Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson has welcomed the release of the ACT Government’s five-year strategic plan for Oaks Estate, brought about by an Assembly motion he co-sponsored with Elizabeth Lee MLA and Shane Rattenbury MLA earlier this year.

The plan includes a range of actions across policy areas including safety, housing, places and spaces, transport, health, and education. Mr Emerson said adequate funding would be needed to ensure the plan delivers on its aims. 

“Today is a good day for Oaks Estate,” said Mr Emerson.

“Residents will be relieved to see the ACT Government acknowledging the unique challenges they’re facing, and not fobbing them off to Queanbeyan.

”But eyebrows will be raised about key actions in this plan being predicated on ‘future budget processes’. There’s also a lot of ‘exploring’ promised in the plan, and early feedback suggests there may be some anxiety about those explorations actually leading to action. After decades of neglect, residents deserve confidence that there will be real follow through for Oaks Estate.”

Some of the action items in the plan include:

• Explore engaging a mobile veterinary service, through the Community Inclusion Program provided by Vinnies, to undertake ‘pop up’ clinics to provide low-cost microchipping and desexing services to low-income residents.
• Explore planning and related assessments to support the release of vacant blocks.
• Explore opportunities to continue funding the Community Inclusion Program beyond 30 June 2026, subject to future budget processes.
• Explore options for upgrades to footpaths and installing handrails to the river walk, subject to future budget processes.
• Explore opportunities to improve the streetscape and pedestrian linkages around Territory-owned vacant blocks.
• Explore options to facilitate community access to the Oaks Estate Community Hall.
• Explore opportunities to collaborate with Vinnies and other non-profits to enhance access to public transport.
• Explore opportunities for new NGO mental health support services through the mental health commissioning process. 

Mr Emerson said the plan would require ongoing monitoring and community engagement, and welcomed the governance arrangements it contained.

”It’s encouraging that the Government has come up with a solid plan on the back of some strong community consultation, with clear governance arrangements to monitor its success. Now they need to fund the plan adequately to make it a reality,” said Mr Emerson.

The plan promises:

• The continuation of the multi-agency working group responsible for developing the plan to oversee its implementation. 
• The establishment of an Oaks Estate Connected Community Working Group — comprising ACT Government Directorates, ACT Policing, and community service providers — to oversee the development of prosocial and community development opportunities across the suburb.
• Meeting twice a year with the Oaks Estate Residents Association to receive feedback and monitor the effectiveness of implemented actions.
• Annual reports to the Assembly providing updates on the implementation of the strategic plan.
• Annual ‘traffic light’ updates on implementation progress published online.

Mr Emerson described the strategic plan as an example of how elected representatives can work constructively across party lines to advocate effectively for their communities.

“Credit should be given to fellow Kurrajong reps Elizabeth Lee and Shane Rattenbury for their collaborative engagement on this, and to the ACT Government for providing a meaningful response to strong advocacy from the Oaks Estate Residents Association and the Inner South Canberra Community Council,” concluded Mr Emerson.

Media Contact

Will Devine | [email protected] | 0402183296

Background

You can access the ACT Government’s Oaks Estate Strategic Plan 2025-2030 here.

In May 2025, independent MLA Thomas Emerson, Liberal MLA Elizabeth Lee and Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury moved a co-sponsored motion, which committed the ACT Government to develop a five-year strategic plan for Oaks Estate. The motion was passed unanimously by the ACT Legislative Assembly. 

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

The 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 services, no schools, and only minimal social support services. Recent escalations in antisocial behaviour, public drug dealing and consumption, roaming dogs, and crime have left residents feeling unsafe and struggling to build positive community connections.