This motion was moved by Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury MLA, calling on the ACT Government to address community concerns about antisocial behavior, general upkeep, commercial vacancies, and other issues at the Dickson Shops. It called on the government to report back on the work of a cross-directorate working group that was recently established by the Chief Minister to focus on the Dickson Shops.

Labor moved minor amendments to the wording of the motion that were agreed to by all parties.

Thomas has met with the Dickson Residents Association to discuss their concerns about the Dickson Shops and has heard from multiple local community members who have raised similar concerns about safety, antisocial behaviour, footpath problems, and vacant shopfronts in the precinct. Thomas’ view is that the current state of the area is keeping the Dickson Shops from fulfilling its critical role as a valued community hub for people across the inner north. He has heard from vulnerable community members who, sadly, have started avoiding the shops. 

Based on those conversations, and a letter Thomas had sent to the Chief Minister about the issue last December, Thomas supported the Greens’ motion with amendments, which also passed unanimously, requiring the ACT Government to: 

1. Acknowledge that an increased police presence in the area may increase feelings of community safety until the benefits of wraparound support services take effect; 
2. Maintain and improve pedestrian access to the Dickson Shops, particularly for community members with mobility restrictions;
3. Ensure any construction works in the area address community concerns about pedestrian accessibility and enable foot traffic to, and throughout, the Dickson Shops; and
4. Report back again to the Assembly by the first sitting week of 2026 with data demonstrating the impact of the cross-directorate working group on the identified issues. 

Thomas felt it was important to include clauses addressing concerns raised by community members about the area’s poorly maintained and incomplete footpath network. Dickson Shops improvements would not be much use, he said, of people with mobility restrictions who would not be able to make it to the shops. He was also pleased to successfully add a requirement for a second reporting date to ensure the Dickson Shops cross-directorate working group is not a box-ticking exercise, and that its work takes a long-term lens with a focus on meaningful, holistic actions that go to the root of the issues at the shops. 

 The amended motion passed unanimously.