18/10/2016 6:00 AM
Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Lewis said a significant level of locust activity was expected across parts of the eastern Wheatbelt and southern agricultural region, which may result in locust bands and loose swarms. A State Government contribution of $5 per hectare will be made available to eligible landholders in areas predicted to experience widespread high density hatchings. "The scheme is open to landholders seeking to control locusts in pasture, crop, fallow, greenbelts or where locusts are on public amenities, such as ovals, through spraying with a suitable insecticide," Mr Lewis said. "Locusts are a pest that we can easily take pre-emptive actions against to ensure they do not further impact our grain growers." Eligible areas include Ravensthorpe, Jerramungup, Gnowangerup, Lake Grace, Kulin, Yilgarn, Westonia, Mukinbudin and Nungarin shires. "I understand this is a busy time for grain growers leading into harvest, but I encourage them to monitor their properties and prepare to undertake control to protect their valuable crops and pastures," the Minister said. "Effective spraying will reduce the number of adult locusts that develop and may swarm and inflict damage in other areas of the State, including horticultural areas. It will also reduce the risk of locust numbers building up into autumn 2017. "The Department of Agriculture and Food is providing information on locust activity and control options." Mr Lewis had noted that protracted cold conditions had delayed expected locust hatchings, but activity was expected to intensify as temperatures increased. Locust activity is also expected to occur in other parts of the southern agricultural region and eastern Wheatbelt. The scheme may be extended to additional shires if department survey teams identify other areas experiencing a high level of activity. Fact File
Monday, 17 October 2016
This week, Curtin University's Bentley Campus will be immersed in sights, sounds, smells and tastes from every corner of the globe as part of its 16th annual Multicultural Week. Supported by the Liberal National Government with $5,000 through the Office of Multicultural Interests' (OMI) Community Grants Program, the week-long event celebrates multiculturalism on campus. Organised by the Curtin Student Guild - International Student Committee, Multicultural Week will showcase a different culture each day, culminating with the Pasar Malam night market at the end of the week featuring entertainment and more than 40 food stalls. Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said Multicultural Week provided an ideal platform for inclusivity and understanding. "One of the advantages of our vibrant and diverse community is that we all have an opportunity to experience and enjoy a wide range of cultures," Dr Nahan said. "Community events play an important role in promoting multiculturalism as it creates interaction and supports acceptance, openness and respect between different individuals and groups. Events such as Multicultural Week attract large numbers of people from across the community." Curtin University's Multicultural Week runs from October 17 to 21, 2016. More than 7,000 people are expected to attend the event, which has been popular since its inception in 2000. Fact File
Monday, 17 October 2016
Racing and Gaming Minister Brendon Grylls today outlined a raft of Government measures which are making life easier for operators of licensed premises and tourism businesses. Mr Grylls said the State Government had altered the Liquor Control Regulations to provide an exemption to allow tourism operators the flexibility to offer alcohol to customers as part of a tourism experience. "This will add value to customer experiences by enhancing the service that the tourism industry can provide," he said. The Government has also increased the duration of an Extended Trading Permit (ETP) from five years to 10 years for certain types of low risk permits. "This reduces the need for licensees to reapply for the renewal of ETPs every five years, thereby removing the regulatory burden on business," Mr Grylls said. "There are about 620 permits that will benefit from this extension, with direct savings of around $120,000 every year - not including the time savings for paperwork." Following last year's reform to allow the Director of Liquor Licensing to accept licence applications without planning approval being provided at the time of lodgment, Finance Minister Sean L'Estrange said applicants could now submit a development approval in lieu of a section 40 certificate. "If an applicant already has a development approval, they will not be required to also obtain a section 40 certificate - saving a minimum of $5,625 per year in fees," Mr L'Estrange said. "It is another example of the Liberal National Government cutting unnecessary red tape to save people time and money and to make their lives easier." Fact File
Monday, 17 October 2016
Health Minister John Day and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman announced the $4.75 million innovative age-appropriate accommodation projects in May 2016 as part of the Southern Inland Health Initiative, funded by Royalties for Regions. "Pindan Modular has been selected to design and build the age-appropriate accommodation in Cunderdin, and iredale pedersen hook architects have been chosen for Pingelly," Mr Day said. "This will benefit older people and those with disability, and is an essential part of the Liberal National Government's policy to provide efficient and sustainable community-based facilities and care. "The accommodation will be built, owned and managed by the shires of Cunderdin and Pingelly and located within walking distance of many amenities, as we further develop age-friendly communities." Mr Redman said the investment was fundamental to the growth of regional Western Australia. "The new purpose-built accommodation will support people to stay in their home towns longer, even if their needs change," he said. "In what is a first for the Wheatbelt, the accommodation will also be located adjacent to new health centres, so residents will benefit from close proximity to medical care." Designs and elevations for Cunderdin and Pingelly are due to be completed by November and October respectively. Construction is due to start in early 2017. Fact File
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell said the clinic and expanded services were key elements of the $14.9 million Western Australian Meth Strategy 2016, funded in the 2016-17 State Budget. "The meth clinic, based at the Mental Health Commission's Next Step facility in East Perth, will provide free withdrawal treatment and counselling services for people with meth problems," Ms Mitchell said. "The clinic will provide rapid assessment of people experiencing meth-related problems by a multidisciplinary medical team, including a doctor, nurse and clinical psychologist with specialist knowledge of meth-related harm." Treatments will include withdrawal or relapse prevention pharmacotherapies, individual counselling and group programs. The Mental Health Commission has allocated $530,000 over two years to fund the clinic. The $3.7 million expansion of the community alcohol and drug services network will provide the equivalent of another 13 full-time staff around the State to provide counselling, information and referrals to people experiencing meth harm, and their families. "The network provides treatment in locations across Perth and in regional areas, so people who need help with meth, and their families, can access treatment and support nearer to where they live," the Minister said. The Mental Health Commission's new Meth Helpline is the first point of call for people who need help with meth, and for family and friends who may be seeking advice, support and referral to treatment services. Fact File
16/10/2016 6:00 AM
"More than one in eight people in WA is a carer, providing personal care, support and assistance to another person needing assistance with daily life," Mr Miles said. "They come from all walks of life - young or old, male or female, looking after an elderly relative, a person living with disability or a young person. "The only thing they have in common is the incredible amount of dedication and care they give to others - something that is truly worth remembering during Carers Week 2016." The Liberal National Government supports carers with more than $831,000 in 2016-17 for support programs delivered through Carers WA, and more than $203,000 for the Grandcarers Support Scheme. "Earlier this year, the State Government launched the WA Carers Strategy as a guide to government agencies, service providers and the community, to support greater recognition of carers and their needs," the Minister said. "The launch also saw the establishment of an online carers directory which allows carers to easily access information on the services and support available to them." On Wednesday, Mr Miles will attend a Carers WA lunch to show his support for the work of the organisation in representing the interests of carers throughout the State. Fact File
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Opening the exhibition, Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the project was the result of a partnership between the Liberal National Government, through the Department of Culture and the Arts, and UWA, through UWA's Co-operative Education for Enterprise Development program. "Students from UWA's Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts were given free rein to 'future proof' this important community precinct," Mr Day said. "There are some exciting concepts on display, which will stimulate conversations and help bring fresh perspectives to the future planning for the cultural centre." The Minister said initiatives by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority to revitalise the area through space activation and new programming had created an urban space where people were now comfortable to linger and enjoy. "The new museum, which is due to open in 2020, and plans to relocate Scitech to the cultural centre, will complement and increase the appeal of the area as a community hub," he said. "The new buildings with their modern facilities and technology will be drawcards in themselves, but buildings are only one element in the vision to 'future proof' the precinct. "Outdoor events now flourish alongside the cultural institutions' programming, and an outstanding example of this is the hugely successful FRINGE WORLD Festival." The Festival is now one of the largest in the world, with a ticketed attendance this year of 350,000 and box office revenue of $9.3 million. Mr Day said the Festival was just one example of the performances, events and festivals that made the cultural centre a vibrant and colourful place to be. Fact File
Thursday, 13 October 2016
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The King and Queen will be in Perth on Monday, October 31 and Tuesday, November 1. Premier Colin Barnett said Western Australia and the Netherlands had a long and strong connection with more than 22,500 West Australians claiming Dutch ancestry by the birthplace of their parents. "The visit coincides with an exciting period in our State's history, as we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the landing of Dutch skipper Dirk Hartog on what is now known as Dirk Hartog Island," Mr Barnett said. "At the Maritime Museum, the King and Queen will officially open the Travellers and Traders in the Indian Ocean World exhibition and unveil Hartog's pewter dish at a private ceremony which is on loan from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. "The inscribed pewter dish left at Cape Inscription by Hartog in 1616 is the oldest known European object found on Australian soil, and due to its fragility, will likely not return to WA again." Their Majesties will also view a scale model of the New Museum for Western Australia which was designed by a team including Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. As part of the program, Their Majesties will also visit the Hub for Immersive Visualisation and eResearch at Curtin University to hear about the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project. "We look forward to welcoming the King and Queen to Western Australia, and further strengthening our connections with the Dutch people and their culture," the Premier said. Fact File
Thursday, 13 October 2016
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Health Minister John Day said the changes would include recognition by State authorities of licences issued by the Commonwealth to businesses that manufacture medicines and poisons. "Pharmacies will no longer need to apply for a licence from the Department of Health, in addition to meeting assessment and regulation criteria of the Pharmacy Registration Board of Western Australia," Mr Day said. "The removal of this requirement is expected to produce cash savings for the industry of about $60,000 a year. "By cutting duplication, businesses will also benefit from greater convenience and time savings." When enacted, the new regulations will support the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014, and will replace the Poisons Regulations 1965. "Other changes include the removal of the requirement for wholesalers to hold a licence for Schedule 6 poisons, such as agricultural pesticides and domestic chemicals like oven cleaners," Mr Day said. "This brings Western Australia into line with other States and Territories." Finance Minister Sean L'Estrange said making business easier was fundamental to the Liberal National Government's reform agenda. "Our continuous red tape reduction strategy is about supporting enterprise and backing WA job creation," Mr L'Estrange said. The new regulations are expected to start in the first half of 2017. Thursday, 13 October 2016
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Mrs Faragher said the changes were a direct result of recent feedback from key stakeholders, including local governments, as well as suggestions made through the 2015 State Parliamentary inquiry. "These changes are primarily administrative and will ensure the system remains flexible and responsive, while more clearly communicating DAP decisions to the public," she said. "For instance, DAP agendas will be published at least seven days before a meeting, instead of the current five days, to provide more advance notice to the public. "Local governments will also be required to contact each person who has provided a written submission to a development proposal in their area, to let them know when the relevant DAP meeting will take place. "More information will be available around reasons for decisions, to ensure that the decision-making process is clearly communicated and can be better understood." The Minister said DAPs had delivered an additional level of technical expertise to the State's planning system since their introduction in 2011. "Like local councils, DAPs must make decisions based on a local government's planning scheme and policies," she said. "They provide a level of certainty and confidence that decisions will be made on the basis of proper and orderly planning. "The system has been comprehensively reviewed twice in the last five years and today's changes will ensure DAPs continue to provide the best planning outcomes possible for Western Australia." Development Assessment Panel system amendments
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