Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan has profiled the top 20 premium food and beverage products with prime growth potential for Western Australia in the Premium Agrifood Market Opportunity report, commissioned by the State Government.
The products are wide-ranging from organic beef, specialty breads and baby food to premium grains and cider. The combined market value of these 20 products could contribute to up to $4 billion in additional value into the agrifood sector, opening up new employment opportunities across Western Australia. The report used market trend research in domestic and Asian export markets to identify new and emerging premium agrifood products that add value to the State's abundant raw materials. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Food Industry Innovation project will meet with industry and WA agribusinesses to facilitate investment and build on these opportunities. Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan: "WA has traditionally produced and exported bulk quantities of agrifood ingredients, and we have a great reputation for delivering quality food. "But we are falling behind in the share of premium, value-added consumer-ready products we export compared to other States and wealthy developed countries. "This report highlights export market value up to $4 billion across the 20 priority opportunities and analyses the capacity for WA businesses to capture a larger share of the value of this market. "This is about developing the full potential of food and beverage businesses here in Western Australia, which are adding value to our raw produce, growing jobs and building our economy." The McGowan Government will establish a $1.5 million Horticultural Research Recovery Fund to support growers in finding new international and domestic markets.
Western Australian potatoes and other produce have been restricted from entering interstate markets since the discovery of tomato potato psyllid in Western Australia in February 2017. While the State Government will continue to negotiate for better interstate market access for Western Australian growers, the Horticultural Research Recovery Fund will enable industry and government to open up new opportunities in food processing and international markets. The $1.5 million allocation has been funded through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan: "This has been an incredibly difficult period for our growers, particularly potato growers who have been unable to sell into the Eastern States. "We will keep working with other States to develop the scientific protocols to underpin improved market access, but we need to start looking at new opportunities for growers. "There are real opportunities to turn our produce into high-quality food products as well as to focus on international markets, and this fund will help to kickstart work in these areas. "We will be working closely with industry over the next three months to develop these new opportunities and get WA produce moving again." Minister's office - 6552 6200 The Revelation Perth International Film Festival kicked off its biggest program of the festival's 20 years last night at Luna Leederville.
Cultural industries bring vibrancy to our communities, telling stories with diverse voices, sharing experiences and talents for all to enjoy and that is what Western Australia is all about. This year's program once again brings high-quality cinema that is bold and compelling as well as opportunities for local filmmakers to learn, create and connect. The festival runs from July 6-19, 2017 and includes more than 200 films including 15 world and international premieres and 41 Australian premieres. There are free children's screenings at Mini Rev. There are also exhibitions that celebrate the audio-visual including the not-to-be-missed Suspended Voices at St George's Cathedral. This year four Western Australian feature films screen: Top Knot Detective, Meal Tickets, It's Not Just Me and Secrets at Sunrise as well as 11 Western Australian shorts alongside some of the most acclaimed films from international film festivals, elevating them to the world stage in their own backyard. Not to be missed is Screenwest's annual short film showcase of some of the State's most talented emerging filmmakers, Get Your Shorts On! at 7pm, Wednesday July 19 at Luna Leederville. The full program and tickets are available on the Revelation website or at Luna Leederville. Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman: "To sustain the momentum and growth that Revelation has, creating such an iconic celebration of independent cinemas, demonstrates the spirit and passion for the arts that Western Australians have. "The next two weeks are jam packed with films, events and activities which enrich Western Australia's screen culture and build the local screen industry." he push to transform Western Australia into an international mountain biking destination has received a boost with the release of a master plan to guide the development of trails in Perth and Peel.
The Perth and Peel Mountain Bike Master Plan, launched today by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson and Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray, proposes expanding the current network of trails from 125 kilometres across nine sites to 575 kilometres across 24 sites. The report identifies priority sites of potential national significance in the Perth Hills, Wungong and Dwellingup; and regionally significant opportunities in the Swan Valley, Jarrahdale and Yanchep. The plan was developed by WestCycle, with support from the State Government, Lotterywest and the West Australian Mountain Bike Association. The plan can be viewed at http://www.westcycle.org.au Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson: "The Perth and Peel regions include some of the most unique and picturesque landscapes in the world, so today we are really focused on making the environment the motivation for people seeking adventure-based tourism. "The aim is to provide exceptional experiences for mountain bikers while also protecting the natural environment by creating a diverse mix of trail types and mountain biking centres." Comments attributed to Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray: "This plan not only encourages people to get outdoors and participate in one of the world's fastest growing sports, but it also identifies major opportunities to create trail towns in WA. "Creating more urban and bushland trails that are easy to access from metropolitan areas will not only encourage local participation, but open up new tourism and economic opportunities for the State." Housing Minister Peter Tinley today officially opened 15 new seniors' accommodation units in Carnarvon.
Mr Tinley said the Department of Community Services partnered with the Gascoyne Memorial Foundation in developing the additional units at the Foundation's existing seniors' complex. The State Government funded construction through the Department of Community Services and the Gascoyne Revitalisation Program. The additional units provide new opportunities for residents to access affordable, age-appropriate homes close to services and amenities. The department has had a historical involvement with the project site, having facilitated construction of the original 35 units between 1984 and 1992. The Gascoyne Memorial Foundation has grown that complex and its partnership with the State Government has facilitated a significant expansion. Construction cost $4.7 million with works undertaken by two local contractors; Griffin Civil and Northern Aspects Construction. A local workforce used timber framed construction to build the units in just 38 weeks. Comments attributed to Housing Minister Peter Tinley: "A growing number of Carnarvon residents are reaching retirement age and need to access suitable and affordable housing close to their families. "These new homes are a short stroll from the Carnarvon Central shopping centre, restaurants and cafes, the Carnarvon Medical Centre, the Seniors Citizen Centre, parklands and various recreational activities. "The successful delivery of this project will have long lasting benefits, not just for the residents that live in these homes, but for the wider Carnarvon community. "Addressing the requirements of an ageing population is a shared responsibility that crosses the whole of government and the community. There is great value in helping seniors in regional WA to remain in their communities as they age. Allowing them to 'age in place' benefits local communities by facilitating social connectivity and activity. "The Department of Community Services is currently developing a seniors housing strategy that focuses on helping older Western Australians on low to moderate incomes to access and sustain Western Australia Police headquarters will light up over two nights as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts this evening flicked the switch on an impressive light projection showcasing seven works of art by Aboriginal artists from across Western Australia. Between sundown and 10pm tonight and tomorrow night (July 3), the western side of the eight-storey WA Police headquarters in East Perth will be transformed into a canvas to project the series of images. The light projection is part of WA Police's commitment to NAIDOC Week, with a theme of reconciliation and taking a 'journey together'. The artists showcased in the light projection are Bonnie Ingram, Cyril Whyoulter, Justin Martin, Bradley Kickett, Katie Ward, Peter Farmer Jnr and Edwin Mulligan. Comments attributed to Police Minister Michelle Roberts: "The response already from the Aboriginal community to WA Police's NAIDOC Week initiatives has been extremely positive. "In numerous remote and regional communities, as well as the metropolitan area, police work hard to build good relationships with their local communities. "Initiatives like this help strengthen the relationship between WA Police and the Aboriginal community by showing respect and acknowledging the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in WA." |
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