Canberra 51983 226001834 2008-07-16T11:47:09Z El C 92203 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/85.180.52.211|85.180.52.211]] ([[User talk:85.180.52.211|talk]]) to last version by Mattinbgn {{featured article}} {{otheruses}} {{Infobox Australian Place | type = city | name = Canberra | state = act | image = Canberra locator-MJC.png | imagesize = 270 | caption = Location of Canberra within [[Australia]] | pop = 333,940 (June 2006) | pop_footnotes = <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/2f762f95845417aeca25706c00834efa/5A717784C2562A99CA2573D20010FF17?opendocument|title=Canberra: Geographic distribution of the population|author=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|date=[[7 February]] [[2008]]|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref> | poprank = 8th | density = 1005 | density_footnotes = (2006, including Queanbeyan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abs.gov.au/websitedbs/d3310114.nsf/4a256353001af3ed4b2562bb00121564/45b3371f4a681356ca25740e007c92bf!OpenDocument|title=Explore Your City Through the 2006 Census Social Atlas Series|author=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|date=[[17 March]] [[2008]]|accessdate=2008-05-19}}</ref> | est = [[12 March]] [[1913]] | coordinates = {{coord|35|18|27|S|149|07|27.9|E|type:city_region:AU-ACT|display=inline,title}} | area = 805.6 | area_footnotes = | timezone = [[UTC10|AEST]] | utc = +10 | timezone-dst = [[UTC11|AEDT]] | utc-dst = +11 | dist1 = 286 | dir1 = SW | location1 = Sydney | dist2 = 666 | dir2 = NE | location2 = Melbourne | dist3 = 1191 | dir3 = E | location3 = Adelaide | dist4 = 1214 | dir4 = SSW | location4 = Brisbane | dist5 = 3852 | dir5 = ESE | location5 = [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] | region = | county = | stategov = [[Molonglo electorate|Molonglo]], | stategov2 = [[Ginninderra electorate|Ginninderra]] | stategov3 = [[Brindabella electorate|Brindabella]] | fedgov = [[Division of Canberra|Canberra]] | fedgov2 = [[Division of Fraser|Fraser]] | logo = | logosize = | url = | maxtemp = 20.0 | mintemp = 7.1 | rainfall = 632.6 }} '''Canberra''' ({{Pron-en-au|ˈkænbɹə}}<ref>The city's name may also be pronounced {{IPA|[ˈkæmbɹə]}}. It is also less commonly known as {{IPA|[ˈkænbəɹə]}} or {{IPA|[kænˈbeɹə]}}.</ref>) is the [[List of Australian capital cities|capital city]] of the Commonwealth of [[Australia]]. With a population of over 334,000, it is Australia's largest inland [[city]]. The city is located at the northern end of the [[Australian Capital Territory]], {{convert|280|km|abbr=on}} south-west of [[Sydney]], and {{convert|650|km|abbr=on}} north-east of [[Melbourne]]. The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a compromise between age-old rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two [[List of cities in Australia by population|largest cities]]. It is unusual among Australian cities, being an entirely purpose-built, [[New town|planned city]]. Following an international contest for the city's design, a design by the [[Chicago]] architects [[Walter Burley Griffin]] and [[Marion Mahony Griffin]] was selected and construction commenced in 1913. The city's design was heavily influenced by the [[garden city movement]] and incorporates significant areas of natural vegetation that have earned Canberra the title "bush capital". Although the growth and development of Canberra were hindered by the World Wars and the [[Great Depression]], it emerged as a thriving city after [[World War II]]. As the seat of the [[government of Australia]], Canberra is the site of [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]], the [[High Court of Australia]] and numerous government departments and agencies. It is also the location of many social and cultural institutions of national significance, such as the [[National Gallery of Australia]] and the [[National Museum of Australia]]. The federal government contributes the largest percentage of Gross State Product and is the largest single employer in Canberra. ==History== {{main|History of Canberra}} Before European settlement, the area in which Canberra would eventually be constructed was seasonally inhabited by the [[Ngunnawal people|Ngunnawal]] and [[Walgalu]] [[List of Indigenous Australian group names|tribes]]. The [[Ngarigo]] lived south-east of the Canberra area, the [[Gandangara people|Gundungurra]] to the north, the [[Yuin]] on the coast and the [[Wiradjuri]] to the west. Archaeological evidence from the Canberra region suggests human habitation in the area for at least 21,000 years. The word "Canberra" is derived from the name of the local [[Ngabri]] people dialect, one of the Ngunnawal family groups, from the word Kanbarra meaning "meeting place" in the old [[Ngunnawal language]]. The Ngunnawal name was apparently used as a reference to [[corroboree]]s held during the seasonal migration of the [[Ngunawal]] people to feast on the [[Bogong moth]]s that pass through the region each spring. [[Image:Blundells' cottage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Blundells' Cottage, built around 1860,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/visiting/attractions/blundells_cottage.asp|title = "Historic Blundells' Cottage"|publisher = National Capital Authority}}</ref> is one of the few remaining buildings built by the first European settlers of Canberra]] European exploration and settlement started in the Canberra area as early as the 1820s. There were four expeditions between 1820 and 1824. White settlement of the area probably dates from 1824, when a homestead or station was built on what is now the Acton peninsula by stockmen employed by Joshua John Moore. He formally purchased the site in 1826, and named the property Canberry. The European population in the Canberra area continued to grow slowly throughout the 19th century. Among them was the Campbell family of "Duntroon"; their imposing stone house is now the officers' mess of the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]]. The Campbells sponsored settlement by other farmer families to work their land, such as the Southwells of "[[Weetangera, Australian Capital Territory|Weetangera]]". Other notable early settlers included the inter-related Murray and Gibbes families, who owned the [[Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory|Yarralumla]] estate - now the site of the official residence of the [[Governor-General]] of Australia - from the 1830s through to 1881. The oldest surviving public building in the inner-city is the Anglican Church of [[St John the Baptist]], in the suburb of Reid, which was consecrated in 1845. St John's churchyard contains the graves of many of the district's pioneers. As the European presence increased, the indigenous population dwindled, mainly from disease such as smallpox and measles. [[Image:Parliamenthouse2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Opening of Parliament House in May 1927]] The district's change from a New South Wales (NSW) rural area to the national capital started during debates over [[Federation of Australia|Federation]] in the late 19th century. Following a long dispute over whether [[Sydney]] or [[Melbourne]] should be the national capital, a compromise was reached: the new capital would be built in New South Wales, so long as it was no closer than {{convert|100|mi|km|-1}} to Sydney, with Melbourne to be the temporary capital while the new capital was built. Canberra was chosen as the site in 1908, as a result of survey work done by the government [[Surveying|surveyor]] [[Charles Scrivener]]. The NSW government ceded the Federal Capital Territory (as it was then known) to the federal government. In an international design competition conducted by the Department of Home Affairs, on [[1 January]] [[1910]], the design by [[Walter Burley Griffin]] and Marion Mahony Griffin was chosen for the city, and in 1913 Griffin was appointed Federal Capital Director of Design and Construction and construction began. On [[12 March]] [[1913]], the city was officially given its name by [[Gertrude Denman|Lady Denman]], the wife of the then [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] [[Thomas Denman, 3rd Baron Denman|Lord Denman]] at a ceremony at Kurrajong Hill, which has since become Capital Hill and the site of the present [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]]. [[Canberra Day]] is a public holiday observed in the city and the surrounding [[Australian Capital Territory]] (ACT) on the second Monday in March to celebrate the founding of Canberra. [[Image:Lake-ParlHouse.JPG|right|thumb|350px|Two of Canberra's best-known landmarks, Parliament House and Old Parliament House (foreground). Commonwealth Place runs alongside the lake and includes the International Flag Display. [[Questacon]] is on the right]] The federal government moved to Canberra on [[9 May]] [[1927]], with the opening of the [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Provisional Parliament House]]. The Prime Minister, [[Stanley Bruce]], had officially taken up residence in [[The Lodge]] a few days earlier. Planned development of the city slowed significantly during the [[Great Depression in Australia|depression]] of the 1930s and during [[World War II]]. Some projects planned for that time, for example, [[Roman Catholicism in Australia|Roman Catholic]] and [[Anglican Church of Australia|Anglican]] cathedrals, were never completed. The development of Canberra gained pace after the Second World War, and it has grown beyond the original planners’ expectations since then. Several Government departments, together with public servants, were moved to Canberra from [[Melbourne]] following the war. [[Public housing in the Australian Capital Territory|Government housing]] projects were undertaken to accommodate the city's growing population. Parts of Canberra's [[North Canberra|north]] and [[South Canberra|south]] were further developed in the 1950s, and urban development in the [[Suburbs of Canberra#Districts|districts]] of [[Woden Valley]] and [[Belconnen]] commenced in the mid and late 1960s, respectively. [[Lake Burley Griffin]] was completed in 1963. On [[27 January]] [[1972]] the [[Aboriginal Tent Embassy]] was first established on the grounds of Parliament House; it was created to draw attention to indigenous rights and land issues and has been continuously occupied since 1992. On [[9 May]] [[1988]], a larger and permanent Parliament House was opened on Capital Hill as part of Australia's bicentenary celebrations, and the Federal Parliament moved there from the Provisional Parliament House, now known as Old Parliament House. In December 1988, the ACT was granted full self-government through an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament. Following the first elections in February 1989, a 17-member [[Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] sat at its offices in London Circuit, Civic, on [[11 May]] [[1989]]. The [[Australian Labor Party]] formed the ACT's first government, led by the Chief Minister [[Rosemary Follett]], who made history as Australia's first female head of government. On [[18 January]] [[2003]], parts of Canberra were engulfed by [[Canberra bushfires of 2003|a bushfire]] that killed four people and destroyed 491 homes and the major research telescopes and workshop at the [[Australian National University]]'s [[Mount Stromlo Observatory]]. ==Geography== [[Image:Canberra Map-MJC.png|thumb|250px|right|The location of Canberra within the [[Australian Capital Territory|ACT]], Canberra's seven districts are shown in yellow, they are [[North Canberra]], [[South Canberra]], [[Woden Valley]], [[Belconnen]], [[Weston Creek]], [[Tuggeranong]], and [[Gungahlin]]]] Canberra covers an area of 805.6&nbsp;[[square kilometre]]s<!--spell out per WP:MOSNUM --> (311.0&nbsp;[[square mile|sq.&nbsp;mi]]) and is located near the [[Brindabella Ranges]] (Brendy Bear Ranges), approximately 150&nbsp;[[kilometre]]s (93&nbsp;mi) inland from [[East Coast of Australia|Australia's east coast]]. It is located at altitudes that range from 550&nbsp;[[metre]]s to 700&nbsp;metres (1,800 to 2,300&nbsp;[[foot (unit of length)|ft]]) [[Australian Height Datum|AHD]]. The highest point is [[Mount Majura]] at 888&nbsp;metres (2,913&nbsp;ft). Other large hills include [[Mount Taylor (Australian Capital Territory)|Mt Taylor]], [[Mount Ainslie (Australian Capital Territory)|Mt Ainslie]], Mt Mugga Mugga and [[Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)|Black Mountain]]. The surrounding [[bushland]] and the original bushland that Canberra was built in is a mixture of eucalyptus [[savanna]], open grassland, [[scrubland]], [[swamp]] and dry eucalyptus forests. The [[Molonglo River]] flows through Canberra and has been dammed to form the body of water in the centre of the city called [[Lake Burley Griffin]]. The Molonglo then flows into the [[Murrumbidgee River|Murrumbidgee]] north-west of Canberra, which in turn flows north-west toward the New South Wales town of Yass. The [[Queanbeyan River]] joins the Molonglo River at Oaks Estate just within the ACT. A number of creeks, including Jerrabomberra and Yarralumla Creeks, flow into the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee. Two of these creeks, the Ginninderra and Tuggeranong, have similarly been dammed to form [[Lake Ginninderra|Lakes Ginninderra]] and [[Lake Tuggeranong|Tuggeranong]]. Until recently the Molonglo had a history of sometimes lethal floods; the area was a flood plain prior to the filling of Lake Burley Griffin. ===Climate=== {{climate chart|Canberra |13|28|59 |13|27|56 |11|25|51 |6|20|46 |3|16|45 |1|12|41 |0|11|41 |1|13|47 |3|16|52 |6|19|63 |9|23|64 |11|26|53 |source=<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_070014.shtml Canberra]</ref> |float=right }} Canberra has four distinct seasons, because of its latitude, elevation and distance from the coast. The climates of most Australian coastal areas, which include all the state capital cities, are moderated by the sea. Canberra experiences hot, dry summers, and cold winters with heavy fog and frequent frosts, with a rare spot of snow in the [[central business district|CBD]] but the surrounding areas get annual snowfall through winter and often the snow capped mountains can be seen from the cbd. The highest recorded maximum temperature was 42.2&nbsp;°C (108&nbsp;°F) on [[1 February]] [[1968]].<ref>Australian Bureau of Meteorology 2005. [http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/canberra/climate.shtml Climate of Canberra Area]</ref> The lowest recorded minimum temperature was &minus;10.0&nbsp;°C (14&nbsp;°F) on [[11 July]] [[1971]]. Light snow falls in the city in one out of approximately three winters but is usually not widespread and quickly dissipates. [[Thunderstorm]]s can occur between September and March, with rainfall maximums in spring and summer. ===Urban structure=== {{Main|Suburbs of Canberra}} [[Image:BikepathCanberra.jpg|thumb|bikepath to Weston Creek]] [[Image:Inner-canberra 01MJC.png|right|thumb|Inner Canberra demonstrates some aspects of the Griffin plan, in particular the [[Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra|Parliamentary Triangle]]]] [[Image:Tuggeranong-Valley-lr-cropped.jpg|thumb|View from [[Tuggeranong Hill]], looking down into Tuggeranong Valley]] [[Image:Canberra SPOT 1088.jpg|thumb|right|Canberra seen from Spot Satellite]] Canberra is a [[New town|planned city]] that was originally designed by [[Walter Burley Griffin]], a major 20th century American architect. Major roads follow a wheel-and-spoke pattern rather than a grid. The city centre is laid out on two perpendicular axes: a water axis stretching along [[Lake Burley Griffin]], and a ceremonial land axis stretching from Parliament House on [[Capital Hill, Australian Capital Territory|Capital Hill]] north-eastward along [[ANZAC Parade, Canberra|ANZAC Parade]] to the [[Australian War Memorial]] at the foot of [[Mount Ainslie, Australian Capital Territory|Mt Ainslie]]. The area known as the [[Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra|Parliamentary Triangle]] is formed by three of Burley Griffin's axes, stretching from Capital Hill along [[Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra|Commonwealth Avenue]] to the Civic Centre around City Hill, along Constitution Avenue to the Defence precinct on Russell Hill, and along Kings Avenue back to Capital Hill. The larger scheme of Canberra's layout is based on the three peaks surrounding the city, Mt. Ainslie, Black Mountain, and Bimberi Peak. ANZAC Parade, for instance is on the line between Ainslie and Bimberi. The Griffins assigned spiritual values to Ainslie, Black Mountain, and Red Hill and originally planned to cover each of these in flowers. That way each hill would be covered with a single, primary color which represented its spriritual value. This part of their plan never came to fruition. In fact, WWI interrupted the contstruction and some conflicts after the war made it a difficult process for the Griffins. Nevertheless, Canberra stands as an exemplary city design and is located halfway between the ski slopes and the beach. It enjoys a natural cooling from geophysical factors. Due to the fact that there is almost no orthogonal design in the city, Canberrans are wont to point in a direction when asked where something is located. Instructions to follow certain streets are exceptionally rare. The urban areas of Canberra are organised into a hierarchy of districts, town centres, group centres, local suburbs as well as other industrial areas and villages. There are seven districts, each of which is divided into smaller suburbs, and most of which have a town centre which is the focus of commercial and social activities. The districts were settled in the following chronological order: *[[North Canberra]], mostly settled in the 1920s and '30s, with expansion up to the 1960s, now 15 suburbs *[[South Canberra]], settled from the 1920s to '60s, 12 suburbs *[[Woden Valley]], first settled in 1963, 13 suburbs *[[Belconnen]], first settled in 1967, 25 suburbs *[[Weston Creek]], settled in 1969, 8 suburbs *[[Tuggeranong]], settled in 1974, 19 suburbs *[[Gungahlin]], settled in the early 1990s, 7 suburbs to date The North and South Canberra districts are substantially based on Walter Burley Griffin's designs. In 1967 the then [[National Capital Development Commission]] adopted the "Y Plan" which laid out future urban development in Canberra around a series of central shopping and commercial area known as the 'town centres' linked by freeways, the layout of which roughly resembled the shape of the letter Y, with Tuggeranong at the base of the Y and Belconnen and Gungahlin located at the ends of the arms of the Y. Development in Canberra has been closely regulated by government, both through the town planning process, but also through the use of crown lease terms that have tightly limited the use of parcels of land. All land in the ACT is held on 99 year leases from the national government, although most leases are now administered by the Territory government. Most suburbs have their own local shops, and are located close to a larger shopping centre serving a group of suburbs. Community facilities and schools are often also located near local shops or group shopping centres. Many of Canberra's [[List of suburbs of Canberra|suburbs]] are named after former Prime Ministers, famous Australians, early settlers, or use Aboriginal words for their title. [[Street name]]s typically follow a particular theme; for example, the streets of [[Duffy, Australian Capital Territory|Duffy]] are named after Australian dams and weirs, and the streets of [[Page, Australian Capital Territory|Page]] are named after biologists and naturalists. Most [[diplomatic mission]]s are located in the suburbs of [[Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory|Yarralumla]], [[Deakin, Australian Capital Territory|Deakin]] and [[O'Malley, Australian Capital Territory|O'Malley]]. There are three light industrial areas: the suburbs of [[Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory|Fyshwick]], [[Mitchell, Australian Capital Territory|Mitchell]] and [[Hume, Australian Capital Territory|Hume]]. ==Governance== [[Image:ACT Legislative Assembly.JPG|thumb|ACT Legislative Assembly <br/>& the statue ''Ethos'' (Tom Bass, 1961)]] Outside Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory has no settlements larger than a village. The [[Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly]] performs the roles of both a [[city council]] and territory government. The Assembly consists of 17 members, elected from three districts using proportional representation. The three districts are [[Molonglo electorate|Molonglo]], [[Ginninderra electorate|Ginninderra]] and [[Brindabella electorate|Brindabella]], which elect seven, five and five members, respectively. The Chief Minister is elected by the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and selects another four MLAs to serve as Ministers to form, with the Chief Minister, an Executive (known informally as the [[cabinet]].) At the 2004 election the Australian Labor Party, headed by Chief Minister [[Jon Stanhope]], won nine of the 17 seats and formed the ACT's first majority government. The Australian national government retains some influence over the ACT government. In the administrative sphere, most frequently this is through the actions of the [[National Capital Authority]] which is responsible for planning and development in areas of Canberra which are considered to be of national importance or which are central to Griffin's plan for the city, such as the Parliamentary Triangle, major approach and processional roads, areas where the Commonwealth retains ownership of the land or undeveloped hills and ridge-lines (which form part of the Canberra Nature Park). The national government also retains a level of control over the Territory Assembly through the provisions of the ''[[Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988]]''. This Act of the national Parliament is the constitution for the ACT and limits the range of matters upon which the Assembly can legislate. The [[Australian Federal Police]] provides all of the police services of a state police force under a contractual agreement with the Australian Capital Territory Government. People who have been charged with offences are tried either in the [[Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory|ACT Magistrate's Court]] or, for more severe offences, the [[Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory|ACT Supreme Court]]. Prisoners can be held in [[remand (imprisonment)|remand]] at the [[Belconnen Remand Centre]] in the ACT. As at 2008 there is no prison in the ACT, so people who have been sentenced to imprisonment serve their sentence in [[New South Wales|NSW]]; a new prison, the [[Alexander Maconochie Centre]], is currently under construction. Courts such as a Small Claims Tribunal and a [[Family Court of Australia|Family Court]] exist for civil law actions and other non-criminal legal matters. ==Economy== [[Image:Australian Treasury.JPG|thumb|right|Many Canberrans are employed by Government departments such as the Australian Treasury]] As of July 2006, the unemployment rate in Canberra is 2.8%, well below the national unemployment rate of 4.8%,<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics. [[10 August]] [[2006]]. Series 6202.2, [http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/EB19F931F1C7DD11CA2571C50074B78C/$File/62020_jul%202006.pdf Labour Force], p. 16(PDF)</ref> with labour shortages reported in some sectors. As a result of low unemployment and substantial levels of public sector and commercial employment, Canberra has the highest average disposable income of any Australian capital city.<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2005. [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/D1427AE6A791C71CCA2570D700081161?opendocument Household Income and Income Distribution in the ACT - Sep 2005]</ref> The gross average weekly wage of a Canberra resident is [[Australian dollar|$]]1,208.50, compared with the Australia wide average of $1,043.10.<ref name="acttreasuryawe">ACT Department of Treasury. 2006. Economics Branch Publication, [http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/snapshot/AWOTE.pdf Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings]</ref> The median house price in Canberra as of June 2005 was $352,500, lower than Sydney, Melbourne and Perth but higher than all other capital cities.<ref>Real Estate Institute of Australia. [http://www.reiaustralia.com.au/media/releases.asp Press Release - It’s official: the property market has cooled], [[September 9]], [[2005]]</ref> The median house price in September 2006 was $375,000<ref name = "Treasury-Snapshot">ACT Department of Treasury. 2006. Economics Branch Publication, September Quarter 2006. [http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/snapshot/REIAMF.pdf REIA Market Facts]</ref> The average price in November 2006 was $411,305.<ref>ACT Department of Treasury. 2006. Economics Branch Publication, September Quarter 2006. [http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/snapshot/RESPROP.pdf ACT residential Property Market report]</ref> The median weekly rent paid by Canberra residents is higher than rents in all other states and territories.<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2004. Census of Population and Housing Australia in Profile A Regional Analysis. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/log?openagent&20320_2001.pdf&2032.0&Publication&6E673B244F83579CCA257156007B9D31&0&2001&16.01.2004&Latest (PDF, 20MB)]</ref> As at the September quarter of 2006 the median rent for a 3 bedroom house was $320 per week. This is the highest of all capital cities in Australia. The median rent for 'other' dwellings is $300 per week.<ref name = "Treasury-Snapshot"/> The city's main industry is government administration and defence, which accounted for 26.1% of Gross Territory Product in 2003–04 and employed over 40% of Canberra's workforce.<ref name="acttreasuryawe" /><ref>ACT Department of Treasury. 2004. Economics Branch Publication, [http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/snapshot/GSP.pdf Gross State Product 2003–04]</ref> The major public-sector employers in Canberra include the parliament and government departments such as Department of Defence, Finance, Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Treasury. A number of [[Australian Defence Force]] establishments are located in or near Canberra, most notably the Australian Defence Force headquarters and [[HMAS Harman|HMAS ''Harman'']], which is a naval communications centre that is being converted into a tri-service, multi-user depot. The former [[Fairbairn Airbase|RAAF Fairbairn]], adjacent to the Canberra International Airport was sold to the operators of the Airport, but the base continues to be used for [[RAAF]] VIP flights. A growing number of independent software vendors have based themselves in Canberra, to capitalise on the concentration of government customers. Notable among these are QSP, [[Tower Software]], [[RuleBurst]] and The Distillery. Property and business services, construction, health and community services, and education are other significant contributors to the economy of Canberra. ==Demographics== [[Image:Old bus depot markets.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Shopping at the weekly Old Bus Depot Markets, [[Kingston, Australian Capital Territory|Kingston]]]] As of 2006, the population of Canberra was 325,800 people,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200603/1597214.htm?canberra|title=Canberra's population growth slows|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[March 21]], [[2006]]}}</ref> and the city has a population density of 401.0&nbsp;persons per square kilometre (1,038.6/sq&nbsp;mi), which is dense with respect to other Australian cities. The 2001 census showed that 1.2% of Canberra's population were of indigenous origin and 21.6% were born overseas.<ref name="2001census">Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2002. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@census.nsf/4079a1bbd2a04b80ca256b9d00208f92/c14016d789559de7ca256bbf0001c9f0!OpenDocument Canberra - Basic Community Profile and Snapshot - 2001 Census]<br/></ref> The largest group of people born overseas came from English-speaking countries, led by the [[United Kingdom]] and then [[New Zealand]]. Significant numbers of immigrants have also come from [[Germany]], [[Italy]] and [[Vietnam]]. Recent immigrants have arrived from countries in [[Asia|east]] and [[south Asia]].<ref>Australian Capital Territory Government. 2003. A social and demographic profile of multicultural Canberra, [http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/demography/multicultural/pdfs/chapter_02.pdf Chapter 2 Multicultural Population]</ref> Most Canberrans are native speakers of [[Australian English|English]]; many have a second language, the most common being [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]] and [[Greek language|Greek]]. Canberrans are relatively young, highly [[Population mobility|mobile]], and well educated. The average age is 32 years, and only 8.3% of the population is aged over 65 years.<ref name="2001census" /> Between 1996 and 2001, 61.9% of the population either moved to or from Canberra, which is the second highest mobility rate of any Australian capital city.<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2003. Australian Demographic Statistics, [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/812343b3e6694d5dca256d3c0001f4c9?OpenDocument Population Mobility]</ref> As of May 2004, 30% of people in the ACT aged 15–64 had a level of educational attainment equal to at least a [[bachelor's degree]], significantly higher that the national average of 19%.<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2005. [http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/7CFF60A340838861CA2570D700081159?opendocument Education in the ACT]</ref> Approximately 50% of Canberra residents describe themselves as [[Christian]], the most common denominations being [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] and [[Anglican]]; less than 3% of the population practice a non-Christian religion and 23% are not religious.<ref name="2001census" /> As of 2002 the most common [[crime]]s in Canberra are property related crimes, unlawful entry with intent and [[motor vehicle theft]]. They affect 1,961 and 630 of every 100,000 persons respectively. [[Homicide]] and related offences (including Murder, Attempted Murder, Manslaughter and Driving Causing Death) affect 1.5/100,000 persons which is below the national average of 4.9/100,000. Rates of [[assault]] and [[sexual assault]] are also below the national average.<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2005. [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/35F92B1557CF12D2CA256EA00079B457 Recorded Crime, Australia]</ref> ==Education== {{Main|Education in the Australian Capital Territory}} [[Image:Canberra school of art.JPG|thumb|right|[[Australian National University|ANU]] School of Art (formerly the Canberra High School)]] The two main tertiary institutions are the [[Australian National University]] (ANU) in [[Acton, Australian Capital Territory|Acton]] and the [[University of Canberra]] (UC) in [[Bruce, Australian Capital Territory|Bruce]]. The ANU was established as a research university in 1946; it continues to have a strong research focus and is ranked among the best universities in the world in ''[[The Times Higher Education Supplement]]'' and the Shanghai Jiao Tong World University Rankings.<ref>Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 2005. [http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2004/2004Main.htm Academic Ranking of World Universities - 2004]</ref> Both ANU and UC also have campuses interstate and overseas. There are also two religious university campuses in Canberra: Signadou in the North Canberra suburb of [[Watson, Australian Capital Territory|Watson]] is a campus of the [[Australian Catholic University]]; St Mark's Theological College adjacent to the Parliament House is a campus of the secular [[Charles Sturt University]]. The [[Australian Defence Force Academy]] (ADFA) and the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]] are near the suburb of [[Campbell, Australian Capital Territory|Campbell]] in Canberra's inner north-east. ADFA teaches [[military]] [[undergraduate]]s and [[Quaternary education|postgraduate]]s and is officially a [[campus]] of the [[University of New South Wales]]; Duntroon provides [[Australian Army]] [[Officer (armed forces)|Officer]] [[training]]. Tertiary level vocational education is also available through the multi-campus [[Canberra Institute of Technology]]. In February 2004 there were 140 [[List of schools in the Australian Capital Territory|public and non-governmental schools]] in Canberra; 96 were operated by the Government and 44 are non-Government. During 2006 the ACT Government announced closures of up to 39 schools, to take effect from the end of the school year and after a series of consultations the Government announced its "Towards 2020: Renewing Our Schools"<ref>ACT Government, "Towards 2020: Renewing Our Schools", [http://www.decs.act.gov.au/2020/index.htm]</ref> plan that closed some schools at the end of 2006 with more in 2007 and 2008, while consolidating school campuses and opening 'super-schools' (large public schools for kindergarten through to year 12) through to 2020. Most suburbs are planned to include a [[primary school]] and a nearby preschool, and schools are usually located near open areas for play and sports. ==Culture== ===Arts and entertainment=== [[Image:Shine dome.jpg|right|thumb|The Shine Dome]] [[Image:NatMusAus Main Entrance Strip.jpg|right|thumb|The [[National Museum of Australia]] established in 2001 records Australia's social history and is one of Canberra's more architecturally daring buildings]] [[Image:Floriade2005.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Floriade, Canberra|Floriade]] flower festival attracts many tourists each spring]] [[Image:Canberra Multicultural Festival 2008.JPG|thumb|right|Canberra Multicultural Festival, Ainslie Ave near the [[Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly|Assembly]] Building and [[Canberra Museum and Gallery|CMAG]], crowded, noon 9 February 2008]] Canberra is home to many national monuments and institutions such as the [[Australian War Memorial]], the [[National Gallery of Australia]], the [[National Portrait Gallery (Australia)|National Portrait Gallery]] currently housed at Old Parliament House, the [[National Library of Australia]], the [[National Archives of Australia]], and the [[National Museum of Australia]]. Many Commonwealth government buildings in Canberra are open to the public, including [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]], the [[High Court of Australia|High Court]] and the [[Royal Australian Mint]]. Lake Burley Griffin is the site of the [[Captain Cook Memorial]] and the [[National Carillon]]. Other sites of interest include the [[Telstra Tower]] and the [[Australian National Botanic Gardens]] on [[Black Mountain, Australian Capital Territory|Black Mountain]], the [[National Zoo and Aquarium]] on Scrivener Dam, the [[National Dinosaur Museum]] and [[National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra|Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre]]. [[Image:NLA Canberra-01JAC.JPG|thumb|A copy of every book published in Australia is required by law to be held by the [[National Library of Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1968133/s201.html?query=national%20and%20library%20and%20of%20and%20australia|title=Section 201|work=[[Australian copyright law|Copyright Act 1968]]|accessdate=2007-10-09}}</ref>]] The [[Canberra Museum and Gallery]] in [[City Centre, Australian Capital Territory|Civic]] is a repository of local history and art. Several historic homes are open to the public: Lanyon and Tuggeranong Homesteads in the [[Tuggeranong|Tuggeranong Valley]], Mugga-Mugga in [[Symonston, Australian Capital Territory|Symonston]], and Blundells' Cottage in [[Parkes, Australian Capital Territory|Parkes]] all display the lifestyle of the early European settlers. Calthorpes' House in [[Red Hill, Australian Capital Territory|Red Hill]] is a well preserved example of a 1920s house from Canberra's very early days. [[Duntroon, Australian Capital Territory|Duntroon House]], in the suburb of [[Campbell, Australian Capital Territory|Campbell]], was one of the district's earliest homesteads and is now the officers' mess at [[Royal Military College, Duntroon|Royal Military College]]; it is occasionally open to the public. Canberra has many venues for live [[Music of Canberra|music]] and theatre: the [[Canberra Theatre|Canberra Theatre and Playhouse]] which hosts many major concerts and productions; and Llewellyn Hall (within the ANU School of Music), a world-class concert hall are two of the largest. [http://www.thestreet.org.au The Street Theatre], also located on Childers Street, operates as a venue for local professional and amateur production companies, as well as producing a season of professional shows each year. [[Albert Hall, Canberra|The Albert Hall]] was the city's first performing arts venue, opened in 1928. It was the original performance venue for theatre groups such as the Canberra Repertory Society and the Canberra Philharmonic Society. The city boasts a very large number of amateur theatre groups for its population base,{{Fact|date=February 2008}} including many that focus primarily on musicals. [[Stonefest]] at the University of Canberra is Canberra's largest music festival. Canberra is also the home turf of an Australian [[hip-hop]] duo, [[Koolism]]. There are numerous bars and nightclubs which also offer live entertainment, particularly concentrated in the areas of [[Dickson, Australian Capital Territory|Dickson]], [[Kingston, Australian Capital Territory|Kingston]] and the [[City Centre, Australian Capital Territory|City Centre]]. Most town centres have facilities for a community theatre and a cinema, and they all have a library. Popular cultural events include the [[National Folk Festival (Australia)|National Folk Festival]], the [[Royal Canberra Show]], the [[Summernats]] car festival, the Canberra Multicultural Festival in February and the ''Celebrate Canberra'' festival which is held over 10 days in March in conjunction with Canberra Day. [[Image:Canberra Nara park.JPG|thumb|right|Canberra-Nara park with [[Kasuga Shrine|Kasuga]] stone lantern framed by the gate]] Canberra has a number of [[Town twinning|sister cities]], including [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] in the [[United States]], [[Beijing]] in [[China]], [[Dili]] in [[East Timor]], [[Nara, Nara|Nara]] in [[Japan]], and [[Versailles]] in [[France]]. Cultural exchange happens to some extent with each city. The largest community event associated with a sister city is the Canberra Nara Candle Festival which is held in October. ===Media=== As Australia's political centre, Canberra is an important centre for much of Australia's political reportage and thus all the major media organisations, including the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]], the commercial television networks, and the metropolitan newspapers maintain local bureaus. Many news organisations are represented in the "[[Canberra Press Gallery|press gallery]]", a group of journalists who report on the national [[Parliament of Australia|parliament]]. The National Press Club of Australia in [[Barton, Australian Capital Territory|Barton]] has regular television broadcasts of its weekly lunches at which a prominent guest, typically a politician, delivers a half-hour speech followed by a question-and-answer session. Canberra has a daily newspaper, the ''[[Canberra Times]]'', which was established in 1926, and some free weekly suburban and special interest publications, one of these being CityNews. Canberra has free-to-air analogue television stations including two government funded ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] and [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]) and three commercial stations ([[Prime Television|Prime]], [[WIN Television|WIN]] and [[Southern Cross Broadcasting|Southern Cross Ten]]) as well as four free-to-air digital services Prime HD, WIN HD, [[ABC2]] and SBS News. Prior to 1989, Canberra was serviced by just the ABC, SBS and Capital Television, which later became Southern Cross Ten, with Prime and WIN arriving as part of the Government's regional aggregation programme in that year.<ref>[http://www.aph.gov.au/LIBRARY/pubs/bd/2001-02/02bd132.htm?canberra Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2002 (Bills Digest 132, 2001-02)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Subscription (pay) television services are available from [[Foxtel]] via satellite service, and cable by local telecommunications company [[TransACT]] who also offer telephone and [[broadband]] internet services on their [[optical fibre cable]] network covering many suburbs. A number of community radio stations broadcast in Canberra, including [[2XXfm]], [[ArtSound FM]], [[CMS Radio]], [[Valley FM]] based in Tuggeranong, and [[Radio 1RPH]] which offers broadcasts for the print handicapped. There are a number of commercial AM and FM radio stations including those belonging to the [[Capital Radio Network]] ([[2CA]] and [[2CC]]), and the [[Austereo]]/[[Australian Radio Network|ARN]] owned [[2ROC]] and [[Mix 106.3]], both of which were introduced in 1988. Public radio broadcasters [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC Radio]] and [[SBS Radio]] operate a number of stations. ===Sport=== {{main|Sport in the Australian Capital Territory}} [[Image:BruceStadium19032005.JPG|right|thumb|A rugby league match at [[Canberra Stadium]]]] In addition to local sporting leagues, Canberra has a number of sporting teams that compete in national and international leagues. The best known teams are the [[Canberra Raiders]] and the [[Brumbies (rugby)|ACT Brumbies]] who play [[rugby league]] and [[rugby union]] respectively, and who have both been champions of their leagues.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brumbies Crowned Super 12 Champions. |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/6855_3684.php|publisher=[[Irish Rugby]] |date=[[2004-05-22]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Premiership records. |url=http://www.nrl.com/PremiershipRecords/tabid/292/Default.aspx|publisher=[[National Rugby League]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> Both teams play their home games at [[Canberra Stadium]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Canberra Stadium|url=http://www.ais.org.au/facilities/stadium.asp|publisher=[[Australian Institute of Sport]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> which is Canberra's largest stadium and was used to hold preliminary [[football (soccer)|soccer]] matches for the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] and matches for the [[2003 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sydney 2000:Football |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/olympics/sports/football.htm|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=1999 |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Complete draw for 2003 Rugby World Cup|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rugbyunion/worldcup/2003/draw/default.htm|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2003 |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> Canberra also has a successful basketball team, the [[Canberra Capitals]]. The Canberra Capitals won the 2006 and 2007 [[Women's National Basketball League|women's basketball]] Grand Final.<ref>{{cite news|title=Capitals clinch WNBL title|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/02/17/1850385.htm|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=[[2007-02-17]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> There are also teams that participate in national competitions in [[Commonwealth Bank Trophy|netball]], [[Australian Hockey League|field hockey]], [[Australian Ice Hockey League|ice hockey]] and cricket. [[Manuka Oval]] is another large outdoor sporting facility where [[cricket]] and [[Australian rules football in the Australian Capital Territory|Australian Rules football]] are played. The Melbourne based [[Australian Football League|AFL]] team the [[Kangaroos Football Club|Kangaroos]] played some home games at Manuka Oval until July 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kangaroos finding capital gains taxing |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/AFL/Kangaroos-finding-capital-gains-taxing/2005/03/31/1111862534238.html|first= Richard|last=Hinds|publisher=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=[[2005-04-01]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> Following the move of the Kangaroos' alternative home ground to [[Carrara]] in Queensland, [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] and the [[Western Bulldogs]] will play home games at Manuka Oval from 2007 against the [[Sydney Swans]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://abc.net.au/news/items/200608/1716460.htm?canberra|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|title=Dogs, Demons to play in Canberra|accessdate=2007-10-09|date=[[August 16]] [[2006]]}}</ref> Canberra is also home to the [[Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Who Rules, Aussie Rules!|url=http://www.afl.com.au/GameDevelopment/International/tabid/285/Default.aspx|publisher=[[Australian Football League|AFL]] |date=[[2007-02-15]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> The historic [[Prime Minister's XI]] cricket match is played at Manuka Oval annually.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dizzy to lead PM's XI|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=37685|publisher=[[Cricket Australia]] |date=[[2006-10-06]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> Other significant annual sporting events include the [[Canberra Marathon]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Canberra Marathon|url=http://www.canberramarathon.com.au/|publisher=[[Canberra Marathon]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> and the City of Canberra Half Ironman Triathlon. The [[Canberra Women's Tennis Classic]] was held in the lead up to the [[Australian Open]] until 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Title winners head to Canberra|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=37685|publisher=[[Tennis Australia]] |date=[[2006-01-07]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> The [[Australian Institute of Sport]] (AIS) is located in the Canberra suburb of [[Bruce, Australian Capital Territory|Bruce]]. The AIS is a specialised educational and training institution providing coaching for elite junior and senior athletes in a number of sports. The AIS has been operating since 1981 and has achieved significant success in producing elite athletes, both local and international. The majority of Australia's team members and medals at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in [[Sydney]] were won by AIS graduates.<ref>{{cite news|title=Overview of the AIS|url=http://www.ais.org.au/overview/index.asp|publisher=[[Australian Institute of Sport]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> It is also a popular tourist destination. Canberra has numerous sporting ovals, golf courses, skate parks, tennis courts and swimming pools that are open to the public. A Canberra-wide series of bicycle paths are available to cyclists for recreational and sporting purposes. Canberra Nature Parks have a large range of walking paths, horse and mountain bike trails. Water sports like sailing, rowing and water skiing are popular activities on Canberra's lakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/visiting/lake_burley_griffin/boating/|title=Boating on Lake Burley Griffin|publisher=National Capital Authority|accessdate=2007-10-09}}</ref> The Rally of Canberra is an annual motor sport event and a facility for [[drag racing]] is currently being planned for construction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canberra Dragway Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/43069/act_dragway_faq_feb200620.pdf |publisher=ACT government |date=[[February 21]], [[2006]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Possum Bourne|url=http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/act/content/2003/s847002.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=[[2003-05-03]] |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> ==Infrastructure== ===Health=== [[Image:Canberra Hospital.jpg|thumb|The Canberra Hospital]] [[Image:AWM canberra 1.jpg|thumb|[[Australian War Memorial]]]] Canberra has two large public hospitals, the 500-bed [[Canberra Hospital]] - formerly the Woden Valley Hospital - located in [[Garran, Australian Capital Territory|Garran]] and the smaller 174 bed Calvary Public Hospital located in Bruce. Both public hospitals are also teaching hospitals. The largest private hospital in Canberra is the John James Memorial Hospital in [[Deakin, Australian Capital Territory|Deakin]]. Calvary Private Hospital in Bruce and [[Healthscope]]'s National Capital Private in Garran are also major healthcare providers. The Royal Canberra Hospital was located on Acton Peninsula on Lake Burley Griffin; it was closed on [[27 November]] [[1991]] and was demolished in 1997 in a [[Royal Canberra Hospital implosion|controversial implosion]]. This was to facilitate construction of the National Museum of Australia. The city has 10 aged care facilities. Canberra's hospitals receive emergency cases from throughout southern New South Wales. The [[ACT Ambulance Service]] is one of four operational agencies of the [[ACT Emergency Services Authority]]. ===Transport=== [[Image:ANU-JCMSR.jpg|thumb|The [[John Curtin School of Medical Research]]]] The car is by far the dominant form of transport in Canberra. Past planning policies have resulted in well developed good quality roads and a low population density spread over a relatively large area of the city. [[Suburbs of Canberra#Districts|Canberra's districts]] are generally connected by 'parkways' - limited access dual carriageway roads with speed limits generally set at 80 to 100&nbsp;km/h. An example is the [[Tuggeranong Parkway]] which links Canberra's CBD and Tuggeranong, and bypasses Weston Creek. In most districts, discrete residential suburbs are bounded by access roads. A publicly run bus service, [[Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network|the Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION)]], provides [[public transport]] throughout the city. [[Transborder Express]] and [[Deane's Buslines]] are private coach services that operate within Canberra and nearby areas of New South Wales. Only 4.6% of the population use the bus system. Another 5.5% walk or cycle to work,<ref name="2001census" /> a higher proportion than in any other Australian capital city. A private bus service operates between Canberra and [[Queanbeyan]], an adjoining town in [[New South Wales]]. There are two local taxi companies, [[Aerial Consolidated Transport]] the parent of the [[Canberra Cabs]] service which enjoyed monopoly status for over four decades, and a recent arrival, [[Cabxpress]]. An interstate [[CountryLink]] railway service connects Canberra to [[Sydney]]. [[Canberra railway station|Canberra's railway station]] is in the inner south suburb of [[Kingston, Australian Capital Territory|Kingston]]. Between 1920 and 1922 the train line crossed the Molonglo River and ran as far north as the city centre, although the line was closed following major flooding and was never rebuilt. Train services to [[Melbourne]] are provided by way of a CountryLink bus service which connects with a rail service between Sydney and Melbourne in [[Yass, New South Wales|Yass]], about one hour's drive from Canberra. Plans to establish a very fast [[train]] like a [[TGV]] service between Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney have been contemplated,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2000/07/19/ausrail.2.t.php|title=Sydney to Canberra in 80 Minutes–by High-Speed Train|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=[[July 19]] [[2000]]|author=Richardson, Michael}}</ref> but not implemented by both government and private enterprise, as various proposals have not been deemed economically viable. The plan was shelved by former Federal Transport Minister [[John Anderson (Australian politician)|John Anderson]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eriksrailnews.com/archive/hst2.html|title=Oz HSR Received?|publisher=''[[The Australian]]''|date=[[October 29]], [[2002]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s312944.htm|title=Govt considers rail link between eastern cities|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[June 14]], [[2001]]|work=PM transcript}}</ref> Canberra is about three hours by road from [[Sydney]] on the [[Federal Highway (Australia)|Federal Highway]] (National Highway 23), which connects with the [[Hume Highway]] (National Highway 31) near [[Goulburn, New South Wales|Goulburn]], and seven hours by road from [[Melbourne]] on the [[Barton Highway]] (National Highway 25), which joins the Hume Highway at Yass. It is a two hour drive on the [[Monaro Highway]] (National Highway 23) to the ski fields of the [[Snowy Mountains]] and the [[Kosciuszko National Park]]. [[Batemans Bay, New South Wales|Batemans Bay]], a popular holiday spot on the New South Wales coast, is also two hours away via the [[Kings Highway, Australia|Kings Highway]]. [[Canberra International Airport]] provides direct domestic services to [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]] and [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], with connections to other domestic centres. [http://www.curfew4canberra.org.au/] There are direct daily flights to [[Albury, New South Wales|Albury]] and [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]] in New South Wales. No regular commercial international flights operate from the airport. Until 2003 the civilian airport shared runways with [[Fairbairn airbase|RAAF Base Fairbairn]]. On [[27 June]] of that year, the Air Force base was decommissioned and from that time the airport was fully under civilian control. ===Utilities=== [[Image:Telstra Tower.jpg|right|thumb|[[Telstra Tower]] is a landmark and tourist attraction in addition to providing telecommunications]] The ACT government owned [[ACTEW Corporation]] manages Canberra's water and sewerage infrastructure. [[ActewAGL]] is a joint venture between ACTEW and [[Australian Gas Light Company|AGL]], and is the retail provider of Canberra's utility services including water, natural gas, electricity, and also some telecommunications services via a subsidiary [[TransACT]]. Since 2003 all ACT consumers have been able to choose the electricity retailer of their choice. Canberra's water is stored in four reservoirs, the Corin, Bendora and Cotter dams on the [[Cotter River]] and the Googong Dam on the Queanbeyan River. The Googong Dam is in New South Wales but it is managed by the ACT government. ACTEW Corporation owns Canberra's two wastewater treatment plants, located at [[Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory|Fyshwick]] and at Lower Molonglo on the [[Molonglo River]]. Electricity for Canberra comes from the national power grid through substations at [[Holt, Australian Capital Territory|Holt]] and [[Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory|Fyshwick]] (via [[Queanbeyan, New South Wales|Queanbeyan]]). Some limited local renewable power is produced via a hydro generator on the main water supply pipeline for Canberra at Mount Stromlo and methane plants at waste landfill sites at [[Belconnen]] and Mugga Lane. The first domestic power supply in Canberra was in 1913 for the suburb of [[Acton, Australian Capital Territory|Acton]]. Unlike most [[Australia]]n cities, the power poles in Canberra's older suburbs are located along the rear boundaries of residential housing lots rather than on the street front. In newer areas the power supply and communications cabling are located underground. As in other parts of Australia, terrestrial and mobile telecommunications services are provided by a range of competing companies. The majority of the infrastructure is owned by [[Telstra]] but some is owned by [[TransACT]] (a Canberra-based communications company) as well as other providers. The ACT has the highest rate of computer use and internet connection in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|year = [[2006-08-11]] | url = http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/49A64B934C728DCCCA2571C70004BE20?OpenDocument | title = ACT has highest rate of eCensus returns | work = Media release | publisher = Australian Bureau of Statistics | accessdate = 2006-08-12}}</ref> ==See also== *[[1971 Canberra flood]] *[[2003 Canberra bushfires]] *[[List of planned cities]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{wikiquote}} {{Commons|Canberra}} *[http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=-35310000&x=149130000&z=11&l=1&m=a WikiSatellite view of Canberra at WikiMapia] *[http://www.visitcanberra.com.au A general Canberra tourist site] *[http://www.act.gov.au The ACT Government webpage] **[http://www.suburbs.canberra.net.au/html/fsregion.htm Canberra region map] - all districts **[http://www.gim.act.gov.au/website/actlocate/Viewer.htm ACT Locate] - land and planning maps *[http://www.canberrahouse.com.au A scenic look] at Canberra's architecture *[http://www.kheper.net/ecognosis/essays/Canberra_and_the_Griffins.html Canberra & The Griffins; A Theosophical View] *[http://www.idealcity.org.au/ An Ideal City? The 1912 Competition to Design Canberra] *{{wikitravel}} *[http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an14235363 Construction of Early Canberra ca.1912-1920. Photographs in Walter Burley Griffin Collection held at National Library of Australia, Canberra] *[http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an12942889 Photographic collection-Canberra Life, Daily Life 1996-1997 held in Pictures Collection, National Library of Australia] [[Image:Canberra from Tower.jpg|center|thumb|800px|[[Panorama|Panoramic view]] of Canberra and Lake Burley Griffin set against the backdrop of distant New South Wales]] {{AustralianCapitalCities}} [[Category:Australian capital cities]] [[Category:Canberra|*]] [[Category:Capitals in Oceania]] [[Category:Planned cities]] [[Category:Cities planned by Walter Burley Griffin]] [[Category:Settlements established in 1913]] [[Category:Australian Aboriginal placenames]] [[Category:Towns on the Murrumbidgee River]] {{Link FA|de}} {{Link FA|it}} <!--interwikis--> [[af:Canberra]] [[am:ካንበራ]] [[ar:كانبرا]] [[frp:Canberra]] [[bn:ক্যানবেরা]] [[zh-min-nan:Canberra]] [[be:Горад Канбера]] [[be-x-old:Канбэра]] [[bs:Canberra]] [[br:Canberra]] [[bg:Канбера]] [[ca:Canberra]] [[cv:Канберра]] [[cs:Canberra]] [[cy:Canberra]] [[da:Canberra]] [[de:Canberra]] [[et:Canberra]] [[el:Καμπέρα]] [[es:Canberra]] [[eo:Kanbero]] [[eu:Canberra]] [[fa:کانبرا]] [[fr:Canberra]] [[ga:Canberra]] [[gd:Canberra]] [[gl:Canberra]] [[ko:캔버라]] [[hy:Կանբերա]] [[hi:कैनबरा]] [[hr:Canberra]] [[io:Canberra]] [[id:Canberra]] [[is:Canberra]] [[it:Canberra]] [[he:קנברה]] [[jv:Canberra]] [[ka:კანბერა]] [[sw:Canberra]] [[ht:Kanbera]] [[ku:Kanberra]] [[la:Canberra]] [[lv:Kanbera]] [[lt:Kanbera]] [[lij:Canberra]] [[hu:Canberra]] [[mr:कॅनबेरा]] [[ms:Canberra]] [[mn:Канберра]] [[nl:Canberra]] [[ja:キャンベラ]] [[no:Canberra]] [[nn:Canberra]] [[oc:Canberra]] [[pms:Canberra]] [[pl:Canberra]] [[pt:Camberra]] [[ty:Canberra]] [[ro:Canberra]] [[ru:Канберра]] [[sco:Canberra]] [[scn:Canberra]] [[simple:Canberra]] [[sk:Canberra]] [[sl:Canberra]] [[sr:Канбера]] [[sh:Canberra]] [[fi:Canberra]] [[sv:Canberra]] [[ta:கான்பரா]] [[tet:Kamberra]] [[th:แคนเบอร์รา]] [[vi:Canberra]] [[tg:Канберра]] [[tr:Kanberra]] [[uk:Канберра]] [[vo:Canberra]] [[yi:קאנבערא]] [[zh:堪培拉]]