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SearchArchives for March 2011
29 March, 2011
New redundancy
round targets 400
A new round of voluntary separations is to be offered to public sector workers this year – part of what the Government says are moves to reverse the previous “explosion” in employee costs since 2008.
Treasurer, Christian Porter said public sector growth and salaries had been brought under control through measures such as voluntary separations, the introduction of a ceiling on full time equivalent staff numbers and a new public sector wages policy.
He said under these arrangements, 802 public sector employees had taken voluntary separations leading to growth in PS salaries expenditure falling 5.7 per cent in 2009-10 - the lowest rate of growth since 2003-04.
“The actual rate of growth in salaries expenditure in the December 2010 quarter was just 4.9 per cent,” Mr Porter said.
A total of 400 additional voluntary separations would be offered this year at an estimated up-front cost of $40 million.
“The ongoing salaries savings from the latest offer are estimated at $29.2 million per year, of which 50 per cent will be retained by participating Agencies and the remainder ($14.6 million per year) returned to the Consolidated Account,” he said.
“This is in addition to about $42 million annually saved WA taxpayers through the previous two rounds of voluntary separations.”
Mr Porter said the first separation offer brought full year savings of about $30 million and the second achieved full year savings of $11.9 million.
He said the up-front investment of $40 million for the 2011 separation offer would be repaid in two to three years.
He said the 2011 Voluntary Separation Offer would be aimed at surplus staff in general Government sector Agencies identified on a case-by-case basis. It will be administered by the Public Sector Commission.
Employees who accept the offer will be entitled to three weeks’ pay for every year of service up to a maximum of 52 weeks, in addition to holiday and long service leave entitlements (and, where applicable, 12 weeks’ pay in lieu of notice).
In the case of officers in the Senior Executive Service, an amount up to a maximum of 12 months’ remuneration would be payable.
Employees wanting to take up the offer will need to exit the public sector between 1 July and 29 September.
For further information about the 2011 Voluntary Separation Offer, contact the Public Sector Commission on 9219 6200.
29 March, 2011
Faster approvals
win approval
Red tape has been slashed at the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) with the time taken to obtain environmental approvals dramatically reduced.
At the same time, the number of approvals granted for major resource projects has increased significantly.
Minister for the Environment, Bill Marmion said DEC had successfully reduced the average processing time to assess works approval applications for major resource projects from more than 60 working days in September 2008 to 45 days in the past quarter.
“DEC continues to meet the target time frame of 60 working days to process works approval applications, with only one application not meeting the time frame in the past 24 months,” Mr Marmion said.
“DEC also granted a record 36 works approvals last quarter.”
He said since January 2009, the Department had assessed and issued 145 works approvals for the State’s major mining and industrial projects, with 62 being issued in the past six months alone.
Despite the increase in workload, DEC continued to maintain an average processing time for works approval applications below the target time frame, and was processing licence applications in an average of 34 working days.
Mr Marmion said that in respect of native vegetation clearing permits, there was a target time frame of 90 calendar days to make a decision when the clearing provisions began in July 2004.
“DEC set a new target that 80 per cent of applications were to be decided within 60 calendar days of receipt, with a decision on the remaining 20 per cent within 90 calendar days,” he said.
“In the past 12 months, DEC has met those targets and in the past three months the targets have been exceeded with 86 per cent of applications decided within 60 days of receipt and the remaining 14 per cent within 90 days.”
29 March, 2011
DAFWA plants seeds
of recruitment drive
A recruitment campaign to widen the skills base of the Department of Agriculture and Food is under way.
Openings exist for economists, market and business analysts, communicators and strategists as a key part of the Department’s renewed and re-focused approach to its role to maximise the sustainable success and contribution of the agriculture and food sectors.
Director General of the Department, Rob Delane said that in the past it had focused primarily on-farm, an approach that had delivered many benefits for the agricultural industry and the Western Australian community.
“Today the agricultural and food industry as a whole faces major competitiveness challenges, including the need for business to successfully deal with fluctuations and strategic shifts in global and domestic product markets, financial markets, climate, energy and inputs,” Mr Delane said.
“Now, more than ever, we must have a diverse, highly skilled and well-informed workforce that can contribute to agriculture and food business and industry success.”
During the past year, the Department had taken on a new executive team and new organisational structure.
It was now refocusing its priorities to help industry respond to challenges and take up new opportunities.
“We want to ensure the industry is resilient across the whole agribusiness and food sector, and in good stead to meet not only today’s challenges, but the challenges ahead in the future,” Mr Delane said.
“Strengthening our staff teams, with an increased focus on economics, market expertise, industry and organisational strategy and good communication skills is essential for the lead Department supporting the Western Australian agriculture and food industry.”
29 March, 2011
Audit finds liquor
policing flat
Auditor General Colin Murphy has found the WA Police and the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor (DRGL) could be more effective in monitoring and enforcing key areas of the Liquor Control Act..
In his report Raising the bar: Implementing key provisions of the Liquor Control Act in licensed premises, Mr Murphy said that monitoring and enforcement of the Act was an important part of the solution to complex social problems surrounding the consumption of alcohol, but as yet, it was not a fully effective part of the solution.
“Community expectations have been the major driver of liquor control laws in this State, and Government needs to ensure that it is effectively monitoring and enforcing compliance with these laws,” Mr Murphy said.
WA Police and DRGL were not using all the powers available to them through the Act with the result that there were gaps in monitoring activity, lack of coordination and poor use of information.
“The Agencies are not working collaboratively to best focus their resources where they would have the most impact,” he said.
“Neither Agency has comprehensive information on the patterns and causes of incidents in and around licensed premises – information that would allow them to target their activity based on a risk assessment of the premises.”
Mr Murphy said WA Police and DRGL could make greater use of all enforcement mechanisms available under the Act.
“Enforcement options such as the suspension of liquor licenses and the withdrawal of approval from managers are available to WA Police and DRGL through the Act, and yet they have not often been used,” he said.
He also identified shortfalls in training and education requirements for licensees and their staff.
The full text of Raising the bar: Implementing key provisions of the Liquor Control Act in licensed premises, can be downloaded from this PS News link.
29 March, 2011
Praise flows in for
flood teachers
Public school teachers sleeping on swags in classrooms in a remote area affected by floods have won praise and applause from the Minister for Education, Liz Constable.
The teachers, at Bayulu Remote Community School, were ensuring students continued their schooling during the recent Kimberley floods.
Dr Constable said it was a difficult time for everyone in many communities impacted by floods in extremely remote parts of Western Australia.
“Our public school teachers and staff are doing an exceptional job in assisting their communities and in some cases, like Bayulu Remote Community School, teachers have gone to extraordinary measures to keep the school running,” Dr Constable said.
Bayulu, 16 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing, was cut off by rising flood waters. Teachers live in Fitzroy Crossing and would normally commute to Bayulu by four-wheel drive.
“Nine teachers and support personnel have volunteered to staff the school to keep it open,” the Minister said.
“Eight of the staff were airlifted to the school by helicopter.
Principle at Bayulu, Ken Molyneux said mosquitoes, a lack of hot water and brown snakes were some of the challenges faced by the teachers.
The school, situated on part of Gogo Station, is 410km from Broome and 2,700km from Perth. It services five main communities including Bayulu, Joy Springs, Gillarong, Karnparrmi (Three Mile) and Ngalingkadji.
Dr Constable said while four of the communities remained cut off from the school, teachers had used the only transport available, a 12-seater bus, to bring students to their classes.
“They have to do four or more runs in the bus to get students to school,” she said.
“However, because the roads are cut off, they go cross country on bush tracks and have even been bogged on occasions.”
29 March, 2011
Agencies led by
Lead Agency
Managers and officers from key Government Agencies have been briefed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) on how it was implementing the Government’s Lead Agency Framework.
DMP has been designated WA’s lead Agency for the regulation of mining, petroleum, geothermal and carbon capture and storage proposals.
Director of Environment at DMP, Phil Gorey said a lot of work had been undertaken by the various lead Agencies to develop procedures and guidance for the implementation of the Lead Agency Framework.
“However, it was also recognised that some staff in different Agencies may not have been recently briefed on how this approach was being implemented at the operational level,” Mr Gorey said.
The briefing was attended by staff from the Department of State Development, Department of Water, Department of Environment and Conservation and the Environmental Protection Authority.
The strategies outlined included utilising online application tracking and approval management systems; providing ‘case management’ services for more complex proposals; and continuing to improve the Department’s processes, through systems upgrades.
The goal of the Lead Agency Framework is defined by the Government “to establish a seamless approvals system that can deliver necessary approvals within an acceptable timeframe and cost to proponents and government, while taking into account the public interest”.
29 March, 2011
Confidence lacking in
commercial decision
Two decisions by the Minister for Culture and the Arts to withhold information from Parliament on the grounds that it was “commercial-in-confidence” have been found to be unreasonable by Auditor General, Colin Murphy.
Mr Murphy said the advice the Minister had received to that effect from his Department was “flawed and inadequate”.
He said this was the fifth instance, since 2007 where a Minister had refused to provide information to Parliament on the grounds it was commercial-in-confidence.
“In all of these instances the Ministers’ decision was not reasonable and the Agency’s advice flawed and inadequate,” Mr Murphy said.
He said the Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day was asked twice between mid and late 2010 to provide information to Parliament concerning the funding of a production of the stage play The Graduate.
He was asked how much funding the Perth Theatre Trust (PTT) contributed to the production, the anticipated audience numbers presented to justify the subsidy and what previous sponsorship commitments were cancelled or reviewed in order to fund the production.
Mr Murphy said the Minister was also asked to table the funding contract.
Based on advice given to him by the PTT, the Minister refused to provide any contract details, saying it was commercial-in-confidence.
Mr Murphy found that the majority of the information requested was readily available in various Departmental documents and could have been provided without breaching any commercial-in-confidence obligations.
He also found that by blacking out certain commercially sensitive information, the contract could have been provided to Parliament.
“Sections 81 and 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006 formalise a general principle in the public sector and Government, that information should be disclosed unless there is good reason to withhold it,” Mr Murphy said.
“In my view, this principle particularly holds true where Government expenditure is involved.
“Parliament and the community demand a transparent and accountable Government and therefore it is important that decision makers and advisors fully understand when a document is ‘commercial-in-confidence’ before withholding information for this reason,” the Auditor general said.
The full text of the Auditor General’s opinion can be found at this PS News link.
29 March, 2011
Full speed ahead for
lower speed limits
A move to introduce 40kph speed limits on inner-city streets has won the support of the City of Perth Council.
Lord Mayor of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi, said the slow-down was aimed primarily at increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety and was consistent with arrangements in other Australian capital cities.
Ms Scaffidi said that reducing the speed limit from 50kph would also heighten the sense of the city being a ‘destination’, rather than a busy thoroughfare to other suburbs.
“It’s time to slow down and enjoy the ambience of our city so that pedestrians feel welcome and safe,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“The City is working closely with Main Roads WA on this project and it is anticipated that the changes will come into place by the end of the year.”
There would be a detailed public information campaign and new signage before the changes.
Ms Scaffidi said streets to be covered by the new limit were generally in the area between the Mitchell Freeway and Victoria Avenue as well as central Northbridge.
Extension of the 40kph limit beyond those boundaries would also be investigated for future implementation, taking into account consistency of speed limits along continuous routes such as Riverside Drive.
The changes follow a speed limit review carried out across the city last year.
“A number of urban and transport planning initiatives are currently being advanced in and around the city centre and Northbridge and it is important that speed limits are taken into account for future strategic transport planning,” the Lord Mayor said.
29 March, 2011
Cocky counters
feeling cocky
More volunteers are needed to help in a cockatoo census.
Volunteers for the Great Cocky Count are being asked to stake out Carnaby’s black cockatoo night roost sites across the entire range of the endangered bird, from Geraldton to Esperance and the interior to the Wheatbelt, on the evening of 7 April.
Minister for the Environment, Bill Marmion said previously, the Great Cocky Count had focused on the greater Perth metropolitan area, but this year the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Birds Australia were keen to get information about bird numbers anywhere the birds roosted at night.
“The Great Cocky Count was so successful in 2010 that this year we want to expand the survey to include roosting birds from Geraldton all the way to Esperance,” Mr Marmion said.
“The strong community support, especially from members of Birds Australia, makes it possible to cover a vast area and visit all roost sites on the same evening, giving a ‘snapshot’ count of bird numbers.
The survey, jointly organised by DEC and Birds Australia’s Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project, aimed to determine a population estimate for the species across the South-West.
“It will also help determine whether the population has declined or increased since previous surveys in 2006 and 2010,” Mr Marmion said.
He said last year, 6,600 Carnaby’s black cockatoos were counted in the greater Perth region, consistent with expert estimates of 8,000 to 10,000 birds for the greater Perth area.
Repeating the Great Cocky Count will make it possible to monitor the number of birds visiting the Swan Coastal Plain this autumn and provide an indication of whether they bred successfully last year.
Mr Marmion said the partnership between DEC and Birds Australia was helping to map critical habitat of Carnaby’s black cockatoo, with the aim of protecting the species from further decline.
29 March, 2011
Library books into
‘Libraryhack’ comp
The State Library of Western Australia is to host an open day in April to introduce computer ‘hackers’ to the national ‘Libraryhack’ competition.
The competition invites people to create ‘mash-ups’ and ‘apps’ using publicly available and reusable data.
Contestants can re-mix library datasets and create new content, or re-purpose them and build new apps to be in the running for a prize. The datasets for use can be found at this PS News link.
The State Library is planning a ‘taster’ with mashing experts and specialists from the Australian Web Industry Association on hand to help contestants navigate through the wealth of info released for mash-ups.
There will be computers available for use on the day, but contestants can also bring along their own laptops, notebooks and iPads for the event at the Discovery Lounge on the ground floor at the State Library.
There is free wifi access and no charge to join in the open day activities, but bookings are essential at this PS News link.
Those who don’t have the technical skills can still win a prize by entering the ideas competition, which closes on 20 April.
They should submit an idea for mash-ups and apps using library data from across Australia and New Zealand to be eligible. For details see this PS News link.
The event is part of National Youth Week 2011 and will be presented in association with the Australian Web Industry Association.
29 March, 2011
Outsourcing licences
to drive plan
A not-for-profit organisation is to provide online licensing services on behalf of the Department of Transport in a new agreement.
The Department has signed an agreement with the Meekatharra Community Resource Centre (CRC) to provide driver and vehicle licensing services for Meekatharra and surrounding areas online.
Minister for Transport, Troy Buswell said the innovative arrangement was the first of its kind in Western Australia and would give residents access to a full range of online licensing services at the Meekatharra CRC.
“Customers will be able to conduct all of their driver and vehicle transactions at the one site, which will be far more convenient for everyone in the community,” Mr Buswell said.
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls said the Department of Mines and Petroleum and WA Police had previously provided some licensing services to the area but could now focus on their core businesses.
He said the Meekatharra CRC would be funded under the Royalties for Regions program and would operate under the same performance agreement as other Department of Transport regional licensing agents.
The Shire of Meekatharra has supported the initiative, providing the CRC building and support for volunteers.
Services available include: paying bills, taking driver’s licence photos, applying for learner permits, undertaking hazard perception testing and the issuing and renewal of vehicle registrations.
29 March, 2011
DCA not kidding
With youth plans
The Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) has launched an action plan for the development of young people and the arts.
The Young People and the Arts Action Plan 2011-2012 will drive new arts initiatives for West Australians under the age of 26.
Director General of DCA, Allanah Lucas said the plan built on the successful work of DCA’s Creating Value policy framework, launched last year.
“In fact, the Department has a very strong track record in this area and in 1997 released the nation’s first young people and the arts policy,” Ms Lucas said.
“This new plan provides exciting opportunities for young people to interact with the arts.”
Ms Lucas said the action plan would focus on a variety of areas including early childhood.
“In order to develop this strategy, DCA will consult with the early childhood community and the arts sector to see what’s needed to provide arts experiences for the very young and how to communicate these new opportunities to their families and carers,” she said.
Meanwhile, new research released by the Federal Government has revealed that arts programs can have a significant impact on improving school attendance, academic achievement and student wellbeing.
Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, today released The Song Room’s Bridging the Gap in School Achievement Through the Arts report, saying it reaffirmed the Federal Government’s work to include arts in the National Curriculum.
“Music provides a potent method to help students connect with their studies and the broader world around them, to build self-esteem and it is now demonstrating a positive impact on improving student results and attendance,” Mr Garrett said.
29 March, 2011
Online mine scheme
hits paydirt
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has introduced new electronic lodgement systems for minerals titles.
The new systems have made transacting business more efficient and convenient for resource companies operating in Western Australia.
Early feedback from industry about the changes has been positive.
Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Norman Moore said prior to these changes, companies were required to lodge their forms at the office of the Mining Registrar responsible for the mining district.
“These changes mean forms can now be submitted to any of the DMP’s 10 minerals titles’ offices across the State,” Mr Moore said.
E-lodgement for a selection of tenement forms was also available. Included in Stage 1 were: Operations Report - Expenditure on a Mining Tenement; Objection; Application for Exemption and Application for Mining Tenement.
“This is the first stage of introducing the new system which will eventually include all mineral titles forms associated with the Mining Act,” he said.
Electronic lodgement can be done at any time, from any computer. The system also features data validation to ensure accuracy of required information before submission.
“This is a significant step in the approvals reform process and is another example of the Government’s ongoing efforts to make WA one of the world’s most attractive destinations for investment in the resources sector,” Mr Moore said.
29 March, 2011
Department lathers up
for water save scheme
A major effort to encourage households to recycle water has been launched by the Department of Water.
The initiative focuses on the installation of greywater recycling systems, with about half of all household water use not requiring potable water.
Minister for Water, Bill Marmion said this water could be substituted with non-potable water sources.
“Non-drinking water sources such as rainwater tanks are a well-known way to bring extra water into the household cycle,” Mr Marmion said.
“Greywater - sourced from showers, baths and laundries - works by maximising the water you bring into your household by re-using it.
“This year’s World Water Day theme is Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge, and it is a good time to reflect on how to make better use of the water we have.”
The Minister said greywater could be used for gardens or plumbed back into the home for use in toilets and laundries after appropriate treatment.
“There is simple greywater use - such as putting a bucket in the shower and using it on the garden,” he said.
“Any negative effects on your garden can be minimised by using greywater-friendly soaps and detergents as well as supplementing greywater irrigation with bore or scheme water.”
Mr Marmion said although greywater recycling was an efficient use of the resource, the more greywater a house used and the ‘greyer’ the water - the more the need to manage risks.
“Due to its origins, greywater can contain pathogens, high concentrations of nutrients and other contaminants that can pose a risk to human health or the environment if used inappropriately,” he said.
“But there are professional standards and accredited systems that explain the risks associated with its use that users need to be aware of.”
29 March, 2011
Infant stats show
healthy deathrate
A report released by Chief Medical Officer, Simon Towler shows Western Australia continues to be one of the safest places to give birth.
The report entitled Perinatal, Infant and Maternal Mortality in Western Australia; 5-year Cohort of 2004 – 2008 Births says infant mortality rates had nearly halved from 6.2 per 1,000 in 1994 to 3.3 per 1,000 in 2008.
The report looked at perinatal and infant mortality in Western Australia since 1984 and included information on birth outcomes to the age of 12 months and maternal mortality for recent years until the end of 2008.
Dr Towler welcomed an improvement in outcomes for babies of Aboriginal women with the mortality rate dropping from 21 per 1,000 in 1994 to 11.7 per 1000 in 2008 but pointed out this was still four times the rate for babies born to non-Aboriginal women.
Another key finding of the report was a significant reduction in the mortality rate for Western Australian mothers.
“The mortality rate more than halved every 10 years between 1931 and 1970, easing to a rate of 6.6 per 100,000 live births for the years 1992 to 2008,” Dr Towler said.
“This compares with a national maternal mortality rate of 11 per 100,000 live births for 2000 – 2002 and a national maternal mortality ratio of 8.4 per 100,000 for the three year period 2003 – 2005.”
Most women giving birth were in the 30 to 34 age group (31.7 per cent), followed by 25 to 29 year olds (26.8 per cent). Teenagers accounted for 5.3 per cent while women aged 40 or more represented 3.2 per cent of all women giving birth during 2004 to 2008.
29 March, 2011
Taskforce dives in
to flood recovery
The newly-formed Warmun Aboriginal Community Re-establishment Taskforce is to co-ordinate the recovery of the Warmun community in the East Kimberley.
The community sustained extensive damage during floods earlier this month.
Deputy Premier Kim Hames said $500,000 in funding would be allocated to the taskforce which would oversee the rebuilding of housing and infrastructure. He stressed it was an initial sum.
“Our priority is to rebuild Warmun to allow community members to return to their homes as soon as possible,” Dr Hames said.
He said the taskforce would be chaired by Chief Executive of the Kimberley Development Commission, Geoff Gooding and include representatives nominated by Directors General from the Departments of Indigenous Affairs, Housing, and Child Protection.
It will also include relevant additional members from State and Federal Governments, Local Government and the Warmun Aboriginal Community.
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls said the initial $500,000 funding would also be used to meet the acute needs of people who had been evacuated.
The flooding experienced by the Warmun community and generally throughout much of the Kimberley resulted in the region being declared a disaster area.
All members of the Warmun community were evacuated shortly after the floods and were housed at the Ord Stage II workers village (Garrjang) in Kununurra.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Peter Collier said support would be provided to the taskforce through the Aboriginal Affairs Coordinating Committee.
29 March, 2011
Queen to open CHOGM
The Queen will officially open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on Friday, 28 October.
This will be the Queen’s eighth visit to WA. She and the Duke of Edinburgh were last in the State in 2000.
The Government is providing $2.2 million for refurbishment works and alterations at Government House so that it could be used to host potential CHOGM 2011 events.
Planning Committee meets
The first meeting of the Gascoyne Regional Planning Committee has been held in Carnarvon.
Chaired by WA Planning Commission (WAPC) Chairman, Gary Prattley it is the fourth new Regional Planning Committee to be established in the State’s north.
The committee will include representation from the Departments of Planning, Regional Development and Lands, Environment and Conservation and the Gascoyne Development Commission.
Council spill at Cue
The Minister for Local Government is recommending the Governor declare vacant the remaining councillor positions at the Shire of Cue following the resignations of four councillors in the past two weeks.
The recommendation includes the appointment of a Commissioner who would have the powers and functions of the Council.
The Shire President has been informed him of the situation.
Burrs spark ban
The discovery of burrs on a mat imported from India has resulted in the range being withdrawn from stores.
The burrs, identified as one of the Xanthium species, could threaten the State with a new weed threat.
The species is a Declared Plant in WA.
Trail maps on phones
A partnership between the Department of Environment and Conservation and EveryTrail website means hikers can now download some of the State’s most popular trail maps to their iPhones,
The new technology is part of a continuing strategy to make information about Western Australian national parks more easily accessible to the public.
To view the EveryTrail website, visit this PS News link.
22 March, 2011
Compo breakthrough
for older workers
Age-based limits on workers’ compensation entitlements are to be abolished.
Amendments to the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 will significantly improve the status of older workers within WA’s workers’ compensation scheme.
All workers will have the same entitlements regardless of their age. Currently, the scheme discriminates against older workers by limiting the entitlement of injured workers aged 64 or more to only one year of income payments.
Minister for Commerce, Simon O’Brien said as well as addressing a clear inequity, removal of discriminatory provisions would have a positive impact on the State’s economy.
“The State has an ageing workforce, low unemployment and a need to maintain a skilled and experienced workforce,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We want to encourage older workers to remain at work and the State’s workers’ compensation scheme should support this,” he said.
The Bill also provides a mechanism to ensure seriously injured workers have a common law remedy where their employer is uninsured.
“This has been a long-standing issue in the community, frequently raised by constituents to their Members of Parliament,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Bill will also bring significant and much-needed improvement to workers’ compensation dispute resolution arrangements by creating a new, easy-to-access conciliation and arbitration service.
Mr O’Brien said the improvements delivered through the Bill would benefit both workers and employers while maintaining the long term sustainability and fairness of the State’s workers’ compensation scheme.
22 March, 2011
Front line workers in
front line for payrise
The Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA) of Western Australia has launched a public advertising campaign as part of its push to secure an increase in wages for workers in the front line and support sectors.
Branch Secretary of CPSU/CSA, Toni Walkington said the advertising campaign was about supporting the workers who were in the front line providing services for Western Australians on a daily basis.
“They are out there delivering the community services that help make our State so strong,” Ms Walkington said.
“They deserve appropriate recognition for this work from the State Government, which has funded larger increases for other workers in the public sector.”
The CPSU/CSA is seeking a wage claim of five per cent per year over two years.
“We believe this is fair and recognition of the hard work our members do, as well as to keep up with the rising cost of living pressures,” she said.
“We are calling on Government to properly recognise the value of public sector workers, the backbone of service delivery to the WA community.
They were the workers who kept children safe; supported emergency service workers; advised farmers; kept the courts running; protected the waterways and planed the State’s new schools and hospitals
The union is seeking a general agreement that will cover 35,000 employees in at least 630 different occupations.
22 March, 2011
Small business
has big plans
Legislation to establish a Small Business Commissioner in Western Australia has been introduced into Parliament.
The Small Business and Retail Shop Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 is aimed at enhancing a competitive and fair operating environment in WA, Minister for Small Business, Simon O’Brien said.
It would provide an effective means of resolving business-to-business disputes through alternative dispute resolution, he said.
“The Commissioner will provide a low-cost, non-litigious way of resolving business disputes,” Mr O’Brien said.
“While modelled on the successful Victorian Commissioner, the expanded capabilities of our Commissioner represent a significant improvement,” he said.
“The Small Business Commissioner will be established within the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and replaces the position of the SBDC Managing Director.”
The new Commissioner would enhance the powers and functions of the SBDC and increase the range of services available for WA’s small business owners and operators.
“The drafting of the Bill has been meticulous, involving extensive consultation, and as extended trading hours have already commenced, it is hoped the Bill will be passed without delay,” he said.
It is envisaged that the model for the Western Australian Small Business Commissioner will include educative, advisory, investigative and mediation services, together with the existing advocacy and policy functions of the SBDC.
The Government is calling on the Opposition to support the Bill, to ensure its passage is not delayed.
22 March, 2011
Shot in the arm
for flu vaccine
People in at-risk groups have been urged to get free flu vaccinations
Director of Communicable Disease Control, Paul Armstrong said flu presented a particular risk for people aged 65 and over, Indigenous people aged 15 and over, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions.
“Influenza poses a much more serious health risk than winter coughs and colds, and vaccination is the best defence,” Dr Armstrong said.
“Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone from six months of age and is available for free under the National Immunisation Program for those people most at risk.”
In Western Australia, a free vaccine was also available for children aged over six months and under five years under the State’s paediatric flu vaccination program.
It is estimated that around 2,800 Australians each year die from seasonal flu, or from flu-related complications.
Dr Armstrong said the flu virus was constantly changing, so it was necessary to have a new vaccination each year to ensure protection.
“Getting vaccinated early, during the autumn, will give your body plenty of time to build up immunity before the flu season begins,” he said.
Last year one brand of flu vaccine was associated with high fevers and fever-related convulsions in young children.
That brand was no longer being used in Australia for vaccinating children less than five years of age, Dr Armstrong said.
22 March, 2011
Disability strategy
enables disabled
The National Disability Strategy, Australia’s first national plan for disability services, has been launched.
The plan, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments, is a 10-year program for improving life for people with disability, their families and their carers.
It is aimed at ensuring that people with disability have the same opportunities as other Australians and is the first time that all Governments have committed to a unified, national approach.
The strategy sets a 10-year reform plan to address the barriers faced by Australians with disability and will ensure that mainstream services and programs including healthcare, housing, transport and education, address their needs.
Western Australia’s Minister for Disability Services, Helen Morton said the strategy reflects a commitment by all levels of Government, industry and the community to work together to develop policies and programs to benefit people with disability, now and into the future.
“WA is a leader in disability services and the State was an eager contributor to the National Disability Strategy,” Mrs Morton said.
“This national strategy aligns with WA’s Count Me In: Disability Future Directions strategy which was launched by the Premier in December 2009.”
The Count Me In strategy encouraged all people to live in welcoming communities which facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone.
“The national vision complements this and aspires for an inclusive society that enables people with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens,” she said.
22 March, 2011
CHOGM artsfest to
accompany talkfest
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be the backdrop for a $2.45 million arts and culture festival in Perth this October.
Leaders from more than 50 countries will be meeting in Perth and CHOGM 2011 with debates expected centre around international peace and security, health, the environment and democracy.
The eight-day Commonwealth Arts and Culture Festival will run from October 23-30.
Premier Colin Barnett said the emphasis of the festival would be on impressive, free family activities for the Western Australian community while also showcasing Perth to the 4,000 delegates and visitors expected as part of CHOGM 2011.
The program is expected to include a major street theatre event; an Indigenous program; events built on the participation of the community; a film festival; a photography project and a world music closing concert as well as fireworks on the Swan River.
“West Australians can expect to see exceptional international performers from Commonwealth countries working alongside local artists with as much community involvement as possible,” Mr Barnett said.
The Premier said the Commonwealth Festival would be presented by the Perth International Arts Festival which had retained its former artistic director, Shelagh Magadza, to run the program.
Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day said a key element of the festival would be four days of activity and entertainment in the Perth Cultural Centre from October 26-29.
“The Perth Cultural Centre will become the ‘Peoples Space’ during CHOGM 2011and confirms the area’s continuing revitalisation as a vibrant and dynamic place for the community,” Mr Day said.
22 March, 2011
TV roadblock to sell
road safety message
A new road safety speeding campaign, Enjoy the Ride was screened across five television networks on Sunday evening.
The campaign strategy signalled a new direction in educating motorists about speeding and would be supported by radio, outdoor and online advertising.
It employed the concept of a television “roadblock” - when a commercial was broadcast simultaneously on television channels.
Minister for Road Safety, Rob Johnson said the Enjoy the Ride campaign took a different approach to the Government’s usual road safety education initiatives and aimed to encourage public debate about community attitudes towards speeding.
“In these modern times, society has been geared to think that everything should be done in the quickest time possible, but we don’t question what we actually achieve by rushing through our daily lives,” Mr Johnson said.
Even small reductions in the average speed of vehicles on WA roads would have a substantial impact on road crash injuries and an even greater impact on the number of fatalities.
Speed is one of the most significant factors in road crashes and is responsible for causing approximately 65 deaths on WA roads every year, costing the State Government around $2.3 billion a year.
Mr Johnson said Enjoy the Ride would support existing enforcement strategies.
“We will continue to educate the public and promote the message that if they speed, they will get caught and be dealt with severely,” he said.
22 March, 2011
Fixed term Bill
enters Parliament
Legislation that would establish fixed four-year terms of government in Western Australia has been introduced into Parliament.
Under the Electoral and Constitution Amendment Bill 2011, the next State General Election will occur on 9 March, 2013 and thereafter on the second Saturday in March every four years.
Minister for Electoral Affairs, Norman Moore said the Bill would help deliver greater planning certainty to the community and business, as well as increase certainty about the operation of the Parliament, its legislative program and its committee system.
“It will also limit the chance of a future Government calling an early poll for purely political advantage at the expense of what may be the State’s best interest,” Mr Moore said.
The Minister said fixed term elections would assist the administration of general elections and allow more effective planning of polls by the Electoral Commission.
The proposed Bill sought amendments to both the Electoral Act 1907 and the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899.
“There are complexities to this legislation and that is why I have consulted with the other parties before proceeding to this point,” Mr Moore said.
“However, I am confident the legislation will proceed and WA will move to fixed four-year Parliamentary terms in line with most other States and Territories in Australia.”
22 March, 2011
Black letter day
for carbon expert
The Coordinator of the Department of Mines’ Carbon Strategy, Dominique Van Gent, has been appointed to the National Carbon Capture and Storage Council (NCCS).
Mr Van Gent was nominated by Minister for Mines, Norman Moore. The NCCS supersedes the National Low Emissions Coal (NLEC) Council.
Federal Minister for Resources, Martin Ferguson thanked Mr Van Gent for his contribution as a member of the NLEC Council which was instrumental in the creation of the Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development Ltd.
Mr Van Gent also contributed to the development of the National Low Emissions Coal Strategy launched in November last year, together with the National Carbon Mapping and Infrastructure Plan prepared by the Carbon Storage Taskforce.
Jeff Haworth, of the Geological Survey, was another member of the Department who contributed significantly to the work of the Carbon Storage Taskforce.
The NCCS Council has been formed in recognition of the need to broaden the focus of the NLEC Council to assist the Federal Government to chart Australia’s development and uptake of carbon capture and storage.
The Council will bring together key stakeholders to advise the Federal Government on the accelerated development and deployment of carbon capture and storage in Australia, including a portfolio of industrial-scale demonstration projects between 2012 and 2020 and commercial deployment from 2020.
22 March, 2011
Way cleared for road
maintenance contract
A new maintenance contract for the Mid-West and Gascoyne regions’ road networks has been announced by the Minister for Transport, Troy Buswell.
Mr Buswell said that DownerMouchel, a joint venture comprised of Downer EDI Works and Mouchel International (Jersey) Limited (Australia Branch) was awarded the Integrated Service Arrangement (ISA)
“This is the fifth of these relationship-based arrangements to be awarded as the current long-term road maintenance contracts reach their end,” Mr Buswell said.
“These new arrangements are more than just road maintenance contracts - they provide aspects of road network operations, operational asset management, maintenance delivery, some minor capital works (projects less than $3 million in value) and project and contract management services.”
The ISA selection process aimed to ultimately identify the best value from private sector partners and considered which integrated service providers were most likely to form an effective collaborative relationship with the Department of Main Roads.
To allow for optimum delivery of integrated services, the Mid-West and Gascoyne ISA would have an initial term of five years, with an approximate value of $226 million and the provision for extension if continuing high-level performance is achieved by the provider.
The remaining three ISAs (Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields-Esperance) will be awarded in the next six months.
22 March, 2011
Mines win votes
for sinking funds
A survey has ranked WA in the top 20 mining jurisdictions of the world for attracting investment.
The 2010-11 Fraser Institute Survey put the State at 17th out of 79 jurisdictions, up two places from last year.
Minister for Mines, Norman Moore said the results were very pleasing, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding the Federal Government’s proposed mining tax.
“The State Government’s reforms to the approvals process have offered greater transparency and certainty for industry and this was reflected in the latest survey results,” Mr Moore said.
“Overall, the survey contained some positive feedback regarding the transparency and reliability of our approvals process.”
The State Government and the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) had worked to restore WA’s reputation as the nation’s leading State to attract business in the resources industry.
“An important part of this process is DMP’s proactive role in assisting proponents through the entire approval process and liaising with other Agencies where required,” he said.
The survey also ranked WA as the most attractive Australian jurisdiction for mineral potential - ranking it at eight overall, compared to 19 last year.
“Government initiatives such as the $80 million Exploration Incentive Scheme, funded by the Royalties for Regions program, play an important role in demonstrating the potential for discovery of a wide range of mineral commodities that continue to attract investment in WA exploration,” Mr Moore said.
22 March, 2011
Injection of aid for
health workers
Financial support is now available for public sector health professionals who want to work in local and international aid programs.
A new community service leave provision includes doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, who can now receive financial support of up to 10 days at their base rate of pay.
Minister for Health, Kim Hames said the financial assistance would encourage skilled health professionals to consider offering their services to help people in developing Indian Ocean-rim countries or Western Australia’s rural and remote areas.
“Working overseas or in a remote location can be a very rewarding experience. Not only can it lead to personal development for the individual, it is also a great opportunity for this State to demonstrate the strength of its health system,” Dr Hames said.
Many WA doctors already received special purpose development funds to attend training and specialist conferences.
“Doctors wishing to undertake humanitarian work are encouraged to use their special purpose funding before applying for the community leave provision,” he said.
The new provision is available for the next three years and will be reviewed annually. Applicants must be full time or part time employees on a permanent or fixed term contract.
“Each year, many health professionals choose to leave Australia to offer their skills and knowledge to people in developing countries,” Dr Hames said.
The Minister said applicants could only receive assistance if they were participating in an aid program recognised by the Department of Health or accredited by the Federal Government.
To check eligibility, or to apply for funding assistance, visit this PS News link.
22 March, 2011
Research floated for
Hillarys harbour
Users of Hillarys Boat Harbour are being urged to take part in research to determine the social and economic impact of the world-class facility on the WA community.
The Harbour Management area of the Department of Transport (DoT) has announced a comprehensive study to provide up-to-date information about the value of harbour activities from commercial fishing, to retailing, tourism and hospitality and also recreational activities such as swimming and boating.
Acting Manager of Coastal Facilities at DoT, Donna West said that the information would be used in decision making about the future development of the harbour and other proposed maritime infrastructure throughout the State.
“Since opening in 1988 the harbour has grown to become a leading recreational destination in Perth attracting up to four million locals and visitors a year, in addition to being named WA’s best marina in 2009 with approximately 750 occupied pens,” Ms West said.
“Approximately 1,200 people are employed at the harbour in its range of restaurants, attractions, shops and services which cater for fishermen, boat owners, beach goers, tourists and local residents.”
She said the aim of the research was to ascertain the impact the harbour had on the economy as well as the community. It would be conducted in three stages over the next eight months.
“As part of the work, researchers will be engaging key stakeholders and the community in a variety of ways including face-to-face interviews and through postal and online surveys,” Ms West said.
22 March, 2011
New land for city
is Stirling idea
A 10,603 square metre parcel of Crown land has been transferred to the City of Stirling in order to revitalise the Mirrabooka Regional Centre.
The land will be used for the building of a second main street to add to the jointly funded $4.5 million bus station refurbishment; $4.2 million town square; and initial main street works that were about to be completed.
Minister for Planning, John Day said the second mixed use main street would provide a direct connection from Mirrabooka Avenue through to the new town square at the heart of the centre.
The improvements above are being delivered through the Mirrabooka Regional Centre Improvement Strategy.
“The strategy is a multi-Departmental approach, involving State and Local Governments, to provide opportunities for current and future generations in areas of recognised social and economic disadvantage,” Mr Day said.
The Minister said the area would become more user-friendly and encourage more people to live in the centre, increase the size of the local labour force and improve the level and variety of services provided in the area.
“The level of activity in the community generated by these works will give it a more community-orientated feel,” he said.
“It is important for Mirrabooka to have the infrastructure it requires to function as a truly diverse regional facility.”
The improved road connections will also assist access to public transportation, reducing reliance on cars and lift the value of adjacent properties.
This would lead to better utilisation of the inner city area, attracting further redevelopment and investment from both the public and private sectors.
22 March, 2011
Leaders flock into
help sheep industry
Plans to establish a Sheep Industry Leadership Council for Western Australia have been announced.
Minister for Agriculture, Terry Redman said the Council’s overarching role would be to bring together all sectors along the industry supply chain to help build a strong, united and clear industry vision for WA’s sheep industry.
“A key initial focus for the Council will include how to tackle the rebuilding of the State’s sheep flock to ensure long-term viability of the industry,” Mr Redman said.
WA’s sheep flock had dropped to 1950s levels of 14.5 million head in mid-2010 and had declined even further as a result of the dry season.
Recent industry forecasts predict it will decrease to 12.4 million head this year.
“At the same time, the sheep industry has experienced extraordinary growth in demand for sheep meat, leading to near record prices for both meat and wool,” Mr Redman said.
“It is important that industry works together, with the support of Government throughout the supply chain, to sustainably build the numbers to meet market demand for sheep meat and wool.”
It is intended that the Council will engage industry stakeholders to facilitate this process.
It will be supported by a secretariat through the Department of Agriculture and Food.
22 March, 2011
Business name plan
registered nationally
Public comment has been invited on draft national laws to standardise the registration of business names across Australia.
Under the proposed legislation, businesses will pay only one fee in the order of $70 to register their business name nationally for three years.
Minister Assisting on Deregulation, Senator Nick Sherry said the reform was a key component of the Council of Australian Government’s agenda to deliver a seamless national economy, to cut red tape and make it easier to do business.
“It’s estimated to produce benefits in excess of $1.5 billion over eight years to business, Government and consumers, most of which will flow to business,” Senator Sherry said.
“Five per cent of all Australian businesses trade in more than one State or Territory jurisdiction,” he said.
“Businesses operating in every State and Territory currently face a cost of more than $1,000 to register their business name nationally for three years.”
The reform will also introduce a Government online service to deliver tailored information to businesses about their regulatory requirements – licences, registrations and permits – known as the Australian Business Licence Information Service or ABLIS.
An online account, the Australian Business Account will improve online interaction between Government and business.
“These initiatives are part of our reform processes aimed at cutting away the layers of overlapping and inconsistent regulations that have long dogged a national approach to business administration,” Senator Sherry said.
22 March, 2011
Nominations to share
luck in big city
Keep Australia Beautiful’s Sustainable Cities awards are open for nominations.
Metropolitan Local Governments are assessed on sustainability initiatives including waste and recycling, energy and water saving and the protection of the natural environment.
In 2010 the City of Stirling became the first WA entrant to win the overall State and national awards in the Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities competition.
Mayor of Stirling, David Boothman said it was a significant achievement on the national stage for City staff and residents.
“We have a very committed and involved community who work extremely hard to make the City an enticing, attractive and pleasant environment for all to live, work and play in,” Mr Boothnan said.
Categories in the awards program cover: Protection of the Environment; Community Action; Environmental Innovation; Litter Prevention and Waste Management and Young Legends.
Chair of Keep Australia Beautiful WA, Mel Hay said the awards program recognised WA Councils that were protecting the environment and also celebrated groups, businesses and schools that were contributing to their community.
“It’s increasingly important for WA Local Governments to be doing the right thing in terms of sustainability and in 2010 the City of Stirling did such a great job at representing not only their residents and ratepayers but also the State at the national finals,” Mr Hay said.
Keep Australia Beautiful (WA) is supported by the Department of Environment and Conservation.
22 March, 2011
Digital media meeting
Perth is to host the third event in the Think Tank series on 29 March.
Think Tank 3 will focus on the future of digital media and the successful commercial development of creative digital media concepts.
It will aim to inform digital media professionals of the opportunities available in Perth and encourage them to remain in Perth in the long-term.
Kwinana Freeway wider
A project to widen the Kwinana Freeway between Leach Highway and Roe Highway to three lanes has been brought forward.
The freeway becomes heavily congested during peak traffic periods, and widening it from two to three lanes in both directions is expected to alleviate the situation as well as improve safety and travel times.
A consultation group, which will include local residents, will be formed to engage stakeholders and raise public awareness of the project.
WorkSafe inspections
Safety standards in Bunbury area manufacturing workplaces are to be inspected by WorkSafe. .
The program is part of a schedule of proactive inspection programs in regional areas of the State.
The campaign will randomly target manufacturers of food, wood and paper products, non-metallic mineral products, metal products, concrete products, equipment manufacturing and other types of manufacturing in the Bunbury area.
Mine safety workshop
A Resources Safety workshop to discuss the reform process aimed at boosting mines safety will be held next month.
It has been organised to generate consensus on priority safety initiatives, as determined by industry and help industry better understand the safety regulator’s priorities.
The workshop outcomes will be referred to the Ministerial Advisory Panel.
Rights protected
The negotiation of retail shop leases should become more equitable for small business with the introduction of new legislation.
The Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Amendment Bill 2011 aims to protect the tenancy rights of small business.
It is the result of an extensive review of the laws which had input from 90 stakeholders and received more than 60 recommendations.
Cockburn Coast rezoning
Land on the Cockburn Coast is to be rezoned from industrial to urban.
The rezoning involves approximately 91 hectares of land in North Coogee. At the same time the rezoning of the South Fremantle Power Station to urban has been deferred.
The changes will allow development to proceed in line with the Cockburn Coast District Structure Plan, which was finalised in August 2009.
Optic link finished
The 449-kilometre Perth to Geraldton fibre optic link has been completed.
The link forms part of the Australian Government’s $250 million Regional Backbone Blackspots Program, which is delivering 6,000 kilometres of fibre backbone across regional Australia, benefitting around 400,000 people.
It is also first stage of the National Broadband Network in Western Australia.
15 March, 2011
City planning project
takes top award
A City of Perth project encouraging innovative solutions to planning issues has won Australia’s major planning award.
The project, titled What If – Ideas for the City of Perth received the Minister’s Award at the annual Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) National Awards for Planning Excellence.
It involved inviting 10 architectural, town planning, urban design and landscaping consultancies to submit ideas on how different parts of the city could be dramatically improved, modified or refreshed.
Lord Mayor of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi said the award recognised that the project was an effective way to overcome planning challenges and to encourage healthy discussion surrounding the future development of the city.
“As well as engaging with some of the brightest minds in our local planning industry, the What If project also captured the imagination of Perth residents as demonstrated by the thousands of people who visited the accompanying public exhibition,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“The project allowed us to broaden our thinking and all parties involved should be congratulated for their dedication to delivering new concepts for our city.”
National President of PIA, Dyan Currie said the project was an excellent example of how the planning profession was becoming more visionary and creative in planning sustainable communities for the future.
“This urban design project was designed to encourage innovation and stimulate community debate around certain areas in the City of Perth without the traditional constraints of a formal brief,” Ms Currie said.
15 March, 2011
Big wheels give
Bikeweek a push
Bikeweek 2011 will be celebrated from Saturday with the theme Cycle Instead.
Run by the Department of Transport, Bikeweek will include more than 100 different cycling activities across the State.
Bikewest Manager at the Department, Russell Greig said most events would be run by community groups, cycling organisations, workplaces and Local Government authorities.
“Cycling is becoming part of the mainstream transport mix and Bikeweek promotes cycling for transport and recreation, and encourages more people to ride by giving everyone the chance to join in,” Mr Greig said.
Bikeweek 2011 will feature a range of bike-to-work events, family rides, skills sessions, film screenings and bike swap meets that demonstrate cycling’s many benefits.
The annual Cycle to School Day, to be held on Wednesday, 23 March, encourages primary and secondary school students to cycle to school, and to continue cycling after the event.
Bikeweek gives people the chance to experience the State’s wide range of cycling facilities, many of which are provided through the Government’s bicycle network grants program.
Mr Greig said the State’s growing bicycle network was an interconnected web of shared paths and on-road cycling facilities where individuals and families could ride in safety.
“When you combine our world-class riding facilities with Perth’s flat terrain and good climate, it is obvious why the number of Western Australians riding bicycles has doubled in the last few years,” he said.
15 March, 2011
Union report juggles
work-life balance
A survey of female Public Servants by the Federal Community and Public Sector Union has found that many are failing to achieve the right work-life balance.
The CPSU’s annual What Women Want, surveyed 9,167 working women and found two in five believed accessing flexible hours or taking leave for family reasons would disadvantage their career.
According to the survey, one in two respondents said juggling work and family life wasn’t easy and one in five said they were dissatisfied with their work-life balance.
CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said however, the survey also found that six in 10 women had the option of improving their work-life balance under current work entitlements.
She said of the reasons given for not accessing the leave they were entitled to, respondents cited: they were too busy; current staff levels would not cover their absence; or they had unsupportive supervisors.
Ms Flood said women were under increasing pressure at work and home.
“Women in the public sector have fought for and won some reasonable flexible working conditions in their agreements,” she said.
“However, our survey shows clearly that having a technical right to access leave does not always mean women will get to use it.”
Ms Flood said the survey also revealed an increase in the number of women being contacted by their employers outside work hours, increasing from 35 per cent in 2008 to 44 per cent last year.
She said the issues around access to flexible working conditions were complex, but it was clear that women were being squeezed at work and home.
Ms Flood said the What Women Want survey also found that nearly one in five full-time women was working an additional 10 or more hours each week; and one in three women said they had little or no influence over whether they worked additional hours.
15 March, 2011
WorkSafe makes noise
about workplace noise
Noise is still a widespread hazard in WA workplaces, a WorkSafe inspection program has found.
WorkSafe inspectors visited workplaces in the metropolitan area and the Bunbury and Karratha regions last year, identifying potential noise hazards in almost a third.
On the 94 workplaces inspected, there were noise hazards at 30. Ten improvement notices were issued to workplaces where inadequate controls or poor management procedures were in place.
Acting Commissioner for WorkSafe, Lex McCulloch said the most common problem inspectors found was that many employers had not had the risk adequately assessed by a competent person, and so had no basis for formulating an effective noise control and management program.
“In other workplaces, although the noise hazards had been identified, the only action taken was the provision of personal hearing protectors,” Mr McCulloch said.
“In many cases, a higher order of controls needed to be in place - for example, at a manufacturing factory there was scope for using quieter saw blades and silencers on air guns and to relocate a compressor away from workers.”
Other areas of concern were the lack of noise-related information and training to workers and their managers, and the failure to provide annual hearing tests.
Noise-induced hearing loss is responsible for a significant number of workers’ compensation claims in WA - a total of 81 in 2007-08.
Of the workplaces in which noise hazards were found, 30 per cent were in the construction sector and 27 per cent in manufacturing, with the remainder spread over eight industry sectors – services, Local Government, mining services, transport, agriculture, education, retail and wholesale.
15 March, 2011
Feds dip toes in
flood funding
Federal Government assistance for Western Australian communities impacted by severe storms in recent weeks is now available under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Local Government areas affected by severe storms and subsequent flooding that occurred between 19-20 February and declared eligible for disaster assistance are Chapman Valley, Geraldton-Greenough, Mingenew, Morawa, Mullewa, Northampton and Yalgoo in the mid-west of the State.
This assistance is in addition to payments that are available for individuals and businesses affected by Tropical Cyclone Diane in the declared Local Government areas of Laverton, Leonora and Menzies.
Federal Attorney General, Robert McClelland said the Western Australian Government had said the severity of the damage caused by these events had met the criteria to be declared an Eligible Natural Disaster.
This activated assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
“The Commonwealth will fund up to 75 per cent of the assistance to rebuild critical public infrastructure once certain financial thresholds are met,” Mr McClelland said.
Assistance that may be available for both events includes for personal support assistance, infrastructure rebuilding, small business support and support for primary producers.
“This has been an unprecedented disaster season for Australia and Western Australia has been hit hard by floods, severe storms, cyclones and bushfires,” Mr McClelland said.
15 March, 2011
Program unwrapped
for gifted children
Parents of exceptionally talented children can apply for a program that will help them reach their full potential.
The Gifted and Talented program targets children who will start year eight in 2013, but there are also limited places available for students going into years eight, nine, 10 and 11 in 2012.
Minister for Education, Liz Constable said the Gifted and Talented program in WA public schools continued to deliver exceptional results.
“Students in these schools continue to achieve highly, and include 2010 Western Australian Certificate of Education Beazley Medal winner, Michael Taran; Hollywood movie star Sam Worthington and Oscar-winning author and illustrator Shaun Tan,” Dr Constable said.
Of the 100 public school students who achieved an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank of 99 or more in 2010, more than 80 per cent attended schools with a Gifted and Talented program.
“The Gifted and Talented program provides students with specialist teachers trained to meet their students’ unique learning needs,” the Minister said.
“Students learn with like-minded peers and each Gifted and Talented program has access and links with universities and industry which helps enrich their learning experience. Entry is very competitive so interested families should not delay in applying.”
All applicants must sit the Academic Selective Entrance Test.
Applications close at noon on Monday, 21 March. For further information, visit this PS News link.
15 March, 2011
Biosecurity warning
on pets turning pests
WA residents have been reminded that many exotic birds are declared pests in the State and their escape from aviaries must be reported.
Biosecurity Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Paul Manera said often exotic species had the ability to establish in the wild with possible impacts on agriculture, the environment and society.
“Particularly as a result of severe weather events such as strong winds, floods and fires which have occurred across WA in recent months, if owners have been unfortunate enough to sustain property damage which may have included the loss of private bird collections, then the Department requests that these incidents are reported,” Mr Manera said.
Exotic birds that are declared pests and kept under permit include common pets such as rainbow lorikeets, Indian ringneck parakeets, sulphur-crested cockatoos and Barbary doves.
Canaries and budgies are not kept under permit, so reports are not required.
“An example of what may happen in WA if breeding groups of these species were to escape and establish in the wild is the rainbow lorikeet,” Mr Manera said.
From a population of around 10 birds in the 1960s, there may now be more than 20,000 birds and from an initial base in the western suburbs, lorikeets are now found as far south as Mandurah and sometimes as far east as Northam.
In addition to damaging backyard fruit crops and commercial table grapes and stone fruit in the Swan Valley and Perth Hills, rainbow lorikeets may also displace native birds by competing for food and nesting places.
15 March, 2011
Part-time workers
in full-time need
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed a big pool of under-employed Australians who are looking for more work.
Almost three quarters of a million (733,900) part-time workers stated they did not have enough paid employment in September 2010.
This represents 22 per cent of all part-time workers. Over half (55 per cent) of all under-employed part-time workers said they wanted to work full-time, which is classed at 35 hours a week or more.
One in two under-employed part-time workers said they were actively looking for more hours of work.
The most common steps taken to find extra employment were to ask their current employer (62 per cent), contact a prospective employer (53 per cent), or search the internet (51 per cent).
More than half (59 per cent) of all under-employed part-time workers preferred to work more hours with their current employer.
Older workers tended to experience longer periods of under-employment. One in two (49 per cent) under-employed part-time workers aged 45-54 years, and 52 per cent of those aged 55 years and over, had been under-employed for one year or more.
In comparison, just 25 per cent of underemployed workers aged 15-19 years had been under-employed for one year or more.
Further information is available in Underemployed Workers, Australia, September 2010, which can be downloaded at this PS News link.
15 March, 2011
Port cruises through
health clearance
An environmental sampling program coordinated by the Department of Health at Geraldton Port and the surrounding community, has found the export of heavy metals through the port does not pose a health risk to local residents.
The tests were carried out in response to an incident in October 2010 where lead levels exceeded the port’s environmental licence limit.
As a result, lead exports from the port were suspended in December 2010.
Minister for Transport, Troy Buswell said the suspension of lead exports and the rigorous testing were the responsible actions to take.
“I’m pleased the testing of soil, dust and water in Geraldton residential areas and the city’s port has shown exports from the port over the past four years have not caused contamination,” Mr Buswell said.
The study, conducted between January 17 and 21, concluded that the levels of heavy metals detected in the Geraldton community were well below respective health guideline values and did not pose a health risk to residents.
None of the samples from the port’s perimeter showed unacceptable levels, compared to a 2007 survey when three samples were above the guideline level.
One sample from a domestic water tank exceeded the acceptable guideline for lead concentration.
However this cannot be attributed to dust fall-out from the port, given that seven tanks in close proximity were not affected.
The Minister said lead exports would not resume until the Government was satisfied the port and company involved, MMG, had improved their infrastructure and ship-loading protocols.
The January testing was conducted jointly by the Department of Health, the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Pollution Response Unit and Transport officers from the Esperance Cleanup and Recovery Project team. Samples were analysed by the Chemistry Centre and the Department of Health prepared the final report.
15 March, 2011
Safety inspectors
hit the roads
A national program targeting safety for workers on or near public roads has begun.
It will see workplace safety inspectors from across the nation visiting more than 260 roadside worksites.
Acting WorkSafe WA Commissioner, Lex McCulloch said the program would provide jurisdictions with an understanding of the current level of compliance with work safety and health laws on roadside worksites.
“This proactive program has been designed to address safety issues associated with working on or near roads and raise awareness of practical risk controls,” Mr McCulloch said.
“The national program has been developed in response to a series of incidents across Australia over the past 18 months that have seen five workers die and 10 seriously injured while undertaking work on public roads.
Factors such as high volumes of traffic, inadequate signage, poor traffic management and the use of powered mobile plant posed a serious risk that needed to be effectively managed.
“It is important to ensure the risks are minimised, and the inspectors’ visits will reinforce this,” Mr McCulloch said.
During March, April and May inspectors will monitor employers and site controllers to determine if adequate risk management and worker consultation systems are in place
“This campaign will see the States adopting a harmonised focus in the lead-up to the rollout of nationally consistent work safety and health laws,” Mr McCulloch said.
15 March, 2011
WA sinks teeth into
eating disorders
Western Australia has made a commitment to a nationwide framework for people dealing with negative body image issues and eating disorders.
More than 100 Western Australian researchers, clinicians and people working in the field of eating disorders discussed the framework and a suite of other resources for treating and preventing eating disorders at the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) meeting in Perth.
Minister for Mental Health, Helen Morton said establishing the framework was an important step in recognising the seriousness of these complex illnesses.
It meant that for the first time eating disorders were placed firmly on the mainstream health agenda.
“Eating disorders affect one in five teenagers and one in seven women, so it is something we are all likely to experience either ourselves or through family, friends or colleagues,” she said.
“We know that 15.5 per cent of people will be affected by an eating disorder at some stage in their life and boys and men are also affected.”
The term “eating disorder” refers to a range of conditions characterised by abnormal or disordered eating patterns including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and binge eating and can affect the physical, social and mental well-being of sufferers.
The NEDC was formed by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing in 2009 and has the support of Governments throughout Australia.
It aims to outline a long-term approach to the promotion, prevention, early intervention and management of these complex illnesses.
15 March, 2011
Planning guide to
break new ground
Development in the Pilbara is to be guided by a new planning framework.
The draft Pilbara Planning and Infrastructure Framework provides a response to many of the opportunities and challenges facing the region.
Minister for Planning, John Day said the sustainability of the Pilbara region would be determined by the strengths of its communities, the liveability of its towns, appreciation of the region’s natural and cultural values, economic diversification and self-sufficiency and the level of services the region could attract.
“The Pilbara region is important to both Western Australia and the nation. It has great possibilities for major development and is on the threshold of another period of significant expansion,” Mr Day said.
“This framework will help to ensure development and change over the next 25 years is achieved in a way that improves people’s lives and enhances its unique character and environment.”
He expected that by 2035 a resident population of about 140,000 would be in place and the framework would begin to address this scale and distribution of population growth.
“With infrastructure capacity a significant inhibitor to urban development in some towns, the framework will guide Government on infrastructure priorities across the Pilbara and give the private sector more confidence to invest in the region,” he said.
“Strategies for economic growth, environmental issues, transport, infrastructure, water resources, tourism and the emerging impacts of climate change are also identified in the framework.”
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls said the framework linked into the Government’s Pilbara Cities initiative which sought to expand the region’s resident population and to rectify infrastructure inadequacies with the development of Karratha and Port Hedland into cities.
A 60-day comment period on the draft framework closes on May 9. The final version is expected to be released later this year.
15 March, 2011
Storm damaged
trees have to go
Damage from a freak storm means that up to 1,000 mature trees will have to be removed from pine plantations adjoining Ellenbrook.
The trees formed a majestic entrance to Ellenbrook and an historical linkage to Ellenbrook’s forestry past.
In addition, a two square kilometre area in the south-eastern corner of the Gnangara Pine Plantation was also badly affected.
Sustainable Forest Coordinator at the Department of Environment and Conservation, Owen Donovan said many of the trees that were uprooted or lost limbs were up to 70 years old.
“It was astonishing to see these wonderful old trees that have lasted decades to be so severely damaged by this storm in the space of only a few minutes,” Mr Donovan said.
“That particular area of the pine plantation has popular picnic spots and people often walk their dogs in the area.”
However, the trees had been so badly damaged they presented a hazard, so the Forest Products Commission would remove them and salvage the timber for commercial use.
“In the meantime we urge people not to walk or drive into this area, as trees may topple over and branches of the trees left standing can easily be dislodged and cause serious or even fatal injuries to people and their pets,” he said.
Signs have been put in place to inform people of the hazard.
15 March, 2011
Prison officers find
retirement freedom
The retirement of two prison officers at Karnet Prison Farm means a loss of 70 years’ experience to WA Corrective Services.
Peter Yardley and John “Digger” Kelly have been farewelled with awards and praise for their 40 years and 30 years of respective service in WA corrections.
Commissioner Ian Johnson presented Mr Yardley with a framed certificate and engraved glass plaque and Mr Kelly with a framed certificate and a Corrective Services medal set.
They also received a pair of mounted handcuffs from Superintendent at Karnet Prison Farm, Deans McClue.
Mr Johnson said it was an absolute privilege to recognise the pair’s achievements. Their retirements were a tremendous loss for the Department.
“Being a prison officer can be very stressful and there can be heartache but there are also a lot of good times and unique humour to get through the day and difficult times,” Mr Johnson said.
“If it wasn’t for people like you, the Department and community would be a lot worse off. Look back with pride on what you have done.”
Mr Yardley, who served in the Army and did two tours of Vietnam, was encouraged by a friend to join Corrections after originally applying to become a police officer.
Mr Kelly joined the Department in 1982 and served at Eastern Goldfields, Casuarina and Karnet prisons and had filled in at other prisons, such as Roebourne, for extended periods.
15 March, 2011
Fines going up for
rogue developers
Increased penalties of up to $1 million for illegal demolition and unauthorised development of heritage-listed properties in Western Australia have been announced.
Amendments to the Heritage Act are aimed at ensuring meaningful protection for the 1,300 properties currently listed in the State Register of Heritage Places.
Minister for Heritage, John Castrilli said current penalties for illegal works on heritage-listed places were extremely low and offered little deterrence to deliberate destruction.
“With this legislation, properties which have been recognised for their heritage value through entry on the State Register of Heritage Places will be assured meaningful protection for current and future generations,” Mr Castrilli said.
Presently, the Heritage Act provides a maximum fine of $5,000 for the damaging or despoiling of a place listed on the State Heritage Register.
Minister for Planning, John Day also announced amendments to the Planning and Development Act which would result in increased penalties for unauthorised development.
“Initial penalties will increase from $50,000 to $200,000 and increased daily fines rise from $5,000 to $25,000,” Mr Day said.
He said the amendments applied more generally to unauthorised development to any property, including heritage-valued properties listed on municipal inventories protected by Local Governments.
“The State Government is making it clear it values the retention and conservation of our heritage buildings,” Mr Day said.
15 March, 2011
Online tourism
just the ticket
Tourism WA is seeking to get its message across via YouTube.
Its designated channel will share footage of Western Australia’s destinations and experiences with the aim of inspiring viewers to visit.
Minister for Tourism, Kim Hames said digital marketing was an essential component of any successful tourism campaign.
“The tourism industry, in particular, utilises digital marketing to raise awareness of our State as a holiday destination and in assisting consumers to research and plan their holidays,” Dr Hames said.
The YouTube channel was an important part of Tourism WA’s social media marketing mix.
The Facebook site, launched in December 2010, already had almost 6,000 friends.
The Minister said the YouTube channel featured videos of real people having extraordinary experiences in WA.
Tourism WA would release additional videos in the future to encourage return visits to the YouTube channel and would also use the channel to promote WA events.
Meanwhile, Tourism WA reported an almost three-fold increase in page view traffic to the events section of the Agency’s website this PS News link. from January to February.
The Minister said the significant rise was due to a boost to the Agency’s online activity, such as banner advertising and paid search, as well as additional offline advertising.
Tourism WA’s YouTube channel can be found at this PS News link, alongside its channels on Twitter at this PS News link and Facebook at this PS News link.
15 March, 2011
Office space service is
rental as anything
A new property initiative, Spacemarket, is being sponsored by the City of Perth.
Specifically set up as a not-for-profit organisation, Spacemarket is an online service for the exchange of floor space across central Perth.
It seeks to pair non-tenanted spaces with people who have a desire to use them.
Following the release of Forgotten Spaces – Upper Floor Activation Report, which studied the insights of space revitalisation in 2010, the City of Perth identified approximately 40 properties with more than 17,000 square metres of under-utilised upper floor space within the central business district.
Director of Spacemarket, Nic Brunsdon said it sought out these places - upper floors, ground floors, basements and back pockets - and worked to maximise their potential into a new and needed use.
“It will assess and filter applications from potential tenants and put forward suitable matches for business’ consideration,” Mr Brunsdon said.
Lord Mayor of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi said the city had been doing a lot of valuable work trying to identify a number of under-utilised spaces in the city.
“We have also engaged with a number of key property players including building owners and property managers in order to facilitate the conversations between people looking for space and those that own amazing empty buildings,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“This fresh new initiative is run by a group of young and enthusiastic professionals who represent WA’s emerging generation of people sharing the same love of this city. Spacemarket has the potential to become Perth’s own rejuvenation program.”
15 March, 2011
Asbestos review
Safety standards when dealing with asbestos in the construction industry are to be reviewed by WorkSafe.
Inspectors will visit metropolitan and regional construction sites throughout March and April to ensure that both employers and employees are carrying out asbestos work in accordance with workplace safety and health laws.
Inspections would focus on raising awareness of the safety risks and ensuring that employers had the information required to comply with the laws.
Advice from GESB
An education campaign to encourage members to upgrade their insurance has been launched by GESB, the largest WA-based superannuation provider.
GESB, which has identified under-insurance as a persistent problem across Australia, says a simple three-step application can upgrade life insurance.
It says the level of under-insurance demonstrates that people still don’t appear to be concerned about losing their ability to earn an income.
Information conference
The Institute of Public Administration Australia (WA) is hosting a conference that will study the problems involved in Government Agencies holding large amounts of information of both a public and private nature.
The conference will be of interest to State and Local Government managers and supervisors, particularly those in record keeping, human resources, professional standards and corporate governance units.
Speakers include Tony Warwick (Corruption and Crime Commission); Warren Strange (Misconduct, Crime and Misconduct Commission, Queensland); Kim Schofield (Public Sector Commission) and Sven Bluemmel (Information Commissioner).
A panel discussion will conclude the forum which will be held on 28 March.
There is no charge for attending and registration can be made at this PS News link.
Training for oil spills
The Department of Transport is organising oil spill response training for Port workers at Bunbury.
The Department’s Oil Spill Response Coordination team will focus on workers who are already trained in oil spill response, providing them with the opportunity to gain further experience in the deployment of purpose-built equipment.
As part of the exercise, a containment boom, which is used to stop the spread of an oil slick to protect the local environment, will be deployed in the port’s waters.
Defence training grants
Applications are invited for training grants for the Defence industry.
The grants can support trade apprenticeships, university courses, short technical courses, TAFE courses and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) training.
With up to $14 million available around 5,000 workers could benefit. Applications close on 6 April.
Koalas bear up
Western Australia has given four koalas to the Awaji Farm Park in Japan, marking the 30th anniversary of the sister relationship with the Hyogo Prefecture.
Two keepers from Yanchep National Park travelled with the koalas to their new home in Awaji and assisted during the koala presentation.
Awaji Farm Park is located in the southern part of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture.
The existing koala colony at Awaji Farm Park attracts more than 400,000 people each year.
Disability rates drop
Western Australia is one of the leading States in the overall fall in disability rates in the six years to 2009 recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
During this period disability rates in WA dropped from 20.6 per cent to 17.4 per cent.
In a further breakdown of the WA figures, disability caused by physical conditions dropped from 16.8 per cent to 14.5 per cent including a significant decrease in disability caused by asthma (dropping from 0.8 per cent to 0.4per cent).
Disability caused by mental and behavioural disorders also dropped, from 3.9 per cent to 2.9 per cent, including a significant drop in disability caused by psychoses and mood affective disorders (1.3 per cent to 0.8 per cent).
Weld Range listing
The Weld Range in WA’s Midwest has been added to the National Heritage List.
The 45 hectare area includes, Wilgie Mia, Little Wilgie Mia and the Marlu Resting Place.
These sites contain sacred law grounds, dreamtime places, thousands of examples of rock art, extensive archaeological material, and the Wilgie Mia red ochre mine.
Clarkson training centre
Trades training opportunities for people in Perth’s northern corridor will be provided by a new centre at Clarkson.
The $23 million facility will assist in creating a highly-skilled workforce for the building and construction, electrotechnology and light manufacturing industries.
It will be operated by the West Coast Institute of Training.
Carnarvon gets power station
Construction has begun on a power station in Carnarvon.
The $73 million Mungullah Power Station is being built at Brown Range, a 5.4 hectare site on North West Coastal Highway. It will be owned and operated by Horizon Power.
With a generation capacity of 18 megawatts, the power station has been designed to meet the needs of the growing Carnarvon community and has the potential to increase capacity in the future, if needed.
8 March, 2011
Flood grants
start to flow
Approval has been given for a first round of grants from the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund (LMDRF) to victims of the Gascoyne floods.
The Fund’s Board considered 73 applications and approved more than $750,000 in financial grants.
Lord Mayor of Perth and Board Chair, Lisa Scaffidi said that so far the LMDRF Gascoyne and Mid-West Floods Appeal had raised $1,719,731.
“The Gascoyne and Mid-West floods struck just before Christmas with the equivalent of more than a year’s rainfall in just two days,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“More rain was to follow in January and February. More than 100 properties were damaged. The first distribution of monies was delayed a little by the additional flooding in the area.”
She said the LMDRF had worked with the local recovery committee, comprising the Shires of Carnarvon and Upper Gascoyne, to determine how funds should be allocated.
“The LMDRF was established in 1961 to provide relief to personal hardship and distress arising from natural disasters occurring within Western Australia,” she said.
Donations can still be made over the counter at any BankWest branch or agency; via EFT to the BankWest account; in person at the Customer Service counter at Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace, Perth; by credit card by phoning 9461 3333 during normal business hours or by mail to LMDRF - Carnarvon Gascoyne Region Appeal, c/- City of Perth, GPO Box C120 Perth 6839.
8 March, 2011
Corrections facility
steals off with award
The Riverbank community corrections centre at Caversham, near Perth, has received a special commendation from the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).
The ICPA meeting in Belgium presented a certificate to Riverbank, formally acknowledging the high standard of work the centre has achieved within its field of community corrections.
In presenting the award, the ICPA Awards Committee thanked the Riverbank project team for its efforts in advancing professional corrections.
Riverbank, a former juvenile detention facility, was refurbished and transformed by offenders on community work orders.
It was officially opened in May 2010, exactly 50 years since its original opening as Riverbank Boys Reformatory.
It had been decommissioned and mothballed in 1996, due to the establishment of a new juvenile detention centre at Banksia Hill
Riverbank now houses the Community Work Management Unit (CWMU) which coordinates community work projects across the metropolitan area.
Manager of CWMU, Dianne Kraljevich said it was great the work undertaken at the facility was being recognised.
“The facility promotes the Department’s ethos of making a positive difference in the community,” Ms Kraljevich said.
“Community work allows both adult and young offenders to repay the community for their crimes which not only saves taxpayers money but enables offenders to develop new skills to help them better reintegrate into society,” she said.
8 March, 2011
Bullying program
a knockout
A highly successful anti-bullying program in Finland has been demonstrated to WA educators.
Leading international experts in the field of bullying, aggression and violence research, Professor Christina Salmivalli from Finland and WA’s Professor Donna Cross, addressed principals and school staff at workshops designed to help schools tackle the issue.
Minister for Education, Liz Constable said WA was leading Australia in finding effective ways to reduce bullying.
“Professor Salmivalli’s program has produced significant reductions in incidences of bullying at Finnish schools,” Dr Constable said.
Professors Salmivalli and Cross have spent the week working with the Department of Education to plan practical strategies for WA schools.
Dr Constable said the workshops would give public school principals, teachers, psychologists and student support staff an important grounding in the latest world-leading research in the effort against bullying.
“Professor Salmivalli, who heads the National School of Psychology in Finland, led the highly successful KiVa strategy which greatly reduced the negative effects of bullying in that nation’s schools and increased student safety,” she said.
“The KiVa strategy is all about encouraging bystanders and witnesses to bullying to take positive action, particularly to support victims,” she said.
“It was introduced in all Finnish schools in 2009-10 and went on to win first prize at the European Crime Prevention Awards.”
Dr Constable said that because bullying had become a 24-hour concern with all-pervasive internet and wireless mobile technologies, the workshops were very timely.
“Our public education system has already benefited from its long association with Edith Cowan University’s Professor Donna Cross - a renowned expert on bullying and its prevention,” she said.
8 March, 2011
Vaccine safety gets
shot in the arm
WA Health has announced a new system to monitor vaccine safety.
The Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system is expected to pave the way for a more efficient and consistent way to detect, report and act on adverse events following immunisation.
Director General of Health, Kim Snowball said that although significant reactions to vaccinations were rare, it was important to have the right measures in place to ensure any cases could be quickly detected and reported.
“The WAVSS system will also offer individual support to immunisation providers and clinical assistance for families affected by an adverse event,” Mr Snowball said.
A key component of the new system was an online reporting tool designed to allow the accurate and timely recording of adverse events.
The user-friendly system, which was developed in response to the 2010 Stokes Review, means that medical practitioners, individuals, and parents of young children could report an adverse event online.
“Any vaccine reaction which requires assessment by a doctor or nurse, or which has affected a family’s confidence in future immunisation should be reported,” Mr Snowball said.
“Each report will be looked at by a WAVSS staff member and be sent directly to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Medicines.”
Doctors and nurses would then receive feedback to assist in the care of their patients and to help them decide how to clinically manage future immunisation.
8 March, 2011
20-year vision puts
heat on energy
The Strategic Energy Initiative: Energy 2031 directions paper drafted by a team from the Office of Energy and Departments of State Development and Mines and Petroleum, has been released.
The paper aims to establish a 20-year vision for Western Australia’s energy sector, providing industry and the community with clarity about the sector’s direction and its context for decision-making.
Minister for Energy, Peter Collier said energy supply was crucial for economic development and quality of life yet the State lacked a cohesive, long-term energy policy, something which industry had been seeking for a number of years.
“Our vision for the next two decades paints a picture of an energy system to meet strategic goals of secure, reliable, competitive and cleaner energy for WA,” Mr Collier said.
“It is important we put in place the policy, regulatory and incentive mechanisms to ensure WA’s energy market will be dynamic, competitive and efficient,” he said.
“This will ensure the State is an appealing destination for investment and innovation and an attractive place to live and do business.”
The document was based on feedback from State-wide industry and community consultation forums held last year.
Mr Collier said public and industry comment will once again inform the final recommendations to Government, with a series of workshops and forums planned.
“It’s important industry and the community provide input to guide us as to the most beneficial actions that we can implement over the near future and in the medium term to help achieve our long-term vision,” he said.
8 March, 2011
Rural policies
recultivated
Rural planning policies covering agricultural land-use and subdivision have been reviewed, updated and released for public comment.
The revised policies seek to address challenges such as water supply - and opportunities such as emerging economies - for rural land in WA.
Minister for Planning, John Day said that with State growth and urban expansion, rural areas were under increasing pressure to provide lifestyle lots, land for growing fruit and vegetables, and to accommodate new industries such as tree farming.
“These revised polices will better manage land uses and provide guidance for rural settlement,” Mr Day said.
“They will also provide guidance on a range of opportunities for economic development and support primary production on rural land,” he said.
“Preparation of the draft policies has involved consultation with stakeholder groups, including State Government Agencies, Local Governments, the Real Estate Institute of WA and peak farming bodies.”
Changes proposed in the policies include: A new name to encompass all types of primary production; greater guidance on establishing rural lifestyle precincts; more stringent requirements for water supplies in the context of WA’s drying climate; revised definitions; highlighting the role rural land plays in the State’s economy; highlighting incentives for subdivision of rural land, including the introduction of an incentive for carbon sequestration in low rainfall areas and inclusion of a policy position for tree farming.
Submissions about the draft rural policies close on 27 May.
For more information, visit this PS News link.
8 March, 2011
Advocacy centre to
speak up for kids
Australia’s first child advocacy centre, providing a variety of health, child protection, family care, police and support services to children who have suffered abuse, has opened in Perth.
The George Jones Child Advocacy Centre is supported by a grant of $1.5 million through Lotterywest and by the City of Armadale, the Public Transport Authority and the Armadale Redevelopment Authority.
Opening the Centre, Premier, Colin Barnett said it would strive to protect, care and advocate for the most vulnerable and abused children and youth.
“It will also provide a therapeutic environment that will assist recovery and potential for growth, making this facility a wonderful community asset and resource to our State,” Mr Barnett said.
The facility has been developed by Parkerville Children and Youth Care, a community group which has been providing care to Western Australian children for more than 100 years.
The Premier said he was pleased the centre was named after George Jones.
“Not only has Mr Jones played a valuable role on the Board of Management since 2001, Parkerville Children and Youth Care played a large part in Mr Jones’ early childhood,” Mr Barnett said.
“Since then, he has become a well known success in the mining industry and a generous philanthropist.”
8 March, 2011
Partners aboard
city link railway
A construction alliance between the Public Transport Authority (PTA) and the John Holland/GHD building group has been announced to sink part of the Perth City Link railway.
The $360 million rail project is being funded by all three tiers of government.
Minister for Transport, Troy Buswell said the project would open up a major tract of land running west from the Horseshoe Bridge and incorporating the Entertainment Centre site and the new Perth Arena.
“Following the short-listing of two proponents in September 2010, the John Holland and GHD proposal provided Government with a detailed plan we believe will result in an excellent outcome - technically and commercially,” Mr Buswell said.
“John Holland and GHD will now immediately progress planning and design, with the first significant work to begin at the station later this year.”
Minister for Planning, John Day said the sinking of the railway would enable the redevelopment of the 14 hectare strip between Perth and Northbridge.
“The Link project represents an important opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together to deliver much-needed social, economic and environmental benefits to the community in the form of more housing, jobs, office and public space,” Mr Day said.
“When complete, Perth City Link is expected to attract more than $3 billion of private investment; provide 1,650 new apartments for more than 3,000 new residents; and accommodate 13,350 workers in 244,000 square metres of new commercial and retail space.”
8 March, 2011
Environment awards
get green light
Applications for the Golden Gecko Awards for Environmental Excellence are now open.
This year makes the 20th anniversary of the awards which recognise innovation, leadership and performance of environmental management in the Western Australian resources sector and related services.
Minister for Mines, Norman Moore said it was encouraging to see organisations and individuals promoting their efforts and demonstrating how creative and responsible the Western Australian resources sector was.
“Over the last 19 years of the awards, we have seen the achievements of winning entries become standard industry practice, raising the environmental performance of the sector across the board,” Mr Moore said.
“Last year’s successful award recipients included Crosslands Resources and Pluto Resources.”
Crosslands was awarded the gecko for its research and innovative sampling technique into the endangered Schedule 1 Shield-back Trapdoor Spider.
Results provided a new low impact technique for fauna surveys and reduced the buffer zone required around the spiders.
Pluton was recognised for its limited impact exploration project on environmentally sensitive Irvine Island.
Pluton reduced its ground disturbance from 30 to five square metres for its drilling platforms, which also contained drilling mud and hydrocarbons in a closed system.
Cliffs Asia Pacific Iron Ore and Rio Tinto Iron Ore both received Certificates of Merit in 2010 - Cliffs for its management of mallee fowl and Rio for its integrated data management system.
Entries close on 8 April. Applications can be made online at this PS News link.
8 March, 2011
Breakfast program
goes with the grain
The Foodbank School Breakfast Program is to be expanded to include more regional and remote schools.
The program already serves healthy and nutritious breakfasts to about 34,000 students at schools in low socio-economic areas.
It will now be boosted with $780,000 worth of State Government Royalties for Regions funding injected over a four-year period.
This funding will be matched by the Department of Education, which will support Foodbank and schools to roll out the program.
The Department of Health will also contribute $1.45 million towards the project, taking the State Government’s contribution to more than $3 million.
Minister for Education, Liz Constable said the health and educational benefits of a healthy breakfast were well documented and it was hoped the expansion of this program would help improve school attendance, behaviour and educational achievement.
“The additional funding will see the program expanded to schools in the South-West, Wheatbelt, Mid-West, Goldfields, Pilbara and Kimberley regions,” Dr Constable said.
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls said regional and remote areas faced unique challenges in accessing healthy, affordable and good quality food.
“Foodbank has proven itself to be skilled in sourcing healthy food cheaply, and effectively transporting it to regional and remote areas,” Mr Grylls said.
“Any improvement to country children’s health and education status is well worth supporting.”
8 March, 2011
Minister cools down
air-con concerns
School buildings built under the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program are to have the option of air-conditioning.
Evaporative air-conditioning systems can now be installed as part of the construction, but at the school’s expense.
Issues have arisen in relation to BER buildings constructed for schools which have been unable to install their own air-conditioning because the works could void the 12-month warranty period on the building. The State will now assume the risk.
Minister for Education, Liz Constable said she shared the concerns of parents and staff about the wellbeing of students and teachers trying to learn and teach in hot classrooms, and had acted to help schools that wanted to install their own air-conditioning.
“Advice recently received from the State Solicitor’s Office says provided the equipment and installation is in accordance with Building Management and Works standards, it is envisaged that the risk to buildings, and therefore warranties, will be mitigated,” Dr Constable said.
“It is prudent the State Government have these warranty periods on new buildings, to protect the taxpayer if anything goes wrong during the building process or faults are found while the building is new.”
The State Government was currently reviewing its air-cooling policy with a view to expanding the zone within which schools are automatically provided with air-conditioning.
The results of this review are expected to be released before the middle of this year.
A total of 368 of the 671 schools receiving BER buildings fall outside the air cooling zone.
The Minister said schools should be mindful that following the review of the air-cooling policy, their school may fall within the revised cooling zone and become eligible for State-funded air-cooling.
8 March, 2011
Health puts bite on
mosquito danger
The mosquito-borne Kunjin virus has been detected in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Murchison regions.
Medical Entomologist at the Department of Health, Sue Harrington said the mosquito and virus surveillance program (undertaken by the University of Western Australia) had detected Kunjin virus in the Kimberley in recent weeks, and preliminary data indicated that the virus was also now active in the Pilbara region.
“Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in large areas of standing water and the potential for mosquito breeding in many areas of the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Murchison regions,” Ms Harrington said.
“Surveillance results show that mosquitoes are carrying Kunjin virus, with activity of Murray Valley encephalitis virus, also likely during the wet season months,” she said.
A number of cases of the more common Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus diseases had already been reported from the Kimberley and Pilbara regions this wet season.
“The risk of being infected and becoming unwell is low, but mosquito-borne illnesses can be debilitating and people should take sensible precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” she said.
“Infection with Kunjin virus can cause symptoms that are similar to Ross River virus disease, such as swollen and aching joints, fever and rash.
“However, in rare cases, Kunjin can cause more severe symptoms which include headache, neck stiffness, fever, delirium and coma.”
Ms Harrington said controlling mosquitoes in most rural regions of WA was generally not possible because of the large size and inaccessibility of natural mosquito breeding habitat.
People should not alter their plans to visit the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne or Murchison regions, but it was important to avoid mosquito bites.
8 March, 2011
Disease alert goes
for the doctor
The Department of Agriculture and Food is running a review of its pest and disease alerts service in order to improve its effectiveness.
Orchard Alert Editor at DAFWA, Martine Combret said the service had been going for five years, and it was timely to consider its content, format and delivery.
“Orchard Alert is compiled on a weekly basis from September to February, with extra editions during emergencies outside this period,” Ms Combret said.
“It relies on growers in areas such as the Perth Hills and South West to monitor pest numbers in their orchards, and then pass on the information to the Department,” she said.
“Combined with observations from our own staff, this helps industry keep ahead of the game when pest numbers surge.”
The service is free and subscribers number close to 200, including service companies as well as growers.
Orchard Alert is also available on the Department’s website at this PS News link, under Publications and then Newsletters.
Ms Combret said Orchard Alert enabled sharing of vital industry information in a cost-efficient and timely manner, but possible improvement needed to be explored.
Feedback will be received until 31 March. For further information, email Ms Combret at martine.combret@agric.wa.gov.au
8 March, 2011
Boarding schools
extend borders
Residential colleges at Esperance and Merredin are to be extended over the next three years with a $22.4 million grant from the Royalties for Regions program.
The extensions will meet increasing demand from students wishing to access regional educational resources.
Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls said he was pleased to see students wanting to stay in regional areas while furthering their education and training.
The funding would ensure quality accommodation, care and services for isolated students who have to board away from home in a regional location to attend school.
“Regions benefit financially, socially and politically from families remaining in the regions and using regional services,” Mr Grylls said.
Minister for Education, Liz Constable said students were increasingly choosing to attend a high school in close proximity to the family home, allowing greater contact and connection with their families.
The upgrades to Esperance Residential College would see an increased boarding capacity from 90 to 114 and included provision for students with disabilities.
“The upgrades to the college at Merredin will transform and modernise the accommodation,” Dr Constable said.
“Together with the planned improvements to Merredin Senior High School and the recent upgrades to Esperance Senior High School, these works will further improve the appeal of studying in a regional area.”
8 March, 2011
Geology survey
a goldmine
New data aimed at boosting resource exploration has been released by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA).
The information, collected from recent regional surveys of the Eucla and the Capricorn Orogen (including the Gascoyne Province) is expected to be an important tool for industry.
Minister for Mines, Norman Moore said the data lessened exploration risk in remote, underexplored parts of WA and encouraged further exploration and future discoveries.
A major program of deep crustal seismic traverses was completed with the acquisition of six lines stretching across more than 1,200 kilometres from near Tom Price, in the Pilbara, to the Capricorn Orogen and the Narryer and Youanmi Terranes of the Yilgarn Craton to end near Leinster.
The images of the Capricorn Survey and the unprocessed data will give new insight into the make-up of WA’s crust and the nature of major fault zones.
Airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys were also completed covering the Eucla Basin up to the State border with South Australia.
Mr Moore said that by focusing on areas of poorly understood geology, the GSWA was striving to deliver new geoscience data as well as modernise and expand existing information.
The data release was part of the Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme aiming at developing mineral system studies that were effective in generating new exploration targets, particularly under soil and thin sedimentary basin cover.
8 March, 2011
Strong welcome for
disability report
The Minister for Disability Services, Helen Morton, has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s draft report into disability care and support.
The report follows a public inquiry into a potential national scheme that could better meet the long-term needs of people with disability.
Minister for Disability Services, Helen Morton said people with disability and their carers comprised more than 400,000 West Australians, and long-term care and support was a complex issue.
“We need to focus on innovative approaches to services and funding that provide more options for people with disability and in WA some of this work is already underway,” Mrs Morton said.
“In December 2009, the Premier launched the 15-year Count Me In: Disability Future Directions strategy to plan future supports and services for people with disability,” she said.
“This identifies 80 different pathways to help ensure our community is welcoming, provides mutual support and a fair go for everyone.”
The Disability Services Commission was leading the way in non-government funding and contracting.
Work was underway to determine ways to increase the level of self-directed services and to provide more autonomy for people with disability.
The Minister said the Productivity Commission’s draft report would contribute to valuable community dialogue around long-term systems and processes.
She urged people with disability, their families and carers to read the report and to put forward their responses to the Productivity Commission.
She also encouraged service providers and disability organisations to make submissions.
The draft report is available on the Productivity Commission’s website at www.pc.gov.au and open for public submissions until 30 April.
The Productivity Commission will hold a public hearing in Perth on 20 April.
8 March, 2011
Unionists demonstrate
More than 1,300 Perth region members of the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA have demonstrated against the Government’s offer in the GA5 negotiations.
Members will meet in regional areas to continue to demonstrate their support for the GA5 campaign.
At the Perth meeting members unanimously rejected the offer which they claim locks them into a low wage outcome for three years while requiring them to trade-off conditions of employment.
There will be another Delegates’ Meeting on 31 March
Safety and Health Forum
The 2011 Safety and Health Representative Forum, Workplace Safety Consultation, will be hosted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Industrial Foundation against Accident Prevention (IFAP) on 16 March at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle.
IFAP is a not-for-profit organisation that provides safety and risk management solutions for the workplace and is also a Registered Training Organisation through the WA Training Accreditation Council.
For more information on this year’s Forum visit this PS News link.
Ord views sought
Public comment is invited on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement issued on the Ord Irrigation Expansion Project.
The project concerns the development of approximately 8,000 hectares of irrigated agricultural land on the Weaber Plain, 30 kilometres from Kununurra.
It is being assessed by the Federal Government as it is considered to have potential to have an impact on areas of environmental significance.
Public submissions close on 11 April.
Peet wins tender
Peet Limited has been awarded the tender to project manage the Department of Housing’s Golden Bay development.
There will be 1,750 lots available at the Golden Bay site, which is close to Rockingham and Mandurah.
Peet Limited is a leading national property group that has been operating successfully in Australia for more than 115 years.
Joondalup facilities open
The $29 million Emergency Department and $20.8 million ward block at Joondalup Health Campus has been officially opened.
The emergency department has 56 patient bays - an 86 per cent increase on the 30 bays in the previous department - with separate waiting and treatment areas for adults and children.
The ward block has 55 new public beds - 51 single rooms, including 10 with private courtyards, and two double-bed rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom.
Campground work done
Facilities at the Benwenerup campground and the Stokes Inlet day use area have been completed at a cost of $800,000.
They replace old structures which were destroyed by bushfire in 2006 and a storm flood the following year.
The rebuilding was undertaken by Department of Environment and Conservation crews from Esperance and its south-west forest areas; traditional Aboriginal custodians of the area - Esperance Nyungars; South Coast Natural Resource Management and local contractors and suppliers.
1 March, 2011
Agencies dealt with
in office reshuffle
The Minister for Finance, Simon O’Brien has released more details of the office accommodation reforms expected to save $11 million a year on rental costs.
Due to roll out from June 2012, the office consolidation program will see many Departments and Agencies moving out of the Perth Central Business District (CBD) in favour of other, less expensive accommodation options.
Mr O’Brien said the most significant moves would involve Dumas House in West Perth, Hale House near the Parliament, Albert Facey House in central Perth, the new Optima building in Osborne Park and a new building at 140 William Street, Perth.
Moving the Ministerial and Central Government offices to Dumas House would enable the executive of the Government of Western Australia to be housed in one central location similar to that of the Queensland Government (Executive Building, Brisbane) and the NSW Government (Governor Macquarie Tower, Sydney).
The Dumas House precinct is ideal because it is also adjacent to Parliament House. However, it is now 45 years old and requires a building refit and refurbishment at a cost of approximately $56 million.
New and improved premises for the Opposition are to be provided in the immediate vicinity as the current premises have suffered considerable water damage.
Around 25 Agencies will be relocating before the expiry of the leased Governor Stirling Tower, which has been the home of the Government Executive since the early 1980s.
Of the 1,150 people currently based at Governor Stirling Tower, 600 will relocate to Dumas House.
Most of the others will move to a new building at 140 William Street or to Albert Facey House.
This includes the Department of Treasury and Finance’s (DTF) Treasury Division and the Economic Regulation Authority.
Several Government Departments, including Local Government, Regional Development and Lands, Communities, Treasury and Finance’s Government Procurement Division, plus the Office of the Auditor General will be moving out of Dumas House, with most relocating to 140 William Street or Albert Facey House.
DTF’s Government Procurement Division will be relocating to the new Optima building in Osborne Park.
1 March, 2011
Top cop to fire
up fire review
An independent review of bushfire risk management in the Perth Hills area has been announced by the Premier, Colin Barnett, in addition to the review already under way by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA).
The new review will be conducted by former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Mick Keelty.
Mr Barnett said the bushfires in Perth’s Hills over the weekend of 5 and 6 February destroyed 71 homes with a further 39 homes and other structures damaged.
“FESA conduct a review after every major fire...however the State Government believes there are important lessons to be learned in terms of prescribed burning and building code matters specific to the Perth Hills area,” Mr Barnett said.
“Mr Keelty will bring his highly-developed analytical skill and experience with policy development, security deployment, policing and peacekeeping to this role.”
All Government Agencies and officers of Agencies will be required to fully and openly co-operate with the review and to provide access to all information, documentation or other records as requested by the reviewer.
Local Government Agencies will be expected to cooperate in the same terms.
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) will provide Mr Keelty with executive support and Mr Robert Cock QC will be available for legal advice.
Minister for Emergency Services, Rob Johnson said the Emergency Services had performed extremely well during what had been one of the most devastating and destructive bushfire seasons in the State’s history.
Written submissions from interested individuals and organisations can be sent by email to PerthFireReview@dpc.wa.gov.au by 15 April.
1 March, 2011
Police powers
to go to Heads
WA Police are to be given special powers to ensure the smooth running of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), due to be held in Perth in late October.
The event could potentially bring more than 50 Heads of States and 4,000 other delegates and journalists to WA.
Minister for Police, Rob Johnson said CHOGM was the State’s chance to portray Perth as Australia’s western capital - a mature, outward-looking city at the centre of the world’s fastest growing and economically significant region.
“It is therefore vital that police and other security personnel have the necessary powers during this event to ensure the smooth running of the meeting and the safety and security of the delegates and the community in general,” Mr Johnson said.
“Security at similar events held in Australia in recent times has been greatly assisted by the enactment of special powers, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2002 Queensland CHOGM, the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the 2007 Sydney Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference.”
The Minister said the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Special Powers) Bill 2011 provided security powers for police and authorised persons to use in designated security areas, as well as additional powers for police to close roads for the purposes of conveying dignitaries.
The legislation would be limited to CHOGM.
“These powers will predominantly assist police in dealing with anyone who attempts to disrupt the event, harm delegates or destroy property,” he said.
“It will also allow law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions to work with WA Police.”
1 March, 2011
Shared Services has
date with calendar
The Office of Shared Services has published its Training Calendar for April to October this year.
Manager of Shared Services Training and Development, Phil Sykes said that in addition to finance, procurement and payroll services, Shared Services, which is situated in the Department of Treasury and Finance, delivered a range of human resource services that helped clients build the capacity of their workforce.
“For instance, the Training and Development Service provides a calendar of training courses that are not only available to the employees of client Departments, but are open to all other employees of the WA public sector,” Mr Sykes said.
He said the Shared Services Training Calendar had two significant benefits.
“Firstly it is designed in response to the corporate learning and development requirements of client Departments and the training needs of their individual employees so it is directly relevant to public sector organisations,” he said.
“Secondly, it utilises the economies of scale made possible by the shared services approach to deliver substantial savings on the cost of training.
“In fact during 2010, the training and development service delivered savings of almost $300,000 to its users, with an average saving of more than $200 per course attendance.”
Mr Sykes said the training calendar was updated every six months and the calendar for April to October had just been released.
It featured around 150 classes across more than 70 different courses and could be found at this PS News link.
1 March, 2011
PS scholarship is won
for the money
Rebecca Poole from the Access and Resolution Branch of the Office of the WA Ombudsman has been awarded a Public Sector Scholarship from Chartered Secretaries Australia (CSA).
Offered for the first time this year, the scholarships were made available to talented PS staff making a difference in public sector Agencies and Departments across Australia.
Chief Executive of CSA, Tim Sheehy said scholarship winners were judged to have the best grasp of the importance of good governance and risk management practices in the sector, from their submitted essay and a reasoned case for being awarded the scholarship.
“We were extremely pleased to receive a number of outstanding applications from across the country and from a diverse range of Departments and Government Agencies,” Mr Sheehy said.
“These included Health, Indigenous Affairs, Education and Training, Police and Infrastructure to name a few,” he said.
Valued at more than $12,000, the national scholarship award incorporates studying CSA’s higher education accredited Graduate Diploma of Applied Governance, which includes public sector specific subjects in Applied Administrative Law and Public Sector Accountability and Transparency.
“CSA recognises the growing importance and promotion of good governance and risk management within the public sector and has developed sector tailored offerings over the past few years,” Mr Sheehy said.
“As leaders in governance, we see the public sector scholarship as an integral part of our ongoing strategy to provide tailored education, training and professional development to those with governance and risk management responsibilities in the public sector,” he said.
“As we are offering two scholarships per State per year, we look forward to opening the invitation for entries for Semester Two very soon.”
1 March, 2011
Timely advice on
Annual Reports
The Public Service Commissioner has published a Circular setting out requirements for the preparation, submission and publishing of Annual Reports.
Signed by PS Commissioner, Mal Wauchope, the Circular points out that annual reporting requirements are specified in the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSMA), Financial Management Act 2006, Treasurer’s Instructions, other legislation, Cabinet decisions and other Government policy statements.
The various reporting requirements are drawn together in the form of a guide and a checklist in the Annual Reporting Framework.
It is updated each year and available at www.publicsector.wa.gov.au. Answers to frequently asked questions are also available on the web site.
Agencies should ensure Annual Reports are clear and concise, focused on Agencies’ core business and actual performance, part of a streamlined reporting process that removes or reduces redundant information while not impacting adversely on accountability and governance and printed in limited numbers, and placed on the Agency’s web site which is to be used as the primary means of communication of the report.
“The restriction of printing in a maximum of two colours has been removed and the limited use of full colour is permitted,” the circular said.
“Its purpose should be to add value to the report and enhance its readability. However, with Parliament as the primary audience, annual reports should be presented as an objective account of Agency performance, rather than be designed for promotion, marketing or other commercial purposes.”
The circular said Agencies should continue to be conscious of the costs associated with providing Parliament and the community with information.
It said that the annual report should be developed and produced using in-house resources and at the lowest possible cost.
The Circular can be accessed at this PS News link.
1 March, 2011
Hale House hailed as
Cabinet Central
A purpose-built State Cabinet meeting room, the Cabinet Secretariat and the Office of the Premier are to be housed at Hale House after its refurbishment.
Work on the heritage-listed building will be part of a move to consolidate Ministerial offices and central Government Departments around Parliament House.
Premier, Colin Barnett said there were a number of factors which led to the decision including the owners of Governor Stirling Tower informing the Government the building would not be available from July 2012.
“This is an opportunity to make some long-term savings in Government accommodation costs by moving into Government-owned buildings,” Mr Barnett said.
“Hale House will replace two floors of space currently being leased at Governor Stirling Tower which, based on projected lease costs, is a saving of $1.2 million per year.”
The Premier said this meant the relocation costs would be covered by the money the State would have paid in rent within 14 years of the move.
“Hale House is a heritage listed building dating back to 1914. Unfortunately it has fallen into disrepair and needed to be restored in any event,” he said.
“It’s estimated the construction and site costs for this project will be $17 million and will bring the building up to the same standard as the adjacent Constitutional Centre and the Old Observatory.”
It is proposed the lower level of Hale House would include the new State Cabinet meeting room and house the Cabinet Secretariat.
The Office of the Premier would take up the upper level of the building.
Work is expected to begin shortly and be completed by October 2012. The Government will negotiate a short-term extension of the lease on Governor Stirling Tower.
1 March, 2011
Management reminded
on management plans
A circular reminding Agencies of their obligations to lodge Workforce Plans and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Management Plans has been issued by the Public Sector Commissioner, Mal Wauchope.
The Circular says that public sector Agencies, Local Government bodies, universities and other public authorities are required to prepare and implement an Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan and to report annually to the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment (DEOPE).
State public sector Agencies were also encouraged to develop and begin implementation of an Agency Workforce Plan by 30 June next year.
The Workforce Plan should incorporate strategies that respond to sector-wide workforce issues and, once endorsed, should be made available to the Public Sector Commissioner by 30 June next year.
Agencies were required to improve workforce representation across diversity groups as the Equal Opportunity Act required public authorities to prepare and implement an Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan.
To help Agencies meet workforce planning and diversity requirements, the Public Service Commission has established an advice and consultation service.
Each Agency has a dedicated consultant who can assist them with this work.
The Circular stressed that accurate workforce data analysis underpinned effective workforce planning.
The Circular can be accessed at this PS News link.
1 March, 2011
Statistics Bureau
counts on jobs
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is recruiting staff to help run the 2011 Census, the 100th anniversary of the national count.
More than 43,000 Census jobs will be created, ranging from Area Supervisors, to collectors, to back office staff.
Currently being recruited are 3,500 casual jobs for Area Supervisor positions. They will oversee the distribution and collection of Census forms to Australia’s 9.8 million households.
In April, a further 29,000 collector positions will be advertised nationally.
Area Supervisor positions have been created in every region of Australia to ensure that the population is accurately counted on Census night.
Assistant Federal Treasurer, Bill Shorten said that more than ever, Area Supervisors were essential to the success of the Census.
They helped inform planning for future resources and infrastructure and ensured other community needs were placed in their towns.
“This has never been more important in those communities that have suffered the devastating effects of the recent natural disasters,” Mr Shorten said.
Area Supervisors will receive between $4,300 and $7,500 for the part-time position and will be employed from 18 April until 7 October.
Mr Shorten said this was the 16th Census and marked 100 years of national Census-taking in Australia by the Federal Government.
More information is available online at this PS News link.
1 March, 2011
Waterfront changes
coming on stream
An amendment to the Perth Waterfront Metropolitan Region Scheme that sets aside almost 20 hectares for the waterfront project has been released for public comment.
The amendment proposes consolidating approximately 19.75ha of existing parks and recreation, waterways and regional roads reservations to a Public Purpose Special Use Reserve.
Minister for Planning, John Day said that following on from the State Government’s recent commitment to fund capital works, the amendment was another tangible step towards making the waterfront project a reality.
The Perth Waterfront was one of the highest profile projects for Perth and the amendment to the Scheme would help establish the planning framework and allow further technical investigations and works to be carried out.
“The public will have an opportunity to have their say on the proposed rezoning and will also be able to provide comment on the Perth Waterfront Environmental Assessment Report which outlines the environmental factors for consideration and proposed management measures,” Mr Day said.
“The areas the amendment covers provide sufficient flexibility to accommodate refinements to the design and future construction works.”
The Perth Waterfront Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment and the Environmental Assessment Report will be open for public comment until Friday, 27 May.
Both documents are available on the PlanningWA website at this PS News link.
1 March, 2011
Sun to shine on
grain growers
An online climate-forecasting package will give grain growers the ability to make decisions ahead of the 2011 cropping season.
The Statistical Seasonal Forecasting (SSF) system will provide growers with more accurate information about rainfall in the coming season.
It will be available on the Department of Agriculture and Food website in April.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman said many farmers endured a tough season last year and hoped they could rebuild in 2011.
“While climate forecasting is not an exact science, forecasts are part of a farmer’s decision-making toolkit when it comes to determining cropping programs and associated risks,” Mr Redman said.
“It’s also important we all look to the future and keep developing ways to improve our farm businesses,” he said.
“I think it is excellent that climate forecasting technology such as this will now be easily accessible to everyone.”
The SSF system is designed to be user-friendly and regionally-specific, with a focus on forecasting rainfall in the south-west corner of the State from Kalbarri to Esperance.
Products include maps of forecast rainfall and associated forecast skill maps as well as more detailed plots showing forecast rainfall distributions for particular cells on the 0.5 degree (approximately 50 kilometres by 50km) grid.
The user can select the type of maps displayed and the range of months of the forecast.
1 March, 2011
Crocs croaked
by cane toads?
Four freshwater crocodiles have been found dead in the east Kimberley, prompting experts from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to wonder if they were the victims of cane toads.
Wildlife Officer at DEC, Len Terry said he was first alerted to a sick crocodile in the lagoon on 14 February.
“The crocodile was taken to a local vet facility but unfortunately it died soon after,” Mr Terry said.
“An autopsy revealed what appeared to be cane toad remains inside the animal’s stomach.
“A few days later another three dead crocodiles were found in the same area, but unfortunately we have been unable to do autopsies on the carcasses as they were already badly decomposed.”
It remained unconfirmed if the crocodiles all died from being poisoned by cane toad toxins, although this seemed likely.
Mr Terry said so far, it was only smaller crocodiles, less than a metre and a half in length, which appeared to have been affected.
Meanwhile, DEC and the University of Sydney are continuing to research the impact of cane toads on freshwater crocodiles.
Graduate student, Ruchira Somaweera who has been based at Lake Argyle for the past two years, said toad-related crocodile deaths often occurred very quickly.
“This is because the toxic molecules are so small that they get passed into the blood stream almost immediately (even through the mouth tissues) and affect the crocodile’s heart,” Mr Somaweera said.
1 March, 2011
Centrelink’s Nadia in
Queensland floods
Customer Service Adviser, Nadia Arnold is one of several hundred Centrelink workers from across the country who have been assisting Queensland people affected by the floods.
Ms Arnold, a Western Australia resident, said she put her name forward for Centrelink’s Emergency Reserve for the first time a couple of months before the floods.
“When the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment was activated for flood-affected residents, I was helping my Queensland colleagues from the Kalgoorlie Centrelink office,” Ms Arnold said.
“When the call came through that I was going to be deployed to Queensland I was excited, scared and fearful of what I was going into.”
She said she had been following media coverage about the floods but nothing prepared her for the actual experience of seeing it.
“On our way to work in recovery centres in Queensland we drove through the streets of Brisbane and Ipswich,” she said.
“There was still water lying around on the ground and you could still see the watermarks on local businesses and houses. It was just devastating,” she said.
“We were in a crisis situation working from showgrounds and temporary offices. The days were long, hot and humid.”
Since 31 December Centrelink has delivered more than $726 million representing more than 625,000 claims in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments for floods and bushfires in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.
1 March, 2011
Chance to sound
off over noise
Proposed amendments to the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 have been released by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) for public comment.
The current regulations cover a wide range of activities and are used by DEC and Local Governments to guide Western Australians in maintaining acceptable noise levels and meeting health standards.
Manager of the Noise Regulation Branch at DEC, Peter Popoff-Asotoff said the proposed amendments were designed to improve the management of noise from motor sports venues, shooting clubs, concert venues and essential services.
“As part of improving noise regulations in WA, the new amendments will reduce some limits and increase others, and introduce fees to recoup part of the regulatory costs,” Mr Popoff-Asotoff said.
“The financial cost to Local and State Governments for noise assessment of large venues and industries is often very high and the new proposed fees would allow them to continue carrying out these vital assessments.”
DEC is hosting a number of public information seminars for any interested community members during March 2011.
“The seminars will provide an overview of the proposed changes and participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and request further information,” Mr Popoff-Asotoff said.
“DEC will also hold special interest seminars on specific topics including proposed changes to airblast limits and regulation of audible safety warning devices,” he said.
The three-month public comment period on the regulation amendments closes on 23 May.
1 March, 2011
Courts get time for
good behaviour
New powers for Courts to prohibit repeat offenders from engaging in their troublesome behaviour have been passed by Parliament and proclaimed.
The Prohibited Behaviour Orders Act 2010 allows police to apply to a court to ban serial offenders from doing things, being at places or associating with people linked to their offences.
Attorney General, Christian Porter said if a repeat offender continued to engage in criminal activity such as property damage, graffiti, drunken violence, disorderly conduct or hooning, the freedoms they would otherwise enjoy as law-abiding citizens could be taken away from them.
“These kinds of low-level, high-volume crimes are often difficult crimes for courts to deal with because they are individually relatively minor offences, but cumulatively have a serious impact on the community,” Mr Porter said.
A Prohibited Behaviour Order (PBO) may be made against adults or juveniles aged 16 and over who have been convicted of two or more antisocial offences and whom the court considers likely to commit another offence.
The orders seek to give police and courts the power to restrict the liberties of serial offenders, to prevent further offending and ensure a meaningful response if they do offend.
“For example, a serial graffiti offender might be banned from using public transport, a shoplifter might be banned from a shopping precinct, or a violent offender might be banned from being out after dark or drinking alcohol,” Mr Porter said.
Details of offenders subject to a PBO are ordinarily published, including names and photographs in the town or suburb where the offender lives and the constraints are imposed.
A dedicated website had been established by the Department of the Attorney General to publish details of offenders subject to a PBO.
1 March, 2011
Healthy injection for
medical research
A total of $5.2 million has been allocated to the Targeted Research Fund (TRF) over the next three years to fund new health research.
The money will help medical researchers find new ways to improve the health of West Australians.
Minister for Health, Kim Hames said the TRF would be used for research that impacts directly on the health of Western Australians and where research findings could potentially make a difference to WA Health’s capacity to address those issues.
“Part of the funds will be directed to specific research commissioned by WA Health, while the remainder will be awarded through a competitive process,” Dr Hames said.
“Health and medical research is an integral part of our State health system, offering benefits to patients and to our economy.”
Dr Hames pointed to a new approach for caring for muscular dystrophy patients as an example of the type of research that might be considered through the TRF.
“Muscular dystrophy is a devastating genetic disorder that weakens the muscles of young boys, usually making them immobile before adulthood,” he said.
“The Government will invest $647,000 over three years to undertake a clinical trial for muscular dystrophy patients,” Dr Hames said.
“This trial involves innovative compounds that have been pioneered in Western Australia, and have the potential to improve the quality of life of muscular dystrophy patients.”
The trail would be conducted in conjunction with WA Health by the Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of WA.
1 March, 2011
PS conference on excellence
The Institute of Public Administration Australia is to hold a public sector conference -
Excellence in the Public Sector: Collaboration in Practice.
The conference will focus on winners from the Premier’s Awards and case studies from the State of the Service Report.
Public Sector Commissioner, Mal Wauchope will open the conference and Peter Allen, from the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, will give the keynote address.
For more information visit this PS News link.
Jobs book out
Dr Ann Villiers has published the fifth edition of her book How to Write and Talk to Selection Criteria.
Written specifically with the public sector in mind the, book is available online from
this PS News link or at most bookstores.
Milestone for Adopt-a-Spot
The 200th group has signed up for Keep Australia Beautiful’s Adopt-a-Spot program.
The Byford Progress Association brought the program to this milestone when it “adopted” Soldiers Road and South Western Highway in Byford.
The Department of Environment and Conservation provides administrative, logistical and policy support to the Keep Australia Beautiful Council WA.
For information about Adopt-a-Spot visit the Keep Australia Beautiful website at this PS News link.
Call for board members
Legal practitioners, community members and psychiatrists have been asked to express interest in joining the Mental Health Review Board.
About 25 members are required and current members are welcome to re-apply.
For more information, visit the Mental Health Commission website at this PS News link. The closing date for expressions of interest is 4 March.
LGA awards open
The 2011 National Awards for Local Government are open for nomination.
There are 10 categories including awards for regional Australia, women in Local Government, innovative infrastructure and youth engagement.
For more information, contact the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government on free call 1800 065 113, or visit this PS News link.
Retirement seminars
Centrelink is targeting people planning for retirement with free public seminars and individual appointments.
The seminars will include estate planning and succession planning, but Centrelink states that everyone reaching retirement age could benefit from them, not just farmers and business owners.
It stresses it does not sell advice or promote particular products.
Yanchep caves open
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has agreed to open four caves in the Yanchep National Park on Saturday, 12 March.
The initiative will mark the annual Capricorn Community Festival at Old Nursery Park.
It is also part of DEC’s Rediscover Parks campaign which is aimed at encouraging Western Australians to visit national parks.
Goats culled
An aerial culling operation in the Kalbarri National Park has reduced feral goal numbers.
The cull was carried out by the Department of Environment and Conservation to protect fragile plant and animal communities in the Murchison Gorge system.
A total of 870 goats and 11 feral pigs were culled over six days in what has become an annual operation to reduce populations of the destructive pest animals.
New schools
Four new primary schools will be opened in 2013, easing the burden on existing schools in high growth areas.
They are at Pearsall (near Wanneroo), West Byford (in Perth’s south), Karratha (in the Pilbara) and East Dalyellup (near Bunbury).
The Department of Education is closely monitored population trends and new housing developments to ensure new schools are planned and placed where they were needed.
Museum building to go
Demolition of the Western Australian Museum’s 1970s multi-storey building facing Francis Street will be carried out by the Delta Group.
The building was closed in 2003 after asbestos and other occupational health and safety deficiencies were found.
The museum’s collection was moved to Welshpool’s Collection and Research Centre.
Credit rating confirmed
Moody’s has re-affirmed the Western Australian Government’s triple-A credit rating.
Stating the outlook for the rating was stable, Moody’s assessed the State Government as having “ample budget flexibility, a diverse export and natural resource-based economy and manageable, albeit rising debt burden”.
The Moody’s report follows a triple-A assessment by Standard and Poor’s in December.
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