Public Notice: Multicultural Festival Travel and Regional Service Advisories

Community Update for Sunday, 8 February 2026

As Canberra hosts the final day of the National Multicultural Festival, the ACT Government and city services have issued several public notices regarding road closures, transport adjustments, and safety advisories. Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their travel in advance to navigate the significant changes in the city centre and surrounding regions.

Multicultural Festival Transport and Road Closures

To facilitate the festival activities, several major roads in the city centre remain closed. Bunda Street is closed in both directions between Genge Street and Akuna Street, and Petrie Street is closed between the Canberra Centre walkway and Bunda Street. Additionally, Ainslie Place is closed at London Circuit to all but authorized vehicles. These closures will remain in effect through the conclusion of the event.

• Bus Service Diversions: Routes 54 and 55 are currently diverted due to the city road closures. Passengers should note that bus stop 3003 on London Circuit is temporarily closed; commuters are advised to use alternative stops at stop 3004 or the City Interchange.
• Free Event Shuttles: Transport Canberra is operating free shuttle services today from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, providing loops through the National Triangle and city hubs.
• Light Rail Frequency: A special event timetable is in place with services running every 10 minutes between Gungahlin and Alinga Street until 5:30 pm.

Infrastructure and Park Access Alerts

The National Capital Authority continues major construction on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project. Significant traffic impacts are expected in both directions across the bridge. Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time or use the MyWay+ app to check live traffic conditions.

Several parks and recreation areas remain under restricted access for maintenance and safety improvements:

• Woods Reserve and Gibraltar Falls: Both sites are closed to the public for significant facility upgrades and safety infrastructure installations, with closures expected to continue through mid-2026.
• Nadjung Mada Nature Reserve: Old Well Station Road is currently closed to walkers and cyclists for essential upgrade works.

Health and Safety Advisories

A severe weather warning remains active for the Canberra region, including Woden Valley, Weston Creek, and South Canberra. The Bureau of Meteorology has cautioned that heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding throughout the day. Residents should monitor local conditions and avoid driving through floodwaters.

Additionally, ACT Health has issued a water quality alert for Murrays Corner. The area is currently closed to swimmers due to elevated bacteria levels following recent weather events. Visitors are advised to check the City Services website for the latest water monitoring status before visiting local swimming holes.