A community survey is also available online, in ACT public libraries and Canberra Connect Shopfronts.

The proposal for the cemetery on Mugga Lane was put forward by the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority. Canberra's only southern cemetery in Woden is expected to reach capacity within ten years.

"The ACT Government is ensuring a transparent decision-making process around the proposed southern cemetery," Mr Stanhope said.

"We are asking Canberrans to give us feedback on the suitability of the location and the design and type of cemetery they would like to see built. Feedback is also invited on whether the site should include a crematorium.

"Canberrans can give feedback to the Government by completing a survey, which is available online from the TAMS website or from Canberra Connect Shopfronts or ACT public libraries," Mr Stanhope said.

Over the past month the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority and ACT Government have invited stakeholders to provide input to the consultation program. Plans are also underway for a series of information sessions, stakeholder meetings, information displays and a letterbox drop to locals.

Following the first round of consultation a discussion paper will be released for comment.

Two major cemeteries are located in the ACT in Gungahlin and Woden. A small cemetery is located in Hall for long-time residents.

For more information on the consultation program visit: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/ and "get involved".

"One way of raising awareness about organ and tissue donation is to celebrate with recipients their second chance at life," Mr Stanhope said.

"The Australian Transplant Games, organised by Transplant Australia, has this celebration at its core and the ACT Government is proud to support their efforts to increase the awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation.

"Raising awareness about organ and tissue donation is an essential key to increasing the number of successful transplants in Australia. I encourage people to sign on as organ donors on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) and to discuss their decision with their family.

"There will be many opportunities for Canberrans to participate in this event and to share in the celebrations of organ recipients as they enjoy their second chance at life," Mr Stanhope said.

There are approximately 1800 people nationwide on the waiting list for an organ donation. In 2008 there were 5 multi organ donors and 37 tissue donors in the ACT. Across Australia last year, 259 organ donors allowed 846 people to receive an organ transplant giving them a second lease on life.

Over 1000 participants from all over Australia and overseas will gather for the games and more information about Transplant Australia and the Transplant Games can be found at http://www.transplant.org.au/.

To register as an organ donor, visit http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/ or call 1800 777 203 and then talk to your family about your decision.

"It is important that Canberrans are aware of how, where and when, the ACT's share of the Rudd Government's stimulus package is being invested," Mr Stanhope said

"A record number of capital works projects are being undertaken in our schools, our public housing stock and on our road network and this injection of funds will have a huge impact in our local community.

"It is essential that people know what's happening and the website is one way of keeping the community informed."

The website will provide a summary of information in relation to the four components of the Nation Building and Jobs Plan (NBJP) that will be the main focus of attention in the ACT:

'Building the Education Revolution';
'Social Housing';
'Black Spots, Boom Gates, Regional Roads and Community Infrastructure'; and the
'Energy Efficient Homes Package'.
"The website contains links to the ACT Government agencies that are implementing the range of projects involved in the NBJP. Enquiries about specific projects being undertaken in the ACT should be referred to the relevant agencies.

"Over the coming months, the ACT Government will be rolling out an unprecedented program of capital works that will provide a wide range of opportunities, particularly for our schools and our public housing stock. Importantly, the program will also provide a significant and timely boost for ACT business in these uncertain economic times," Mr Stanhope said.

The website is located at http://www.stimulus.act.gov.au/

The Home Energy Action Kit contains equipment, instructions and worksheets to help residents find practical ways to save energy around the home and reduce energy bills and will be available on loan from branches of the ACT Public Library.

"We know that the average Australian household produces approximately 15 to 18 tonnes of greenhouse emissions each year, but by becoming an energy smart household you can potentially reduce these emissions by up to one third," said Mr Corbell.

"This will both lessen your impact on climate change and reduce your energy bills.

"The Home Energy Action Kit is an effective and practical set of tools to help householders become energy smart and it is available for free loan from our public libraries."

The kit contains:

A power meter to measure energy consumption and running costs of appliances;
An infrared thermometer to measure fridge, freezer and hot water temperatures;
A compass to identify the orientation of the home and passive solar heating opportunities;
A stopwatch to measure shower and tap flow rates;
Instructions on using the equipment and worksheets to calculate your home energy efficiency; and
A Home Energy Action Plan to record actions you will take to save energy and reduce bills.
During the trial period two kits will be available for loan from each public library and users of the kits are encouraged to complete a survey to provide feedback.

"This kit is one of a range of initiatives through which the ACT Government is helping the community reduce energy consumption. It follows on from the launch on Sunday of our nation-leading electricity feed-in tariff scheme," said Mr Corbell.

People wanting further advice after using the kit can call the ACT Government Home Energy Advice Team on 6260 6165 to discuss the option of having a professional ACT Energy Wise audit.

"Thirty-eight registrants attended the Industry Consultation Session, held this morning, which marks the first formal step in the procurement process," he said.

"I am very encouraged by the strong level of interest from industry in establishing a large scale solar power facility in the ACT. The ACT Government is strongly committed to investing in renewable energy and in making the ACT the solar capital. Our interest in establishing a solar power facility received a boost when a feasibility study undertaken last year indicated that a solar power facility was feasible in the ACT," Mr Corbell said.

"Following this study, the ACT Government took steps to test the market to ensure it received the widest range of proposals possible. The Government has also pledged $30 million towards the construction of a solar power facility."

The Government was seeking to employ commercially proven technology and was not committed to any particular technology or operating model at this stage.

"The Government has indicated it is seeking proposals for the development and implementation of a facility with a minimum capacity of 80,000 megawatt hours per annum which would produce enough power for at least 10,000 homes in the ACT," Mr Corbell said.

Community consultation would play an important role in the process, including site selection.

"The Government recognises the importance of fully engaging with the community on a project of this scope and significance, and most particularly in relation to the potential siting of the facility, Mr Corbell said.

"We will shortly announce the details of the community consultation process and look forward to receiving community feedback on all aspects of the proposal.

The Government expects to formally call for Expressions of Interest around the end of March with a Request for Proposals process to begin around July 2009. Mr Corbell said he anticipates an announcement about the successful proponent could take place at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010.

For further information on the proposed ACT solar farm visit http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/actsolarfarm or for procurement inquiries please visit http://www.procurement.act.gov.au/.

Organ Donor Awareness Week is a national campaign to raise awareness of organ donation in Australia.

At the reception the Chief Minister thanked donors and their families for their decision to donate, often at very difficult times.

"There are almost 1800 people on the waiting list for organ transplants nationally including many ACT residents. Some of these people will die before an organ becomes available", Mr Stanhope said.

"In 2008 in the ACT, there were 42 donors, including 5 multi organ donors. These donations have directly saved or improved the lives of at least 38 Australians".

The Chief Minister presented Awards and Certificates of Appreciation to community members for their contribution to organ donor awareness in the ACT.

Recipients of Awards were:

Annette Taylor Award for Excellence in Journalism: Michelle Cazzulino
Ben Wiseman Award for Healthcare: Professor John Horvath
Matthew Reynolds Award for Community Service: Bill Handke
Jenny Deck Award for Community Service: Shared between Canberra Grammar School, Canberra Girls' Grammar School and St Clare's College.
Certificates of Appreciation were given to:

Brad Rossiter
666 ABC Canberra
WIN Television
The Canberra Times
To register your intent to become an organ donor, visit the Organ Donor Register at:

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/our_services/aaodr.htm

The 2009 Awards will recognise the achievements and innovation of retail businesses in the ACT in six categories - Customer Service, Best Store Display, Technology, Innovative Marketing, Training, and Product Range.

"Currently the ACT is the only State or Territory that doesn't hold awards for retail excellence, and I'm pleased that the Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Traders Association, in association with the ACT Government, has decided to recognise the hard work and achievements of the many and varied retailers in the ACT," Mr Stanhope said.

"The local retail industry is a vital element of the ACT economy, with Canberra boasting some of the best retail outlets in the country, ranging from major department stores and local markets to a huge variety of specialty shops and discount outlets.

"In these uncertain economic times it is even more important that the efforts of our local retailers are acknowledged and that their contribution to our community and economy are recognised. These retail awards provide an ideal opportunity for us to do this," Mr Stanhope said.

Retailers may self nominate for 5 of the Awards and shoppers are able to nominate stores for the Customer Services category.The Awards will be judged by a panel of judges with extensive retail experience with winners then being announced at a dinner in May. Local winners will represent the ACT as finalists in the National Retail Awards