Canberra Now: Yass border buffer rejected, forgotten Canberra plans
Good morning Canberra!
Welcome to the first Canberra Now of the year. Commiserations if you're one of the countless Canberrans heading back to work today when you'd rather be at the coast. I feel you. We're set for a pleasant day with a top of 28 degrees.
Here's what you need to know in Canberra today:
NSW planning rejects Yass border buffer zone
The Yass council wants a five-kilometre no-development zone just north of the ACT border.
The plan was supported by the ACT government, but it has been rejected by NSW planning.
It's a win for landowners but a setback for Yass council.
Kirsten Lawson has more.
Canberra Hospital's mental health unit bursting at the seams
Canberra Hospital's adult mental health unit was running at 106 per cent capacity during 2017-18 and it doesn't look like improving.
The new government figures also showed Canberra's mental health patients, while making up a small proportion of those admitted to the emergency department, made up 40 per cent of patients staying more than 24 hours in the emergency department.
I've got more on that story here.
Mums tell of their birthing horror
The ACT government is currently undertaking an inquiry into maternity services in the territory with public hearings due to be held this year.
Mothers and families have told of their experiences giving birth in Canberra through submissions.
One woman was left with ongoing debilitating pain she and her partner have attributed to poor care caused by understaffing.
I've got more on that story here.
The grand plans that would have changed Canberra as we know it
Black Mountain gondolas, a geothermal heated lake and driverless pods: Imagine how different the city would have been if these big ideas got up.
They are just a few forgotten plans we've dusted off that could have changed the city as we know it.
Katie Burgess has more.
Summernats becomes hot rod heaven
A father-daughter duo has been named the Summernats Grand Champion.
Gold Coast fitter and turner Rick Werner built the hot rod, called Tequila Sunset, based off sketches made by his daughter Danielle.
The car took six years to create, the result of hour upon hour of hand-crafting components.