'Significant trend' emerging in public school downturn

ACT government school enrolments are dropping at the same time as independent and Catholic enrolments increase, in what a demographer calls a "significant social trend". Nieve Walton reports on the latest schools census data and what it means.

The task of streamlining Canberra's development approvals will fall to the former boss of the ACT's public health system after a reshuffle of the territory's public service. Jasper Lindell reports Dave Peffer has been appointed director-general of the newly formed City and Environment Directorate.

Construction will soon begin on the much-anticipated Canberra Brickworks after almost a decade of planning. Property reporter Lucinda Garbutt-Young writes developer Doma is ready to start work on 380 new homes on the prime site in Yarralumla.

A teenage driver responsible for a double fatal crash has launched an appeal against a sentence previously described by one of the victim's families as "an insult". Tim Piccione reports the mother of the victim is "devastated" about the appeal.

And as excitement builds around the Raiders, the club is working hard to lock down one of its most electric young talents, David Polkinghorne reports.

Today will start with a low of 8 degrees and reach a forecast top of 13 with a medium chance of showers.

John-Paul Moloney, managing editor