despite evidence of service gaps. He called for meaningful action on the inquiry's recommendations. No date for the roundtable has been set.
Melissa Evans and Mauro Vecchi have renovated a townhouse designed by architect Bert Reid in 1982. They kept the original design, including the sunken conversation pit, slate floors and angled walls. The kitchen and bathrooms were updated, with a coral marble bench and handle-free cabinetry added. The couple and their two Russian Blue cats now live in the home, which they say feels special to live in.
Kirsten Tibballs has shared a spooky recipe for Spider Nut Cookies, taken from her cookbook Chocolate All Day. The recipe combines peanut butter cookies with a milk chocolate honey ganache truffle, which sits on top as the spider's body. Chocolate legs, eyes and red chocolate blood complete the design. The cookies are baked at 170 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes and then cooled at room temperature before the decorations are added. The recipe makes 30 to 35 cookies.
Zoë King spent 20 years in the Australian Army as a Signals corps officer before moving into consulting and technology leadership. She now works with Defence and federal government organisations at Kinetic IT, focusing on Australia's sovereign technology capability. King says she joined the Army to find purpose and challenge, and that asking for help with mental health is a strength. She advises others to follow their values rather than copy another person's path. She also said empathy is a key leadership strength.
The ACT Government has signed contracts with Acusensus Australia and Orikan Australia to modernise the Territory's traffic and parking systems. The Acusensus contract is reportedly worth $63 million over five years, rising to $210 million if two five-year options are exercised. A staged rollout is expected to begin in mid-2027. The move comes as a petition led by John Mikita calls for an independent audit of the infringement system. The government says public servants still decide whether to issue an infringement, and it remains confident in existing systems.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has been criticised by crossbench MPs Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall over his response to the alleged attack on Helen Haines. Ryan called his speech tone deaf, while Steggall said he did not read the room. A 43-year-old man has been charged over the alleged attack, which left Haines losing both legs. Taylor rejected any link between robust parliamentary debate and political violence, and said judges should come down harder on offenders. Steggall said media, election advertising and social media should also take care with their words.
A Canberra mother, Dr Liz Allen, has received a letter saying her nine-year-old daughter no longer meets the criteria for a specialist appointment at the public paediatric allergy clinic. The daughter had been referred in January 2024 after several anaphylactic reactions. Dr Allen said the decision was made without contacting families and warned children could die from preventable reactions. Canberra Health Services said it is reviewing outpatient services so people with the greatest clinical need can be seen sooner. Opposition health spokesperson Mark Parton will move a motion calling for the original waitlists to be honoured.
The ACT government has opened expressions of interest for the Canberra House Pattern Book Design Competition, a national search for designs of dual occupancies, townhouses and terrace homes. The aim is to help the territory reach its goal of enabling 30,000 new homes by 2030. The pattern book will be a library of pre-approved, architect-designed plans that projects can build without a development application. Planning minister Chris Steel said the initiative builds on the territory's missing middle reforms. Expressions of interest close on 4 December 2026.
Canberra Health Services has removed patients from outpatient waitlists after a review of its criteria, with about 1,000 letters sent. Liz Allen said her daughter, who has had anaphylactic reactions, was removed from the paediatric allergy clinic list after almost three years of waiting. The service said it is working through more than 40 waitlists and is prioritising patients in the highest categories. Opposition Leader Mark Parton criticised the process and said he would move a motion calling on the government to honour the original waitlists.
