SearchArchives for July 2010
27 July, 2010Commerce crackdown
a boon for workers
The Department of Commerce recovered $1.18 million in unpaid entitlements to WA workers last financial year.The Department’s Labour Relations Division investigated 493 complaints from employees who claimed they weren’t being paid correctly under the State’s employment laws and found the majority were being underpaid.
According to the Department, individual underpayments varied from a few hundred dollars up to $30,000 and the hospitality and retail sectors were prominent industries where underpayments were identified.
The Department said the highest number of complaints was for breaches of the State’s Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993.
Minister for Commerce, Bill Marmion said the Act set minimum employee entitlements across all industries.
“Overwhelmingly, we find that a lack of understanding is the major contributing factor to employers underpaying their staff. However, unfortunately we do find that some employers deliberately underpay their staff,” Mr Marmion said.
The Department also finalised prosecutions against seven employers for breaching State employment laws, which led to the recovery of a further $47,000 in underpayments.
In March, the Industrial Magistrates Court fined a trolley collecting service $1,950 for underpaying two employees and ordered back pay totalling $5,062.
In another matter, the Court ordered an accounting firm to back pay an employee $7,113 for failing to pay a long service leave entitlement.
“The employers concerned all could have avoided prosecution if they had made a free, five-minute telephone call to Wageline on their employment law obligations,” the Minister said.
“I urge all employers to contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 to ensure they are paying their staff correctly.”
27 July, 2010
Motorists urged to
use Fuelwatch
Motorists have been urged to make more use of the State’s FuelWatch service which could have a major influence on keeping the price of fuel down.Acting Deputy Prices Commissioner, Peter Groves said motorists had a significant weapon in their buying power and urged them to purchase only the cheapest fuel at the cheapest site on the cheapest day.
“Motorists adopting this purchasing pattern can flex their muscles in the marketplace and drive competition by rewarding those fuel outlets which consistently offer the cheapest price,” Mr Groves said.
“The weekly price cycle in Perth continues with prices rising mid-week, so motorists should try to fill up on Mondays or Tuesdays and avoid the weekends if possible.”
Motorists should check with FuelWatch to see where the cheapest fuel was being offered in their area and make an effort to purchase only from that service station, he said.
“As an example, on Wednesday 21 July, 24 BP sites increased unleaded petrol price to 131.9c per litre - an increase of 11c.
“However, most petrol stations in Perth were selling for less than 121c the following day and FuelWatch recommended not paying more than this.”
Mr Groves said FuelWatch advises drivers to always check the price of petrol before they buy.
Motorists can find the cheapest prices via a free daily email from FuelWatch and simply had to enter www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au to subscribe. More than 37,000 people were already signed up.
27 July, 2010
Sports research a
boost for teachers
A research report released by the Department of Sport and Recreation has revealed that physically active children do better at school.The research showed that the enhancement of cognitive functioning (information processing), memory, concentration, behaviour, improved mental health and academic achievement - including higher test scores - were benefits of children’s physical activity.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Terry Waldron said academic success and good health were outcomes most parents and teachers prioritised and strived to attain for their children and students, and the report highlighted the strong positive link between the two.
The report, Brain boost: Sport and physical activity enhance children’s learning, is the latest addition to a strong and growing body of evidence supporting the theory that children who were more physically active were more likely to achieve better results in the classroom and that sport and physical activity could be used as a strategy in the classroom to optimise children’s learning.
The review of Australian and international research by the University of Western Australia’s Karen Martin showed participation in sport and physical activity not only gave children’s bodies a work-out but also their brains.
Dr Martin, from the university’s School of Population Health, said the findings should be of great interest to those in sports-related fields, parents and educators.
She said there was evidence of a reduction over the years in children’s participation in physical activity and organised community sport, which was particularly evident in Australia, and the results should sound warning bells for anyone who thought it better for children to spend more time hitting the books at the expense of physical activity.
Dr Martin said there were numerous studies that indicated children could spend less time learning and more time being physically active during the school day without affecting academic success or progress.
27 July, 2010
Fairer scheme for
public housing rents
Major changes to public housing rents are to apply from1 October with tenants on higher incomes paying more to reflect private rental charges.In addition, the rates of subsidised rent in public housing will be standardised.
Minister for Housing, Bill Marmion said both changes were consistent with the recommendations of the Social Housing Taskforce Report released in October 2009, and would bring Western Australia into line with all other States’ public housing charges.
Mr Marmion said any additional revenue raised as a result of the increases would be reinvested into public housing acquisition and maintenance programs.
The Minister said demand for public housing continued to grow with 24,136 applications on the waiting list as at 30 June.
“Currently WA has a situation where some tenants pay a lower rate of rent based on the date they moved in, rather than their level of need,” Mr Marmion said.
“These changes will put all tenants on an equal footing, while ensuring rents remain affordable.”
General Manager of the Department of Housing, Steve Parry said the adjustments would be gradual and in line with tenants’ annual rent review and aimed at ensuring there was minimal impact on them.
Mr Parry said approximately 14 per cent of public housing tenants on higher incomes paid rent based on an assessed market value.
He said market rents in public housing were periodically adjusted to ensure parity with private sector rents, using information obtained from the Valuer General’s Office.
The current market rents are based on 2005 data and are no longer comparable to rents in the private sector.
Mr Marmion said the Department of Housing would be adjusting public housing market rents later this year to begin bringing them in line with private sector rents.
“The current outdated market rents encourage tenants on higher incomes to remain in public housing rather than move into the private rental market,” Mr Marmion said, “and free up public housing for those in greater need.”
27 July, 2010
New training plan
for safer industries
A new training program for workers in the oil and gas industries promises to improve their skills and reduce potential dangers in the workplace.Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Peter Collier said the program, which involves collaboration between Challenger Institute of Technology, Woodside and Sage Technology, showed that training in WA was becoming increasingly responsive and adaptable to the needs of industry.
“Future workers in the resources industry will be trained at Challenger’s Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT) in a web-based permit-to-work system that is poised to become an industry benchmark,” Mr Collier said.
He said Sage Technology had donated the award-winning SageSURPASS software to ACEPT, which would prepare oil and gas trainees for using the system in the workplace.
“This generous donation from Sage Technology will provide students with a professional and industry-relevant learning experience,” Mr Collier said.
“It will also contribute to better safety management with a stable, user-friendly system that will not only create safer work processes but also equip workers with the skills that industry needs.”
The collaboration would not just assist future oil and gas workers, it would benefit the broader resources industry and other sectors.
“Woodside’s Integrated Safe System of Work is set to meet the different requirements of a wide range of industries, such as oil and gas, power generation, petrochemicals, mining and minerals processing, and manufacturing,” Mr Collier said.
27 July, 2010
Cultural Centre
a work of art
The first phase of revitalising the Perth Cultural Centre precinct has been officially unveiled by the Minister for Planning, John Day.Mr Day said the Government, through the East Perth Redevelopment Authority, had invested $11 million into the Perth Cultural Centre precinct, including William Street, to make the area safer, livelier and more appealing for the community and visitors to the city.
“This project has been driven by the principles of ‘place making’, turning a space into a place, and planning for people,” Mr Day said.
“We can now celebrate the great outcomes of this first phase of transformation in the cultural centre into an attractive and functional public space,” he said.
Work on the Perth Cultural Centre included improved lighting and increased security presence; sustainable and functional landscaping; the creation of an urban orchard and native wetlands; aesthetic improvements and furniture; measures to encourage more community initiatives and events and restorative works to 11 heritage buildings on William Street combined with a targeted leasing program.
The Minister said the urban orchard and native wetlands would be used as an outdoor classroom and community garden.
“The wetland features a stage for outdoor performances and contains flora and fauna, which was native to the area prior to development and will be monitored by school groups and the WA Museum’s Frog Watch program,” he said.
“This once under-utilised public space connecting the city to Northbridge and housing the State’s key cultural institutions is now a destination for large-scale events, as well as an enjoyable place to spend time with family and friends.”
The restoration of 11 heritage properties on William Street is almost complete and will soon host some of Perth’s best restaurants, retail and creative industries.
27 July, 2010
Call for changes
to Family Law
Academics involved in an official study of the Family law have called for changes to the legislation.Associate Professor Dale Bagshaw of the University of South Australia and Professor Thea Brown of Monash University in Victoria were commissioned by the Federal Attorney-General to look into the impact of reforms to the Family Law Act that were introduced in 2006.
They surveyed more than 1,000 adults and 112 children, concluding that the system required a major overhaul if it was to give children’s safety the highest priority.
Associate Professor Bagshaw said the study revealed that parents who reported family violence were often not believed, while many children were not consulted or asked for their input into new parenting arrangements. She said if they were, their views were often disregarded.
“Putting the needs of children first was said to be a priority in the 2006 family law reform, yet the children we spoke to felt powerless and that they had no voice,” Professor Bagshaw said.
“There are children who are being subjected to serious abuse and neglect because under the current system, shared parenting is given higher priority and children’s voices are often not heard.”
Professor Bagshaw said children wanted to be consulted about parenting arrangements, particularly where there was family violence.
She said there are some cases where parents have separated, and the children are put in a dangerous situation when they spend time alone with the perpetrator.
The 2006 changes to the Family Law Act were supposed to restructure and expand services to promote a change of thinking and behaviour in post-separation parenting.
Instead the study found that, where there was family violence, both men and women were very dissatisfied with responses from lawyers, Family Relationship Centres, Centrelink, the Child Support Agency and the Family Courts.
Professor Bagshaw said respondents to the survey did not think the services understood family violence, its impact on them or on their children regarding their care, both before and after the 2006 legislation.
The study also found that a presence or a history of family violence affected mothers, fathers and children in terms of their decisions to separate, to access services, how they used them and how they parented post separation.
The report is available at www.apo.org.au
27 July, 2010
Flu season nothing
to sneeze at
The Department of Health has warned that the influenza season has started but it’s not too late to be vaccinated.Director of Communicable Disease Control at the Department, Paul Armstrong said vaccination against influenza was the best way to protect against the disease and that anyone who wanted to prevent themselves getting influenza should consider being vaccinated.
Dr Armstrong said vaccination was particularly important for those in groups with a high risk of developing severe disease, including the elderly, Indigenous people, pregnant women, the very overweight, and people with chronic medical conditions.
“It is important for these high risk groups to take advantage of the free Commonwealth-funded vaccine that is available to them,” Dr Armstrong said.
“It takes from 10 to 14 days to develop good immunity after the vaccine, so people who want to be vaccinated should do so quickly.”
He said vaccinations not only protected the individual, but they also helped to slow the spread of influenza in the community and reduced the load on hospitals.
Dr Armstrong said the seasonal influenza vaccination program for healthy children under five years of age remained suspended.
“Parents of children aged under five who have an underlying medical condition that puts their child at increased risk of severe illness from flu are encouraged to speak with their doctor about vaccination options,” he said.
This year’s seasonal influenza vaccine will protect against the human swine flu strain, as well as two other strains of the virus which are expected to circulate in the community.
Each year about 10 per cent of the Western Australian population catch influenza and more than 200 people die from complications such as pneumonia.
27 July, 2010
Pollution survey a
breath of fresh air
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is urging members of the public to have their say on national standards for air pollution.This follows the recent release by the National Environment Protection Council of a discussion paper on human health and air quality, Review of National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure.
A member of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Air Quality Management Branch, Drew Farrar, said that since 1998 the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure had provided a uniform national framework for monitoring and reporting on common air pollutants.
“The current review will evaluate its success in setting air quality standards that allow for the protection of human health,” Mr Farrar said.
“This is why we are encouraging people to have their say - from community groups and individuals to Government and industry.”
The National Environment Protection Council recently held an information session in Perth to provide details about the review and encourage discussion between stakeholders, with support from DEC.
The information session included an ‘open house’ during which people reviewed information about air quality and the national standard. This was followed by a formal presentation by air quality experts at which National Environment Protection Council and DEC staff were available to answer questions.
The discussion paper is available at www.ephc.gov.au (go to the Air sub-heading and click on Ambient Air Quality NEPM in the drop-down menu). The public comment period is open until 27 August.
27 July, 2010
Cane toad problem
is warts and all
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has reminded travellers to take care with what they transport following the discovery of a live cane toad in Broome last week.The cane toad was handed in by a member of the public who captured it in Broome’s light industrial area and alerted DEC officers.
District Coordinator of Nature Conservation with DEC, Sharon Ferguson said it appeared the cane toad was inadvertently transported to the area.
“It’s possible that the toad may have hitched a ride by hiding in road freight, a caravan or another vehicle,” she said.
“There are vehicle checks in place at the WA-NT border but the toads are not always easily found as they are very good at hiding in small spaces.”
She said because of that, it was important for people to do thorough checks of their vehicle and camping equipment if they were coming from areas where cane toads were present.
Ms Ferguson praised the person who handed the toad into DEC and urged anyone travelling from the Northern Territory or near the WA border to be on the lookout for toads hiding in freight and the under-body of vehicles.
“As cane toads continue to advance further west in Western Australia, the chances of cane toads hitching lifts on vehicles or freight are likely to increase,” she said.
The toad has been humanely destroyed by DEC officers, who will thoroughly inspect the area for any others.
27 July, 2010
City plays hand
on bridge plans
The City of Perth Council has commissioned designs for a pedestrian bridge between Point Fraser and Heirisson Island.The Council has endorsed a notional budget of $10.3 million for the bridge project.
Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi said the decision was “a further significant endorsement” of a significant project.
“The construction of a pedestrian bridge across the river to Heirisson Island is the important first step towards creating better access to this recreational jewel in the city,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“Due to the difficulty in accessing it, the island has been under-utilised and under-appreciated.”
The Lord Mayor said she hoped the bridge would be of an architecturally stunning design as well as functional.
“The Council strongly supports the vision of a world-class sculpture park on the southern part of the island and has been closely involved through my membership of the Heirisson Island Sculpture Park Committee, a passionate group of local artists and business people,” she said.
“A Master Plan has already been prepared for the sculpture park and it is important to keep the momentum going.”
Four architectural firms had been short-listed and would be asked to submit their design concepts based on an overall budget of $10.3 million.
“The Council recognises that the pedestrian bridge may require external funding support. The City will now explore alternative funding opportunities,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“Taking into account finalisation of funding arrangements and approval processes, it is hoped construction of the bridge can begin in the second half of 2011.”
27 July, 2010
Port full bottle on
emergency drill
A three-day training exercise is being conducted by the Department of Transport at Dampier this week to ensure local authorities are prepared to deal with an oil spill emergency.Organised by the Department’s Oil Spill Response Coordination team in consultation with the Dampier Port Authority, the training will identify ways to improve the local response to oil spills and ensure people were adequately trained to deal with different situations.
Coordinator of the team, Matt Verney said the training would involve port workers, State Government Agency staff and private sector representatives.
“The training, which involves theory and practical elements, ensures participants are equipped to lead the initial response effort,” Mr Verney said.
“Hands-on skills are a focus of the training with the deployment of a range of equipment including a containment boom which is used to stop the spread of an oil slick to protect the local environment.”
Training opportunities are organised by the Department at different locations throughout the State as part of its responsibility for marine-related oil spill prevention and clean-up in WA.
Mr Verney said Dampier was already prepared for an oil spill emergency with trained officers and locally stored response equipment.
“This is an opportunity to build further skills and enhance the knowledge of those involved,” he said
Training will be from Tuesday to Thursday this week.
27 July, 2010
Independent schools
in class of their own
Another 64 public schools have been chosen to manage their own affairs under the Independent Public Schools (IPS) program, taking the total number to almost 100.Minister for Education, Liz Constable said this second intake was almost double the initial 34 and illustrated the willingness with which public schools had sought the opportunity to make local decisions that best suited their community’s needs.
“Parents and school communities are embracing this new initiative and find it allows them to have a greater say in how their school is run,” Dr Constable said.
Independent public schools had the flexibility and autonomy to make decisions that met the specific needs of their students, including the recruitment and selection of teachers, education programs and management of their own budgets.
The Minister said 134 schools had applied for the second intake, illustrating the appetite for increased autonomy.
“Those schools that began operating as Independent Public Schools in the first intake have told us that parents greatly value the increased input they have into how their school is run,” she said.
“Principals also report that the freedom to select their own staff has made a big difference to their operations and morale.”
The new intake would receive extensive training and workshop opportunities in the next five months to prepare them for IPS status.
Other schools, including those that had not been successful this time, would have the opportunity to express their interest in becoming an IPS in a third intake to begin in 2012.
27 July, 2010
Youngsters anxious
in stats report
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released figures showing that one in four young Australians suffered from a mental disorder in 2007.According to the Bureau, anxiety disorders were the most common among youths, affecting 15 per cent of young people.
It said Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was the most commonly experienced Anxiety disorder at 8 per cent.
The ABS said substance use disorders affected 13 per cent of young people, with harmful use of alcohol the most common cause at 9 per cent.
The statistics showed about 6 per cent of young people had an affective disorder with bipolar disorder and depression (3 per cent each) the most common.
The figures revealed almost one-third of young women had a mental health disorder compared with around one-quarter of young men.
The Bureau said young people with a mental disorder were more than five times as likely as those without mental disorders to use illicit drugs or misuse legal drugs, were twice as likely to be current smokers and about 1.5 times more likely to drink alcohol at least weekly.
The ABS found that while the prevalence of mental illness was relatively high in young people, their use of mental health services was relatively low, with just under a quarter of those affected using the services in the previous year.
It said young people with a severe level of impairment were more likely to use mental health services (51 per cent) than those with milder levels of impairment (18 per cent).
The figures showed general practitioners were the service most frequently accessed (15 per cent) followed by psychologists (10 per cent).
Of young people who did not access services, 85 per cent did not feel that they had a need for any type of assistance.
27 July, 2010
Radio upgrade
is news to us
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has called for public comment on proposed changes to radio services in the Bunbury and Busselton areas.The Authority (ACMA) is proposing to make channel capacity available for:
the introduction of the ABC radio service NewsRadio at Busselton; infill translators at Augusta, Collie and Margaret River for the commercial radio broadcasting services 6TZ and 6BUN Bunbury; two new community radio broadcasting services at Augusta and Harvey and a new high-power open narrowcasting radio service at Collie.
ACMA is also proposing to change the category of service of a planned (but unallocated) community radio broadcasting service at Bunbury to a high-powered open narrowcasting service.
The proposal to make a frequency available for the ABC NewsRadio service stems from a Commonwealth Government commitment to extend this ABC service to all transmission areas of Australia with a population of 10,000 or more.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said ABC NewsRadio would be a welcome addition to the services currently provided in the Busselton area.
“When not providing coverage of the proceedings of Parliament, it provides a continuous 24-hour news and information service, which is a great resource for any community,” Mr Chapman said.
“ACMA has been unable to find any FM frequencies in the Busselton licence area for the proposed ABC NewsRadio service due to spectrum congestion,” Mr Chapman said.
“It has instead identified AM 1152 kHz as a frequency that would be able to provide the proposed service with a similar coverage area to comparable ABC services elsewhere.”
27 July, 2010
Racecourses win in
funding stakes
A new funding program to improve the facilities at racecourses across the State has been announced by the Minister for Racing and Gaming, Terry Waldron.Some proceeds from the Government’s agreement with Burswood Casino for its proposed expansion will be used to fund the infrastructure program.
“An initial amount of $5 million will be allocated to the program in the first year with a further $2 million provided annually, subject to a review in four years,” Mr Waldron said.
“The casino and the TAB compete for the same customers and expanding the casino’s capacity will impact on the TAB’s ability to continue to fund racecourse infrastructure.
Mr Waldron said the Racecourse Infrastructure Grants Fund recognised racing industry revenues were under increasing pressure due to higher pooling costs, product fees and the effects of increased competition from interstate and overseas operators.
“As Minister I am very much aware of the financial stress that WA’s racing industry is experiencing,” he said.
Racing clubs will be expected to use any grant provided under the program to leverage other funding opportunities from Regional Development Commissions, Local Governments or Racing and Wagering Western Australia.
“I am very pleased that nine individual racing clubs have so far benefitted from regional development grants provided by Royalties for Regions funding and I believe that the advent of this program can only assist clubs to more readily access that important source of funds,” Mr Waldron said.
27 July, 2010
Boating guide out
The Updated Pilbara Boating Guide is now available from the Department of Transport.
The guide offers the latest information on safe boating in the region and is issued free of charge. The Department advises that it is a handy reference which should be kept on all vessels.
Copies of the free Recreational Skippers Ticket Workbook, which contains all the information needed to gain the marine qualification, is also available.
It is compulsory for people in charge of a recreational vessel with a motor of more than 4.5 kilowatts (6HP) to hold an RST or face a fine of $200.
Aid for Legal Centre
One-off Government funding of $130,000 has been announced for the Fremantle Community Legal Centre.
The money will help Fremantle Community Legal Centre to continue to provide the people of Fremantle with critical legal services in family law, consumer credit and debt and tenancy issues.
The grant will be in addition to $315,606 over three years that the Centre will receive from the Australian Government.
Alkimos all go
The first stage and master planning of Alkimos, the biggest and most significant coastal development north of Perth in 50 years, is now ready to go ahead after the finalisation of an agreement between Delfin Lend Lease and LandCorp.
The development will ultimately provide land and homes for a new community of 50,000 people.
Work on the initial 224 hectares is expected to start in 2011. The first stage will take up to seven years, with the entire 710 development not expected to be complete before 2030.
Water find for Halls Creek
The Water Corporation has discovered new sources of drinking water for Halls Creek.
A nine-month drilling and pump testing program by the Corporation had identified five new bore sites.
The Government, through the Water Corporation, will quickly move ahead to bring the bore sites on line with construction to begin in the 2011-12 financial year.
Primary mergers open
Two ‘new’ primary schools, resulting from mergers, have been officially opened.
Blackmore and Girrawheen Primary Schools were officially merged with the opening of the newly-named Hudson Park Primary School which involved a $5.12 million makeover of the old Girrawheen Primary School.
The $11.7 million Craigie Heights Primary School is the result of an amalgamation of Craigie and Camberwarra Primary Schools, a process which began in 2007.
Berth 10 reborn
Berth 10 on Fremantle Port’s North Quay has been reopened after undergoing a $43 million reconstruction
The original Berth 10, built 53 years ago, was unsuitable for modern container shipping with the average size of container ships calling at Fremantle increasing by more than 85 per cent in the past 15 years.
The renovated berth was completed on time and within budget.
Judges go to towns
A total of 55 entries are in the running for the 2010 Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities Awards.
Between 2 and 27 August nine pairs of judges will visit all the entrants in the seven regions.
The Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities program is run by Keep Australia Beautiful. One of the sponsors is the Department of Regional Development and Lands.
Keep Australia Beautiful (WA) is supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Waste Authority.
20 July, 2010
Housing builders
nail Federal bonus
Good work by the Department of Housing has led to the State receiving a $4 million bonus from the Federal Government.The Department achieved the windfall under the Commonwealth’s National Partnership Agreement for Remote Indigenous Housing by delivering three homes over and above its target of 75 by the 30 June deadline.
Boosting the number of houses in rural and remote areas is part of an overall national strategy to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous life expectancy within a generation.
Minister for Housing, Bill Marmion said the bonus would apply directly to additional housing for Indigenous West Australians in remote communities.
“I am very proud of the work the Department has performed to meet this target,” Mr Marmion said.
“WA is the only State to meet the Federal Government’s original targets.
“WA has led the nation and clearly demonstrated its ability to successfully deliver new homes and refurbishments to remote Indigenous communities.”
He said the Department had overcome a number of obstacles to deliver the houses including unexpected wet weather, road closures during peak delivery times and a shortage of tradespeople.
“While we are the biggest State in Australia, with the most remote Indigenous communities, WA leads the country in closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage,” he said.
The Minister said in addition to building new homes, the Department also completed 150 refurbishments.
The Federal Government has yet to agree on the construction program for 2010-11.
20 July, 2010
Compensation study
pays dividends
A study of workers’ compensation claims by Safe Work Australia has revealed that people in the health and community services sector are the most stressed, with those in education not far behind.Chair of Safe Work Australia, Tom Phillips said the data showed around 7,000 claims were made each year for mental stress, each costing as much as three times more than other claims because of processing times.
“It is concerning to find that there are many Australian workers suffering from mental stress, which can have a very significant impact on people’s ability to function at work and at home,” Mr Phillips said.
He said the study found health and community workers such as law enforcement officers, nurses and ambulance personnel were the most stressed, along with male train and bus drivers.
Mr Phillips said mental stress claims cost an average of $15,500 compared to the $5,400 average for other claims and entailed more time off work – around 11 weeks compared to an average of 4 weeks for other claims.
He said Safe Work Australia supported Lifeline’s ‘Stress Down Day’ which aims to raise awareness of stress in the workplace and to focus on ways to reduce it.
Chief Executive of Lifeline, Dawn O’Neil said her organisation was proud to be working with Safe Work Australia to improve the community’s awareness of mental stress.
“At the end of the day, Australians are too stressed and we are not managing our stress well enough,” Ms O’Neil said.
“That’s why we are bringing these facts into the light today, we want people to better manage their stress.”
Ms O’Neil encouraged people to wear their slippers, dress up or dress down for Stress Down Day.
Mr Phillips said Stress Down Day – to be held on 23 July – was a great opportunity for Australian workers and employers to assess their current working environments to help recognise when a colleague needed support.
Further information on Stress Down Day was available from www.stressdown.org.au
20 July, 2010
Health acts on
tighter genes
The Department of Health has issued tight new guidelines for medical researchers using human genetic samples and information.The Guidelines for Human Biobanks, Genetic Research Databases and Associated Data, is a comprehensive ethical and practical framework for local researchers in the genetic field.
Director of the Office of Population Health Genomics, Dr 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.
Dr O’Leary said a biobank was an organised collection of human biological material and related information that was stored for research purposes.
“Research involving human genetic information, analysed along with other health information, has become increasingly important to understand 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, which affect the lives of many Western Australians each year.”
However, he said access to the information needed to be balanced by the interests of the people who participated.
Dr O’Leary said WA currently had about 100 biobanks, which were valuable resources for health and medical research.
He said despite their success, researchers and members of the community agreed that there needed to be a greater openness about the research being undertaken.
“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,” Dr O’Leary said.
The guidelines were available from www.genomics.health.wa.gov.au
20 July, 2010
Recycling depots to
carry more waste
Six metropolitan waste depots are to collect and recycle electronic waste following the allocation of funding from the Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account.Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher said six Regional Councils would also share in $400,000 from the State Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account.
“The issue of e-waste is a growing problem throughout the world and will be a particular problem in Australia as analogue televisions are progressively switched off across the country during the next three years,” Mrs Faragher said.
“Estimates suggest that during the next three years, there will be 360,000 discarded analogue televisions and 180,000 discarded computers in Western Australia.”
She said State and Federal Environment Ministers had agreed to a national strategy by 2013, but it was important WA took steps to deal with e-waste in the meantime.
“The $400,000 will assist in the collection and recycling of e-waste at these metropolitan depots and Regional Councils over the coming months,” Mrs Faragher said
“During this time, a new committee of the Waste Authority will consider and recommend other options for a broader strategy for dealing with e-waste.”
The six Regional Council areas are the cities of Albany, Geraldton-Greenough, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Mandurah, Bunbury and the Avon Regional Organisation of Councils.
The six metropolitan depots are Red Hill Waste Management Facility, City of Stirling Recycling Centre (Balcatta), Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility, Henderson Waste Recovery Park, Tamala Park Recycling Centre and the JFR McGeough Resource Recovery Facility (Brockway).
Mrs Faragher encouraged residents to use their local depots for unwanted equipment, including computers and televisions, saying they were the most appropriate method for disposing of e-waste.
She said over $192,000 in new funding from the Government’s Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme was also being made available for three other projects dealing with the collection and recycling of e-waste.
The Minister said applications for the next round of funding would open shortly, with more information available from www.zerowastewa.com.au
20 July, 2010
Disability staff stand
up to be counted
A scholarship program to assist Western Australians study disability services overseas has been launched by the Minister for Disability Services, Simon O’Brien.Mr O’Brien said the Disability Services Commission’s 2010 Count Me In Scholarship program was open to anyone working or interested in WA’s disability sector who wanted to examine world best practice in disability services.
Mr O’Brien said the scholarships had been aligned with the Disability Services Commission’s 15-year plan, Count Me In: Disability Future Directions.
He said the Commission was offering three scholarships of up to $15,000 each.
“The scholarships are available for research in areas consistent with the three key priority areas of Count Me In: Disability Future Directions,” Mr O’Brien said.
He said the three areas were: personalised supports and services; participation and contribution; and economic and community foundations.
The Minister encouraged staff, management and members of organisations that provide services, support or advocacy to people with disability to apply for the scholarships.
“We would also like to hear from anyone with a good proposal who has an interest in the sector,” he said.
“Scholarships will be awarded on a merit basis and the recipients will be required to share their findings with the disability sector.”
Applications close on 1 October and further information was available from www.count-me-in.com.au
20 July, 2010
Paper opens gate
on land tenure
A new consultation paper on options for property tenure has been released for community comment by the Tenure Committee.The paper builds on submissions made in 2009 and recommends proposals and a legislative approach towards improving housing affordability and providing greater flexibility for community title products in Western Australia.
The Tenure Committee, with the help of a specially formed working group, considered the 43 written submissions received in response to the 2009 paper before releasing its latest consultation initiative.
It said the submissions highlighted the importance of widening current tenure and development options to address the issues of housing availability and affordability.
The latest paper, Schemes within schemes, leasehold Strata and other reforms to Strata titles legislation in WA, sets out legislative proposals for implementing property tenure options and proposes how other reforms should be addressed.
The paper says the development industry in WA is less flexible than other States in the development and management of community schemes, which impairs the industry’s ability to provide new and innovative development products and limits the accommodation choices available to WA consumers.
The Tenure Committee is a group of industry, Government and community representatives that provides specialist advice on WA’s strata titles and tenure legislation.
Landgate provided administrative support to the Committee and contributed to the paper along with the Department of Planning, the Property Council of Australia (WA Division), Urban Development Institute of Australia, Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute WA and the Western Australian Local Government Association.
Submissions on the paper close 9 August.
Schemes within schemes, leasehold Strata and other reforms to Strata titles legislation in WA could be downloaded from www.landgate.wa.gov.au
20 July, 2010
Boat light warning
in the spotlight
The Department of Transport has urged boat skippers to ensure they have the appropriate combination of navigation lights on display when on the water between sunset and sunrise. Coordinator of Safety and Compliance at the Department, Peter Beattie said the Department was concerned at the number of vessels failing to display suitable lights and warned vessels that failing to do so could be dangerous.
Mr Beattie said while most vessels were equipped with the correct navigation lights, an increasing number of skippers failed to display them in the correct manner.
“Navigation lights are required on all vessels from official sunset to sunrise or at times of restricted visibility,” Mr Beattie said.
“The type of lights and how they are displayed is determined by the size of the craft and the activity it is engaged in.”
He said after sunset and when underway, the majority of vessels required an all-round white light or a separate masthead and stern white light, along with side lights.
Mr Beattie said when anchored, vessels should turn their side lights off and display their all-round white light or anchor light.
He said the white light needed to be seen from 360 degrees so the skipper of an approaching vessel knew there was traffic ahead.
Mr Beattie said the Department of Transport had produced Navigation Lights, an easy-to-read brochure outlining the lighting requirements for different vessels, to help boaters remain safe on the water.
He said it was available for download from www.transport.wa.gov.au
20 July, 2010
Rail extension
right on track
Extending the Joondalup rail line 7.5km beyond Clarkson Station to Butler has been approved by Parliament.Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien said The Railway (Butler to Brighton) Act 2010 would establish the legislative authority to extend the metropolitan rail network approximately 7.5 kilometres north of Clarkson Station to a new park-and-ride and bus transfer station, Butler Station.
Mr O’Brien said the $240.7 million project was a strategic and incremental expansion to Perth’s integrated public transport system.
“With the local population in Perth’s north-west suburbs expected to quadruple by 2031, the Butler extension provides a valuable service to these rapidly-growing communities,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The project will also ease pressure on the Mitchell Freeway and major road corridors with more than 2,000 passengers expected to board at Butler Station every day.”
He said Butler Station would provide around 1,000 car bays and that the project would include the addition of 11 new buses to provide feeder services into Butler and Clarkson Stations.
The Minister said four additional railcars had also been acquired to accommodate the extra passengers.
The extension to the Joondalup Line is scheduled to be in operation by December 2014.
Mr O’Brien said planning and procurement for the project were on track and were being supervised by the Public Transport Authority (PTA) on behalf of the State Government.
20 July, 2010
Workplace watchdog
pats down businesses
The Fair Work Ombudsman has completed audits of employers in Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Geraldton to ensure they are complying with Federal workplace laws.Fair Work Inspectors randomly audited 22 businesses in Kalgoorlie and Esperance over three months, most of which were in the retail, engineering, hospitality and mining industries.
Eighteen were fully compliant with workplace relations laws and four recorded contraventions.
According to the Ombudsman, one Kalgoorlie business was asked to back-pay 16 workers a total of $3,188 because it had been underpaying the minimum hourly rate.
Inspectors also identified three businesses with contraventions relating to record-keeping or payslip requirements.
WA Director of the Fair Work Ombudsman, Leigh Quealy said he was pleased all employers with contraventions cooperated with inspectors and voluntarily rectified their non-compliance issues.
“Inspectors assisted employers to put processes in place to ensure these breaches do not occur in the future,” Mr Quealy said.
He said over 90 per cent of employers randomly audited in Geraldton were complying with Federal workplace laws.
Inspectors door-knocked 129 businesses over three days to check that employers were meeting their record-keeping and payslip obligations, he said.
The targeted campaign followed a string of complaints from workers at Geraldton however 118 of the 129 employers examined by inspectors were found to be compliant while 11 recorded payslip contraventions.
Mr Quealy said media coverage ahead of the visits helped inspectors gain the cooperation of employers.
He said the Fair Work Ombudsman was conducting a separate time-and-wage audit of one business suspected of underpaying its employees the minimum hourly rate of pay and is checking another intending to terminate its employees to ensure it follows correct procedures.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has a number of tools to help employees and employers check minimum rates of pay, including PayCheck, Payroll Check and a Pay Rate Calculator available on its website, www.fairwork.gov.au
20 July, 2010
Perth’s main street on
road to improvement
A major upgrade of St Georges Terrace in Perth has been announced by the City Council.According to the Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi the project will bring the city’s most famous street into the 21st century and cost $11.4 million.
“I am excited by these plans, which will improve the ambience of the street and also make it more pedestrian-friendly,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“St Georges Terrace provides the setting for the State’s principal business and commercial district and contains some of the city’s grand and historic buildings.”
Ms Scaffidi said plans for the upgrade included reducing the number of traffic lanes from six to four, widening the footpaths and increasing the width of the narrow median strip.
“The improvements will also assist north-south pedestrian movements in the city, linking the retail core with the soon-to-be redeveloped foreshore,” she said.
“Long-term, the Council wants to see improvements extended along St Georges Terrace and into Adelaide Terrace as well.”
Ms Scaffidi said the upgrade would also see the vehicle speed limit reduced to 40kmh, all pedestrian areas and road crossings repaved and trees planted on the roadside and median strip.
She said multi-functional poles would be introduced to provide integrated lighting, signage and banners; bus shelters would be designed to include more seating; street furniture would be improved; and alfresco dining would be encouraged.
Broad Construction Services won the tender for the work, which is expected to begin in September.
Ms Scaffidi said the City of Perth had consulted with a range of city stakeholders about the plan.
20 July, 2010
Crops workshop to
read it and reap
A series of workshops to assist farmers recognise and control crop pests has kicked off in Wickepin today (20 July).The workshops are part of a broader project to investigate and develop integrated pest management (IPM) in the Australian grains industry.
The University of Western Australia is leading the project in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the CSIRO, with funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation as part of the National Invertebrate Pest Initiative.
Senior Technical Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Peter Mangano said two large-scale IPM trials had also commenced in WA.
Mr Mangano said the IPM project was being driven by several prevailing issues in the grains industry.
“There has been a move in recent decades where some farmers are routinely applying combinations of insecticides as insurance sprays without monitoring the actual pest situation,” Mr Mangano said.
“This practice is understandable with the current low cost of insecticides, the convenience of combining insecticides with other crop sprays and increasing time restraints on farmers.”
However, he said the more frequent use of insecticides had increased the pressure on pests to develop chemical resistance.
Mr Mangano said changes to pest populations had also occurred as a result of increased cropping levels, larger quantities of stubble residues and less stock on farms.
“These trends have influenced both the levels and types of pests in paddocks with outbreaks of harder-to-control pests becoming more frequent in some regions,” he said.
“These changes have all occurred in the face of increasing global customer concern about pesticide residues on food and fibre products.”
He said the IPM project would examine a range of control options to minimise the use of pesticides and reduce the risk of increased pest resistance.
“The approach takes a holistic view of farm management to reduce the risk of broadacre grain pests using chemical control as a last resort rather than the primary means of control,” Mr Mangano said.
“It also aims to preserve the role of beneficial invertebrates, like predatory mites, carabid beetles, ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies.”
He urged farmers interested in undertaking future IPM workshops to contact him on
(08) 9368 3753.
20 July, 2010
Power stations
in power play
Greenhouse gas abatement measures and continuous improvement programs are to be imposed on three power stations in WA until a national approach to carbon emission is developed.Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher announced the move which she said was recommended by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Mrs Faragher said greenhouse gas abatement would be best addressed through a national approach, the timing and details of which were matters for the Commonwealth.
However, she said it was appropriate for proponents to implement greenhouse gas abatement programs to address carbon emissions prior to the introduction of the national scheme.
Mrs Faragher said her decision related to the proposed new Coolimba power station at Eneabba, the expansion of the Bluewaters power station at Collie and the refurbishment of the Muja A/B power station at Collie.
The Minister said the abatement programs would require the power stations to achieve continuous improvement in net greenhouse gas emissions through new technology and advanced process management.
She said this included consideration of carbon capture and storage and the use of new technologies to improve the efficiency of generator units.
“To ensure transparency, the abatement program will be reviewed every year and the proponents will engage an independent specialist to undertake an audit every second year to confirm best practice standards and technologies are being adopted,” she said.
“These will be publicly available, allowing the community the opportunity to assess the proponent’s performance.”
Mrs Faragher said the measures would provide a consistent approach to greenhouse gas emissions and place the onus on the proponents to identify best practices in greenhouse gas abatement.
20 July, 2010
Minister hooks into
beach fishing
New management arrangements for commercial beach seine fishing have been introduced in the South-West.Minister for Fisheries, Norman Moore said the move aimed to resolve a long-standing conflict between recreational and commercial fishers in the State’s South-West and follows new management arrangements for commercial salmon fishing that were introduced in July 2009.
Mr Moore said commercial beach seine fishing was now prohibited between Port Geographe (at Busselton) and Black Point (east of Augusta).
He said some commercial beach seine fishers would be allowed to continue to fish between Port Geographe and Tim’s Thicket (south of Mandurah).
“It is important to address resource-sharing issues between commercial and recreational fishers,” Mr Moore said.
“In this case, I have taken into account the unique values of the Geographe Bay and Capes region as important recreational areas.”
He said the 11 commercial beach seine operators affected by the new management arrangements will be offered compensation.
Mr Moore said he decided to allow continued access to Flinders Bay near Augusta for one commercial fisher, who uses a haul net there on an infrequent basis to target whiting and mullet as part of his estuarine fishing operation in Hardy Inlet.
“There is minimal user conflict in this area and a strong demand for fresh fish in the local retail market, so it is reasonable to allow this sole operator to continue beach seine fishing in Flinders Bay for the time being,” he said.
20 July, 2010
New pest control
scheme to have bite
A major change to the way biosecurity threats are managed has been announced by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman.Mr Redman said funding schemes would be introduced for cattle producers and grain growers to enable them to raise money to respond to priority pest and disease threats.
He said the schemes, introduced under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, represented a “fundamental shift” in the way the State approached biosecurity.
“The State’s farmers are now in control of their own destiny when it comes to managing key pests and diseases,” Mr Redman said.
“They can decide what established pests and diseases need to be tackled and have a mechanism in place to raise the funds to tackle them.”
The Minister said the shift would allow the Government to focus on other priority areas such as monitoring and surveillance at ports, airports and the WA border to help prevent other pests and diseases entering the State.
Mr Redman said three Industry Management Committees (IMCs) for cattle, grains/seeds/hay and sheep and goats would determine priority pests or diseases and the required funding arrangements.
He said the Cattle IMC determined producers would pay a 20 cent contribution on cattle/carcasses sold in the State in 2010-11, with the proceeds being used to fund modest surveillance programs for bovine Johne’s disease and enzootic bovine leucosis.
Mr Redman said the Grains/Seed/Hay IMC determined a 30 cent contribution would apply on first sale of every tonne of grain and seed within the South West Land Division of WA in 2010-11 to fund continuing programs to control skeleton weed and eradicate three-horned bedstraw.
The Minister said the Sheep and Goats IMC was still considering a recommendation that it introduce a 10 cent contribution on all sheep and goats/carcasses sold within the South West Land Division in 2010-11 to fund a program to control footrot.
Producers who wish to opt-out of the Industry Funding Schemes in 2010-11 must notify the Director General of the Department of Agriculture and Food in writing by 31 July.
Further information on opting-out was available at www.agric.wa.gov.au
20 July, 2010
Welcome progress
on Welcome Walls
Planned Welcome Walls for the Western Australian Museum – Maritime at Fremantle and Albany are on track to be completed by the end of the year.Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day said significant progress had recently been made on the project, with the building contract awarded for the final phase in Fremantle and the announcement of the project site in Albany.
Mr Day said Freo Construction was awarded the contract to build the final phase of the Welcome Walls at Fremantle.
“The museum and the project architects have worked closely with Fremantle Ports to ensure the completed Welcome Walls integrate with the overall Fremantle Waterfront Master Plan,” Mr Day said.
He said the Albany project was currently in the design phase and the WA Museum - Albany had been confirmed as the site for the walls.
“The location of the Albany Walls will provide a link from the museum’s Residency Building to the Amity Precinct and overlook Princess Royal Harbour, the Amity Precinct and the Albany Port,” Mr Day said.
“Importantly, the Albany project will complement and link with the proposed Kinjarling Heritage Trail Precinct.”
The Minister said the Welcome Walls project was conceived as part of WA’s 175th anniversary celebrations to record the family names of those who arrived by sea through Fremantle.
“This tribute recognises the contribution and commitment to WA by those who came to make this State their home,” Mr Day said.
“There has been a great deal of anticipation surrounding this project, not least from the many registrants, and I look forward to its completion by the end of 2010.”
Design concept images for the Fremantle Welcome Walls were available at www.museum.wa.gov.au
20 July, 2010
Gardens campaign to
plant seeds of support
The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority has thrown its weight behind a global internet campaign aimed at raising awareness of the extinction and loss of diversity of the world’s plants.The campaign is the creation of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), of which Kings Park and Botanic Garden in West Perth is a member.
The BGCI launched its campaign website, Plants for the Planet, in a bid to inspire people around the globe to sign up to the site and show their support for plant conservation.
The BGCI said a world-wide conservation initiative, Global Strategy for Plan Conservation (GSPC), highlighted the importance of plants and the ecosystem services they provided for animal life on earth.
It said the GSPC grew out of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and was being fed into Government policy around the world.
The GSPC has four main objectives – to halt the current loss of plant diversity; harmonise existing conservation initiatives; focus on plant ecosystems; and provide a pilot study for the CBD.
The BGCI said the strategy had 16 targets for conservation with a deadline of 2010.
It said through support garnered via Plants for the Planet it planned to request the GSPC be renewed to include more ambitious targets for the next 10 years at the United Nations biodiversity summit to be held in Japan this October.
The BGCI urged interested parties to visit the website, www.plantsfortheplanet.com, to register their support for streamlined global action on plant conservation.
20 July, 2010
Trails meet success
The Department of Sport and Recreation has hosted the 2010 WA State Trails Conference at Perth Zoo.
Recreation Development Leader at the Department, Steve Bennett said the conference brought together members of the trails community, giving them a chance to share their knowledge, visions and ideas.
Mr Bennett said the conference included a debate on the value of using trails to embrace Indigenous culture and youth at risk.
Trees planting spectacle
Members from the Friends of the Spectacles joined a Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) team during NAIDOC Week to plant 750 seedlings around the Spectacles wetlands in Beeliar Regional Park.
Coordinator of Healthy Parks, Healthy People at DEC, Cathy Gazey said the activities were part of the planting season in the park.
Ms Gazey said funding for the project cane from a commitment to support environmental and community programs near the Fiona Stanley Hospital site.
Forklift licence checks
High risk work licences for forklift operators in the manufacturing sector are to be inspected by WorkSafe.
Inspections will focus on ensuring forklift operators in the industry have the relevant licences or certifications.
They will also aim to raise awareness of the need for high risk work licences and ensure employers have the information required to comply with relevant legislation.
Tortoises relocated
The successful relocation of critically endangered Western Swamp Tortoises last year has resulted in the decision to release a further 30 into suitable habitat at Moore River Nature Reserve later this month.
The release is part of the Government’s Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Plan, which aims to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
Chairman of the Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Team at the Department of Environment and Conservation, Craig Olejnik said significant work had been undertaken to improve tortoise habitat within the Moore River Nature Reserve.
Drive upgraded
A $4 million upgrade of a 24-kilometre section of Indian Ocean Drive between Yanchep and Seabird, north of Perth, is underway.
The upgrade includes a new passing lane and is expected to improve safety and transport efficiency.
The project has been funded jointly by the State and Federal Governments and is scheduled for completion in December this year.
SES Centre opens
The $2.89 million Kununurra State Emergency Service and Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Collocated Facility has been officially opened, allowing the town’s fire and emergency service volunteers to operate from a single purpose-built facility.
A $2.7 million Collocated Emergency Services Facility has also been opened at Derby.
Both facilities aim to enhance volunteers’ ability to respond to emergencies such as bush and structure fires, cyclones, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and road accidents.
Safety grants open
Funding applications for initiatives that result in greater safety within the community, increase security and reduce the fear of crime are being sought by the Office of Crime Prevention.
The funding categories are: Community Partnership Fund (closes 28 July); Leavers Fund (30 July) and Indigenous Partnership Fund (10 September).
Further information and grant applications were available from www.crimeprevention.wa.gov.au
13 July, 2010
PSC in strong stand
for disability
The Public Sector Commission has called for public ideas and input as it prepares its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2010-2015.The PSC said comment from members of the public would help ensure the services it provided were more accessible to people with disabilities.
In a statement the Commission said it wanted to ensure people with a disability had the same opportunities as other members of society to take advantage of the Public Sector Commission and its services.
It is looking for comment on how to improve access to PSC services and events; buildings and facilities; information such as brochures and websites; the level and quality of service; complaint mechanisms; and public consultations.
“We would appreciate any comments you have regarding access, barriers to access, or other ways to improve our services to people with disabilities,” the Commission said.
“If you have accessed the Public Sector Commission’s website or had contact with the Public Sector Commission in person, via phone or email and have any comments as to how we can improve our services or facilities to assist people with disabilities, please let us know.”
Under the Western Australian Disability Services Act, State Government Agencies and Local Governments are required develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP).
DAIPs provide a planned and systematic approach to improve access for people with a disability to, for example, public transport, Government offices, the local library and the swimming pool.
Submissions to the Public Sector Commission’s DAIP close on 6 August, and could be made by visiting www.publicsector.wa.gov.au or phoning (08) 9219 6117.
13 July, 2010
Skills list long
on shortage
The Department of Training and Workforce Development has developed a list of desired work skills to assist in planning and training for the WA workforce of the future.Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Peter Collier said the list would be a valuable tool in ensuring WA could attract and retain a skilled workforce.
“The list will be used for many purposes and inform decisions relating to the prioritisation of funding for training and the WA workforce development plan,” Mr Collier said.
He said it identified jobs that were currently in strong demand in WA and rated each job as a top priority, high priority or priority occupation.
“Occupations have been assessed by estimated demand, skill level required and the potential for employment growth into the future,” he said.
“The Department will continue to review the status of occupations on the list based on evidence provided by training councils and industry.”
Mr Collier said in addition to the list, the Department was developing a State Migration Plan, which would include a Skilled Migration Occupation List identifying occupations recommended for general migration to WA.
He said the lists were helping the Government plan for the future to ensure skills shortages were minimised and employment and training opportunities maximised.
“With a number of projects planned or already under way in WA, it is important we develop a skilled workforce to support the State’s economic growth,” he said.
“The Government will continue to take a collaborative planning approach to ensure WA has the right people in the right place at the right time.”
The State priority occupation list was available at www.dtwd.wa.gov.au
13 July, 2010
New Youth Office
is top of the pops
The Department of Corrective Services has opened a new office for Youth Justice Services in Yangebup.At the opening ceremony, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Corrective Services, Michael Mischin said the opening marked the end of a 12-month realignment project to re-focus youth justice in the community.
“This office signifies a new way forward for the Department of Corrective Services’ Youth Justice Services and this Government’s determination to improve youth justice in Western Australia,” Mr Mischin said.
He said the new South-West Metropolitan Youth Justice Services office would house 32 staff who would work with young people in their homes and the community, rather than in an office environment.
Mr Mischin said it would amalgamate diversionary and statutory services from Fremantle, Rockingham and Mandurah and services areas from Mosman Park in the north to Pinjarra in the south.
He said the final stages of the reinvigoration of youth justice in WA would be realised by the expansion of regional youth justice services into the east and west Kimberley and the Pilbara, following successes in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Geraldton.
“The youth justice strategy has proven that where it is possible to prevent juveniles from entering the formal justice system it can become an effective way of improving a young person’s life opportunities and preventing criminal behaviour in the short and long term,” Mr Mischin said.
13 July, 2010
Department sweeps in
to Tidy Town awards
The Department of Regional Development and Lands is one of three new sponsors of the 2010 Tidy Towns program, an initiative reported to be going from strength to strength.The Department said initiatives like the 2010 Tidy Towns awards played a key role in encouraging and promoting activities that boosted regional areas and made them attractive places to live.
Program Manager for Keep Australia Beautiful WA, Gail Dodd said Tidy Towns had five sponsors for 2010, a record number for recent years.
“The Tidy Towns program empowers communities to make a difference in their own communities and it’s fantastic to have a range of sponsors helping us to provide support,” Ms Dodd said.
“It also shows that sponsors are recognising the relevance of the program to regional towns and communities.”
Along with the Department’s sponsorship, Grundfos Pumps, Golden West Network, West Australian Regional Newspapers and Cliffs Natural Resources Inc have lined up to back the program.
A total of 64 regional towns and communities in WA have signed up with Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities, a Keep Australia Beautiful program.
The award categories are: Community Action, Recycling and Waste Management, General Appearance, Water Conservation, Enhancing Cultural Identity and Natural Heritage Conservation.
Keep Australia Beautiful (WA) is supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation and further information on the program was available from www.kabc.wa.gov.au
13 July, 2010
Electricity meters
arc up for trial
A trial of electricity smart meters has been announced for Perth’s eastern region.Minister for Energy, Peter Collier said the meter trial would provide valuable information to help inform decisions about the State’s future energy direction.
“Smart meters will ultimately enable customers to closely monitor their power consumption, allowing them to make more informed choices about their energy use,” Mr Collier said.
“More than that, the meters will provide a platform for new technology to be introduced, such as the use of electric cars.”
He said the smart meter would improve accuracy of meter readings, make power outages easier to track, allow earlier detection of power quality issues and offer real time data on power consumption.
He said as part of the trial, smart meter customers would be able to take part in energy efficiency initiatives to allow them to embrace a sustainable future with energy efficiency, solar panels and electric vehicles.
The Minister said the trial was expected to run until 2013, and would be used to evaluate the benefits of rolling out smart meters more widely across the network.
To cost $15 million, the trial is part of the Perth Solar City program, which is challenging households and businesses to manage the way they produce, use and save energy better.
It is jointly funded by the Federal Government, with Western Power providing $13 million of the total cost.
Meters are being installed in more than 8,900 homes in Bassendean, Midland, Forrestfield and Darlington.
Managing Director of Western Power, Doug Aberle said the trial was a major milestone and would help determine the suitability of a range of new technologies across the network.
13 July, 2010
WorkSafe cooks up
restaurant blitz
WorkSafe WA has embarked on a program of inspections to examine the safety standards of WA’s restaurants.The program will look at randomly-chosen restaurants in metropolitan and regional areas and is to continue throughout this financial year.
Commissioner for WorkSafe WA, Nina Lyhne said the inspections would focus on raising awareness of safety risks and ensuring employers had the information required to comply with the law.
“This inspection program is part of an ongoing program of proactive inspections aimed at providing employers with information on how to make workplaces safer,” Ms Lyhne said.
“The relevant industry bodies are being contacted in advance and advised of what the inspectors will be looking for.”
She said the inspections would concentrate on WorkSafe’s priority areas of hazardous substances, manual handling, electricity, machinery guarding and slips, trips and falls.
“New and young workers and their induction, training and supervision are major concerns to WorkSafe, and our inspectors will also be ensuring that all is in order in that regard during this inspection program,” Ms Lyhne said.
“These proactive inspection programs primarily aim to raise awareness of hazards and provide employers with information, but inspectors will also take enforcement action where necessary.”
She said raising awareness through proactive campaigns was the best way to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.
Further information on the campaign was available from www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
13 July, 2010
Fish report hooks
into sustainability
A third independent report into the sustainability of fishing bottom-dwelling species in the West Coast Bioregion has been released under the Integrated Fisheries Management policy.The report coincided with the release of an independent draft report on allocations for the sectors and recommended a much reduced harvest level of about 715 tonnes.
Acting General Manager for Aquatic Management at the Department of Fisheries, Kevin Donohue said the Department’s role was to establish a recommended harvest level per year from the West Coast demersal (bottom-dwelling) scalefish resource.
“After establishing what is a sustainable harvest, the independent Integrated Fisheries Allocation Advisory Committee (IFAAC) then recommends to the Fisheries Minister what proportion of the harvest should be allocated to the commercial, recreational and customary fishing sectors,” Mr Donohue said.
“The resource report provides a summarised account of the West Coast demersal scalefish resource and current and historical trends in its exploitation.”
Mr Donohue said independently-verified research showed the popular demersal species were under significant pressure in the West Coast Bioregion (which extends from north of Kalbarri to east of Augusta) and it was vital the harvest level took that into account.
“The recommended harvest level of around 715 tonnes is a reduction of at least 50 percent of the 2005-06 harvest levels,” he said.
Chair of the IFAAC, Ian Longson said the Committee had considered the information provided in the Resource Report.
“With the report identifying a sustainable annual harvest level of around 715 tonnes, it has been the committee’s role to assess how that allowable catch should be allocated,” Mr Longson said.
“IFAAC’s proposed split of the resource is for two thirds to the commercial sector and one third to recreational fishers. We have not quantified an allocation for the customary sector.”
He pointed out that these were suggested allocations and that the IFAAC looked forward to attending public meetings, to be held by Recfishwest and the WA Fishing Industry Council, to receive as much feedback as possible.
He said submissions on the issue would be welcome before the end of August and for information on how to make a submission or to view the reports, interested people could visit www.fish.wa.gov.au
13 July, 2010
Signs of old times
in Indigenous area
New signs installed in the Swan Canning River Park recognise and reinforce the links of the Noongar people to the area, their culture and connection to the rivers.Minister for Environment, Donna Faragher said the new signs welcomed visitors to the river park and include a welcome in the Noongar language.
“Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) and Dyarlgarro (Canning River) have important cultural significance to the Noongar people and many stories and meanings which the Indigenous community wish to have interpreted as part of ongoing reconciliation,” Mrs Faragher said.
“This project will acknowledge Noongar places and people, as well as enhance public respect for Noongar values and increase community knowledge and understanding of the Noongar culture.”
The Minister launched the first sign at Sandy Beach jetty in Bayswater to coincide with NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Mrs Faragher said similar signs would be installed on other jetties around the river park, in conjunction with land managers.
“These signs will form an important part of our river trail project, which aims to create a continuous walking trail around the Swan and Canning river foreshores, linking existing trails and highlighting the river’s rich Indigenous, European and natural heritage,” she said.
“This project is being co-ordinated by the Swan River Trust and will be managed by a steering group with representatives from some of the 40 organisations with management responsibility for shorelines, parks and reserves in the river park.”
Mrs Faragher said that over the next year the Swan River Trust and the project team would map existing trails, identify gaps where new trails could be created and develop web-based materials, brochures and booklets for the trail system.
13 July, 2010
Nurse tucks into
Indigenous award
A nurse with WA Health has been named winner of the 2010 Rhonda Marriott Award for his contribution to the Western Australian community.The Award recognises the innovation, achievement and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives.
The winner of the award, Rodney Monaghan, has been working in the WA Health system for 14 years, starting as an Aboriginal Health Worker in South Hedland and later moving into the area of dialysis.
“I had to do a lot of clinical work with dialysis patients and after mastering the clinical skills, my nurse manager encouraged me to do nursing,” Mr Monaghan said.
“It was frightening because it was a long time since I left school but I battled through and worked hard, studying the course and working part time.”
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at the Department of Health, Cath Stoddart said Mr Monaghan was a great example of what could be achieved with hard work.
“Rodney has continued to work tirelessly to further his development and has been an invaluable member of the WA nursing community,” Ms Stoddart said.
“He upgraded to an Advanced Skill enrolled nurse, and last year was offered professional development and a move into a position as an Aboriginal Health Officer where he had the opportunity to develop his natural leadership and management skills.”
In just 12 months, Mr Monaghan advanced from a health officer position to Coordinator of Aboriginal Health to the Regional Coordinator of Aboriginal Health.
“The Nursing and Midwifery Office is proud to recognise and award Rodney Monaghan the 2010 Rhonda Marriott Award for WA,” Ms Stoddart said.
Mr Monaghan said he would like to see more Indigenous Health Workers and Nurses working in his region.
“We need our people involved in management to have input into decisions about health for our people,” he said.
“I have a career that I am passionate about and improving Aboriginal health in my region is my goal.”
13 July, 2010
Group uncorked
for port study
The Department of Transport has called for nominations to a reference group to look into solutions for seagrass and sediment issues at Port Geographe.Project Manager at the Department of Transport, James Holder said the group’s key role would be to identify local issues relevant to the development and to test proposed solutions.
Mr Holder said the group would make recommendations as part of a proposal to the Government that would represent the best possible outcome to the sediment and seagrass issues.
Scientists from The University of Western Australia (UWA) have recommended further testing of proposed groyne reconfigurations at Port Geographe as reviewed in a report Seagrass Wrack Dynamics in Geographe Bay, Western Australia.
The report was commissioned by the Department of Transport and the Shire of Busselton to provide an insight into the behaviour of seagrass in the larger Geographe Bay area and to assist in finding effective management solutions for Port Geographe.
UWA scientists have now begun testing modifications to the existing coastal structures using computer modelling.
Mr Holder said a special selection process had been established to ensure the reference group’s membership represented the spectrum of coastal interests, issues and concerns about the Port Geographe development.
“Approximately 20 people will be selected to work cooperatively with the existing technical project team (established in 2008) to provide feedback on the testing of possible solutions as the modelling progresses,” Mr Holder said.
The reference group is expected to operate for a number of months before providing its results, costings and recommendations.
“Those seeking selection are required to submit an application outlining their interest and involvement in the development, detailing any technical expertise and ranking their issues of concern to ensure appropriate and balanced community representation,” Mr Holder said.
Nominations close on 21 July and further information was available from www.transport.wa.gov.au
13 July, 2010
Mental health paper
is mind over matter
A consultation paper on mental health reforms has been released for public comment by the Minister for Mental Health, Graham Jacobs.Releasing the WA Mental Health Towards 2020: Consultation Paper, Dr Jacobs said one in five people experienced a mental health problem every year.
He said the paper had been prepared after widespread consultation with key stakeholders that included a range of mental health consumers, carers and service providers; Government and non-Government Agencies and the broader community.
“We are now seeking feedback from the community to ensure that the WA Mental Health Policy and Plan captures the vision and direction needed for mental health reform in WA,” Dr Jacobs said.
“We want to involve everyone in building mentally healthier communities, which is why it is important that people from across WA tell us what they think about the ideas set out in the consultation paper.”
Dr Jacobs said that only by working together across Government could the problems of mental health be properly addressed.
He said a modern, effective mental health system with a clear focus on people living with a mental illness and their ability to recover was needed.
He said the WA Mental HealthPolicy and Plan would outline the Government’s policy for mental health and provide a blueprint for mental health priorities and reform in WA for the next decade.
“Our vision is for a mentally healthy WA where everyone works together - Government, industry and the community - for the mental wellbeing of all,” Dr Jacobs said.
The final document is to be prepared by the Mental Health Commission and released to the public by the end of 2010.
Submissions on the consultation paper close 29 September and the paper could be downloaded from www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au
13 July, 2010
Waterfront project
wins pier support
The long-awaited Perth Waterfront has been identified as a critical project for funding in the 2011-12 State Budget.Cabinet has considered the plan and the Premier, Colin Barnett, said he was determined to see it become a reality.
“The project is a major priority for the State Government and it is my expectation that construction on the Perth Waterfront Project will commence in early 2012,” Mr Barnett said.
“It is expected to require between $255 million and $300 million of State Government funding. However, this will ultimately depend on the value of land which is made available to the private sector.”
Minister for Planning, John Day confirmed key governance arrangements which would guide the project through its next phase.
“The East Perth Redevelopment Authority (EPRA) will work closely with the Department of Planning on the expectation that responsibility for the project’s implementation will ultimately transfer to the proposed Perth Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority,” Mr Day said.
“EPRA is leading the way with a number of other major urban regeneration projects which will dramatically improve our city - such as Perth City Link, major works to the Cultural Precinct and the Riverside project, so it is logical its expertise is utilised to deliver the Waterfront project.”
Mr Day said Cabinet also approved the transfer of all Crown land within the project area into the ownership of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).
13 July, 2010
Countdown starts for
Count Me In awards
Submissions have been invited for the 2010 Count Me In Awards, the renamed and expanded Count Us In scheme from past years.Minister for Disability Services, Simon O’Brien said the awards recognised the outstanding achievements of individuals, State and Local Government, business, education and training organisations, developers, planners and architects for projects or initiatives that created more welcoming communities for people with disability.
The 2010 Count Me In Awards have been aligned with the Disability Services Commission’s 15-year plan, Count Me In: Disability Future Directions.
“The awards highlight the importance of providing opportunities for people with disability across community life,” Mr O’Brien said.
“They recognise the efforts of those working towards a more inclusive society for Western Australia.”
A new Disability Future Directions Award has been established to recognise outstanding long-term initiatives aimed at inclusion.
“Each year the award will focus on key areas within the plan and this year it focuses on well-planned and accessible communities, including universally-designed housing.”
The awards will be presented in seven categories: Individual, Barry MacKinnon Award for Employment, Local Government, State Government, Education and Training, Customer Service and the Disability Future Directions Award.
The most outstanding category winner of the seven Count Me In Award categories will be presented with the Dr Louisa Alessandri Award for Excellence.
Nominations close 1 October.
Nominations are also open for the 2010 Count Me In scholarships which are open to anyone working within or interested in WA’s disability sector.
Applications for scholarships also close on 1 October and further information is available from www.count-me-in.com.au
13 July, 2010
Kimberley burning
program cools off
The early dry season aerial burning program for the Kimberley has been completed despite losing two weeks to rain in May.Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher said the program incorporated significant involvement with Aboriginal community members.
“The Kimberley Land Council co-ordinated more than 60 people to attend planning workshops, training, aerial and ground burning on conservation lands managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), unallocated Crown lands and Aboriginal lands,” Mrs Faragher said.
“The increased involvement of Kimberley traditional owners in the planning and delivery of the fire program has been a significant part of DEC’s commitment to improving fire management across the region.”
She said the participation and training of Indigenous rangers had also resulted in a significant increase in the capacity to deliver better fire outcomes.
Regional Fire Co-ordinator for the Kimberley, Ed Hatherley said DEC managed nearly 5.8 million hectares of land in the north of the region.
“Of this, nearly 650,000 hectares were treated with patchy mosaic cool burns, designed to limit the impact and spread of the late dry season bushfires that occur each year,” Mr Hatherley said.
“In addition, 175,000 hectares of Aboriginal lands were treated in conjunction with traditional owners this season.”
He said the total area DEC and Kimberley traditional owners worked across in 2010 represented approximately 18 per cent of the region.
The Minister said improved fire management and re-establishing a regime of cooler mosaic burning earlier in the dry season was one of the main issues identified in consultations over the development of the State Government’s Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.
13 July, 2010
Quotas claw back
lobster fishery
The West Coast Rock Lobster Fishery is to operate under a quota system in the coming season following a decision of the Minister for Fisheries, Norman Moore.Mr Moore said the Department of Fisheries had worked closely with the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to negotiate the details for implementing a quota system in time for the 2010-11 season.
He said the discussions followed approaches from the industry to establish a quota-based system.
“The quota system will reduce the need for the State Government to micro-manage the rock lobster fishery within a season and help improve the economic return for commercial fishers,” Mr Moore said.
“There will be minimal change to the existing rules of this first season, but one important change is that the next season will be extended by two months, to run from 15 November to 31 August in 2011 for all zones.”
He said the changes would give fishers more flexibility in deciding when to take their catch within their individual allocation for the season.
Mr Moore said the total allowable catch for the 2010-11 commercial fishing season would remain the same as last season at 5,500 tonnes.
“WA fishers are working through a very difficult period, where record low recruitment in the West Coast Rock Lobster Fishery is limiting the total allowable catch,” he said.
“I am confident the move to a quota-based system will assist the industry to optimise the economic value of its available catch during the low recruitment period and when the fishery bounces back.”
Mr Moore said the Department of Fisheries would continue to provide more information and consultation for the industry as the new management arrangements were introduced.
“These changes only relate to the commercial sector,” he said.
“The recreational rock lobster fishing season will continue to run from November 15 to June 30.”
13 July, 2010
Wild dogs dogged at
planning workshop
Planning workshops in the Shark Bay and Murchison shires have led local pastoralists to strengthen their programs for controlling wild dogs.The sessions were run by Queensland-based national wild dog facilitator, Greg Mifsud and organised by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.
Regional Biosecurity Manager with the Department, Barry Davies said the two workshops attracted about 50 participants and aimed to develop local area management plans to target wild dogs.
“We had a very strong turnout and those involved were willing to re-evaluate their control programs based on information from the national facilitator,” Mr Davies said.
“As a result, pastoralists in the Shire of Murchison will double their baiting programs from twice annually to four times per year. Those in the Shark Bay area will treble their coordinated baiting program from once to three times per year, at the same time as neighbouring shires enhance the overall control program.”
The baiting will be coordinated through the local Zone Control Authorities, which are made-up of local landholders, Shire and Department representatives.
Mr Davies said there had been interest expressed for similar planning workshops to be held at Mt Magnet, Cue, Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction.
“The workshops provide information on wild dog movements, ecology and areas of impact, along with optimal control methods,” he said.
“They are designed to help develop local area management plans to direct control activities.”
13 July, 2010
PS reform on hold
The Public Sector Reform Bill 2009 will have to wait until after the winter break to complete its passage through Parliament.
The Bill passed through the Legislative Assembly on 24 June and then progressed to the Legislative Council where it has received its first and second readings.
It will be considered further when Parliament resumes on 10 August. Further information on the Bill was available at www.publicsector.wa.gov.au
Drought survey online
Farmers are being encouraged to take part in an online survey run by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
The survey is part of the Department’s North Eastern Agricultural Region (NEAR) Strategy, a long-term plan to increase drought preparedness and resilience of farm businesses in this region.
The survey will focus on farmers’ attitudes towards drought and farm business resilience as well as their awareness of NEAR strategy and projects. It could be accessed at www.agric.wa.gov.au
Ex-prison officer charged
A 54-year-old former prison officer has been charged with falsifying records on the Department of Corrective Services’ prisoner telephone system.
The officer, who resigned from the Department in October 2009, is alleged to have falsified phone records to allow a prisoner to telephone him at his home.
He is also alleged to have used his own phone numbers in place of those of genuine solicitors so the calls would not be recorded.
This is the third time since January 2010 that criminal proceedings have resulted from the alleged actions of prison officers.
Ocean patrol a success
The patrol vessel Sousa has completed her first collaborative patrol with Department of Environment and Conservation staff on board.
The new vessel, based at Dampier, has a 400 nautical mile range, allowing Department staff and Fisheries officers to undertake regular education and compliance patrols to remote marine parks and island reserves in the Pilbara Region.
It will also provide logistical support for island-based programs such as hawksbill turtle tagging in the Dampier Archipelago and the Barrow Island fauna translocations.
Wyndham jetty upgrade
A Government-owned jetty at the port of Wyndham will be upgraded as part of a $10 million expansion and enhancement project that includes a new fendering system to replace the existing timber system.
Wyndham Port is being expanded to allow it to maintain or increase its current trade in livestock, nickel concentrate, fuel, ammonium nitrate and general cargo, while meeting the future needs of the expanding Ord River Irrigation System.
Health Centre for Wongan Hills
A new $1.6 million medical centre at Wongan Hills has been opened to provide general practice, specialist and allied health services, infant child health services, physiotherapy, optical and psychology services.
The innovative design allows room for additional doctors to join the practice and will see ancillary health services centralised to make access easier for residents from Wongan Hills and surrounding areas.
Boost for Indigenous health
Nidjalla Waangan Mia, a dedicated Aboriginal health and wellbeing centre for the Peel region, has been officially opened.
The centre includes a primary health care service and is part of the $3.4 million Stage 2 redevelopment of the Mandurah Community Health Centre.
The Centre will ultimately deliver a comprehensive range of culturally appropriate services to address the health needs of the community.
Gas turbines underway
Construction of two high-efficiency gas turbines at the Kwinana Power Station has begun.
The turbines are expected to add 200MW of gas-fired generation to the WA power system and to be at least one third more efficient than the two thermal generating units they are replacing.
The turbines will also allow Verve Energy to better use the existing base load plant and improve its plant reliability.
6 July, 2010
Auditor puts heat
on PS energy use
An audit of energy use by Government Agencies has revealed failures to meet energy reduction targets that could have cost the State taxpayer more than $50 million.Auditor General, Colin Murphy said failed opportunities to reduce Agencies’ energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions had been going on for the past seven years.
Mr Murphy said the Government could have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10 per cent if it had met the targets laid out in the Energy Smart Government (ESG) program.
“Given the rapid rise in the cost of energy, Government needs to take action now to address the issues that are stopping Agencies from acting on these energy saving opportunities,” Mr Murphy said.
In his report, Energy Smart Government, Mr Murphy said the Energy Smart program had made Agencies more aware of their energy consumption and allowed them to identify a number of energy-saving opportunities,
“However, the clear failing of this program is that Agencies are choosing not to act on these cost-saving and environmentally beneficial opportunities,” he said.
Mr Murphy said the ESG program was introduced in July 2002 and was intended to achieve a 12 per cent reduction in Government energy consumption during its first five-year phase.
The Sustainable Energy Development Office (SEDO), a Division now within the Office of Energy, was primarily responsible for delivering the program.
Mr Murphy said the ESG program included a range of actions to help Agencies identify and reduce energy consumption such as audits of energy use and funding to replace high energy consumption equipment.
He said changing behaviour, such as turning off equipment when not in use, was also seen as critical to success.
The Auditor General found while one third of Agencies reported energy savings of 12 per cent or more by 2006-07, the actual energy saving across Government was just 0.1 per cent because larger energy-consuming Agencies did not achieve savings.
“SEDO was not sufficiently strategic in its management of the program and it was not effective in its use of incentives and penalties to encourage Agencies to reduce consumption and to deliver accountability when targets were not met,” Mr Murphy said.
“Importantly, there were no consequences for Agencies failing to achieve the expected targets and this has not changed for the second phase of the program.”
He said incentives and accountability arrangements under the ESG program needed to be reviewed and strengthened as changes to the program since 2008 were “unlikely” to realise existing of future energy saving opportunities.
“In the past two years energy consumption has increased by an additional three per cent at a cost of $19 million and this upward trend will continue if Government does not act now to ensure Agencies implement energy saving initiatives,” Mr Murphy said.
The report was available online at www.audit.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
PSC shows hand
in election guide
The Public Sector Commission has released a Circular advising Public Servants of their obligations should they decide to stand as a candidate or participate in the upcoming Federal election.In a Circular entitled WA Public Sector Employees Involvement in a Federal Election, Public Sector Commissioner Mal Wauchope provides “general information” for PS employees and other people holding an office of profit under the Crown.
Circular 2010-06 covers involvement in the Federal election and includes preselection, nomination as a candidate and participating through other means.
Mr Wauchope says officers preselected to stand in the Federal election would not be required to resign when preselection was confirmed.
“However, it is particularly important that officers who have been preselected as a candidate manage perceived and actual conflicts of interest carefully,” Mr Wauchope says.
He urged intending candidates to ensure they were qualified to be elected to the Commonwealth Parliament and warned them they would need to resign to do so.
He says a number of disqualifications are set out in the Constitution, including one disallowing any person who receives a wage or pension paid for “under the Crown” or the Commonwealth’s revenue from sitting as a Senator or Member of the House of Representatives.
“Public sector employees should be aware that they therefore are not qualified to nominate for election to the Commonwealth Parliament unless they have resigned their office before they nominate,” he says.
“Employees who resign to stand for election may be eligible to be reappointed, where they fail to be elected.”
Mr Wauchope says people who were not Public Servants but sat on Government boards and committees could also be at risk of disqualification.
He recommends all office holders considering nomination seek independent legal advice.
In the Circular, the Commissioner says Public Servants planning to participate in paid employment or voluntary work for the election, such as a polling official for the Australian Electoral Commission, needed written permission from their Agency.
“Public sector employees should note that it is not appropriate to use office time or resources (computers, phones, vehicles etc.) for party political work,” Mr Wauchope says.
“Employees, and Ministerial staff, in particular, should also be aware of the potential for perceived conflicts of interest where they assist with party political processes.”
Circular 2010-06 was available from www.publicsector.wa.gov.au
Mr Wauchope referred PS employees to www.aec.gov.au for further information.
6 July, 2010
Strong response to
PS disability laws
Most Agencies developing policies to support people with disabilities are complying with laws requiring them to include carers in the decision-making process.This finding was reported in the 2009 annual report of the Carers’ Advisory Council, tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Community Services, Robyn McSweeney.
Mrs McSweeney said it was important carers’ were consulted in the planning and delivery of services, because in WA unpaid carers provided 75 per cent of the support services needed by around 400,000 people with disability.
“The State Government, through the Disability Services Commission and the Department of Health and the organisations they fund, recognises the important role carers play in supporting people with disabilities and other health issues,” Mrs McSweeney said.
“They are actively working to include carers in decisions that impact on them and their caring role.”
The Carers Advisory Council was established under the Carers Recognition Act (CRA) to advance the interests of carers, monitor compliance with legislation and provide advice to the Minister on issues relating to carers.
The report, Partners in Care?, found there had been progress and positive change in carer participation in the development of policies; skills development training for carers to act as representatives; carer representation at executive levels and as members of advisory groups; staff training and awareness of the CRA; and the recording and management of carer-specific complaints.
The full report from the Advisory Council could be accessed at www.communitites.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
OPSSC survey has
all the answers
The Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner (OPSSC) has reminded Chief Executives they need to complete its annual survey.The Annual Agency Survey 2010 looks at compliance with the general principles of Human Resource Management (HRM), the WA Public Sector Code of Ethics, Agency codes of conduct and overall Agency administration and management.
The OPSSC also encouraged staff to complete the Employee Perceptions Survey to provide it with information on employee views of Agency compliance with the above issues and a better understanding of workplace cultures and environments.
The OPSSC uses data collected from the two surveys in its State of the Service Report and the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment Annual Report.
The Office said the Annual Agency Survey built on the Framework for Reporting on Agency Administration and Management and that relevant sections of the survey could be used to assess sector performance against the Priority Areas outlined in CEO Performance Agreements.
CEOs must complete and return the annual survey by 30 July and include information on activities undertaken between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010, it said.
The OPSSC said CEOs were required to assess their Agency’s performance using six different maturity levels.
The levels, ranging from zero through to five, indicate the level of action taken on an issue and whether measures are needed, are being developed, have been implemented or are an automatic part of processes and systems.
The confidential Employee Perceptions Survey must also be submitted by 30 July and could be accessed at oeeo.opssc.wa.gov.au
The Annual Agency Survey could be completed online at www.opssc.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
Slick response to
oil spill training
State Government staff, port workers and representatives of the private sector are to take part in a three-day training exercise in Broome this week to learn how to respond to an oil spill emergency.The exercise has been organised by the Department of Transport’s Oil Spill Response Coordination team in consultation with the Broome Port Authority.
The training is expected to identify ways to improve the local response to oil spills and ensure people are adequately trained to deal with different situations.
Coordinator of the Oil Spill Response Coordination team, Matt Verney said the training would focus on the assessment and response to oil impacting on a shoreline.
“The skills they take away will ensure participants are equipped to lead the initial response effort,” Mr Verney said.
“The training will also involve the deployment of a range of equipment including a containment boom which is used to stop the spread of an oil slick to protect the local environment.”
He said training opportunities were organised by the Department at different locations throughout the State as part of its responsibility for marine-related oil spill prevention and clean-up in WA.
Mr Verney said Broome was already prepared for an oil spill emergency with trained officers and locally-stored response equipment.
“This is an opportunity to build further skills and enhance the knowledge of those involved,” he said.
Mr Verney said it was a legal requirement for anyone who polluted waterways to report spills of oil or other noxious substances to DoT.
“DoT is also very keen to hear from people who have information about incidents involving the illegal dumping of oil or other waste at sea or other waterways,” Mr Verney said.
To report an incident, phone (08) 9480 9924 or visit www.transport.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
Housing homes in
on project delivery
The Department of Housing has been applauded for exceeding its delivery target of 75 new homes in the State’s most remote Indigenous communities.Minister for Housing, Bill Marmion said the Department had “really pulled out all the stops” to build and deliver the agreed homes in a challenging time frame.
“It is to be congratulated for overcoming a range of obstacles and exceeding expectations by a wide margin, delivering 89 new homes, 78 of which are already connected to services,” Mr Marmion said.
“The delivery program was severely impacted by unexpectedly wet weather, road closures during the peak delivery time and a shortage of tradespeople to complete installations, yet 89 homes have been built.”
He said WA was leading the country in closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
In addition to the delivery of the new homes, 150 refurbishments were completed, helping to boost Indigenous employment.
The Indigenous employment target of 20 per cent participation was exceeded across the construction and refurbishment programs.
Mr Marmion said the Federal Government had yet to agree on the construction program for 2010-11.
“We have proven our commitment and ability to deliver for remote communities and close the gap,” he said.
The Minister called on the Commonwealth to agree to the targets for 2010-2011, so WA could continue its construction and refurbishment program without delay.
6 July, 2010
Fish online in
new website
A new interactive website providing information on the distribution of freshwater fish and crustaceans has been developed by researchers from the Department of Fisheries.The website and its supporting database are expected to provide a strategic overview for the future management of freshwater finfish and invertebrates and help inform conservation, rehabilitation and restocking programs to preserve fish fauna and control feral species.
Jointly funded by Fisheries and WA’s Natural Resource Management Office, the website provides a State repository for the distribution of data on native and introduced species collected by various Government Agencies, universities and research organisations.
Principal Freshwater Fish Research Scientist at the Department of Fisheries, Dr Craig Lawrence said until now there had not been a single resource available to store and view the data.
“To get it up and running we have worked with other Departments and universities to capture and consolidate all available information and the database and website will continue to grow and develop as new research data is added,” Dr Lawrence said.
“It is exciting that future research will not only help update data, but to fill knowledge gaps.”
Dr Lawrence said website users could browse by species or region or use the map navigation function to find out more about the distribution of various freshwater species.
“We have sourced all accessible information and hope the benefits our database and website provide will encourage researchers with any existing distributional data not already captured, to contribute this data to further enhance the information,” he said.
The website could be accessed at www.freshwater.fish.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
Sporting venues probe
to even playing field
WorkSafe WA is to investigate the safety standards of a number of sporting venues across the State.The safety inspection program will focus on bowling greens, yacht clubs, ten-pin bowling alleys and aquatic centres.
Commissioner of WorkSafe, Nina Lyhne said the program would run throughout this financial year in metropolitan and regional areas.
Ms Lyhne said the inspections aimed to raise awareness of safety risks and ensure employers had the information required to comply with relevant laws.
“This inspection program is part of an ongoing series of proactive inspections aimed at providing employers with information on how to make workplaces safer,” Ms Lyhne said.
“Workplaces in the industries covered by this program are being contacted in advance and told that inspectors will be conducting visits, so they should know what will be expected of them.”
She said inspectors would concentrate on several priority areas such as hazardous substances, mobile plant, manual handling, electricity, prevention of falls, machinery guarding and slips, trips and falls.
Ms Lyhne said they would also look at issues specific to each facility.
“Like all WorkSafe’s proactive inspection programs, this one aims to raise awareness and provide information, but inspectors will take enforcement action if necessary,” she said.
“We firmly believe that raising awareness with proactive campaigns is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.”
Ms Lyhne said further information on workplace safety and health was available from www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
DAFWA swoops
on bird owners
Bird owners have been warned by the Department of Agriculture and Food not to allow their pets to become pests by letting them out into the wild.The warning follows the removal of Alexandrine parrots from York and reports of Indian Ringneck parakeets in Kelmscott, Mount Nasura and Parkerville.
Development Officer at DAFWA, Marion Massam said both species were pests that posed a high risk of establishing themselves in the wild if they were released or escaped.
“Indian ringnecks, or rose-ringed parakeets, have been regularly found in the wild, with a large number of detections in the metropolitan area where many people keep pet birds,” Ms Massam said.
“During the past year, ringnecks have been removed from Hamilton Hill, Jandabup, Stirling, St James, West Swan and further afield in Toodyay.”
Ms Massam said the recent reports from Mount Nasura and Kelmscott were particularly concerning as birds had been found in those areas in the past.
She said the Department would continue capturing and re-homing the birds in secure keeping facilities to prevent them establishing in the wild.
“These species are declared pests in Western Australia and all escapee birds found in the wild are immediately removed,” Ms Massam said.
“Their pest status requires that they are kept under permit, in secure double-doored aviaries.”
She said the Ringneck parakeet and Alexandrine parrot pose a significant threat to agriculture and had the potential to damage crops such as cereals, oilseeds and horticulture as well as stored grain.
Ms Massam said they could also compete with native species for nest hollows and food.
6 July, 2010
WA Seniors’ card
comes up trumps
Discounts and concessions from 14 Government Agencies and over 500 private businesses are now available to holders of the WA Seniors’ Card.Minister for Seniors, Robyn McSweeney said the concessions and discounts were listed in the latest edition of the WA Seniors Card Discount Directory.
Launching the directory,Mrs McSweeney said the Government recognised the enormous contribution Western Australian seniors made to their local communities.
“The discount directory is an important way to keep our promise to seniors of a better deal,” Mrs McSweeney said.
“Many of the offers, such as the generous transport discounts, provide practical support to enable older West Australians to stay socially connected and live more active and productive lives.”
She said the discount directory complemented the Government’s initiatives for seniors including the already implemented Cost of Living Rebate; the Seniors Safety and Security Rebate; free metropolitan transport and concession fares for seniors; and the Country Age Pension Fuel Card.
Seniors Card concessions and discounts listed in the 2010-12 directory include up to 25 per cent rebate on water fees; up to 25 per cent rebate on Local Council rates and FESA levies; rebates on power bills; 50 per cent rebate on driver’s licence renewals; 50 per cent discount on recreational fishing licence fees; discounts on admission to the Art Gallery of WA, Maritime Museum, Western Australian Museum and national parks; and discounts on tours and accommodation at Rottnest Island.
For public transport users there is a 50 per cent discount on TRANSWA regional train and coach travel and concession fares on all Transperth services and free travel on Sundays, public holidays and during Seniors Week.
The directory could be downloaded from www.communities.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
WA farmers tap into
drought relief trial
A national trial of support measures that could be adopted by Governments to assist drought-affected farmers has been launched in Western Australia.The trial includes 67 Local Government Areas covering around half the State and represents a fundamental shift in the way Governments help farmers prepare for future challenges.
Announcing the trial, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman and Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke said the pilot would test a package of new measures developed in response to the national review of drought policy.
Mr Redman said the measures were designed to move from a crisis management approach to a risk management approach.
He said the pilot aimed to support farmers, their families and rural communities better in preparing for future challenges, rather than waiting until they were in crisis to offer assistance.
The package of measures includes up to $7,500 for farmers to undertake training or develop a strategic plan for their businesses; grants of up to $60,000 to build farm businesses; grants to strengthen rural communities; farm social support; family support; and financial help for farmers selling their farms.
Mr Redman said information sessions would be held across the trial region to ensure farmers had the opportunity to ask questions and understood the new measures.
Three information sessions have already been held this week and one more is scheduled for this week, 8 July.
The remaining 12 sessions will be held through to the first week of August.
Mr Redman said guidelines and application forms were available for farmers and communities.
Mr Burke said the trial was a milestone for the farming sector in Australia.
“The next 12 months are about testing a new approach and talking to farmers and their communities afterwards to see what they thought,” Mr Burke said.
“We want to get it right before we ask farmers to work with us on rolling out a new national system.”
Farmers can register their interest in attending an information session by calling the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16. Guidelines and factsheets about the trial program were available from www.daff.gov.au
6 July, 2010
Fisheries office to
scale up activities
The Department of Fisheries is to set up an office in Kununurra this month and appoint a permanently-based Fisheries and Marine Officer (FMO) to the East Kimberley.Minister for Fisheries, Norman Moore said the new office formed part of the Government’s ongoing plan to increase FMOs and boost compliance activities across the State.
“In the past, patrols of the East Kimberley area were based in the Department’s Broome office, so it is a significant step forward to have an officer in Kununurra on a day-to-day basis,” Mr Moore said.
“The Kununurra Fisheries Officer will carry out collaborative patrols with Department of Transport (DoT) and Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) staff as well as other Agencies in the region.”
He said when it was necessary, patrols would be boosted with FMOs from other parts of the State.
Mr Moore said the Government would provide advice about attendance hours in the near future, but having an office in Kununurra would give the public a better opportunity to obtain recreational fishing licences and Fisheries’ brochures and information.
The new FMO was expected to start operating from this week and will use a shared facility with DoT staff.
Mr Moore said the Department of Fisheries would also use a community education trailer to provide information at Kununurra’s Agricultural Show from 9 to 10 July.
The Minister said the key to spreading the Department’s Fish for the Future message was education, which stressed the need for sustainable practices.
“FMOs enforce the sustainability rules but they also spend a lot of time talking with and educating fishers,” he said.
“Additional education initiatives are then used to spread and reinforce the message through the wider community.”
6 July, 2010
Sustainable award
for Stirling effort
The City of Stirling has been judged WA’s most sustainable community in the 2010 Sustainable Cities Awards. The awards, coordinated by Keep Australia Beautiful, recognise community groups, schools, Local Government Authorities and businesses that foster sustainability in their communities.
As well as taking out the overall State award, Stirling won the Protection of the Environment Award for its Million Trees initiative and was a finalist in the Environmental Innovation category for its Clubs Forever Goes Green project.
Congratulating Stirling, WA Chair of Keep Australia Beautiful, Mel Hay said the city’s commitment to sustainability and its social and environmental projects were impressive.
Award winners in other categories were:
- Community Action: Secret Harbour Primary School, Secret Harbour Community Working on the Three Rs
- Protection of the Environment: City of Stirling, Million Trees Initiative
- Environmental Innovation: South East Regional Energy Group, Switched on Business and Industry
- Litter Prevention and Waste Management: City of Armadale, Drop ‘n’ Shop Reuse Centre
- Young Legends: City of Joondalup, Adopt a Coastline.
The City of Stirling will represent Western Australia at the National Sustainable Cities Awards in Sydney in October.
Keep Australia Beautiful (WA) is supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation and further information about sustainable cities was available from www.kabc.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
Karratha stakes
claim to be city
A plan to develop Karratha into a world-class city of 50,000 people has been unveiled by the Minister for Regional Development and Lands, Brendon Grylls.Mr Grylls said the launch was a major step in delivering the State Government’s Pilbara Cities vision for Karratha.
“This watershed plan will establish Karratha as a highly desirable place to live, work and raise a family - a future city with facilities on par with other major cities of Australia,” Mr Grylls said.
He said major issues facing the town, such as infrastructure constraints, land supply shortages and housing affordability have been addressed in the new plan.
“The plan also contains a master scheme to transform the town centre with a new main street, public square and entry statement as well as expanded retail, commercial and residential opportunities,” he said.
President of the Shire of Roebourne, Nicole Lockwood said the plan provided a clear pathway for Karratha to evolve from a resources town into a major Australian city.
“Karratha will be endowed with improved infrastructure and amenity, offer more affordable and diverse styles of housing and generate enough jobs to sustain a future population of 50,000,” Ms Lockwood said.
“These measures have been a long time coming for the residents of Karratha and there is a genuine sense of excitement in the town as we move closer to realising the dream.”
Mr Grylls said work was already under way on several initiatives in Karratha such as the new Service Workers Village.
He said an agreement between the State Government and the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation also marked a major step forward in plans to make land available for development in Karratha.
Mr Grylls said the agreement enabled the Government to proceed with a number of proposed developments in the town, as well as providing benefits for the Ngarluma native title holders.
He presented the corporation with a cheque for $1 million as an advance payment of a $37 million agreement that would see the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation receive land for development opportunities and proceeds from the sale of some of the developed lots.
He said further information on the plan was contained in the Royalties for Regions Pilbara Cities update for March 2010 at www.royalitiesforregions.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
High temperatures
hot news at Bureau
The Bureau of Meteorology has reported that Western Australia equalled its warmest 12-month period in the year to the end of April since records began.According to the Bureau, WA’s average temperature during the 12 months to the end of June was 23.55° Celsius, exactly matching the previous record set between October 2004 and September 2005.
It is the third State to set or equal such a record in 2009-2010, following similar findings in Victoria and Tasmania for the 12 months to end of April.
Temperatures in Western Australia were consistently above average throughout the 12-month period and all 12 months were warmer than the long-term average.
The Bureau’s results showed the most significant heat was in summer, which was the State’s hottest on record at 1.32°C above the long-term average.
No individual month set a State-wide record, although August and January both ranked as the second-hottest on record, with December, February and April all ranking third.
June was 0.76°C warmer than the long-term average, despite a cold finish in the State’s south, including an equal State record low for June of 6.0°C at Norseman Airport on the 27th.
The Bureau found daytime maximum and overnight minimum temperatures contributed to the record warm period.
Daytime maximum temperatures were 1.23°C above average, and overnight minimums were 0.93°C above average.
In its climate summary, BOM said the record 12-month temperatures in Western Australia were consistent with the long-term warming trend in Australian and global temperatures.
The State’s annual average temperature has warmed by approximately 0.7°C since 1950.
Further information was available from www.bom.gov.au
6 July, 2010
Boating safety on
course in schools
An education program teaching primary school students the importance of boating safety has been declared a success by the Department of Transport.The Junior Crew program was launched in February, specially designed for students in years three, four and five.
Coordinator of Marine Education at DoT’s Marine Education Boatshed, Laurie Adams said since February, 191 copies of the package had been distributed to educators, 135 of which went to primary schools.
Mr Adams said the response to the program from teachers and others had been extremely positive.
“Junior Crew provides students with a basic understanding of the skills and knowledge required to be safe on the water using hands-on experiences inside and outside the classroom to engage learning,” Mr Adams said.
“For some students, including those at Safety Bay Primary School near Rockingham, this involved a visit to the school by DoT Marine Officers who demonstrated the features of their patrol vessel and safety equipment before inviting the students on board for a closer look.”
Developed over several years by DoT in consultation with the Western Australian Curriculum Council and the Department for Education and Training, the program requires students to log completed activities in order to receive a Junior Crew certificate.
The program provides a resource pack for teachers including learning aides such as a story book introducing students to Skip the Boat Safe Bird, posters to promote discussion, worksheets catering for differing year levels and flash cards for use in lessons.
The introduction of the primary school program complements the introduction of the Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) in WA which has seen more than 140,000 people gain the marine qualification.
Further information on the program was available from www.transport.wa.gov.au
6 July, 2010
Fishing fee change
The existing cost recovery model of fee setting for Western Australia’s commercial fishing sector has been replaced with a new five per cent access fee.
The new arrangements follow consultation between the Fisheries Department and the industry’s peak body, the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC).
The net financial effect from switching from cost recovery to an access fee is largely unchanged, with industry paying about $18 million per annum to the Government.
Dog program expanded
A wild dog culling program in the Gascoyne and Murchison regions is to be expanded by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).
Geraldton District operations manager for DEC, Steve Toole said wild dogs caused significant stock losses and loss of income to pastoralists and that DEC would continue to take practical steps to reduce the wild dog threat.
Mr Toole said a DEC-contracted dog culler had already spent 20 days in Kennedy Range National Park and on several former pastoral leases now managed by DEC to help keep wild dog numbers under control.
Increased parking
An additional 176 car parking spaces are now available at Greenwood Station, bringing to total parking bays to over 900.
Upgrades to the station also included the installation of CCTV cameras and additional lighting.
Parking at Cockburn Central station has also been boosted by 210 permanent bays, with 144 temporary bays added after the Public Transport Authority negotiated a lease of private land abutting the station parking area.
Children weigh into debate
The proportion of children above a healthy weight remains unchanged from 2003, with about one in four children overweight or obese.
Minister for Sport and Recreation and Chair of the Physical Activity Taskforce, Terry Waldron said the level at which childhood obesity appeared to have stabilised was unacceptably high.
The 2008 Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey showed a drop in the number of secondary school girls considered overweight or obese, from 23 per cent to 16 per cent, and revealed a worrying increase in the amount of girls classified as underweight.
The survey was available from www.beactive.wa.gov.au
Fuel Card for pensioners
An estimated 15,000 additional pensioners are eligible to apply for the Country Age Pension Fuel Card scheme under the second round of applications.
The Fuel Card helps country age pensioners meet travel costs where they generally did not have access to extensive public transport.
Under the scheme, which is administered by the Departments of Regional Development and Lands and Transport, holders are entitled to $500 towards the cost of fuel and taxi fares.
Further information was available from www.royaltiesforregions.wa.gov.au
Museum upgraded
A major upgrade of exhibitions – the first in a quarter of a century – has been completed at the Western Australian Museum in Albany.
The upgrades were the result of two years of detailed planning, including community consultation.
The Government provided $250,000 for the work and the Albany Port Authority granted $40,000 to fund a new, interactive table-top display that tells the history of the port and reflects its key role in the region’s history and development.
Historical centre opens
The new Brockman Historical Precinct Interpretative Centre and restoration workshop has been officially opened.
The centre displays information about the history of one of the earliest settlements in Western Australia.
Historical groups, tourists and local school children will now be able to explore the history of the Shire of Chittering through interactive displays and artefacts dating back to the 1890s.
Skiing consultations
The possible expansion of water ski areas on Lake Kununurra is being canvassed with local boat owners.
Officers from the Department of Transport will attend the Kununurra Agricultural Show this weekend to gather public opinion on increasing the size of the water ski area as part of a broader review of the gazetted areas for different aquatic uses across the East Kimberley.
The Department is working with the Shire and other local authorities to ensure safety is maintained and the needs of boat owners are met. Further information was available at www.transport.wa.gov.au
Seniors Awards open
Nominations are open for the 2010 WA Seniors Awards, now in their 25th year.
Award winners will be announced on 31 October to mark the start of Seniors Week 2010.
The overall winner will be chosen from three new categories including Community Award for voluntary work; Intergenerational Award for working with children and young people under 25 and beyondblue Inspirational Award for Wellbeing for seniors who promote awareness of mental health messages for older people.
Nominations close on 31 August and could be made at www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au