Canberra Now: Boomanulla in govt hands; and heatwave prompts rethink
Good morning, Canberra.
It's a hot build-up to the long weekend, with highs of 39 and 40 on the cards for Friday and Saturday.
Here's what's making news around Canberra this morning.
'Charlie Perkins fought for it': Indigenous community wants it back
It was first opened by Charlie Perkins in 1984, and for years afterwards served as a central meeting point for Indigenous Australians travelling to, and living in, Canberra.
But since the organisation managing it on behalf of the entire Indigenous community went into administration, Boomanulla Oval has been in ACT government hands and has fallen into a state of disrepair.
Now, Winnunga Nimityjah Health Centre chief executive Julie Tongs has started a petition to get it reopened - and placed in Indigenous hands. Daniel Burdon reports on this story.
Which ACT politicians have tried cannabis, MDMA and acid?
More ACT politicians have admitted to using drugs in the past, amid debate over whether pill testing should be rolled out more broadly across Australia.
ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury revealed on Thursday that he'd tried MDMA once while at a party in his 20s, following similar admissions from NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann.
However, they are far from alone. Katie Burgess tells you more about who has and who hasn't.
Heatwave prompts architect to include air conditioning in energy efficient home
The rising heat is making some Canberrans alter their ideas about energy efficiency.
"I was sort of hoping that, in principle, I could do something, design something, build something where we didn't rely on air conditioning," he said.
"Even under the shade of the tree when it's 40 degrees, it's still hot."
Jasper Lindell explains why he hasn't fulfilled that hope.
The Canberra street names that make us feel funny inside
Which would you prefer - a street named boringly after a politician or something, well, sexier (or tackier)?
They're more interesting, sure - but also more desirable for the criminally minded. In fact, some of Canberra's street names are so edgy, so sought-after, that the signs have to be regularly replaced due to theft.
Serena Coady tells you which Canberra streets signs elicit a particularly strong reaction - and why.
Canberra Cavalry to fly star pitcher in for Brisbane Bandits ABL semi-final
The Canberra Cavalry need their star pitcher Steve Kent - and he's answering the call. Touch wood.
They'll fly Kent, who's still awaiting the arrival of his third child, up to Brisbane on Saturday for game two of the ABL semi-finals against the Bandits.
David Polkinghorne reports on the good news.