Wednesday, 24 August 2016
In Dowerin for the annual field days, Ms Davies said farmers could now register for the Liberal National Government scheme, which was a component of the recently launched $30 million Royalties for Regions Watering WA initiative. The scheme officially starts on October 1 2016. "Under Watering WA, the Department of Water's existing Farm Water Rebate Scheme has been expanded to farms connected to scheme water, and the maximum value of rebates is increasing from $15,000 to $20,000," Ms Davies said. "Farmers not connected to the scheme can continue to apply for funding. Farmers can claim 50 per cent of the cost of water supply plans, up to a maximum value of $500, and a further rebate of up to $250 for any call back visits by an approved water auditor. "Once the plan has been approved by the Department of Water, farmers can apply for up to 50 per cent of the cost of a range of infrastructure improvements to dams and catchments, tanks, pipes and pumping systems including solar energy, up to a maximum value of $20,000. "This supports the wider Watering WA initiative to make hundreds of millions of litres of water available for community and industry use in agricultural towns and communities, reducing reliance on costly scheme water for non-potable uses. "More than $36 million has been spent over the past two decades building water capacity on farms not connected to the scheme in dryland agricultural areas." Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Royalties for Regions was supporting the development of lower cost climate-resilient water supplies for farming communities through improved on-farm water infrastructure. "This funding supports key improvements such as harvesting of water through improving catchments for dams, new guttering on farm sheds, increased storage of harvested water with new and enlarged dams, and improved on-farm distribution," Mr Redman said. "This investment ultimately aims to support long-term growth in regional economies." Fact File
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Speaking at the Duncraig Edible Garden today, Community Services Minister Tony Simpson announced that the Community Gardens Grants program had been extended to 2019-20, which provides $100,000 per year in funding for community gardens. Since its introduction in 2013, 37 projects totalling $464,853 have been funded across WA for the establishment and maintenance of community gardens. "Community gardens are a fantastic way of bringing communities together and allowing people to connect with the environment," Mr Simpson said. "They provide resounding benefits to those taking part, including getting people out and about and socialising while learning and sharing practical ideas about gardens, nutrition and the local environment. "There has been an overwhelming uptake in the program from community organisations across WA and I congratulate all those involved who have seized the opportunity to improve their neighbourhoods." The Minister said the program was part of the State Government's commitment to encourage social interaction and healthy living within local communities. "The Duncraig Edible Garden is just one example of a group that has used funding through the program to purchase equipment and undertake improvements to help the organisation operate in an independent and sustainable way," he said. Fact File
24/08/2016
Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the Liberal National Government had launched the Regional Roadside Litter Prevention Project along three litter hotspots - the Brand, Great Eastern and Forrest highways. The $185,000 project, supported by the Keep Australia Beautiful Council (WA) and Main Roads Western Australia, will run until the end of December 2016. "The project is centred on the 'WA Naturally Thanks You' message and will encourage people to do the right thing with their rubbish by promoting a sense of personal responsibility," Mr Jacob said. "Everyone is capable of making a difference and I'm confident thanking people in advance for doing the right thing will help change the habit of roadside littering. This initiative, together with the State Government's recently announced container deposit scheme, will make a big difference in WA." Results from the 2015-16 National Litter Index confirmed that roadsides continue to attract high volumes of litter and are the source of most of the litter found in WA. As part of the project, there will be signs on the highways and at rest stop bins. Complimentary litter bags will also be available at 20 roadhouses along these routes. The Keep Australia Beautiful Council will also survey drivers at the roadhouses on their reactions to littering. Transport Minister Dean Nalder said these roads were subject to heavy traffic and had historically been popular spots for littering. "I'm hopeful that, as the amount of rubbish in these areas reduces, people will be encouraged to keep them clean and litter free," Mr Nalder said. Fact File
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Head on over to our Southern Forests Employment Hub and check out the current jobs that are available in the area! Work starts on new bike trail at Margaret River
Tuesday, 23 August 2016 Page Content
Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the tender for the construction of the new trail had been awarded to Margaret River trail business Common Ground. "The first trail of the new network, Paper Trail, opened last year, and this challenging track has already been very popular, recording nearly 6,500 rides," Mr Jacob said. "The extra nine kilometres of new trail that is now being constructed will be suitable for all skill levels, but will also provide testing options and lines for experienced mountain bikers." The new trail forms part of the first purpose-built trail network under the Liberal National Government's South West Mountain Bike Master Plan. This master plan was released last year to meet the growing demand for purpose-built trails and a more managed approach for one of the world's fastest growing recreational pursuits. The master plan identifies Margaret River as a site for development of a trail network of national significance that will see construction of about 80km of purpose-built trails. The new trail is funded by $155,000 from the State Government's Royalties for Regions program through the Parks for People initiative, as part of the Western Australian Caravan and Camping Action Plan 2013-2018. Lotterywest also provided a grant of $100,000 to the Margaret River Offroad Cycling Association to support the project. Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the project would be a boon for tourism in the region. "The Parks for People initiative encourages more visitors to explore our regions by creating exciting new attractions and opportunities in the South-West region," Mr Redman said. "The Bramley National Park bike trail is a fantastic example of this and I am pleased it will soon be open for cyclists from all over the world to enjoy." Fact File
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
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Led by Save the Children WA since June 2013, the South East Corridor Youth Partnership Project brings together all levels of government and the community sector to meet the needs of at-risk youth in the south-east metropolitan region. Youth Minister Tony Simpson said positive outcomes for young people were dependent on strong collaboration between government and community sector organisations to deliver localised services. "I commend Save the Children WA on providing the leadership and strategic direction that this project requires in order to provide collaborative support and services to young people within the community," Mr Simpson said. "The State Government is pleased to be able to provide this funding which will help to provide long-term sustainable impact and change for young people living in the local government areas of Armadale, Gosnells, Canning and Belmont." Through the partnership, young people are also playing a key role in the planning and delivery of programs, including the Youth Leadership Roundtable which allows participants to work to try and improve the lives of their peers. "This is an exciting aspect of the program and it is pleasing to see such an innovative approach to youth service delivery," the Minister said. Fact File
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
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"The funding will strengthen the capacity of pastoral care staff including psychologists, chaplains and nurses to help students understand the misery of meth," Ms Mitchell said. "It will also help parents by boosting the ongoing delivery of the successful parent education sessions, which assist them to understand prevention and treatment of meth use. "This initiative will put skills and knowledge in the hands of those people who have daily contact with young people who may be susceptible to, or affected by, methamphetamine use." Education Minister Peter Collier said the initiative would target young people at increased risk of harm by including resources warning students in Years 11 and 12 about the dangers of meth use. These new resources and interactive online materials are aimed at students who are disengaged from mainstream schooling, Aboriginal students in remote school sites and students with special needs. "Reducing the impact of meth use on our community is a high priority for the State Government and this is an early intervention initiative aimed at reducing demand," Mr Collier said. This funding was announced in the State Budget and is part of the Government's multi-faceted WA Meth Strategy. It is in addition to the recently announced new drug education resource now available to schools. Fact File
The Woman's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services is offering a full day training workshop on "Domestic Violence and the Law." This training features speakers from Legal Aid WA and Aboriginal Family Law Services.
The event will be held Thursday 15th September 2016.
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