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History Trivia: Located on the ancient lands of the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people, the city's name is thought to mean 'meeting place', derived from the Aboriginal name Kamberra.
Canberra's special contrast of nature and urban living was planned to
perfection in 1911 by Canberra's master designer, Walter Burley Griffin. He certainly had the tourist in mind when he designed Canberra, with most of
the city's attractions within easy walking distance of one another, and a few
no more than a 10 minute drive from the city centre.
If you have any relevant or additional info that can contribute to the ACT
section,
please email me.
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| ACT
Facts |
| political
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ACT's flag
since 1993 |
Political
The Australian Federal Parliament has 148 members in the lower house, or House of Representatives. Members are elected at least every three years by all Australian citizens aged 18 or over - voting is compulsory. Members of Parliament represent single electorates and are elected by the preferential method.
In the Senate, or upper house, there are twelve members from each Australian State and two from each of the Australian Territories. The parties are represented in proportion to their share of the total vote from each state.
The Senate's functions are to represent the interests of the States and to review legislation. Generally party politics dictate that the Senate falls into line with the lower house as Senators vote as their parties dictate. However when, as is currently the situation, the same party does not enjoy a clear majority in both houses of Parliament, the Senate can refuse to pass legislation sent to it by the House of Representatives. This can result in both Houses of Parliament being dissolved (known as a double dissolution) followed by a general election.
Technically speaking, executive power remains with the Queen, as represented by the Governor General. In practice, this authority is exercised by a cabinet of parliamentarians selected by the prime minister from the party (or, in the case of the Australian Labor Party, chosen by a caucus of the party). The Constitution does not formally recognise cabinet or the office of prime minister. Members of the cabinet are called Ministers and are responsible for particular "portfolios" such as Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communications, or Health.
Australia currently has a Liberal/National Party government, but despite their majority in the House of Representatives, the coalition does not enjoy a majority in the Senate.
The current government, led by Prime Minister John Howard, was elected in October 1998.
The states have their own parliaments. Most of these, like the Federal Parliament, have an upper and a lower house.
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Capital: Canberra
- Premier: The ACT is not a State and is represented at a Federal level by two Senators, elected for three-year terms. The small population of the ACT means that it is currently represented by only three Members in the House of Representatives.
ACT has no local council. Matters normally looked after by
a council are dealt with by the Legislative Assembly.
- Political parties: The two major parties in Australia are the Labor Party (originally the party of the left and maintaining links with the union movement) and the Liberal Party (whose members run the gamut from small "l" liberal thinkers to die-hard
conservatives). The Liberal Party has traditionally operated in coalition with the National Party, a party with its strength in country areas and generally on the conservative side of politics.
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Flag: see above.
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State colours: Blue and white are the livery colours of the City,
while blue and gold are the traditional sporting colours of the ACT.
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Official government website: www.act.gov.au
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Animal emblem: no official mammal.
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Marine emblem: no official emblem.
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Floral emblem: Royal Bluebell, Australian Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa).
The Royal Bluebell is restricted in distribution to the high mountain areas of the ACT, south eastern NSW and eastern Victoria.
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Bird emblem: Gang Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon
fimbriatum). Adopted as the faunal emblem for the ACT on 27 February 1997. Canberra is the only city in Australia where these distinctive ash-grey cockatoos live.
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Coat of Arms: None for ACT, but Canberra's coat of
arms was granted by King George V in 1928. The Canberra Coat
of Arms shows a shield supported by two swans. One swan is
black and the other white, symbolising the Aboriginal and
European people of Australia. The Coat of Arms bears the
motto "For the Queen, the Law and the People".
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Population:
The estimated resident population of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) at 30 June 2003 was 322,800 people, an increase of 1,300 from June 2002.
The ACT's population grew by 0.4% between June 2002 and June 2003, compared to a national growth rate of 1.2% over the same period. This growth was the lowest annual increase recorded in the ACT since 1998, when the population increased by 0.3%. At June 2003 the population of the ACT made up 1.6% of Australia's population.
The Statistical Subdivision (SSD) of Gungahlin–Hall experienced a 7% increase in population between 2002 and 2003. This was the fastest population growth of all SSDs in the ACT. The Statistical Local Areas (SLA) of Dunlop (up 770 people), Amaroo (up 730), Gungahlin-Hall - SSD Balance (up 600) and Nicholls (up 500) experienced the largest population growth of all SLAs in the ACT over the same
period. (Source: www.abs.gov.au)
Largest Cities:
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Geography
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Highest mountain: From many parts of the city, there are superb views to the Brindabella Ranges. There are a huge number of areas which offer superb bushwalks, and other areas can be readily reached on horseback, on short bushwalks or even by car.
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Total Land Area: 2,452 km2
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Coastline: 0 km (inland)
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National Parks: Much of the mountainous area is encompassed in the Australian Capital Territory's largest national park - Namadgi National Park.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a short and scenic drive south of Canberra. Here kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and emus run wild.
See their website.
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Climate
Canberra has four distinct seasons: summers are warm to
hot, autumn colours the millions of trees gold and red,
while winters are crisp and cool with occasional frosty mornings clearing to blue
skies. Spring sees Canberra comes alive with glorious floral blooms.
| Season |
Average Min.* |
Average Max.* |
| Spring |
5 |
19 |
| Summer |
12 |
27 |
| Autumn |
7 |
20 |
| Winter |
0 |
12 |
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* = degrees Celsius |
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Economy
Real Gross State Product (GSP) growth for 2002/3 is 2.9%,
which is 2% of Australia's GDP. Unemployment is at 4.2%.
| ACT's major
exports, 2003: (A$'000) |
ACT's major
imports, 2003: (A$'000) |
| Optical instruments |
1,068 |
Aircraft & parts |
1,051 |
| Internal combustion piston engines |
651 |
Other woven fabrics |
688 |
| Tobacco, manufactured |
378 |
Tulles, lace, ribbons, etc |
686 |
| Telecommunications equipment |
364 |
Artwork, collectors' pieces, antiques |
475 |
| Specialised machinery |
319 |
Medical electro-diagnostic equipment |
250 |
| Gold coin |
277 |
Other electrical machinery |
226 |
| Radio-broadcast receivers |
36 |
Specialised machinery |
151 |
| Crude vegetable materials |
12 |
Telecommunications equipment |
109 |
| Musical instruments |
10 |
Measuring and controlling instruments |
107 |
| Crude animal materials |
3 |
Printing & bookbinding machinery |
79 |
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source: www.dfat.gov.au
(PDF doc)
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Tourism
Some of the must see attractions include:
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Major monuments like Parliament
House, Old Parliament
Building, the National Gallery of Australia (see
below), and the
Australian War Memorial.
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The Australian National Botanic Gardens, nestled at the foot of Black Mountain, are devoted entirely to plants native to Australia.
See their website.
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Cockington Green Gardens: a fascinating collection of miniature buildings from all parts of Great Britain, all constructed down to the finest detail and in perfect
scale and set in lovingly manicured gardens. From tiny townsfolk going about their daily business, to cottages, animals and vehicles, capturing the true feel of life in a British village.
See their website.
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The Kamberra Wine Complex established in 2000. It is Australia's newest urban winery and services the biggest ever vine planting in the ACT.
See their website.
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National Capital Exhibition tells the powerful story of the making of the National Capital, from the aboriginal occupation to the arrival of European settlers.
See their website.
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ScreenSound Australia is home to Australia's national collection of film and sound treasures. The collection is housed in a stunning art deco building.
See their website.
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National Gallery of Australia houses the national art collection of more than 100,000 works.
See their website.
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The National Library of Australia is the treasure trove of the nation's literary and documentary heritage.
See their website.
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The National Museum of Australia uses state-of-the-art technology and hands-on interactive exhibitions so
that visitors can actually experience the stories of Australia.
See their website.
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The Old Bus Depot Markets, the former Kingston Bus Depot, each Sunday is transformed into a bustling market atmosphere. The markets feature a selection of hand-crafted gifts including
homewares, jewellery, aboriginal arts, fresh flowers, tableware, cards, ceramics, leadlight, woodcraft, furniture and leatherwork.
See their website.
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Questacon, The National Science and Technology Centre - experience an earthquake, see lightning made before your eyes, understand the science of cooking a meal, throwing a ball or making a telephone call. There are more than 200 exhibits.
See their website
- great stuff for kids.
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The Telstra Tower rises 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain, providing 360 degree views of Canberra and the countryside around it.
For more, see Capital
Facts (Australian-American Memorial, Building Canberra to 1958, Captain Cook Memorial, Canadian Flagpole, the Seat of Government, Charles Weston and the Greening of Canberra, Indigenous Voices, Lake Burley Griffin, National Carillon, Ngunnawal Country, Parliament House, Peace Park, Scrivener Dam and the creation of Lake Burley Griffin, and The Siting and Naming of Canberra).
Interesting: The flag mast atop Parliament House, the pinnacle of the building,
stands 81 metres above the roof and flies a huge Australian flag, about the size of a double-decker bus.
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Canberra's Useful Links
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| Major
Cities in ACT |
| Canberra
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| Canberra |
Some
History |
further info |
The national capital of Australia and the seat of the Australian Government. Canberra is a young and modern city with a population of
over 320,000.
Situated on Kurrajong (Capital Hill), the striking new Parliament House
(below) was opened by the Queen in May 1988.
Canberra is just over three hours drive from Sydney, or less than seven from
Melbourne.
Main political features of Canberra are the national Parliament, universities and a vibrant diplomatic community.
For detailed information on Canberra's attractions, click
here.
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The first European settler in the district was Joshua John Moore who established a stock station called
'Canberry'. It's thought the name Canberry is based on an Aboriginal name for the area Kamberra or
Kambery. The middle of Moore's property is approximately where Canberra's city centre is currently sited. In 1913 Canberra became the official name for the area.
Subsequent to Federation in 1901, the New South Wales Government commissioned a report suggesting possible locations for the seat of Government for the new Commonwealth of Australia. The report suggested three places, Bombala, Yass-Canberra, and
Orange.
The decision for the Yass-Canberra option was made in 1908 by the Commonwealth Parliament and shortly afterwards the Commonwealth surveyor, Charles Scrivener, was dispatched to choose a site. His instructions were to choose somewhere picturesque, distinctive, and with views.
In 1911 an international competition to design the new capital city of Australia was held. More than 130 entries were received in the competition and the winning entry was submitted by American architect Walter Burley Griffin and his partner and wife, Marion Mahony Griffin.
The Australian Capital Territory was declared on 1 January 1911. It became a self-governing territory in 1989.
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Embassy-ville: More than sixty countries have established diplomatic missions in Canberra. Most are within close range of the parliamentary triangle in choice residential areas. Many of these chancelleries and residences are constructed in the architecture of their homeland and are a distinctive feature of Canberra.
National bodies: A number of national institutions have been established in the capital - the National Library, the National Gallery, the National University, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Academy of Science and the National Science and Technology Centre to name but a few.
Memorials: The Australian War Memorial stands majestically at the foot of Mount Ainslie overlooking a wide avenue of Anzac Parade. The Australian-American Memorial in the heart of the defence complex at Russell Hill commemorates the United States' contribution towards Australia's defence in World War II. The Captain Cook Memorial near Regatta Point marks the bicentenary of the discovery of Australia's east coast.
Canberra Day is held on the third Monday in March each year,
commemorating and celebrating the official founding of Canberra on 12 March 1913.
Official links:
www.tourism.act.gov.au
www.act.gov.au
www.nationalcapital.gov.au
www.canberra.citysearch.com.au
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Cities within the city
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| Canberra was growing so
rapidly because of the transfer of Public Service
departments in the 1960s that new residential areas
had to be developed, either by increasing the density
of the existing city - areas and allowing a sprawl of
suburbs to take place as in other Australian cities;
or by planning new towns (satellite cities) adjacent
to North and South Canberra. Below are the resulting
towns. |
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Woden |
Tuggeranong |
Gungahlin |
In 1962 the first new town was begun 12 km south of Civic Centre and an adjoining valley,
and called Woden. Weston Creek was later added to accommodate more than 60,000 people. Woden-Weston Creek today has its own town centre, a major employment area with around
8,000 people currently engaged in government administration, retail and service trades activities.
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In 1973, Tuggeranong, the third new town, was commenced south of Woden-Weston Creek in a series of valleys, ridges and hills intersected by the Murrumbidgee River. Rugged mountain ranges often snow-capped in winter, provide a dramatic backdrop to
Tuggeranong, which will eventually have a population of around 100,000. |
Gungahlin, the fourth new town, north of Canberra City, was begun. So far only the Mitchell Industrial Estate has been developed, but eventually Gungahlin's population could grow to 85,000. |
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| Weather
in ACT |
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From the hot outback
climates of the Far West and Orana regions, to the more
temperate climate of the Australian Capital Region and
everything in between, the climate of NSW is one that supports
an active lifestyle and in most cases, differs remarkably from
season to season. If you’re in search of a hometown whose
weather consists of the ‘four seasons’ it’s likely
you’ll find it in regional NSW.
While towns and cities situated along the east coast enjoy a
sea breeze, the further west you move, the hotter and more
humid the temperature is. Similarly, in the south of the State
the temperatures are more mild year round, and in winter, can
drop to as little as 0 degrees Celsius.
Daily weather reports for Australia:
Bureau
of Meteorology
News.com.au
Nine MSN's weather
The
Weather Company
The
Weather Zone
Weather
Underground
Yahoo's
weather in Oz
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| Maps
of Canberra region |
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Canberra by Suburbs - click here.
Decide what you want on your map of Canberra - a very cool map building facility - online
and free available here.
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