It’s been a big year for news across the ACT with transport, waste, and education never far from the headlines. Take a walk back through 2025 and have a look at 14 of our most popular news stories.
14. Waste giant given nod to build and operate new recycling facility
by Ian Bushnell
An artist’s impression of the new state-of-the-art recycling facility to be built at Hume. Image: ACT Government.
Construction of a new state-of-the-art recycling facility at Hume is expected to start in 2026 after the ACT Government awarded the contract to waste giant Veolia.
It will replace the one damaged by fire in 2022.
13. Residents of ‘the forgotten suburb of Canberra’ have had enough – they say it’s time to fix Oaks Estate
by James Coleman
Oaks Estate Residents Association Fiona McGregor and Inner South Canberra Community Council chair Colin Walters. Photo: James Coleman.
Ever heard of Oaks Estate? The suburb’s 350 residents doubt the ACT Government has. Now a group of politicians is taking the residents’ plea forward to fix the forgotten suburb’s rampant crime, derelict facilities and non-existent bus services.
12. The biggest crane the ACT has ever seen is on the move
by James Coleman
The crane came over from Western Australia on more than 100 trucks. Photo: ACT Government.
The Molonglo River Bridge will be the longest weathering steel bridge in Australia and the tallest road bridge in Canberra when completed, and this needed an equally big crane for the job.
11. Electric planes could make Sydney-Canberra flights almost as cheap as the bus
by James Coleman
In the cockpit of a Learn2Fly training plane at Canberra Airport. Photo: James Coleman.
A Canberra flight school has been awarded $750,000 to lead Australia into the electric aircraft era. They say cheaper, cleaner and more flexible flights could be just around the corner – but there are some hurdles.
10. City camp highlights stretched services’ struggle with homeless surge
by Ian Bushnell
Homeless man Daniel at the camp in Petrie Plaza, City. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Under-resourced homelessness services were struggling to cope with demand across Canberra when a sprawling camp in a prominent part of the CBD threw a spotlight on a surge in rough sleepers.
The camp of homeless people in Petrie Plaza near the carousel made visible a situation that is occurring across Canberra, Vinnies CEO Lucy Hohnen said.
9. Seen one of these on your bin? Here’s what it’s about
by James Coleman
The bin inspection program began in 2017 and has recently been expanded. Photo: ACT Government.
Dog poo, WWII grenades and even a human heart in a jar – all sorts of things end up in Canberra’s landfill, but the ACT Government is trying its hardest to keep contaminants out with an expanded “inspection program”.
8. Cut the ‘out of order’ signs, bus drivers told
by Ian Bushnell
Free ride: A sign letting the public know the system isn’t working. Photo: Facebook
Transport Canberra bus drivers were instructed to stop placing “out of order” notices on MyWay+ card validators.
Some frustrated drivers had taken to using makeshift notices of their own if the validator wasn’t working or was only working intermittently, instead of having to advise every passenger who boarded.
7. Inside the plans for new light rail tunnel
by James Coleman
The tunnel will be lit by sensor-activated lights to “reduce visual impact”. Photo: ACT Government.
We’ve heard about the new bridge that must be constructed to take light rail across Lake Burley Griffin, but recently released documents reveal another major engineering project stands between the lake and Woden.
A short “covered section” – or tunnel – nearly at the foot of Parliament House looks set to be the solution to what’s considered a tricky tight turn from Commonwealth Avenue onto State Circle.
6. Brindabella Christian College goes into administration
by Ian Bushnell
Deloitte says the objective is for Brindabella Christian College to emerge from administration on a sustainable financial footing. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Brindabella Christian College went into voluntary administration as it faced battles on a number of fronts, including the Tax Office pursuing an $8 million debt.
Deloitte advised parents and carers in a letter that Sal Algeri and Sam Marsden were appointed Joint and Several Administrators (Administrators) on 5 March.
5. Electric buses sent back to manufacturer for rehab after running out of puff
by Ian Bushnell
Transport Minister Chris Steel on board the first Custom Denning electric bus when it arrived in October 2023. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
The four Australian-manufactured electric buses leased by Transport Canberra were sent back to Sydney for attention after ongoing reliability issues related to their range.
Transport Canberra told Region that the Custom Denning Element 2 electric buses were suffering technical issues and it was working with the manufacturer to resolve them.
Transport Minister Chris Steel later confirmed the problem was that the buses were not covering the expected 400 kilometres without recharging and had been limited to short runs.
4. New documentary: SAS soldiers on why they feel betrayed after risking their lives for their country
by Oliver Jacques
In the documentary, SAS soldier ”Horse” explains the important role dogs like Quake played in providing early warnings of ambushes. Photos: Supplied.
Members of Australia’s Special Air Service regiment who had never previously spoken to the media revealed what it was like to fight in Afghanistan and how they felt betrayed when returning home, in an explosive new documentary.
Bravery & Betrayal is directed by Simon Heath and funded by Wandering Warriors, a charity that supports SAS veterans and their families.
3. Farewell to John Hindmarsh AM, a towering Canberran in every way
by Genevieve Jacobs
John Hindmarsh chaired the NGA Foundation and was a generous benefactor to organisations across the ACT. Photo: Hindmarsh.
Developer and arts patron John Hindmarsh AM died at 84, leaving a powerful legacy of commitment to the capital.
The company he founded in a room in his house 45 years ago has constructed much of Canberra’s skyline, building thousands of apartments, office buildings and commercial developments.
2. Sotiria Liangis opens up on ‘magnificent’ Manuka hotel – the cinemas, what’s changed and the critics
by Ian Bushnell
The five-star Manuka hotel will open early in 2026. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
The developer of the Manuka Hotel has confirmed that it will only offer one cinema after operators still recovering from the pandemic and hit by the streaming revolution refused to invest in a new multiplex.
Sotiria Liangis also told Region a hotel operator had been engaged and elaborated on the changes she had made to the plans, stressing that the building would adhere to the Crown lease and the approved conditions.
1. Enforcement of proposed new dog laws ‘just impossible’ – but also not the whole point, RSPCA says
by James Coleman
RSPCA ACT’s Million Paws Walk was the organisation’s biggest annual fundraiser. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
The government has more work to do on how it will enforce its proposed Code of Practice for dog owners (including a mandate for owners to spend at least three hours a day with their pet) – but RSPCA ACT says there’s more to it than that.
The committee in charge of drafting a new Code of Practice for dog owners in the ACT admitted more conversations were needed about how the rules could be enforced.
