• ​Geophysical surveys underway at Lake Monger Reserve
• Investigations help plan for sustainable management of Perth's groundwater

Water and Science Minister Dave Kelly today announced the start of a series of groundwater investigations that will help maintain the city's green spaces, so they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

The Department of Water will this week conduct two geophysical surveys at Lake Monger Reserve to investigate underlying aquifers and groundwater movement. 

The surveys involve two-dimensional seismic and electrical resistivity imaging. Lake Monger is the first of several survey sites including UWA Sports Park and Shenton Park Field Station.

The work is part of the Western Suburbs Managed Aquifer Recharge and Kings Park Formation Investigation Program, which is being run in partnership with the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils and the Town of Cambridge.

The objective of the program is to better understand the effects of groundwater use and explore the option of pumping highly treated wastewater or stormwater into the aquifers for later re-use.

The program also includes installing groundwater monitoring bores up to about 300 metres deep.

The surveys are temporary, non-intrusive and pose no threat to pedestrians, the environment or adjacent properties.

Comments attributed to Water and Science Minister Dave Kelly:

"It is no secret that Western Australia is becoming hotter and drier. Since the 1970s, Perth's rainfall has declined by more than 15 per cent.

"The McGowan Government understands that our drying climate has increased pressure on available water resources for a range of uses including drinking water supply, local horticulture and the irrigation of green spaces.

"That is why these scientific investigations are important to identify new ways to maintain urban green spaces, reduce urban heat and help ease pressure on public water supply schemes.

"Scientific investigations and research will also help us develop new ways to store and recycle stormwater and wastewater, two important strategies in addressing the State's climate challenges."

The Manjimup Community Resource Centre would like to give a HUGE shout out to our network partners the Department of Regional Development for the success and acceptance of our round two re-branding grant that has allowed us to fill up the open space in our window with an impressive NEW wall-paper art designed and fitted by the fantastic Wiseman Signs, you have done a wonderful job as always! 

• ​Funding boost to marine science education
• Students to better understand marine environment and support its stewardship

Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly today announced a major boost to marine science education in Western Australia after the Department of Fisheries and Woodside entered into a major sponsorship agreement.

The partnership will help the next generation of students better understand the State's beautiful marine environment and support its stewardship.

The agreement includes $300,000 in support from Woodside, and builds on its previous joint initiatives with the department to help further develop the popular Marine WATERs website.

The website is an online education toolkit providing additional learning pathways for students, particularly those in Western Australia's regional communities. Teachers and students from kindergarten to Year 12 have access to teaching and study guides, lesson plans, games, posters, fact sheets, presentations and videos.

The new sponsorship will see the site enhanced with more information, including regionally specific content and a data collection app for use outside the classroom.

For more information, visit http://MarineWATERs.fish.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Fisheries and Science Minister Dave Kelly:

"The McGowan Labor Government is committed to sustainably managing and promoting the State's remarkable marine environment.

"Marine WATERs has become Australia's leading dedicated online marine education resource, regularly accessed by more than 7,000 teachers and students.

"The enhancement of Marine WATERs will improve access to information on the website, and will include new education resources and programs with a regional focus.

"Woodside's two-year sponsorship of this program will make a difference in the way children learn about our marine environment, fisheries and aquatic resource management - particularly for students and their teachers in our regional centres."

• Hon. Gail Archer appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court 

Attorney General John Quigley today announced the appointment of Gail Archer SC as a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

This appointment fills the vacancy left by the resignation of the Hon. Justice David Newnes from April 21, 2017.

Ms Archer's position becomes immediately effective following a swearing-in ceremony today.

Comments attributed to Attorney General John Quigley:

"I congratulate Justice Archer on this appointment and acknowledge her ongoing contribution to the administration of justice and service to the Western Australian community.

"She brings nearly 30 years' legal experience to the Supreme Court.

"Justice Archer completed her articles at the Crown Solicitor's Office in 1989, where her Honour gained experience in matters involving workers' compensation, civil claims and conveyancing.

"In 1993, Justice Archer joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions where she conducted more than 150 jury trials.

"From 2002 to 2004 she was Principal Counsel at Legal Aid WA.

"In 2004 Justice Archer joined Francis Burt Chambers and practised as a barrister, in a wide criminal and civil practice.  She was appointed Senior Counsel in 2007.

"Justice Archer sat as a Commissioner in the District Court for periods in 2005 and 2006 and was appointed in 2007 to conduct a statutory review of the Corruption and Crime Commission Act. 

"From April 2008 to February 2011, Justice Archer was the Acting Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission.

"Justice Archer has taught forensic advocacy nationally and internationally and is a coach in the Australian Bar Association Advanced Advocacy Course.

"Justice Archer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role and I know she will continue to make a strong, positive contribution to WA's justice system."

• ​First Tourism WA office on east coast in nearly seven years
• Enhanced presence to support work already undertaken on eastern seaboard
• Increased interstate visitor numbers to grow tourism jobs

Tourism WA will soon establish an office on the eastern seaboard, for the first time since December 2010.

The State Government-funded office will represent Tourism WA in the market, to support work already being undertaken with trade partners, including airlines, wholesalers, travel websites, travel trade training and additional public relations services.

Tourism WA is scoping options on how the service will be operated and the resources required and will consult with key industry groups and stakeholders.

The new service will be in addition to Tourism WA's current marketing activities and will report to the head office in Perth.

It comes as a direct response from the McGowan Government's first Tourism Industry Consortium held on Friday, May 19, 2017.

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:

"This decision will lead to a direct increase in visitors from the Eastern States to Western Australia.

"Visitor attraction remains the State Government's number one tourism priority - everything we are doing is about growing numbers to create jobs, develop business opportunities and diversify the economy.

"The reality is, when it comes to Eastern State residents making holiday decisions, we are competing with other States and international locations such as New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii.

"However, I believe we have a revitalised offer here to make WA a real and viable alternative.

"We have a greater variety of accommodation at the lowest prices we've seen for ages, new infrastructure, a burgeoning food and wine scene, an exciting events calendar, spectacular regional destinations and unique experiences such as swimming with whale sharks and hump back whales." 

• ​231 jobs secured on new congestion-busting projects across Perth
• Sensitive wetlands and valued bushland in Roe 8 corridor to be rehabilitated
• A community-led group will revegetate the site in the winter months
• McGowan Government creating more than 6,000 jobs through 18 new road projects across WA

The rehabilitation of the Roe 8 site is now underway, marking the conclusion of a successful negotiation process to redeploy workers to new projects and secure jobs.

Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti today visited workers managing the early rehabilitation program.

The initial rehabilitation program forms part of a package of work awarded to the former Roe 8 Alliance to safeguard jobs and bring forward alternative projects that will relieve congestion on Western Australia's road network. 

The Rehabilitating Roe 8 Working Group, chaired by the Bicton MLA Lisa O'Malley, is overseeing the site remediation and looking at opportunities to maximise community participation in the rehabilitation activities.

Initial works by the alliance will focus on weed control, removal of mulch piles and installation of permanent conservation reserve fencing to protect regrowth on the site.

In the coming months, the alliance will begin work on three important road upgrades:

• The extension of Murdoch Drive to connect to Roe Highway and Kwinana Freeway
• A dual carriageway on Armadale Road between Anstey and Tapper roads
• A dual carriageway on Wanneroo Road between Joondalup Drive and Flynn Drive

The projects will safeguard the jobs of the design and project development teams following the cancellation of Roe 8 and ensure the scope of each development project is consistent with other works in adjacent areas.

Meanwhile, the McGowan Government has committed to a further 15 road projects as part of the recently announced $2.3 billion State and Federal governments road and rail funding agreement.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"The start of the rehabilitation program marks a symbolic end to the Perth Freight Link saga.

"Our new package of works will address congestion and safety concerns on key sections of our road network and boost job opportunities for Western Australians.

"We have delivered on our commitment to save the 231 jobs associated with Roe 8 and look forward to the new projects getting underway soon."

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The new projects form part of the largest congestion-busting works program ever undertaken in WA.

"These 18 new road projects - fully funded by the Federal and State governments - will transform our road network, leading to smarter, safer and more efficient journey times for all road users.
"The rehabilitation program will ensure the local community have their say on the future of these valuable sites."

​

• ​Canning Vale Police Station open for longer
• Expanded opening hours meets key election commitment
• Expanded service will ensure improved community access to police

Canning Vale Police Station is now open to 7pm on weekdays, meeting a key election commitment by the McGowan Labor Government.

The increased level of service will ensure the community has greater in-person access to police assistance.

The expanded opening hours at Canning Vale Police Station is part of the McGowan Labor Government's commitment to deliver expanded opening hours at Belmont, Canning Vale and Forrestfield police stations.

The Canning Vale Police Station is located at 449 Nicholson Road and can be contacted by phoning 9456 9555.

Comments attributed to Police Minister Michelle Roberts:

"I am pleased to announce residents will now be able to attend the Canning Vale Police Station between the hours of 8am-7pm on weekdays to report any concerns or crimes.

"This meets a key election commitment and will ensure the community has greater access to police services in-person.

"By expanding the original 8am-4pm weekday opening hours, we are providing local residents with more options to access police services, whether it be to report a crime or seek other police services.

"The McGowan Labor Government is focused on delivering a police service that is responsive to community needs, reduces crime, delivers better response times and brings more offenders to justice.

"I would like to thank Southern River MLA Terry Healy, and other Labor members in the surrounding electorates, who all played a critical role in the election campaign, hearing the concerns of local residents and using the community feedback to shape our election commitments that are now being delivered."

Comments attributed to Southern River MLA Terry Healy:

"The McGowan Labor Government is delivering on its promise to expand the opening hours of the Canning Vale Police Station.  The complex is located on the border of three electorates, and services several more, so this is a great outcome for all residents in the south metropolitan region.

"Residents have expressed their concerns about local crime to me and my fellow Labor colleagues in surrounding electorates, and I am pleased to see this election commitment being honoured so quickly by the Government."

Comments attributed to Jandakot MLA Yaz Mubarakai:

"I am pleased the McGowan Labor Government has acted immediately to deliver such an important promise to the local community.

"Extending the opening hours of the Canning Vale Police Station should result in a much stronger police presence and boost community safety in my electorate."

Comments attributed to Thornlie MLA Chris Tallentire:

"I campaigned hard on providing a better policing service to the residents of Thornlie and I'm pleased the Government has acted quickly to honour that promise.

"The McGowan Labor Government is committed to making sure people feel safe in their own homes and communities and keeping police stations open when the community needs them."

• ​State Government and industry collaborate to deliver a restoration guide on World Biodiversity Day.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Hanson Construction Materials have published a new guide to help specialists meet the challenge of restoring the Swan Coastal Plain. 

The new book, Banksia Woodlands: a restoration guide for the Swan Coastal Plain, was launched today - on World Biodiversity Day - by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson.

It was co-edited by Western Australian scientists Jason Stevens, Deanna Rokich, Vernon Newton, Russell Barrett and Kingsley Dixon.
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This book is the result of 22 years of research by staff at Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Hanson Construction Materials.
"Active conservation and restoration is essential if we are to ensure the unique biodiversity of the Swan Coastal Plain is maintained for future generations.  This book provides the guidance to achieve this goal.
"Many of the plant species in the Banksia Woodlands do not grow naturally anywhere else in the world.
"Long-term collaborative programs between Government and industry are vital to finding solutions for delivering complex biodiversity conservation." 

The Manjimup Family Centre will be celebrating 40 years on the 2nd of February 2018, the CRC would like to congratulate the family centre on this monumental achievement, the community appreciate all the invaluable work you do! Please take time to read this lovely article. 

The Coffee Mill in Pemberton is offering an exciting opportunity for individuals to learn a new trade as a barista and boost their skill set to get employed!

For more information please visit www.thecoffeemillbaristaschool or contact coffeemillbaristaschool@outlook.com