Push to attract touring cyclists
VisitCanberra has launched a new strategy to attract cycling tourists to the ACT.
The strategy provides a 10-year roadmap for how Government, the private sector and the cycling community sector can work together to place Canberra firmly on the cycling tourism map.
It covers all aspects of cycling tourism — from urban cycleways and road cycling, through to off-road cycling and bike paths, and from novice to experienced cyclists.
VisitCanberra is also forming a partnership with CycleLifeHQ to develop a dedicated CBR Cycle Guide to promote cycling tourism to domestic and international visitors.
ACT popular with visitors
The National Visitor Survey shows the ACT received 2.69 million domestic visitors in the past year — an increase of about 8 per cent.
The Government is continuing discussions with aviation carriers for more flights and with the NSW Government on improvements to the train service between Canberra and Sydney to support tourism.
The Government is working towards a goal of growing the ACT’s overnight visitor expenditure to $2.5 billion by 2020.
PS News popular with PS
ACT public sector employees subscribing to PS News now number more than 16,000 as the milestone was passed in April.
The subscriber list jumped from 15,656 the month before to a record-breaking 16,062 by month’s end, making the ACT edition of PS News the fastest growing in the country.
Rail cars on tracks for testing
Light Rail Vehicle testing has begun on the track between the Mitchell Depot and Gungahlin Town Centre, with overhead wires energised before testing.
Testing is currently being carried out at night at speeds as low as 5 km/h.
Over time, testing speeds will increase and incorporate high-speed brake tests during the day and night.
During the testing phase, signage and traffic controls will be in place.
Scam targets Chinese nationals
Members of the Chinese community are being urged to be aware of an increase in scams targeting them.
ACT Policing said the scam involves a caller claiming to be a Chinese official who threatens the arrest of the victim or their family unless a sum of money is electronically transferred.
In some cases, the call is transferred to someone who claims to be a more senior official who then extorts even more money.
In extreme cases, the scams have escalated to involve further ransom demands from the victim’s family.
