27 October, 2009

Audit evaluates that
PS evaluations ad hoc

WA Public Service Agencies are lacking a strategic approach to the evaluation of their key programs and could therefore not assure the Government or the community that they were achieving desired results.
   This is the finding of an audit conducted by the Western Australian Auditor General, Colin Murphy who described the Agencies’ approach as “ad hoc.”
   In his Third Public Sector Performance Report 2009, the Auditor General reported that in a sample of five Agencies, all were evaluating some programs and projects, most were following good practice but not one was adopting a strategic approach.
   According to the Auditor General, evaluation was necessary to allow judgements to be formed on the value of an activity or a program.
    “All organisations can benefit from a better understanding of how well they are delivering outcomes,” the Auditor General he said.
   “This is especially the case in difficult economic times.”
   He said the Agencies he audited spent more than $1 billion delivering programs and projects in 2007-08.
   “In government, evaluation typically focuses on effectiveness or efficiency,” he said.
   “Legislative bodies, Governments around the world and the public generally want to know that projects and programs delivered by Agencies achieve what was intended.”
   He said evaluations also offered feedback to project managers on how well they were doing and gave Agencies the information they needed to become more effective and efficient.
   “In addition to formal evaluation, simply thinking clearly about why the program is doing what it is doing and how the program can be improved gives managers and staff a clearer picture of the purpose of their efforts,” the Auditor General said.
   “That alone can lead to more focused and productive service delivery.”
   He said however his audit revealed an approach to evaluation that meant it often did not achieve those goals.
   “All of the agencies we examined were evaluating some of their programs and projects,” the Auditor General said.
   “All agencies were using evaluation to improve service delivery in some areas.”
   He said however that “All agencies lacked a strategic approach to their evaluation activity, resulting in an ad hoc approach to which projects or programs were evaluated.”
   He called on the PS to develop and implement sound frameworks for conducting evaluations that were approved by senior management; had clear links to the objectives of the Agency; that used a risk-based approach to decide the programs to be evaluated; and that ensured evaluation processes were sound and implemented.
   “They should include a clear process to ensure that recommendations from evaluations are considered and where appropriate acted on using a documented continuous improvement process,” the Auditor General said.
   His full report can be found on the website www.audit.wa.gov.au

27 October, 2009

PS attendance audit
finds management AWOL

An audit of staff attendance in the WA Public Service has found inadequate monitoring, weaknesses in record keeping and problems simply knowing if staff were at work or not.
   In his Third Public Sector Performance Report 2009, Auditor General Colin Murphy reported that while Agency policies and procedures were generally sound, there were numerous weaknesses in how they were applied.
   “Good management of staff attendance is important to any organisation,” the Auditor General said.
   “Poor management can increase costs and lead to ill-informed resourcing decisions.”
   He said staff of the WA Public Service had run up leave balances of $2.2 billion and if those entitlements were not managed effectively, they could increase costs significantly to the Government.
   “Most of the Agencies in our sample did not manage staff attendance well,” the Auditor General said.
   He found the policies and procedures to be documented and practical but not always comprehensive.
   “Two agencies did not require senior staff to record attendance even when they took flexi leave,” the Auditor General said.
   He said among the failings the audit uncovered were:

Numerous weaknesses in the way policies and procedures were implemented;
Timesheets approved with errors;
Agencies were not reconciling timesheets with leave requests;
Line managers who had received little or no training;
Others unaware of tools or information available to them for managing staff attendance; and
While all Agencies monitored staff attendance, it was mainly reactive and ad hoc.

   The Auditor General made a number of recommendations including that Agencies ensure their policies and procedures for staff attendance were aligned with legislative requirements and good practice principles; that they were consistently and transparently implemented; that managers understood their roles and responsibilities; and that they regularly monitored staff attendance.
   “Public sector organisations need to consider how poor management can affect public trust in government,” the Auditor General said.
   “Strengthening existing arrangements and implementing them should overcome all the weaknesses we identified.”
   The Auditor General’s full report can be found on his website www.audit.wa.gov.au

27 October, 2009

Safe Work Week
is safe option

Workplaces across the nation have been urged to become involved in Safe Work Australia Week which runs until Saturday.
   Chair of the Safe Work Australia Council, Tom Phillips said the week offered an opportunity for all Australians to get involved in making workplaces across the country as safe as possible to help reduce injury, death and disease.
   Mr Phillips said more than 260 Australians died as a result of work-related injuries and over 135 000 were seriously injured every year but it wasn’t too late for individuals, businesses or organisations to get involved in national Safe Work Australia Week by promoting safety in the workplace.
   “Celebrating Safe Work Australia Week can be as simple as holding a morning tea or BBQ in your workplace and talking through the issues of workplace safety and its importance,” Mr Phillips said.
   “There are a range of activities being held across the country to celebrate the week, and I encourage all Australians to get involved in making their workplaces safer.”
   He said the simple philosophy that there is no excuse for any accident could only be upheld if everyone had a strong commitment to workplace safety.
   “By participating in the week, businesses and organisations across Australia can learn more about how to keep their workplace safe and raise awareness of the importance of safety among their workforce,” he said.
   “Safe Work Australia Week reminds us all that safety in the workplace is a national priority.”
   He said for ideas on how to celebrate Safe Work Australia Week or for more information about the event, the website www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au could help.
   He also said the Week was an ideal time to become involved in the development of Australia’s new national OHS laws.
   “The draft national OHS laws are now open for public comment,” Mr Phillips said.
   He said comments on the laws would be open until 9 November and information could be obtained form the same website mentioned above.

27 October, 2009

Schools pay respect
to respect program

An initiative that has improved student behaviour at a Bunbury primary school is to be extended to other schools across the city.
   The ‘Choose Respect’ program, which was introduced to Carey Park Primary School two years ago, uses a code of behaviour to develop and maintain a culture of respect.
   Minister for Education, Liz Constable, who visited the school recently with Premier, Colin Barnett, said she was pleased the City of Bunbury was to expand the program across other local schools.
   She said the program had been enormously successful with incidents of bullying falling by 30 per cent and episodes of bad behaviour declining by 40 per cent and when incidents of bullying did occur, the severity was much lower and the effect it had on the victim was greatly reduced.
   “Carey Park Primary has successfully included the seven codes of behaviour into every part of the school day - from flying flags at the school entrance, to including messages on respect in the daily morning announcements,” Dr Constable said.
   The seven codes are: treat each other with respect no matter how others treat you; treat yourself with respect; forgive others that don’t treat you with respect; resist your natural desire to pay back or take revenge; apologise when you do not treat others with respect; support others who are not being treated with respect; and, ask for support when others do not treat you with respect.
   Dr Constable said the State Government had placed a strong emphasis on behaviour and values in education.

27 October, 2009

Identity crime
facing crisis

The strongest identity crime laws in the country are to be introduced into the WA Parliament.
   Attorney General, Christian Porter said Cabinet had approved the drafting of anti-skimming legislation that would combine the strongest elements of the laws from other Australian jurisdictions.
   “In recent months, thousands of Western Australians have been victims of identity crime, to the tune of more than $2.5 million,” Mr Porter said.
   “It’s an unfortunate reality that as technology has advanced, identity-related crimes have escalated.”
   The Attorney General said the State Government would make it a crime to produce, use or supply another person’s identification when there was intent to use that information to commit a crime, or facilitate someone else to commit a crime.
   He said such an offence would attract a maximum of five years imprisonment.
   “However, if the offender is intending to produce, use or supply that information to commit a more serious criminal act then their offence would attract a higher penalty,” he said.
   Mr Porter said the proposed bill would also prescribe maximum penalties of three years imprisonment for illicitly possessing identification information, and for illicitly possessing equipment capable of making, using, supplying, or retaining identification documentation.
   “The State Government has done its homework and developed legislation, which represents the best practice approach to this problem,” he said.
   “What the State Government’s legislation will do is make Western Australia the least desirable place in the country for would-be identity crime and skimming offenders.”
   Mr Porter said the bill would be introduced into Parliament early next year.

27 October, 2009

Boost for bird plan
gets starling results

The Department of Agriculture and Food’s starling eradication program is to be boosted by $400,000 in a bid to help rid WA of one of the world’s worst bird pests.
   Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman, said the funds would mean the Department had more resources as it prepared for another starling breeding season.
   He said starlings were notoriously hard to catch and it was through ongoing pressure that their impact on the environment and native birdlife could be kept to a minimum.
   “Starlings pose a significant threat to grain and horticulture crops, in particular grapes and olives,” he said.
   “They are also an environmental and social threat as they can cause damage to native plants, compete aggressively with native birds for nesting hollows, spread weed seeds and pollute water catchments with their faeces,” he said.
“Last financial year, 410 starlings were removed from the south coast and a further 16 in the past month.”
   The Minister said the funds were provided under the Natural Resource Management budget allocation and brought the State Government’s commitment to the Starling Eradication Program to $1.9 million in 2009-10.
   He said this breeding season, which runs until April, the program would concentrate on the Coomalbidgup, Condingup and Munglinup areas surrounding Esperance.
   Mr Redman said there were believed to be just 300 starlings left in Western Australia, following last year’s operation targeting starlings in the Mason’s Bay and Jerdacuttup areas.
He said the Department was also continuing its long-term border protection program, with starling control staff based at Eucla to minimise the movement of starlings from the east across the Nullarbor.
   Starlings are black or grey in colour, about 21cm long with fine pointed beaks and short tails. Any sightings can be reported to the Department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881.

27 October, 2009

Auditor takes aim at
firearms management

The Auditor General has conducted his third audit of the regulation of firearms in WA since 2000 and has found the WA Police are still not carrying out their responsibilities adequately.
   According to the Auditor General, Colin Murphy, despite expanding the role of specialist police dealing with the regulation of firearms since 2004, there were still weaknesses in the system.
   “WAP is not adequately regulating and overseeing the possession, use, dealing and manufacture of firearms,” the Auditor General said.
   He said despite the police having sound procedures for assessing applications for firearm licences: “there were serious weaknesses in how these were carried out, in how information was handled, and in how WAP monitored whether licence-holders had met their obligations.”
   He said while these weaknesses increased the risk of inappropriate people having access to firearms, his audit did not find any instances in which firearm licences had been issued to people who were clearly not eligible.
   According to the report, the number of firearms in WA had increased by 20 per cent since 2004, bringing the total to about 300,000 registered to 85,000 people and organisations.
   Key issues raised by the audit were the need for improvement in quality control, decision making and checking firearm storage facilities; the lack of risk-based programs for monitoring if licence holders comply with requirements; an inability by the Police to show that some potential breaches of the Firearms Act 1973 were appropriately followed up; and, deficiencies in the register and in the links between it and other information systems.
   The Auditor General said however that the Police had addressed most of the issues raised in the 2000 and 2004 audits.
   Responding to the audit findings, WA Police said a shortfall in compliance and control was recognised and they would be introducing a re-engineered licensing service next month , with applications being outsourced to Australia Post, firearm checks being conducted by firearms dealers and all licensing decisions centralised, to ensure they were properly recorded and consistent.
   The Police acknowledged problems still remained with some computer database interfaces but said these were subject to continued improvement.

27 October, 2009

Education Awards are
lesson in achievement

The finalists have been named for the WA Education Awards 2009.
Director General of the Department of Education and Training, Sharyn O’Neill, said the awards recognised the contribution of educators and school staff, while also showcasing the achievements of schools that had improved learning opportunities for students in science, numeracy and literacy.
   “We are pleased that so many talented and dedicated people are working in our public schools, delivering education that is making a difference,” she said.
   Ms O’Neill said the four finalists in contention for the Premier’s Teacher of the Year were all committed to excellence in teaching and had a positive and enthusiastic approach to their work.
   She added that leadership attributes would be recognised through the Principal of the Year Award, while finalists for the support staff award included those working in information technology, gardening and assisting students with disabilities.
   Ms O’Neill said winning teachers, principals and support staff members would win $25,000 each, while winning schools would win $15,000 in each category.
   She said the winners would be announced on 7 December and more information was available from det.wa.edu.au/educationawards
   Ms O’Neill said the finalists were:

Premier’s Teacher of the Year
   Karen Augustson, Little Grove Primary School.
   Julie Boston, John Curtin College of the Arts.
   Auriol Heary, Ardross Primary School.
   Elisa Williamson, Mindarie Senior College.

WA Principal of the Year
   Carolyn Cook, Hedland Senior High School.
   Neil Hunt, Churchlands Senior High School.
   Paul Leech, Woodvale Senior High School.
   Lee Musumeci, Challis Early Childhood Education Centre.

WA School Support Staff Member of the Year
   Caroline Evans, Sawyers Valley Primary School.
   Jenny Lamb, Yangebup Primary School.
   David Ross, Mindarie Senior College.
   Geoff Warren, Dwellingup Primary School.

WA Science School of the Year
   Applecross Primary School.
   Ardross Primary School.
   Badgingarra Primary School.
   Esperance Primary School.

WA Literacy School of the Year
   Beachlands Primary School.
   Exmouth District High School.
   Kalgoorlie Boulder Community High School.
   Riverside Primary School.

WA Numeracy School of the Year
   Beachlands Primary School.
   Donnybrook District High School.
   Huntingdale Primary School.

27 October, 2009

Police data device is
new hand-held weapon

Police in regional areas are to be issued with handheld mobile data devices that can access criminal records and other details of suspected offenders and assist in the fight against crime.
   Minister for Police, Rob Johnson, said the devices, called TADISLite, would be rolled out across the State including to officers in Kalgoorlie, Northam, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton and Broome.
   As well as retrieving information such as name and criminal history records, addresses, offender photographs and vehicle registration details, Mr Johnson said the new system would also allow task dispatch information to be sent directly to the devices, which meant police could respond more quickly and effectively to an incident.
   “Previously, officers received dispatch information via radio communications,” he said.
   “However, this information was not as detailed or secure as the new system and they often had to call back to base for more information.
   “Now WA police officers can receive task details, as well as an offender’s background, record and location history before attending an incident, meaning they will have a more intelligence-led approach to policing.”
   The Minister said the inclusion of inbuilt global positioning system that allows the officer’s location to be displayed on electronic mapping systems would improve the officer’s safety, resource management and deployment to community calls for assistance.
   He said 225 TADISLites would be given to police officers across the State and an extra 350 in-vehicle TADIS devices for police cars across regional WA would begin to be installed next month.

27 October, 2009

DEC plants seed
for seed collection

Police are to be given new ‘stop and search’ powers to help fight anti-social behaviour and drug offences.
   Premier, Colin Barnett said the new legislation would amend the Criminal Investigation Act 2006 to give Police the authority to stop and search people in specifically declared public areas without requiring them to prove reasonable suspicion.
   Mr Barnett said the legislation, expected to be introduced into parliament in coming weeks, would help Police combat the increased number of weapons, drugs and other items related to crime and anti-social behaviour.
   “The new laws would give police greater powers to stop and search people in particular areas where crime and anti-social behaviour is turning that area into a no-go zone for ordinary law abiding people,” he said.
   “We will target known problem areas such as Northbridge after midnight, so families going out for a meal in Northbridge will not be a focus for the police.”
   Mr Barnett said Police would target people carrying weapons or drugs and who were intending to create trouble in places such as Northbridge and Scarborough or Mullalloo beaches.
   “This is an important part of a more comprehensive strategy that will be announced soon to make entertainment areas more attractive. It will be an effective tool for Police in their fight against violence and drugs in our community,” he said.
   ”There will be cries of infringement of civil liberties but we make no apologies if we give law abiding people, families and young women the freedom to go to places without fear for their safety.”
   Under current laws, police can only stop and search a person if they reasonably suspect they are in possession of something relevant to an offence, such as weapons or drugs.
   Minister for Police, Rob Johnson said the new legislation provided greater flexibility for the Government and Police when making a place a declared area.
   “The flexibility we are providing in this legislation enables a specific area to be ‘declared’ at certain times on certain days,” Mr Johnson said.
   “This will enable police to tailor the timing of their anti-social behaviour strategies and use of their new powers to the times and places they are necessary. Police will be able to carry out a basic, non-intrusive search on a person in accordance with police guidelines, similar to those carried out at airports.”
   The new legislation is to be reviewed after five years.

27 October, 2009

New members welcomed
onto visitors council

People with an interest in mental health and a commitment to human rights have been invited to apply to join the Council of Official Visitors.
Minister for Mental Health, Graham Jacobs, said official visitors worked to ensure that the rights of individuals in mental health care were observed and complaints were investigated and resolved.
   He said the Council was an independent advocacy service for individuals being treated under the Mental Health Act 1996, or who were living in licensed psychiatric hostels.
   “The advocacy work taken on by official visitors can be very challenging but can also be highly rewarding,” Dr Jacobs said.
   “Official visitors play a vital role in advocating for mental health consumers and make an enormous contribution to the lives of consumers and their families.”
   According to the Minister, the Council of Official Visitors is made up of people from the general community and while no specific qualifications are required, an understanding of mental illness and a commitment to ensuring that people receive quality care are essential.
   “Official visitors have powers of entry into all areas of authorised hospitals and hostels, and facility staff are required to assist with enquiries and follow up on complaints,” he said.
Dr Jacobs said applications to become an official visitor were open until 4 November, following which appointments for terms up to three years will be made.
   For more information on the Council of Official Visitors, including details of how to apply for membership, contact the Council on 9226 3266 or 1800 999 057.

27 October, 2009

Flood plan is wash-up
from collaboration

A joint project between the Department of Planning and the Commonwealth’s Geoscience Australia is expected to help prevent and cope with coastal flooding.
   Announced by the Minister for Planning, John Day, the collaboration will create a model to explain the potential impact of a combined storm surge and sea level rise at Bunbury and Busselton.
   “The potential impacts of climate change include both sea level rise and a predicted increase in the frequency and intensity of severe storm events,” he said. “And these may increase the vulnerability of the South-West coastline to flooding.”
   The Minister said the model would build on the existing open-source hydrodynamic modelling capability (ANUGA) developed by Geoscience Australia and the Australian National University, with the long-term view of making the capability available to all levels of Government.
   “ANUGA is a powerful tool for analysing hydrodynamic and hydrologic information and forecasting potential inundation, or assessing inundation risk. It has already been applied to understanding tsunami impact to the Australian coastline,” he said.
   “When this model is developed, it will enable State and local Government to investigate mitigation options for a range of hydrodynamic hazards.”
   Mr Day said it would be the first of its kind in Australia and unlike most existing storm surge models would combine the surge arising from atmospheric forcing with the flooding component.
   He said the data collected from the model would help determine the effectiveness of proposed infrastructure.
   “This enables Governments to ensure we are prepared to predict and manage these hazards, particularly in areas of high urban development such as Busselton and Bunbury,” Mr Day said.
   “The State Government is committed to a high standard of risk management and this is just one of a number of projects in coastal towns we are initiating to better plan for the future.”
   According to the Minister, the Department of Planning would provide historical and environmental data for the project, and Geoscience Australia would equip its model with the necessary capabilities to provide the scenarios.

27 October, 2009

Planning framework
off the drawing board

A 20-year planning framework for the South-West region has been released by the Minister for Planning, John Day.
   Mr Day said the South-West had undergone a rapid and sustained change to the makeup of its population and economy in recent decades and further population growth was predicted in the next 20 years.
   He said the South-West Framework would provide an overall view of the region’s future, focusing on its major challenges and the best opportunities to ensure growth and development.
   “The framework addresses the scale and distribution of future population growth, environmental issues, transport, infrastructure, water resources, agriculture, tourism and the emerging impacts of climate change,” Mr Day said.
   “It will also inform investment decisions by the public and private sectors.”
   He said the framework contained eight important themes; expanded on key principles outlined in the State Planning Strategy, including planning for sustainable land use and development; and brought together policies specific to the South-West.
   “It will guide the preparation of local planning strategies in an economically diverse region that features a growing population base and developing sectors including manufacturing, mining and tourism.”
   He said the South-West Framework incorporated the City of Bunbury and the shires of Augusta-Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Busselton, Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Manjimup and Nannup.
   Mr Day said it had been prepared following a public comment period that generated feedback from local stakeholders and community groups.
   He said the South West Framework could be downloaded from www.planning.wa.gov.au or obtained by calling 9264 7777.

27 October, 2009

Regions’ land grants
for plans on the land

Regional Development Commissions are to recommend individuals and organisations in their areas suitable to receive grants under the Government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme (RGS).
   Each Commission would have $5 million to hand out with the total reaching up to $45 million.
   Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls, said the grants scheme was providing money for projects to help attract investment and increase jobs or improve the quality of life in regional Western Australia.
   Applicants would be assessed and approved by Regional Development Commission boards for endorsement by the Minister and State Government.
   “This innovative program allows individuals and organisations to bid their case for funding directly to their development commission, knowing their proposal will be dealt with at the local level,” the Minister said.
   Mr Grylls paid tribute to the chairs, chief executive officers and staff of the nine commissions for their hard work during the inaugural round of grants earlier this year when 320 applicants State-wide received a total of more than $30 million.
   He said they assessed more than 800 grant applications from groups including volunteers, businesses, educational institutions, philanthropic foundations and community organisations.
   “With many of the projects now under way, it is exciting to see the diversity of the projects and the benefits from them,” The Minister said.
   “Some, like the extension of the Munda Biddi Trail from Nannup to Albany, involve more than one region and will have widespread benefits including tourism, environmental, health and lifestyle opportunities.”
   Mr Grylls said he had been pleased to see a considerable commitment to indigenous projects and activities in the first round of grants.
   The latest round of contestable grants is part of the $73 million allocated to regional communities through the Regional Development Commission structure in the 2009-10 budget.
   Applications for grants are open until 10 February 2010. A list of Regional Development Commission contacts is available on the Department of Regional Development and Land’s website www.royaltiesforregions.wa.gov.au or by phoning 9217 1400.

27 October, 2009

Mining industry
extracts good deal

The moratorium on rate rises for environmental bonds in the mining industry has been extended.
   The extension will see standard environmental bond rates remain unchanged until the end of 2010 to help the resource sector weather the global economic crisis.
   Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Norman Moore, said extending the moratorium on the bond increase was a responsible policy decision given economic recovery was still under way.
   “The State Government continues to monitor the economic climate and while there are increasing signs of recovery there is a need to foster this recovery rather than introduce additional cost pressures at this time,” Mr Moore said.
   Environment bonds were first introduced to the State’s mining sector in the late 1980s as added assurance against companies failing to adequately rehabilitate mine sites.
   According to Mr Moore, the Liberal-National Government put the initial moratorium in place shortly after last year’s election to help mining companies ride out the economic downturn and the existing moratorium was due to expire in December 2009.
   The Minister said it was unlikely that environmental bond rates would remain at their current levels and that the State Government planned to look at tougher rules to ensure industry met its obligations to rehabilitate mine sites.
   “We want to encourage responsible resources development in WA. Increased environmental bonds will be a part of future requirements for the mining sector,” he said.
   “However, we cannot entirely rely on bonds to deliver good environmental outcomes and that is why I have asked the Department for Mines and Petroleum to consider what other powers need enforcing to complement a rise in environmental bonds rates.”
   Mr Moore said the Department would liaise with industry representatives and other stakeholders over the next 14 months to ensure that future arrangements achieve good environmental outcomes without unnecessarily constraining development in the mining industry.

27 October, 2009

Students plug in to
ICT teaching

New research into the role of technology in teaching has revealed that students regard computers as ‘vital’ to the learning process.
   Released by the Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, the study explored students’ perceptions and expectations of learning with information and communications technologies (ICT).
   Ms Gillard said more than 1,000 students from primary and secondary schools, vocational education and training institutions and universities were surveyed in a bid to improve teachers’ understanding of how ICT may be used to assist learning outcomes.
   She said the report: Listening to Students’ and Educators’ Voices: Research Findings found that students believe technology can provide access to detailed information, opportunities to practise for tests, help with maths and development of problem solving skills.
The research also found ICT offered more opportunities to tailor education to meet students’ needs and increase their motivation to learn.
Ms Gillard said increasing the ICT capabilities of educators was a key element of the Federal Government’s $2.2 billion Digital Education Revolution (DER), which provided for online curriculum resources, high-speed broadband to schools, professional development and computers for schools under the National Secondary School Computer Fund.
She said that through the DER, the Government was funding and leading an Information and Communications Technologies Workshop Program for teachers and school leaders offering professional development in ICT, especially in rural and remote areas.
The aim of the DER, according to the Minister, is to put in place sustainable and meaningful changes to teaching and learning practices in Australian schools that ensure students are prepared for further education and training, living and working in a digital world.
The Listening to Students’ and Educators’ Voices: Research Findings is available at www.digitaleducationrevolution.gov.au

27 October, 2009
Lee Hong joins Museum
Associate Professor Anita Lee Hong has been appointed to the Western Australian Museum’s Board of Trustees.
   Professor Lee Hong, who is the director of Curtin University of Technology’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies, was one of the first Indigenous people in Australia to be awarded a Master of Human Rights Education in 2007.

And in past editions...
Smith acting President
Jennifer Smith is to be appointed Acting President of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission current acting president, Mark Ritter, expires on 16 October.
   Ms Smith has been a member of the WAIRC for the past nine and half years, following a legal career at the State Solicitor’s Office.
   Minister for Commerce, Troy Buswell said the number of serving Commissioners would be reduced from seven to six in view of the reduced workload following the demise of the federal Government’s WorkChoices program.

Walker to Carers Council
Ellen Walker has been appointed Chair of the Carers Advisory Council.
   Mrs Walker will replace Lois Gatley when her term expires next month.
   The Department of Health, public hospitals and the Disability Services Commission report to the Carers Advisory Council on how they are complying with the both the Act itself and the Carers Charter.

Thompson to Development Council
Graham Thomson has been appointed Chair of the Regional Development Council for a two-year term. The council is the peak regional advisory body to the Minister.
   Originally from a farming background in the Wheatbelt, Mr Thomson spent 18 years in the Pilbara mining industry and was actively involved in Local Government as Deputy President of the Roebourne Shire Council, before relocating to Kalgoorlie-Boulder 19 years ago. He replaces outgoing Chair, John Cowdell.

Delane to head up DAFWA
Rob Delane has been appointed Director General of the Department of Agriculture and Food.
   Mr Delane is currently Executive Director of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) but worked at DAFWA for almost 30 years, rising to Deputy Director-General.
   He will take up his five-year appointment on 2 November.

Reynolds takes on WorkCover
Michelle Reynolds has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of WorkCover WA.
   Ms Reynolds has been acting in the position and was Assistant Director General of the Public Sector Management Division in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
   Her five-year appointment is to date from 22 September.

Two for Development Board
   President of the Shire of Dardanup, Brad Day and of Manjimup Wade De Campo have been appointed to the 10-member South West Development Commission Board.
   The pair will be joined on the board by reappointed members Stephen Harrison and Stan Liaros, with Mr Harrison taking on the role of chairman.
   Bunbury businessman David Trench has been appointed deputy chair.

Bergmann to Indigenous chair
   Executive director of the Kimberley Land Council, Wayne Bergmann, has been elected chairperson of the new advisory group to provide independent guidance and advice to the State Government on Indigenous issues.
   Mr Bergmann was elected by his peers at the first meeting of the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council. His term as chairperson runs for 18 months.
   WAAAC meets every two months in both metropolitan and regional locations to assist in ensuring that the council maintains its strong connection with WA indigenous communities.

Communicator at GESB
   Colin Neathercoat has been appointed Head of Communications for GESB, the PS superannuation provider.
   Mr Neathercoat will have responsibility for leading the organisation’s corporate and marketing communications teams and joins GESB with extensive marketing and communications experience gained with blue chip financial services organisations in Europe, the Middle East and Australasia.

Jackson back at DSR
   Julie Jackson has joined the Department of Sport and Recreation as an Indigenous Sport Development Officer.
   Ms Jackson previously worked for DSR in 2005 and has rejoined the team after working in a Senior Administration role.
   Her role as an ISDO will cover programs in the Perth Metropolitan Area, and she will be working alongside State sporting associations, other Government Agencies and the Aboriginal community to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal people in the State through sport and recreation.

27 October, 2009
ICG to hold integrity forum
The Integrity Coordinating Group of the Corruption and Crime Commission is to hold a forum on 30 November at the University Club of Western Australia.
   Entitled The new integrity agenda in public administration the forum will be addressed by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan and feature contributions from the WA Auditor General, Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Corruption and Crime Commissioner and Western Australian Ombudsman.
   Booking s can be made at www.ccc.wa.gov.au/workshops.php

Vehicle test centre opened
The Department of Transport has opened its new $1.7 million Osborne Park Vehicle Examination Centre.
   Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien, said the state-of-the-art facility had the latest in vehicle hoist technology, scheduled appointments and a comfortable waiting room.
   He said the Osborne Park centre was capable of handling more than 30,000 vehicles annually, replacing the old East Perth facility that had a maximum through put capacity of 13,000 a year.

Minister defends PS
The Minister for Transport has defended the Public Transport Authority against allegations it was opposed to the Ellenbrook railway line and were attempting to undermine it.
   The Minister, Simon O’Brien, said the comment, attributed in the media to the Opposition’s transport spokesman, Ken Travers, was an “unfortunate attack on the State’s hard working public service.”
   Mr O’Brien said the PTA had been asked to undertake a feasibility study on the railway line and its results would be considered in a review of Perth’s public transport network.

DEC warns on plant disease
The Department of Environment and Conservation has warned that a destructive pathogen is threatening 40 per cent of plant species in the south-west and has pushed more than 10 species to the brink of extinction.
   Phytophthora dieback is an introduced soil-borne disease that spreads through water, soil, and plant tissue, killing plants via their root system.
   Senior research scientist Chris Dunne said to stop the spread of the disease people should clean their shoes between sites, avoid exploring for wildflowers for up to two days after heavy rain and avoid wet soil and muddy areas.

Australia Post posts warning
Australia Post is warning customers to ignore a hoax email informing people they have missed a parcel delivery.
   The email contains fake links to retrieve the parcel from Australia Post’s Domestic Tracking System.
   Australia Post said people should ignore the email and delete it immediately, adding that it never requested financial or banking details via email.

Taxi rank to be extended
The State Government has announced an expansion and enhancement of the Milligan Street taxi rank in Northbridge, transforming it into a secure hub during peak Friday and Saturday night periods.
   Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien, said the rank will double in size and will operate during these times on both the east and west sides of the street.
   Security guards will be put in place at the rank and other features to be considered include improved lighting, CCTV coverage and footpath widening.

Kingston Primary opened
The new $12.5 million Kingston Primary School has been officially opened in Australind.   Designed by Hassell Architects and built by Cimeco, the school includes 12 classrooms, three early childhood classrooms, library resource centre, music room, art and craft room, covered assembly area with canteen, and hardcourts marked for netball, tennis and basketball.
   There are more than 400 students at the school, which is one of the State’s first Independent Public Schools, and demand for kindergarten and pre-primary places at Kingston has prompted the construction of three more early childhood classrooms and a multi-purpose room.

Wastewater plant to double
Works to double the capacity of the Water Corporation’s Bunbury Wastewater Treatment Plant will be completed next month.
   Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs, said the new additions would not only cater for growth in the city until 2030, but further protect the environment and reduce odour from the plant.
   The overall project involved construction of an additional wastewater treatment module, while an improved sludge treatment and storage system was currently being finalised.
   Dr Jacobs said he was also pleased that the works over the past 18 months had injected more than $5 million into the local economy.

South Hedland plans approved
Planning approval for the development of up to 130 townhouses and apartments has been obtained as part of the revitalisation of the South Hedland town centre.
   Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls said this was the first step in the redevelopment plans which were likely to also include a town centre cafe strip featuring water-misters for the hot weather months; an entertainment area; and extra-wide eaves and tree-lined streets for added shade.
   He said the town centre upgrade was a key part of the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program and bulk earthworks for stage one were set to start in mid-November, with civil construction expected to be completed in about October 2010.

20 October, 2009

Faster approvals get
seal of approval

Government decision making and its approvals processes are to be streamlined in a bid to deliver more planning decisions, more quickly for State development projects.
   Premier, Colin Barnett told a business meeting recently that WA’s “cumbersome and inefficient” approvals regime was to be overhauled in keeping with an election promise.
   “Western Australia is on the cusp of another period of significant economic activity and growth,” Mr Barnett said.
   “We must create and maximise the opportunities presented by attracting investment in the State and ensuring that investment provides long-term benefits for all Western Australians.”
   He said under the new scheme, a ‘lead agency’ framework would determine specific Government Departments as a first point of call for a major project and then that Department would help the project’s proponent work their way through the approvals process, including through those administered by other Agencies.
   He said the lead agency would tailor its level of service according to the “size, scale and significance” of the project.
   “The Department of State Development is the lead agency on major resource projects like Gorgon and Oakajee,” Mr Barnett said.
   “The Department of Planning is the lead agency for projects like the sinking of the Northbridge rail line and the Perth waterfront development.”
   He said the Department of Regional Development and Lands would be the lead agency for developments like Ord River Stage Two and the Department of Mines and Petroleum the lead agency for the emerging uranium sector.
   “The lead agency framework means that proponents will know which Agency is dealing with their proposal,” Mr Barnett said.
   “It ensures smaller developers are able to gain the necessary approvals.”
   He said the new streamlined process would not compromise environmental, heritage or planning approvals.
   “This reform will ensure that the fragmented approach previously taken to approvals is rectified. It will lead to more responsive and co-ordinated services.”
   The Premier said an on-line monitoring system would be introduced to allow proponents to see where their applications were in approvals process.
   He said the monitoring scheme would also enable the Government to see where the proponents were in their submission of required material.
   Mr Barnett said a number of laws would be amended to bring about the changes but already the Government had reduced a backlog in mining tenement applications from 18,000 to 8,900 and had doubled the rate of planning approvals.
   Mr Barnett estimated the coming period of growth could last at least 20 years.
   “We need an approvals system that welcomes investment and stimulates economic development, not stymie it,” he said.

20 October, 2009

Environment Authority
shown new green light

Major changes are to be made to the Environmental Protection Authority to deal with the Government’s new policies on development and business investment.
   Premier Colin Barnett has announced that a new Office of the Environmental Protection Authority is to be established with its own staff, budget, management and administrative capability.
   Mr Barnett said the move was the biggest change to the EPA for 20 years and would equip it to meet the growing complexity, size and demands of development assessment issues across the State.
   He said the new arrangements would strike the right balance between responsible development and the protection of WA’s unique environment.
   According to the Premier, the new Office would be staffed with personnel transferred from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and possibly other Government agencies.
   He said under the new arrangements the EPA would not only recommend environmental conditions but would also have the resources to monitor compliance.
   For the first time, he said, it would be “truly independent.”
   “(The) Government’s commitment to attracting and promoting investment also demands that we are equally committed to having an EPA with the resources to provide expert and independent advice to government,” Mr Barnett said.
   ”World-class projects like Gorgon - which involve innovative environmental management solutions - need an EPA that can efficiently meet community and Government expectations of robust environmental scrutiny, assessment and conditions.”
   The changes were welcomed by the Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher who said they were based on recommendations from a number of reports.
   “These changes will result in increased transparency and independence, leading to greater community and industry confidence in the activities of the EPA,” Mrs Faragher said.
   She said the new office would have responsibility for those parts of the Environmental Protection Act dealing with policy development, environmental impact assessments and compliance monitoring of Ministerial conditions.
   “The EPA will receive continuous feedback on project approvals, especially the effectiveness and enforcement of Ministerial conditions,” she said.
   “And from a policy perspective, there will be an improvement in the capacity of the Minister and the EPA to deal with strategic priorities and emerging issues in environmental protection across the State.”
   Mrs Faragher said DEC would retain responsibility for conservation and environmental regulatory matters such as clearing of native vegetation, natural resource management, pollution, licensing and works approvals.
   The new office was expected to be operational by December this year.

20 October, 2009

Group sinks teeth
into watchdog study

The first report from the Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group has been released by the Minister for Environment, Donna Faragher.
   The release of Role and Structure of the Environmental Protection Authority, which provides advice on the role and restructure of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), coincided with Mrs Faragher’s announcement of a new Office of the EPA.
   The Advisory group was established in June of this year and was led by former EPA chairman Dr Bernard Bowen.
   “Earlier this year, the EPA undertook a much needed and comprehensive review of the Environmental Impact Assessment process in WA,” Mrs Faragher said.
   “The result of that review, coupled with the advice I received from my Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group, has contributed positively toward the steps we have taken today to bolster the independence of the EPA.”
   In the report Dr Bowen highlighted the diminished capacity of the EPA to develop policy and the need for the Authority to have the ability to assess proposals and oversee compliance and evaluation of the proposal to ensure its environmental impacts were mitigated.
   He suggested a senior staff appointment within the Department be established “at about the level of Deputy Director General” to be the EPA’s business manager and to report directly to the Chairman of the EPA.
   Dr Bowen recommended EPA have control or its resources and business in line with its functions and responsibilities.
   Mrs Faragher thanked the members of the Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group for their work on the report and for their advice on “matters that will deliver more efficient and effective environmental assessments whilst maintaining the highest environmental standards.”
   Membership of the advisory group includes the Wilderness Society, World Wildlife Fund, Murdoch University, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Conservation Council of WA, Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Department of Environment and Conservation, Environmental Consultants Association, Environmental Defenders Office, National Environmental Law Association, Urban Development Institute of Australia and the WA Local Government Association.
   A copy of the report was available from www.dec.wa.gov.au or www.epa.wa.gov.au

20 October, 2009

Women’s report card
doesn’t skirt issues

A Report Card on the progress of Western Australian women in the past year has been released by the Minister for Women’s Interests, Robyn McSweeney.
   Mrs McSweeney said the Women’s Report Card 2009 outlined key indicators for the policy planning direction for WA women and aimed to measure their progress through areas such as health, work, safety, education and leadership.
   “The report card is an important tool,” Mrs McSweeney said, “as it measures progress from year to year, helps identify where there have been marked improvements, where there is room for progress and emerging trends that need addressing.”
   “At the recent Ministerial Council for the Status of Women that I chaired in Perth, a national approach was agreed on to increase the number of women in senior executive roles in both the private and public sector.”
   She said the report card would be a useful tool in that regard.
   “Since taking Government, there have been 168 women appointed to WA boards and committees,” Mrs McSweeney said.
   “In the Legislative Council alone, appointments of women have risen from 29 per cent to 44 per cent from 2003 to 2007.”
   She said she would also be looking at ways to address the gender pay gap and trends relating to violence against women, provision of care services and flexible working arrangements.
   Mrs McSweeney said the data collected for the report card related to women aged 15 and over and allowed for direct comparisons with other States and Territories.
   She said the card was available from the Department for Communities website at www.community.wa.gov.au

20 October, 2009

Land sales website
breaks new ground

A new website has been launched as a one-stop online resource for Government land releases and joint venture land developments.
   www.landport.com.au was unveiled by the Minister for Housing and Works, Troy Buswell and includes detailed information on more than 20 developments across the State including the lot size and cost of the Department of Housing’s stand-alone releases and links to joint venture partners’ websites.
   According to Mr Buswell, the new website will allow potential buyers to obtain detailed information on land developments and calculate their potential mortgage repayments and stamp duty.
   “With Landport we’ve made it easy for those people while showcasing the Department’s work in providing affordable land,” Mr Buswell said.
   “The majority of the Department’s land developments are joint ventures with the private sector but many people don’t realise we are a partner in many popular land releases.”
   He said until the new website was launched there was no central resource for people looking for affordable land or house-and-land packages.
   He said the Department of Housing offered land for sale at Australind, Belgravia Central and Seville Grove and had entered joint ventures at Banksia Grove, Butler, Meve and Seacrest in Geraldton.
   Since the first joint venture was entered in 1992 Mr Busweell said, the Department had seen the development of more than 17,500 lots, most in the ‘affordable range’ and with strong appeal to first home buyers.
   He said www.landport.com.au also offered information on home ownership, the First Homeowners Grant, future developments and other related issues.

20 October, 2009

Mental health audit
has balanced report

An audit of WA Health’s Adult Community Mental Health Teams has found that some services being provided do not meet consumer or community needs.
   Conducted by the Auditor General, Colin Murphy, the audit examined whether the services were available and accessible to consumers, and if they were being effectively delivered.
   It found that Community Mental Health Teams were available in 39 locations across the State, making services available in most communities, but the mix they provided had not been fully planned and did not consistently meet local needs.
   “It is not clear that the increased investment in community mental health is being targeted to the most effective services,” the Auditor General said.
   “Gaps in services and inconsistent access to services for mental health care consumers mean that they can find it difficult to get the care they need when they need it.”
   His report Adult Community Mental Health Teams: Availability, Accessibility and Effectiveness of Services found that the care people received could depend more on where they lived than their assessed needs.
   It also found that the time it took for patients to receive help could risk their condition deteriorating and in many cases consumers had to be in crisis to access services.
   “Earlier intervention may help prevent deterioration and reduce the need for more intensive acute treatment,” Mr Murphy said.
   He said WA Health had improved its performance in contacting patients after their discharge from hospital, when the risk of suicide was greatest, but it still fell short of the national best practice of contacting 90 per cent within seven days.
   He said there was a need to improve the levels of patient and carer involvement and be more consistent in care planning.
   “Consumer involvement and ownership of their care is important to its success,” Mr Murphy said, “but consumers and carers are not adequately involved in planning and reviewing care.”
   He said good care planning was an essential part of effective care delivery, but over 20 per cent of patients in the audited sample did not have a care plan.
   “Community mental health services should be based on a good analysis of needs, and good information on what works, to make sure money is spent on those services that make a difference to consumers,” Mr Murphy said.
   The audit report was welcomed by the Minister for Mental Health, Graham Jacobs who said it would contribute to the Government’s mental health reforms.
   The report can be downloaded from www.audit.wa.gov.au

20 October, 2009

Quokka hops ship
to the mainland

A national effort to protect the iconic quokka has been coordinated by the Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth Zoo, the Rottnest Island Authority, and four other Australian zoos.
   A captive breeding program for the quokka, a unique Australian marsupial from Rottnest Island, has been established on the Australian mainland.
   Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher and Minister for Tourism, Dr Liz Constable welcomed eight new quokkas who recently arrived on the mainland.
   Ms Faragher said 33 quokkas would be used to establish the new breeding population in zoos to help guard against a decline in quokka numbers in the event of disease or disaster.
   “Being such a recognisable Western Australian animal, a strategy is being put into place to mitigate against a potential situation which could see them disappear,” she said.
“Although not as genetically diverse as some of the mainland quokka populations, which occur from Jarrahdale to Albany, it is critical to ensure preservation of the genetic component within the Rottnest population, which is not represented on the mainland.”
   Mrs Faragher said the initiative would also provide insight into the husbandry and reproductive biology of the species.
   She said the captive population would be managed at a regional level and that zoos in other States would ensure high levels of genetic diversity were maintained and a sustainable breeding population was formed.
   The zoos involved in the program include Taronga Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Gorge Wildlife Park, Adelaide Zoo and Perth Zoo.
   The breeding program has been endorsed by the Australian Species Management Program.
   Dr Constable said the program was an important part of maintaining the environmental values of Rottnest Island.
   “The quokka is such an important part of the character of Rottnest Island and we are delighted to support a program that will ensure a long and vibrant future for these animals,” she said.
   The eight quokkas were captured by Perth Zoo keepers, veterinary staff, Rottnest Island Authority representatives and Department staff.
   Two more collections are expected to take place later this year.
   An Aboriginal ceremony was held on the island before the quokkas’ departure.

20 October, 2009

Fraud warning
is real thing

The Federal Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen has used National Identity Fraud Awareness Week to warn the public that the Government has tightened measures against fraud.
   Mr Bowen said sophisticated technology was being used to target people defrauding the Government by claiming payments and benefits they were not entitled to.
   He said Centrelink and Medicare had specialist teams using data matching technology to detect identity fraud.
   “These Agencies work closely with other Agencies such as the Child Support Agency and Australian Taxation Office, as well as various State Departments, to regularly match information to detect inconsistencies,” Mr Bowen said.
   The message is clear: if you commit fraud against the Commonwealth, the sophisticated data matching detection system will catch up with you.”
  He said recent fraud detection successes included a 48-year-old Western Australian man who was sentenced to 18 months prison (to serve a minimum of 6 months) for claiming $96,878 in payment under a fake identity.
   Mr Bowen said another Western Australian man was sentenced to five months in jail after claiming Centrelink payments under his name and working under a false identity. He was overpaid $62,178.30.
   He said Centrelink undertook almost 4,000 investigations into identity related fraud during 2008-09, resulting in 166 cases being referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
   The investigations identified debts worth $13 million.
   Mr Bowen said cooperation between the Commonwealth Fraud teams, the Australian Federal Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions meant anyone who committed identity fraud would face hefty fines and long prison sentences.
   “Identity fraud is a growing trend throughout the world, but the Australian Government will continue to update its techniques to detect those who try and defraud the Australian taxpayer,” Mr Bowen said.
   Mr Bowen said the public could report suspected cases of fraud by phoning the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line on 13 15 24.

20 October, 2009

Queensland warms
to poaching plan

Health professionals whose jobs at the Royal Perth Hospital have been threatened by budget cuts are to be the target of a Queensland Health recruitment campaign.
   Queensland’s Acting Premier and Minister for Health, Paul Lucas said Queensland Health would be running advertisements in WA newspapers to gauge expressions of interest.
   Mr Lucas said the Queensland Government believed staff from the Royal Perth Hospital would make a valuable contribution to the State’s health system.
   “From time to time, we advertise employment opportunities in Queensland Health in other States. This is an excellent opportunity to advertise in WA again,” he said.
   “Recruitment of such specialised staff continues to remain a challenge not only in Queensland but nationally, and that’s why we are keen to take-up any opportunity to recruit staff to areas where they are needed the most, particularly in our rural and regional hospitals.”
   Mr Lucas said Queensland health was interested in talking with any “good health professionals whose jobs are under threat.”
   He said Queensland doctors and nurses had “very good conditions” compared to other States.
   “This is evidenced by the recent 94 per cent vote by nurses in favour of their latest enterprise bargain agreement, as well as the endorsement by the Australian Medical Association of Queensland, Queensland Public Sector Union and Salaried Doctors Queensland of the latest salaried doctors agreement,” Mr Lucas said.
   He said while the majority of future staff would be recruited from Queensland, the State needed to fill priority positions immediately.
   Mr Lucas said the Queensland Government was committed to boosting clinical and health staff numbers in Queensland.
   “Since 2005 we’ve employed more than 12,600 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in Queensland,” he said.
   “Since March 2009 we have employed an extra 846 clinical staff.”

20 October, 2009

Police get power to
defuse offenders

Plain sailing for new
training vessels

The Department of Transport’s Marine Education Boatshed in East Fremantle has taken delivery of two new training vessels to use in teaching school students about boating and safety.
   Coordinator of Safety Education at the Department, Laurie Adams said the craft would be used for the popular Seatrek program which showed students how to navigate the WA coastline safely as well as test their skills in sailing, radio procedure, navigation and advanced power boat handling.
   “The students experience open sea voyages ranging from a one day sail to an eight day expedition through Shark Bay or around the coastal areas between Fremantle and Mandurah,” Mr Adams said.
   “For many students a Seatrek is a unique and memorable experience which reinforces the importance of safety on the water and provides valuable life skills.”
   He said the program met aspects of the WA Curriculum Council’s Outdoor Education and Marine and Maritime Technology requirements which were part of the WA Certificate of Education.
   He said a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket was compulsory for students undertaking a Seatrek and last year the Boatshed promoted safe boating techniques and practices to 3,550 students.
   Mr Adams said more than 28,000 students had learnt essential marine safety skills through the Boatshed’s training and competency programs since 1998.
   “The Boatshed successfully delivers the safe boating message to the very youngest members of the State’s boating community,” Mr Adams said.
   He said the two new vessels took the number of craft in the Boatshed’s Seatrek training fleet to eight.

20 October, 2009

Heat turned up on
arson penalties

New laws that treat arson as one of the most serious criminal offences on the statute book could see convicted fire-bugs face life imprisonment
   Attorney General, Christian Porter and the Minister for Emergency Services, Rob Johnson said the new laws had been introduced into Parliament and it was hoped they would be in place for summer.
   Mr Porter said the Government had worked hard to target all possible arson offences in the new legislation and to develop appropriate penalties.
   “We only have to look at the tragic Victorian bushfires earlier this year to understand the widespread devastation arsonists can cause,” Mr Porter said.
   “Our legislation will significantly increase penalties and ensure the laws of this State recognise the inherent danger arsonists cause.”
   He said among the tough changes was an increase to 20 years in the maximum jail term for people lighting fires that were likely to cause damage to persons or property and to life imprisonment for the wilful destruction of property by fire.
   Mr Johnson said the new legislation would define the term ‘property’ to include vegetation.
   “This means that if a person wilfully lights a fire that damages any sort of property or bushland, they will be sentenced under the new laws,” Mr Johnson said.
   He said the new legislation would create the entirely new offence of failing to take reasonable care when in control of a fire or ignition source that leads to someone being injured or killed as a result.
   “The offender will be held to account,” Mr Johnson said.

20 October, 2009

Homeless projects
being addressed

Projects designed to tackle homelessness in Western Australia were in the final stages of planning according to the Minister for Child Protection, Robyn McSweeney.
   Mrs McSweeney said young people in need of homes could have access to the new services as early as January 2010.
   She said through its involvement with the Homelessness National Partnership Agreement (NPA), the Government was tackling the issue by addressing root causes such as long-term unemployment; mental health issues; a shortage of affordable housing; substance abuse; domestic and family violence and relationship breakdowns.
   She said the Department for Child Protection was working with representatives from 86 non-government community service organisations to get the projects up and running.
“This Government’s funding commitment will provide additional long-term stable accommodation and a range of new support services to strengthen responses to a range of homelessness issues in WA,” Mrs McSweeney said.
   “This includes the development of service models aimed at youth homelessness, including services for rough sleepers, homelessness accommodation workers, and workers to support people leaving institutional care.”
   She said expressions of interest in providing support services under the initiative would be called this month and next.
   “We anticipate that most of these services will be up and running by early next year and I am pleased there has been no delay with the roll-out as they are much needed across the State,” she said.
   Mrs McSweeney said a number of the new projects would assist children and young people experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, including a ‘Foyer’ development providing secure housing and on-site support for about 100 young people; giving young people leaving child protection independent living options and young women the skills to live independently; and supporting homeless children so they maintain contact with the education system.

20 October, 2009

Youths given a
sporting chance

The Department of Sport and Recreation is to tackle anti-social behaviour among youths through late-night sporting programs.
   Minister for Sport and Recreation, Terry Waldron said sport and recreation programs would be provided as alternative activities for children in Northbridge on Friday and Saturday nights.
   Mr Waldron said the number of young children roaming the streets of Northbridge late at night had been identified as a problem.
   “Many of the kids that visit Northbridge at night on the weekend are only 12 and 13. It is an adult precinct and they simply should not be there unaccompanied,” he said.
   “Let me be clear that providing a sport and recreation program on Friday and Saturday night will not solve all the social problems behind this problem, but we will be providing fun, safe and healthy alternatives.”
   Mr Waldron said sport could be an effective method of engaging young people who could then be provided with other learning opportunities.
   “Great examples of this are the Midnight Basketball tournaments that have been running in Geraldton and Midland, and in the near future, Kwinana,” he said.
“At these tournaments the kids are attracted by the fun of basketball, but part of the deal is that they also attend a variety of seminars where they learn important life skills.”
   Mr Waldron said the project would initially be trialled in Midland and Armadale and that DSR staff had already held meetings with community representatives in the areas to assess what activities and resources already exist.
   “It is important that the community drives these projects because they understand what will attract the children and, in the long run, it will be community support that will make this sustainable,” he said.
   “We will be investing in each area to support activities on Friday and Saturday nights, and this investment will be allocated in consultation with the community.”
   Mr Waldron said other related initiatives DSR was working on included linking at risk youths with local sports clubs, DSR recreation camps and collaboration with Juvenile Justice teams to provide sport and recreation volunteer activities.
   “These are great examples of how sport and recreation can help build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities,” he said.

20 October, 2009

Changes marshalled
in for combat sports

A series of new controls are to be introduced to the State’s combat sports industry to improve aspects of its competitions and safety.
   Minister for Sport and Recreation, Terry Waldron has proposed law changes to Parliament that would improve controls over contests and increase the health and safety of participants, from amateurs to professional.
   Mr Waldron said the changes would affect WA’s karate, boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, Brazilian jujitsu and judo communities.
   “While the Government acknowledges that the majority of combat sports contests in our State are approved and safely run, there are a small minority of events that cause concern and threaten to give the combat sports industry a bad name,” Mr Waldron said.
   He said a key law change would see the Act apply to all levels of the industry, not just the professionals as at present and the definition of a ‘contest’ would be expanded to include all combat sports contests, not just those relating to professional bouts for the over 18s.
   Mr Waldron said the need to improve controls in the industry dated back to a review conducted in 2006, where concerns were raised about the safety of some amateur events.
   “The concerns raised during the review process included having no medical practitioner on site, a lack of rules, and inexperienced officials at non-sanctioned bouts, all of which are a great risk to the safety of those participating in such competitions,” Mr Waldron said.
   He said the amended legislation would provide greater protection and assurance to all participants in combat sports and ensure they were competing in the safest environment possible.

20 October, 2009

Australia Post staff
get stamp of approval

Australia Post is paying tribute to its employees by issuing a stamp series featuring 10 staff members.
   In a statement, Australia Post said its employees played a vital role in serving customers and their local communities.
   “This is the first time Australia Post has honoured its staff, contractors, licensees and agents on a stamp,” it said.
   “The 10 people featured on these stamps are representative of all Australia Post employees, who, everyday, make important contributions to the wider community and the success of the business.”
   The employees come from a wide range of roles and were selected from the 256 recipients of the Bicentenary Medal which is awarded to employees who have made an outstanding contribution to Australia Post’s businesses, community and customers.
   “Representing every State and Territory, they reflect Australia Post’s role in servicing all geographic areas of Australia,” the statement said.
   “They are also the faces of their communities. Outside work hours they are to be found championing community causes and building a better future for all Australians.”
   Those celebrated in the stamp series are:

Patricia Crabb, Postal Manager, Virginia, Queensland;
Shirley Freeman, Agent, Avoca, Tasmania;
Vinko Romanik, Parcel Contractor, Netley, South Australia;
Valda Knott, Licensed Post Office Manager, Trayning, Western Australia;
Gordon Morgan, Postal Delivery Coordinator, Thornleigh DC, New South Wales;
Vongpradith Phongsavan, Logistics Officer, Melbourne Parcels Facility, West Sunshine, Victoria;
Norma Thomas, Mail contractor, Coraki Post Office, New South Wales;
John Marsh, Manager M&ND, Northern Territory;
Anne Brun, Marketing Manager, Financial and Agency Services Group, HQ, Melbourne, Victoria; and
Russell Price, Delivery Operations, Perth airport, Western Australia.

20 October, 2009
Dams at 10 year high
Reliance on the Gnangara groundwater system for Perth’s public water supply has been reduced following good rainfall and ‘sound management decisions.’
   Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs said the draw on the system would be reduced from the 137 gigalitres needed in 2008-09 to just 110 gigalitres for 2009-10.
   “This year our dams, while still only about 54 per cent full overall, are at their highest level for 10 years which leaves us in a position where we need to draw a lot less water from Gnangara,” Mr Jacobs said.

Gas report tabled
A report detailing strategies to help avert future gas shortages and to provide a secure energy supply for Western Australia has been tabled in parliament.
   The Gas Supply and Emergency Management Committee’s Report recommended the security, reliability and competitiveness of domestic energy markets be improved along with the management and impacts of gas emergency situations.
   The review was undertaken following two gas supply disruptions in 2009 and was available from www.energy.wa.gov.au

Weapons sales restricted
New restrictions on the sale and supply of weapons to minors have been flagged by the Minister for Police, Rob Johnson.
   Mr Johnson said under the new offences, anyone found with a weapon in or near a place of public entertainment could face up to five years in jail and anyone caught selling a controlled weapon to minors faced two years in prison and a $24,000 fine.
   He said the new legislation would help improve safety around entertainment precincts in the State.

Financial success for families
Income Management trials in Western Australia have been heralded as a success by the Minister for Child Protection, Robyn McSweeney.
   Mrs McSweeney said since the program was introduced in 2008, 426 families had voluntarily taken part, 86 had been referred by the Department for Child Protection and 193 had completed it.
   “Families who have been through the program and now exited the system, have reported their positive experiences to the Department for Child Protection even if they were initially reluctant to participate,” she said.

Pilot program for Flying Doctor
A new pilot medical jet service for the Royal Flying Doctor Service is to be trialled for three years.
   The service will be funded with $3 million from the Royalties for Regions and $4.8 million from Rio Tinto and is in addition to three new Flying doctor turboprop aircraft already announced by the Government.
   The new service is expected to improve emergency response capability and reduce flight times for patients being transported to Perth from regional hospitals in the State’s remote North-West.

Police presence in Central Desert
A new Police station will provide a permanent Police presence in the Blackstone area and will service 520 residents between Jameson and Wingellina in the Central Desert.
   The Blackstone Multi-Functional Police Facility was opened to help keep families safe and tackle violence, grog-runners and child abuse.
   The Commonwealth provided $20 million for the construction of multi-functional police facilities in the Blackstone, Burringurrah and Looma communities, as well as visiting officer’s accommodation in Bidyadanga.

Heritage property funding
Private owners of heritage properties have received over $850,000 in funding through the Heritage Grants Program for 2009-10.
   Eleven grants were awarded to city owners and 24 to people in regional areas to allow them to undertake conservational work on their properties.
   The Heritage Grants Program offers owners of buildings listed on the State Register of Heritage Places, grants of $20,000 or more. A list of recipients was available from www.heritage.wa.gov.au

Mine consultation extended
The public consultation period regarding a proposed open cut uranium ore mine has been extended from 10 to 14 weeks.
   The plan by BHP Billiton Yeelirrie Development Company Pty Ltd to develop the mine is to be assessed at the highest level of Environmental Review and Management Program.
   The consultation period was extended following public appeals that the assessment be made a public inquiry. Further information was available from www.dec.wa.gov.au

13 October, 2009

Planning change draws
line around parks

Planned amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme could see more than 18,000 hectares of public land reclassified as parks and recreation reserves.
   Planning Minister, John Day said the proposed changes by the WA Planning Commission also included more than 40 proposals to add to foreshore reserves of the Swan and Canning river systems.
   “These river foreshores and other significant areas, already protected through Government ownership, will be further protected by the proposed amendment and will be set aside for community recreation,” Mr Day said.
   “We will work together with local Governments and communities to extend and entrench reserves, providing the people of Perth with increased access to the Swan, Canning, Helena and Southern rivers, and to Jane and Ellen brooks.”
   He said the Government’s long-term intention was to create a network of pathways along the Swan and Canning rivers - one that extended from Fremantle to the Swan Valley, and along the Canning River to beyond the Canning River Regional Park.
   The amendment contains 155 separate proposals in the cities of Armadale, Bayswater, Belmont, Canning, Cockburn, Fremantle, Gosnells, Joondalup, Rockingham, Stirling, Subiaco, Swan and Wanneroo, the towns of Bassendean and Kwinana and the shires of Kalamunda, Mundaring and Serpentine-Jarrahdale.
   More than 14,000 hectares of State forest would be recognised in the MRS as parks and recreation. There would be no change to the current management arrangements, with the Department of Environment and Conservation continuing to manage this land. Significant areas of the parks and recreation reservation proposals involved land purchased by the WAPC to enhance regional open space, and included additions to the protection of Bush Forever.
   The MRS amendment was being advertised for public submissions until 29 January, 2010 and could be downloaded from http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/comment or phone 9264 7777.

13 October, 2009

Mobile directory
is the way to go

Curtin University of Technology has become the first Australian university to introduce a mobile website to help students access information about support services and campus facilities.
   CurtinMobile — purpose-built by Curtin staff, and modelled on similar sites at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford in the United States — was developed as part of the University’s C2010 curriculum project and student retention strategy.
   Curtin’s Director of Teaching and Learning, Professor Beverley Oliver, said the research showed that even though there was a great deal of information on the University website, students needing help in a hurry couldn’t always find it.
   “So we decided to explore the concept of a mobile ‘help at your fingertips’ website,” she said.
   “We also know that 99 per cent of our students have mobile phones and that 75 per cent of those phones are web-enabled, so this sort of website is going to reach the vast majority of our students.”
   The website offers all sorts of support information such as a directory to find teaching staff, campus maps and local transport services through to where to eat on campus. There was also more focused support information — where to find study support, financial support, housing, and so on.
   “There’s also information on the website that shows students where they can find a computer that is available for use on campus.”
   Professor Oliver said development of CurtinMobile involved extensive student research and consultation with staff at overseas universities such as Stanford, Duke and MIT.
   “The original plan was to build an iPhone app, like Stanford’s, which was built by a student startup company. However, our research six months ago showed low penetration of iPhones at this stage, so we decided to build a site that looks like an app, but also works on other smart phones,” she said.
   “Our research shows that a much higher proportion of students are likely to have iPhones in the near future, so an iPhone app is definitely on the cards at some stage, and it will very likely have a strong connection with Curtin’s recently developed iPortfolio system.”
   The site was also likely to be useful to staff and visitors.
   “We are all part of the Net Generation in this sense. Most of us like to be ‘connected and always on’, so this website is a natural development in the information age. We also envisage that new students of any age will find this service helpful in the transition to study.”
   CurtinMobile can be accessed by visiting http://m.curtin.edu.au

13 October, 2009

Transport cashes in
on payment scheme

The Department of Transport has announced that motorists can now use BPAY to renew their driving licences, vehicle licences and effect vehicle licence transfers.
   Acting General Manager of the Department’s Licensing Services, Alastair Bryant said that this innovation would provide many benefits to Licensing and customers.
   “BPAY will provide Licensing customers with a greater choice plus a more convenient and secure way to pay their accounts through their internet or phone banking facilities," Mr Bryant said.
   “It will also provide a more efficient revenue collection service for Licensing and its associated financial institutions, as well as providing a significant cost saving to Government in the long term,” he said.
   The Department’s extensive media and communication campaign “BPAY makes it easier” has been launched across press, direct mail and online with the aim of reaching most households in WA to create awareness of the new payment option.
   Mr Bryant said BPAY would initially be available for a large range of common transactions, with the number gradually expanded to include many other payments.

13 October, 2009

Super advice just a
phone call away

Superannuation fund, GESB has launched a new telephone advice service for its 310,000 members.
   The free Simple Advice service will give members greater choice over how they access personalised financial advice on their choice of investment plan and contributions to super.
   According to the Head of Wealth Management at GESB, Fabian Ross, the fund is one of the first superannuation providers to launch a Simple Advice service to its members.
   “It complements the wide range of free member education, information and resources that we already offer,” Mr Ross said.
   “The free service will help our members take steps to control their financial future by providing a personalised recommendation designed to help them build their long term financial well-being.”
   Mr Ross said GESB was glad to be able to respond to the needs of its members, who had long been asking for easy access to advice about issues such as investment options and contributions.
   To make use of GESB’s free Simple Advice service, call 13 GESB (13 4372) or log on to www.gesb.com.au

13 October, 2009

National parks land
tourism program

A new program that makes land available in national parks for tourist accommodation is set to offer park visitors some of the world’s most unique tourism experiences.
   Tourism Minister Liz Constable and Environment Minister Donna Faragher launched the Naturebank program which works by identifying potential visitor accommodation sites and undertaking due diligence required to make a site ready for release.
   Dr Constable said the program would provide a boost for WA tourism and provide opportunities for indigenous investment, employment and capacity building while offering eco-friendly, sustainable accommodation and nature-based tourism experiences.
   “Naturebank will pave the way for world-class accommodation facilities and activities in the heart of our national parks - some of the most stunning and diverse attractions in the world,” she said.
   “The accommodation will be environmentally and culturally sensitive, similar to our State’s already successful nature-based facilities - like Broome’s Eco Beach, the Eco Retreat in Karijini National Park, the safari camps in Purnululu National Park and Sal Salis at Ningaloo Reef.”
   She said Naturebank’s new developments would take employment and enterprise opportunities to remote parts of the State and give the State’s tourism industry a significant boost.
   Expressions of interest to develop the first site at Kurrajong (within the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park) would be sought before the end of the year and a second site was expected to be released early in 2010.
   Mrs Faragher said Naturebank would create a nature-based experience to enable the enjoyment and improved understanding of WA’s unique environment, and that the program was not just about development.
   It was intended Naturebank be an ongoing program with new localities and sites added as they were identified. Sites would be released as performance-based leases and the period of lease set to help ensure a reasonable return on investment.
   Mrs Faragher also announced wide-ranging reforms to the way nature-based tourism was managed in WA.
   “As part of the reforms, licence holders will be offered greater certainty and flexibility for their commercial tour operations while ensuring a greater commitment to a high level of environmental performance,” she said.
   Restricted licence holders would be able to hold a licence for up to 15 years and there would be an increased emphasis on industry accreditation for unrestricted operators.
   “The new recommendations will mean places like the Pinnacles, Purnululu and Ningaloo Reef can continue to be enjoyed by visitors each year while retaining their natural and cultural heritage for future generations,” Mrs Faragher said.

13 October, 2009

Housing strategy for
affordable options

Public comment has been invited on the State’s a long-term affordable housing strategy.
   A report from the Social Housing Taskforce and an accompanying future directions plan have been released by the Minister for Housing and Works, Troy Buswell, who said the public housing system had been a neglected area of public policy for too long.
   “While the State and Federal governments are working in partnership to substantially increase Western Australian social housing stock over the next two years, we need a long-term solution to the shortage of affordable housing,” Mr Buswell said.
   “It is clear that the housing system in its current form does not have the capacity to address the growing need of low to moderate income households.
   “We need to look at a suite of initiatives to harness the co-production capacity of the public, private and community sectors to finance, develop and manage a sustainable affordable housing system.”
   The Social Housing Taskforce was established last December to review the State’s social housing system and advise on how to improve and expand the supply of housing.
   The taskforce made 56 recommendations in its More than a Roof and Four Walls report and these form the basis of the Housing 2020: Future Directions for Affordable Housing paper, the initial blueprint for a State Affordable Housing Strategy.
   Mr Buswell said the four key principles Housing 2020 was based on were:

Reform of the provision of public housing to focus on helping people when they need it rather than a “public house for life” welfare solution;
Promoting housing growth through collaboration with community not-for-profit organisations and the private sector;
Increasing supply through a range of land and housing options; and
Improving opportunities and support for people to move between different housing tenures as their circumstances change.

   Mr Buswell said Housing 2020 provided a progressive yet pragmatic way forward and would require strong links between State agencies as well as between Government, private and community housing sectors
   “I’m very keen to see reform of the public housing waiting list by implementing a needs register which would involve the assessment of people’s situations in order to link them to a number of housing options which suit their needs,” he said.
   “People do have diverse needs and it’s important that we expand the range of housing options on offer, which may include incentives such as rent subsidies to enable people to move out of the social housing sector and into the private rental market.”
   The Minister urged those working in the field or with experience with social housing issues to provide feedback on the documents.
   Copies of the taskforce report and Housing 2020 are available from the Department of Housing website at www.housing.wa.gov.au or phone 9222 4666. Submissions will be accepted until 4 December.

13 October, 2009

Cane toad strategy
is warts and all

The final Cane Toad Strategy for the next 10 years in WA has been released by the Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher.
   Cane Toad Strategy for Western Australia 2009-2019 was prepared by the Department of Environment and Conservation in consultation with a Kununurra-based Stakeholder Reference Group.
   Mrs Faragher said the Government recognised the need for a new focus for cane toad actions after they crossed the border into WA earlier this year. The cane toad front line was currently about 30km east of Kununurra.
   “The final strategy focuses on a number of objectives for managing cane toads in WA over the next decade and aims to minimise their impacts and implement long-term management solutions,” she said.
   “Our priorities for this coming wet season include carrying out surveillance work to monitor and map cane toad populations at the front line, working with community groups to develop and implement action plans for priority areas and cane toad education awareness in local communities.”
   She said a range of measures were currently in place to assist the community in managing cane toads, including the establishment of disposal points in Kununurra, the creation of a database to record sightings and a series of information brochures and Cane Toad Packs.
   The Government received 22 submissions from stakeholders, businesses and individuals on the draft document after it was released for a six-week public comment period in May.
   The Minister said feedback from the public recommended that the final strategy should be action-oriented and streamlined, and be produced as a document that could be updated readily as new information came to hand.
   “I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of this strategy, particularly those who made submissions on the draft,” Mrs Faragher said.
   “A means of controlling cane toad numbers will be developed. This strategy has been framed on the basis of what we know now, but will also take advantage of any new and better techniques to use against cane toads.”
   The Government has pledged ongoing funding to the Kimberley Toad Busters of $1.2 million over four years from 2008-09, so it could continue its on-the-ground field efforts.
   To the final strategy is available on the DEC website www.dec.wa.gov.au/canetoads

13 October, 2009

Humpback protection
is whale of an idea

A new marine park is to be established at Camden Sound to protect an important nursery for the world’s largest population of humpback whales.
   Premier Colin Barnett said the Government recognised the Kimberley as one of Australia’s special places.
   “That is why we are protecting Camden Sound, making it a marine park, and developing and implementing our Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy,” he said.
   “This strategy will balance the need to develop industry and create wealth with the expectation that the environment and special places will be protected.”
   He said even before the process of developing the Kimberley strategy began, the need to protect and manage Camden Sound was brought to the Government’s attention, and it was emphasised again during the public consultation phase for the Kimberley strategy.
   “Allowing for consultation, including a public comment period of three months, a marine park could be established by mid-2010,” Mr Barnett said.
   “This remarkable area warrants protection as a first step in the broader conservation of the Kimberley.”
   Environment Minister, Donna Faragher said Camden Sound was the biggest calving area for humpback whales in the southern hemisphere.
   “More than 1,000 humpback whales can be found in the Camden Sound ‘maternity ward’ during the calving season,” Mrs Faragher said.
   “They are part of the biggest population of humpback whales in the world - numbering about 22,000 - that migrate from Antarctica every year to give birth in the waters off the north of our State.”
   She said Camden Sound was also rich in other marine life, from coral reefs and mangrove forests to turtles and dugong.
   “Marine parks are created to protect the natural features and aesthetic values of an area while enabling recreational and commercial activities to take place without compromising conservation values.
   “The proposed Camden Sound marine park will be created in consultation with the local Indigenous community, meeting the requirements of native title, and in consultation with all stakeholders with an interest in the area.”
   She said the consultation would be conducted on behalf of the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority under the statutory planning process for new marine parks.
   Humpbacks have been protected from whaling in the southern hemisphere since 1963, when numbers in Western Australia fell to fewer than a thousand. Their numbers are recovering at a remarkable 10 per cent each year.

13 October, 2009

Cycle plan wheeled
in to Geraldton

The community of Geraldton is the first in Australia to benefit from the Commonwealth Government’s cycling infrastructure program, receiving $272,000 to build facilities to encourage cycling around the city.
The funding would support up to 21 local jobs as well as build the permanent facilities that would encourage healthier lifestyles amongst residents and a more sustainable community over the longer term.
Three projects are planned:

the manufacturing and installation of bike racks at nine locations around the City, including Bob Davies Park, Rundle Park, Spalding Park Tennis Club, Tarcoola Tennis Club, Recreation Ground, John Forrest Park, the Waterplay Playground and near the Visitors Centre;
the construction of 10 new off-road concrete bike paths spanning four kilometres across Geraldton; and
the establishment of three bike lanes along Chapman Road from Phelps Street to Mabel Street, and along Durlacher Street from Highbury Street to Keane Drive and from Maitland Street to Hutchinson Street.

The Council, as well as the WA Department of Planning and Infrastructure, were also contributing funding to the projects.

13 October, 2009

Income scheme
creates interest

The Income Management scheme that assists some families with providing for their children is to be expanded in the Perth metropolitan area.
   Minister for Child Protection Robyn McSweeney said the Federal Government had agreed to add a number of districts in Perth to the scheme which has been on trial since late 2008.
   “I have been consistently lobbying for a further expansion of income management throughout WA since it was introduced and I am delighted that the measure will now be available across all metropolitan districts as an additional tool to respond to the neglect of children,” Mrs McSweeney said.
   She said the Income Management for Child Protection initiative was already operating in Cannington, Joondalup, Midland, Mirrabooka and East and West Kimberley. It will be available in the Armadale, Perth, Fremantle and Rockingham Districts from early 2010.
   She said the trial was part of an ongoing collaboration between the State and Commonwealth Governments in an effort to work with families who were in receipt of certain Commonwealth welfare payments, to ensure they managed their income to provide the necessities for their children.
   “The WA model of income management differs to trials offered in other Australian jurisdictions, as it is a case-by-case measure that is child focused,” Mrs McSweeney said.
   “Up to 70 per cent of welfare payments can be quarantined to pay for essentials, and the purchase of items such as tobacco and alcohol are prohibited.
   “Case managers from the Department for Child Protection can recommend that families stay on income management for a minimum of three months and up to a maximum of 12 months depending on the family’s circumstances.”
   She said the feedback that had been received to date from families participating in the trial had been positive and this included families who were participating on both a voluntary and involuntary basis.
   Currently, 220 families in WA have elected to be placed on income management voluntarily, with 60 families having been referred by the Department for Child Protection.
   A total allocation of $18.9 million over two years has been made by the Commonwealth for WA’s income management trial.

13 October, 2009

Heritage funding
makes history

The Commonwealth Government has announced funding for heritage places in Western Australia.
   Federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, said $5.5 million would be provided for eight conservation projects that would generate 168 jobs across the State.
   He said some of the work would provide immediate employment opportunities as well as longer-term results.
   "Australia's heritage places are enduring assets that underpin some of our most important industries,” Mr Garrett said.
   “By investing in, and conserving these places, we improve their condition, generate jobs and produce wider economic and social benefits.”
   He said an example was the conservation work on the Fremantle Prison Main Cell Block which would make the building safer for the 175,000 people who visit it each year.
   He said in addition to the $1.8 million for that project, another $600,000 would be spent on bringing visitor facilities in Shark Bay World Heritage Area up to international standard.
   "Little Lagoon - which was formerly a salt claypan known by local Aboriginal people as a birrida - is an inland bay of exceptional beauty and ecological significance,” Mr Garrett said.
   “Funding will contribute to new facilities, including a carpark, shade shelters, barbecues and interpretive signage to help prevent damage caused by unrestricted vehicle access.”
   He said other projects to benefit from the funding round included refurbishing Beverley Police Station; restoring Breaksea Island Lighthouse; upgrading Cummins Theatre at Merredin; upgrading Shark Bay’s popular Wulyibidi Yaninyina trail near Monkey Mia; conservation work on Gwambygine Homestead; minor works for the Ilkurlka Heritage Project; and roadworks at Purnululu National Park.
   “This work will create an immediate cash injection to local businesses not only by directly employing people but through the purchase of materials required to complete the project works,” he said.

13 October, 2009

Wheatbelt publication
brings flora to book

A series of books to assist landowners and botanists identify threatened flora species in the Wheatbelt region has been launched by the Department of Environment and Conservation.
   Funded by Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (WNRM), the new book Threatened flora of the Western Central Wheatbelt, was compiled by DEC flora officer Joel Collins, and complements two existing publications - Threatened and poorly known flora of the Yilgarn Region, and Threatened, poorly known and other flora of Wongan-Ballidu.
   Mr Collins said the books would help both botanists and landowners identify threatened flora species in the region.
   “It’s not only to aid people working with flora, like field botanists, but is also aimed at landholders and community members by providing information on how to recognise threatened flora species,” Mr Collins said.
   “The more people know and understand about these species, the better the chances we have of saving them.”
   The launch was attended by DEC staff and volunteers, representatives from WWF-Australia, Greening Australia, the Department of Water, Water Corporation, Local Community Groups, Muresk Institute and WA Herbarium, and landholders. Mr Collins gave a presentation on how to use the book and explained much about the study area and the species that occur within it, with a particular emphasis on flora in the Wongan Hills area.
   “One of the features of the book is the use of digital scans of fresh herbarium specimens, with these collections being formally identified and lodged at the WA Herbarium,” he said.
   Program Manager for Biodiversity at WNRM, Rebecca Palumbo spoke about the importance of WNRM’s close working relationship with DEC.
   Mr Collins said the book received excellent feedback from launch participants.
   “It was well received, with positive feedback on how useful it is as a complement to the other books in the series,” he said.
   DEC also recently produced a book funded by the South West Catchments Council called Declared rare flora in the southern Wheatbelt and eastern jarrah forest, and is soon to print the new publication Aquatic invertebrates and waterbirds of wetlands in the Avon region, also funded by WNRM.

13 October, 2009

UN chalks up message
for Teachers’ Day

A number of United Nations Agencies have issued a joint statement for international World Teachers’ Day 2009.
   The Day was celebrated around the world on 5 October.
   The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), International Labour Organization (ILO) and Education International released the message, saying education was a basic human right and central to sustainable development.
   The Agencies said there was an urgent need to bridge the global “teacher gap”, the acute shortage of qualified and trained teachers, especially in the developing world where enrolments at all levels were increasing.
   It was estimated that 2.4 million teachers (1.2 million new teacher posts) would be needed between 2007 and 2015 in sub-Saharan Africa alone to achieve Universal Primary Education.
   The Agencies noted that lack of training, professional development and growing recruitment on a contract basis weakened education quality, but the profession was also gravely affected by poverty, the HIV and AIDS pandemic, natural disasters, conflict and violence against teachers in school.
   The UN said bridging the gap would require policies that took an integrated approach combining large-scale recruitment with appropriate pre-service and in-service training, strong leadership, satisfactory working conditions, and relevant teaching learning tools and materials.
   It also noted that the current global financial and economic crisis was placing increasing strain on education budgets around the world.
   The Agencies said it was critical to seek mechanisms that protected teachers and ensured that education investments matched demand.
   One challenge, they said, was to find ways to make the teaching profession attractive in order to draw an adequate number of well-qualified and motivated candidates.
   Another was to make sure those already there stayed on.
   Achieving these goals depends on the status, salary, career development opportunities available for teachers and public respect for them. It also depended on the autonomy they had to develop their own creative learning experiences.
   The voices of teachers and their representative organisations matter and must be heard, the UN said.

13 October, 2009

WA earliest in early
learning program

The Minister for Education has announced that three early learning child care centres were to be built on school sites in a “first” for Western Australia.
   Dr Liz Constable said locating the centres with the schools would help to support families and integrate child care with early childhood education.
   “Having early learning child care centres next to schools will ease the pressure on working families,” Dr Constable said.
   “Parents will be able to take their pre-schoolers and babies to the centres at the same time as they take their other children to school.”
   The centres would be established in Darch, Mirrabooka and Karratha with each offering at least 50 long child care places.
   The Federal Government has committed $5.8 million for the three centres in WA, with the possibility of more in the future.
   The early learning child care centres would operate extended hours and cater for children from birth to five years old.
   Woodside Energy has partnered with the State and Federal Governments to build a centre at Karratha’s Tambrey Primary School. The centre would offer 120 new long day care places to Pilbara children and provide early learning support for local families.
   Construction of the centres was expected to be completed in 2010 and early consultation was also under way for a centre in South Hedland.

13 October, 2009

Prisoners over top
about new facility

A new cultural meeting place has been created for the inmates of the Bunbury Regional Prison.
   Prisoners and Aboriginal elders designed the area as a central place to practise and experience tribal tradition and culture, giving them a strong sense of belonging and improving their chances of rehabilitation.
   The cultural centre includes a fire pit for cooking, billabong, native plants, a paved area for art classes and plenty of shade.
   Rural and Regional Prisons Director Tim Connolly said while the main prison already had an existing cultural centre, it was important to have a similar centre in the pre-release unit.
   “By having a place where prisoners can gather and visit traditions, it helps increase their sense of community and self-worth and, in turn, improve their chances of successfully reintegrating into the community,” he said.
   “Prisoners will now be able to cook kangaroo tails in the fire pit on occasions or sit around having a yarn with friends,” he said.
   “At night, they can gather around the fire and communicate, which is especially great for prisoners who are far away from their family.”
   Mr Connolly said the construction of the cultural area also gave prisoners a chance to build on their employment skills, including woodworking and horticulture.
   “All prisoners assisted in building the meeting place, whether it was planting trees, landscaping or installing the billabong,” he said.
   “One of the Department’s main aims is to give prisoners the training and education to improve their lifestyle once released, in the hope these tools will assist them in leading a law-abiding lifestyle.”
   He said the prisoners’ enthusiasm and willingness to learn new skills as part of this project would hopefully see these men leave prison and not return.

13 October, 2009

Rural mentors
head for the bush

A new rural business mentoring program is to be co-ordinated by the Rural Business Development Corporation, to help young businessmen and women reach their full potential.
   Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman said the three-month program, which matches five high achievers in the rural sector aiming to broaden their skills with five business leaders, offered a unique opportunity for the participants to build their expertise and knowledge.
   “The Grow Zone Mentoring Project targets motivated and high achieving individuals in the rural sector and allows them to gain invaluable insights and guidance from successful leaders and entrepreneurs from the wider business community,” Mr Redman said.
   “It will encourage business innovation, creativity and excellence, for the ultimate benefit of Western Australian agriculture and food industries.
   “This process will also help develop closer and mutually beneficial ties between metropolitan and rural businesses.”
   The Minister said each participant would work on individual projects in their area of interest with the support of their mentor over the next three months. The program was expected to expand in coming years.
   Grow Zone 2009 mentors include the project director, executive education, at Murdoch University, Richard Duldig; Committee for Perth chief executive officer Marion Fulker; Wine and Truffle Company chief executive officer Alan Nelson; Insight Marketing and Management director Ray Wilson; and Seaspin managing director, Charles Morgan.
   The mentees include Joondalup entrepreneur Henk de Graaf; Ballard Seeds managing director Leigh Ballard; Cunderdin farmer David Fulwood; Narrogin farmer Ashley Wiese and Jerramungup stud sheep breeder Sandy Forbes.

13 October, 2009
Disaster donation
The Government plans to donate $250,000 to the Red Cross to help those affected by the recent disasters in Indonesia, Samoa and Tonga.
   $100,000 is to go toward the reconstruction efforts following the Indonesian earthquake, while $150,000 will be provided to assist with recovery needs in Samoa and Tonga following the earthquake and tsunami on 30 September.
   The State also has a team of emergency management personnel on standby to assist with the rescue and recovery efforts.

Judge’s Associate guilty
A former District Court Judge’s Associate has been sentenced to 14 months jail for fraud and the unlawful use of a Government computer.
   The Judge’s Associate pleaded guilty to the offences following a Corruption and Crime Commission investigation and was sentenced in the Perth Magistrates Court.
   The 29-year-old woman accessed information regarding her friends and associates on the WA prisoner database and the Magistrates’ Court database between February and May this year.

Boating safer at Geraldton
Safety concerns have prompted changes to the navigable waters off the newly redeveloped foreshore at Geraldton.
   The changes, which have been made to make the waters safer and reduce conflict between users of the waterway, would see the boating prohibited area extended and a dedicated speed restricted area that can be used by junior sailors and other recreational craft.

Mint wins award
The Perth Mint has won an award for marketing and design excellence at the 2009 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards.
   The awards are administered by the Department of Commerce.
   Solahart Industries Pty Ltd won the Premier’s Award for Excellence. Science and Innovation Minister Troy Buswell said Solahart was a WA success story and a prime example of a local business making a valuable contribution to the State’s economic development.
   “From its beginnings here in Perth in 1953, Solahart has grown into an Australian household name,” Mr Buswell said.
   “Solahart and the other award winners, whose commitment to identifying new market opportunities locally, nationally and internationally, create positive benefits for the State.”

Women’s precinct for prison
A dedicated women’s precinct has been opened at the Broome Regional Prison and will help provide a greater focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into the community.
   The new precinct contains four cells, including one specifically modified as a mother and baby cell; an open-plan kitchen; a dining room; a day room; a multi-purpose classroom; and indoor and outdoor recreation areas.
   The new women’s precinct is the third stage of an $11.2 million project to upgrade the prison, its existing facilities and security systems.

Fishing OK at Green’s Pool
The Department of Fisheries has ruled out prohibiting fishing at Green’s Pool near Denmark.
   Conflict between different users of the marine area had prompted the Department to look into whether fishing should be banned.
   Green’s Pool is popular almost year round for swimming or fishing because it was protected from prevailing weather and current conditions by a surrounding headland.
   The Department received 65 responses to its call for public submissions, 49 for prohibiting fishing at Green’s Pool, 13 against the prohibition and two submissions - from the WA Industry Fishing Council and the Department of Environment - neutral.

6 October, 2009

Standards report
sets the standard

A new human resources framework that replaces nine standards with three was among the many achievements outlined in the latest Annual Report from the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Ruth Shean.
   In what Dr Shean believes may be the last report from her Office (OPSSC), she says the new framework was the result of a comprehensive review.
   “During the year OPSSC has continued to streamline accountability requirements to increase efficiency, while keeping a focus on the obligations of government,” Dr Shean said.
   “Our four key strategic goals of establishing a quality framework, leadership and dialogue within the public sector, customer service and internal coherence and accountability have now been comprehensively addressed.”
   She said the Office experienced an increase in compliance inquiries about the principles of human resource management and official conduct during the year, due mainly to increased recruitment activity, greater awareness of proper process and increased customer service from OPSSC.
   She said a new approach to auditing PS standards had identified systemic risks that were not raised in complaints.
   Dr Shean reported that the Office tabled four major reports to Parliament in 2008-09 as part of its Parliamentary Series, and produced its first State of the Service Report.
   “Over the last two years the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner has progressively been putting in place the people, systems and processes that will support the role and strategic objectives that were adopted for the first time in 2007-08.”
   She said the merger of her position with the Public Sector Commissioner would be positive for the integrity, accountability and effectiveness of the public sector.
   “Any increased independence of reporting for the Public Sector Commissioner will be a positive move for our State and those who serve it,” she said.
   Dr Shean’s full report can be accessed at www.opssc.wa.gov.au

6 October, 2009

Coroner’s findings
find funding

The Departments of the Attorney-General and Corrective Services have announced their support for the recommendations made by the State Coroner following the death of an Aboriginal elder in custody in January 2008.
   Attorney-General and Minister for Corrective Services, Christian Porter released his response to the Coroner’s findings, saying the Government supported 11 of the 14 recommendations in full and the remaining three in principle.
   Mr Porter said action had already been taken to carry out some of the recommendations and that further investigations and reviews would continue.
   State Coroner, Alastair Hope investigated the death of an Indigenous elder, now known as Mr Ward, who died of heatstroke after travelling around 360 kilometres in a prisoner transport vehicle in extreme heat conditions
   Mr Hope said the van was “not fit for humans” and that the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) had failed to provide the private transport contractor with proper means of transport.
   He said the Government needed to improve its handling of prisoners and review its justice system.
   Responding to the Coroners’ comments, Mr Porter said staff would receive increased training and monitoring and that steps would be taken to ensure prisoners were not transported long distances unnecessarily.
   He said DCS would replace the entire fleet of prisoner transportation vehicles and that all vehicles had been assessed for age, service history, kilometres travelled and their general condition.
   “Based on the current production schedule all original fleet vehicles will be replaced by December 2010,” he said.
   “DCS’ budget in the current financial year and forward estimates period now includes full funding for ongoing replacement of the fleet.”
   Mr Hope recommended the DCS review all the contractor’s policies and procedures relating to the welfare of detainees.
   Mr Porter said a DCS review conducted in February 2008 immediately following the incident had made 18 recommendations.
   “These recommendations specifically sought to make improvements to the governance framework; performance management; risk management; compliance management; financial management; and the secure vehicle fleet,” he said.
   Mr Porter said the contract with the private company G4S would not be terminated at this time but that G4S staff would be provided with additional training.
   He said he would pursue legislation to allow the Inspector for Custodial Services to audit the flow of people through the custodial system to ensure humane and safe treatment.
   Mr Porter said DotAG would commence a review into the Bail Act 1982 (WA) to ensure the State’s bail processes were appropriate and that he expected to team up with WA Police to ensure police offers were better trained in their responsibilities under the Act.
   He said DotAG had also begun revising training for Justice of the Peace to meet the Coroner’s recommendation that Justices performing Court duties had received adequate training, were regularly monitored and undertook training assessments.

6 October, 2009

Sea information
texts are swell idea

The Department of Transport has introduced a new SMS information service that provides near real time wave information for the coast between Exmouth and Esperance.
   Skippers, fishermen, surfers and other water users who access current information about ocean conditions will now be able to receive the latest sea and swell data using their mobile phone.
   Oceanographic Coordinator with the Department, Tony Lamberto said the information, which was collected by a network of wave buoys located off the coast, gave instant access to up to date and accurate information about sea and swell.
   “Conditions at sea can change rapidly and the new service gives skippers and others the information they need to make decisions including the suitability of a vessel for current conditions and the safety of those on board,” Mr Lamberto said.
   “It takes the guess work out of judging the prevailing conditions and provides peace of mind for those who are on the water from commercial fishermen and charter boat operators to recreational boat owners and even surfers and board riders.”
   Mr Lamberto said seven wave buoys located at Exmouth Jurien, Cottesloe, Rottnest, Cape Naturaliste, Albany and Esperance sent information about current conditions to the Department’s Coastal Data Centre website which was one of the most frequently accessed online services provided by Government in WA.
   “Making this important information available via SMS further improves the access to the wave information available from the Department,” Mr Lamberto said.
   The Department’s official wave and tide information for the WA coastline is used by the Bureau of Meteorology as part of weather forecasting and assists in the daily activities off the coast including shipping movements, commercial and recreational maritime operations and emergency responses.
   The data collected could also be applied to benefit coastal planning, design and development and scientific research projects such as climate change studies.
   People wanting to access near real time sea and swell information on their mobile phone could do so by texting “W” for west coast information or “S” for south coast information to 199 SWELL (199 79355) at a cost of $1 and the information will be sent to their phone.

6 October, 2009

Public tenants get
rental health check

Public housing rents will not rise for 12 months despite the recent increase in the aged pension.
   Minister for Housing and Works, Troy Buswell said the State Government would stand by its commitment and delay increasing rents.
   “In May this year, the Prime Minister wrote to all Premiers (or Chief Ministers) requesting that the States and Territories not adjust rent setting policies to ensure pensioners maintained the full benefit of the Commonwealth’s increase in pensions,” Mr Buswell said.
   “Through the Council of Australian Federation, States agreed to delay any increases to social housing rents for aged pension recipients until September 20, 2010.”
   The Minister said Western Australian pensioners in public housing payed 23.5 per cent to 25 per cent of assessable income on rent with all pension supplements being non-assessable.
   “While acknowledging that pensioners deserve additional assistance, extending this commitment in perpetuity has broader implications in a number of areas; including forgone revenue which the State Government relies on to subsidise its social housing program and to provide for the cost of maintaining public housing stock,” he said.
   “It also raises an important question about equity for pensioners who reside in private rentals and community housing who will not be given the same benefits as those who live in public housing.”
   He said the State Government would continue negotiation with the Commonwealth and other States and remain committed to no increases in rent for public housing tenants on pensions until September 2010.”

6 October, 2009

Ex-Scots cop
tops poll

Senior Constable Tam McKeown from Mullewa Police Station has been named the 2009 WA Police Officer of the Year.
Forty-two nominations were received for the Award, with Sergeant Simon Hazell from Mirrabooka Police Station, and First Class Constable Trevor Higgs from Norseman Police Station joining Senior Constable McKeown as finalists.
Senior Constable McKeown entered the WA Police as a Direct Entry Police Officer from Scotland. His nomination included achievements in programs such as:

the “Mullewa Rural Watch Program”, covering 15,000 square kilometres;
the promotion of Crime Stoppers in the Mullewa community;
the “School Poster Campaign” aimed to reduce graffiti and vandalism;
the “Keeping Kids Out of Crime” program with reformed prisoners speaking to the youth; and
the “Tom Cup Basketball Competition” which stemmed from the Keep Kids Out of Crime program

   Community Service Officer at Mullewa Police Station, Lorraine Tierney described Senior Constable McKeown as having the “...unique ability to charm the birds out of trees, and …works tirelessly to make the initiatives a success... much of it in his own time while still maintaining a very high level of police work.”
   The Police Officer of the Year Award was first initiated in 1973 by the Rotary Club of East Perth, and recognises the commitment and dedication of police officers to the WA community.
   The award continues to be sponsored by Burswood Entertainment Complex, Police and Nurses Credit Society and the Fairfax Radio Network.

6 October, 2009

Communities pick
up litter grants

Grants to support community litter prevention programs have been announced by the Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher.
   Mrs Faragher said the Keep Australia Beautiful Litter Prevention Grants 2009 would be awarded for projects and initiatives that aimed to reduce litter, endorse litter education in the community and encourage changes in littering behaviour. Grants of up to $10,000 were available.
   “This year’s theme for Keep Australian Beautiful (KAB) Week (August 24- 30) was ‘Waste Lives On’, and aimed to draw attention to the volume of home waste produced in our daily lives, how long it takes to break down and what we can do to reduce levels,” she said.
   “Up to 80 per cent of what we throw away can be reused or recycled. Organic waste makes up more than a third of household rubbish and much of it can be mulched.
   “Similarly, packaging can be recycled and this has major environmental benefits when you consider its takes a million years for a glass bottle to break down in landfill and 450 years for a printer cartridge.”
   The Minister said previous KAB Litter Prevention grant recipients were able to successfully display innovation in the battle to help eliminate litter.
   She said Litter Prevention Grants allowed the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Keep Australia Beautiful Council to support people who were dedicated to the anti-litter campaign and changing people’s attitudes on littering.

6 October, 2009

Local Government
delivers submissions

More than 115 Local Government reform submissions have been submitted to the Department of Local Government.
   Minister for Local Government, John Castrilli, said he was encouraged by the response from local Councils and that submissions were still coming in.
   “I understand that a number of local Governments are holding meetings in early October and I expect the remaining submissions to be received in due course,” Mr Castrilli said.
   The Minister said many local councils highlighted potential areas for reform and had displayed enthusiasm about the strategic benefits that lay ahead.
   “The response demonstrates that local Government authorities in Western Australia are taking the issue of reform seriously,” he said.
   “Reform is all about enhancing capacity for local Governments to better service their communities.”
   Mr Castrilli said the next phase of the reform process was for submissions to be forwarded to the Local Government Reform Steering (LGRSC) Committee for review.
   The committee would provide analysis and prepare an interim report to the Minister by the end of the month. A consolidated report would be available towards the end of the year.

6 October, 2009

River managers
to lap up culture

An education program developed by the Department of Water has been launched to encourage Aboriginal communities to use their cultural knowledge to support western science and help restore rivers in Fitzroy catchment.
   Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs said the Government believed Aboriginal communities had the ability to help monitor and restore the health of the Fitzroy River.
   “This funding will provide community rangers with specific skills in waterways management that will allow them to do this,” Dr Jacobs said.
   “By increasing the natural resource management skill levels of Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley we are empowering Aboriginal people to manage country which is of benefit to everyone.”
   He said the development of ranger and Aboriginal ranger skills in water monitoring and management enabled individuals to be engaged in “fee for service” arrangements with researchers and Government Agencies.
   “This has significant economic (employment) and social (connection to country) benefits to Indigenous communities and rangers, while improving the condition of rivers at the same time,” he said.
   The program has been developed by the Department and The University of Western Australia and was originally funded by the Rangelands natural resource management coordinating group.
   One of the program’s projects would see the rangers develop a detailed engineering design for a fish passage at Camballin on the Fitzroy River.
   Apart from educating and involving the rangers in engineering works, when completed, the fish passage would be of benefit to fish such as the vulnerable Freshwater Sawfish.
   “This is a great example of the real benefit this capacity building will bring to the Fitzroy,” Dr Jacobs said.
   “By allowing the sawfish to migrate upstream for up to 10 months of the year they can avoid large predators and enhance breeding, which will help the population to improve and hopefully see this fish removed from the endangered list.”
   This project is one of 15 around the State from an allocation of $5.4 million by the State Government to further natural resource management.

6 October, 2009

Climate winners
come in out of cold

The winners of a LandCorp competition to design affordable climate-responsive housing options for specific climate zones in WA have been named.
   Minister for Lands, Brendon Grylls announced the winners of the REAL (Regional Environmental Affordable Living) Challenge saying he looked forward to seeing the designs built so the Government could put affordability and sustainability into action.
   “Entrants were required to design a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that could be sold within a set affordability range, but also met sustainability and design criteria such as a minimum six-star energy efficiency rating, required minimal mechanical heating and cooling, and which capitalised on local cooling breezes and natural ventilation,” he said.
   Competition entries closed at the end of July and the judging panel then short-listed seven entries that went through to the competition’s next stage - the People’s Choice Awards.
   The People’s Choice Awards allowed residents of the Pilbara, Kimberley and South-West regions to vote for the best short-listed entry in their region.
   The winning entries were:
Pilbara: the Oasis design entered by Copraxis Architects and Samson Homes
Kimberley: the K1 design entered by SIA Architects and Northern Aspect Construction
South West: the Wing House design, which was also entered by Copraxis Architects and Samson Homes.
   Mr Grylls presented certificates and cheques for $15,000 to all the shortlisted finalists.
   The winners of the People’s Choice Award for each region also received a further $20,000 to assist with the cost of obtaining development approvals for construction of the home.
   LandCorp would be providing a block of land in Baynton West, Karratha; Lakeside Park, Kununurra and Buckingham Way, Collie to the respective winners who would then be required to build their winning design and open it for public display.
   Further information and details of the shortlisted and winning designs were available at www.landcorp.com.au

6 October, 2009

Ideas pooled for
water strategy

A plan to ensure that surface waters in the South-West are managed sustainably has been released by the Minster for Water, Graham Jacobs.
   Dr Jacobs said that as surface water demand in the region grew, the South-West community and the State Government had recognised water security concerns and that active management through licensing was needed.
   He said the plan followed the 2007 proclamation of four new surface water areas in the Whicher area which allowed the Department of Water to start managing surface water through allocation limits and licensing.
   “This means that surface water users will have a secure annual water entitlement for the surface water they take and use because the department can actively manage the resources,” he said.
   “The allocation strategy is rational; balanced and a responsible position for Government to take.
   “The plan was based on the best available information, consideration of environmental issues, recognition of existing water use and consultation with the Whicher Water Resource Management Committee and the community.”
   He said as the population of this region continued to grow, so too did commerce and local industry; therefore, the Government must strike a balance between the competing demands of regional development and the protection of natural assets and manage water resources in the best interests of the whole community.
   “We need this plan now due to expansion pressures of agriculture, particularly viticulture; population and tourism; pressure to retain the high biodiversity value of the region; as well as reduced stream flows and predicted further declines in rainfall,” he said.
   “Some of this work has already begun and will help answer many more questions for surface water users on issues such as resource sharing, rules-based allocation, water trading, climate change, surface water-groundwater interaction and impacts and regulation of plantations.”
   Dr Jacobs said the plan focused on managing self-supply water use rather than larger public water supplies (which were mostly from groundwater). The Department recognised existing water use; and would license all plan pre-proclamation water use before licensing new use.
   “Requests for surface water for new developments and/or expansion of existing developments will not be approved if they are above the allocation limits set in plan,” the Minister said.
   The Department of Water’s Whicher area surface water allocation plan was the last of its three allocation plans for the South-West finalised and released this year. The South West groundwater areas allocation plan was released in June and the Upper Collie water allocation plan in August.
   The draft Warren Donnelly surface water allocation plan was scheduled for later this year.

6 October, 2009

EPA study for
greener marina

The Environmental Protection Authority is to conduct a formal environmental assessment of Rockingham’s Cape Peron marina project as the next stage of its development.
   Premier, Colin Barnett, said it would be an independent and thorough process and would provide the community with several opportunities to have their say.
   The project would proceed only if environmental approval was granted.
   The project proposal, developed to this point by the Rockingham Kwinana Development Office (RKDO) and the City of Rockingham, calls for a new marina precinct that provides much-needed and long-awaited boating pens and services as well as a range of recreational, tourism and business opportunities for both visitors and locals.
   “Rockingham residents have been talking for nearly 40 years about the need for boating facilities and a secure marina and I know the RKDO’s Chairman Phil Edman MLC for the South Metropolitan area and his team are working hard to finally deliver it,” Mr Barnett said.
   The marina precinct would include: clubhouse sites and pens for local boating clubs; cafes and restaurants; tourism, new business and education opportunities; facilities to support the local marine eco-tourism industry; affordable family holiday accommodation at a beachfront chalet park and short-term serviced accommodation; and a site for a marine science centre of excellence.
   Planning Minister John Day said Directions 2031, the new draft planning framework which would shape the future of the Perth and Peel regions for the next 20 years, has Rockingham identified as a new Primary Centre.
   “The addition of the excellent recreational boating and tourist facilities at Cape Peron would enhance the city’s Primary Centre role,” Mr Day said.
   Degraded areas of Cape Peron would also be rehabilitated and improved visitor facilities provided.
   LandCorp would manage the development and seek a private sector partner to ensure the full scope of benefits from the marina were optimised.
   More information is available at http://www.rkdo.wa.gov.au

6 October, 2009

Indigenous Board
Is trail blazer

The new Indigenous Implementation Board has proposed a Seven Point Strategy to improve social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people.
   In its first six monthly report, IIB Chair Lieutenant-General John Sanderson said implicit in this strategy were the acknowledgement of the fundamental importance of Indigenous culture to the future of Western Australia, and the empowerment of Indigenous people in the process of change.
   “Point one of our strategy is that Aboriginal people have to be partners in the process,” General Sanderson said.
   “The fact that the entire structure of Government is locked into crisis management on these issues tells us that the current system is failing Aboriginal people. Too many people live in a state of fear, misery and despair.”
   He said the IIB had already engaged with key Indigenous people from across the region in the Kimberley Conversation and were now undertaking similar initiatives in other regions, starting in the Pilbara.
   “These conversations are critical if Western Australia is to engage Aboriginal people in a strategic shift in the ownership of Indigenous policy.”
   The nine-member IIB was formed by the Government to improve social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, enhance indigenous involvement in local decision-making and strengthen corporate and non-Government contribution to Indigenous affairs.
   The four areas of fundamental change identified by the Board in its first report were:

enable the Aboriginal design and delivery services;
ensure the continuation of a vibrant living culture;
refocus regional governance to build sustainable communities, economies and environments; and
engage all sectors.

   General Sanderson expressed his appreciation to Indigenous Affairs Minister Dr Kim Hames for tabling the Report in Parliament which he said enhanced open and accountable Government and stimulated discussion on this vital strategic issue.
   “The Seven Point Strategy and the Report Recommendations are all about providing Government with a strategic context in which to change the paradigm from one of systemic failure to an inclusive partnership,” General Sanderson said.
   In the next six months the Board would be considering and developing hard options to build the new relationships in the regions.
   “Essentially, we need to build from the local level up and work with all people in the regions on hard, practical proposals to offer Government ways to successfully implement the new strategy.”
   Copies of the Board Report were available on www.dia.gov.au

6 October, 2009

Biodiversity
comes to town

The Department of Planning and the Western Australian Local Government Association’s Perth Biodiversity Project are working together to see Perth’s metropolitan Local Governments prepare local biodiversity strategies and bushland protection plans.
   The Minister for Planning, John Day, said $400,000 would be provided for natural resource management.
   “This project tackles one of the five key priority areas the State Government has outlined for managing our natural resources - biodiversity, biosecurity, water quality, climate change adaptation and NRM interaction with planning,” Mr Day said.
   “The ensuing strategies will assist with the protection and management of bushland that exists outside of conservation reserves and is subject to development pressure.”
   He said the local biodiversity strategies would identify areas of high priority bushland and establish actions to support their conservation through integration into local planning strategies and schemes.
   “Considering biodiversity conservation early in the land use planning process will minimise the impact of development on biodiversity; reduce the amount of uncertainty for land owners and planners; and make decision-making more efficient,” he said.
   The Minister also announced $190,000 funding for the Department of Planning to continue efforts to minimise the impact of development on the habitat of the Carnaby’s black cockatoo.
   “This funding forms part of a bigger project being delivered in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation, which is mapping and assisting the restoration of the Carnaby’s cockatoo habitat,” he said.
   Both projects are part of an initial $5.4 million package of natural resource management projects recently announced by the Government as part of its $30million 2009-10 Budget allocation to natural resource management.

6 October, 2009

Kimberly shire lashes
out at crocodiles

A shire in the Kimberly has called on the State Government to declare the 500 square kilometres around its wharf a crocodile-free zone.
   The Shire of Derby West Kimberley has made the call which seems to have won favour with the Department of Environment and Conservation.
   DEC’s Kingsley Miller said implementing a control zone would create a safer environment for the public.
   “Quite a number of crocodiles have been removed from that area in the 10 years since I’ve been in Broome, it is a very good crocodile habitat,” Mr Miller said.
   “They’re just making people aware that crocodiles are there.”
   The shire asked the Government to declare the zone around the wharf after receiving an increased number of complaints about saltwater crocodiles swimming in the popular recreation area.
   Crocodile control zones are already in place at Port Hedland, Broome and Kununurra.

6 October, 2009

Mum’s the word on
new family centres

Five new children and family centres are to be established across Western Australia by 2014 in a move to improve education and health outcomes for Aboriginal children in the next decade.
   Education Minister Liz Constable said the first centre would be established in Halls Creek, with the building scheduled for completion by the end of 2010. Facilities in Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra, Roebourne and the Swan region would follow.
   Dr Constable said the centres would be established in areas of disadvantaged population, in particular Aboriginal families, and included early childhood learning and care; pre-pregnancy; antenatal; teenage health services; and maternal and child health services. These would effectively give families a one-stop shop for their early education and health needs.
   “The State Government, as part of the Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership, is aiming to improve health outcomes and halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children within the next 10 years,” Dr Constable said.
   “If we want to change behaviours and outcomes, we need to change delivery of services. We need to ensure the services delivered are high quality and culturally sensitive, by engaging in extensive community consultation to ensure community ownership of the centres.”
   Specific locations of the centres were being determined but many may be built on school sites.
   The Minister said the Department of Education and Training’s Office of Early Childhood Development and Learning would administer $42.35million provided by the Federal Government in the next six financial years for infrastructure, staff and resources.
   Tenders for the construction of the Children and Family Centre at Halls Creek would be advertised in the coming months.

6 October, 2009

Wheatbelt plan is
stalk of the town

A discussion paper on planning and development of the Wheatbelt region has been issued for public comment by the Minister for Planning, John Day.
   The Towards a Wheatbelt Regional Strategy directions paper is endorsed by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and is to form the basis for consultation into future development of the region.
   Mr Day said community input into this directions paper would assist with the preparation of the draft Wheatbelt Regional Strategy, due to be released for wider public comment early next year.
   “The rich heritage and history of the Wheatbelt is a vital part of WA’s social and environmental fabric and we need to do our utmost to protect this important region,” he said.
   “Climate change, water availability, population trends and diversifying employment options are just some of the challenges facing this region over the next two decades.”
   He said developing a regional strategy would enable the region to meet these challenges by planning for population trends, protecting the natural and cultural environment of the region and facilitating economic development.
   “By gathering feedback and comment on the directions paper, the WAPC, in consultation with the community, will be able to move forward with developing the Wheatbelt Regional Strategy, which will guide development of the region until 2031.”
   The Minister said he encouraged business groups, community organisations and individuals to comment on the directions paper.
   The Towards a Wheatbelt Regional Strategy directions paper would be available for public comment until 21 December and could be downloaded from www.planning.wa.gov.au

6 October, 2009

Transport plan
still on track

The Metropolitan Region Scheme is to be amended to allow for the creation of a public transport oriented urban renewal development in the Claremont North East Precinct.
   Minister for Planning, John Day said the amendment was part of an initiative to enable development that would facilitate the public transport and pedestrian capability of the area by allowing people to live closer to where they access public transport, work and spend their leisure time.
   “An important element of this initiative is to develop a diverse range of well-designed housing options that will cater for a greater diversity of socio-economic groups,” he said.
   “This will improve liveability by creating a safe and attractive public environment and will also promote a greener lifestyle as it provides the opportunity for people to live closer to public transport.
   “It also retains the Claremont Oval which will provide the precinct with a village green style area of public open space and will contribute to the healthy and attractive nature of the area.”
   The Minister said the amendment would remove the regional road designations from Shenton Road and Claremont Crescent in order to ensure these roads were developed to a standard that was complementary to development of the North East Precinct.
   This would also ensure there was convenient pedestrian access to Claremont Railway Station to help the precinct function as a transit oriented development.
   “The focus is on providing people the opportunity to use public transport quickly and easily,” he said.
   “The project will also formalise car parking arrangements at Claremont Station including providing dedicated car parking areas for commuters, visitors and residents.”
   The amendment was advertised for public comment and subject to extensive consultation with the local community.

6 October, 2009
Flu tests faster
PathWest is to receive Federal Government funds to buy automated influenza testing equipment.
   Federal Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon said the equipment would help the lab deal with the increased demand for tests resulting from the swine flu (H1N1) pandemic.
   The Commonwealth is providing $1.4 million for laboratories in every State and Territory to get extra high-throughput testing equipment to cope with possible future pandemic threats or heightened seasonal influenza activity.

Prison art on show
Prisoners from Bandyup Women’s Prison, Karnet and Wooroloo prison farms and Casuarina and Hakea prisons have produced 50 artworks for the “From the Inside” exhibition, showing at the Fremantle Prison Gallery until 22 November.
   Arts Coordinator with the Department of Corrective Services, Frank Italiano said art was a really important part of life for many prisoners and the Department ran extensive art programs and encouraged prisoners to take part in exhibitions.

Drug use down
Fewer Western Australian high school students were trying alcohol or using illegal drugs, according to a recent national survey of 12 to 17-year-olds.
   The 2008 Australian School Students Alcohol and Drug survey, which is conducted every three years, revealed 80.5 per cent of WA high school students had never tried illegal drugs, up from 75.3 per cent in 2005.
   Minister for Mental Health, Graham Jacobs said it was good to see positive trends among the survey’s findings including a reduction in the use of cannabis and amphetamines, the two most commonly used illegal drugs by students.

Workplace inspectors swoop
Fair Work inspectors were auditing up to 40 businesses in Bunbury, Australind and Eaton to ensure they were paying staff correctly and keeping proper records.
   The Fair Work Ombudsman had written to the businesses asking them to supply time-and-wages sheets, payslips and other employment records. Employers had been chosen at random across a variety of industries.
   Inspectors would provide businesses with assistance and information to help them voluntarily rectify any issues identified.

Students off to Gallipoli
A group of 25 school students are in the running to travel to Gallipoli as part of the 2010 Premier’s ANZAC Student Tour next April.
   The secondary students were selected from hundreds of applicants based on their essay on the topic War has had a significant impact on the Western Australian community.   The finalists will present speeches on the same topic and undertake a panel interview on 9 October. A selection panel will then choose 12 tour participants. The winners will be announced on Remembrance Day.

Uni signs with miner
Upholding its reputation as a leader in creating industry linkages, Curtin University of Technology’s Western Australian School of Mines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the operators of Australia’s largest open pit gold mine, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mine.
   The agreement establishes cooperation in education, professional development, and research and development. It also provides three new $6000 scholarships for WASM students completing a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

New zoo attraction
Perth Zoo’s male estuarine crocodile, Simmo, now has an outdoor heated billabong and extra land area for basking, which he used to do in a previously out-of-sight area.
   The new are, funded by the State Government and Perth Zoo’s corporate sponsorship program, more than trebles the size of the exhibit and gives visitors further insight into the reptile’s natural behaviours.
   Simmo, who weighs about 550kg and is 4.8m long, is very popular with zoo visitors.

Toy guns warning
Police have issued a warning about going in public with toy firearms after a number of recent incidents.
   Most recently, police were called to Lathlain to investigate a report that a person was holding a firearm but it was found to be a toy purchased at the Perth Royal Show.
   Prior to that, two similar incidents were reported involving younger teenagers and police are concerned that some children may not realise the dangers of going in public with toy firearms.
   When responding to incidents police were required to consider all firearms to be real until proven otherwise, and charges can be laid against people who go out in public with toy firearms.

Audit evaluates that PS evaluations ad hoc

PS attendance audit finds management AWOL

Safe Work Week is safe option

Schools pay respect to respect program

Identity crime facing crisis

Boost for bird plan gets starling results

Auditor takes aim at firearms management

Education Awards are lesson in achievement

Police data device is new hand-held weapon

DEC plants seed for seed collection

New members welcomed onto visitors council

Flood plan is wash-up from collaboration

Planning framework off the drawing board

Regions’ land grants for plans on the land

Mining industry extracts good deal

Students plug in to ICT teaching

Faster approvals get seal of approval

Environment Authority shown new green light

Group sinks teeth into watchdog study

Women’s report card doesn’t skirt issues

Land sales website breaks new ground

Mental health audit has balanced report

Quokka hops ship to the mainland

Fraud warning is real thing

Queensland warms to poaching plan

Police get power to defuse offenders

Plain sailing for new training vessels

Heat turned up on arson penalties

Homeless projects being addressed

Youths given a sporting chance

Changes marshalled in for combat sports

Australia Post staff get stamp of approval

Planning change draws line around parks

Mobile directory is the way to go

Transport cashes in on payment scheme

Super advice just a phone call away

National parks land tourism program

Housing strategy for affordable options

Cane toad strategy is warts and all

Humpback protection is whale of an idea

Cycle plan wheeled in to Geraldton

Income scheme creates interest

Heritage funding makes history

Wheatbelt publication brings flora to book

UN chalks up message for Teachers’ Day

WA earliest in early learning program

Prisoners over top about new facility

Rural mentors head for the bush

Standards report sets the standard

Coroner’s findings find funding

Sea information texts are swell idea

Public tenants get rental health check

Ex-Scots cop tops poll

Communities pick up litter grants

Local Government delivers submissions

River managers to lap up culture

Climate winners come in out of cold

Ideas pooled for water strategy

EPA study for greener marina

Indigenous Board Is trail blazer

Biodiversity comes to town

Kimberly shire lashes out at crocodiles

Mum’s the word on new family centres

Wheatbelt plan is stalk of the town

Transport plan still on track