Independent MLA Thomas Emerson has welcomed the passage through the ACT Legislative Assembly of his co-sponsored motion with Liberal MLA Elizabeth Lee and Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, committing the ACT Government to develop a five-year strategic plan for Oaks Estate. 

Passage of the motion follows many years of advocacy by the Oaks Estate Residents’ Association for more support from the ACT Government, culminating in a letter from Fiona McGregor, President of the Association, sent to all Kurrajong MLAs earlier this year.

The Oaks Estate Residents’ Association described Oaks Estate as “the forgotten suburb of the ACT.” Located on the NSW border near Queanbeyan, the suburb has a high proportion of low-quality public housing, no ACTION bus service, no school, and only minimal social support services. Recent escalations in antisocial behaviour, drug dealing and consumption, and crime have left residents feeling unsafe in their homes. 

Mr Emerson thanked fellow Kurrajong MLAs Ms Lee and Mr Rattenbury for working collaboratively on the matter, and welcomed the Labor Government’s support of the motion. 

“Yesterday, the Assembly made a commitment to get behind what is probably our most disadvantaged community,” Mr Emerson said. 

“Almost half of all dwellings in Oaks Estate are public housing, whose residents present with complex physical, psychological and social challenges. 

“Oaks Estate residents have been left stranded, told to access services in Queanbeyan, and even saw their polling both removed at the last Territory election. We can hardly be surprised that social issues like drug dealing and street violence have been escalating in a place that’s been neglected for so long. 

“Oaks Estate is part of our jurisdiction. Its residents are part of our community, and they should be treated as such. Residents will be relieved to have seen their government commit to help rebuild a safe, thriving, healthy community in Oaks Estate. Like them, I’ll be watching closely to ensure this plan delivers what’s needed.”

The five-year strategic plan will include short-, medium-, and long-term actions to holistically address the problems entrenching Oaks Estate residents in disadvantage, including:

1. Multi-agency action to address anti-social behaviour; 
2. Action to ensure public housing is fit-for-purpose; 
3. Action to address the lack of public transport options for residents; 
4. Action to provide community health facilities for residents, including those with complex mental health and drug dependency issues, such as through a new mobile alcohol and other drug service; 
5. Action to ensure students have access to schools close to where they live and can travel safely to school; 
6. Action to revitalise Oaks Estate, including general maintenance and cleaning of the park, streets and public areas; and
7. Action to improve access to the community hall and other local amenities.

The Government is required to table the strategic plan in the Assembly within six months, and to report back to the Assembly within 12 months, and annually thereafter, with data-informed updates on the plan’s implementation.