Wednesday, 17 August 2016
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Energy Minister Mike Nahan said these providers were now able to apply directly to the Public Utilities Office (PUO) for exemptions from the requirement to hold a retail licence in order to sell electricity to consumers. Previously, the cost of obtaining a licence and complying with its requirements had proven prohibitive for solar PPA providers, acting as a barrier to entry into the emerging market. Solar PPAs involve a solar power company installing a system on a customer's roof at no up-front cost, with the customer signing an agreement to buy all the electricity supplied from the system for a set period at an agreed price. "West Australians are embracing solar energy in unprecedented numbers and the State Government wants to ensure everyone has access to this exciting technology," Dr Nahan said. "By creating the exemption, we have broken down barriers, cut red tape and reduced the regulatory costs for solar PPA providers to offer electricity services to customers. This will help the emerging market to develop and increase the choices that customers have to access these innovative and renewable sources of electricity at an affordable price. "The Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme will also be available to eligible customers who export electricity back into the grid. "Retail licence exemptions, which can now be submitted to the PUO, will also include important consumer protection conditions to ensure consumers are aware of their rights and obligations under the solar PPA before entering into a contract." The Minister said the new exemption showed the Government's commitment to solar energy and reducing red tape for businesses. "The Government is a huge supporter of renewable energy and this new measure will promote the uptake of even more solar PV systems by the community," he said. Fact File
18 -30 September
This is our annual Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia pest surveillance event and we ask everybody to get outdoors and make reports of pests. This is the second year we are running it and we would like to beat our goal of 513 reports from last year! 13 August -13 September This Blitz is part of the National Science Week events and we are asking everybody to participate by registering online and placing a free pantry trap in their pantry for one month. During this one month period, we ask that participants send 4 photos of trapped insects to us using our free MyPestGuide Reporter app. We send information about all trapped insects to the persons making the reports so the Pantry Blitz helps people learn about pests in return for helping us gather valuable pest data. Did you know the Manjimup TAFE runs qualifications in Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management and Agriculture? Students are welcome to enrol in just one or two units or study the full qualification. If you already work in the industry, these qualifications will give you recognition for your skills. Full Time, Part Time, Flexible/External, Apprenticeship, Traineeships and RPL’s (Recognition of Prior Learning) are all study options for students. Depending on your experience, you can also start at a higher qualification. Horticulture The Manjimup TAFE Campus runs the following Horticulture qualifications to help get you get on track for a career in this booming industry. AHC20310 – Certificate II in Production Horticulture AHC20410 - Certificate II in Horticulture AHC30710 - Certificate III in Horticulture AHC40410 - Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC50410 – Diploma of Horticulture This qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to work effectively in the horticultural industry, operating machinery, landscaping, irrigation, pruning, planting, treating weeds and pests, and workplace safety and health. Classes are held on Wednesdays 9:00am to 4:00pm. Conservation and Land Management Do you want to enhance your ability to nurture and care for our natural habitat to ensure the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations? The Manjimup TAFE Campus runs the following Conservation and Land Management qualifications: AHC21010 – Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management AHC31410 - Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management AHC40910 - Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management Embarking on a career in conservation and land management begins with training that covers workplace safety, environmental work practices, providing first aid, and treating weeds. These topics covered in this course to give you the necessary foundation skills for employment in this industry. Classes are held on Fridays 9:00am to 4:00pm. Agriculture Study AHC30110 – Certificate III in Agriculture at the Manjimup TAFE to gain the knowledge and understanding of general agricultural practices across livestock and cropping production systems. In this course you will learn how to implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices, prepare and apply chemicals, plan and construct conventional fencing, operate machinery and equipment,control plant pests, diseases and disorders, implement a plant nutrition program, develop a soil health and plant nutrition program, identify and draft livestock, implement animal health control programs, implement feeding plans for livestock and much more. For further training AHC50110 – Diploma of Agriculture is also available to enrol in as a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Classes are held on Wednesdays 9:00am to 4:00pm. Attached is a flyer which lists all our courses in Manjimup and information on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you require further information please don’t hesitate to contact the Manjimup Campus on 9771 7600, visit us at the Campus on Graphite Road or email Manjimup@srtafe.wa.edu.au.
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
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Water Minister Mia Davies congratulated the centres for their water saving efforts following a certificate presentation at the LIWA State Conference last night. "The Liberal National Government, through the Water Corporation, is pleased to support the Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program, which has helped the industry save more than 700 million litres of water since 2008 - which, in aquatic centre terms, is about 280 Olympic-sized pools," Ms Davies said. "All five of the metropolitan centres carried out extensive reviews of how they use water and developed management plans to achieve lasting water savings. "They identified many ways to save water, from retrofitting their internal plumbing with waterwise showerheads and taps, to carrying out daily water use monitoring and changing the way they maintain and operate their facilities." The Minister said the Fremantle Leisure Centre installed an online monitoring system that provided real-time information on its daily water use, while the Town of Victoria Park's Aqualife Centre installed water-efficient showerheads with automatic timers to reduce use. Other centres endorsed last night as Waterwise include Leisure World in Gosnells, the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, and the Sea Turtle Swim School in Gooseberry Hill. "This program is an opportunity for centres to demonstrate their role in conserving water and I encourage all aquatic centres across Western Australia to become involved in this innovative program," Ms Davies said. Fact File
Hi gardeners, ADOPT A PACKET OF SEEDS Thanks to the generosity of the Manjimup Mitre 10 Garden Centre, we have been furnished with a range of old plant seeds. We are looking for volunteers to adopt a packet or two and get seedlings going at home ready for spring planting in the Community Garden. Here's a picture: If you're interested come along to the Garden Gathering on Saturday (1-3pm) and pick out your babies.
LOOKING FOR DONATIONS - compost bay construction We we like to double the capacity of our compost bays and are looking for some basic materials you may have lying around at home.
If you have any of these things to donate, it would be great if you could drop them off during tomorrow's Garden Gathering (otherwise contact me and we can work something out). There is so much more news! But I'm short on time at the minute so I'll have to put together a bit of a newsletter next week. Happy gardening everyone. Spread the word it is going to be a great weekend September 30th - October 2nd - and book your accommodation now - especially if you want to be close to the action! Local & Visitors Stage Calling for interest from bluegrass / old timey style acts – the free stage will run between 9am and 4pm on the Saturday October Song Competition Songs are staring to come in – have you got yours underway? Are you singing Waltzing Matilda all the time to come up with alternative lyrics? Vintage and Classic Cars Do you own a classic car? Want to display your pride and joy in the main street of Manjimup on Saturday October 1st? Click here for more information. Call for Stall Holders Do you Make, Bake or Grow things and would like to take a stall on Saturday October 1st? Click here for more information and how to book. Feature band for the weekend, The Davidson Brothers, is one of Australia's leading bluegrass bands and they have never been to WA before!
They are performing and giving instrument workshops and joining jam sessions in Manjimup during the weekend - the middle weekend of the school holidays. Are you having issues completing your Census forms?
Do you need some guidance? ABS will be available on Friday to assist anyone with their Census completion from 9.00am to 12.00am, at the Manjimup Community Resource Centre Sunday, 14 August 2016
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Speaking at the Liberal Party State Conference today, Mr Barnett said the government had delivered an additional 503,000 hectares of land to the State's terrestrial conservation estate and an increase of 945,000ha to our marine parks since 2008. "By protecting our unique environment, we can ensure this amazing resource will remain for our children and grandchildren while also being showcased to local and international visitors," he said. It was one of a number of announcements the Premier made at the annual conference, including committing to a new purpose-built Quadriplegic Centre. Tourism opportunities to be opened up at Abrolhos Islands The Premier said the Liberal-led government would create the Abrolhos Islands National Park, covering the land component of about 90 per cent of the islands. Mr Barnett said this would not only ensure that the extraordinary and unique environment and heritage of the Abrolhos was protected for our children and future West Australians, it would also open up the islands to more tourism opportunities. It would also ensure ongoing access for commercial and recreational fishermen. "The Abrolhos are the jewel in the crown of the Mid-West coast, but have been largely untapped for tourism purposes. This new arrangement will ensure better access and also lead to better visitor facilities on the islands," he said. The 123 Abrolhos islands are in four groups. About 10 per cent of the islands - 21 - currently contain some fishing infrastructure, including fishermen's shacks and private jetties, as well as Department of Fisheries' infrastructure. The Abrolhos Islands National Park will cover the unoccupied islands and will be managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, while the waters will continue to be managed by the Department of Fisheries as a Fish Protection Zone. Those islands, currently accessed by fishermen under the terms of their commercial rock lobster fishing licences, will also continue to be managed by Fisheries. "Arrangements for the commercial and recreational fishermen who currently use the islands will remain unchanged. The rock lobster fishing interests and the aquaculture operations will continue to operate under the management of the Department of Fisheries," Mr Barnett said. The Premier said the tourism potential of the islands was vast and Geraldton was an ideal base for visitors to the Abrolhos. "As a regional centre within a reasonably short drive from Perth, the benefits to Geraldton will be significant," he said. "In addition to activities such as diving on coral reefs, sightseeing, walking, fishing and whale watching, the Abrolhos are extraordinarily important historically as the site of several shipwrecks, including the Batavia, leading to one of the most chilling tales of shipwreck and mutiny in Australian history." Mr Barnett said initial infrastructure improvement efforts would focus on the Wallabi group of islands, with improved facilities such as an upgraded jetty and camping facilities. Fact File
The Premier said one area of major reform had been in retail trading hours. He said it was evident in 2008 that WA's retail trading laws were overly prescriptive and a barrier to business. "It was also evident Perth was falling behind by not providing what customers demanded, and had come to expect, in other places around the country and the world," he said. "However, this government recognised it was important to introduce change in a gradual and progressive way which had allowed businesses - and the community as a whole - to adjust to a new retail environment." Mr Barnett said the first step had been to extend weeknight trading to 9pm and to relax the staff cap on many small retail shops and allow them to own more stores, assisting more than 7,000 small retailers in WA. Following this, the government introduced Sunday trading from 11am to 5pm and abolished confusing 'special trading precincts', creating a level playing field for retailers. The Premier said legislation to amend the Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 to address further anomalies in the system and extend trading hours for general retail shops in the metropolitan area from 7am to 9pm on all weekdays and from 7am to 6pm on Saturdays, and removing restrictions on what service stations and special retailers (hardware stores) could sell, had now been introduced to Parliament. "At last year's conference, I said we would extend shopping hours on Sundays and I confirm that 9am Sunday shopping will be the first measure if this Government is re-elected in March 2017," he said. "The practical effect of these overdue changes is that Western Australian consumers will have greater choice and shops will open in line with most Australian capital cities." New Quadriplegic Centre to be built on Shenton Park site Mr Barnett said $7 billion had been spent building a new world-class hospital system across the State. "I am proud of the record my Government has in ensuring West Australians have access to the very best in health care in a hospital system that has been basically rebuilt over the past eight years," he said. "But it is clear there are some things still remaining to be done and a new Quad Centre is definitely overdue." The Premier said the existing facility at Shenton Park, which currently housed 48 people with disability, was 50-years-old and not suited to contemporary modes of care. It would be replaced with a new purpose-built residential facility that better reflected modern care for patients with spinal injury. Mr Barnett said the new centre would be at the same site and would have about 30 beds, fewer than the current 72 beds because more people with spinal injury would choose to live at home or in other more independent settings. A further 12 custom-built homes will be built over four years to accommodate patients wanting to live within the community. "The cost of the residential facility is likely to be between $20-30 million, but may be offset by land sales at the Shenton Park site. The additional 12 community homes will cost about $10 million," the Premier said. Mr Barnett said patients and their families would be consulted before a final model was determined. "All current residents will be able to remain in residential care if that is their wish," he said. Sealed road from Broome to Cape Leveque The Premier said the Liberal-led Government would add to the tourism potential of Broome and the Kimberley, and better support community services, by the staged construction of an all-weather sealed road from Broome through the length of the Dampier Peninsula to Cape Leveque. The road will open up tourism and business opportunities along the length of the Peninsula and provide much-needed improved safety and access for Aboriginal communities, pastoralists and pearling and aquaculture operations. There are an estimated 1,425 people living in 71 Aboriginal communities (52 are permanent) on the Dampier Peninsula. This represents the greatest density of Aboriginal communities in WA. The road from Broome to Cape Leveque is 200 kilometres and 110km is already sealed. The remaining 90km is often impassable in the wet season. Sealing the remainder of the road will cost about $65 million. The project would be done in stages. Mr Barnett said places such as One Arm Point, about 200km north of Broome, had great tourism potential with a spectacular coastline and stunning views across the Buccaneer Archipelago. "I hope Aboriginal communities in the area will have the opportunity to develop tourism businesses and introduce visitors to Aboriginal culture, traditional fishing techniques and bush foods, as well as provide accommodation and meals," he said. Premier's office - 6552 5000 |
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