SearchArchives for March 2010
30 March, 2010IT audit calls for
major reboot
An annual audit of Information Systems Management in the WA Public Service has found so many failings that the Acting Auditor General described it as a “wake up call” for Agency managers.The two-part report found “serious weaknesses” in the way many Agencies managed their IT systems including failures to implement comprehensive controls which created serious risks to the confidentiality and integrity of data.
The first part of the Information Systems Audit Report found potentially sensitive information stored on Government laptops, USB memory sticks and other portable storage devices (PSDs) that were not well protected at seven Agencies.
It found 750 laptops had been reported lost or stolen from Agencies over the past three years.
Acting Auditor General, Glen Clarke said most Agencies had an increasing number of laptops and PSDs and there was a pressing need for them to act on the security risk they posed.
“While these devices have their benefits, their portability also places them at greater risk of being lost or stolen,” Mr Clark said, “and the information stored on these devices needs to be protected.
“None of the seven Agencies we examined had adequately considered or addressed these risks.”
Mr Clarke said the seven Agencies examined were the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Water, the Curriculum Council, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia Police and WorkCover WA.
“All of the Agencies examined are moving to address the risks associated with their laptops and PSDs and I strongly encourage every Agency across Government to act on the recommendations,” Mr Clarke said.
The second part of the report looked at application and general computer controls with weaknesses found in security and data processing controls that could potentially affect the delivery of key public services.
The most common types of control weakness the Acting Auditor General identified were security weaknesses such as easy-to-guess passwords, unauthorised user accounts and failure to remove accounts belonging to former staff.
“At two of the Agencies we were able to guess the passwords and gain access to highly sensitive information and at three Agencies we found that former staff were still able to access confidential information and databases,” Mr Clarke said.
“This is unacceptable,” he said.
“The community needs to know that the information Government Agencies hold is treated with respect and discretion.”
Of the 52 Agencies reviewed in the second part of the report, 42 were benchmarked against accepted good practice for information security management.
Fifty-one per cent of Agencies failed to meet the information security benchmark.
“Access controls are the most basic and inexpensive control to implement and there is no excuse not to have them in place,” Mr Clarke said.
The Information Systems Audit Report was available from www.audit.wa.gov.au
30 March, 2010
Helpers blow in
after bad storm
The State Government has put out a call to other Governments around Australia to help it deal with the impact of the 22 March storm.Premier, Colin Barnett said the Fire and Emergency Services Authority had requested a total of 94 volunteers from NSW, Victoria and South Australia to provide relief and support to local volunteer and career crews.
Mr Barnett said the requests had been agreed with.
Over 300 State Emergency Service volunteers, supported by career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Bush Fire Service volunteers, have worked around the clock to ensure the mop-up operations throughout the metropolitan area were completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“With damage currently estimated at $100 million, the State Government has declared this a natural disaster and we are extremely grateful that interstate Agencies have accepted the invitation to come to Western Australia to assist,” Mr Barnett said.
He said while many jobs had been completed based on priority assessments there were more than 1,000 jobs still outstanding.
Mr Barnett said the severity of the storm damage met the criteria to be declared a natural disaster and that residents would have access to financial assistance under the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
“All local Governments within the metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs affected by the storms are eligible for the funding which will help them meet the cost of rebuilding their community assets,” he said.
The Premier said the storm would cost the State tens of millions of dollars to repair buildings and restore power lines.
30 March, 2010
Councils turn table
on repair timetable
Members of the community have been urged to give Local Governments time to repair damage caused by the recent storm event.Minister for Local Government, John Castrilli said affected Local Governments were responding very quickly to the disaster.
Mr Castrilli said delays in clearing out drains, clearing roads and securing public spaces and assets were inevitable and he hoped people would understand.
“In most cases the best approach is to allow Local Government time to get on with the job of cleaning up and making repairs,” Mr Castrilli said.
“Local Government staff are working tirelessly to serve the needs of ratepayers in very exceptional circumstances.”
He highlighted the City of Nedlands as an example, saying part of the administration building collapsed at the height of the storm.
“During a visit to the City of Nedlands this week, it was inspiring to see the positive attitude displayed by staff working tirelessly to sort through water-damaged files and correspondence, despite finding the tasks at hand very confronting,” Mr Castrilli said.
The Minister said Local Councils had been advised that funding for community infrastructure and buildings damaged by the storm was available through the Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
“I urge Local Councils to apply for assistance for costs of counter disaster operations, including clean-up costs, and the repair and restoration of essential public assets and local road damage,” he said.
In the first part of a range of measures instigated by the State’s Recovery Services Sub-committee, 33 affected Local Governments are to be compensated for revenue lost in providing tip services free-of-charge to affected residents disposing of storm debris.
30 March, 2010
Health warning after
unhealthy weather
The Department of Health has issued a public warning of possible health risks that could arise following the recent storms.The Department’s Director of Environmental Health, Jim Dodds said prolonged power outages in some areas could cause refrigerated food to spoil.
“Most food would remain safe for two to four hours in a fridge, or one to two-and-a-half days in a freezer after power has been off,” Mr Dodds said.
“Any thawed food such as meat should be cooked immediately or discarded.”
He said other risks to public health included the possibility that asbestos cement sheeting from fencing or sheds could be exposed as a result of the damage caused by heavy winds or hail.
Mr Dodds said it was important any broken asbestos cement materials were handled carefully to prevent the release of asbestos fibres.
He also urged people to be aware that public swimming pools, spas, pools and waterslides were required to close when there was a power failure.
“These facilities should not open again until power has returned and the automatic filtration and disinfection systems are operating.
“The Department is liaising with Environmental Health Officers in Local Governments to ensure this is occurring.”
He urged private swimming pool owners to ensure the correct chlorine levels were maintained, particularly in below-ground pools, to ensure the water quality was suitable for swimming.
30 March, 2010
Rescuers sink
hooks into fish
Experts from the Department of Fisheries are working with the Swan River Trust to protect as many fish and crustaceans as possible in the upper Canning River as water quality suffers in the aftermath of the 22 March storms.Where necessary, fish and crustaceans are being transferred into research holding tanks to be returned to the river when it returns to normal.
Principal Freshwater Research Scientist for the Department, Dr Craig Lawrence said the run-off from the storm had caused a significant deterioration in water quality.
“The Swan River Trust contacted us to say the situation was so bad that freshwater crayfish had been walking out of the water, upstream of the Kent Street weir, to escape the poor water conditions,” Dr Lawrence said.
“As a result, we will be temporarily relocating as much of the breeding stock as we can from a number of locations on the Canning River.”
He said the Swan River Trust would continue its monitoring program and the Department of Fisheries was now involved in de-stocking fish and crustaceans from river areas worst-affected by the storm run-off.
“We are asking for members of the community not to interfere with the Department of Fisheries’ de-stocking traps, so we can protect as many freshwater fish and crustaceans as possible by moving them to our research facilities,” Dr Lawrence said.
“Our freshwater research team has developed techniques and equipment to help in this situation through previous large scale de-stocking and restocking projects for the Water Corporation in the South West of WA.”
The Department is also asking the public to report any locations where they find dead fish in the river system.
30 March, 2010
Agencies told to make
privacy plans public
Government Agencies and businesses across Australia have been urged to make public their commitment to good privacy practices.Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis made the call in the lead up to Privacy Awareness Week, which is being held this year between 2 and 8 May.
“While so many organisations have good practices in place to protect their customers’ data, they could be doing so much more to convey this message to their client base,” Ms Curtis said.
Ms Curtis said Privacy Awareness Week aimed to promote privacy responsibilities in the public and private sectors, and raise awareness of the public’s privacy rights.
With this year’s theme of Privacy: it’s in your hands, the campaign is an initiative of the Australian Office of the Privacy Commissioner and other Privacy Authorities in the Asia Pacific region.
She encouraged organisations to get involved as a ‘partner’ of Privacy Awareness Week and to hold activities in the lead up to and during the event.
She suggested activities such as developing privacy FAQs for customers, launching privacy materials and publishing information about privacy procedures online.
Ms Curtis said organisations could also train staff in privacy practices, review privacy policy and procedures and distribute promotional items available from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
“Customers have a high expectation that their personal information will be treated appropriately by organisations,” she said.
“Privacy Awareness Week is an opportunity for organisations to demonstrate to customers that the trust they have in the privacy practices of the organisation is not misplaced.”
Further information on Privacy Awareness Week was available from www.privacyawarenessweek.org
30 March, 2010
Sports club website
bound to be winner
A new website that will help people running sport and recreation clubs in Western Australia has been unveiled by the Department of Sport and Recreation.Sport and Recreation Minister, Terry Waldron said the Clubs Online site would benefit more than 5,000 clubs.
“Community sport and recreation clubs are essential to our communities, and without volunteers community sport and recreation simply would not exist,” Mr Waldron said.
“However, the Department of Sport and Recreation understands that running a club isn’t always easy and that various clubs tend to face similar issues, regardless of their particular activity.”
He said Clubs Online would help volunteers meet these challenges, make running a club easier and free up time for volunteers to get more involved in more enjoyable aspects of club life and undertake other tasks.
The features on the website include a database to help potential new members search for details of sport and recreation clubs in their area; information on how to build a club website; a volunteers exchange where people can browse for ‘clubs seeking volunteers’ or post notices under ‘volunteers seeking clubs’ and a forum where clubs can post questions and find answers on a range of popular club topics.
“Clubs are all about building communities and this website will build an online community of WA clubs that interact and share information,” Mr Waldron said.
“Clubs Online is recognition of the important work club volunteers do, which the State Government is eager to support and recognise through initiatives such as this.”
The site could be accessed at www.dsr.wa.gov.au/clubs
30 March, 2010
Consumer awards
are good value
The Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Commerce has hosted the 2010 Western Australia Consumer Protection Awards.One of the highlights of the Awards was the announcement of the Rona Oakley Award, won by Denise Brailey of Perth who blew the whistle on a fraudulent investment scheme which saw thousands of people, many of whom were retired, lose tens of millions of dollars.
Ms Brailey’s work prompted other official investigations into the finance and real estate market, including a continuing WA Police Major Fraud Squad probe into a mortgage broker.
Parliamentary Secretary and Member of the Legislative Council, Helen Morton presented Ms Brailey with her award during a ceremony at Kings Park.
Ms Brailey said receiving the award, named after another well-known WA consumer advocate, was a great honour and recognition of the work she loves doing.
“Consumer Protection has taken over my life for two decades but the achievement makes it worthwhile, and when people were being fleeced out of hard-earned savings and losing their houses I could not have turned my back,” she said.
In the two remaining categories, the Dick Fletcher Award went to Willetton-based WA No Interest Loans Inc. also known as WA NILS.
The registered charity has helped 14,000 low-income families since opening in 2000 by offering interest and charge-free loans to help purchase essential household items like beds, cots, fridge-freezers, air conditioners and heaters.
The Kidsafe WA commendation went to Spring-free Trampoline which was developed by New Zealand engineer Keith Alexander after 14 years and millions of dollars of research.
By removing springs and having the frame away from the jumping surface, the trampoline represents a reduced risk of falls and injury.
30 March, 2010
Borers boarded up by
DAFWA boundaries
The Department of Agriculture and Food is to publicise the boundaries of a Restricted Movement Zone for material susceptible to infestation by the European House Borer (EHB) in community newspapers. EHB Response Director for the Department, John van Schagen said the new public notices followed recent amendments to the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection (European House Borer) Regulations 2006, which define Restricted Movement Zones (RMZs) and associated restrictions.
“The changes required re-gazettal and publication of RMZ boundaries,” Mr van Schagen said.
“However, it should be noted that the majority of RMZ boundaries included in the public notice have remained unchanged since December 2009.
“Only boundaries of the Gnangara and Murdoch RMZ areas have been revised in response to new infestations in these areas.”
RMZ areas currently cover 158 infested sites throughout WA, which are spread across 52 Perth suburbs and the City of Albany.
Mr van Schagen said it was important that residents and businesses within RMZ areas were aware of the regulated restrictions relating to untreated pinewood.
“EHB is a serious pest of untreated softwood, including pine, fir and spruce. It infests untreated pine wood, including the dead parts of pine trees, structural pine timber and pine products,” he said.
“It is hoped the public notices will help to increase awareness both of EHB and the important role that RMZ restrictions play in preventing the spread of EHB both within and outside of RMZ boundaries.”
The regulations state untreated pine that has been exposed to an RMZ environment for more than 72 hours must not be removed from the RMZ without appropriate treatment or authorisation.
Mr van Schagen said the public should keep an eye out for future RMZ boundary revisions, which will continue to be published in public notices.
30 March, 2010
Curiosity kills
the feral cat
A new technique for managing feral cats is being trialled on Christmas Island by scientists from the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Environment and Conservation.Researcher at DEC, Dave Algar said officers had successfully trialled the use of a new bait named ‘Curiosity’.
Mr Algar said the greatest challenge in tackling feral cats was making sure that other species didn’t take the bait.
“The trial of this bait showed it was very effective,” Mr Algar said, “not only in reducing feral cat numbers but also in limiting access to baits to other species, such as the island’s famous red crabs.
“We used a gantry device to suspend the baits above the ground which resulted in just 1.3 per cent of the total 7,860 baits being taken by ants or crabs.
“The crabs are efficient scavengers so placing baits on the ground wasn’t going to work in this environment.”
Mr Algar said the researchers believed they could further reduce the amount of bait taken by other species in future trials.
He said a key difference between Curiosity and existing pest animal baits was that the poison was inside a hard polymer shell that was inserted into the meat and spat out by many native species that encountered it.
Senior Scientist (Wildlife Ecology) at DSE’s Arthur Rylah Institute, Michael Johnston, said the Federal Government funded the trial as part of its efforts to develop a poison bait for feral cats that could ultimately be used in mainland National Parks.
“The aim of the trial was to show that these animals could be targeted while protecting the island’s unique ecology,” Mr Johnston said.
“The trial was also supported by local Agencies which are currently seeking to improve the management of all cats on the island as species like the Red-tailed Tropicbird and Christmas Island Blue-tailed skink are being killed.”
The 15-day baiting period in late 2009 resulted in an 87 per cent reduction in the activity of feral cats at monitoring sites.
30 March, 2010
Quarantine facility
passes inspection
A new quarantine facility at Boulder has been officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman.The $2.25 million facility will monitor increasing livestock movements into the State with livestock inspection yards expected to accommodate about 2,000 vehicles annually for inspection and cleaning.
“The number of livestock being imported into WA by road is increasing, which means the biosecurity risk is also rising,” Mr Redman said.
“The absence of many plant and animal pests and diseases in WA provides our farmers an economic advantage by improved market access and lower production costs.
“The general community also benefits from the strict measures we have in place to keep serious pests and diseases out of the State.”
The Minister said the majority of livestock brought into WA arrived through Kalgoorlie-Boulder by road and that each consignment needed to be inspected.
The new inspection yards and wash-down facility on the outskirts of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will replace the historic Parkeston yards, built in 1921 as a transfer depot for livestock from road to rail.
“Last financial year, inspections on 405 vehicles carrying more than 8,000 animals en-route to more than 1,900 properties in WA were carried out by Department of Agriculture and Food officers near Kalgoorlie-Boulder,” Mr Redman said.
“All of these vehicles needed to be washed down and more than 40 tonnes of quarantine risk material, such as straw, fodder and soil, was collected over that period.”
The new yards, designed to accommodate cattle, horses, sheep, alpacas, goats and camels, would provide an improved work environment for people such as Department staff, livestock transporters, local feed suppliers and local veterinary practitioners.
30 March, 2010
Port message
fortified
The Department of Agriculture and Food has taken its biosecurity message to the WA Port Operations Taskforce to help ensure the State is protected from unwanted and damaging pests.Development Officer with the Department, Marion Massam met the Taskforce and proposed that biosecurity be included as an important element in future induction courses and awareness-raising processes.
Ms Massam said ports were a point where biosecurity threats from interstate and overseas could occur.
She said it was important to ensure all those involved in port operations understood how they could help manage risks posed by introduced species.
“We want to work with all Agencies and business operating at the port in responding to reports of any suspect findings,” Ms Massam said.
“This commitment has been reinforced as a result of the meeting with a proposal to include biosecurity as part of induction and awareness-raising processes.
“This will help people at the port to identify and report any suspect findings.”
Chairman of the WA Port Operations Taskforce, Dr Fred Affleck said Taskforce members appreciated the Department’s presentation and were considering how they could assist.
“The Taskforce now has a more comprehensive understanding of the biosecurity risk unwanted exotic pests pose to the State,” Dr Affleck said.
“Our members, who include representatives from stevedores, ship owners, agents, importers, exporters, port authorities, logistics providers, container parks, unions, brokers, Australian Customs, Main Roads WA and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, will now discuss with their operations how they can help to minimise this risk.”
The risk of exotic pests at ports was highlighted in Esperance recently when two pest tree sparrows were discovered, most likely from on a ship from Asia.
House crows, the most invasive crow species in the world but not yet established in Australia, have been discovered over the past few years at Cape Lambert, Karratha, Port Hedland and Rottnest.
Ms Massam said the Department planned to hold similar meetings with regional port managers in coming months and had been working with resource companies in the north to raise employee awareness about biosecurity threats.
30 March, 2010
Drivers drink to
new liquor laws
Liquor laws are to be amended to extend BYO provisions to small chartered vehicles (SCVs) such as chauffeur-driven limousines.Minister for Racing and Gaming, Terry Waldron said the current law meant that SCV owners who did not hold a liquor licence could not allow their passengers to consume alcohol in the vehicle.
“Currently, this is considered street drinking as the law only allows passengers travelling in liquor-licensed small charter vehicles to consume alcohol,” Mr Waldron said.
“The amendment to the Act will allow regulations to be introduced so that passengers of small charter vehicle operators who don’t have a liquor licence will still be able to enjoy a glass of champagne without fear of breaking the law.”
The Minister said this would mean a bride being driven to her wedding would not need to hire a liquor-licensed limousine in order to enjoy a drink on the way to the wedding.
However he said the amendment would only relate to BYO alcohol and it remained an offence for a small charter operator to sell or supply liquor to passengers without the appropriate liquor licence.
The new rule would not apply when juveniles hired a small charter vehicle and would involve only SCVs.
“Regulations will define the size or capacity of these vehicles, but it should be noted there is no intention to include buses in this exemption,” Mr Waldron said.
30 March, 2010
Port breathes easier
over clean air plan
A new plan to manage the air quality and noise impacts of industry at Port Hedland is expected to improve the city’s development as a major regional centre.Premier and State Development Minister, Colin Barnett said the Town of Port Hedland and export industries had worked with the State Government to provide a plan to help end 40 years of contention.
“The Port Hedland Air Quality and Noise Management Plan balances community development and renewal, with the continued growth of vital export industries,” Mr Barnett said.
The plan has been developed as part of the Pilbara Cities initiative.
Parliamentary Secretary for State Development, Bill Marmion said the plan was a significant step forward for the region.
“Port Hedland will continue its development as a major regional centre, with the west end as its commercial and entertainment heart and the town’s east end as an attractive, modern residential community,” Mr Marmion said.
“The plan sets goals and allocates responsibilities for managing the impact of dust and noise on people and property, and for monitoring and managing dust and noise levels.”
He said a comprehensive air-monitoring system would be established and that industry, the Town of Port Hedland and Government Agencies would work together to achieve the recommended dust levels as projected in the Taskforce Dust and Noise Management Plan.
The plan was developed by the Port Hedland Dust Management Taskforce which was established by the Western Australian Government in 2009.
The Taskforce is expected to monitor the progress of the plan’s implementation.
30 March, 2010
Loan plan lends hand
to co-operatives
A loan scheme for co-operatives in the agriculture sector is to be tripled to $60 million as way of encouraging greater investment in rural and regional areas.Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman said there were a number of primary producers who had pooled resources and expertise to form co-operatives around the State to process, market and sell their products.
“Western Australia has some very successful co-operatives who contribute significantly to our regional communities including Sweeter Bananas, Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-op and Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative (WAMMCO),” Mr Redman said.
“Co-operatives have limited ability to raise outside capital for expansion or replacement projects. Some of our co-ops have been very keen to expand their businesses, but have been hampered by difficulties in securing finance.”
He said expanding the scheme recognised the valuable economic and social flow-on effects from co-operatives, generated employment and assisted in the development of rural and regional communities.
Mr Redman said rural and regional co-operatives in WA operated across a range of agricultural and fishing sectors, including grains, sheep, rock lobster, bananas and dairy.
“The loan scheme has already seen significant new investment in production facilities in WA,” he said.
“For example, WAMMCO lamb processor has used the scheme to revamp boning facilities at Katanning, which has improved plant efficiency and increased productivity.”
A loan to a co-operative under the scheme allows it to claim taxation benefits under the Income Tax Assessment Act.
30 March, 2010
WA farms wind
and sun power
Two world-first solar-powered renewable energy stations and one of Australia’s biggest wind farms are to be built in WA.Announced by the Minister for Energy, Peter Collier the solar stations will be built at Marble Bar and Nullagine at a total cost of $27.7million and the wind station would be built near Merredin.
Mr Collier said the solar stations would be funded largely by Horizon Power with a $4.9 million injection from the Commonwealth’s Renewable Remote Power Generation Program.
He said they would be the world’s first high-penetration solar photovoltaic and diesel power stations and would include 2,250 solar panels, a total of 500 kilowatt solar photovoltaic tracking arrays and will each operate in conjunction with diesel power stations.
“Together, the renewable energy systems are expected to save 405,000 litres of diesel each year and reduce greenhouse emissions by 1,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year,” Mr Collier said.
“They are capable of generating enough electricity to power almost 200 homes.”
The Minister said the wind farm would comprise 111 wind turbines that would generate enough energy to power more than 125,000 homes every year.
Mr Collier said the Government had authorised Synergy to purchase power over the next 15 years, underpinning the new development.
He said the wind farm would increase the total renewable energy generation in the South West Interconnected System from five per cent to 8.9 per cent.
“With a total capacity of 206MW, this will be WA’s largest renewable energy project,” he said.
He said up to 200 jobs would be created during the construction phase, with continuing jobs for up to 20 people once construction is completed. It is expected to be operational by August 2011.
“This wind farm will ensure we avoid more than 700,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions going into the atmosphere every year of its operation,” Mr Collier said.
30 March, 2010
Perth develops new
photo exhibition
The City of Perth Photography Commission Exhibition is now on show at Council House Foyer, featuring the works of prominent Western Australian artists, Simon Westlake and Max Pam.Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi said the images from the exhibition would form the start of an important collection that would document the development and changes of the city.
“This Commission will be the start of a very valuable collection for the city,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“People will be able to see a cultural and physical snapshot of Perth as it stood in 2009.
“Moving forward, it is our intention to commission new images for this exhibition on a regular basis, each time showcasing the City as it stands in that present moment in time.”
Photographer, Max Pam created a photographic essay of Perth that aimed to capture the social elements of the city and its built environment.
Mr Pam has a highly acclaimed international reputation and is well known for his travel photography.
However for the Perth exhibition he turned his lens to focus on his home town, embracing the everyday subject matter of city life with a mix of grit and glamour.
Mr Westlake turned his attention to architectural photography to document the current major developments taking place in the City.
He was the Western Australian Photographer of the Year a record four times between 1991and 2007 and has submitted a photographic series of the City’s continuing development where steel meets the sky.
Ms Scaffidi said the two projects provided a contrast between the different approaches to documenting the city and were an important historic and artistic record of Perth at a moment in time.
The City of Perth Photographic Commission Exhibition is part of the FotoFreo Fringe Program and will be on show until 16 April.
30 March, 2010
Disaster relief declared
All Local Governments that incurred community infrastructure and building damage due to the recent storms have been advised to take advantage of Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA) funding, administered by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA).
Through WANDRRA, Local Governments can apply for the recovery of counter disaster operations costs (including clean-up costs) and the repair and restoration of essential public assets and local road damage.
Further information was available from www.fesa.wa.gov.au
WA map on display
The new home for a huge geological map featuring Western Australia will be Perth Modern School.
The WA component of the map was created by the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s Geological Survey Division and Interest in it displaying it was so high the Department awarded it as the prize in a competition
Perth Modern was the winner and claimed the map which was designed to encourage the next generations of geologists.
House opens for Day
Members of the public have been invited to visit Government House when its Open Day is held on 2 May.
Governor of WA, Dr Ken Michael said the Open Day would include self-guided tours of Government House, the Ballroom and the gardens, a picnic on the lawns and entertainment.
Government House will be open from 11 am to 4 pm. Further information was available from www.govhouse.wa.gov.au
Parking bays sealed
Eleven roadside parking bays on North West Coastal Highway between Northampton and Pannawonica are to be upgraded.
The work involves sealing the 11 bays to improve safety and traffic flows and to encourage road users to drive safely and take regular breaks.
The project will be funded by the State and Federal Governments with work due to begin in April and be completed by July.
Young farmers top of crop
The Young Professionals in Agriculture Forum’s top award has gone to animal science student, Stacey Plug, from Rockhampton.
The awards, hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, recognise the work of tertiary agriculture and natural resource management students.
Second prize went to Murdoch University graduate Amy Lealiifano and third prize was taken by Courtney Rose of Wickepin.
23 March, 2010
Purchasing guide
has the goods
The Office of Government Procurement has launched a booklet showcasing Agencies that have achieved better practice in their procurement processes.The Better Practice in Procurement Case Study booklet features 11 cases from across the Public Service and highlights the procurement practices of Agencies including Landgate;
Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia; the Departments of Agriculture and Food, Education, Health, Transport and the Attorney General; Tourism WA; Goldfields Esperance Regional Buying Centre; Western Australia Police and the Botanic Parks and Gardens Authority.
The booklet identifies eight “smarter buying principles” to help steer Agencies towards making better purchasing decisions, implement better practice and achieve value for money.
Each of the eight principles is illustrated by a practical example involving PS Agencies.
The principles are: looking for opportunities; forward procurement planning; using Department of Treasury and Finance procurement practice guide/policies and processes; optimising contract use and minimising leakage; minimising piecemeal buying; applying demand management; investing in staff awareness; and tightening contract management practice.
“Agencies have adopted some of these principles in their day-to-day procurement practices in a variety of ways,” the booklet says.
“Already these Agencies are reaping the rewards of improved efficiencies, staff awareness and savings.”
The Booklet provides Agencies with a starting point and urges them to talk to their Treasury and Finance representative about how they can undertake procurement differently.
Copies of the booklet have been sent to most Agencies, however an electronic version was available from www.dtf.wa.gov.au
23 March, 2010
Management plan to
be EEO opportunity
Public Service Agencies have been encouraged to work with the Office of Equal Employment and Opportunity to implement an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Management Plan.Commissioner for the Public Sector, Mal Wauchope said Agencies needed to report annually to the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment (DEOPE) on their management plan.
“Each public authority needs to submit to the DEOPE a current Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan,” Mr Wauchope said.
In Circular 2010-02, the Commissioner said EEO Management Plans needed to meet the requirements of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, which detailed line management accountability and required Agencies to show evidence of an accountable and harassment free workplace.
He said workplaces must be free from unlawful discrimination and have strategies in place to help equal employment opportunity groups achieve workforce diversity.
“For the 2009-10 reporting period onwards, Agencies are encouraged to progress the good work achieved in developing a diverse Public Sector workforce and are required to set their own targets,” Mr Wauchope said.
“The State Government is committed to progressing equality and diversity to ensure the Public Sector workforce is representative of the Western Australian community.”
He called on Agencies to improve workforce representation across diversity groups and to view diversity as a business opportunity.
“Workforce diversity is more than a compliance exercise,” Mr Wauchope said, “it should be part of good workforce planning practices.”
He said the Public Sector Commission (PSC) and the Office of Equal Employment and Opportunity could provide advice and assistance to ensure EEO Management Plans were integrated into Agency policies.
“The PSC has released Strategic Directions for the Public Sector Workforce 2010-2014 which provides guidance on how to develop workforce planning to secure the ongoing viability of the Public Sector,” Mr Wauchope said.
Strategic Directions for the Public Sector Workforce 2010-2014 and the Circular were available from www.publicsector.wa.gov.au while additional publications to help Agencies were available from www.oeeo.wa.gov.au
23 March, 2010
Department puts art
and soul into policy
A new policy framework has been developed by the Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) to clarify the role the Department plays in delivering and developing arts and cultural events in WA.Deputy Director General of the Department, Jacqui Allen said the new framework was charged with delivering public value to the Western Australian community through the Department’s partnership with the culture and arts sector
“To our knowledge this is the first arts policy in Australia to adopt a public value approach and we are extremely proud of this achievement,” Ms Allen said.
She said the policy framework, titled Creating Value, was the culmination of two years of work and included extensive research and consultation with Western Australian artists, arts workers, community groups, Government officers, regional community groups and other funding bodies.
“Creating Value delivers strategies and outcomes that represent public value and will enable the Department to provide greater transparency in its decision-making processes and provide clarity in its relationships with the culture and arts sector,” Ms Allen said.
“We have identified four main outcome areas where this policy will be measured. These are: creative people, creative communities, creative economies and creative environments.”
She said the Department would measure the effectiveness of the policy on a number of levels.
Ms Allen said each grant area would still have a set of funding criteria that applications would be assessed against, which were available in the grants handbook for each program area.
The new policy framework could be downloaded from www.dca.wa.gov.au
23 March, 2010
Report framework
goes on the record
The Public Sector Commission has released this year’s Annual Reporting Framework and reminded Agencies of their annual reporting obligations.In Circular 2010-01, Public Sector Commissioner, Mal Wauchope said Agencies should ensure their annual reports were clear, concise and focused on their core businesses and actual performance.
Mr Wauchope said Chief Executive Officers and relevant staff needed to be aware of their Agency-specific annual reporting obligations.
He said Agencies needed to prepare, submit and publish their annual reports in accordance with relevant legislation and policies.
“The various reporting requirements are drawn together in the form of a guide and a checklist in the Annual Reporting Framework,” Mr Wauchope said.
“It is updated each year and available at www.publicsector.wa.gov.au.”
The Commissioner said Agencies would be exempt from specific principles and guidelines if the guidelines contradicted Agency-enabling legislation or instructions from the Treasurer.
Mr Wauchope said annual reports should remove or reduce redundant information without impacting on accountability and governance.
He said they should be printed in just one or two colours and in limited numbers, as the main source of dissemination would be through the Agency’s website.
“Agencies should continue to be conscious of the costs associated with providing Parliament and the community with information,” Mr Wauchope said.
“The annual report should be developed and produced using in-house resources and at the lowest possible cost.”
He said the report must include information about the expenditure incurred in the reporting period in relation to advertising agencies, marketing, polling, direct mail and media organisations.
“The Department of Treasury and Finance provides Model Financial Statements through the Financial Administration Bookcase at www.dtf.wa.gov.au,” Mr Wauchope said.
The Circular supersedes Circular 2009-36 and was available from www.publicsector.wa.gov.au
23 March, 2010
Price not right for
super savers
A study by superannuation fund GESB has found that most super contributors have no idea what they should be paying for financial advice.GESB found that nearly half (44 per cent) of the people they surveyed thought it was appropriate to pay under $500 for a five-year financial plan.
Fewer than a quarter (22 per cent ) thought between $501 and $1,500 was appropriate, while only one per cent thought $3,001 to $4,000 would be a fair price to pay.
General Manager of Wealth Management at GESB, Fabian Ross said the research demonstrated a significant disconnect between the realistic cost of providing comprehensive financial advice and what consumers believed was reasonable to pay for it.
“With the Financial Planning Association saying that consumers can expect to pay, on average, $3,600 for a complex plan, it’s clear the industry needs to do more to help consumers understand the real cost,” Mr Ross said.
GESB’s research showed that only two in five people expected to follow a financial plan precisely and update it each year and a further 34 per cent expected to follow only parts of the plan.
Mr Ross said one in 10 did not expect to get any useful or relevant guidance from a professionally prepared financial plan.
“The industry may be making moves to adopt a fee-based advice model in place of commissions, but in the absence of education giving sight of both the true cost and value of financial advice, consumers are less likely to take up advice, thinking it is both expensive and irrelevant,” he said.
“This will leave their efforts to save through super subject to a range of risks, including market fluctuations, inflation and longevity, at a time when they are striving to reach more adequate levels of retirement savings.”
GESB is the superannuation provider for the majority of WA public sector employees.
23 March, 2010
Landgate lands
two awards
The Government’s Land and Information Agency, Landgate has been honoured with two awards in the past week.The Agency won the Exporter Category at the 19th Western Australian Information Technology and Telecommunications Awards and was among the winners in the 2009-10 National Work-Life Balance Awards.
Minister for Lands, Brendon Grylls said the Agency won the Exporter Category award thanks to its innovative technology used to combat fires in Indonesia.
Mr Grylls said the award was international recognition of the contribution Landgate made to the telecommunications and technology sector.
“Winning this prestigious award means Landgate has been recognised for its expertise in developing and operating high quality, state-of-the-art land systems,” Mr Grylls said.
“It is an innovative, online graphical fire monitoring system that detects and monitors forest and peatland fires, hot spots and smoke haze.”
Using satellite sensors ‘Indofire’ could detect burnt areas, lightning strikes, atmospheric and ground temperatures, health and rate of growth and vegetation, salinity, moisture content of soil, carbon stored in tree trunks, leaves and roots and carbon lost through fire and land clearing.
The 2009-10 National Work-Life Balance Awards recognised businesses, Government and community organisations that lead the way in delivering policies, practices and initiatives to help people balance their work and family commitments.
Landgate was named the Public Service winner of the Work-Life Balance Awards. Minter Ellison of Perth won the Business and Professional Services category and Woodside Energy Ltd of WA received a special commendation.
23 March, 2010
Cockatoo count is
cracker of a plan
The Department of Environment and Conservation has put out a call for volunteers to help count Carnaby’s black-cockatoos in the Greater Perth area on Wednesday 7 April.The survey, organised by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in partnership with Birds Australia Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project, aims to determine the population of the threatened species from Moore River in the north, to York in the east and south to Yalgorup.
The survey is being funded by WA State Natural Resource Management and is expected to help determine whether the population has declined or increased since the last one was undertaken in 2006.
Swan Region Ecologist at DEC, Geoff Barrett said over 1,000 volunteers participated in the 2006 survey, which found there were at least 4,500 Carnaby’s black-cockatoos on the Swan Coastal Plain at the time.
“Subsequent estimates suggest as many as 10,000 birds may visit Perth after spending the winter and spring months in the Wheatbelt, where they breed,” Mr Barrett said.
He said the 2006 survey found the best way to count Carnaby’s black-cockatoos was as they returned to their roost sites in the evening.
“Roosts tend to be in tall trees, often pines, high in the landscape and close to food trees such as banksias and water where they can drink,” Mr Barrett said.
“Being social animals they call to each other as they arrive with their distinctive ‘weeyou’ call.”
Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project Manager at Birds Australia, Raana Scott said because the cockatoos congregated in large flocks, many people falsely believed the species was not under threat.
Ms Scott said the species was endemic to South-Western Australia and it was estimated only 40,000 currently existed.
It has been estimated that more than 50 per cent of potential Carnaby’s black-cockatoo habitat has been lost from the Swan Coastal Plain.
Mr Barrett encouraged volunteers to contact him on geoff.barrett@dec.wa.gov.au
23 March, 2010
Schools are in for
innovation forum
The first of four forums encouraging collaboration between Australian schools is underway in Perth.The Innovative School Forum is being attended by some of Australia’s most innovative teachers and principals to allow them to share best practice and ideas about how to use technology in the classroom.
Twenty-three schools were chosen by State Departments of Education to participate in Microsoft’s forum and Innovative Schools Program.
The program was designed with Government education policies in mind and is ingrained with schools’ curriculum.
Teachers and Departmental representatives from all States and Territories across Australia are attending the forum which began on Sunday will end this Thursday (25 March).
Three more forums will be held over a 12 month period
Academic Programs Manager for Microsoft Australia, Jane Mackarell said the forum attendees were already developing “21st Century teaching practices” and using technology in their classrooms to engage children and get them excited about learning.
“There’s a great opportunity for Australia to play a global leadership role in digital education and this gathering of Australia’s top schools and teachers represents how the classroom of the future is becoming a reality right now in Australia,” Ms Mackarell said.
“What’s important to teachers, parents and governments is delivering better education to their children.”
She said Microsoft had partnered with the Australian Council of Education Leaders to deliver the program.
Principal of Newton Moore Senior High School in Bunbury, Susan Kerr said the State was pleased to be hosting the forum.
“We are thrilled to welcome schools from across the nation to Western Australia,” Ms Kerr said.
“The Microsoft Innovative Schools Forum provides a great opportunity for us to connect with other like-minded schools and to really work towards giving our children the best education possible and equip them with the life-skills they need to succeed.”
WA schools attending the forum are East Butler Primary School, Newton Moore Senior High School and Waggrakine Primary School.
23 March, 2010
Electricity review is
part of power play
A review of electricity pricing for Western Australian households has been announced by the Minister for Energy, Peter Collier.Mr Collier said the Government would work closely with the WA Council of Social Services (WACOSS) to review the tariff structure for low income earners and consider a more equitable concession framework.
“The Government has made the difficult decision regarding electricity pricing, yet we must be responsible to ensure the State has a secure and reliable energy system,” Mr Collier said.
“We are mindful that price increases are impacting on West Australian householders, particularly struggling families, and have provided a considerable assistance package for those people who are deemed to be in financial hardship.”
The Government announced recently that more than $16.8 million would be made available through rebates and hardship assistance programs, in addition to a further $12.6 million provided last year.
Mr Collier said payments through the Hardship Utilities Grant Scheme (HUGS) would increase from $380 to $408 from 1 April and $450 from 1 July for households in the State’s south, while payments for households north of the 26th parallel would rise from $633 to $680 from 1 April and $750 from 1 July.
He said other assistance measures included the Fridge Replacement Scheme; Hardship Efficiency Program; Public Housing Efficiency Program; Solar Hot Water Scheme; and delivery of Hardship and Energy Efficiency Programs in regional locations.
23 March, 2010
Fruit fly project
crosses borders
The Department of Agriculture and Food WA has teamed up with Industry and Investment NSW to improve fruit fly monitoring.The two Agencies are testing a new tool in Western Australia in a bid to detect fruit fly species that are unaffected by current monitoring methods.
Researchers from the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity are examining whether new female lures are more effective than male lures currently in use that detect only certain species of fruit fly.
Male lures are used in surveillance programs to demonstrate area freedom from fruit fly pests to international markets but are only effective for some species.
Development Research Officer for the DAFWA, Shirani Poogoda said two lure recipes were being tested, a moist gel and a dry lure for humid climates.
Ms Poogoda said the new lures attempted to improve on the female lure currently available for fruit fly.
“The liquid protein lure used for species other than Medfly, breakdown easily and are messy to use, while the dry Medfly lure is not effective for a lot of other fruit fly species and has a relatively small attraction range,” Ms Poogoda said.
She said the lures would be useful for Government surveillance programs and horticulture producers.
“The lures could be used in traps to indicate threshold numbers so orchardists can determine when is the best time to take control action so they don’t need to use chemical treatments unnecessarily,” Ms Poogoda said.
She said previous trials had delivered promising results and that testing in the field would be undertaken in coming months.
23 March, 2010
Workplace watchdog
unleashes blitz
Inspectors from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office are visiting Geraldton this week to audit 100 businesses over three days.Employers are being randomly selected from a range of industries and asked to supply the Ombudsman with employment records which are then checked to ensure they are complying with their legal obligations in relation to record-keeping and issuing of payslips.
Inspectors will also establish if employers are paying staff correctly.
Director of the Fair Work Ombudsman WA, Leigh Quealy said the targeted campaign was being conducted in response to a steady stream of complaints from workers at Geraldton.
“Where we identify non-compliance issues, our preference will be to provide employers with information and assistance to help them voluntarily rectify any problems,” Mr Quealy said.
“In cases where they don’t, or where we suspect deliberate underpayments or other serious breaches have occurred, we may launch a wider investigation.”
He said the campaign aimed to ensure regional employers understood their legal obligations to their employees and to raise awareness of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s role.
The Fair Work Ombudsman recently conducted a similar campaign in Kalgoorlie-Esperance and is currently conducting another in the Kimberley-Pilbara.
“We are very serious about our job of ensuring regional communities understand their rights and obligations in the workplace,” Mr Quealy said.
“It is important regional workers, along with their city counterparts, understand there is an Agency they can turn to if they have workplace concerns. Complaints can be made confidentially.”
Further information was available by phoning the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
23 March, 2010
Department in sting
to catch wasps
The Department of Agriculture and Food has issued a public warning to be on the lookout for European wasps.Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman said 15 nests were found in the Perth area last year.
Mr Redman said the wasps posed a serious threat to Western Australia’s agriculture industries, human health and the environment.
“Eight of these nests have recently been found in the Kewdale and Welshpool areas,” Mr Redman said.
“Three nests were particularly active, with more than 200 wasps flying in and out of the nest entrance each minute.”
He said it was important to find and remove all nests before new queens were released into the environment.
“If they were to establish, European wasps will become pests in orchards, vineyards, apiaries and the general environment,” Mr Redman said.
The Minister urged the public to report nests, saying they would be removed free of charge by officers from DAFWA.
“European wasps are attracted to beer and soft drink containers, along with fish and meat at barbecues,” Mr Redman said.
“They are also attracted to pet food and have become a serious outdoor pest in the Eastern States of Australia.”
He said European wasps could be confused with the commonyellow paper wasp.
The European wasp is bright yellow with black stripes and is identified by its all-black antennae, whereas the paper wasp has orange/brown antennae.
Further information on the European wasp was available from www.agric.wa.gov.au
23 March, 2010
New spray for
winter water
A permanent ban on water sprinklers is to be introduced for winter following a trial ban last year.Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs said the two-month trial ban during July and August last year saved an estimated 2.2 billion litres of water – the equivalent of filling 880 Olympic-sized pools.
“The result of the ban was an outstanding community achievement because, while there was reasonably consistent rain, we were still well below the long-term average,” Dr Jacobs said.
“Last year’s trial was definitely a success with an independent survey indicating 93 per cent community support.”
The Minister appealed to Perth households and businesses to embrace the permanent ban with the same enthusiasm, pointing out the city had just experienced its hottest and driest summer on record.
“We are in a good supply position right now with the dams still at 40 per cent capacity and the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant operating consistently at full pace so the State has water in the bank,” he said.
“However, it would be a shame to waste any of it unnecessarily.”
Dr Jacobs said water use was still about four billion litres inside target for the Perth region so far for the 2009-10 financial year.
He said outside the winter period, the existing water efficiency measures (the two and three- day-per-week watering rosters and daytime sprinkler bans) will continue to apply.
23 March, 2010
Snakes slide in to
cane toad research
The Department of Environment and Conservation has enlisted the help of more than 20 snakes to monitor the potential impact cane toads might have on local WA species.Officers at DEC have surgically implanted radio transmitters inside 10 olive pythons, 10 water pythons, four black-headed pythons and one king brown snake.
Principal Research Scientist at the Department, David Pearson said the research aimed to see if laboratory trials that had demonstrated the susceptibility of various reptile species to cane toads, were replicated in the wild.
“We know that cane toads have a significant impact on predatory species, including large snakes, however we don’t know how wild snakes will react when they encounter their first toad,” Dr Pearson said.
“Using radio transmitters, we can closely follow individual snakes during the arrival of toads to see if they will ignore the toads or if they will be tempted to try one.
“Cane toads are toxic to most native predators so if they attempt to eat a large toad, death is likely.”
The research is part of a wider program that identified species at risk of population declines due to toads, including mammals, lizards, snakes and even land snails which toads may eat.
Several snakes are currently being tracked near Lake Argyle.
“These snakes will provide data on their survival now toads have invaded these areas, as well as giving us useful insights into the ecology of these little-studied tropical predators,” Dr Pearson said.
“Toads arrived in our Lake Argyle study area several weeks ago and we are locating the snakes regularly.
“So far, none of the snakes has been lost to toads, but the temptation to try a toad will no doubt increase as toad numbers grow.”
Dr Pearson, together with Technical Officer at DEC, Bill Stewart and University of Sydney researchers, said he was also planning to attach radio transmitters to blue tongue lizards and two species of goannas in an experiment to “teach” predators to avoid toads.
“Using a bait of toad pieces with a nausea-inducing chemical, it is hoped to teach them not to be tempted by the toads, allowing various native species to survive and build up populations after the toad invasion,” he said.
23 March, 2010
New plan for Newman
delivers new town
The residents of Newman in the Pilbara have been invited to comment on plans to develop the regional town into a major centre of up to 15,000 people.Minister for Lands, Brendon Grylls said the plan represented an important first step in the revitalisation process, which would ultimately deliver a vibrant town with significant economic potential.
“To demonstrate its commitment to achieving this vision, the State Government has allocated $20 million through the Royalties for Regions program to fund major improvements to the town,” Mr Grylls said.
“The plan sets a direction for the evolution of Newman into a dynamic, diverse, attractive and liveable town that people will be proud to call home.”
Included in the plan are strategies on how Newman could cater for a larger permanent population, how it could encourage more business and economic diversity, and what amenities are needed for the future.
“In particular, it seeks to deliver greater housing diversity to help overcome affordability issues and encourage fly-in-fly-out workers to settle in Newman,” Mr Grylls said.
“It also includes a master plan on the redevelopment of the town centre to include the creation of a unique town square, and a main street acting as a focal point, blending retail, culture and recreational activities with business opportunities.”
The Minister said the people of Newman had overwhelmingly called for change and were keen for the town to receive a long-overdue facelift.
Written submissions close on 7 April with further information and the draft plan available from www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au
23 March, 2010
Water barrier is
dam good idea
A special underground barrier to stop contaminated groundwater entering the Helena River is to be installed at Bellevue.It will be the first of its type in Australia.
Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher said the Government would spend $3 million to install a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) treatment system to stop the contaminated groundwater.
Mrs Faragher said there were about 200 PRBs in operation around the world, but the Bellevue project was believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.
“This significant project is a major milestone in the remediation process for the former waste control site in Bellevue,” Mrs Faragher said.
“As a result of the detailed investigation of the site and increased understanding of groundwater movement in the area, the State Government is confident the PRB will be effective in protecting the Helena River.”
The Minister said the clean-up of the contaminated water had been a significant issue since an explosion on the Bellevue site on 15 February 2001.
Construction of the PRB, which will comprise two parallel trenches 11 metres deep and 76 metres long, is expected to take less than two months.
Mrs Faragher said the trenches would be filled with treatment materials such as sawdust/sand for nitrates and an iron/sand mix for chlorinated solvents.
The work is to be carried out by specialist geotechnical and civil engineering contractor Menard Bachy, with LandCorp as project manager.
Mrs Faragher said the PRB worked by breaking down contaminants and rendering them harmless as the groundwater flowed through the treatment materials.
“It has been designed to last at least 15 years and monitoring of the groundwater and the Helena River will be carried out during this period to evaluate the PRB’s performance,” she said.
A separate strategy is being developed to clean up soil and groundwater contamination at the Bellevue site.
That project is expected to be finalised later this year after community consultation.
23 March, 2010
SBR to launch in July
A new multiagency initiative being led by Commonwealth Treasury is to be launched in July to simplify business-to-Government reporting.
The Standard Business Reporting (SBR) initiative will include the introduction of a single secure sign-on which can be used for access to any SBR enabled channel to submit forms.
The Office of State Revenue (OSR) forms available for lodgement using SBR will be the Payroll Tax periodic returns (from July 2010) and the Payroll Tax Wage Adjustments and Australia Wide Wages (from July 2011).
The OSR will provide further information on the SBR initiative in coming months.
Ord project reaches milestone
The $220million Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project has reached its biggest milestone yet with the awarding of the first major construction contract.
In a joint venture, Leighton and Indigenous Business Australia will build a 19km of irrigation channel, a 13km road extension and irrigation control structures.
The contract also includes implementing Indigenous and local employment and business programs.
Regional Development online
The new Regional Development Australia (RDA) website has been launched to help people engage with their local communities and follow the work of their local RDA committee.
RDA is a new national network of 55 committees which have been set up to work across all levels of Government to support the growth and development of regional Australia.
The new website is intended to will keep people up-to-date with RDA news and information and could be accessed at www.rda.gov.au
Pilots work for safety
Workshops being conducted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority will help commercial pilots at Kununurra and Kimberley fly more safely.
The workshops will focus on key safety issues relevant to flying in the regions.
They will provide extra training in areas such as hazardous weather, flying in hot weather, fuel management, pilot health and performance and surviving in remote regions as well as refresher training on the regulatory responsibilities of commercial pilots.
Pompeii display on way
One of the world’s most successful exhibitions - A Day in Pompeii - will open at the Western Australian Museum in May.
The exhibition has previously been on tour in London, New York, Los Angeles and Melbourne and tells the story of daily life in the ancient Roman city prior to its destruction in 79AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted.
It will run from 20 May to 5 September and is considered a coup for the Museum to have attracted it. Further information was available from www.museum.wa.gov.au
Digital coverage extended
Legislation has been introduced by the Commonwealth to get a satellite broadcasting service up and running to allow all Australian residents to access the full suite of digital television channels.
The Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2010 would create three new commercial television licence areas specifically for the new satellite service in Western, Northern and South Eastern Australia.
The Bill is expected to improve the choice and quality of digital television services for those living in regional areas.
16 March, 2010
Poor performance
in Arena project
The Auditor General has found significant failings in the planning and management of the Perth Arena Project.In his report Planning and Management of Perth Arena, Auditor General, Colin Murphy said the governance, oversight, project management and administration of the project did not follow usual procedures and were inadequate.
The report looked at the involvement of four Agencies responsible for the project, the Department of Housing and Works (DHW), the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF), Office of Strategic Projects (OSP) and WA Sports Centre Trust.
Mr Murphy has called on other Agencies to learn from the mistakes.
“Agencies need to learn the lessons from the Arena for other capital works projects,” he said.
Mr Murphy said initial estimates of the cost and opening date for the Arena were unrealistic and made before the project was well defined.
“The effect of these failings has resulted in the Arena project budget increasing to $483 million, three times more than originally budgeted and scheduled to open in November 2011, almost three years later than planned,” he said.
“There also remains a risk of further delays and cost increases.”
The Auditor General said the project was not properly scoped or planned and key parts of normal processes were skipped or rushed.
He said the tender process and negotiations were conducted more quickly than usual and the potential risks to the State or any alternative options to the final tender offer were not well considered.
“Major changes to the Arena design were made during contract negotiations without a good understanding of what this would cost or the impact on the project schedule,” Mr Murphy said.
He said significant changes to the contract and resulting risks were not reported in writing to the Minister and Cabinet so their decisions may not have been fully informed.
“DHW did not implement governance and project management arrangements required to control a major project like the Arena,” Mr Murphy said.
“A lack of transparency and oversight on the Arena project meant that warning signs of the project going wrong were not heeded and opportunities to put the project back on track were missed.
“The lack of documented evidence means the Agency cannot explain how and why key decisions were made, or who made them. That is wholly unsatisfactory.”
The Auditor General said changes made to the governance arrangements of the project since December 2008 had strengthened the venture.
DHW was responsible for scoping, planning, tendering and contracting for the Arena until responsibility was transferred to the OSP.
Responsibility for all works projects then moved into DTF along with OSP which was renamed DTF Strategic Projects.
A full copy of the audit report could be accessed at www.audit.wa.gov.au
16 March, 2010
Union goes public with
privatisation fears
Public Sector Unions have raised concerns over plans to privatise Government services, saying they would threaten jobs and lead to diminished service delivery.Around 1,000 Public Servants staged a protest at Parliament House last Thursday (11 March) against the Government’s privatisation plan.
Branch Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association, Toni Walkington said the Union had launched a print and radio campaign against privatisation that urged Public Servants to participate in the protest.
“The WA Government’s plan to sell our public services will put profit before people,” Ms Walkington said.
“The quality of services will diminish; the cost of services will rise and employees will be worse off under the Government’s privatisation agenda.”
She said Public Servants could be fired if they refused “appropriate employment” in private enterprise for a wage that could be up to 20 per cent lower than their current remuneration and with poorer working conditions.
Ms Walkington cited the privatisation of prisoner transport and roads maintenance in the past as examples of reduced service quality and the privatisation of electricity and gas as examples of price increases.
“The CPSU/CSA will continue this campaign until the State Government puts people before profit.”
The Government has announced that public/private partnerships would play a major role in areas such as health and corrective services.
An official from the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, Greg Croston said a private system meant Public Service jobs would be lost, particularly in maintenance and catering.
Mr Croston said privatisation would also put pressure on hospital staff.
“Generally private have less wages and worse conditions than that of the Public Sector so they’re afraid a) that they’ll have less wages, worse conditions, and b) that they may not even have positions,” he said.
16 March, 2010
Electric car trial
powers ahead
A two-year trial of electric cars has been announced for the State Government car fleet.Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien and Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher launched the initiative, with Mr O’Brien saying 10 electric cars would be trialled as regular fleet vehicles for two years by State Government Departments, Local Government Authorities and private sector organisations.
“The vehicle trial will test the fleet capabilities of the electric vehicles and enable participants to identify and address a range of practical issues associated with the introduction of this new trans port technology,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The electric car trial, if successful, will add another dynamic to both Government and private industry as they consider their own future vehicle fleets.”
He said the trial would test Australia’s first integrated electric vehicle recharging network and identify what infrastructure would be required for electric vehicles in the future.
The network is to be established in Perth later this year as part of a separate research project led by the University of Western Australia.
“This part of the project, which is also supported by the State Government, will allow us to collect and evaluate data on electric vehicle charging behaviour so that power and grid capacity requirements for the next decade can be determined,” Mr O’Brien said.
Mrs Faragher said Perth was an ideal location for Australia’s first electric vehicle trial.
“Perth is one of the most challenging metropolitan environments in Australia for electric vehicles with our large geographic area and long commuting distances,” she said.
16 March, 2010
Energy power goes
into rising prices
Increases in electricity and gas prices have been announced by the Premier, Colin Barnett and Minister for Energy, Peter Collier.A 7.5 per cent rise in electricity prices for householders is expected to come into effect from 1 April, and will be followed by a further 10 per cent on 1 July.
The increases are lower than Budget assumptions for 2010 of 25.9 per cent overall.
Mr Barnett said the average weekly cost increase for consumers would be $4.13 from 1 July, but those facing financial hardship would pay an average of $2.78 more a week.
He said similar tariff rises would apply to small businesses, with an average weekly increase of $7.29 from 1 July.
The increases followed a recommendation to increase the rates by 22.1 per cent in 2010.
Mr Barnett said the State Government had accepted gas provider Alinta’s proposal to raise the cap for tariffs for residential and small business customers in the Mid-West/South-West, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Albany regions.
The new increases will be seven per cent for residential customers and 6.5 per cent for small business, with the exception of Albany where increases will be 10 per cent.
Alinta said changes to the retail tariff cap were needed to ensure householders and businesses were provided with reliable and sustainable gas supplies in the longer term.
Mr Barnett said the Government would increase tariffs responsibly to “ensure the lights stay on” while also considering financial pressures.
Mr Collier said the tariff cap increase was the result of a recommendation made in an interim review conducted by the Office of Energy ahead of the completion of the Gas Tariffs Review.
“We are mindful that price increases are impacting on West Australian householders, particularly struggling families, which is why we provided an additional $12.6 million in rebates and hardship measures last year to offset electricity prices,” Mr Collier said.
The Office of Energy will undertake work this year to consider alternative retail tariff structures for residential customers to reduce the financial impact on low-income households and a more equitable concession framework.
16 March, 2010
Investigation wraps
up salary packaging
WA Health has announced changes to the salary packaging scheme for health workers after an investigation into allegations that staff were fraudulently claiming meal expenses.The investigation began in July 2009 and has resulted in the termination or resignation of 60 Perth Health employees, 17 of whom were administrative staff, two health professionals, 23 doctors and 18 nurses.
The meal entertainment element of the salary-packaging scheme allowed employees to claim back the costs of meals, drinks and functions, whether they were work-related or not.
The Health Department investigated whether staff had abused the scheme after allegations were received that some workers had claimed up to $100,000 from birthday parties, weddings and barbeques as entertainment expenses.
Acting Director General of WA Health, Kim Snowball said all meal entertainment activity had been examined as part of the investigation.
Mr Snowball said all those subject to investigation had received letters regarding their alleged misconduct and requesting an explanation.
He said changes to the scheme would come into effect from 1 April and included an annual limit of $10,000 per Fringe Benefits Tax year.
Under the changes, all purchases must be made by a debit meals card with and cash and other means of payment not accepted.
Mr Snowball said only one debit meals card would be issued per employee, and receipts that clearly identify the meals purchased must be kept and produced upon request.
He said meal card transactions would be audited and restrictions on the types of meals accepted will be put in place. Only restaurant meals consumed on the premises will be able to be claimed, meals must be for two or more people and total a minimum of $20.
Meals purchased overseas or as takeaway will not be able to be claimed.
Mr Snowball said while WA Health had concluded the investigation of misconduct, normal auditing of the use of the scheme would be maintained into the future.
He said the salary package was part of the Government’s bid to attract and keep health workers.
Further information on the changes was available from www.health.wa.gov.au
16 March, 2010
New plan to cut
overdue surgery
A new plan to speed up elective surgery rates for some non-urgent patients has been announced by the Minster for Health, Kim Hames.Dr Hames said the new plan would involve funding for medical procedures when patients were transferred from one hospital to another and would encourage doctors and hospitals to carry out required procedures.
“For example, under our rules a category three patient - which is non-urgent - should be scheduled for surgery within one year of being added to the waitlist,” Dr Hames said.
“Patients who are approaching that boundary and do not already have surgery scheduled will be available to have surgery elsewhere.”
He said the shake-up of elective surgery came after a disappointing result for January 2010 during which there were 750 fewer elective procedures done compared to the same time last year.
“It is correct to say our traditional drop in January in the number of surgeries carried out was more severe than in previous years, however our early February figures show we are already back on track,” he said.
“I know the WA public will not view this as acceptable and neither do I. That is why I am taking this action to ensure patients undergo surgery according to clinical need.”
Dr Hames said figures for 2009 showed a record number of elective surgeries were carried out in WA hospitals.
“Last year, we carried out 2,500 more elective surgery cases than the year before, which is a big increase and shows we are keeping up with demand,” he said.
The Minister said several private hospitals had already shown an interest in treating public patients.
Dr Hames said he had asked the Department of Health to actively manage patients who were approaching their time limit for surgery.
16 March, 2010
Corrective services
captures new look
The Department of Corrective Services has unveiled its new and improved website.The website covers all aspects of the Department including prisons, community work, rehabilitation and career opportunities.
Commissioner of Corrective Services, Ian Johnson said navigating around the site had been made easier and there were new features to assist the visually impaired.
Commissioner Johnson said the graphic design and interface presented a revitalised look.
He said the key focus of the new-look website was to improve content and enhance functionality for offenders’ families, journalists, researchers and other stakeholders.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve the service we provide visitors to the site,” Commissioner Johnson said.
“In revamping the website, we took every opportunity to add features that make it easier to use and incorporate more information on our services and our impact in the community.”
He said the main theme of the website highlighted how Corrective Services was making a positive difference in the community.
The Commissioner said the site included a new business section for not-for-profit organisations interested in offering offenders projects that give them the opportunity to repay the community and improve their work skills.
Commissioner Johnson said the website included visiting times, maps and bus services for those visiting prisons and a dedicated section for journalists seeking up-to-date statistics and developments.
The Department of Corrective Services manages nearly 5,000 prisoners in 14 prisons State-wide and 9,000 offenders in the community from Wyndham to Albany.
The new website could be accessed at www.correctiveservices.wa.gov.au
16 March, 2010
Bus program headed
in right direction
Half the Public Transport Authority’s Transperth bus fleet is to be replaced under a 10-year purchasing program announced by the Premier, Colin Barnett and Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien.Mr Barnett said the Government intended purchasing a minimum of 650 buses during the next decade which represented a significant commitment to the future of the State’s public transport network.
“What we know is that commuters expect a high level of safety and comfort,” the Premier said.
“The new models will deliver this by ensuring Transperth stays at the forefront of the Australian industry in terms of disability access and environmental friendliness.”
He said cleaner and greener solutions such as the latest Euro5 diesel systems, more compressed natural gas vehicles and hybrid technology would be considered.
In 2009 alone there were more than 73.9 million individual bus trips made on Transperth buses.
Mr O’Brien said the new buses would have positive flow-on effects for the local economy.
“The existing bus procurement program resulted in hundreds of job being created in WA,” he said.
“It provided the basis for the establishment of a manufacturing plant at Malaga employing more than 90 locally-based full-time staff and indirectly supporting many more jobs through their engagement of more than 55 local suppliers.”
Mr O’Brien said he expected the successful tenderer for the contract to show a high level of commitment to engaging local staff and suppliers.
16 March, 2010
Glowing report for
uranium site
A survey into radiation at a decommissioned uranium testing site near Kalgoorlie-Boulder, by the Department of Mines and Petroleum has revealed there are no residual health risks in the area. Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Norman Moore said the new survey should “allay any lingering community concern.”
Mr Moore requested the DMP survey in response to claims the rehabilitated Kalgoorlie Research Plant (KRP), based six kilometres north of the city, posed a health risk.
“Previous testing by radiation experts had given the area an all clear, but I asked DMP for another survey,” he said.
The Minister said radiation levels across the site were found to be comparable with normal natural background radiation levels found elsewhere in Western Australia.
“Sixty-nine radiation measurements were taken across the site and readings showed radiation levels averaged 0.11 micrograys per hour, which compares to typical background radiation levels of 0.08 micrograys per hour at the Kalgoorlie DMP office,” he said.
Mr Moore said a residential garden in Roleystone measured 0.6 micrograys per hour due to the naturally occurring granite along the Stirling Range.
“All radiological waste material from the Goldfields site has been buried at significant depth and major earthmoving equipment would be required to reach this material,” he said.
The DMP survey showed no evidence of any disturbance or removal of material from the site’s waste storage areas.
The site was used by Western Mining Corporation (now BHP Billiton Nickel West) in the early 1980s for test processing of ore from Yeelirrie, south of Wiluna.
The tailings facility was decommissioned in 1986 and infrastructure was progressively decontaminated and removed before the site was backfilled, capped and rehabilitated with native vegetation.
Mr Moore said the survey was in response to claims made by an opposition candidate that the site could be a health hazard.
The DMP report could be accessed at www.dmp.wa.gov.au
16 March, 2010
State tunes up for
week of harmony
All West Australians have been encouraged to join in Harmony Week to celebrate the State’s cultural diversity.Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, John Castrilli said Government Departments, Local Governments, businesses, schools and community groups would be presenting a range of activities across the State all this week.
Mr Castrilli said the 2010 Harmony Week oration would be presented by Governor-General, Quentin Bryce and would acknowledge the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
He said the Shire of Katanning Harmony Festival; the Town of Vincent Harmony Festival and the Harmony International Folk Festival had already been held last weekend.
“The State Government is proud to provide opportunities for all West Australians to experience and appreciate our diverse range of cultures, traditions, languages and religions,” Mr Castrilli said.
“The wonderful lifestyle we enjoy in this State is influenced by our cultural diversity built on mutual respect, free from prejudice and discrimination.”
The Minister said Western Australia had the highest proportion of people born overseas of any Australian State and was home to more than 200 cultural groups and nearly 300 languages.
Mr Castrilli said migration had been an essential component of Australia’s development and that nearly seven million migrants had arrived in Australia since 1945.
Harmony Week officially takes place from 15 to 21 March and the Girra Mirra Harmony Week Festival is to be held from 19 to 20 March.
16 March, 2010
Research digs up
sandplain answers
The Department of Agriculture and Food is to distribute a book and CD on managing soils to help increase crop production on the south coast sandplain.The free package, titled Managing South Coast Sandplain Soils to Yield Potential, includes latest research findings and case studies from sandplain farmers from Condingup to Albany.
It is the culmination of a five-year project responding to calls by the Gibson Lupin Group for more scientific information to shed light on limited yield improvements on sandplain soils.
The Department’s initiative, partly funded through the Grains Research and Development Corporation, aims to provide support to farmers looking to adopt new management practices to reach production potential in areas affected by declining yields.
Esperance-based Senior Research Officer at the Department, David Hall said the sandplain offered some interesting challenges for cropping enterprises.
“Soil constraints such as compaction, non-wetting, acidification and low organic carbon levels result in yields which often don’t reflect the amounts of rainfall received along the south coast,” Mr Hall said.
He said while considerable progress had been made to improve the fertility of sandplain soils, they were still prone to degradation.
“Sandplain soils are not as forgiving as many other soils, simply due to their age, chemistry and coarse texture,” Mr Hall said.
“To improve their composition and prevent degradation requires a deep understanding of the soil resource.”
One of the instigators of the project, Gibson farmer Nils Blumann said the book and CD were useful resources which farmers would welcome.
“This information will help south coast sandplain famers to better understand what is going on below the soil surface,” Mr Blumann said.
Copies of the book and CD were available by contacting the Department’s Esperance office on (08) 9083 1111 or Albany office on (08) 9892 8444.
16 March, 2010
Training awards
on right track
Nominations have been called for the 2010 WA Training Awards.Minister for Training, Peter Collier said the awards gave individuals, employers and training organisations the chance to be recognised and rewarded for their contribution to the State’s training sector.
“WA has taken training to a whole new level as demonstrated by the State’s resounding success at the 2009 Australian Training Awards,” Mr Collier said.
“Last year’s five national awards, including the highly coveted Australian Apprentice of the Year award to 20-year-old Blake McCarthy, was the State’s best result and I’m sure we can build on this success in 2010.”
There are 12 categories: Apprentice of the Year; Trainee of the Year; Vocational Student of the Year; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year; School-based Apprentice of the Year; Trainer of the Year; Small Business of the Year; Employer of the Year; Training Initiative; VET in Schools Excellence; Small Training Provider of the Year; and Large Training Provider of the Year.
Mr Collier said winners would share in more than $100,000 in cash and prizes and could have the opportunity to compete against the best in Australia at the Australian Training Awards in Sydney on 19 November.
He said the State Government was determined to raise the status, profile and quality of training in WA.
“The WA Training Awards recognise our State’s finest in the training sector and past winners have gone on to great success,” Mr Collier said.
Applications for the WA Training Awards 2010 close on 14 May with more information available from www.trainingwa.wa.gov.au
16 March, 2010
Minister tips scale
on scale of plan
A development plan for a site at Smiths Beach near Yallingup has been scaled back at the direction of the Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher.A 21-hectare extension of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park will go ahead but tourism and residential development will be restricted to the eastern side of the site.
Mrs Faragher said two appeals were received against the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) report on the proposed development - one from the proponent, Canal Rocks Pty Ltd, and one from the Conservation Council of Western Australia.
In its report, the EPA considered the scale of the original proposal to be environmentally unacceptable and proposed a smaller area be developed.
Through the appeals process, Canal Rocks submitted that the area to be developed should be in accordance with a mediated development guide plan adopted by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) in June 2009.
Mrs Faragher recommended the environmental conditions be amended to allow for development in accordance with the SAT mediated plan.
“These recommended conditions would see the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park extended into the western side of the site,” she said.
“The eastern part of the site would be developed for residential and tourist purposes, with associated public open space and foreshore reserves.”
Mrs Faragher said this presented a balanced outcome and addressed the concerns of the EPA, had the consent of the Shire of Busselton and protected vegetation of high conservation value on the site.
In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, the Minister will now consult with the relevant decision-making authorities to obtain agreement on the final conditions.
The Minister’s determination and the Appeals Convenor’s report were available from www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au
16 March, 2010
Job seekers to find
help at new Centre
The first Aboriginal Workforce Development Centre in Western Australia is expected to provide improved support for Aboriginal job seekers.The first of its kind in Western Australia, the Centre is expected to play a vital role ensuring Indigenous people’s participation in the workforce.
Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Peter Collier said the centre would provide policy advice and remove barriers to Aboriginal participation in the workforce while improving their transition into sustainable employment.
“It will be located in Murray Street, in Perth’s central business district, and be responsible for all aspects of Aboriginal workforce development,” Mr Collier said.
“Staff will work with major companies to identify job opportunities and future skills requirements across the State, and put employers and individual Aboriginal job-seekers in touch with each other.”
He said the creation of the Aboriginal Workforce Development Centre was the first response to recommendations from the Training Together-Working Together Committee.
“Co-chaired by Dr Sue Gordon and State Training Board Chair, Keith Spence, the committee leads the State Government’s initiative to boost the participation of Aboriginal people in skilled employment,” Mr Collier said.
He said he expected to host a summit this June in response to extensive consultations between the Training Together-Working Together Committee, industry community representatives and stakeholders.
“Despite the continued demand for skills and labour in our State, Aboriginal people are disproportionately under-represented in the workforce,” he said.
“Boosting participation rates of Aboriginal people in a skilled labour market will require collaboration and partnerships with Aboriginal communities, industry, employers, training providers and Government.”
16 March, 2010
Calls for taxi ride
of a lifetime
Tourism Western Australia has launched a national and international search for passengers to take part in a nine-week taxi journey across Western Australia.Australian and international passengers are being invited tojoin the Extraordinary Taxi Ride across Western Australia which will visit locations such as the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park; Ningaloo Reef; and Australia’s whitest beach – Lucky Bay in Esperance.
Passengers can apply to travel on one of the 11 ‘legs’ of the journey by visiting
www.extraordinarytaxiride.com and stating why they should be part of the journey.
Each of the 11 winners will then have the opportunity to invite a friend or family member on the journey with them to share in their adventure.
Throughout the journey, passengers will be filmed experiencing locations and activities in Western Australia.
The story of the journey will be told online, in press, on radio and on television.
Leg one, Vines, Forests and Beaches 9-12 April includes swimming with dolphins; Leg two, Great Southern Explorer 13-16 April explores the deep South West of WA; and Leg three, Perth Lifestyle 17-20 April includes the Red Bull Air Race.
The other eight legs are:
Leg four, Natural Outback Wonders 21-28 April;
Leg five, Coast and Nature Spectacular 29 April – 5 May;
Leg six, Ningaloo Reef Adventure 6 – 11 May;
Leg seven, Karijini Discovery 12 – 17 May;
Leg eight, Northern Coast Escape 18 -23 May;
Leg nine, Australia Way 24 -31 May;
Leg 10, The Gibb River Road 1 – 9 June; and
Leg 11, North West Highlights 10-14 June.
The Extraordinary Taxi Ride is part of Tourism WA’s new marketing campaign, designed to encourage people from within the State, Australia and around the world to visit Western Australia on holiday.
Applications close 26 March.
16 March, 2010
City plan at
crossroads
A plan to develop Karratha into a major city of 50,000 people has been opened to the community for public comment.Proposed by the State Government and the Shire of Roebourne, the draft Karratha Revitalisation Plan includes strategies for the sustainable growth of Karratha and a Master Plan to redevelop the town centre.
Minister for Regional Development and Lands, Brendon Grylls said the plan, a key component of the State Government’s ‘Pilbara Cities’ initiative, represented a watershed moment in Karratha’s history.
“Both the Shire of Roebourne and LandCorp have worked in close collaboration with the community to produce an ambitious, yet obtainable, vision for the future of the town,” Mr Grylls said.
“This vision includes developing a modern, vibrant city of the north, with a diverse economy and high amenity, but still maintaining a unique Pilbara character.
“It is critical we stimulate the creation of more jobs in the region and encourage the conversion of fly-in-fly-out workers to become permanent residents.”
The Minister said the plan included developing an entertainment precinct with cafes, restaurants, public plazas, well-shaded and landscaped streets and a variety of retail options.
“It also provides an outline of future residential expansion and the creation of new district centres to accommodate the expected population growth,” he said.
“The goal is to encourage greater housing diversity in the town to address the issue of affordability, which is currently a significant constraint on growth.”
Mr Grylls urged the people of Karratha to examine the plan and have their say on the strategies it presents.
Submissions on the plan must be lodged by 21 April and further information was available from www.roebourne.wa.gov.au
16 March, 2010
Park and ride for Mandurah
Car parks at the train stationson the Mandurah and Joondalup lines are to be expanded to accommodate 3,000 new parking bays.
Work has begun on expanding the Mandurah Train Station car park to bring the total number of bays there to more than 1,150.
Construction is expected to be completed by June and will include increased lighting and CCTV.
GESB hires help
GESB has appointed Schroder Investment Management Limited to help manage its $2.7 billion international equities portfolio.
The appointment follows a review of the core component of GESB’s international equity portfolio, which constitutes approximately one quarter of the $10 billion investment portfolio it manages on behalf of 313,000 members.
The international equity portfolio outperformed its benchmark by 2.5 per cent in 2009.
Village tenderers announced
The preferred tenderer for the workers’ accommodation village at the Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project is has been announced.
Fleetwood Pty Ltd will build, operate and maintain the village, which will accommodate workers building the channels, roads and drainage infrastructure associated with the irrigation expansion project during the 2010 and 2011 dry seasons.
At the same time, MAC Services Group Limited has been appointed as the preferred proponent to build and manage a similar workers’ accommodation facility on a 12 hectare site at Gap Ridge, Karratha.
The facility is needed to meet the high demand for housing for people moving into the town to work on the many new projects in the area.
Nickol Bay health consultation
West Pilbara residents have been urged to have their say on the needs of Nickol Bay Hospital and health service delivery as part of a master planning process.
As part of the consultation, a community reference group will be established along with an 1800 number, a web page and workshops.
The workshops will run from March to May in towns and communities across the region. Further information was available from www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au
Teacher takes prize
The innovative use of technology has won teacher Erin Svean from Wirrabirra Primary School in Gosnells a Regional Best Practice Award at the APAC Regional Innovative Education Forum in Singapore.
Ms Svean was selected from more than 80 teachers from 18 regions, including seven Australian State and Territory winners, who came together at the forum to compare notes on innovative teaching and learning strategies
Art in the park
New visitor amenities and artworks will be unveiled during a family fun day in Kings Park, Synergy Parkland, on 21 March.
The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, in partnership with Synergy has made improvements to visitor amenities with new barbecue and picnic facilities, bike racks and better access for all pathways.
The new artworks include additions to the two large-scaled replicas of local dinosaurs.
9 March, 2010
Packages proposed
as the way to go
A second round of voluntary redundancies for the Public Service has been announced by the Treasurer, Troy Buswell.Mr Buswell said voluntary separations would be extended from the 469 staff members who accepted a package last year by another 300 offers.
“I stress this is a voluntary severance program,” he said.
“The employee has to want to leave the Public Sector and management have to agree with that person to depart.
“This is part of our ongoing drive to deliver better services and better value for money to the people of Western Australia and to make sure we do all we can to rein in the rate of growth of recurrent expenditure.”
Mr Buswell said that in the first round of offers, 72 per cent of those who left were from management or administrative roles.
“We are focused on delivering better services, we are focused on delivering frontline services but we are focused on doing it in an efficient way,” he said.
Mr Buswell said 40 per cent of recurrent expenditure in Western Australia was made up of wages.
He said an additional 34,000 Full-time Equivalent positions in the Public Sector were created between 2001 and 2009 and that in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 financial years, the State’s Public Sector wage expenditure grew by around 12 per cent.
He said wage growth was down to 8.6 per cent in 2009/10.
“We have a lot of work to do but we think we are slowly turning the corner in terms of reining in the rate of growth of salary expense and reining in the rate of growth of general Government spending,” he said.
Mr Buswell said the Government’s cap on Public Sector employment of around 100,000 Public Servants, coupled with the wages policy would “start to slow down” the rate of salary growth and, by extension, Government expenditure.
He said employees who took up the latest offer would have to do so by 30 June and would be entitled to three week’s pay for every year of service up to 52 weeks, outstanding holiday and long service leave entitlements and, where applicable, 12 week’s pay in lieu of notice.
He said the latest package was expected to cost around $30 million. The package offered last year cost just under $50 million.
Branch Secretary of the PS union CPSU/CSA, Toni Walkington said while the move could mean Departments had additional funding for service delivery, it would place more pressure on people to take redundancy packages.
Mr Buswell also flagged legislative changes that would allow the imposition of involuntary redundancies.
9 March, 2010
Union stabs back
at PS job cuts
The Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association has urged the State Government to shelve its plans to cut the Public Service, saying now was not the time to be reducing the size of the bureaucracy.Branch Secretary of the CPSU/CSA, Toni Walkington said as the demand for services and support increased, the Government announced another 300 Public Service jobs would go before 30 June.
Ms Walkington said the size of the Public Sector in proportion to the Western Australian workforce had decreased from 17 per cent in 1997 to 12 per cent in 2008, despite the State’s population growing by 65,700 in 2008/09.
She said WA had the highest population growth of all the States and Territories for 08/09, which included strong regional population growth in the Pilbara of 14 per cent and the south west of 12.4 per cent.
Ms Walkington said the Public Service also had a relatively high proportion of new employees - of the 46.8 per cent who had been working in their current Agency for less than five years, more than one third had worked in that Agency for less than a year, and over half had worked there for less than two years.
“WA Government needs to focus on retaining skilled, experienced workers and transferring this knowledge to newer, younger workers,” she said.
Treasurer, Troy Buswell, said around 300 workers were expected to accept the voluntary separations offer announced by the Government last week.
However Ms Walkington said involuntary severances meant the PS would lose some of its “most valuable workers” to the private sector and early retirement.
“West Australians rely on Government workers to provide quality essential services and support our community,” she said.
“Now is not the time to cut jobs and essential services.”
Ms Walkington said a report released by the WA Public Sector Commission, Strategic Directions for the PS Workforce 2009-14, found the Public Sector workforce was likely to continue to be affected by increasing demand for services in the face of a declining supply of skilled people and changing employee expectations of working arrangements.
9 March, 2010
Buyers warned against
buying sales pitch
Government Procurement has issued a Buyer Alert warning Agencies to beware of suppliers using aggressive marketing techniques.It says the practices highlighted in an earlier Alert have been found to be more widespread than initially thought.
In a statement, the Department of Treasury and Finance’s Government Procurement unit said the latest attempts to convince PS Agencies to purchase goods involved a company in the printing supplies industry.
The Department said aggressive marketing techniques included cold calling and persistent phone calls; adopting a dominating and bullying manner and offering gifts, rewards and gratuities, such as vouchers for retail outlets.
It said staff involved in purchasing on behalf of their Agency should be wary of any company claiming to be on a Government contract or pressuring them to place an order for goods and services.
The Department recommended staff seeking a list of approved suppliers should check with their own Agency in the case of an Agency-specific contract or with DTF if the company was claiming to be on a Common Use Arrangement.
“Government staff have a responsibility to purchase in line with Government contract arrangements and the need to comply with the requirements outlined in the previous Buyer Alert,” it said.
The Alert could be downloaded from www.dtf.wa.gov.au
9 March, 2010
Water project
taps into PPP
Sections of the Mundaring Weir Water Supply Improvement Project are to be delivered in a Public Private Partnership (PPP), said to be a first for the State’s water industry.Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs, said the project involved the construction of a water treatment plant, pump station, pipelines, upgrades to pump stations and the weir itself, as well as improvements to the tourism precinct.
“The Water Corporation will now release an Expression of Interest for the new water treatment plant, pump station and various pipelines which will be delivered by private industry,” Dr Jacobs said.
“Other parts of the project, including upgrades to the weir, existing pump stations and the precinct will be carried out by the Corporation through traditional construction contracts.”
He said the provision of a new treatment plant would be the key component of the Mundaring Weir Water Supply Improvement Project.
“The treatment plant is required to keep pace with improving water quality standards,” Dr Jacobs said.
“While there have been a number of upgrades to the weir and its associated infrastructure during the years, parts of the facility are more than 100 years old and need upgrading to meet increasing water demands.
“This project will greatly improve the quality of water supplies for about 100,000 people living in the Hills area of Perth, and the Goldfields and agricultural regions.”
Treasurer, Troy Buswell confirmed the Mundaring PPP would be a first for the Western Australian water industry.
“A public private partnership is the best model to deliver this vital infrastructure to the community,” Mr Buswell said.
“It will drive value for money for water consumers by creating greater incentives for innovation and by cost-effective risk transfer to the private sector during the project life.”
The Treasurer said the treatment plant, pump station and pipeline would be handed back to the Corporation in full operating condition within 35 years.
Mr Buswell said the project methodology was consistent with Infrastructure Australia PPP Guidelines and Western Australian Government jurisdictional requirements.
9 March, 2010
Higher education
goes up online
A new website to serve university students and their families in the way My School serves primary and secondary school students has been announced by the Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard.Ms Gillard said the ‘My University’website would feature information about institutions, courses and pathways and would showcase Australia’s higher education providers.
She said it would include information on student-to-staff ratios, results of student satisfaction surveys, measures of graduate skills, graduate outcomes and fees.
Information detailing access to student services and the quality of teaching and learning outcomes would also be available.
“The Government wants students to use this data to make their choice about their university on the basis of information about quality rather than students having to rely on hearsay, inference from entry requirements or the perceived prestige of universities,” Ms Gillard said.
“My University will provide a robust, consolidated and transparent source of information about all of Australia’s 39 universities.
“Information will be provided in an easily accessible form for students and parents.”
Ms Gillard said the website would help students decide which university to attend as the Government uncapped places from 2012.
She said the new website was supported by universities and would be developed with their input.
Ms Gillard said the website would commence in time for the new system in 2012.
9 March, 2010
Fair shares unfair
say Treasurers
A call by State Treasurer Troy Buswell for the Federal Government to come up with a fairer way of allocating the nation’s GST pool has attracted support from the Queensland Treasurer, Andrew Fraser.Mr Buswell and Mr Fraser said Western Australia and Queensland were key economic growth States and needed a fairer share of GST revenue.
They said a draft report by the independent Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) recognised the two States’ population booms and resulting infrastructure burden.
Mr Buswell and Mr Fraser recommended the report’s methodology be implemented in full.
However, recommended changes announced to the CGC funding formula would also see $443 million stripped from Western Australia’s share of GST funding next year.
“As this change in methodology costs WA nearly half a billion dollars, I will be demanding that the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, consider phasing in this change over a longer period,” Mr Buswell said.
“WA’s grant share has also suffered a modest fall due to our continuing strong revenue growth relative to other States, reducing our assessed need for support from Canberra.
“We are pleased that the CGC will now better recognise the impact of WA’s strong population growth on our capital works program, albeit belatedly and without compensation for past impacts.”
WA Premier, Colin Barnett said the cut was unfair to West Australian families and businesses.
“Under this proposal, for every dollar West Australians pay in GST they will be receiving only 68c back,” Mr Barnett said.
“Meanwhile, people in New South Wales will receive a return of 95c, Victorians will receive 93c and Queenslanders will receive a return of 91c.”
Mr Fraser said the new CGC methodology was a fairer way to carve up the GST pool, which is central to every State’s budget.
“The Queensland and Western Australian Governments have shouldered the load when it comes to building the infrastructure our growing populations need. That burden won’t change as population pressures intensify.”
Mr Buswell and Mr Fraser said New South Wales was currently allocated more GST per person than other big State, and would continue to receive more even if the CGC’s draft report was implemented.
“We are not asking for a larger allocation of GST funding than NSW,” Mr Buswell said.
“We just want a fairer allocation that doesn’t rob the growth States of the funds we need to cater for our very rapidly growing populations.”
9 March, 2010
Department mines
a well of gratitude
The Department of Mines and Petroleum has been congratulated by industry organisations for improving the approvals process. Chief Executive of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), Simon Bennison said DMP’s performance report for the fourth quarter in 2009 showed continued improvement in almost all areas of mining and exploration approvals.
“AMEC is very pleased with the progress that the Department has made in transparency and efficiency,” Mr Bennison said.
“The very fact that the Department now publishes these quarterly results is a huge leap ahead.”
He said the DMP had implemented a fully transparent, online tracking system for most corporations.
“We only wish all the other Departments involved in applications would follow suit,” Mr Bennison said.
“Unfortunately, until the other Departments implement a transparent tracking system and reporting process similar to the mines Department, it will be difficult to precisely identify and correct the bottlenecks.”
He said a number of recommendations made in an independent review commissioned late last year were being implemented and would create a greater level of consistency between the Department’s approvals divisions and reporting of the entire process for key approvals.
“The only disappointing figure in the fourth quarter report is that 40 per cent of mining exploration licence applications weren’t approved within the target time frame, Mr Bennison said.
“However we suspect those delays were largely caused by other Departments or the proponents themselves.”
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy added its congratulations to DMP with Chief Executive, Reg Howard-Smith saying he was pleased to see an upward trend in the percentage of project approvals being processed within target timelines.
“Approvals reform remains a priority for the resources industry and we are encouraged by the improvements outlined in this report,” Mr Howard-Smith said.
“These results should encourage Government to continue to seek improvements across the entire approvals process.”
9 March, 2010
Volunteers stream in
for river clean-up
Staff from the Department of Environment and Conservation joined with volunteers and river kayakers to clean up 2km of the Swan River around Pelican Point last week in a Business Clean Up Day organised by Keep Australia Beautiful WA.Fifty-five bags of rubbish were removed from the River, including 18 bags of recyclable material, broken nets, discarded ropes, clothing, a large fishing knife, hundreds of cigarette butts and a $10 note.
Community Education Coordinator for Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB), Maureen Maher said the clean up, which is part of the Clean Up Australia Day campaign, was the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of KAB’s Adopt-a-Spot community clean-up program.
“KAB and the Swan River Trust have established a partnership to tackle the problem of litter and dumping of rubbish along and in our rivers,” Ms Maher said.
“Through its River Guardians program, the Swan River Trust will encourage river users to adopt-a-spot.”
General Manager of Swan River Trust, Rod Hughes said the River Guardian volunteers did a fantastic job to help look after the health of the Swan River.
“Littering of our iconic waterways is obviously still a problem, and we encourage people to report damage to the Swan and Canning rivers by contacting the Trust,” Mr Hughes said.
“During patrols in 2007-08, Trust Riverpark officers removed more than 35 tonnes of rubbish, as well as tyres, shopping trolleys, signs, chairs and even fridges.”
Clean up Australia Day took place on 7 March.
9 March, 2010
Planners have plans
for planning manual
The Western Australian Planning Commission has endorsed an updated version of its Local Planning Manual.Chairman of the Commission, Gary Prattley said the manual included information and advice on preparing local planning strategies, local planning schemes and amendments.
“The updated manual reflects the changes in legislative requirements introduced with the Planning and Development Act 2005 and replaces the Planning Schemes Manual,” Mr Prattley said.
“The manual has been expanded to include a section on the application of local planning schemes to assist the general public in gaining a better understanding of the local planning framework.”
The updated manual contains information from a number of other documents which have now been rescinded.
They documents include the Planning Schemes Manual (2000); Planning Bulletins eight, 11, 16 and 74; Guidelines - The Preparation, Form and Content of Local Housing Strategies; Guidelines - Preparation of a Local Rural Strategy; and Guidelines - Local Commercial Strategies - Preparation, Form and Content.
Mr Prattley said the update was an interim measure until the review of the Model Scheme Text and Planning and Development Regulations have been completed.
He said following completion of the review, the manual would be updated to reflect any legislative changes.
He said the manual was a valuable resource to guide and inform local Government planning officers and the general public on the local planning process.
The manual was available from www.planning.wa.gov.au
9 March, 2010
Prison farm grows
in leaps and bounds
The Pardelup Prison Farm has been reopened and is to operate as a viable farm providing mutton and beef to other prisons.Increased from 20 beds to 84, the revived prison farm will house minimum-security male prisoners and provide other services to the local community.
Minister for Corrective Services, Christian Porter said the prison farm would provide its services and operate as a viable farm in line with the Department of Corrective Services’ focus on self-sustainability.
“Prisoners housed at the farm will have the opportunity to learn valuable work and social skills including farm and maintenance work, gardening, TAFE education, cleaning, and work in the local community,” Mr Porter said.
“We already have nearly 40 projects lined up within the Mount Barker and surrounding area for the prisoners to assist with.”
He said prisoners would undertake important job-related and social skills programs to help them make the transition back into the community upon their release.
The Minister said providing better rehabilitative programs to prisoners was a priority.
“The Government has focused on providing appropriate work skills, education and rehabilitative programs to offenders within the prison system - increasing program delivery by 45 per cent in the 2008-09 financial year alone,” he said.
Mr Porter said prisoners would go through a rigorous assessment process to ensure their suitability for placement at the facility.
“Importantly, the re-opening of Pardelup will create an additional 64 beds to help ease overcrowding in the State’s prison system,” he said
9 March, 2010
Water report goes
with the flow
Groundwater predictions in a recent CSIRO report were not news to the Department of Water and the Water Corporation, which have been working with similar predictions for some time.Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs said he was confident Western Australia could work with the reduced surface water and groundwater levels predicted.
Dr Jacobs reassured households and businesses they would not run out of drinking water as the Government was investing $3.5 billion in water-related projects over the next four years.
“WA has a good track record of managing its water resources and water supply during periods of drought and the longer-term drying climate,” Dr Jacobs said.
“We were the first State to build a seawater desalination plant and a second plant will be online by the end of 2011.”
He said once the second plant was completed, WA would not need another major drinking water source until 2020 and if water efficiency programs delivered real per capita reductions in water use, the date might be even later.
“The Government has plans in place to control the allocation of the vital Gnangara groundwater resource and an across-Government strategy for the water resource,” Dr Jacobs said.
“Awareness of water efficiency has also been enhanced by last year’s trial winter sprinkler ban and this has continued with a significant reduction in water use this summer.”
The State’s biggest scheme water provider, the Water Corporation, has considered a range of innovative new water sources that could be developed in its 50-year Water Forever plan which was released in October 2009.
Dr Jacobs said the Corporation was working closely with the Department of Water on the potential sources.
9 March, 2010
Staff freeze heats
up cutback debate
A freeze on Public Service recruitment for non-essential positions and possible caps on PS pay increases have been announced by the Government of the Australian Capital Territory.The belt-tightening follows cuts to the ACT’s share of GST revenue recommended by the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
ACT Treasurer, Katy Gallagher, revealed the recruitment freeze and suggested future payrises for the ACT Public Service could be held to 2 per cent a year. The Government had already offered 2.5 per cent in its current round of talks.
Speaking to the media, Ms Gallagher said the $85 million reduction came as a “nasty shock” to the Territory’s Budget.
“No other jurisdiction is being asked to accept a 10 per cent cut to their GST revenue,” she said.
“We’ve taken some decisions in relation to the staffing freeze that’s been imposed on the ACT Public Service for non-essential frontline services, so of course that leaves out health and education and those areas where we need to continue to provide service.”
The Community and Public Sector Union criticised the ACT Government for failing to consult with staff or unions before announcing the hiring freeze.
In a statement, the CPSU said it was unclear which jobs were considered to be non-essential or how long the freeze would last.
“While the CPSU acknowledges the extent of the financial issues the Government is facing, we are concerned that the hard-line approach they are taking will have a negative impact on staff and services,” it said.
The CPSU said in a bid to recognise tough economic realities, it had lowered its wage increase demand from 4 and 4.5 per cent over the next two years to 3 and 3.5 per cent.
“Unfortunately the Government is still only offering 2.5 per cent in the first year and 2 per cent in the second year,” the union said.
“The Government needs to understand that the local service is not a magic pudding and they cannot continue to cut millions of dollars every time there’s budget pressures,” the union’s Vince McDevitt was quoted as saying in the Canberra Times.
The ACT Public Service employs around 20,100 staff.
9 March, 2010
Economic growth to
drive taxi demand
The Department of Transport is to release 56 unallocated taxi plates over the next 12 months to deal with increased demand.Minister for Transport, Simon O’Brien said the commencement of a number of major infrastructure projects and expected economic growth meant there was likely to be an increased demand for taxi services.
“With a significant lead time for taxi plates to be advertised, applications assessed and then new taxis to actually get on the road, it is important we get moving now,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We need to be ahead of the curve on this, not in a position where we are playing catch up.
“The last period of economic growth saw, at its peak, five per cent of all taxi call-outs not being covered due to shortages.”
Mr O’Brien said the 56 taxi plates would be made available from the Department of Transport on a lease basis through an expression of interest process.
He said 32 had been surrendered by previous lessees and 24 had been approved but never released.
“We currently face the untenable situation whereby the size of Perth’s taxi fleet is actually declining while the city’s population is increasing rapidly,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The State Government is mindful of the viability of the taxi industry. As such, these plates will be released on a staggered basis resulting in small monthly release of taxi plates into the market.”
The Minister said the Taxi Industry Board was currently considering what form taxi plates should be released in for the future.
The peak period taxi trial which was initiated in 2008 to meet the early morning weekday demand for taxis is to remain in place throughout 2010.
9 March, 2010
Program a gift for
bright children
Parents of gifted children have been invited to enrol their kids in the Gifted and Talented Education program.Director General of the Department of Education, Sharyn O’Neill said the program included science, maths, humanities, dance, music, drama, visual arts, arts media, music theatre and languages components.
“Families are invited to apply for a place for their child in these programs at 16 public secondary schools in Western Australia with online participation and boarding options available for students in the country,” Ms O’Neill said.
“Gifted and Talented Education programs give talented students the opportunity to reach their full potential. Entry is very competitive so interested families should not delay in applying.”
She said applications for the 2012 round were open to students who were now in Year Six and would be entering Year Eight in 2012.
Ms O’Neill said all applicants would have to sit the Academic Selective Entrance Test to determine their eligibility for a place.
She said research had shown gifted students were at risk of underachieving and disengaging if they were not identified and challenged at school.
She said a web-based resource developed by the Department of Education to help public school teachers identify, educate and monitor gifted students would be released next term.
“It is important for teachers to have current and relevant resources to help them identify talented students,” she said.
“We have been working on this resource for 12 months and it will be used by teachers of students aged four to 15.”
Applications for the Gifted and Talented Education program close on 15 March.
There are also limited places for students going into Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 in 2011.
Further information was available from www.det.wa.edu.au
9 March, 2010
On the spot training
for prison officers
A new training facility for prison officers has been established at Albany Regional Prison.Twenty-one recruits will be the first through the new Department of Corrective Services facility which offers Albany residents the chance to become qualified prison officers without having to spend three months in Perth.
Director of the Corrective Services Academy, Deborah Harvey said introducing the new training facility to a regional location would allow the Department to attract more recruits while saving time and money.
“Previously, all prison officer trainees were required to travel to Perth and reside at the Corrective Services Academy for the 12-week duration of the course, which meant many locals were reluctant to apply due to the travel involved and the extended separation from their families,” Ms Harvey said.
As well as the high level of interest in the area, Albany Regional Prison was also selected as the site for a training facility due to a planned increase in prisoner numbers.
Superintendent at the prison, Bob Reeby said Albany would soon receive an additional 128 prison beds as part of the State Government’s strategy to alleviate overcrowding in WA’s prison system.
“The on-site training facility is a great way to attract more prison officers to cater for the increase in Albany’s prison population,” Superintendent Reeby said.
He said the new officers will also have the opportunity to work at nearby Pardelup Prison Farm and Walpole Work Camp.
9 March, 2010
Waste material
not a waste
New resources to assist teachers promote waste reduction and recycling in schools have been announced by the Minister for the Environment, Donna Faragher.The Waste Wise Schools program, which is run by the Department of Environment and Conservation, encourages schools to reduce their waste by implementing the three ‘Rs’ - reduce, re-use and recycle - while developing positive environmental values in students and school communities.
Mrs Faragher said over 600 schools across Western Australia were currently involved in the program which received funding from the Waste Authority through the Western Australian landfill levy.
The Minister said the new resources would include an operating practices manual and online curriculum-linked guides for activities on composting, worms, waste and recycling.
“Fact sheets for students and teachers will also be available on the Waste Wise Schools website, and include topics such as climate change, littering and how to make a worm farm out of a fridge,” Mrs Faragher said.
She also unveiled a new accreditation scheme to recognise schools that were active participants in the program.
She said the accreditation scheme had been developed to acknowledge schools that met the requirements to become a Waste Wise school.
“Almost 50 schools have already received their accredited Waste Wise school sign, demonstrating that these schools are serious about waste reduction in WA,” Mrs Faragher said.
Further information was available from www.wastewise.wa.gov.au
9 March, 2010
Gardens support Earth Hour
The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority will switch off all lights not needed for public safety and security from 8.30 to 9.30pm on 27 March to mark Earth Hour.
The initiative will apply to Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
Earth Hour 2010 is a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
University worker accused
An employee of the University of Western Australia has been charged by the Corruption and Crime Commission with stealing more than $53,000 from his employer.
The Glendalough man faces six counts of stealing after allegedly recording six companies on the university’s computer system in 2004 and placing 21 purchase orders against them.
It is alleged he then manipulated the computer system to have the money paid into a company registered in his name.
The man is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on 12 March.
Schools clean up WA
More than 100 schools across Western Australia were involved in Schools Clean Up Day, scouring parks, bushland, beaches and streets for litter.
Schools Clean Up Day was held for the 20th time on 5 March and is an initiative of Clean Up Australia Ltd and is supported by Keep Australia Beautiful (WA).
Keep Australia Beautiful (WA) is supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Workforce needs addressed
The National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce has released a discussion paper to generate conversation on how to address the workforce needs of major resources projects over the next five years and beyond.
The Taskforce has encouraged interested parties to provide feedback on the paper and will consult with stakeholders to gather additional information.
Submissions are due by 9 April with further information available from www.deewr.gov.au
Energy submissions extended
The submission period for the Strategic Energy Initiative (SEI) Issues Paper, Energy 2030 has been extended to 12 March.
The SEI aims to provide a co-ordinated direction for the State’s energy sector over the next 20 years.
A draft Directions Paper is expected to be released in April and the Strategic Energy Initiative is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
To make a submission visit www.energy.wa.gov.au
Fishing reminder
Recreational fishers have been reminded they need a new type of licence if they want to fish from a powered vessel anywhere in Western Australia.
The new licence has been designed to help protect the State’s fragile fish stocks and will cost $30 per year.
It will also provide a tool to estimate recreational catches on a State-wide basis.
Eat Drink Perth underway
Perth’s City Food and Wine Month has been given a new name, Eat Drink Perth.
The established event has commenced under its new name with a program featuring more than 100 free and ticketed events for food enthusiasts including outdoor events, cooking classes and wine tastings.
Eat Drink Perth events will be staged in restaurants, bars, laneways, riverfronts and the new Northbridge Piazza over the next month with further information available from www.eatdrinkperth.com.au
Post previews website
Australia Post has called for community feedback on its new website after launching a preview.
The new site aims to cater for the entire community, with improved accessibility for people with disabilities.
To view the site and make comments on its usability, visit preview.auspost.com.au
Cattle funding open
Research and development projects that may be eligible for funding under the Cattle Industry Compensation Act are being sought.
Funds are made available for research, development and other purposes of benefit to the cattle industry every year, with individuals, groups and organisations able to apply for a maximum of $50,000 per year, for up to three years.
Submissions close on 30 April 2010 with further information available from www.agric.wa.gov.au
Homeless providers
Nine Providers have been named as Homelessness Housing Support Workers in the Perth metropolitan region.
$945,000 is to be invested in the providers to help homeless people with issues including employment, financial management and access to health care to achieve stable long-term housing.
The providers are: Centrecare, Joondalup Youth Support Services, Patricia Giles Centre, Mercy Community Services, Swan Emergency Accommodation, Fremantle Multicultural Centre, Anglicare WA and Mission Australia.
Potoroo gets colony
A new breeding colony for the rare Gilberts Potoroo has been established on the south coast of Western Australia.
Seven of the marsupials have been released into a fenced reserve in a remote part of Waychinicup National Park, 25km east of Albany.
Less than 100 of the quokka-like animals are known to exist and are found at only two locations - the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and Bald Island, both near Albany.
2 March, 2010
Red tape review is
in black and white
A review of bureaucratic red tape has found that WA was lagging behind other States in streamlining administrative compliance processes.It has prompted Treasurer, Troy Buswell to call for a ‘cultural change’ in the way the PS does business.
The review, conducted by The Red Tape Reduction Group, found that the majority of regulatory burdens on Western Australian businesses came from policies, procedures and business rules developed by the Public Service.
The Group investigated how to cut the resultant red tape and regulation.
The Group’s report Reducing the Burden - Report of the Red Tape Reduction Group makes 107 recommendations to help reduce the compliance burden on businesses and consumers.
“This important report provides a road map to slash red tape,” Mr Buswell said.
“Many recommendations from the report require cultural change in the Public Service.”
He said the need for change had been a “theme” across Government efforts to improve service delivery for taxpayers.
The report found the majority of regulatory burden did not come from Acts or Regulations passed by the Parliament, but from ‘quasi-regulations’, such as PS policies, and the Government’s administration of them.
It said quasi-regulations were created by Agencies to achieve the principles stated in Acts and Regulations.
“The worrying thing about quasi-regulations is that there is very little transparency about how they are created, administered and reviewed,” the report says.
“There is often little or no Parliamentary scrutiny of quasi-regulations. They are therefore not assessed by those who have created the laws as to whether they are consistent with the intent of the legislation.”
The report found WA was behind the other States in tackling red tape and the need for reform was ‘urgent”.
“It is estimated that there are currently some 844 Acts and 761 statutory rules in force, amounting to approximately 63,500 pages of regulation,” the report said.
“Adding to the regulatory burden is the enormous amount of Departmental policies, rulings, explanatory memoranda, advisory notes and so on.”
It also found an “apparent inability of Government Agencies to understand the needs of small business.”
It also found examples of poor regulation and duplication of compliance activities across Agencies.
“There are many Acts and Regulations that present little or no compliance difficulties. Others, however carry a significant financial and administrative burden and result in lost opportunities,” the report says.
“The Government must confront this challenge in order to meet the expectations of the community for reform.”
Among the report’s recommendations were ‘risk-based’ assessments of
Government decision-making processes to remove unnecessary regulation; encouraging Agencies to create single portals for information required in multi-agency approval processes; requiring Agencies to publish internal policies and guidelines used in decision-making processes; and all new and amended quasi-regulations to be subject to a Regulatory Impact Assessment with the results made publicly available.
It estimates savings of $44 million a year were available if procedures were streamlined.
The Red Tape Reduction Group was established in January 2009 as one of a number of initiatives to reduce the regulatory burden in Western Australia.
A formal Government response to the report is to be announced in coming months.
The report can be accessed at www.dtf.wa.gov.au
2 March, 2010
New factsheet has
facts on PS reform
The Public Sector Commission has updated its website with a factsheet and Frequently Asked Questions about the Public Sector reform program.The factsheet outlines changes within the PS and highlights that much of the existing framework and arrangements, especially those affecting employees’ rights, will remain unaltered.
According to the factsheet, the new independent statutory role of Public Sector Commissioner will allow it to manage the PS and ensure the smooth organisational transition of functions and staff when Government changes are being put into place.
“As an independent officeholder, the Commissioner will report directly to Parliament on matters within the Commissioner’s jurisdiction,” the factsheet says.
“The current three-stage disciplinary procedures under the Act will be streamlined into a single process governed by Commissioner’s instructions.”
The factsheet said the primary role and responsibilities of Chief Executives to manage their Departments and agencies remained unaltered.
The changes relate to the Public Sector Reform Bill 2009, which is being introduced to improve the flexibility, integrity and professionalism of the Public Sector.
The Frequently Asked Questions section of the website outlines three key areas of change under the new legislation, including the amalgamation of the functions of the Minister and the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards and the establishment of the independent office of the Public Sector Commissioner.
It says the disciplinary process will be streamlined and minor changes to improve public administration will take place.
The section looks at topics such as the Bill’s function, if there will be changes to recruitment and selection, the role of the Commissioner, the responsibilities of the Minister, redundancy and the classification process.
The Public Service Commission said amendments to the Public Sector Management Act 1994 were progressing as a “matter of urgency” to establish the Commissioner as an independent officer.
The Information factsheet and Frequently Asked Questions were available from www.publicsector.wa.gov.au, along with presentation slides from the Chief Executive Forum held on 23 February.
2 March, 2010
Heat is on DEC
fire strategy
An independent review of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s fire management capabilities has been ordered by Environment Minister, Donna Faragher.Mrs Faragher said the review was part of the Government’s response to the findings and recommendations of the Coroner following the inquest into the deaths of three men during a bushfire that started in Boorabbin National Park in 2007.
Head of the South Australian Country Fire Service, Euan Ferguson will conduct the review which is set to begin in April and expected to be finalised before the end of the year.
Mrs Faragher said Mr Ferguson was highly respected and well qualified to conduct the review.
“Mr Ferguson oversees the response to more than 7,000 fire and emergency service incidents each year,” she said.
“This experience and expertise will allow him to make an appropriate examination of DEC’s ability to manage major bushfires.”
Mrs Faragher said the review would consider the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and Local Government in bushfire management.
She said in particular, it would examine DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect to major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk.
Ms Faragher said the review would look at the Department’s management structure; command and control arrangements, training and resources as well as communication and co-ordination arrangements with other fire management Agencies.
The review will also review the DEC’s equipment and public information strategy.
Mrs Faragher said the review would take into account the work previously undertaken through the Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness 2009; the GHD Network’s Operational Review 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Act 2009; the Auditor General’s report Responding to Major Bushfires 2004 and the Government’s WESTPLAN-BUSHFIRE strategy.
2 March, 2010
Insulation fiasco has
Minister steamed up
The Federal Government has been criticised by the Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Peter Collier, for its handling of the failed home insulation program.Mr Collier opposed the Commonwealth’s expectation that States and Territories should shoulder the burden of fixing the program.
His comments came after the Australian Government announced a $41 million assistance package to help workers who had been made redundant following the Federal Government’s decision to scrap the home insulation program.
“The State Government is expected to put in place a policy that has not been properly formulated, without any consultation about the announcement or details of the package,” Mr Collier said.
“There has been no formal approach on this issue and we are still awaiting details of the new package.”
The Minister said he had first heard about the new package through the media.
“This is a significant issue that will leave hundreds of workers without a job,” Mr Collier said.
“However, the Federal Government has not provided any details of additional funding, if any, to States to support these displaced workers.”
Mr Collier said he was disappointed at the lack of consultation.
His criticism came on top of revelations that since July 2009 there have been four house fires in Western Australia that are known to have been related to insulation installations.
2 March, 2010
Strategic arts plan
canvassed
The Department of Culture and the Arts has unveiled its strategic plan for the next five years.The plan identifies how the Department intends to create and deliver policy and provide a clear vision over the period.
According to the Director General of DCA, Allanah Lucas the plan sets out the ways in which the Department will deliver the Government’s priorities in supporting arts and culture in WA and explains its priorities.
She said the Department was making changes to become even more flexible, transparent and efficient and would be the first cultural Government Department in Australia to implement its art and cultural policy within a public value framework.
Ms Lucas said as technology evolved and community needs changed, the way that WA citizens engaged with arts and culture was also changing.
“In the face of these opportunities and challenges, DCA understands the importance of refreshing its vision and strategic direction,” Ms Lucas said.
“It is also pertinent for DCA to provide coherent leadership in the development and delivery of arts and culture policy, on behalf of the WA Government.”
The plan lists four strategic objectives: Firstly to be an organisation where effective knowledge management is essential and where the Department is committed to business decisions validated by best practice knowledge management.
The second, to align DCA activities within a public value framework, committing the Department to policies and programs driven by outcomes for the community.
The third objective is to strengthen the Department’s role in delivering culture and arts policy by developing clear relationships with all stakeholders.
Finally, DCA will establish culture and arts infrastructure policy with a focus on the potential of new technologies, producing a State-wide policy that will help Government and non-Government sectors to plan and support more efficient and effective cultural infrastructure.
The plan can be accessed at www.dca.wa.gov.au
2 March, 2010
Plant scientist
plants fears
A scientist with the Department of Agriculture and Food has warned that climate change coupled with increased human activity across the planet could threaten the environment and impact on global food production.Plant virologist, Roger Jones said the emerging situation was creating challenges for producers, governments and other stakeholders alike.
Dr Jones will present his findings at the Global Biosecurity 2010 conference in Brisbane this week, along with nine other officers from the Department.
“The world is undergoing a period of accelerating climate change accompanied by rapid expansion in human activity,” he said.
“Both of these factors are impacting on viruses and the insects, mites, fungi and nematodes that carry them, known as vectors, which together are causing increasing instability in virus disease epidemics in plants worldwide.”
Dr Jones said the situation had major implications for humankind’s ability to achieve effective control of virus epidemics that diminish future global food production.
“There are several recent examples of how the long distance movement of viruses and vectors has resulted in major epidemics in other continents far away from where they originated,” he said.
“For example, the movement of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus from the Mediterranean region to China, Japan, United States and Australia.”
Dr Jones said global trade and the human movement of cultivated plants were creating damaging new encounters between plants and viruses worldwide.
He said climate change would further complicate the situation as changes in temperature, wind and rainfall altered the types of crops cultivated in different climatic zones.
“This is likely to cause an increase in new encounters between viruses and plants, in areas where newly introduced crops and weeds intermingle with the local native vegetation for the first time,” Dr Jones said.
“This emerging situation is creating challenges for producers, Governments and other stakeholders, as they attempt to develop effective plant virus disease prevention and control measures.”
2 March, 2010
Appeal repeal is
in green review
Changes to environmental appeals processes are being considered after the final three reports from an environmental advisory group were delivered to the Minister for Environment, Donna Faragher.Mrs Faragher said the Environmental Stakeholder Advisory Group’s reports were completed following an investigation into the appeals process, native vegetation clearing and environmental and biodiversity conservation.
The Minister said the reports concluded the work of the group.
She said the report into the appeals process recommended the Minister no longer adopt the role of appellate body and that changes to the appeals process be made to improve environmental impact assessments and decrease the need for appeals.
“The current appeals system is often used for the purpose of appellants influencing the Minister in his/her discussions rather than providing strict points of appeal,” the report says.
It said if the Minister was to remain the appellate body, there should be clear separation between the appeals process and the preparation of Ministerial Statements flowing from the Minister’s decisions.
Mrs Faragher said the three reports had been developed over a six month period after the Advisory Group was formed in June 2009 to advise the Government on more effective assessment and decision-making processes for development proposals and better environmental outcomes.
She said the recommendations included strengthening policy and legislation in a number of areas.
“The Government is considering these reports,” Mrs Faragher said.
She said it was already acting on a number of the recommendations and thanked the group for its efforts.
Copies of the reports could be accessed at www.epa.wa.gov.au
2 March, 2010
Corruption watchdog
bites prison officer
The Corruption and Crime Commission has charged a former prison officer from Bandyup Prison with alleged offences relating to the use of restricted information.It is alleged the former officer used a Department of Corrective Services restricted-access computer system illegally to access and disclose information.
The 33-year-old man, who resigned from the Department last October, faces 13 charges of unlawful use of a restricted-access computer system and two of unlawful disclosure.
The computer system contains confidential details of prisoners.
Manager of Investigations for the Commission, Trevor Wynn, said the man allegedly accessed the files of 13 individuals including details regarding people he knew or associated with.
“It is concerning that this is the third Department of Corrective Services employee charged with such offences in the last six months,” Mr Wynn said.
“The information on the computer system is confidential and there could be serious consequences for the prisoners concerned and others if it was revealed.”
Mr Wynn acknowledged the cooperation of the Department of Corrective Services throughout the investigation.
The former prison officer is due to appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on 31 March.
A statement from the Department said it had every confidence in the Commission in regard to the investigation.
The statement said the investigation had been instigated by the Department and subsequently referred to the Commission
It said no further comment was appropriate while the matter was before the Court.
2 March, 2010
Families cash in on
income scheme
The Federal Government is to introduce an income management scheme for families in the Kimberley. Among those who will benefit from the $4 million program are families identified under the child protection income management measure.
The scheme will give the Department of Child Protection the power to recommend to Centrelink that income support and family payments be quarantined to ensure welfare is spent in the interests of children.
As at 12 February, the number of Western Australians referred for income management under the child protection measure was 206.
A further 322 people had signed up for voluntary income management.
To support the increasing numbers participating in income management, the Australian Government is funding additional services to improve the capacity of families to budget and plan for future financial security.
Five money management organisations in the Kimberley are being funded to continue providing free and confidential money management services which, where possible, are delivered by local Indigenous staff.
People on income management can ask to be referred to this initiative or can be referred by the Department of Child Protection, Centrelink and other community support services. People can also self-refer to money management services.
Workshops on budgeting, savings goals, managing debt, credit, loans and accessing banking products are offered along with one-on-one sessions where available.
Money management services will also be funded in Geraldton to help locals and those in the surrounding communities of Meekatharra, Mullewa, Morawa, Dongara and Northampton.
2 March, 2010
Plain sailing for
marine volunteers
The dedication and commitment of 16 marine safety volunteers based in Albany, Esperance and the south west, have been recognised by the Department of Transport on the 10th anniversary of the volunteering program.Thanking the volunteers, General Manager of Marine Safety at the Department of Transport, David Harrod said they continued to play an invaluable role by educating the boating community and others about the importance of water safety.
“The volunteers give their time to promote safe boating practices and assist Transport by gathering information and identifying issues and trends that need to be addressed,” Mr Harrod said.
“They regularly attend local boat ramps to share their marine knowledge and advise boat owners in regard to safety, rules and regulations. They also join Transport officers on marine safety compliance patrols.”
The Department’s Volunteer Marine Safety Liaison Officer program was implemented throughout WA in 2000 with the aim of involving members of the community in the promotion of marine safety.
“The program allows experienced mariners to share their significant knowledge with other locals who enjoy boating and visiting boat owners navigating waters in the area for the first time,” Mr Harrod said.
He said some parts of the southern coastline were extremely remote and often treacherous, reinforcing the value of safety advice.
He said volunteers required a Recreational Skippers Ticket or commercial qualification to be endorsed.
2 March, 2010
Outreach workers
to reach out
Twelve Outreach Worker placements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been announced for medical practices across Western Australia.Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon said 83 places had been created across Australia and would help close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Mr Snowdon said 160 placements would ultimately be funded under the Commonwealth’s $42 million four-year plan to build the capacity of the Indigenous health workforce.
“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outreach Workers will help increase community engagement with health services, including increasing the uptake of Indigenous health checks and identifying Indigenous people who would benefit from improved access to health services,” he said.
“In addition, they will assist Indigenous people to access other health services, including follow-up care, specialist services and community pharmacies.
The Minister said that expanding the Indigenous health workforce was a key element of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Chronic Disease Package.
Mr Snowdon said that in addition to WA’s 12 placements, Queensland would receive 24, New South Wales 23, Victoria nine, the Northern Territory eight, South Australia six and the Australian Capital Territory one.
He said the Outreach Workers would be employed by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations and Divisions of General Practice and would have access to nationally accredited basic level training through the vocational education and training sector.
“This will give them the flexibility to develop career paths in the health sector if they choose, by undertaking more advanced training such as that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers or enrolled nurses,” Mr Snowdon said.
“We already have dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers who perform a vital role in providing primary health care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and these new roles will extend our workforce even further.”
The new workers are expected to be appointed to Health Clinics before the end of June.
WA practices chosen to receive them are:
- South West Aboriginal Medical Service, Bunbury
- Derby Aboriginal Health Service, Derby
- Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, Geraldton
- Perth Primary Care Network, Guildford
- Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Service, Halls Creek
- Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, Jigalong
- Goldfields Esperance GP Network, Kalgoorlie
- Rockingham Kwinana Division of General Practice, Kwinana
- Derbal Yerrigan Health Service, Perth (Two workers)
- Mawarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal Corp, Roebourne
- Ngaanyatjarra Health Service, Warburton
2 March, 2010
Independence day
arrives for schools
Expressions of interest from schools and communities interested in joining the Independent Public Schools Program have been invited.Minister for Education, Liz Constable said feedback from the 34 independent public schools that began at the start of the year had been overwhelmingly positive and the schools had already experienced a surge in community involvement.
Dr Constable said schools that took on independent status had the ability to attract high-calibre community members to their boards.
“The school boards have greater responsibility and input into the strategic direction of their local school, participating in the selection of a principal and endorsing school business plans,” she said.
“Board members contribute in an important way to the running of their school, helping to drive innovation and reflect the needs and wishes of the local community and bringing with them a diverse wealth of knowledge and expertise.”
Independent public schools, while remaining part of the public school system, have the ability to make decisions about their own curriculum, staffing selection, school assets and budgets.
The Minister invited schools and communities to consider expressing an interest to operate as an independent public school from 2011.
“This call for schools to join the second intake signifies the Government’s continuing drive to hand more control to schools and their communities,” Dr Constable said.
“The strong interest shown demonstrates the desire for moving decision-making, responsibility and accountability closer to where it matters - the classroom.”
Expressions of interest close on 27 April, giving schools more than two months to consult with their communities and make a submission.
She said further information was available from www.det.wa.gov.au
2 March, 2010
Children’s hospital
is growing up
The first big decision needed to build a new children’s hospital in Perth has been taken with the purchase of land and commissioning consultation and design concepts.Construction on the new hospital, to be built on the QEII site in Nedlands, is scheduled to start in 2012.
Premier, Colin Barnett said the $23 million to be spent on detailed planning works meant the hospital was officially under way.
“This will allow us to build a hospital to meet the needs and expectations of those who will be using it the most - young patients and staff,” Mr Barnett said.
“We promised to build a leading paediatric care and research facility under a public-private partnership model and we are moving to ensure construction starts on time.”
He said the funding would be used to plan ahead of construction, including land acquisition to allow future relocation of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, enabling works, approvals processes and consultation with reference groups.
Minister for Health, Kim Hames said the planning included consulting with a Youth Advisory Committee which provides a forum for frequent users of the hospital.
The new children’s hospital will replace Princess Margaret Hospital in Subiaco. It is planned to have 250 beds and house the State’s only paediatric trauma centre.
It will provide tertiary and key secondary health services including inpatient, ambulatory and outpatient care.
Public transport will be increased to the site to alleviate pressure on parking and give staff an economical and reliable option when travelling to work.
2 March, 2010
Health rego scheme
goes for the doctor
A national registration and accreditation system for health professionals has taken a step forward with a Bill being put to the Federal Parliament.The Bill supports the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health professions being introduced in each State and Territory Parliament.
Legislation is required to be introduced into each State and Territory, with Western Australia planning to introduce legislation soon.
Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria have already passed their enabling laws, the ACT and Northern Territory have introduced their Bills and South Australia and Tasmania are still planning.
Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon said the national scheme would reduce red tape, increase standards and improve safety for Australian communities.
“A national scheme will also improve the mobility of the health workforce, stopping the need for health professionals having to re-register every time they step across a State or Territory border,” Ms Roxon said.
The Federal Bill sets out the framework for the scheme, covering registration of health practitioners and accreditation of health education and training, complaints, privacy and information sharing, and transitional arrangements.
The Commonwealth’s changes cover amendments to the Health Insurance Act 1973 to ensure medical practitioners continue to retain the same Medicare billing eligibility from 1 July 2010.
“This is a win for all Australians and a convenience for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals,” Ms Roxon said.
2 March, 2010
Home hospital is
healthy policy
A partnership between the State Government and Silver Chain Nursing Association has been announced to provide high-quality health care to elderly and chronically-ill patients in their own homes.Minister for Health, Kim Hames said the Home Hospital service would help up to 500 elderly and chronically-ill patients stay out of hospital each day.
Dr Hames said the service was the centrepiece of the $84 million Friend in Need Emergency (FINE) scheme.
“The FINE scheme is a State Government election promise which aims to assist people with complex and ongoing health care needs to remain in their home rather than visiting emergency departments or being admitted to hospital,” he said.
“These reforms will help our hospital and health services to meet the challenge of an ageing population and the increasing demand for health care.”
Dr Hames said Home Hospital included a 24-hour-a-day Priority Response Assessment (PRA) service.
“PRA teams, led by clinical nurse practitioners, respond and attend to patients within a four-hour time-frame, providing assessment and care in the patient’s home,” he said.
“Home Hospital also includes a major enhancement of Silver Chain’s existing community nursing, post-acute care and community-managed hospital in the home services.”
Dr Hames said funding for the FINE scheme would expand the scope of all of these services so they could help more patients across the metropolitan area.
When fully operational in 2010-11, total Government funding to Silver Chain for Home Hospital services will reach $23.3 million.
“Silver Chain is one of the biggest providers of community, clinical and health care services in Australia,” Dr Hames said.
“The State Government already funds Silver Chain to provide home and community care, palliative care, and health services in rural and remote areas.”
2 March, 2010
Unexpected find is
stingray of sunshine
CSIRO scientists, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the Western Australian Marine Science Institution, have discovered a new species of stingray at Ningaloo Marine Park.Minister for Environment, Donna Faragher said the new stingray was a member of the maskray family, with a maximum wingspan of 30cm - much smaller than most rays found at Ningaloo.
“The discovery of these magnificent creatures highlights the importance of the Ningaloo Marine Park,” Mrs Faragher said.
Scientist at CSIRO, Will White said the discovery of the ray highlighted how much there still was to learn about the sharks and rays that inhabit the World Heritage-nominated area along the Ningaloo coast.
“Since the find at Ningaloo, we have been able to establish that this species also exists 400 kilometres further south in Shark Bay,” Dr White said.
“The very specific habitat occupied by this ray means that careful monitoring and management is required. They also live close to the shore, so people may encounter the creature close-up.”
Marine scientist at DEC, Kelly Waples said dive surveys had documented 47 species of sharks and rays, although it was estimated that as many as 118 species of sharks and rays occupied the marine park.
Dr Waples said the current research at Ningaloo Marine Park would add to the scientific knowledge now being gathered by DEC and would be used in the development of its broader marine monitoring program along the entire WA coast.
2 March, 2010
Credit Protection Bill passed
States will now have the flexibility to refer their powers for consumer credit regulation to the Commonwealth with the passing of the National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment Bill 2010.
The move brings Australia closer to having a single, standard national credit regulatory regime and is an initial step towards a single uniform national credit law.
The Bill amends the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.
Agencies in Woolorama showcase
The Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Transport are getting into the spirit of Wagin Woolorama, and will showcase their services and providing the public with information at the event
The Department of Agriculture and Food will focus on ‘Futures in Agriculture’ to inspire youths to consider a career in agriculture and to exhibit the Department’s work on sheep and wool production.
The Department of Transport’s Marine Safety Education Trailer will be at the event and Albany based Regional Transport officers will join visiting marine education officers to provide the latest water safety to skippers.
Wagin Woolorama runs on 5 and 6 March.
Super clinic for Midland
A new Super GP Clinic for Midland is expected to be operational by early 2011.
The clinic will provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for services that include general practice care, chronic disease management, allied health, diagnostic services and community-based specialist services.
One of three designated for metropolitan Perth, the clinic will be located within one of the heritage-listed Midland railway workshop buildings.
South-west businesses audited
Up to 80 employers in the south-west will be audited by Fair Work inspectors to ensure they are paying staff correctly and keeping proper records.
Businesses in Bridgetown, Manjimup, Pemberton, Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River will be audited in a campaign that will continue until May.
Employers will be chosen at random across a variety of industries by the Bunbury-based inspectors.
Fuel-saver fails
Consumer Protection has found that the Fuelstar Combustion Catalyst failed to deliver the petrol savings and emission reductions claimed.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Anne Driscoll ordered independent testing of the Fuelstar device.
“The results of the testing showed that in petrol cars there was no significant improvement in either fuel consumption or exhaust emissions, proving that this product is ineffective,” Ms Driscoll said.
She urged consumers to be wary when purchasing fuel-saving devices and said they could phone Consumer Protection on 1300 304 054 for further information.