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SearchArchives for August 2010
31 August, 2010
PSC issues guide
for older workers
The Public Sector Commission has published a Guide for Departments and Agencies to assist them in managing their ageing workforces.
The 48-page Guide to Managing an Ageing Workforce: Maximising the Experience of Mature-Age Workers Through Modern Employment Practices is aimed at senior managers and human resource practitioners.
According to the PSC, the average age of the current WA public sector worker is 45 years, with more than 19 per cent of employees aged 55 years or older. It says these employees hold a wealth of skill and experience.
Public Service Commissioner, Mal Wauchope said that if the majority of these older staff were to leave the sector in the next five years, the knowledge and labour loss would be substantial.
“An age-diverse workforce has real benefits for any organisation,” Mr Wauchope said.
“The ability to harness the skills, experience and enthusiasm of people of any age creates a cooperative work environment where the individuals, regardless of their age, can contribute.”
He said the current age profile of the public sector highlighted the need to develop effective strategies to retain mature-aged employees in the labour market while a more diverse profile was constructed.
“The knowledge and experience of mature workers should be captured to develop newer employees to ensure service excellence continues in the Western Australian community,” he said.
“This guide is designed to assist senior managers and human resource practitioners to achieve these goals.”
The new Guide can be accessed at www.publicsector.wa.gov.au
31 August, 2010
City concerned at
PS relocation
The City of Perth has raised concerns at proposals to house State Government staff out of the city area.
The Council has lodged a formal submission to the Government’s Office Accommodation Master Plan saying it raises “alarm bells”.
The city’s submission says that having significantly fewer Public Servants in its borders could adversely affect its economy and threaten the viability of small businesses.
Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi said the Government’s plans could also detract from city vitality as critical mass was important in attracting activities and new businesses.
The Council agreed that a detailed submission be sent to the Department of Treasury and Finance outlining its concerns.
Cr Scaffidi said a better approach would be for Government staff to relocate from the Central Business District to relatively lower-rent areas such as East Perth or West Perth.
“The Government should also defer any decentralisation plans until office space in the Perth City Link and Waterfront developments – in which the Government is to invest many millions of dollars – is committed to,” Cr Scaffidi said.
“The Government’s plan would see a likely loss of between 4,000 and 5,000 Government employees from the city as a whole.
“As well as the direct economic loss that would generate, there would also be knock-on effects of vacant office space, loss of business to cafes and shops and terminated contracts for service businesses, such as cleaning contractors.”
The Mayor said an assured presence of Government employees in the city also helped to provide economic stability in any boom or bust economic cycles.
The Council submission recommended that the Government give greater consideration to a strategy for ‘backfilling’ any Government-owned office accommodation that it does vacate.
“Consideration should be given to accommodating uses which are deemed in need in the city, such as lower-cost residential, hotels, or social and community facilities,” the Council submission said.
31 August, 2010
School experience
program for PS
Departments and Agencies are being encouraged to take part in the next intake of the School-Based Traineeship Program (SBTP) to attract the next generation of WA Public Sector employees to their ranks.
Coordinated by the Public Sector Commission in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Swan Education Industry Training Association, the program aims to provide students with a transition from school to work, at the same time providing Departments and Agencies with access to young talent with fresh and innovative ideas.
The Public Sector Commission has taken on the responsibility of recruiting, screening and referring interested students to Departments or Agencies for their consideration.
Under the program, school-based trainees attend work two days a week with the rest of the week at school.
Students begin in Year 11 and complete the traineeship at the end of Year 12 after learning a range of business, administrative and office skills through supervised on-the-job training.
Students can also gain qualifications, including Certificate II in Business; Certificate II in Business (with an Information Technology focus); and Certificate II in Information Technology.
Departments and Agencies wishing to take part can submit a request after which they will receive résumés from suitable students for their consideration.
They will then conduct interviews with selected students completing an unpaid Workplace Learning placement, two days per week for eight weeks, to assess suitability to undertake the traineeship.
Following a successful eight-week trial period, it is then up to the Agency or Department to offer the student a School-Based Traineeship.
At this point students are paid $96.75 per week in Year 11 and $112.50 per week in Year 12.
Applications for the 2011 School-Based Traineeship Program are now open and more information can be obtained from youth@psc.wa.gov.au
31 August, 2010
Deputy DG has
plans for DMP
The newly appointed Deputy Director General of Approvals at the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), Tim Griffin, has foreshadowed major changes to the Department’s approvals process.
Dr Griffin said he had already prioritised reforms for the approvals processes which included continuing the introduction of electronic internal processes; contributing to the development of whole-of-Government tracking of approvals; promoting closer working relationships with external Agencies and the introduction of legislative reform, if required.
“The Department will therefore need to take more responsibility for ensuring the progress of applications through the entire process, rather than simply focusing on approvals within DMP,” Dr Griffin said.
“This will mean that industry will know exactly where in the process their proposals are being assessed, and in most cases the date for a decision will be given.”
He said as a lead Agency, greater focus would be placed on cooperation with Agencies outside the Department that played a critical role in approvals processes.
There was a significant amount of continuing administrative and technical work to be carried out by the Directors of the Department’s key approvals areas, he said.
“I will be monitoring the effectiveness of this work and will continue the push to implement strategic improvements.”
Dr Griffin said he would focus on continuing the reforms within the Department that had already led to improvements to the timeliness and greater clarity of approval processes.
“Besides the implementation of the lead Agency role, I will also be working to develop the new uranium sector in Western Australia,” he said.
31 August, 2010
Safety recruitment
to play it safe
The Department of Mines and Petroleum is in the market for safety inspectors.
The Department’s Resources Safety Division plans to recruit up to 14 new staff members to improve the delivery of safety regulatory services across the fast-growing resources sector.
Positions will be available for safety professionals in the safety regulatory areas, particularly in mines safety in Kalgoorlie, Collie and Perth.
According to DMP, phases two and three will see an additional 49 positions advertised.
It said if positions couldn’t be filled locally and nationally, an overseas campaign would be conducted.
Advertising for phase one began on 28 August, with phase two in late September and the final phase at the end of October.
The Department said new salary packages comparable to those being paid by the resources industry had been developed to attract and retain employees with the necessary skills and experience.
Its approach to safety management will be an evidence and risk-based ‘best practice’ standard, focusing on reducing the likelihood of a serious incident in all aspects of resource industry activities.
The Department said the expanded Safety Division would require a significant increase in technical staff over the next two to three years and it will be seeking to recruit people with expertise in mining engineering and mining operations; petroleum engineering and petroleum operations; Occupational Health and Safety and chemical and process engineering.
31 August, 2010
Showbag scans to
show and tell
Product Safety Officers with Consumer Protection are to use the latest technology to screen toys being included in showbags for this year’s Perth Royal Show.
Every year The Royal Agricultural Society of WA invites Consumer Protection to inspect the showbags which will be on sale at the Show.
This time about 1,000 toys will be screened by special scanning equipment designed to detect high levels of lead and other dangerous metals.
Using the XRF scanning system operated by analysis experts, each toy will be screened and then sent for further analysis if the preliminary scan returns a positive result.
XRF scanners are used in a vast range of activities around the world, from analysing core samples taken from ocean beds to checking on environmental changes in trees caused by factors such as pollution.
The scanning will be additional to visual inspections by product safety officers to ensure the toys don’t have sharp edges or pose a choking, strangulation or any other hazard to small children.
In the lead-up to the Show, Consumer Protection has been conducting training workshops for stallholders in association with the Royal Agricultural Society, to educate them on complying with product safety regulations.
Results of the inspections will be announced before the start of the Show which will run from 25 September to 2 October.
31 August, 2010
Local prison training
scheme breaks out
The number of Prison Officers at Greenough Regional Prison is to increase following the reintroduction of prison officer training at the facility.
A 12-week foundation program which began last week is the first regional training course to be conducted at Greenough for 14 years and follows the success of prison officer training at Albany Regional Prison earlier this year.
Manager of the Greenough Course, Martin Littlewood said there had been an increase in applicants from the region, making it viable to run a local training school.
“For this course we have 15 participants, 11 men and six women, who will all start working at Greenough once they graduate,” Mr Littlewood said.
“The training will occur inside the prison, at the Apprentice Training Centre, and the local PCYC in Geraldton.”
Mr Littlewood said that since the last training course in 1996, all prison officer trainees had been required to travel to Perth and live at the Corrective Services Academy for the 12-week course.
He said there were many benefits to running the training locally.
“It means the students can go home every night and not be put off by having to spend three months in Perth away from family and friends.
“Additionally, they also get a feel of the prison where they will be working.
“They will meet a lot of the officers they will be working with as we are involving senior Greenough staff in the training to teach the specialised skills specific to the prison.”
Mr Littlewood said the Department of Corrective Services would continue its commitment to attracting staff from regional areas.
31 August, 2010
Uranium advisers
expected to shine
An independent group of experts has been appointed to advise the Government on regulating the State’s uranium sector.
Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Norman Moore said the group of 10 experts would provide advice to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) on its regulatory framework for uranium mining.
“DMP is well placed to regulate radioactive materials after about 40 years of experience regulating mineral sands and tantalum without major incident,” Mr Moore said.
“The Department has already looked at Western Australia’s relevant mining and safety legislation and has found these laws can adequately regulate increased uranium exploration and uranium mining in the State.”
However, he said he realised the public needed to have confidence as well.
“This independent expert advice will help the DMP ensure uranium mining in WA is undertaken in accordance with world’s best practice.
“DMP is setting a very high standard for uranium companies to follow and by inviting independent third-party scrutiny it will help ensure the standards set are best practice.”
Mr Moore said the expert group included Professor Phil Dight, Professor Andy Fourie, Professor Carolyn Oldham and John Chandler from The University of Western Australia; Ian Gipps, Dr Mike Trefry and Anna Littleboy from CSIRO; and Professor Ronald Ripple and Associate Professors Ron Watkins and Bob Loss from Curtin University.
He said the independent experts would also provide the DMP with third-party ‘peer review’ and assessment of uranium mining proposals during the assessment stage of the development.
31 August, 2010
Grain producers win
weighting game
A road transport scheme that allows vehicles to carry 10 per cent more grain than they are rated for is to be extended for the 2010-11 harvest season and beyond.
Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien said following the success of the program during the 2009-10 harvest, the Harvest Mass Management Scheme would stay in place to cater for the variability in loads when transporting grain from farms to receiving bins.
“The scheme is working well,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It has recognised the practical difficulties in loading from farms which do not have weighing facilities.”
He said the Harvest Mass Management Scheme allowed for an extra mass concession of up to 10 per cent for vehicles that were suitably rated to safely carry the additional load.
The Minister said while participation by grain receiving operators was voluntary, non-participatory operations would not benefit from the extra mass allowance granted to transport operators delivering grain to their depots.
“I encourage more grain receivers to join the scheme,” he said.
“A document providing details of the Harvest Mass Management Scheme’s 2010-11 business rules will soon be sent to potential industry participants.”
Mr O’Brien said grain receivers wishing to offer the scheme to transport operators are required to be approved by and registered with Main Roads WA, which would monitor compliance with the requirements of the scheme by continuing an audit and on-road enforcement regime established during 2009-10.
31 August, 2010
Green light for new
environment rules
The Department of Mines and Petroleum has released a new strategy document aimed at improving the effectiveness of transparency in environmental regulations.
The Department is seeking public comment.
Director of the Department’s Environment Division, Phil Gorey said the document was part of DMP’s continuing commitment to reviewing and refining its regulatory practices.
“This strategy has been prepared by the Department to guide its ongoing pursuit of a high standard of environmental regulatory decision-making for the benefit of all Western Australians,” Dr Gorey said.
He said the Department had been introducing a range of new transparency measures over the past few years, and had been successful in introducing measures which were cost-effective and targetted to key areas of community and industry interest.
“However, it will not be cost-effective to expand the level of public reporting to all areas of environmental regulation, and the purpose of the strategy is to set the criteria that the Department will use in prioritising changes to existing transparency arrangements,” he said.
“The strategy is aimed at those regulatory decisions relating to environmental approvals, specifically those relating to exploration and mining proposals, petroleum environmental approvals, and clearing permits.
“This approach reflects the area of increasing inter-Agency cooperation.”
Dr Gorey said he wanted interested people to provide comment on the general principles, options and broad approach proposed for environmental regulatory decisions.
“We are seeking any comments, feedback or suggestions to be provided to us by 15 November,” he said.
31 August, 2010
Bird seizures fear
two in the bush
The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) has warned the State’s pet lovers to check the legal status of animals they plan to import into WA.
The warning follows the seizure of seven prohibited quail by Quarantine WA.
Officers discovered the consignment of birds during routine inspections in the air cargo area at Perth Domestic Airport.
The find was reported to the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and wildlife officers seized seven bobwhite quail.
According to the inspectors, the quail had been ordered over the internet by a WA poultry keeper who had not checked to see if the birds could be legally held in the State.
They said the bobwhite’s natural distribution included North and Central America, and it had been successfully introduced to several Caribbean islands, Greece, England and New Zealand.
The bird poses an environmental and agricultural risk to WA and it is a prohibited declared pest for the State.
Invasive Species Project Manager at DAFWA, Marion Massam urged people to check the status of animals before bringing them into WA.
“The internet is becoming the town square of tomorrow, with plants and seeds also frequently intercepted after being ordered on-line,” Ms Massam said.
She said stopping the species before they entered WA was far more cost-effective than trying to eradicate them once they had established in the wild.
According to DAFWA, the seizure demonstrated the continuing joint operations carried out by the Department, which includes Quarantine WA, and DEC in protecting the State from animals of biosecurity concern.
31 August, 2010
Water Department
has salinity licked
An independent review of a plan by the Department of Water to reduce salinity levels in Wellington Reservoir has found its preferred proposal to be the most “prospective option”.
However, the report also highlighted the need for a full feasibility study to assess the costs and benefits of the Department’s option.
Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs said the Government had commissioned an independent assessment of different plans for improving the quality of the reservoir’s water so it could be better used by the region’s industry and agriculture.
“Industry and agriculture require big volumes of fit-for-purpose water and to continue to support these sectors and the regional economies relying on them, we need to be able to optimise existing but unusable water,” Dr Jacobs said.
He said there had been a lot of input from different groups with plans to achieve this.
“To weed out the fantasy options and focus on the practical, the Government commissioned an independent review which looked at 18 different proposals before narrowing them down to a short list of four and a final conclusion as to the most effective option.”
He said previous Department of Water programs implemented in cooperation with other Agencies and landholders, including tree planting in catchments, helped reduce salinity levels of Wellington Reservoir from a high of 1300mg/l to the current average of 900 mg/l.
“This is still too high to be useful for the growth and diversification of this rich agricultural area,” Dr Jacobs said, “where industry needs high-quality fresh water and agriculture requires lower salt levels to make the land more productive, allowing more types of crops and pasture.
“Funds for the initial project to reduce salinity to about 650mg/l in the reservoir are in place thanks to the State and Federal Governments.
“Planning and approvals for the project are continuing and a tender has been advertised,” the Minister said.
31 August, 2010
Wheatbelt stalks
aviation industry
A Ministerial taskforce that examined the suitability of the Wheatbelt to be used as an aviation centre has found it would be ideal, according to the Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls.
The Minister appointed the Wheatbelt Aviation Strategy Ministerial Taskforce to investigate the current level of aviation activity in the Wheatbelt and the future development of the industry.
He said community leaders and the Wheatbelt Development Commission had long recognised the potential for growth in aviation in the Wheatbelt.
“The taskforce has found there is a sound infrastructure base for the future development of general aviation and pilot training capabilities in WA, however, there appears to be a lack of forward planning and disjointed policy development that is hindering further growth in the industry,” Mr Grylls said.
“While the State Government can provide clarity in terms of policy frameworks and possible incentives for development, it will require industry expertise to develop frameworks to deliver quality pilot training to a world standard.”
The taskforce found that the Wheatbelt training area was not overcrowded and could provide world-class facilities.
“However, students are being turned away due to constraints associated with the current infrastructure and operator capacity.”
The taskforce’s report said Jandakot, WA’s secondary airport, was close to or at its maximum capacity for charter and general aviation. This was expected to force any expansion of facilities, including training, to alternative locations.
“It seems that hundreds of students are being turned away from Western Australia due to insufficient facilities to accommodate their training requests,” the Minister said.
“The report shows that a collaborative effort involving the aviation industry, community and Government could utilise the infrastructure base in the Wheatbelt to develop a quality network of airstrips and training centres.”
31 August, 2010
Council chambers
voted onto list
The 113-year-old Council Chambers at Bunbury have been included on the State Register of Heritage Places.
Minister for Heritage, John Castrilli said the historic Bunbury Council Chambers illustrated the evolution of a civic building as Bunbury grew from a small town to a major regional centre and city.
“Built in 1897, the chambers and offices have housed municipal offices and chambers; Council and offices; and even the Governor and Parliamentary party,” Mr Castrilli said.
“The Bunbury Council Chambers were essential to the day-to-day business of the Local Government Authority and also became a central landmark in the community.”
The Minister said the chambers had been remodelled and extended a number of times to meet the changing needs of the community.
He said renovations and refurbishments were carried out in 1991 and the Bunbury Council Chambers became a modern space for Council meetings, returning to its origins.
“To this day, Bunbury Council Chambers continues its use as Council chambers, function room and committee room, still contributing to the community’s sense of place as the centre of Local Government in Bunbury,” Mr Castrilli said.
“The Centenary Gardens, which commemorated Bunbury’s 100 years, are still a popular place for weddings and other community events.”
Mr Castrilli said the State Register of Heritage Places was managed by the Heritage Council of WA.
31 August, 2010
Illegal honey sticks
to checkpoints
Quarantine WA seized more than 4,300 kilograms of honey at State border checkpoints in the 12 months to June, prompting a warning from the Agency’s Checkpoints and Surveillance Manager, Bruce Hastings.
Mr Hastings urged visitors to the State not to bring in any honey or honey products, or to declare them at checkpoints.
“There has been a steady increase in interceptions in recent years, reflecting increasing travel and the growing economy,” Mr Hastings said.
“The biggest increase this financial year was at the Eucla checkpoint where 2,561kg of honey was intercepted, while 1,640kg was seized at Kununurra and 126kg at the domestic airport.”
Mr Hastings said untreated honey, honey products like royal jelly, and second hand bee keeping equipment were banned from entering the State, as they could harbour serious pests and diseases.
“There is a very real threat that diseases like European foulbrood could be introduced into WA from the Eastern States where it is endemic, honey production has been reduced by up to 30 per cent and beekeepers have to treat bees with antibiotics,” he said.
“Pests like Varroa mite and Small Hive Beetle and unknown syndromes like Colony Collapse Disorder have also decimated bee populations in the United States and Europe, impacting not just on honey production but also demand for pollination of orchards and horticulture and grain crops.”
Mr Hastings said visitors to WA needed to be aware of the potential impacts of breaching quarantine requirements.
31 August, 2010
Career seeds planted
for agriculture
A new information leaflet encouraging school leavers to consider a career in agriculture has been produced by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman said the Open Your Mind: Careers in Agriculture brochure sought to inspire upper school students to consider the vast range of career opportunities in agriculture.
“There are so many different, dynamic careers young people can pursue in agriculture,” Mr Redman said.
“This brochure highlights the many sectors of the industry that have something to offer everyone - whether it’s outside in the field, inside in the lab, in marketing, economics or the media.”
He said the brochure featured several case studies providing an insight into different jobs in agriculture.
“The young people in the case studies are all passionate about their jobs and the future of the agriculture sector,” the Minister said.
“I encourage all young people, whether they are in the city or the country, to have a look at the brochure and think about a career in agriculture.”
Details of where to go for more information about careers in agriculture are also included in the publication.
The Department also hosted a Careers Trail competition for high school students at the Dowerin Field Days.
Participants in the competition completed a questionnaire that required them to go to different displays to find out about various careers.
31 August, 2010
New harbour lights
mean plain sailing
New navigation markers near boat launching areas at Peaceful Bay and Leeman have improved safety for vessels approaching or leaving – especially at night.
Manager of Navigational Safety and Compliance for the Department of Transport (DoT), Ray Buchholz said the installation of three new markers at each site with synchronised lighting had significantly improved navigation in the areas.
“Skippers are able to use the new markers in conjunction with existing land-based leads to make a safe approach to the Bay - day or night,” Mr Buchholz said.
He said submerged reefs on either side of the channels make navigation particularly hazardous in the areas and the new markers would benefit new skippers and those visiting the region.
Mr Buchholz said the markers at Peaceful Bay had been installed following a request from the Peaceful Bay Sea Rescue Group.
He said the LED synchronised rhythmic lighting that had been installed was solar powered and enhanced visibility even in areas where there was background lighting.
The two projects were implemented as part of the DoT’s 2009-10 Navigation Aid Capital Works Plan.
Mr Buchholz said the Department was responsible for developing and maintaining an extensive network of navigation aids within WA waters to provide safe passage for recreational and commercial vessels.
“The Department currently manages more than 1,200 navigation aids in WA and works closely with stakeholders to identify projects and works to improve navigation and keep boat owners and their passengers safe,” Mr Buchholz said.
31 August, 2010
Minister backs Department
The Minister for Local Government has defended the actions of his Department by calling on Councillors seeking to pursue defamation action against the City of Albany to resign
The defamation action was described as unhelpful and incompatible with the effort and resources that had gone into helping to stabilise the Council.
The Minister said the Department of Local Government had been working with the City on a number of programs to resolve issues such as specialist expertise, clear information and support in order to provide good governance to the Albany community.
Shellfish warning
The Department of Health has warned people not to eat shellfish collected from the wild after tests confirmed potentially toxic algae at high levels in the Peel Harvey Estuary (South of Mandurah), Murray River (near Ravenswood) and in the Leschenault Estuary near Australind.
The Department said anyone who had eaten shellfish collected from these waters and experienced symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, should seek medical attention.
In addition, any suspected algal blooms in regional recreational waterways should be reported to the nearest Department of Water office or the Local Council.
Test site for gravity
Geosciences Australia has established the Kauring Airborne Gravity Test Site east of Perth which allows operators to test the capabilities of airborne sensing systems against gravity and magnetic anomalies.
Any data acquired or products derived as a result of flying over the test site will be made available to researchers and other interested individuals or organisations for independent analysis.
Geoscience Australia has worked in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Western Australia, mining and resource company, Rio Tinto and aerial survey company, Fugro Airborne Surveys to set up the site.
Staff member jailed
A former employee of the University of Western Australia who pleaded guilty to stealing $53,500 from the University has been jailed for 16 months.
The ex-staff member admitted six charges of stealing as a servant, the offences occurring over an 11-day period in 2004 when he was employed in the Financial Services Section of the University.
He raised false purchase orders and had cheques sent to his personal Post Office Box.
Auxiliary police graduate
Graduating Police Auxiliary Officers will begin working alongside WA police officers over the next four years as part of a new Auxiliary Policing Program.
The 18 new officers will take up duties formerly carried out by sworn police in custodial, property and administrative areas and have been granted special police powers.
Within the graduating group of 10 women and eight men are speakers of three languages other than English. The group has an average age of 26 years.
ICU opens
A new Intensive Care Unit has been officially opened at Armadale Kelmscott Memorial Hospital.
The facility will increase the hospital’s capability to treat patients with potentially life-threatening conditions. It will also relieve pressure on the State’s tertiary hospitals.
It is equipped with the latest healthcare technology and specialised medical and nursing staff aimed at giving patients the highest level of care.
It will be known as Walbraaninj Ward, which means ‘healing place’ in the language of the local Aboriginal Nyoongah people.
Police contract let
The main construction contract for the new Perth Police Complex has been awarded to BGC Construction Pty Ltd.
The contract for the facility, at the corner of Roe, Fitzgerald and James streets in Northbridge, is worth $57.8 million.
Building is set to start next month and the complex, which will eventually house about 500 officers and staff, is expected to be ready for use by late 2012.
Underground power extended
The latest project in the State Underground Power Program has been launched with a signing ceremony involving the City of Melville and Western Power.
Under the Program, each underground power project is a partnership between the State Government, Western Power and the participating Local Government, and almost 51 per cent of homes in the Perth metropolitan area are serviced in this way.
A total of 70,000 properties have so far been converted.
Pilbara animal study
A Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) project aims to increase understanding about the habitat of short range endemic invertebrates - invertebrates found nowhere else that have small, naturally-limited distributions.
The findings will help mining companies determine suitable protocols for targeted fauna surveys, with the research typically including trapdoor spiders, millipedes, land snails and pseudoscorpions.
Field work had been undertaken in April and July-August by teams that included DEC science division staff, volunteers, students on work experience and environmental consultants.
24 August, 2010
PSC guide to keep
online data safe
The Public Sector Commission has published guidelines to assist Departments and Agencies keep online information secure.
The PSC hopes Agencies will use the guidelines as a valuable resource when reviewing their information security practices and for bringing existing information security up to standard.
The Commission said the guidelines related to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computing equipment and information that was processed, stored and communicated by electronic or similar means in the West Australian Public Sector.
It said that without adequate and appropriate measures, Agencies were leaving themselves vulnerable to computer system failures, unauthorised access to information, loss of information, fraudulent activity, reputational damage and loss of public confidence.
The Commission said many Agencies were unaware of, or in some cases ignored, the importance of effectively managing the security of their information systems.
The Auditor General has found that in many cases, Agencies had no way of knowing if data theft or manipulation had occurred.
Weaknesses in information systems controls could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer systems themselves, potentially impacting on delivery of key services to the public and financial loss.
According to the Guidelines Cabinet directed in 2006 that the Director General or Chief Executive of each Government Agency was responsible for ensuring their Agency implemented an appropriate level of information and Internet security.
The Guidelines contain a Good Practice Checklist that requires Agencies to:
- Allocate management of information security to a senior executive.
- Ensure information security was integrated into corporate strategies.
- Ensure an information security risk management plan was in place and updated.
- Ensure a risk management approach guided information security policies.
- Provide regular reports on information security.
The Guidelines can be accessed at www.publicsector.wa.gov.au
24 August, 2010
Fast tracked trainees
to aid opportunity
A reduction in the minimum part-time hours for a traineeship is expected to create opportunities for more trainees.
According to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Peter Collier this is possible following a change to training hours for WA’s commercial cleaners which could be adapted to benefit other service industries nation-wide.
Mr Collier said that traineeship hours would be reduced to 15 hours.
“Reducing the minimum part-time traineeship hours will benefit a host of industries with employers working under part-time arrangements,” Mr Collier said.
“The change could be applied more widely if it was fully supported by the industry,” he said. “The relevant industry training council would submit a proposal to the Department of Training and Workforce Development.”
He said reducing part-time traineeship hours would increase training opportunities across the community, allowing more employees to become eligible to undertake a traineeship and gain a qualification.
The move has been applauded by the Financial Administrative and Professional Services Training Council.
Chief Executive of the Council, Allan Jones, said he was “delighted” with the decision.
“It has taken us over 10 years to bring about this change,” Mr Jones said.
“We have made representations since 2009 to amend legislation and policy from 20 hours to 15 hours.”
He said the change represented a genuine opportunity for workers to be retained in the industry.
“Cleaners are the silent taskforce because they work when everyone else sleeps,” he said.
“The whole idea [for the reduction] was so workers could be considered professional and be retained in the industry.
“Now they can.”
Mr Jones said now that the “ground rules have been broken” he would be happy to assist other service industries make their own applications.
“A similar system could apply to other workers in such areas as aged care, pest controllers and security officers where there is a need to look outside the square, look at ways of how to make their jobs safe,” he said.
24 August, 2010
Public property
sales swell coffers
Income from the sale of high-value State Government homes returned $17.2 million to the Treasury in the 12 months to July.
“These sales realised an average of close to a million dollars per house,” said Housing Minister, Bill Marmion.
“At the end of July 2010, the Government has used the money raised from the high-value property sales to purchase 25 public housing dwellings worth $10.5million.”
The Minister said the remaining funds would be reinvested in public housing, including purchasing or building new properties.
“The last home sold, on Alfred Road, Mount Claremont, had a sale price of $1,025,000,” he said.
“This is the type of property we are targeting under this initiative.
“This is an excellent result and a policy that delivers real outcomes for the community.”
He said the High Value Property Strategy was another initiative to address the problem of a growing public housing waiting list.
“We are working hard on this problem by boosting public housing stock, reviewing eligibility for public housing and cracking down on anti-social behaviour,” Mr Marmion said.
“Our Government wants to encourage eligible tenants to move into the private rental market or, with the help of our shared equity loan schemes, take the step to buy their first home.”
The policy identified State-owned properties of high market value that were well above the median house price.
In the June 2010 quarter, the median house price for the Perth metropolitan area was $490,000.
“The Government’s review of its housing stock will continue,” Mr Marmion said.
“We will identify more high value properties in the future to sell under this program.”
24 August, 2010
New contracts
for vehicle fleet
Government procurement has announced a new contract for managing the State Government’s vehicle fleet.
The new Fleet Services Contract divides the disposal function between two providers.
Existing Government auctioneer ManheimFowles and Pickles Auctions would now share the responsibility for the disposal of vehicles.
Pickles would come online in November when their contract starts.
According to Government procurement, the Fleet Management arrangements would also be provided by two organisations - SG Fleet Australia (an existing provider), and Fleetcare - who have held the contract in the past.
It said all Agencies would have the opportunity to choose a Fleet Management provider, whether or not they were a client of the outgoing provider - Easifleet.
It said the Government would be encouraging existing Easifleet clients to select a new Fleet Management provider as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to create new fuel cards and set up reporting structures before the1 November commencement.
A Client Forum on 20 August outlined changes to the contract and gave the Fleet Management providers an opportunity to outline their services.
24 August, 2010
Input sought into
positioning strategy
Landgate is seeking industry input into a Real Time Positioning Strategy (RTP) for the State’s major challenges and projects.
The organisation has called for Expressions of Interest from Government Agencies and industry representatives wishing to participate in formulating the Strategy.
According to Landgate, precise positioning technology has mainly been used by engineers, topographers and surveyors but in recent years there have been huge advances through the use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including GPS.
It says these advances have enabled improved positional accuracy across a broad range of applications where precision is vital, and as a core for navigation systems and machine guidance.
The technology is now used by key sectors of the Australian economy including mining, agriculture and construction.
Landgate said a coordinated and collaborative approach to the development and operation of RTP services in Western Australia would deliver significantly more economic and social value to the State.
It said a comprehensive Strategy that considered the State’s unique geography and specific user needs would help deliver social and public benefits, as well as commercial opportunities.
It said the Strategy would also facilitate the establishment of a sizable market that attracted competition, stimulated innovation and promoted efficiency and improved availability of RTP services in the areas of need throughout Western Australia to promote regional community development and wellbeing.
Respondents are invited to supply a statement of how they could contribute to the development of the Strategy, including any opportunities, concerns, issues or risks.
Respondents are also being asked to consider their potential role/s in the lifecycle areas of building the network, operating the network, and/or delivering services.
Expressions of Interest close 31 August and more information is available at www.landgate.wa.gov.au
24 August, 2010
Tourism deal takes
off with Jetstar
Tourism WA has signed an agreement with Budget airline Jetstar expected to increase visitor numbers from the east coast.
Under the new agreement, the Government will match the airline’s expenditure on advertising and promotion of new flight schedules over the next three years.
Minister for Tourism, Liz Constable welcomed Jetstar’s decision to expand existing key services to Perth from Sydney and Melbourne and add two new direct routes from the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
“This new agreement between Tourism WA and Jetstar will increase the number of places from which people can travel,” Dr Constable said.
“This Memorandum of Understanding will deliver an additional 40,000 new visitors to the State per year, spending an estimated $39 million a year over the next three years.”
She said it would also help address two of the main barriers to visitation from the eastern seaboard - time and cost.
She said from 31 October the airline would introduce another four weekly flights on each of the Melbourne-Perth and Sydney-Perth routes, up from 14 per week and seven per week respectively.
This would increase the number of direct Jetstar services to Perth from six Australian cities from 32 to 54 per week.
Dr Constable said from 10 December, Jetstar would also introduce a first-time daily flight from Brisbane to Perth, in addition to the launch of a daily service from the Gold Coast commencing in April 2011.
Chief executive of Jetstar, Bruce Buchanan, said the agreement would boost the airline’s efforts to promote Perth as an attractive destination and provide a platform for future growth.
The Minister said the agreement was an important and timely opportunity for Tourism WA to increase the State’s market share of interstate tourism.
“The demand for travel to Perth from the eastern seaboard is there but many see it as too costly,” she said.
“These additional services will make WA accessible to a new group of consumers who have not holidayed in WA before.”
24 August, 2010
PS fraudster doing
new kind of service
A former senior Public Servant with the Pilbara Development Commission has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ jail for fraud.
District Court judge, Simon Stone, said the 42 year-old woman, who pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges but was found guilty by a jury, was motivated by greed when she falsely claimed a Government subsidy designed to encourage employees to work in remote and regional areas.
He said the woman was the Chief Finance Officer at the PDC and signed a false statutory declaration in 2003 to receive a $175/week subsidy for which she was not entitled as she already part-owned a house in Port Hedland.
She submitted another application for the subsidy when it was increased to $500 a week in 2007.
Judge Stone said the woman received regular payments over the period and described her criminal conduct as sustained and continual at a time when she was in a position of trust at the Pilbara Development Commission.
He said a victim impact statement from the PDC stated her actions had harmed staff morale and damaged its reputation.
24 August, 2010
Cycle challenge gets
a push along
The Department of Transport has launched its Cycle Instead Bike to Work Challenge.
The Challenge is a free event open to workplaces, companies, Government Departments, organisations, school and student groups, social groups and individuals in Western Australia with the aim of encouraging more people to cycle to work and make cycling a part of their everyday life.
The Challenge will run from 6 September to 17 October and kilometres can be built up over the six weeks.
Teams of three or more submit the kilometres they ride each week and individual and team results will be graphically posted on the internet.
There are prizes for teams which recruit novice cyclists during the event and female participants have the chance to win a Swedish Kronan 3-speed bike with a basket and a lock.
All participants have the chance to win a new Avanti Bike valued at $1,000 retail, plus other spot prizes. Participants can also include their weekend and recreational kilometres.
According to the Department, cycling has many environmental, economic and health benefits.
The Department is promoting the many benefits of riding to work including becoming healthier and arriving more productive and less stressed.
It also says more bicycles on the road leads to less traffic congestion and noise pollution.
Cycling also has a very low capital outlay cost (average $500 - $1,000) and a very low (almost negligible) operating cost per kilometre i.e. $100 yearly for a service.
It also generates almost zero greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions while travelling.
The Department publishes many brochures to do with cycling in the State which are available at www.transport.wa.gov.au/cycling/
24 August, 2010
Pastoral property has
new lease on life
The Department of Environment and Conservation has undertaken extensive work on the former Karara pastoral station in the Midwest, cementing its commitment to a long-term presence in the rangelands.
The 110,000ha former Karara pastoral lease was purchased by DEC for conservation purposes, 65km north-east of Perenjori.
The homestead precinct is the operational base for the management of 270,000ha of former pastoral properties including the former Karara, Lochada and Kadji Kadji stations.
It has a full-time caretaker presence and remote accommodation and work facilities to support DEC operations, including scientific research.
DEC’s District operations officer at Geraldton, Greg Kitson said the Department was expanding on recent works by additions to staff accommodation and remote work facilities at the homestead.
“This construction provides facilities that cater for DEC operations in the area and can accommodate groups, including research and education groups,” Mr Kitson said.
“Karara is an important and strategically located base.”
He said it DEC operations in the area included such programs as biological survey and research, feral animal and weed control, fire management and liaison with the mining industry.
Mr Kitson said maintaining infrastructure and retaining a caretaker presence was critical to DEC’s operations in the rangelands and supported the commitment to keep people in remote rangelands communities.
“Our activities in the rangelands enable us to be involved in the community, and also give us the opportunity to be in regular contact with neighbouring pastoralists and deal with cross boundary issues, in line with DEC’s Good Neighbour Policy,” he said.
The renovation work was undertaken by four DEC conservation employees from the Dwellingup and Wanneroo work centres under the Department’s Remote Regions Nature Conservation Program.
Under this program, DEC employees with primary roles in the south-west were used in DEC’s more remote regions during the winter months to help implement on-ground parks and visitor services, nature conservation and infrastructure initiatives.
24 August, 2010
Award winning nurse
no flash in the pan
A community nurse from Leonora has been awarded the Minister for Health’s first International Outreach Fellowship.
Naomi Sprigg dos Santos plans to use $20,000 prize to fund a project that would identify and treat post-natal depression in Brazil.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the award signified Mrs Sprigg dos Santos’ achievements and individual commitment to nursing.
“It gives me great pleasure to know this inaugural funding has gone to such a worthy project, to identify post-natal depression in a compromised community in Brazil,” he said.
“This builds on West Australian health professionals’ commitment to working in the developing world and also bolsters our own knowledge in WA, as Ms Sprigg dos Santos may bring back with her strategies used in Brazil to identify high-risk people and groups.”
He said the program would use an internationally-accredited method of identifying PND, called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, in an area with a low socioeconomic profile to identify women with PND who would then be referred for further assessment and treatment.
Dr Hames said the inaugural fellowship was established to allow a West Australian-based senior registered nurse or midwife to undertake overseas clinical experience in a developing company.
Mrs Sprigg dos Santos said she felt honoured to represent the Department overseas.
“Working with minority groups has been a lifelong passion of mine and I’ve worked in Indigenous health for 12 years,” she said.
Mrs Sprigg dos Santos was an exchange student to Brazil in 1992, sponsored by the Boulder Rotary Club.
24 August, 2010
DAFWA abuzz
with bee warning
The Department of Agriculture and Food has called on the public and the beekeeping industry to report unusual bee behaviour.
The Department said strange behaviour by bees could indicate the presence of the potentially devastating condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder.
DAFWA researcher Rob Manning said while CCD had not been found in Australia and there was a comparatively low risk of it entering the country, the industry had to remain vigilant.
“CCD has had a dreadful impact in the United States, where after winter losses of more than 29 per cent – that’s two thirds more than usual – have been recorded in recent years,” he said.
“It has wiped out millions of honey bee colonies in the United States, which is of concern for pollination of food crops and food security.”
He said it was important for local industry and the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of unusual bee behaviour where hives die out or die out leaving brood and honey behind to the Department.
CCD was a term to generally describe the impact of many negative conditions that occured at once, causing the bees to disappear and hives to collapse.
“Scientists generally think that the combined build up of pesticides used to defeat varroa mite within the hive in the United States could be a contributor to CCD,” Dr Manning said.
“Other contributors being considered include mites, pathogens and viruses, malnutrition, more severe winters, competing land uses and even electromagnetic radiation changes and sun spots.”
Dr Manning said while Western Australia was free from CCD and major pests and diseases, surveillance, quarantine regulations and public and industry reporting was imperative.
“The Department has sentinel hives at targeted sites throughout the State and strict quarantine border quarantine regulations, like a restriction on honey and other apiary imports, that aim to protect our valuable honey bee industry and crop pollination,” he said.
He said registering bee hives would also assist the Department and industry to inform apiarists of any dangers and ensure a quick response to any potential threat. Applications for registration could be made to the Registrar of Brands at DAFWA in Bunbury or by phoning 9780 6207.
Any unusual observations could should be reported to the Department’s Pest and Disease Information Service by calling 1800 084 881.
24 August, 2010
Museum makes case
for more Pompeii
The Western Australian Museum is to extend its season of A Day in Pompeii for a week after announcing it had attracted 80,000 visitors.
Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day, said ticket sales remained strong and the exhibition had been popular among a variety of audiences.
“If this current trend in ticket sales continues we can expect in excess of 90,000 people to visit this outstanding exhibition,” Mr Day said.
“Since A Day in Pompeii opened in May, thousands of school children, members of the public and visitors to the State have been able to learn more about the extraordinary events surrounding the violent demise of the ancient city of Pompeii.”
He said the week-long extension would give WA families until 12 September to enjoy a truly unique cultural experience. Perth was one of just two Australian cities to show the exhibition.
Tourism Minister Liz Constable said the museum would open on Friday nights for the remainder of the exhibition, and outlined a joint ticket promotion for A Day in Pompeii and the upcoming Peggy Guggenheim exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
“In order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to see Pompeii, the WA Museum is opening its doors until 9pm on Fridays, courtesy of sponsorship by EventsCorp,” Dr Constable said.
“The Friday night openings are proving popular among late-night shoppers and people who want to visit after work.”
She said until 29 August, people buying a ticket to visit A Day in Pompeii during its final weeks would have the opportunity to save $10 on advance ticket purchases to the Peggy Guggenheim: A Collection in Venice exhibition.”
Tickets for A Day in Pompeii were available through BOCS Ticketing - adults $20, concession $14, children $12 and family $54.
A Day in Pompeii is presented by the Western Australian Museum and EventsCorp and exhibited by the Soprintendenza Speciale per I Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei and Museum Victoria.
24 August, 2010
Art in Bloom
to blossom
Plans for the 2010 Art in Bloom floral extravaganza have been announced by the Friends of the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
Thousands of flowers and plants will fill the Gallery as artists, designers, media personalities, students and others create floral responses to more than 120 exhibited works of art, this year reflecting the works from displays in the State Art Collection.
Some of Perth’s best artists will produce botanical art installations around public sculptures, shop windows and the city’s built environment.
Artworks will be installed in 14 city retail spaces including in Myer, Dilettante, Boffins Bookshop, Wesley Quarter, Zekka, one40william, Lush, Pigeonhole and more.
Starting at the Art Gallery, visitors will be able to follow a floral trail through the city’s streets and laneways, eventually ending up at Kings Park for the Kings Park Festival.
The East Perth Redevelopment Authority is providing sponsorship and the recently revitalised Perth Cultural Centre will play host to five City in Bloom artworks, inviting passers-by to enter the Art Gallery and explore the 120 Art in Bloom artworks inside.
Installations will also frame popular city public artworks including the Judith Anketell sculpture, QV1’s Conic Fugue and the Mobius in Space sculpture on the Esplanade Train Station Forecourt.
Artists specialising in a range of media will produce the artworks that will vary from a lotus pond, to yarn bombing to performance art.
Participating artists include Louise Snook, Rose Skinner, Denise Pepper, Nien Schwarz, Monique Wajon, Lee Kennedy, Captain Plaknit, Sally Stewart, Elizabeth Owen, Serena Chalker, Tony Krause, Joanna Sulkowski, Stephen Genovese and more.
The weekend event will be staged from Friday 17 September to Sunday 19th and more information is available at www.artgallery.wa.gov.au
24 August, 2010
Women making
cards is big deal
Young women on community work orders at the South West Metropolitan Youth Justice Services have attracted attention by producing greeting cards for the Armadale-Kelmscott Memorial Hospital.
Clients from the SWMYJS office have been working at Rockingham PCYC designing and packing the cards which they then donate to be sold in the hospital’s auxiliary store.
Acting Senior Youth Justice Officer, Tarren Donetta said the program, known as Designer Divas, gave the young women a chance to work off their community work hours while making a difference to the hospital and community.
“The cards are sold for $2 and all proceeds go into a fund to buy additional equipment for the hospital such as dialysis machines,” Ms Donetta said.
“There are cards for patients having babies as well as cards with get-well-soon themes and they are selling fast.”
Ms Donetta said the idea for the cards was developed before the region’s offices were amalgamated into the SWMYJS.
“Since the opening of SWMYJS, we have formed a partnership with Rockingham PCYC where we use a room for the girls to make the cards,” she said
Ms Donetta said the girls spent three days a week making the cards under the supervision of a youth support officer who also mentored them about social and relationship issues.
She said counselling the teenagers while they worked on their projects was a much less confrontational, and often more effective, way to engage them.
“The girls produce some really top quality stuff,” Ms Donetta said.
“They use scrapbooking to create the cards and then package them up using cellophane.
“Hospital staff have been blown away by the quality and recently sent us a letter of thanks.
“All up it is a very professional operation and the participants are learning skills in design, marketing and business,” she said.
24 August, 2010
Albany parks report
is walk in the park
A performance assessment of parks on the Albany coast and hinterland has been published by the Conservation Commission of Western Australia.
The report details the threats to the popular landscapes with diverse values along the coast and hinterland and evaluates the management response.
It said its assessment was based on numerous reserves, reflecting a shift from individual reserve planning to planning for multiple reserves.
It said initially, a general qualitative analysis of the area was undertaken through a self assessment questionnaire which was returned by DEC Albany district staff.
The questionnaire included an overall judgement of the reserve management standard for the conservation of the principal values.
It reported that:
- For larger reserves on the coast, the overall qualitative judgement was a “good” management.
- The exception to this was Gull Rock National Park which was listed as having a “poor” management standard.
- For the scattered hinterland reserves the judgement provided was “fair” and the hinterland reserves were “open to a raft of threatening processes”.
The Commission said case studies conducted as part of the report revealed there had been achievements in the maintenance of a breeding parent population of noisy scrub birds and Gilbert’s Potoroos in the Reserve; and the completion of an interpretive facility as per the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve Management Plan.
It also showed a major redevelopment of the Shelley Beach lookout and access to the lookout completed in 2002 and other facilities had been provided within the level of development stipulated in the West Cape Howe National Park Management Plan.
24 August, 2010
Research sows seeds
for fertilising farmers
The Department of Agriculture and Food is sharing information from the latest research with dairy and beef farmers preparing to fertilise their pastures for the “Spring flush”.
Fertiliser trials conducted as part of the Greener Pastures project during the past five years have been documented and were available from Department.
Development officer with DAFWA, Bill Russell said although it had been a dry winter and nutrient losses from waterlogging were probably less than usual, fertiliser was still necessary to support rapidly growing spring pastures.
Mr Russell said the research, carried out by Dr Mike Bolland, revealed some interesting findings on how to optimise fertiliser use.
“The trials showed that soil testing was an unreliable guide to potassium requirements and it was far better to rely on tissue testing to determine how much potassium to apply to high demanding legume pastures,” he said.
“They also demonstrated that ryegrass had a much lower demand for potassium than legumes.”
By contrast, he said, soil testing was a very reliable guide to the phosphorus requirements of both legume and ryegrass pastures and legumes had a higher demand for phosphorus than ryegrass.
The new phosphorus bulletin listed critical soil phosphorus levels for the different soil types found in the South West.
Mr Russell said nitrogen trials identified situations where it might be beneficial to delay applications until a week after pastures had been grazed.
“On sandy soils, in particular, it is probably better to delay nitrogen dressings until a week after grazing to allow the plants to recover and avoid the nutrients leaching away, particularly if heavy rain is forecast,” he said.
Bulletin 4802 Potassium for high rainfall pastures and Bulletin 4808 Phosphorus for high rainfall pastures will be available on the Department’s website in the coming weeks.
24 August, 2010
PS to take on trainees
Public Sector Agencies are being called to submit requests if they are interested in appointing a School Based Trainee in 2011.
The Public Service Commission says requests will be taken until 8 October and interested Agencies should contact their Human Resources Branch or the Traineeship Coordinator at PSC.
DEC warns on animals
The Department of Environment and Conservation has warned that animals kept in other States without a licence may present a threat to native species in Western Australia.
Owners of pets other than common domestic animals are being urged to contact wildlife authorities before they bring their animals into the State, after a turtle native to the Northern Territory was imported into WA.
Award for soil scientist
Researcher with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Craig Scanlan has received a prestigious national award from the Australian Soil Science Society for his development of an innovative soil hydrology model.
The model enables the investigation of plant roots and how the channels they leave behind impact on water and nutrient flows within soils.
Dr Scanlan plans to use the model in a new project funded by Grains Research and Development Corporation on non-wetting soils.
Survey on City plan
The City of Perth is undertaking a revision of its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and has invited individuals and organisations to offer their views via on online survey.
The survey can be accessed at http://cityofperth.wa.gov.au or written copies are available from Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace.
Achievers in mentor scheme
A successful industry mentoring program for future leaders in the agriculture and food industry has been expanded.
The Grow Zone Mentoring Program for 2010, co-ordinated by the Rural Business Development Corporation, will match nine high achievers in the rural sector, who are aiming to broaden their skills, with nine business leaders.
Power station opens up
A 120 megawatt gas-fired power station has been opened in Kwinana to help support renewable energy generation into the State’s power grid.
The dual-fuel station, operated by Perth Energy, has quick response capabilities, taking just five minutes to reach full capacity.
The open-cycle gas turbine power plant would help the grid accommodate more renewable energy generation, assisting the State to achieve its share of the national target of 20 per cent by 2020.
Sewer for Dawesville
Dawesville is to follow Port Hedland and receive a sewerage service funded from the Infill Sewerage Program.
Tenders are expected to be called for the estimated $2 million project within three months, with work to start in January 2011 and be completed by the following Christmas.
Teachers supported
The Western Australian College of Teaching is supporting World Teachers’ Day in October with several competitions and information packs for schools.
Students are being asked to use either artwork or a piece of writing to show how their teacher “makes a world of difference”.
More than 100 countries celebrate World Teachers’ Day. In Australia it falls on 29 October.
Youth strategy for Fremantle
The City of Fremantle is forming a working group of young people to develop a Youth Strategy that identifies objectives for the next five years.
Interested people between the ages of 12 and 25 who live, study, work or come to Fremantle regularly are being asked to fill out a nomination form available from www.fremantle.wa.gov.au by 27 August.
17 August, 2010
Public housing not
safe as houses
The Auditor General has found that public housing tenants could be at risk of fire or electrocution due to problems with the installation and maintenance of safety devices.
In his report Fitting and Maintaining Safety Devices in Public Housing, Auditor General Colin Murphy said the Housing Authority underestimated the difficulty of making sure more than 35,000 properties spread across the State had the required safety devices and did not assess the risk if this was not achieved.
“This is an important public safety issue and yet Housing treated the installation of these devices as a routine maintenance issue,” Mr Murphy said.
“The appropriate levels of monitoring and oversight that the Residual Current Devices (RCD) and smoke alarm programs needed was not established and as a result some homes were left without the required safety devices, and the status of other homes was not clear.”
Mr Murphy said Housing was slow to recognise that its RCD retrofit program had not achieved its objectives and it did not take the appropriate action to identify and address the reasons why.
“Housing could and should have done more to improve this program earlier,” he said.
State legislation requires all rental properties to be fitted with RCDs by no later than August 2011 and hard-wired smoke alarms by no later than October 2011.
Mr Murphy said his report found deeper systemic problems that resulted in Housing being unable to provide assurances that all its properties had the required safety devices.
“Housing’s property information is often unreliable, property inspections are not consistently conducted, and Housing’s practices for timely repair or replacement of faulty safety devices are inadequate,” he said.
“These issues mean that Housing is not minimising the risks to its tenants and properties.”
Mr Murphy said that Housing had taken recent action to address gaps in its RCD retrofit program, which should provide some reassurance to its tenants.
However, addressing the underlying issues highlighted in the report would require longer term changes to Housing’s organisation, systems and processes.
17 August, 2010
Vaccination review
confirms decision
A review of the decision to suspend influenza vaccinations for children under five has reported that it was the right thing to do.
The review, by Professor Bryant Stokes, has recommended an overhaul in the way information about vaccines is recorded and collected.
Minister for Health, Kim Hames said further analysis, both in WA and nationally, confirmed there was a particular problem with the CSL vaccine, Fluvax, which accounted for the majority of vaccines delivered in the age group.
The program was suspended by Dr Hames on 22 April when it was discovered the rate of febrile convulsions caused by the vaccine was nine times higher than usual, up from one per 1,000 children to nine per 1,000 children.
“This review found my decision to suspend the program as soon as we knew there were more side-effects than usual was the right one,” Dr Hames said.
“However, the report has also highlighted deficiencies in current reporting mechanisms for vaccine adverse events in WA and nationally.’
He said the system was found to be confusing for both the public and for vaccination providers.
“The overall system response could have been quicker,” he said.
Dr Hames said the report vindicated doctors and parents who had attempted to raise the alarm before 22 April, but had found the reporting systems too cumbersome.
A copy of the review had already been sent to the Federal Health Minister, and it would be tabled at the next Australian Health Ministers’ Conference to assist in developing a more integrated national system.
“I would like to thank Professor Stokes and his team for the high-quality work on this review that will lead to real improvements in our health system,” the Minister said.
17 August, 2010
Leaders announced
for CHOGM plans
The key local organisers of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for Perth in October next year have been announced by the Premier, Colin Barnett.
Richard Muirhead has been appointed to as State Director, CHOGM 2011 to oversee the Government’s planning.
Executive Chairman of Azure Capital Limited, Mark Barnaba will lead the State’s involvement in the Commonwealth Business Forum and the Chief Executive of the Western Australian Council of Social Services, Sue Ash will co-ordinate the WA non-government organisations’ contribution to the Commonwealth People’s Forum.
Mr Muirhead, Mr Barnaba and Ms Ash join the Lord Mayor of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi on a steering committee chaired by the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Peter Conran, to provide guidance and direction on Western Australia’s involvement in CHOGM 2011.
Mr Barnett said the Government would provide assistance to the Commonwealth in staging CHOGM as well as developing initiatives which promoted Western Australia and helped local business and community participation.
He said CHOGM 2011 was expected to attract more than 3,000 interstate and international visitors as well as 1,000 local and international media.
Leaders from 54 countries were likely to attend.
The week-long event, which will culminate in a meeting of Commonwealth Leaders, traditionally includes a Royal visit, a meeting of the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, business, youth and people’s forums and a people’s space.
The Premier said the Government was also considering including international sporting events, art and cultural activities and a ‘school’s CHOGM’ on the meeting program.
17 August, 2010
Court decides on
land case mediators
The Federal Court of Australia has announced the processes it intends using to identify, select and appoint mediators to assist with native title proceedings.
The mediators are a result of last year’s amendments to the Native Title Act 1993 which gave the Court responsibility for managing all aspects of native title proceedings.
These changes include the opportunity for the Court to refer a matter to mediation before a person or body other than the Native Title Tribunal or a Registrar of the Court.
Earlier this year, the Court wrote to a number of people and organisations advising of its intention of compiling a list of mediators and calling for expressions of interest.
The list will be reviewed every 12 months.
The Court said in a statement that while the referral and appointment process in any matter would ultimately be a matter for the Court, the Court would invite the parties to view the list and nominate a preferred mediator.
“Careful consideration will be given to the views of the parties as it is preferable for the parties to agree that a particular person is the appropriate person to assist them to resolve their dispute,” the Court said.
“In a situation where the parties cannot agree on a person to be appointed as the mediator, the Court may nominate three mediators from who the parties could select.
“Alternatively the Court may decide which person from amongst the nominations is to be appointed.”
The Court said in cases requiring an ongoing and long-term commitment, the mediator could be appointed as an acting Registrar of the Court and paid at that rate by the Court via an intermittent contract.
Where the Court orders that a mediator be appointed for a particular issue or event, the Court would generally appoint the mediator and pay at a rate referable to the per diem rate of a member of the National Native Title Tribunal.
A prominent person appointed for an evaluation of a claim or for a particular legal or factual issue would generally be paid no more than the daily fee of an acting Supreme Court Judge.
17 August, 2010
2010 Science week
starts with a bang
National Science Week is up and running for 2010 with the official launch held at the Native Wetland, Perth Cultural Centre last Friday.
Minister for Science and Innovation, Bill Marmion said the Week encouraged community interest in science, highlighting its importance in our everyday lives.
“National Science Week provides a perfect platform to celebrate Australia’s talents and achievements in science, innovation and technology,” Mr Marmion said.
“Science is all around us and underpins many vital sectors in Western Australia including mining, radio astronomy, the environment, water conservation and health.”
National Science Week also provided an opportunity for all Australians, including those in the community who do not have regular contact with the science world, to participate in events and activities that showcase science, technology and innovation.
“This year is also the International Year of Biodiversity, a very fitting theme for a State known as a biodiversity hotspot,” he said.
The Minister said more than 200 events were expected to take place over the next week in universities, museums, schools, science centres, libraries and local businesses throughout WA.
The initiative in WA is organised by Scitech in conjunction with the National Science Week Coordinating Committee and supported by the State Government.
National Science Week, which continues until Sunday, is supported by the Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Other partners include the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Science Teachers Association.
17 August, 2010
Health produces
new baby website
A new website covering almost everything prospective parents need to know about having a baby has been launched by the Department of Health.
The website at www.health.wa.gov.au/havingababy has been designed specifically for WA parents and contains information about every stage of maternity care.
It contains a comprehensive range of information to help prepare for pregnancy, being pregnant, labour and birth and after the baby is born.
Women and their families can also access details about care options, support organisations, Aboriginal resources, information in other languages and links to many other relevant sources and facts.
Executive Director of Midwifery, Nursing and Patient Support Services at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Graeme Boardley said he hoped the site would help women make informed choices about their maternity care.
“The Having a Baby website has been developed to be a credible, centralised source of clear, consistent and appropriate information about maternity care,” Professor Boardley said.
“The website will also serve as an extremely useful resource for health professionals who can refer women to the site.”
Vice Chair of Childbirth Australia, Debbie Slater, who was involved in the development of the website, said she hoped it would help women and their partners feel supported as they began the journey of parenthood.
The website was launched to coincide with the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo held at the Claremont Showgrounds.
17 August, 2010
Children invited to
help themselves
The Commissioner for Children and Young People has opened her office to young people from around the State, offering them the chance to be Commissioner for a day.
The Commissioner, Michelle Scott, is independent and works closely with children and young people, their families, community and government to make WA a better place for kids.
Now Ms Scott wants ideas from children themselves about how to stay happy and mentally healthy, asking them what they would do to help other kids stay positive if they were the Commissioner for a day.
“If you’re at least eight years old and under 18 years, I want to hear your ideas in my first Commissioner for a Day Challenge, which is about mental health,” Ms Scott said.
“Mental health is about feeling happy, enjoying life and knowing there are things you’re good at, but it can also be about feeling lonely, stressed or angry.”
Ms Scott said she was always impressed by the ideas children and young people had. She said the challenge was launched to find out what young people had to say about staying mentally healthy.
The winner of the Commissioner for a Day Challenge will be awarded an iPad and the opportunity to be the Commissioner for Children and Young People for one day.
To be part of the challenge, entrants can write, draw, paint, take photos, sing or even make a short film.
Details on how to enter are available on the Commissioner for a Day web page at www.ccyp.wa.gov.au
17 August, 2010
Victims bank on
redress payments
The Minister for Community Services has reported on the progress of payments being made under the Redress WA scheme, saying the program was on track to finalise its distribution of funds by June 2011.
The Minister, Robyn McSweeney said the distribution would have taken just 16 months and was in a response to a commitment to applicants with life-threatening illnesses that their claims would receive priority processing.
“To date, 639 applicants who have submitted medical reports to be assessed for priority processing, have received their ex-gratia payments,” Mrs McSweeney said.
“I am pleased Redress WA is on track to finalise distribution of payments with up to 100 ex-gratia payments being made each week.”
Redress WA was set up by the in 2008 to acknowledge and apologise to adults, who as children, were abused and/or neglected while they were in the care of the State.
Redress WA also provides access to support and counselling services and, for eligible applicants, an ex-gratia payment of between $5,000 and $45,000.
Over 10,000 names were registered when the scheme closed, and Redress WA is currently assessing the applications.
The Minister said Redress WA was in regular communication with applicants who received a quarterly newsletter sent direct to them or their nominated representative.
“Applicants should also be aware they can access up to three hours of individual counselling at any time free of charge which is support many applicants are saying is extremely helpful to them,” she said.
Mrs McSweeney said a total of $114 million has been allocated for the Redress WA scheme of which $90.2 million has been set aside for ex-gratia payments alone.
17 August, 2010
Bike partnership
on the right trail
A cooperative partnership between the Departments of Environment and Conservation, Water and trail bike riders has led to the development of an environmentally-sustainable trail in the forests south-east of Perth.
The partnership will also lead to the development of an education campaign aimed at reducing the impacts of trail-bike riding on the environment.
Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher said there were more than 50,000 trail bikes in Western Australia.
“Consequently there is an enormous demand for areas where these bikes can be ridden, especially near the Perth metropolitan area,” Mrs Faragher said.
“While there are some designated off-road vehicle sites, many trail-bike users ride on forestry tracks, causing considerable damage and the risk of spreading diseases such as dieback.”
The Minister said almost $58,000 would be provided to the Recreational Trail Bike Riders’ Association to design the trail and education campaign, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water.
“This program aims to alert and educate riders about the impact of their riding and how they can minimise that impact,” Mrs Faragher said.
“The objective is to reduce the impacts of trail bike riding on the environment which will assist in ensuring the sustainability of this recreational activity.”
The Minister said the funding had been made available through the Environmental Community Grants Program.
17 August, 2010
Post Office plea for
Christmas parcels
Australia Post has issued a reminder to people sending Christmas gifts overseas that the deadlines for Sea Mail for some countries are fast approaching.
A spokesperson for Australia Post, Joshua Zugajev said it was important for people to plan ahead if they wanted to take advantage of the lower prices offered by Sea Mail.
“If you need to send Christmas gifts overseas you need to start planning now,” Mr Zugajev said.
“The Sea Mail closing date for gifts being sent to the United Kingdom is 21 September, while most of mainland Europe is one week later, on 28 September.
“If you need to send gifts to South America you’ll have to get organised even sooner, with some closing dates as early as 17 August.”
Mr Zugajev said those living outside metropolitan Sydney, where all Sea Mail departs from, should also allow extra time for their parcels to arrive at the NSW capital before the listed closing date.
Australia Post also issued a reminder about dangerous and prohibited items which must not be sent through the mail.
Mr Zugajev said Post Office staff could advise customers on restrictions for dangerous goods and give tips on the most secure packaging.
“To expedite delivery, you should always address your parcels clearly, complete the appropriate customs forms and include a return address on the back of your parcel,” he said.
“You might also need to provide identification when lodging your parcel.
“If you miss the Sea Mail Christmas closing deadlines you can still get your gifts overseas using Airmail and if you’re really in a last minute rush, our Express Courier International service provides a door-to-door courier delivery to most major international metropolitan cities within two to four business days.”
Mr Zugajev said for more information, readers could go to the Australian Post website http://auspost.com.au or call 13 13 18.
17 August, 2010
Genetic guidelines
to hitch up genes
Strict new guidelines for the control and use of human genetic samples and data in medical research have been issued by the Department of Health.
Director of the Office of Population Health Genomics, Peter O’Leary said the guidelines would strengthen WA’s position as an innovative leader in genetic research and data linkage, and would provide confidence that individual rights were being protected.
“Research involving human genetic information, analysed along with other health information, has become increasingly important to understanding the risk factors which contribute to complex diseases,” Dr O’Leary said.
“It has led to improvements in detection, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses such as asthma, heart disease and cancer.
“It is clear, however, that access to this important information must be balanced by the interests of the people who participate.”
Dr O’Leary said WA currently had about 100 biobanks, which were valuable resources for health and medical research. A biobank is an organised collection of human biological material, and any related information, stored for research purposes.
“These new guidelines have been developed after wide consultation with professional experts and community groups to consider potential issues arising from the storage of human tissue samples in biobanks such as, privacy, governance, commercial use and communication with participants,” he said.
Dr O’Leary said it is important that the community and biobank participants were informed about how information was being used for research.
“Community consultation was an important part of the development process,” he said.
17 August, 2010
Farmers flock
back to sheep
A survey by the Department of Agriculture and Food has uncovered attitudes among WA’s sheep producers that indicate the industry is changing.
The survey has found that sheep are regaining favour in both the high rainfall and cereal zones.
Senior Research Officer at the Department, Kimbal Curtis said the survey provided an interesting insight into the status and future direction of the State’s sheep industry, with evidence the decline in the State’s sheep flock was being arrested for the first time in more than five years.
“Of the producers currently running sheep, 31 per cent expect to increase their flock, while 64 per cent believe they will maintain numbers and just five per cent plan to decrease their flock in the future,” Mr Curtis said.
“This demonstrates a turnaround in producers’ attitude towards sheep in their enterprises.”
The survey, conducted in May, canvassed the views of 310 producers on what influenced their decision to run sheep. Almost all of the producers run a mixed sheep-cropping enterprise with an average of 50 per cent of the farmed land under crop in 2009.
Mr Curtis said recent increases in the value of sheep were a clear driver behind the renewed interest.
“Good sheep prices and the profitability of sheep relative to cropping were the most important motivational factors for people increasing their sheep numbers,” he said.
“On the other hand, major factors limiting growth for those who expected to maintain their flock size included concern over wool prices, followed by availability of extra land, then animal welfare issues such as mulesing.”
17 August, 2010
Prison inspector
locks in report
The Inspector of Custodial Services has found Greenough Regional Prison to be performing well, but that overcrowding and uncertainty about the future were taking their toll.
The inspector, Neil Morgan said the prison had a complex mix of prisoners, including males and females, maximum, medium and minimum security prisoners, and a large number of Aboriginal prisoners from different parts of the State.
“For many years, the prison has managed these different groups well and gone about its business efficiently and free of major incidents; it can be characterised as a quiet performer with some untapped potential,” Mr Morgan said.
“Staff and management have continued to demonstrate a ‘can do’ attitude, even at times of pressure, and Greenough remains a well-performing prison.”
However, he was disturbed to find not only two prisoners to a cell designed for one, but sometimes three.
“Two would be on bunk beds and one on a mattress on the floor,” he said.
“One of my lasting images of the inspection is of mattresses and bedding being put in the sun outside to dry off because the overnight condensation levels had been so high that prisoners had woken up wet.”
The report also drew attention to serious risks associated with the design of some of the bunk beds that were in use at Greenough and other prisons across the State.
“The main safety risks are of a fall from the top bunk and a lack of mechanisms to climb up and down,” Mr Morgan said.
“Recently in the UK a prisoner was awarded substantial damages after falling from a top bunk.
“Just last week, our own State Coroner has drawn attention to problems of bunk bed design in relation to children.”
He said the Department of Corrective Services had promised a system-wide assessment of bunk beds and to make any necessary modifications.
“Given that bunks are continuing to be installed in WA prisons we are keenly awaiting an outcome and we will monitor progress,” Mr Morgan said.
In light of Greenough’s good performance over many years and its geographical location, the report repeats the recommendations made in previous reports that the prison be expanded.
17 August, 2010
Mayoral home
passed to Trust
The Western Australian Museum has handed management control of Sir Frederick Samson’s historic home in Fremantle to the National Trust of Australia (WA).
Chief Executive of the Museum, Alec Coles said he was delighted that Samson House, once the home of Fremantle’s longest serving Mayor, was now in the care of the Trust.
“There are many benefits for Sir Frederick’s former home by placing it with the National Trust of Australia (WA) whose core business is the conservation and interpretation of historic properties,” Mr Coles said.
The Trust will hold the property on the same terms that it was held by the Museum, and maintain Samson House as an historic house museum.
Chief Executive of the Trust, Tom Perrigo said Samson House was one of the most significant heritage places in Western Australia. Its intact collection of artefacts, which is directly associated with the place, made it rare amongst historic houses in Australia.
“There are significant challenges facing the Trust in its conservation and interpretation and we are looking forward to working with all levels of Government, the community and the corporate sector to address these challenges,” Mr Perrigo said.
“The Western Australian Museum is to be congratulated for its efforts over a very long period to save Samson House.
Sir Frederick joined the Fremantle City Council in 1936. He was elected Mayor unopposed in 1951 and remained unchallenged in that office until he retired 21 years later in 1972. In the early 1950s he oversaw construction of the O’Connor Industrial Estate, intended to provide work and housing for returned servicemen.
In 1962 he was knighted. He died on 6 February 1974 in Fremantle Hospital and his home and its contents were bequeathed to the Trustees of the Western Australian Museum. The Perth suburb of Samson is named after him.
Samson House was built in 1888 for Sir Frederick’s father, Michael Samson, who was also a Mayor of Fremantle.
17 August, 2010
Cities building
on biodiversity
The cities of Armadale, Belmont and Cockburn have been presented with special Local Government Biodiversity Awards for their initiatives in management, urban design and community engagement.
Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher said the awards were introduced this year to mark the International Year of Biodiversity.
“Eight of 15 recognised terrestrial biodiversity hotspots in Australia are in WA, while the South-West is recognised as one of 34 world biodiversity hotspots,” Mrs Faragher said.
The Minister commended the work of the 32 Shires and Councils that subscribe to the Perth Biodiversity Project, which aimed to increase the capacity of Local Government to achieve measurable and sustainable biodiversity conservation outcomes.
“Western Australia faces many challenges in managing its rich diversity of animals and plants,” she said.
“Meeting these challenges requires a coordinated approach, something the Perth Biodiversity Project has been working on since 2001.”
The awards were presented for excellence in biodiversity management to the City of Belmont for progressive revegetation of local natural areas; excellence in community engagement to support local biodiversity conservation to the City of Armadale for its Streamcare Program and to the City of Cockburn for its Landowner Biodiversity Conservation Grant Program.
The Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale received a special commendation for its Healthy Habitats Program.
17 August, 2010
Drinks all round for
new liquor rules
Simpler procedures for the licensees and managers of licensed areas when appointing approved managers are expected to result from a proposed amendment to the Liquor Control Act 1988.
Minister for Racing and Gaming, Terry Waldron said under the amendment licensees would not be required to obtain approval from the Licensing Authority each time they intended to appoint a new approved manager.
“They will also be able to confirm the status of an approved manager by logging on to the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor’s website and entering the manager’s licence number,” Mr Waldron said.
The system will confirm the validity of the licence and whether the manager is a restricted or unrestricted licence holder.
The Minister said licensees would be required to inform patrons of the person on duty who is responsible for supervising and managing the premises.
Under the new regime, two licence types are being proposed: the Unrestricted Manager’s Licence, required for managers at commercial licence types such as hotels, taverns, special facilities etc, and the Restricted Manager’s Licence, required for managers at club and club restricted licences, where the sale of liquor is ancillary to the club’s primary objectives.
Mr Waldron said an approved manager licence issued to an individual would be valid for a proposed five-year period, with all licences required to be renewed after that period.
“Applicants will need to meet existing probity requirements while those currently deemed to be an approved manager will have their status automatically transferred to the appropriate licence category under the new regime, depending on their level of training,” he said.
17 August, 2010
Employee fined
A Department of Corrective Services employee has been fined $6,000 on 26 charges of unlawfully accessing the Department’s computer system.
The charges followed and investigation by the Corruption and Crime Commission.
The North Perth employee was also fined $2,000 for disclosing official secrets and another $450 for two drug offences.
Acting Deputy Director of Operations at the Commission, Barry O’Connor said the penalty reflected the seriousness of the offences and was a reminder that personal information on Government computers must be respected.
Book finalists out
A short list for the 2008 and 2009 Western Australian Premier’s book awards has been announced following a record number of entries.
There were 404 entries in the 2009 awards, compared to 300 for those in 2008.
Prize money has risen from $72,500 to $110,000, along with increased funding for judging, promotion and administration costs.
Details of the short list can be found here.
Councils reform
Sixteen new Local Governments have formally signed agreements to form regional groups under the Government’s Local Government Reform Program.
The agreements bring to 24 the number of Local Governments to have formalised their commitment to reform. A further nine are preparing to formalise their agreements.
Another 22 Local Governments support reform but have yet to achieve agreement with their neighbours.
Port plan gets go-ahead
A plan to expand Albany Port by deepening and widening the shipping channel and reclaiming land has been given the conditional go-ahead by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
Six appeals were received against the EPA’s recommendations, which were determined by the Minister for the environment.
The conditions relate to monitoring requirements for the maintenance of seagrass and reef communities; marine water and sediment quality; and the local aquaculture operations.
Housing competition
A RetroBuild competition in Perth will involve four teams of university and trades students planning, designing and renovating four separate houses.
Each renovated home will be judged by industry experts on water saving, energy efficiency, waste management and sustainable building materials.
The competition will be partly funded by a grant from the Waste Authority’s Community Grants Scheme.
Researchers rewarded
Nine researchers have been awarded $10,000 each to carry out medical and health research in WA.
The 2010 New Independent Researcher Infrastructure Support Awards are aimed at new researchers.
The Department of Health funds the awards which this year go to Andrew Briggs
(Department of Health); Anita Chua (University of Western Australia); Wendy Davis (Fremantle Hospital); Shelley Gorman (Telethon Institute for Child Health Research); Georgia Halkett (Curtin University of Technology); Matthew Sharman (Edith Cowan University); Guicheng Zhang (Telethon Institute for Child Health Research); Kun Zhu (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital); and Graeme Zosky (University of Western Australia).
New friend for Park
A new sponsorship partner for the annual Kings Park Festival has been announced by the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.
Energy company Santos has agreed to a three-year arrangement which will include naming rights to the Santos Live Sundays music concerts and family theatre.
Santos joins long-term Kings Park sponsors Water Corporation and Lotterywest.
Litter grants open
A new round of Litter Prevention Grants will allow communities and organisations to apply for up to $10,000.
A total of $100,000 was available to be awarded to Western Australian projects that reduced litter and promoted behaviour change.
In the past five years 53 projects have been funded by the grants,” he said.
Supercars back
Facilities at the Barbagallo Raceway are to be upgraded to bring the V8 Supercars Championship Series back to Perth for the next five years.
Tourism WA through Eventscorp, and the Department of Sport and Recreation are working closely with partners in the sport.
The date of the event for 2011 has yet to be determined.
10 August, 2010
District Allowances
up for regions
Public sector employees in regional areas are to receive increased District Allowances following an agreement between the Government and PS unions.
Funds from the Royalties for Regions program will be used to raise the Government’s 2008 offer and pay for an improved method of calculating district allowances. The highest increases affect the Pilbara and Kimberley.
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls said the offer would assist more than 7,000 eligible Public Servants located in regional areas.
Mr Grylls said the District Allowance was paid to regional public sector employees to assist with the higher cost of living, climate and isolation generally associated with working in regional Western Australia.
He said the increase would help prevent the loss of regional public sector employees from the north-west due to increasing costs of living and the lure of high-paying private sector jobs.
“The $110.8 million District Allowance offer will be allocated during the next four financial years, starting in 2010-11,” Mr Grylls said.
He said after the agreement was ratified, public sector employees who worked in Karratha would receive a District Allowance rate to $9,839 a year from 1 July this year, up from the current rate of $3,953 a year.
He said the Karratha rate would also apply to public sector employees in the Roebourne-Wickham-Point Sampson area.
Mr Grylls said public sector employees in the Kimberley would also receive significant increases of $2,500 to $4,500 a year. Eligible employees with dependents would receive double those amounts.
The Community and Public Sector Union welcomed the increases with WA Branch Secretary Toni Walkington saying they had been the result of a six-year campaign.
“Much of that campaign has been through the efforts of our members and through the public sector workers who felt that it was important that regional WA not lose Government services,” Ms Walkington said.
Regional CPSU members voted 96 per cent in favour of accepting the offer.
10 August, 2010
Forestry jobs
get the axe
The Forest Products Commission is to be restructured with 75 staff to lose their jobs.
Minister for Forestry, Terry Redman said the move was necessary to return the Commission to a sound financial position and would affect operations in both metropolitan and regional locations.
The Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association has condemned the plan.
Mr Redman said the Commission had become reliant on unsustainable borrowings and Federal Government grants that had since ended.
“That has meant that instead of returning a dividend to the Government, the Commission has posted consecutive losses over the past two years.”
He said the financial pressure was coming from the new plantations segment of the FPC business, not the native forest segment.
“The FPC’s native forest and mature plantation operations remain profitable,” Mr Redman said.
“The problem is an imbalance between costs and revenue in the share farming and fee-for-service operations.”
He said under the restructure, the Commission would stop investing in lower rainfall plantation development and focus on its core business of native hardwoods, mature pine plantations and sandalwood.
All existing contracts will be honoured.
Mr Redman said the Government had allocated funds for voluntary redundancies for FPC staff.
“All effort will be made to redeploy staff to other Government Agencies and those who can’t be redeployed will be offered generous severance packages,” he said.
“Counselling services will also be made available to affected staff.”
A CPSU/CSA spokesperson described the decision as short sighted and showing a lack of vision on the part of the Government.
10 August, 2010
Sprinkler ban
still needed
Householders, Councils and businesses have been warned to continue observing the total winter sprinkler ban as the State’s water resources remain seriously low.
Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs issued the warning saying everyone needed to play a part to conserve water.
The Minister released figures from the Water Corporation that showed in the first two months of the three-month ban, more than 2,350 warnings had been issued to scheme water users and approximately 1,000 to bore water users.
They showed the 10 worst-offending suburbs for contravening the ban as Stirling, Dianella, Canning Vale, Dallyellup, Ellenbrook, Australind, Leeming, Innaloo, Como and Willetton.
“These figures are a lot higher than at the same time last winter when the trial ban was in place,” Dr Jacobs said.
“Water Corporation inspectors will continue to be out across the city and in regional centres where the ban applies for the final month for this year because the vast majority of people support this sensible initiative and expect those who transgress to be warned or fined if they persist.”
The Minister said it was of concern that signs were beginning to show this winter could lead to the State’s equal worst dam inflows for the last 10 years.
He said the inflow pattern so far was showing that unless there was major and consistent rain in the hills, a very real chance of a repeat of the 2001 and 2006 run-off years existed when the dams overall were only boosted by 25 gigalitres (2001) and 30 gigalitres (2006).
“We still have slightly more water in the dams than the same time last year but with sunny weather ahead that situation could change within a week,” he said.
The Minister said minimum run off this year was clearly demonstrated by dams being at 34.8 per cent capacity at the beginning of July and 35 per cent at the end.
He said other water-producing alternatives were on track with the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant expected to be commissioned next year and trials continuing on the benefits of aquifer recharge.
10 August, 2010
Drought committee
to advise farmers
A new committee has been set up to help farmers and their communities cope with dry season conditions.
The Dry Season Advisory Committee (DSAC) will complement the drought pilot program looking at a new approach to drought assistance already under way in Western Australia.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman said the Government was closely watching the progress of the 2010 growing season and was committed to providing timely and accurate advice to growers and rural communities.
“While the South Coast and Esperance areas are looking good, much of the Wheatbelt has experienced a dry and patchy start to the season and pastoral areas have had consistently dry conditions,” Mr Redman said.
“Initial estimates indicate grain grower returns will be average to below average at best.
“The DSAC will ensure the impact on growers can be identified and strategies can be recommended to help them make the right decisions on how best to deal with their circumstances.”
He said the DSAC will be chaired by Dexter Davies and include representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Food; WAFarmers; the Pastoralists and Graziers Association; the Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network; agricultural consultants; agri-business banking; Local Government; and financial counselling services.
The committee will gather and assess information as the 2010 season progresses to assist Government and other Agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture and Food, Water, Transport and Regional Development.
It will meet for the first time this week, on 13 August.
10 August, 2010
Indigenous art for
world leaders
The Western Australian Indigenous Arts Awards are to be held in 2011 to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth.
The Awards were originally scheduled for 2012.
Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day said the awards and the award exhibition would provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate WA artists, bring interstate artists to the State and present local and international audiences with the most impressive Indigenous art in Australia.
Mr Day presented the $50,000 Western Australian Indigenous Art Award for 2010 to Wakartu Cory Surprise, one of 185 original nominations.
“Wakartu Cory Surprise’s colourful depictions of her country, which I understand she is intimately connected to, are breathtaking and inspiring,” Mr Day said.
“Sonia Kurrara, the winner of the Western Australian Artist Award of $10,000 for her captivating and energetic imagery, also shows a great connection to place in a way that is extremely courageous.”
Curator of the Awards Exhibition, Glenn Iseger-Pilkington said 16 artists were selected to participate.
“The exhibition includes sculpture, video, painting and photography by five artists from Western Australia and 11 artists from other parts of Australia,” Mr Iseger-Pilkington said.
“It features great diversity, with challengingly political works, playful childhood recollections, beautifully-textured paintings and striking depictions of country.”
Mr Day said the award winners were selected by a panel of three judges with specialist knowledge and experience in Indigenous visual art.
A People’s Choice Award of $5,000 is awarded to the most popular piece at the end of the exhibition which runs until 3 January, 2011.
The Western Australian Indigenous Art Awards and exhibition are supported by the Department of Culture and the Arts.
10 August, 2010
Booklet warns on
baby and drink mix
The Department for Communities has published an information booklet for prospective parents to raise awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol during pregnancy.
Minister for Community Services, Robyn McSweeney said by bringing awareness to the serious side effects associated with alcohol use during pregnancy, including Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), she hoped women would change their behaviour towards drinking.
“Pregnant women need to be aware there is no safe level of drinking during pregnancy,” Mrs McSweeney said.
“Research has shown for a very long time that drinking heavily during pregnancy can lead to impairments in children affecting their long-term growth and behaviour.
“The simple but powerful image of a pregnant woman drinking used in this campaign really speaks a thousand words about abstaining from alcohol.”
The Minister said it was vitally important for women of all cultures and backgrounds to recognise that FASD was completely preventable and not drinking during pregnancy was the safest option for their unborn baby.
She said the booklet was not a comprehensive guide about FASD and should not be used by parents to diagnose any medical conditions being experienced by their child, similar to that of FASD.
She said FASD was used to describe a range of disabilities and various effects that could arise from prenatal alcohol exposure.
10 August, 2010
Student website
put to the test
A new website has been launched to help international students make informed choices about studying in Western Australia.
Ministers for Education, Liz Constable and for Training and Workforce Development, Peter Collier jointly launched the Study in Western Australia website which was aimed at helping current and prospective international students.
Dr Constable said feedback from students had been used to help ensure the website provided comprehensive information about studying and living in WA.
“Last year about 50,000 international students came to study at educational institutions in WA and made a significant contribution, enhancing our community in both cultural and economic terms,” Dr Constable said.
“The website includes information about accommodation, cost of living, safety and security, health, transport and student support services and will be a useful resource for overseas students thinking of studying in WA and those already studying here.”
Mr Collier said the website would make a difference to all young people from around the world who came to WA to live, work and study.
“The website provides an official, authoritative source of comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate information for international students studying or considering studying in Perth and WA,” Mr Collier said.
“It will ensure potential students have accurate and realistic expectations about their experience and be adequately prepared when making the decision to move to WA.”
10 August, 2010
Water safety plugged
by Department
Water safety is to be a major highlight of this week’s Perth Boat and Leisure Expo being sponsored by the Department of Transport (DoT).
The Department’s award winning Marine Safety Education Trailer will be at the show and marine education officers will be on hand to provide the latest advice to skippers.
Acting Manager of Safety Education at the Department, Laurie Adams said a key safety message for boat owners attending the show this year was: “Be prepared before you go boating”.
“Always, check the weather, check your boat, safety equipment, and trailer and tell someone where you are going before you head out in your boat,” Mr Adams said.
“Having information about where you are going, the dangers and what you need can make the difference when boating in unfamiliar areas, especially if you get into trouble.”
He said with the high number of people attending the show, it was the perfect time to inform and educate the boating community and he urged skippers to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about boating safety.
“People visiting the trailer can also get advice on how to obtain their Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) and join more than 142,000 people who have already gained the qualification,” Mr Adams said.
“Copies of the free workbook, which contains all the information needed to gain an RST and a list of authorised providers, will be available from officers at the trailer as well as free boating guides, stickers and other important information for skippers.”
The show opens tomorrow, 11 August and runs to Sunday.
10 August, 2010
Potoroos potty
over new life
Efforts to translocate small populations of the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroos on the south coast are proving successful according to the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)
The Department said the animal had been the subject of a recovery program since the discovery of the only known wild population of about 40 animals at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve near Albany in 1994.
Between 2005 and 2007, DEC translocated 10 potoroos from this colony to predator-free Bald Island, as insurance against the loss of the tiny mainland population.
Earlier this year, nine potoroos were released into a specially built 380 hectare enclosure in Waychinicup National Park, 25 kilometres east of Albany, with six of the animals coming from Bald Island and three from Two Peoples Bay.
Principal Research Scientist at DEC, Tony Friend said the latest monitoring trip to Bald Island had revealed a thriving population of potoroos.
“During the two-week trip, we captured 49 adult or young independent potoroos, nine of which were original founder animals, which is a big increase over the previous record in November last year, when 29 independent potoroos were captured,” Dr Friend said.
“The condition of the animals was good and 12 of the 19 females captured were carrying pouch young, while three others were suckling young out of the pouch.”
Dr Friend said a survey in mid-May revealed eight of the nine animals introduced into the predator-proof fenced enclosure at Waychinicup National Park had survived.
“Unfortunately, we lost one young male, which had been rescued at Two Peoples Bay and hand-reared after becoming separated from his mother, as he apparently had trouble finding food,” he said.
“One of the recaptured Bald Island females at Waychinicup had a young animal in its pouch, which would have been conceived in the fenced enclosure, and this is an extremely positive sign that the animals are adapting well to their new environment.”
10 August, 2010
Cockatoo website to
go crackers over
A new online tool has been developed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to ensure the survival of the endangered Carnaby’s black cockatoo.
Director of Nature Conservation at DEC, Gordon Wyre said home gardeners, land managers and developers now had easy access to information on which plant species to grow that would provide feeding, night roosting and nesting habitat for Carnabys.
“The Plants for Carnabys search tool can also be used to help land owners or managers identify preferred plant species that are important to the cockatoos that might occur on their land that should be protected,” Mr Wyre said.
“In this way the tool will also assist people involved in the assessment of development projects that might affect Carnaby’s black cockatoos and allow for more informed conditions to be written for development approvals.”
Mr Wyre said the innovative use of existing software had resulted in a significant cost saving to the project which was funded through State Natural Resource Management funds.
A print function, which will enable people to print their list of plants, is being developed for the search tool in cooperation with the University of Queensland and is expected to be available in the near future.
To access the Plants for Carnaby’s search tool go to www.dec.wa.gov.au/plantsforcarnabys
10 August, 2010
Solar feed scheme is
power from the people
Householders with renewable energy systems that can be connected to the electricity grid are now eligible to earn a feed-in tariff for their excess power.
Minister for Energy, Peter Collier said the entitlement started on 1 August when eligible householders received a subsidy of 40c per kilowatt hour (kWh) on electricity exported into both the South West Interconnected System and region grids.
Mr Collier said this was in addition to the price paid under the existing Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme, which would allow householders to receive a minimum of 47c/kWh.
“This provides a genuine incentive for home owners to install renewable energy systems, which not only have a positive impact on the environment but will also help householders manage their electricity bills,” Mr Collier said.
The scheme was available for new and existing photovoltaic, wind and micro-hydro systems that are owned by the resident, including those at tenanted properties.
Recipients would receive payments through the scheme for 10 years, helping them recover the cost of installing solar photovoltaic systems.
The Minister said interest in renewable energy continued to grow, with about 17,000 residential systems installed in almost two years.
“Home owners are realising the benefits of installing renewable energy systems, such as avoiding energy costs,” he said.
“Based on a one kW system, 83 per cent of electricity generated is used in the home, with the remaining 17 per cent being exported into the grid.”
10 August, 2010
New guide shows
way on diversity
The Office of Multicultural Interests has released a new practical guide to help Local Governments respond to the multicultural needs of their communities.
Speaking at the Western Australian Local Government Convention, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, John Castrilli said Implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism Locally was a practical tool to plan and deliver services that met the needs of residents from culturally and linguistically-diverse backgrounds.
He said the guide incorporated a decision-making framework, explanation of terms, tested tips and case studies highlighting the innovative multicultural programs and experiences of several WA Local Governments.
“Local Government reform is placing greater emphasis on community engagement and consultation,” Mr Castrilli said.
“The guide assists Local Governments to involve the community in future planning.”
He said residents needed to feel involved in future planning and service delivery for the area where they lived and which reflected their ideas and diversity.
He said Implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism Locally highlighted the benefits Local Governments could obtain from employing better engagement practices with their diverse ratepayers.
“They include increased participation in activities across the community; greater diversity in representation on Council and in the workforce and greater community cohesion,” Mr Castrilli said.
“I also encourage Local Governments to use this important guide to integrate multicultural initiatives and principles into their planning and reporting processes,” he said.
10 August, 2010
Climate lessons are
school for thought
The Department of Environment and Conservation has developed an online resource that teaches students about climate change and how to live sustainably
Launched by the Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher Operation Climate Change aims to provide an integrated learning experience for students in years 5-10 to explore the issues associated with global warming.
Mrs Faragher said the program encouraged young people to look at their behaviour in relation to consumption and waste, biodiversity, transport and energy and water use.
“It shows how adjusting personal actions can make a positive difference to the environment and helps teach students how to reduce the carbon footprint of their family home,” Mrs Faragher said.
“Being an online resource means it is available to all young Western Australians in schools, community groups such as the Scouts and Guides and in isolated areas.”
The Minister said the information was presented in a dynamic way that made learning a fun activity.
She said the climate change challenge would need to be met by all West Australians, including young people, by making changes to the way they lived.
“It is vital that we all work together to protect our valuable environmental assets, community infrastructure, lifestyle and economy from the effects of climate change,” she said.
Operation Climate Change can be accessed at www.operationclimatechange.com.au
10 August, 2010
Mobile Office
wheeled out
The Commonwealth Government’s Mobile Office that brings many Government payments and services to rural and remote communities is to visit the Wheatbelt this month.
An initiative of the State’s Centrelink staff, the mobile office will visit Lake Grace, Kondinin, Bruce Rock, Mukinbudin, Merredin, Trayning, Bencubbin, Quairading and the Dowerin Field Days.
Expected to cover 6,000 kilometres, it will visit 23 towns and attend field days on its seven-week journey around Western Australia.
Team Leader in the Office, Kathy Sack said it was particularly useful for people who did not have easy access to a Centrelink office.
“Staff on board the Mobile Office live and work in rural communities and can provide information, assistance and support to seniors, students, families, farmers and farm-dependent small businesses,” Ms Sack said.
The Centrelink Rural Service Officers and Rural Social Workers on board can assist people with a wide range of services, including new claims, counselling, updating customer information, confirming customer documents and social work support.
Ms Sack said the Mobile Office was custom-built to provide flexibility and space to assist a broader range of customers at different stages of their lives.
“All communities have different needs, and the Mobile Office initiative recognises that a style of service delivery that works well in one area may not necessarily work well in another,” she said.
“The versatility of the Mobile Office means we can adapt the services we offer to suit the specific needs of the community and its people.”
10 August, 2010
Experts to study
dolphin health
The Minister for Environment has set up an expert group to investigate the health of dolphins in rivers and estuaries across Western Australia.
Formation of the group was one of the key recommendations in Chief Scientist, Lyn Beazley’s report into the recent deaths of dolphins in the Swan and Canning River Park.
The Minister, Donna Faragher will implement all the report’s recommendations and has secured an initial $250,000 in the 2010-11 State Budget to begin the process.
Mrs Faragher said the working group would bring together WA’s foremost scientific minds in the fields of dolphin behaviour and estuarine ecosystems.
“The experience we gained during the dolphin deaths investigation highlighted both the depth and quality of evidence-based science in WA across a number of disciplines,” Mrs Faragher said.
“It also identified the need for appropriate strategies to co-ordinate much of this valuable work, particularly in our response to existing and emerging challenges to dolphin and estuarine health.”
She said the working group would meet bi-monthly and present a final report by the end of the year. This would identify priority areas of research and opportunities for improved sharing of information between expert stakeholders.
Professor Beazley will chair the group which will include Keiran McNamara from the Department of Environment and Conservation; Naomi Arrowsmith from the Department of Water; Rod Hughes from the Swan River Trust; Dr Tom Hatton from CSIRO; Piers Verstegen from the Conservation Council of WA; Mark Batty from the WA Local Government Association, John Bannister, Bernard Bowen, Peter Millington, Emeritus Professor Mal Nairn and Rick Scoones,
Other members may be added at a later stage.
Professor Beazley said she was delighted that such a distinguished group of people with relevant expertise had agreed to be involved in an issue that was important to all West Australians.
10 August, 2010
Students bite ballot
on new species
School children across Western Australia and around the nation are about to vote in a competition to pick Australia’s favourite new species.
The Bush Blitz Top 10 New Species competition is a project of National Science Week.
Federal Minister for Environment Protection, Peter Garrett said scientists were turning up all sorts of amazing new species, from a barnacle that looked like the Sydney Opera House to a pink fish that walked on the sea floor.
“In an environmental research program funded by the Federal Government, scientists have nominated their Top 10 new critters, and now we need Aussie kids to pick their favourite,” Mr Garrett said.
“We want to get school students across the country excited by biodiversity so, in time, they may take the path of becoming the next generation of nature discovery scientists,” he said.
“This competition is a great way to do it.”
Mr Garrett said students could vote for their favourite new species in the lead up to National Science Week and to vote and find out more about how scientists discovered and named the various species they could visit the Bush Blitz website at www.bushblitz.org.au
The Minister said high school students could win the chance to roll up their sleeves in a real bush blitz with scientists, getting out into the bush to try and find their very own new species.
“For primary schools, there’s the chance to get an inside peak into nature discovery, with a visit to their nearest State or Territory museum for the entire class,” he said.
The number one species and lucky prize winners will be announced in September this year to mark Biodiversity Month.
10 August, 2010
Prawns tested for
extended shell life
A major testing program for exotic viruses affecting WA’s wild caught prawn fisheries have returned a clean bill of health
Senior Pathologist at the Department of Fisheries, Brian Jones said the checks showed there was no presence of the three most feared prawn viruses IHHNV (Infectious
Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus), WSSV (Whitespot Syndrome Virus)
and GAV (Gill-Associated Virus) in the State’s northwest waters.
“GAV does occur in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf on the WA-Northern Territory border, where it is believed to have established following escapes from NT prawn farms stocked with infected Queensland prawns,” Dr Jones said.
“Apart from that specific location though, which has been known about for five years,
GAV has not been detected anywhere else in WA.”
Dr Jones said the industry was currently worth between $25 million and $30 million to the State every year and even though the viruses were harmless to humans, the disease-free status of WA’s prawn fisheries was vital to their continuing success.
“Strains of the highly infectious virus IHHNV were detected in five Queensland prawn farms in 2008 and it is important that we continue to protect WA’s wild caught prawn fisheries - we have no prawn farms - from imports of infected live Queensland prawns,” he said.
“There is also a need to test for WSSV and GAV to maintain our claim to be free of these serious diseases. WA prawns are at high risk of becoming infected with these viruses.”
10 August, 2010
Prison listed
Fremantle Prison has been World Heritage Listed.
The listing of the prison, along with 10 other Australian convict sites, is recognition of Australia’s convict history and will further enhance Fremantle’s reputation as one of the world’s best preserved 19th century city-scapes.
The Federal Government provided $1.8 million to the Fremantle Prison Main Cell Block Conservation Project in 2009.
Mine enquiry rejected
Calls for a full-scale inquiry into mine safety have been rejected by Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Norman Moore. The calls follow a recently-reported death at a Norseman mine.
Inspectors from the Department of Mines and Petroleum will carry out an investigation into the death, and Mr Moore said the Government was already in the process of the biggest overhaul of mine safety in recent memory.
He said numerous official investigations and reports had been carried by various commissioners and industrial experts.
Native title settled
Australia’s biggest native title agreements have been successfully registered.
The $200 million agreements, between the Government and Broome’s traditional owners, the Yawuru People, will result in an initial flow of benefits to the community.
The agreements will increase the availability of land for tourism, residential and industrial development and a new airport.
Programs to beat violence
Service providers are to share $6.8 million across the next four years to deliver support programs to keep women and children safe in their homes following domestic violence incidents.
The program is expected to have a positive effect in tackling homelessness issues for women and children.
Under the measures, women in domestic violence situations would be offered support via referrals to a wide range of Agencies including Crisis Care, medical practitioners, health services, legal services, mental health, women’s refuges, drug counselling, Court Victim Support Services, relationships counselling and domestic violence children’s counselling services.
Legume guide out
The Department of Agriculture and Food has released a guide to optimising the potential of the pasture legume ‘biserrula’.
The 55-page guide, Growing biserrula to Improve Grain and Livestock Production harnesses all the latest research, development and extension information on the popular pasture.
It also features seven case studies and outlines key management options.
The guide is available on request from Department offices or at www.agric.wa.gov.au
Councils in water plan
Five Western Australian Local Councils have been recognised for joining a State-wide water saving program.
The cities of Melville, Joondalup and Subiaco and the shires of Capel and Serpentine Jarrahdale have joined the Waterwise Council program.
The program was developed by the Department of Water and the Water Corporation to encourage Councils to take actions that save water.
Councils which already hold Waterwise Council status are the cities of Perth and Mandurah, the shires of Augusta-Margaret River and Kalamunda and the towns of Kwinana and Cambridge.
Port gets sewerage
Two adjoining areas of Port Hedland, involving more than 250 residential blocks, are to be provided with a sewerage service.
Tenders are expected to be called for the estimated $7.5 million project within three months.
The Water Corporation has completed a detailed design of the project.
3 August, 2010
Housing partnership
to build affordability
A new partnership between LandCorp and The University of Western Australia is expected to lower the cost of home-building and lead to innovative and sustainable housing solutions.
The initiative has enabled the university’s Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts to create a dedicated research and design program, including lectures, seminars and practical design exercises, to investigate cost-effective housing solutions with a focus on sustainability.
It was announced by the Minister for Lands, Brendon Grylls.
“Some of the best young minds in architecture and design studies live in WA,” Mr Grylls said, “so it makes sense to tap into their talent, enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude as part of our determination to find more affordable living solutions.
“In return, participating students will have a golden opportunity to work alongside LandCorp to model their work on real projects, with the real challenges they incur.”
He said the Built-form, Infrastructure and Landscape Design Innovation Program (BILD) would initially focus on the Government’s Mandurah Junction residential development.
The BILD initiative follows on from the success of the State Government’s REAL Challenge in regional WA, which called for builders and architects to work together to develop housing designs that addressed the dual issues of housing affordability and climate-responsive design for the diverse climates of the Kimberley, Pilbara and South-West.
All work and concepts from the BILD program, including a final design report and display, would be exhibited at the end-of-year exhibition at UWA’s Cullity Gallery.
Mr Grylls said the LandCorp BILD program at the university was likely to be followed by an extended, more ambitious project in Karratha, expected to start next year.
3 August, 2010
CMO lifts ban
on flu vaccines
The Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer has lifted the ban on flu vaccinations for children under five.
The CMO, Jim Bishop, said continued close monitoring of side effects with this year’s seasonal flu vaccine had shown that the higher than usual occurrence of fever and febrile convulsions in young children appeared to be confined to the vaccine Fluvax, manufactured by CSL.
“In my last report to parents and the medical profession on 1 June, I highlighted that Fluvax appeared to be the main concern but that, because of limited use, there was insufficient evidence about the extent of fever and febrile convulsions associated with the other vaccines on the market,” Professor Bishop said.
“I therefore continued to recommend the suspension of use of all seasonal flu vaccinations for healthy children under five. At the same time, I also encouraged parents to speak with their doctor about vaccination if a child had an underlying medical condition where flu could be harmful.”
Professor Bishop said that since then, continued investigations in Australia and overseas indicated there did not appear to be the higher than normal incidence of febrile convulsions in children under five with the other seasonal flu vaccines Influvac and Vaxigrip.
“In particular, data from Australia and New Zealand show that rates of fever and febrile convulsions associated with Vaxigrip and Influvac are similar to those seen with trivalent seasonal flu vaccine in previous years,” he said
“While to date it has still not been possible to identify a biological or other basis that would explain the higher than expected observed rates of fever and febrile convulsions with Fluvax, the investigations are continuing.”
He has now advised that if parents of children under five wanted to have their children vaccinated against seasonal flu that they should discuss the use of Vaxigrip or Influvac with their GP or vaccine provider.
3 August, 2010
Union pulls out of
higher education
The Community and Public Sector Union is to move out of the higher education sector in WA leaving University general staff to join other unions.
Describing the decision as ‘difficult’, the CPSU recommended affected Uni staff transfer to the National Tertiary Education Union, the NTEU.
Secretary of the WA Branch, Toni Walkington said a number of factors had brought the CPSU to this point.
“For a decade, since the Australian Industrial Relations Commission allowed the NTEU to change its membership rules and cover general staff, both the CPSU and NTEU have competed for members,” Ms Walkington said.
“This has resulted in a duplication of union efforts and resources and a higher education workforce divided between general and academic staff, who face a strong and united employers group at the bargaining table.”
She said neither the CPSU nor the NTEU had recruited enough members in WA to place real bargaining power in the hands of workers and make the employer recognise that fact.
She said that in the face of this situation the CPSU decided to show leadership and put the interests of all higher education workers and unionism in general before its own sectional interests.
“We believe that the higher education industry faces growing opportunities and immense challenges and the employees in WA would be better placed in one union to tackle both,” Ms Walkington said.
“The NTEU has provided undertakings that it will represent general staff with the same steely determination as we have in the past.”
Ms Walkington urged all CPSU members to transfer to the NTEU and become active in that union which now represented all higher education workers.
She said the NTEU had agreed to allow transferring CPSU members to pay union fees at their CPSU rate until February 2013, if that is less than the current NTEU rate.
3 August, 2010
DMP rocks with
geology database
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has won international recognition for the quality of its petroleum geology database.
The DMP’s petroleum geology database was judged the third best in the world by the globally regarded Fraser Institute Petroleum Survey.
The database, Western Australian Petroleum (and Geothermal) Information Management System (WAPIMS) contains essential data submitted to the Department by the petroleum industry and includes information on titles, wells, geophysical surveys, petroleum exploration and production data and mineral boreholes drilled in the State.
Director General of DMP, Richard Sellers said the WAPIMS performed well due to its exceptional volume, quality and availability of geoscience information provided to guide exploration.
“Since 2001 the WAPIMS team has undertaken significant initiatives to lead towards more effective and efficient distribution of geoscience information worldwide,” Mr Sellers said.
“There has been continual development of the database over the years with increases in the volume of data available and upgrades to the internet delivery systems.”
He said the move up the rankings from 18th in the 2009 survey to third in 2010 was a clear indication of the important contribution the database was making to the international petroleum industry.
“The introduction of digital papers in 2005 made Geological Survey reports, maps and digital products available online, providing a comprehensive set of Western Australian geological data to the petroleum industry world-wide,” Mr Sellers said.
3 August, 2010
Doctors prescription
not good medicine
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show Western Australians went to hospital, or visited emergency departments, more often than any other Australians.
According to the first national Patient Experience Survey conducted by the ABS, women across Australia used health services more than men and some people delayed getting medical care – or didn’t get it at all, - because they couldn’t afford it.
The survey showed that in the past 12 months, one in 16 people had put off seeing their doctor or had not seen him or her at all.
It also showed that one in 10 people with a prescription put off getting it made up or didn’t get their medicine at all.
It also showed that around one in 10 people referred to a medical specialist had delayed seeing him or her, or didn’t go to see the specialist at all.
According to the survey, the people of WA enjoyed the highest rates of admissions to hospital (16 per cent) and of visiting a hospital emergency department (also 16 per cent).
The survey also revealed that a quarter of those who visited an emergency department in the past year thought the care they had gone there for could have been provided by a GP.
This was also the case in over a third of households with children who had been taken to emergency.
According to the ABS figures, one in 18 people had seen a GP after hours, while in around a sixth of households with children under 15, at least one child had seen a GP after hours.
South Australians had the highest rates of seeing GPs after hours for both their own and their children’s health - 9 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.
About three out of four people seeking urgent medical care reported seeing a GP on the same day they needed the care, mostly within four hours, however one in 10 people did not see a GP for two or more days after making an appointment for urgent medical care.
3 August, 2010
Minister buys into
local purchase plan
The Minister for Regional Development has set up a working group to alert regional communities to the wisdom and benefits of buying locally.
The Minister, Brendon Grylls has invited Kalgoorlie MLA, John Bowler to chair a working group to make regional communities aware of existing programs and mechanisms that promote buy-local policies and to explore new ideas.
North West MLA, Vince Catania; Albany MLA, Peter Watson and Geraldton MLA, Ian Blayney have been invited to join the group, ensuring strong State-wide regional representation.
“While there are certain national and international competition rules that may mitigate against local buying, I am keen to find ways to ensure that local business and industry can benefit from Royalties for Regions investment wherever possible,” Mr Grylls said.
He said he intended to explore with his Ministerial colleagues the potential for a specific, regionally-focused promotion and education program funded through Royalties for Regions and he would like the Regional Development Council, comprising the Chairs of the State’s nine Regional Development Commissions, to become involved.
“The State Government’s Royalties for Regions program is a significant source of new funding for regional WA and there may be avenues to incorporate, where appropriate, a greater buy-local thrust into our grants schemes and capital works projects,” Mr Grylls said.
The working group is to report to the Minister by 31 October.
3 August, 2010
Fuel card scheme
powering ahead
The Country Age Pension Fuel Card Scheme has notched up a major milestone with the presentation of its 30,000th fuel card.
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls presented the card, together with a memento of the occasion, to Valerie Regan at Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Mrs Regan said she was delighted to receive her Country Age Pension Fuel Card and told the Minister it would provide welcome help for her to get around as she suffers from arthritis.
Mr Grylls said it was great to see the benefits of the scheme at first hand and he looked forward to many other eligible pensioners applying for the card and receiving the $500 credit for fuel or taxi fares.
The scheme’s expansion, announced in May, meant the card would be available to up to 43,000 people by the end of the year.
“Fuel card and call centre service provider Retail Decisions, transaction provider Australia Post and the Department of Transport have worked hard to ensure existing card holders received their new cards in July,” Mr Grylls said.
“Some new applicants like Mrs Regan are already enjoying the benefits and I encourage anyone who hasn’t applied to do so as soon as possible.”
He said country pensioners who receive Centrelink age pension, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) service pension, DVA Social Security age pension, DVA Income Support Supplement pension, Centrelink Disability Support, Carer Payment, Widow B and Wife pension, should visit their local Australia Post outlets to apply.
3 August, 2010
Mental health study
to plan ahead
The Commissioner for Children and Young People has embarked on an independent inquiry into the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australia’s children and young people.
Commissioner, Michelle Scott said the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people was constantly raised with her as an issue of concern by the children and young people themselves, their families and organisations who work with them.
“Mental disorders cause the highest burden of disease in the 0-18 age group,” Ms Scott said.
“Parents and organisations working with children want to know what more can be done from infancy to prevent mental health problems in adolescence or adulthood.”
She said the inquiry would identify ways to effectively prevent, reduce and treat mental health problems among children and young people from birth to adolescence.
“The inquiry’s findings will also provide important information for the wider community about how to strengthen children and young people’s mental health now and into the future,” the Commissioner said.
She is inviting submissions to the inquiry from professionals, Government and community organisations, as well as members of the public, including children, young people and their families. Submissions close on 1 November.
3 August, 2010
Perth announces
pushbike push
A draft plan to make Perth a more bicycle friendly city has been released for public consultation.
The Cycle Plan will help the City meet its 2029 vision to create a “progressive city streetscape with improved access and routes for cyclists”.
Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi said that the development of the Cycle Plan would be of benefit to the thousands of cyclists in the city and encourage others to take up the sustainable mode of transport.
“The city is very committed to creating a bike-friendly environment that makes cycling as easily accessible as possible,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“I am calling on all people who currently cycle - and even those who don’t but would consider taking it up – to have their say in shaping this draft.”
She said it was envisaged that the document would comprise objectives and targets for cycling in the city.
These would include increased end-of-trip facilities; the development of a strategic cycle network; high quality education and training; best practice land use planning principles; improved infrastructure and safety; identified opportunities for integrated transport programs and projects; effective encouragement and promotion activities.
Members of the community have an opportunity to express their views on what their vision is for cycling in the city by visiting the City of Perth website at www.perth.wa.gov.au/cycleplan
Ms Scaffidi said that once the draft Cycle Plan was developed, the public would have another opportunity to comment on the activities included in it.
3 August, 2010
Energy comments
add fuel to debate
The results of community consultation on Western Australia’s energy future have been welcomed by the Minister for Energy, Peter Collier.
Mr Collier said the consultation forums were a key part of developing the State Government’s strategic energy initiative Energy 2030, and reaffirmed the value of consultation about WA’s future energy needs.
Organised by the Office of Energy, the sessions involved community members, energy sector stakeholders, businesses, Local Government and State Government Agencies.
“The forums provided a valuable opportunity to hear what people think in relation to our energy use over the next 20 years,” Mr Collier said.
“There was robust discussion about issues as varied as energy affordability, the role of renewable energy, investment in energy infrastructure and the role of technology in providing household energy savings.”
Ensuring adequate energy supply to meet predicted industry and population growth was also a common theme in the forums.
“This contribution is exactly what is needed to assist Government in developing an energy initiative that can address the challenges the State will face,” the Minister said.
He said all contributions from the consultation process would be reviewed and prioritised for consideration by the Government in a directions paper to be released soon.
He said the community would continue to have the opportunity to provide further input following its release.
3 August, 2010
Schools plug into
power program
Western Power has developed a new energy education program for schools.
Launched with the help of Year 4-5 students from Cottesloe Primary School, the program complements Western Power’s existing electrical safety programs.
Minister for Energy, Peter Collier said teaching students early on in their lives about the importance of energy efficiency was vital if the State was to reduce its carbon footprint and, in turn, help families keep electricity bills down.
“Children can often be the best people to remind us about what we need to do to be energy efficient,” Mr Collier said.
“It takes vigilance and persistence, and from my time in the classroom, I have learnt that children have plenty of these qualities.”
The Power Down program focuses on students in years 4 to 7 and involves a 40-minute interactive presentation, helping students to become a Power Down Ranger by understanding the role of electricity in everyday life and ways to reduce energy use.
The materials provided during the classes are directly linked to science, social and environmental outcomes of the school curriculum, ensuring students get the most out of the class presentations.
Students also receive a take home pack to share information with their parents.
Managing Director at Western Power, Doug Aberle said the Corporation expected to deliver the program to 10,000 students in primary schools during the next 12 months.
“The program provides us with the ability to directly connect with the community, providing information on how people can be more energy efficient,” Mr Aberle said.
3 August, 2010
Wildlife tamed in
beginners’ course
A beginners’ course in caring for wildlife is to be conducted by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in Albany.
Open to anyone in the community interested in the welfare and protection of native wildlife, the Basic Wildlife Rehabilitator’s Course will be held over a weekend later this month.
Regional Wildlife Officer at DEC, Jon Pridham said the introductory course was designed for anyone who was interested in volunteering their time at an established wildlife rehabilitation centre.
“This dynamic course will give people a valuable opportunity to build skills in properly caring for native animals that might be injured or sick,” Mr Pridham said.
“It is also a prerequisite for any volunteers who wish to become a DEC Registered Wildlife Rehabilitator in the future, and care for animals in their own home.
Participants would get a chance to learn from some of WA’s most experienced and knowledgeable experts including Perth Zoo’s veterinary staff and rehabilitators from the State’s top centres including Kanyana Rehabilitation Centre, Kooikuna Wildlife Sanctuary and Eagles Heritage Centre in Margaret River.
“Along with DEC staff, the presenters will share their expertise in their specialised fields such as marsupials, reptiles, and birds, including raptors. Participants will also be given information on what to do when they come across sick or injured wildlife,” Mr Pridham said.
Participants will receive a comprehensive course manual and a certificate on successful completion. Fees for the course are $100.
3 August, 2010
Fashion display a
model project
An exhibition of fashion and creativity is to be hosted by the Western Australian Museum – Maritime as part of the 2010 Perth Fashion Festival in September.
Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day said the Beyond Garment exhibition would showcase the work of West Australians in creative industries such as jewellery, shoes, bags and millinery.
“Many of the pieces for Beyond Garment will be unique and have been created especially for the exhibition, which will celebrate accessories as works of art in their own right,” Mr Day said.
“This exhibition is the result of a partnership between the Western Australian Museum, the Perth Fashion Festival and Curtin University, with support from the Department of Culture and the Arts, and reflects the continued growth of the State’s fashion industry.”
Director of Perth Fashion Festival, Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan said the partnership was an exciting initiative.
“The festival was first established 12 years ago as a new way of showcasing the wonderful talent of West Australian designers by staging innovative and inspirational events and Beyond Garment certainly continues this work,” Ms Harvey-Hanrahan said.
The exhibition is curated by the Director of Curtin University’s School of Design and Art, Anne Farren,
“Since the rise of street style and the democratisation of fashion in the 1960s, shifts in the control of fashion trends and ideas have enabled the acknowledgement of accessory and textile forms as both design and artworks in their own right,” Ms Farren said.
The exhibition will include the work of jewellery designers Sophie Kyron and Alister Yiap, artists Maggie Baxter and Nalda Searles and textile artists-designers Elizabeth Delfs and Eunjeong Jeon.
Beyond Garment will run from September 3 to November 28.
3 August, 2010
People power
to be prepaid
The Office of Energy (OOE) has invited the public to comment on a plan to introduce more pre-paid electricity meters in the Kimberley region.
The move follows recent changes to the Code of Conduct for the Supply of Electricity to Small Use Customers by the Economic Regulation Authority, allowing pre-paid meters (PPMs) to be used only in areas declared by the Minister.
Minister for Energy, Peter Collier said the meters were already used in many remote and regional Aboriginal communities, mostly in the Kimberley, as a way of enabling customers to have greater control over their household budgets.
He said the positive response from communities to their introduction prompted the proposal to extend their use to other areas of the Kimberley.
“PPMs have been used in remote and regional Aboriginal communities since 2005,” Mr Collier said.
“Customers in these communities are very supportive of the technology as it enables them to better manage their power costs. However, this does not mean that all customers will be forced to have a meter, rather it allows the retailer to offer this service in the area.”
He said there were also provisions in the Code of Conduct to ensure that anyone with a PPM had an appropriate level of customer protection.
Through the consultation, the OOE hopes to gain a better understanding of the link between disconnection rates (number and duration) and financial hardship, to test the effectiveness of the new code requirements and changes to hardship systems aimed at PPM users.
To do this, the OOE plans to monitor a number of the PPM installations, which will also provide information on levels of electricity use.
Any monitoring will be undertaken in consultation with the retailer and customer when new PPMs are installed.
3 August, 2010
Aquaculture reforms
to cast a wide net
New, simpler, rules for aquaculture projects promise to avoid duplication, streamline processes and cut bureaucratic red tape.
Minister for Environment, Donna Faragher and the Minister for Fisheries, Norman Moore said existing and proposed aquaculture developments would no longer need works approval and licensing under the Environmental Protection (EP) Act.
This is expected to save the industry up to $100,000 each year in licensing fees, the Ministers said.
Mrs Faragher said the change would remove duplication in regulating aquaculture activities that were also subject to regulation under the Fish Resources Management Act.
“Previously, aquaculture operators needed to obtain a works approval and licence from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and an aquaculture licence from the Department of Fisheries,” Mrs Faragher said.
“The new arrangement should result in a marked reduction in the time and cost it takes for aquaculture industry operators to comply with regulatory and reporting requirements,” she said.
Mr Moore said the two Departments had endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding and three Codes of Practice covering all aspects of the aquaculture industry.
“The Department of Fisheries will now manage operational, compliance and enforcement activities associated with the WA aquaculture industry,” Mr Moore said.
“Fisheries also will manage any complaints, but will refer events to DEC where the powers of the EP Act may need to be used.”
3 August, 2010
Uni floats new
water centre
A new research centre to explore the development of desalination processes has been established at Murdoch University.
A $3 million Government grant will help design, establish and operate a range of testing facilities of value to industry and research.
Minister for Science and Innovation, Bill Marmion said the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination would research technologies to directly benefit Western Australia’s two desalination facilities and others throughout the world.
“We live in a world where we continue to strive for new and better ways of doing things and desalination is no different,” Mr Marmion said.
“The National Centre of Excellence in Desalination will investigate new desalination technologies and expand existing practices to ensure plants work as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
The Minister said the Government’s support illustrated its work to push the boundaries of research and development.
“Water is a finite and precious resource in limited supply in WA. New technologies developed will be particularly valuable for regional communities,” he said.
“The Government acted promptly to address supply issues by constructing two desalination plants, one in Kwinana, the nation’s first facility purpose-built to supply a capital city, and another in the South-West.
“This investment will help WA lead the way in desalination research, and securing our future, while lifting our global research profile,” Mr Marmion said.
3 August, 2010
Electors enrolled
The Australian Electoral Commission has announced that a total of 1,356,288 people in Western Australia are enrolled to vote in the 2010 Federal Election.
State Manager for the Commission, Peter Kramer said this was an increase of 43,346 from the total at the 2007 election.
Nationally, a total of 14,030,528 Australians are enrolled compared to 13,645,073 in 2007.
GESB campaign a winner
GESB has won the Integrated Campaign of the Year Award for the second year in a row at the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) Communications Awards, held in Melbourne.
The winning campaign focused on helping members achieve long-term financial well-being through greater awareness of the advantages of consolidating their superannuation.
GESB is the largest WA-based superannuation provider with more than 317,000 members.
Finalists in line for awards
A total of 48 finalists have been named in the 2010 WA Training Awards.
They have been drawn from 232 applications from across the State and represent a variety of professions.
Winners will be announced on Friday, 27 August with some having the opportunity to take part in the Australian Training Awards in Sydney on 19 November.
The WA Training Awards are a joint initiative of the Department of Training and Workforce Development and State Training Board.
A full list of the finalists can be found here.
Developers called
Expressions of interest have been called to develop the significant four-hectare Riverside project in Perth.
This is the first inner city riverside development to be delivered to the market since East Perth Redevelopment Authority’s Claisebrook Village development in the 1990s.
The site, on the city side of the Causeway near the WACA and Trinity College, is expected to transform the eastern gateway to the city.
Expressions of interest are open until 22 September.
Park management for comment
Proposed amendments to the Fitzgerald River National Park Management Plan 1991-2001 have been released for public comment by the Conservation Commission of Western Australia.
Chair of the Commission, Patricia Barblett said the amendments allowed for improved access and facilities to one of Australia’s most biologically significant national parks.
The closing date for public submissions is 1 October.
Low-density housing
A report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that low-density dwellings still make up two thirds of all building approvals in the Perth metropolitan area.
The study shows this proportion has barely changed in the last decade despite Government goals for higher urban density.
Since 2001, there has been a small increase in the proportion of Building Approvals for flats, units and apartments, rising from nine per cent to 12 per cent of all approvals.
However, the proportion of approvals for clustered (medium density) dwellings, at around 21 per cent, has not increased.
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