Jeff Darwin cannot demolish the top floor at Ainslie shops without massive cost and huge disruption to Edgar's Inn and wants to know whether he can clean the flat instead. Photo: Melissa Adams
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The owner of a building at the Ainslie shops with loose-fill Fluffy asbestos in the ceiling says he has come to a standstill over what to do about the contamination, with the ACT government offering him no options.
Unlike the fluffy houses, the asbestos insulation was never removed from commercial buildings, so it remains in the top-floor ceiling of the flat that sits above Edgar's Inn.
With commercial buildings also never surveyed, just one other has come to light – the former Goodstart childcare centre in Aranda, now closed.
- The ACT Assembly will hold an inquiry into the plan to allow Fluffy blocks to be split in two, calling for public submissions on Friday.
- An Earth-like planet has been found orbiting a star similar to our sun, says NASA. The discovery was made by astronomers working on NASA's Kepler mission.
- Alleged Islamic State member. Adam Brookman, will land in Australia today. Mr Brookman says he was forced to work with IS.
- Bill Shorten has challenged Tony Abbott to fight the next election on the issue of climate change, declaring: "I've got a three-word slogan for him: Bring it on."
- Another time-honoured staple of Australian Public Service life, the office cubicle, is under threat as a group of Canberra bureaucrats prepare to tear down their partitions.
- Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's handling of Labor's controversial decision to adopt Tony Abbott's policy to turn back asylum seeker boats has drawn fire from his 2013 leadership rival Anthony Albanese.
- The ACT government will pave the way for residential development of vacant land next to the Dickson Shops but has cut initial plans opposed by the community for the site.
- The ACT government won't seek to follow the Northern Territory as it prepares to become Australia's seventh state by 2018.
- Labor is taking Attorney-General George Brandis, QC, to court, to wind back higher fees for people divorcing their partners and going through the Family Courts.
Canberra Raiders prop Shannon Boyd flexes with four-year-old supporter Xander Garrao. Photo: Melissa Adams
He's one of the biggest players in the NRL and will be most affected by the reduction in interchanges. But Raiders giant Shannon Boyd is confident he can maintain his impact while shedding some of his massive 125kg frame.
Boyd will be aiming to drop between four and five kilograms in the off-season to ensure he is fit enough to play the extra minutes required.
Raiders teammate Blake Austin is a fan of the interchange rule – as you'd probably expect for a quick player who can benefit from tiring big men – but has taken exception with the introduction of a shot clock.
- Wallabies and ACT Brumbies winger Henry Speight says the lure of Olympic gold was a "no-brainer" even though it means he could miss next year's Super Rugby finals campaign.
- Australia are assessing how they can stop England's in-form new batsman Jonny Bairstow in his tracks and it's likely they will turn to an old favourite, short-pitched bowling, in an effort to thwart the prolific Yorkshireman at Edgbaston next week.
- Michael Cheika is slowly working his way towards his best World Cup 23 but expect more twists and turns along the way as he puts contenders through the wringer ahead of the big dance.
- Chris Rogers believes the clip-on foam guard he had attached to his helmet during the second Test helped him avoid more serious damage from a blow that continues to leave questions about his availability for next week's third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
- Geoff Toovey's long association with Manly may come to an end as soon as next week with an announcement from the Sea Eagles imminent.
- Outspoken Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has accused the Australian Rugby Union of dirty tactics and is threatening to sue them over Quade Cooper's U-turn with the French club.
Ruffells Estate is holding Canberra Truffle Hunts for prized black Perigord truffles as part of the annual truffle festival. The hunts take place Wednesday to Sunday until the end of August.
Elly Poletti, winner of two prestigious Bruce Awards for Music Theatre, will join with Movement 9 to bring a fresh take on the music of Amy Winehouse. She'll be at The Street Theatre from 8pm.
Mount Stromlo Observatory will host a public observation from 7pm. Catch a glimpse of Saturn's rings and the craters of the moon.
Co-owners of Eat me Drink me at the Kaleen shops and former army buddies, Jay Logan and John Wellfare hold up glass shards from the break in. Photo: Graham Tidy
At the end of last week - less than a week after opening - their Eat Me Drink Me cafe in Kaleen plaza was burgled, the culprits smashing through front glass and taking the cash register.
Insurance is likely to cover the costs, but it has presented a frustrating disruption for co-owner John Wellfare. "I walked in, I didn't even notice it in the beginning to be honest," he said.
