Pause and Catch Up: 26 May 2025
If your week felt like a blur and the news passed you by, don’t worry, you’re not alone. We know the news cycle can feel like it’s always on, always urgent. That’s why we’ve created this gentle check-in: a wellbeing-first way to stay connected to what’s happening in Canberra without feeling overwhelmed.
So pour a cuppa, take a breath, and scroll through what mattered in our city last week. Here’s your moment to pause and catch up.
Top 5 Canberra Headlines
1. Coalition Negotiations Continue
The Liberal and National parties are continuing discussions regarding policy alignment. As of this week, no final agreement has been publicly confirmed.
2. New Sensory Room Opens at Canberra Hospital ED
Canberra Hospital has opened a dedicated sensory-friendly room within its Emergency Department to support children with autism, sensory sensitivities, and developmental conditions.
3. Advanced Navigation Tech Tested in Canberra
New inertial navigation technology that does not rely on GPS has been tested on 23 km and 19.2 km drives across Canberra, including the Parliamentary Triangle. The system maintained accurate tracking even when GPS signals were not available.
4. Highly Potent Synthetic Opioid Identified
A synthetic opioid from the nitazene class was detected at the CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service in Canberra. The substance, initially believed to be oxycodone, was significantly more potent and was identified through lab analysis.
5. Demand for Basketball Courts Outpaces Supply
Participation in basketball has increased across Canberra, prompting concerns from local clubs and associations about the shortage of indoor courts to accommodate community demand.
Suburb-by-Suburb Snapshot
Here’s what’s happening closer to home—because sometimes it’s the smaller stories that shape our day-to-day lives.
Woden: CIT Woden Campus Nears Completion
Construction of the new Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) campus in Woden is progressing steadily, with the facility on track to open in mid-2025. Designed to accommodate approximately 6,500 students annually, the campus will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including smart classrooms, specialist learning environments, and a new public transport interchange. The development aims to revitalize the Woden Town Centre, offering enhanced educational opportunities and improved connectivity for the community.
Tuggeranong: Canberra PCYC Welcomes ACT Police and Community Leaders
Canberra PCYC in Tuggeranong hosted a special morning visit from ACT Chief of Police Scott Lee and Acting Inspector Olivia Cruise, who met with young people involved in PCYC’s programs to learn more about their impact. Ambassador Paul Holmes also joined the visit, speaking with participants in the Solid Ground program about his journey into radio—while proudly showing off his bright painted nails after losing a bet on air. The event highlighted the power of connection, role models, and community-based youth engagement.
Gungahlin: Community Buzzes with World Bee Day Celebrations
On Saturday, 24 May 2025, the Capital Region Farmers Market at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) hosted a special event to celebrate World Bee Day. The market featured honey-themed treats, face painting, music, and educational activities highlighting the importance of bees and other pollinators to our ecosystem. Beekeepers and farmers were on hand to discuss the vital role of pollinators in food production and biodiversity. The event emphasized the significance of supporting pollinator-friendly practices in our community.
Inner North: Responding to Myrtle Rust at the National Museum
This week, biosecurity teams responded to the detection of myrtle rust at the National Museum of Australia. Myrtle rust is a fast-spreading fungal disease that affects plants in the Myrtaceae family, this includes many iconic Australian natives like eucalyptus, bottlebrush, tea tree, and lilly pilly. While not harmful to humans or animals, myrtle rust poses a serious risk to native ecosystems, especially in areas of cultural and environmental significance. The museum has responded with biosecurity measures to prevent further spread and is working closely with environmental authorities to monitor and manage the issue.
Inner South: Canberra City Farm Cultivates Community and Sustainability
Located at 2 Dairy Road in Fyshwick, Canberra City Farm is a community-driven initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable urban agriculture. Farmer of the Week - Su is growing loads of organic Asian greens for her family: bok choi, spinach, Asian mustard, Chinese lettuce, broad bean and spring onions. The farm features individual garden allotments, communal areas, an orchard, a vineyard, and a solar-powered composter. Regular events, such as workshops and working bees, provide opportunities for community members to engage in hands-on learning about organic gardening, composting, and sustainable living practices. The farm also hosts seasonal open days, offering farm tours, produce sales, and educational activities for all ages.
Belconnen: New Birth Centre Feasibility Study Released
The ACT Government has released a feasibility study recommending a standalone birth centre adjacent to the planned northside hospital in Belconnen. The centre would offer midwifery-led, low-intervention care in a home-like setting for low-risk pregnancies, with safe access to hospital support if needed. The study, which included input from health professionals and Aboriginal Elders, highlighted strong community support for culturally safe and person-centred maternity services on Canberra’s northside. Planning and co-design are now underway.
That’s your week in review.
Support your local. Celebrate the wins. Speak up for change. And as always, we’ll be here to help you pause & catch up next week. 💛
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