Saturday, 13 August 2016
Page Content
Child Protection Minister Andrea Mitchell said Kevin Campbell, an international expert in childhood trauma and establishing lifelong supports for children in care, spent the week training child protection workers on his Family Finding model. "The model was developed by Mr Campbell to help locate the estranged relatives of children in care," Ms Mitchell said. "This is an excellent opportunity for child protection practice as the model will be used to help strengthen the safety and support networks for Western Australian children in care. "The model provides the strategies needed to locate family members, so every child can benefit from lifelong connections that only a family provides. "Providing safe and stable family based living arrangements for children in care helps them to maintain ongoing contact with other family members and friends and preserves their cultural identity and sense of belonging." The Minister said providing nurturing family based homes was the most important factor in helping children who had suffered from trauma to thrive and not just survive their childhoods. At the course, child protection workers used the model to help locate long-lost relatives of children and young people currently in care. Fact File
Saturday, 13 August 2016
Page Content
Ms Mitchell said a community advisory group would be established to engage with the community and West Australians were invited to nominate for membership. "The group will play a key role in consulting widely with a network of consumers, families and community members to develop an appropriate model of service and supporting legislation," she said. The group will include seven to 10 community members who have experienced their own alcohol or drug use problems, or have been affected by someone else's use, and can make a contribution based on those experiences. The group will include consumers, Aboriginal people and people living in regional areas, to represent a broad range of experience. "For most people, voluntary treatment either within the community or in voluntary residential care is appropriate, however for a small number of people, compulsory treatment may provide a better opportunity for assessment and effective treatment," the Minister said. "The Liberal-National Government has heard the families and community members who are calling for more support and has acted promptly to pursue this additional response measure. "In developing this legislation, it is important to find a model that best fits WA, while continuing to advance the range of other prevention and treatment initiatives the State Government already has in place to mitigate the harm caused by drugs and alcohol." Ms Mitchell said the Mental Health Commission had reviewed compulsory treatment models in NSW, Victoria, Northern Territory and New Zealand to learn from their experiences. The commission will consult with key stakeholders and is expected to release an Exposure Draft Bill for community consultation before the end of the year. To apply, visit http://www.mhc.wa.gov.au Fact File
See the link below to read the August addition of the Greenbushes Balingup newsletter.
Friday, 12 August 2016
Page Content
Small Business Minister Sean L'Estrange said non-payment of subcontractors within the construction sector was unacceptable and required a whole of government response. "Finance Minister Bill Marmion and I have met with subcontractor representatives and we acknowledge their specific concerns," Mr L'Estrange said. The new measures include mandating from September 30, 2016, Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) on Building Management and Works construction projects valued between $1.5 million and $100 million. Mr Marmion said Western Australia was the first State to trial PBAs and would be the first to roll them out more broadly. "PBAs are an important measure for streamlining the payment process along the supply chain and improving transparency and accountability," he said. "PBAs can shield subcontractors from 'phoenix' activity, where head contractors strip assets from the business before entering administration." Mr L'Estrange also announced significant changes to Security of Payment legislation, including:
"The Government will back building industry productivity by reinforcing the need for adherence to the existing laws that apply to construction workplaces which help stamp out inappropriate and unethical behaviour," Mr L'Estrange said. The Small Business Commissioner will have an expanded role in reviewing and mediating on disputes involving small businesses on Government projects. The Government will also fund and establish a Building and Construction Compliance Unit within the Department of Commerce to monitor compliance with the Code of Conduct. Fact File
Are you looking for work?
Head on over to the Southern Forests Employment Hub to view our current jobs available for this area Thursday, 11 August 2016
Page Content
Housing Minister Colin Holt was in the South-West today to officially announce the start of construction of Stage 1 of Access Housing's South West Ageing in Place Housing Pilot, which will deliver 26 independent living units for seniors. "There's no place like home and projects like this are providing people with options to remain in their communities - close to friends and family - as they grow older," Mr Holt said. "As the population ages, it's vital communities become more age-friendly through the provision of appropriate and affordable accommodation. "These units provide people with the choice to continue living closer to support networks in places they feel connected, instead of having to relocate to a city or bigger town." The pilot will see 14 rental units built at Mitchell Way, Dardanup. The Boyanup project will offer nine new and three refurbished units for sale at Thomas Street, with proceeds from the sale of the 12 units reinvested to build more housing as part of a second stage of the project. Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the $4.8 million Royalties for Regions investment, part of the $600 million Growing Our South initiative, was making the South West Ageing in Place Housing Pilot possible. "This is a great example of the State Government, local government and the not-for-profit sector working together to meet the needs of regional communities," Mr Redman said. "Other Royalties for Regions-backed projects taking shape in the South-West that benefit senior residents include the expansion of retirement villages in Northcliffe and Pemberton. "Developing infrastructure to support ageing in place is listed as a priority in the South West Regional Blueprint. The South West Development Commission has been working with stakeholders to build the stock of accommodation for seniors in the region." Fact File
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
Page Content
The Liberal National Government this week launched two new digital media initiatives - DISCOVR WA and Park Explorers - aimed at encouraging people to explore the many activities and experiences on offer in WA's 100 national parks and other reserves. Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the rapid growth of digital and social media had enabled people to preview potential holiday destinations and activities before they visited. "Through DISCOVR WA and Park Explorers, we are now providing people with glimpses into real holiday experiences that are occurring throughout WA, showing them what they can do and see before visiting a national park," he said. "The DISCOVR WA app lets people immerse themselves in 3D imagery of national parks, providing virtual reality tours of a range of natural areas in the State. "The app focuses on new outstanding attractions including The Gap in Torndirrup National Park, the awe-inspiring Granite Skywalk in the Porongurup Range and the historical lighthouse and Lake Cave in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. "It enables users to navigate the State using a map and choose parks and sites where they will then be taken 'inside' stereoscopic 360 degree photos." Mr Jacob said Park Explorers was a new project which encouraged people to share their experiences in natural areas by recording them and posting them on social media channels. "The State Government is currently seeking interested social media users to become Park Explorers, with selected travellers being loaned video and photographic equipment to capture their moments on holidays, as well as itineraries, park passes and free access to campgrounds," he said. "It is an excellent way to encourage people to become advocates for parks, while spreading vision and images of all the amazing activities on offer in WA's natural areas." Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said he was pleased to see Royalties for Regions investment enabling innovative approaches to help people engage with the State's natural areas. "This is a fantastic way to show off our amazing regions and encourage people to visit WA's natural areas," Mr Redman said. "Developing regional tourism and growing strong awareness and commitment to visit will contribute to building vibrant regions with strong economies. "I look forward to experiencing our natural assets through the 'lens' of Park Explorers." Fact File
|
|