We are committed to continue improving the life of Canberrans, working together with the community to bridge the gap between our resources and the functional needs of the community. We are the University of Canberra, the University for Canberra: a civic university.
Our first policy report is now live. 'Thriving Canberra: Better and Fairer Utilisation of CFZ land in Canberra' has identified over 960 hectares of underutilised CFZ land, and includes 10 policy proposals that can improve this, benefiting local NFPs, community groups, elderly citizens and more.
For thousands of years, First Nations people hosted guests from other nations and shared the gifts of this region. At Australia’s foundation came the intention to create Canberra, a designed city, a place of national and international decision making and home to a variety of treasured national institutions.
Beyond the grand ideals of its original design, Canberra is now a city of near half a million people in a diverse region of nearly a million people; these are Canberrans who run schools, hospitals and hotels, design and build homes, make music, art and wine.
The Centre For A Better Canberra (FAB CBR), housed at the University of Canberra, advocates in the interest of the Canberra community, putting its needs and priorities at the heart of its agenda. The Centre will work with citizens, connecting Canberrans with local learning and bridging the gap between academia and the functional needs of the community.
Our vision
Keeping the essence of what makes Canberra great and adapting to changes as our city and region grow.
Our purpose
A think tank for the Canberra region, providing insights about ourselves and advocating for our future.
Canberra aims to be carbon neutral by 2045, as set out in the . We're already world-leading as one of the few cities with net 100 percent renewable electricity. But there's more to do.
The ACT Government's plan likens Canberra households' transition from gas to electric appliances to the switch from analogue to digital TV, and the phasing out of leaded petrol. How can we encourage and help everyone make the shift in this next vital part of our net zero journey?
Join èßäAV's Centre for Environmental Governance director, Professor Jacki Schirmer, and Canberra Business School Associate Dean Research, Professor Rebekah Russell-Bennett, in conversation on how to help households go electric faster, and adapt safely to accelerating climate change.
The Centre For A Better Canberra will produce policy reports, seminars and other events to drive advocacy in favour of a better city and region.
We will engage and connect with our community through direct engagement, stakeholder groups, politicians and community leaders, government agencies and businesses.
If you would like to be notified when new reports and events are published, sign up to our mailing list or keep an eye on this page.
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Martin Greenwood
Martin Greenwood
Martin Greenwood is Director of the Centre for a Better Canberra. A specialist in ‘Canberra and Canberrans’ his passion for the city and region might be unrivalled. He has worked across local NGOs, the ACT Public Sector, held senior roles in the Chief Minister’s office and recently as head of external engagement for the University of Canberra. He is a member of the Brand CBR board and the èßäAVX Ltd board spanning the fields of city pride, tourism, student welfare, events, hospitality and sport.
What’s your favourite thing about Canberra?
"How Canberra can be both a big city and small town – spend some time in Canberra, doing Canberra things and before long a walk through the city is an exercise in bumping into friends."
Chris Wallace
Professor Chris Wallace is the Academic Director of the Centre for a Better Canberra. She works in modern and contemporary political history and public policy with special reference to leadership, inclusion, and transformational change and the information strategies underlying it.
A first career as an economic and political journalist in the Canberra Press Gallery has contributed to her public-facing scholarship success, including through The Conversation which has twice named her one of Australia's 'Top Thinkers'. Her occasional analysis and commentary can be read in The Saturday Paper, Nikkei Asia, Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
What's your favourite thing about Canberra?
The politics and policy and people intensely involved in both, mixed up together in a stunningly beautiful natural environment studded with world class cultural institutions. And gang gangs.
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Bluesky:
Jan Shaddock
Jan Shaddock
Jan Shaddock is the driving force behind the centre as Centre Operations Manager. A long time Canberran, she is a project and program manager with over a decade of experience in the tertiary education sector spanning external relations, fundraising, relationship management and research management. Jan is currently the Associate Director, Civic Leadership at University of Canberra. Her passion is connecting academia with community and she has spent the last few years working to develop meaningful collaborative partnership programs.
What’s your favourite thing about Canberra?
"Canberra’s mountain walks - from the North to the South of our beautiful region they offer breathtaking views and are my favourite way to get exercise outdoors."
Gonzalo Cubillo de Regoyos
Gonzalo Cubillo de Regoyos
Gonzalo is in charge of the Centre’s community engagement program. He is a public engagement professional with local and international experience in public relations, events, and project management. Gonzalo aims to connect FAB CBR’s work with local communities and expand the footprint of projects through meaningful engagement and outreach initiatives.
What’s your favourite thing about Canberra?
"The bush capital’s open spaces and reserves. I love taking my dog Jasper for long relaxing walks around Lake Burley Griffin, and nice swims at Uriarra Crossing during the summer months."
Chris Faulks (Chair)
Chris Faulks
Chris Faulks has a long history in public policy and administration, government relations and business administration across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She served as CEO of the Canberra Business Council (2007-2015). Chris has exceptional University of Canberra links: she is a èßäAV alumna, former longstanding member of the èßäAV Council including service as Deputy Chancellor, and the recipient of an honorary doctorate from èßäAV.
Chris has made a considerable contribution to Canberra and the surrounding region through her promotion of Canberra as the national capital, vibrant regional hub, and maturing city in its own right, with a highly educated population, enviable lifestyle and increasing proportion of smart, technology-enabled businesses.
Adrian Piani
Adrian Piani
Adrian Piani is an experienced executive manager with 25 years public and private sector experience. Adrian is a Fellow of Engineers Australia (FIEAust CPEng) and has worked with diverse stakeholders to deliver focused, results-orientated advice.
Adrian grew up in Hackett before moving away for university and work, returning in 2007. He is passionate about Canberra’s future and believes we have a fantastic legacy to build upon to further strengthen Canberra's status as one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Carmel McGregor
Carmel McGregor
Carmel McGregor is a private consultant to a range of governments across Australia and an adjunct professor in èßäAV's Faculty of Business Government and Law. A distinguished former government official, she held senior Australian Public Service positions in the Department of Defence, Australian Public Service Commission and Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Carmel moved here to work in the APS and never left. Carmel loves the space and environment of our city, its intrigue and the fact that Canberra is a place of constant ongoing discussion about what matters most to us as a society.
Jason Perelson
Jason Perelson
Jason is a partner at Synergy Group Australia, co-leads creativeXpeople and ThinkPlace, and chairs the ACT Chief Minister’s Brand Strategic Advisory Board for Canberra.
For Jason, the connection to identity within society, and to cultures through story and place, are core to what 'home' means. 'Canberra found me, as much as I found it,' he says. 'As an immigrant, I arrived here like so many others and found home – not through walls and structures, but rather through connection, and community.'
Kirsten Tapine
Kirsten Tapine
Kirsten Tapine (née Stanton) is Associate Director of Indigenous Leadership at the University of Canberra, and a proud Gamilaroi Yuwaalaraay (Goodooga) woman, with strong ties to the Wiradjuri and Awabakal Nations too. Kirsten is a èßäAV alumna, graduating with a Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Commerce.
Canberra has felt like home for Kirsten since 2016 when her husband Joe Tapine joined the Canberra Raiders. The ‘Bush Capital’ reminds her of her home country, where a strong sense of culture and community exists.
Simon Corbell
Simon Corbell
Simon Corbell chairs the board of Victoria's State Electricity Commission (SEC) and is a former Deputy Chief Minister of the ACT. During his nearly two decades in the ACT Assembly (1997-2016) Simon served as minister in a range of portfolios including energy, climate change, the environment, transport, planning, police and emergency services, conferring a formidable policy perspective across government.
Simon is recognised as a national leader on renewable energy investment, policy and regulation, and has held a range of advisory and consulting roles in the public and private sectors focused on the climate and energy transition. He is a èßäAV alumnus with a Bachelor of Arts (Communication).
Vik Naidoo
Vik Naidoo
Professor Vik Naidoo is Pro Vice Chancellor (Enterprise Development & Partnerships) at èßäAV. As a quantitative social scientist, his research focuses on applying behavioural science to consumer behaviour. The unifying thread in his research is the examination of consumer psychology's micro-foundations, aiming to decipher the underlying reasons behind consumer actions.
Vik's dedication extends beyond academia to the vibrant city of Canberra, a place he cherishes for its rich opportunities for engagement and community involvement.
As a civic-engagement focused think tank, the Centre For A Better Canberra is always looking for partnership opportunities. Get in touch with us to find out how we can best collaborate, be it through events, webinars, research or policy recommendations.
We are committed to the improvement of the national capital. Whether you are a community organisation, a non-for-profit or a government department, we would love to hear about your initiatives to create a better Canberra.
The University of Canberra is a place-based institution, committed to embedding the principles of civic and community engagement in all its activities. The University plays a critical role in building engaged communities: creating opportunities and spaces for people to come together with government, business, industry and community partners to collaborate, share information and ideas, and develop solutions to the key issues facing our region.
Photo credit: Left and middle - VisitCanberra; Right - Matt Whitcombe for VisitCanberra