Monday 1st January

Hello Canberra,

☁️ Weather: 25° and Cloudy.

📆 Today: It’s Monday 1st January. Today is New Year’s Day. It’s a public holiday.

News: Plastic Bag Ban Starts Today

The next stage of plastic bans has come into effect. Previously, thicker plastic bags designed to be reused were exempt from the ban. From today, these thicker single-use plastic bags have also been banned. Most supermarkets in Canberra have already switched to paper bags. Superbarn was the only supermarket still using thicker single-use plastic bags in 2023. More.

🚌 Is the Mandalay Bus Making a Comeback?

The Mandalay Bus in Braddon has been getting a new paint job. Hopefully, this means the late-night food spot will once again reopen. The Mandalay Bus was established in 1953 and has had a rich history.

News: 🌳 New Tree Protection Laws

New tree protection laws have come into effect today. Homeowners who are approved to remove a protected tree will be required to either plant two replacement trees or, alternatively, pay a fee of $600 that will fund tree planting and tree maintenance elsewhere in Canberra. Developers have similar requirements but must use the “tree calculator” to estimate the amount of replanting needed. The Urban Forest Act aims to increase the amount of tree canopy in Canberra. Details here.

On Now: 🎾 Canberra International

A reminder that the Canberra International is happening now until the 6th of January at the Canberra Tennis Centre in Lyneham. Tickets are available from $10. Kids under 12 can enter for free. Details here.

This Weekend: 👻 Foreshore Ghosts, Tales and True Crime

Join Sarah Stewart on a guided tour of the Kingston Foreshore and Causeway and learn about what was the most notorious area of Canberra. Hear history and tales that will throw a new light on this side of town. The tours start at 9:30pm on Saturdays throughout January. Tickets here.

🏃‍♀️ Parkrun Events in Canberra

If you’re looking to start a new fitness habit this year, why not try Parkrun. Parkruns are a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. You can walk, jog or run, and it’s open to people of all abilities and ages. In Canberra, there are currently 9 different Parkrun events. They happen every Saturday at 8:00am. Details here.