Wednesday, 25 January 2017
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Visiting the Koombana Bay site today, Environment Minister Albert Jacob said Bunbury would reap the benefits of the Liberal National Government's commitment to establishing the first State Government department headquarters outside of Perth. "BCL Group has started the first stage of construction and this is very exciting news for the community," the Minister said. "This degraded site on the city's doorstep will be transformed as part of an overall tourism precinct vision. "The area will be enhanced with a permanent pedestrian link between the Leschenault Inlet and Koombana Bay. Bunbury residents will also benefit from walk trails, a new lookout, upgraded boardwalks and other public facilities." Mr Jacob said the project would create 135 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, and 600 direct and indirect jobs once the headquarters were fully operational, generating an estimated $75 million per year for the region's economy. "Not only will the development bring scientific, conservation and land management expertise to the region, it will also encourage local graduates and people interested in a career with the agency to stay in the area," he said. Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the development, made possible by a $28.9 million investment from Royalties for Regions, would be significant for locals as well as visitors to the region. "Bunbury residents will be able to enjoy greater options for recreational activities with the improved parkland, walk trails, boardwalks and lookouts as part of the precinct that includes the new headquarters as well as the Dolphin Discovery Centre and Koombana Bay redevelopment," Mr Redman said. "This investment is a major step forward for the region and is expected to reinvigorate Bunbury as the tourism gateway to the South-West." Fact File
Wednesday, 25 January 2017
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Representatives from Italian shipbuilding and design company, Fincantieri, and its signature vessel, the FREMM Frigate 'Carabiniere', will dock in Fremantle giving locals the chance to see the anti-submarine warship up close. Commerce Minister Michael Mischin, who is meeting with Fincantieri today, said the Australian Government was modernising its naval capabilities by replacing the existing Anzac Class frigate fleet with nine anti-submarine warfare frigates. Mr Mischin said Fincantieri was one of three European ship designers shortlisted to refine its FREMM Frigate design for the RAN SEA5000 Future Frigates program. "The Future Frigate program is worth about $30 billion and there is an expectation that WA industry will contribute to the build and sustainment of the project," he said. "Fincantieri will hold an industry briefing on February 2 to gain a greater understanding of the State's shipbuilding capabilities and include local suppliers in its procurement supply chain, if it becomes the successful tenderer. "WA has demonstrated a strong commitment to our national naval defence and our local industry is ready to take part in this important naval project. "The Liberal National Government is supporting WA businesses to secure defence industry work and is committed to further growing the industry and securing local jobs for decades to come." The Minister said significant public and private investment had benefited the State's naval shipbuilding, repair and maintenance, and heavy engineering industry sectors making them very competitive for such projects. Fact File
Tuesday, 24 January 2017
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Health Minister John Day said the new Healthway sponsorships would help promote the successful LiveLighter campaign, to support people in regional areas to reach and maintain a healthy weight. "This is an important message for people living in country communities, where obesity rates can be double the rates in the metropolitan area," Mr Day said. "Recent Heart Foundation research shows 14 per cent of people living in inner city Perth are obese compared with 33 per cent of those living in regional areas of the State. "LiveLighter gives information and tips around healthy eating and being active to help people significantly reduce the risk of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and several types of cancer." The Healthway funding will support festivals, shows and community activities, and includes making healthy food choices available at the events. The Minister said the reasons for higher obesity rates in regional areas were complex. "What we do know, however, is that research shows the LiveLighter message is getting through, with two thirds of overweight adults in WA saying they had made changes to their diet as a result of the campaign," Mr Day said. "The Healthway support helps make the healthy choice, the easy choice for people taking part in these community activities." Fact File
Monday, 23 January 2017
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Swan River Seaplanes can take up to 12 guests at a time on the flights, which take in spectacular views at low altitude before dropping passengers in Margaret River at the airstrip where they can disembark on a tour of wineries and attractions, before returning to Perth. Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the unique attraction was a welcome addition to Perth's rapidly growing list of tourism products. "In recent years we've seen Segway tours, walking tours, wildlife encounters and adventure activities such as indoor skydiving added to the list of things, visitors can see and do in WA," Mr Barnett said. "Coupled with a surge in new bars, restaurants, accommodation and arts and sporting events, there are now more attractions than ever to make Perth a great holiday destination. "For those who are time-poor or just want to experience a bit of luxury and see our southern coast in a different way, Swan River Seaplanes is a unique offering that I'm sure will prove very popular." Swan River Seaplanes is a sister company of award-winning Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures in the Kimberley. The Premier said tourism was an important contributor to WA's economy, supporting 97,000 jobs for West Australians and generating $9.6 billion in the 12 months to September 2016. "We have a goal to increase that to $12 billion by 2020 and attractions such as this will help us meet that target," he said. Fact File
Monday, 23 January 2017
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Ms Davies said the Liberal National Government was committed to investigating the understanding of groundwater availability and sustainable yields in prospective locations in regional Western Australia. "The increased funding for groundwater investigation brings the total investment in the Water for Food program to $127.5 million," she said. "This additional $11.5 million investment in groundwater investigations across the State underlines our commitment to increasing the value of primary industries in Western Australia." The Water for Food program is part of the $350 million Seizing the Opportunity initiative that is investing into crucial areas of agriculture including market development, science, infrastructure and maximising water for productive use. Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Lewis said the funding would include targeted new investigations State-wide, providing key water information to support private sector investment where there was strong development potential. "These investigations will optimise current water resources and support the development of real opportunities in areas less known for irrigated agriculture," Mr Lewis said. Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the Royalties for Regions investment would accelerate water investigations and support the strategic development of agriculture. "Strengthening the State Government's understanding of groundwater availability sets the foundation for the long-term development of our regions," Mr Redman said. "This project, along with other strategic Royalties for Regions initiatives, is focused on encouraging investment in agricultural development opportunities to increase economic stability and create sustainable regional communities." Fact File
Monday, 23 January 2017
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Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said the four-year funding program would help regional athletes achieve their best. "This funding enables talented athletes to train and stay in their community as they advance along the talent pathway," Ms Davies said. "It also makes sure local coaches and officials are able to support regional athletes in their home environment by providing them with leadership skills, education, training, and support services." Regional athletes have, despite the challenge of distance, long excelled on the national and international stage. This funding supports the Regional Athlete Support Program, which offers athletes and their families the opportunity to continue their development with the appropriate financial, coaching and sport science support. Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said investment in regional sport was essential to help build stronger and more vibrant regional communities. "This Royalties for Regions investment ensures all West Australians have access to quality sport and recreation opportunities," Mr Redman said. "It also helps keep talented young people in regional Western Australia with their families." The Regional Athlete Support Program is administered by the Department of Sport and Recreation. Fact File
Monday, 23 January 2017
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Deputy Premier and Training and Workforce Development Minister Liza Harvey called on individuals and organisations to apply and be recognised for their achievements. "Each year, the WA Training Awards uncover innovative programs and partnerships and applaud individuals and organisations that make a huge contribution to the State's vocational education and training sector," Ms Harvey said. "Winners will be acknowledged for the distinction they bring to their field as one of the State's best in the sector." Applications are open in 12 categories for individuals and organisations, including WA Apprentice of the Year, WA Trainer of the Year and WA Industry Collaboration Award. Applications close at 5pm on Friday May 5, 2017. Award winners will be announced at a presentation dinner on Friday September 15, 2017 and each winner will receive $5,000 in cash or prizes. Winners may also be eligible to compete against the nation's best in the Australian Training Awards in Canberra in November. "Vocational education and training is not just about giving people job skills but about providing training of the highest calibre; relevant to what industry and employers need in their employees," the Deputy Premier said. "The State Government is committed to ensuring all West Australians have access to training that is innovative and flexible." Fact File
Sunday, 22 January 2017
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Deputy Premier and Police Minister Liza Harvey said an advanced mapping system allowed real time footage to be overlayed with relevant mapping data such as street names, assisting with accurately plotting offender and police movements. "Information of police vehicle locations is transmitted to the aircraft and overlayed on the mapping system, which greatly increases the co-ordination of strategies to help end the pursuit quickly and safely," Ms Harvey said. The Deputy Premier said the plane was also decked out with infra-red and motion detection to help detect vehicles, offenders and missing people. "The motion detection system identifies objects which may not be visible to the naked eye. It is particularly suited for search and rescue operations but can also be used to identify offenders evading police," she said. The plane is also equipped with the latest video equipment which allows an incident to be recorded, overlayed with the mapping data and sent back to the Police Operations Centre in real time, ensuring timely and accurate risk assessments and decisions can be made. "This new addition to police resources will increase safety to the community and police by providing greater control and oversight of pursuit incidents, leading to the implementation of a safe strategy to end the pursuit and apprehend the offender," Ms Harvey said. "The Liberal National Government is committed to making communities safer through tough laws and providing police with the resources they need to combat crime and anti-social behaviour." Fact File
Friday, 20 January 2017
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Veterans Minister Joe Francis said that under the ANZAC Day Act 1960, part proceeds from race meetings and organised sporting events held on ANZAC Day were paid into a trust fund. "Those proceeds, as well as an annual grant from the State Government, are then used for the benefit of ex-service men and women and their families," Mr Francis said. One new recipient is Alongside, which successfully applied for a grant of $47,000 to provide proactive support and education for partners and families of defence personnel. "Alongside is a great example of an organisation dedicated to helping veterans of more recent conflicts. It has been doing tremendous work in supporting the partners and families of our younger servicemen and women from recruitment, throughout service, discharge and beyond," the Minister said. Another group supported by the ANZAC Day Trust Fund is Perth Legacy, which received $82,255 to continue its work supporting the families of men and women who have died or have been incapacitated during or after military service. "Legacy provides crucial help and advocacy to families with essential services such as counselling, housing, and medical and social welfare support," Mr Francis said. "Ex-service personnel hold a special place in our community. Supporting them does not end upon their homecoming or discharge from the Australian Defence Force. In some cases, the work is just beginning." Fact File
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