Housing Minister Peter Tinley said that the new Y-Shac, which was officially opened today (May 15) by Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia, was built by the Housing Authority on State Government land at a total cost of $1.73 million. The new property in Jecks Street, Rockingham, replaces an older facility that has helped hundreds of young people since the 1980s. It offers seven bedrooms and two transitional units as well as administrative offices, kitchens, bathrooms and living areas. The facility is conveniently located in the heart of the Rockingham community, close to public transport and employment and educational opportunities. Construction commenced in April 2015 and the facility has been operating since August 2016. Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk said the Department for Child Protection and Family Support and the Mental Health Commission provided annual funding of more than $1 million to Anglicare WA to fund the Y-Shac program. Comments attributed to Housing Minister Peter Tinley: "Y-Shac supports young people aged 15-20, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with crisis accommodation and young people aged 16-25 in transitional housing. "These young people may be escaping an unstable home life, family or relationship breakdown, eviction, exposure to crime, drugs and violence or dealing with complex mental health issues. "They are greatly in need of a safe space that provides them with stability, guidance and access to agencies that can provide a range of support services." Comment attributed to Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk: "The new Y-Shac is an exceptional facility where young people receive the guidance they need to reach their potential in life and help break the homelessness cycle."
Towards 2020 covers all legislation administered by the Department of Mines and Petroleum's primary safety regulator - the Resources Safety Division. The department is encouraging industry to work proactively to prevent accidents and fatalities from occurring, and to promote a positive work culture. Towards 2020 describes the goals, focus areas and measures of success for safety and health initiatives undertaken by the regulator. It is the first of a series of high-level, three-year rolling strategies to raise awareness and maintain compliance in the resources sector, and goes beyond the traditional day-to-day inspectorate activities. The strategies are presented as a live online resource that is easily accessible, and can be updated as emerging issues and trends are identified. The department's three key goals are world-leading regulation, smarter systems and a well-informed industry. For more information, visit http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/towards2020 Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston: "The safety and health of workers is a high priority of the McGowan Labor Government. "Towards 2020 will foster a shared safety and health vision, and how it can be achieved. "It will help Resources Safety effectively engage with all of its stakeholders, and share important information on health and safety." The McGowan Government has secured more than $600 million in funding for six congestion-busting road projects for Perth's eastern suburbs.
The six projects will fix congestion hotspots on major roads through the eastern suburbs and will create 3,600 jobs during construction. Many of the projects were integral election commitments and the McGowan Government is eager to deliver them to the eastern suburbs as efficiently as possible. Funding for the projects is the result of a new Commonwealth-State $2.3 billion agreement that includes the full relocation of funding from the cancelled Perth Freight Link project. An initial program of 17 new projects will provide employment to more than 6,000 people Federal funding for METRONET has also been secured with a combined $1.2 billion allocated to its delivery, including the rail extension between Thornlie and Cockburn. The upgrade of Armadale Road to a dual carriageway between Tapper Road and Anstey Road is one of three projects resulting in the renegotiation of the Roe 8 contract, with works brought forward to begin this year. In recent weeks, the McGowan Government has worked with Main Roads Western Australia, the Roe 8 Alliance and the Commonwealth Government to bring forward alternative road projects to safeguard jobs for the local contractors and suppliers. The newly announced program of works is being delivered on top of existing eastern suburban road projects such as NorthLink WA and New Lord Street, which will further improve traffic flow. The NorthLink WA project involves the duplication of Reid Highway to Altone Road, while the further upgrades included in the latest roads package will upgrade the remaining single lane section between Altone Road and West Swan Road. Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan: "We are dedicated to getting on with our election commitment to create jobs and cut congestion in the eastern suburbs - this program of works is testament to that commitment. "The eastern suburbs network will be further enhanced by the future extension of METRONET from Thornlie to Cockburn, the start of the new Circle Line." Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: "This investment will improve safety and travel times for major road connections servicing Perth's eastern suburbs while creating upwards of 3,000 jobs. "These upgrades will deliver our key election commitments and are additional to current congestion-busting projects like NorthLink WA and New Lord Street. "The duplication of Armadale Road between Anstey Road and Tapper Road, a distance of nearly 10 kilometres, will cost $145 million and create up to 850 jobs. "Aside from safety improvements, the project will increase network capacity and support further urban developments in Byford and Mundijong as well as industrial developments in Forrestdale." Eastern suburbs projects: Armadale Road Dual Carriageway - Anstey Road to Tapper Road Cost estimate: $145 million Jobs created: 850 Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge Cost estimate: $237 million Jobs created: 1,400 METRONET - Denny Avenue: Level Crossing Removal Cost estimate: $62 million Jobs created: 350 Roe Highway/Kalamunda Road Intersection Cost estimate: $86 million Jobs created: 600 Reid Highway Dual Carriageway - Altone Road to West Swan Road Cost estimate: $70 million Jobs created: 400 Hale Road/Woolworths Drive Intersection upgrade Cost estimate: $900,000 Premier's office - 6552 5000 Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500 More than $89 million to be spent on regional roads under Commonwealth and State funding agreement8/5/2017 The McGowan Government will invest $89 million towards regional roads, including progressing planning for a Bunbury Outer Ring Road and improving safety.
Planning for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road will receive $12.5 million to progress the design of the future project. The Outer Ring Road is intended to improve safety for road users and reduce freight and passenger vehicle congestion in Bunbury. It will also offer an efficient freight route, improving access to the Bunbury Port where truck access is impeded. Another $44 million will be spent on road safety projects in Western Australia's regional areas. This funding will address road safety issues throughout WA and will be spent over the next three years, generating 280 jobs. A detailed works program will be developed over the coming 12 months with delivery of projects in 2018-19. Meanwhile, $33 million has been allocated for further work on the Outback Highway, pending the outcome of a strategic review of the route. The projects are part of a $2.3 billion Commonwealth-State package made up of reallocated Perth Freight Link funds and a Commonwealth GST top-up payment to be spent on priority road projects. Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan: "This announcement includes a significant contribution to improving safety on regional roads where there are high instances of fatalities. "We will be working closely with regional communities to see where this money is most needed." Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: "This is a win for the whole of Western Australia, where freight, safety and congestion will be improved under this massive program of works. "The Bunbury Outer Ring Road will improve safety around the port and have flow-on benefits for traffic congestion along Robertson Drive and parts of the Forrest and Bussell highways."
In one of the first steps towards building the Morley-Ellenbrook Line as part of METRONET, the new road corridor will complement the future train line to Ellenbrook. The McGowan Labor Government has renegotiated an existing contract for the construction of a bus transit way to Ellenbrook, removing it from the New Lord Street project to instead facilitate the rail line to be completed in 2022. New Lord Street will generally run parallel to the existing Lord Street, which will be retained as a local road to service Ellenbrook and the rapidly growing suburbs of Dayton, Whiteman and Brabham. The redistribution of traffic to New Lord Street is expected to significantly reduce congestion on the existing Lord Street - currently used by about 14,000 vehicles a day. Meanwhile, new bus stops, bus priority measures and a new park and ride facility in Henley Brook means public transport users can expect a faster, more reliable service between Ellenbrook and Bassendean. A shared path will also run adjacent to the road, providing improved access to Whiteman Park for cyclists and pedestrians. Work on the project will begin shortly and will include the relocation of a communications mast to make way for a METRONET station in the heart of Ellenbrook. The project is expected to cost $57 million and is due to be completed by mid-2018. Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan: "A bus lane for Ellenbrook was never going to cut it; that's why we've moved swiftly to build a new dual-carriageway to ease traffic congestion and start work on the rail line to Ellenbrook. "Our commitment to the north-eastern suburbs was to deliver road improvements and METRONET - and that's exactly what we're going to do." Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: "A bus lane for Ellenbrook is just not a proper solution, so we've successfully renegotiated the contract, at no extra cost, to build the New Lord Street and start working on the rail line to Ellenbrook instead. "New Lord Street will address one of the major bottlenecks on our road network - the southbound approach to the Marshall Road roundabout, where queues during the morning peak can extend to 2.5 kilometres. "This project forms part of a series of transport improvements for Perth's north-eastern suburbs. "Together with NorthLink WA, road capacity will be increased significantly, while the future Morley-Ellenbrook Line will connect some of our fastest-growing suburbs with Perth and the METRONET."
Boat owners across WA will soon enjoy the benefits of nine projects that were successful in securing funding in the latest round of the Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme. The City of Melville secured the biggest allocation of the funds with a $700,000 grant to enhance the popular Deepwater Point boating facility by replacing the existing ramp with two new ramp lanes and incorporating a new central finger jetty. Meanwhile, the Shire of Harvey will receive $278,570 to upgrade The Elbow boat ramp and finger jetty to make it suitable for power boat use. This year's round of grants was split evenly between metropolitan and regional projects. Boating facility managers can apply for grants up to 75 per cent of the estimated project cost, with the maximum amount limited to $750,000. Applications can be made for the planning, construction or upgrade of boat launching ramps, jetties, moorings and new channels that are directly related to a public boating facility. Eligible land-based infrastructure at public boating facilities include trailer parking, toilets, fish cleaning stations, lighting and signage. More information about the scheme is available at http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/rbfs or by contacting the RBFS Grants Officer on 9435 7612. Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: "Once again, RBFS funding has been keenly sought this year, with a total of 22 eligible applications seeking total grant funding of nearly $6 million. "The upgrade of facilities at Deepwater Point will significantly improve efficiency and ease waiting times at the very busy ramp - especially during peak periods. "The scheme, established in 1998 to assist in the planning and development of public boating facilities including upgrades to existing infrastructure, allows boat owners to directly contribute as it is partly funded from boat registration fees."
Community legal centres were facing a funding shortfall after being notified last year that there would be no distribution from the Legal Contribution Trust from July 1, 2017. Community legal centres are an essential component of the legal assistance sector framework in WA, providing assistance to more than 27,000 Western Australians each year. They are situated throughout the State, in the metropolitan area and in most major regional centres. In regional centres, where legal services are scarce, community legal centres are particularly important as an alternative source of legal assistance to Legal Aid and the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA. Comments attributed to Attorney General John Quigley: "Providing access to justice services for all Western Australians is a high priority for the State Government. "Community legal centres provide practical legal assistance for the most vulnerable in our community. "I welcome the Federal Government's announcement to restore funding to the community legal sector. "Community legal centres across Western Australia have endured years of uncertainty and I am delighted that they have certainty concerning future funding arrangements from both State and Federal governments. "This week's announcement will relieve the immediate pressure on centres looking at closing or reducing their services." Western Australian Trade and Investment office in Indonesia celebrates 25th anniversary
Trade office focused on opportunities in agriculture, tourism, education, oil and gas Western Australia is celebrating a quarter of a century of trade ties with Indonesia this weekend, with the 25th anniversary of its Trade and Investment office in Jakarta. The trade office was officially opened by the then Prime Minister of Australia Paul Keating in 1992. It was originally located in Surabaya and was responsible for managing WA's Sister State relationship with East Java. In 2003, the office moved to the Indonesian capital and now manages the State's broader relationship with Indonesia. The office expanded to include dedicated agriculture and tourism officers in 2015. WA's exports to Indonesia rose 14.9 per cent in 2015-16, to $1.9 billion. The Western Australian Government maintains a network of other trade and investment offices in South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, India, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Comments attributed to Asian Engagement Minister Bill Johnston: "Indonesia is Western Australia's closest neighbour and we were one of the first Australian States to open an office there to further our cultural and economic relationship. "Indonesia is the State's largest wheat export market, accounting for 28 per cent of our total wheat exports, with petroleum another key export commodity. "There is plenty of scope for growth in our trade relationship, particularly in areas like international education, tourism, mining and petroleum technology and services, and agriculture. "The Western Australian Trade and Investment office in Jakarta will continue to play a vital role in the ongoing development of our relationship with Indonesia." Western Australia will not participate in an online trial of the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) this year.
Testing of the NAPLAN Online platform during the school holidays identified several issues that could impact on students' ability to complete the tests. All Western Australian students will sit pen and paper tests this year. This decision will allow the additional time required for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training to make improvements to the NAPLAN Online platform, so the project can continue in 2018. Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory also withdrew today. South Australia and Queensland had previously withdrawn from NAPLAN Online. The three-year transition period to NAPLAN Online started this year. Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery: "The advice I have received means I am no longer prepared to commit Western Australian students to participate in NAPLAN Online in 2017. "My primary concern is to ensure students are able to demonstrate their literacy and numeracy skills without experiencing IT issues. "Contingencies for this decision have been put in place by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and all schools affected have been contacted. 'We will work closely with our partners across Australia to ensure a successful rollout in 2018 and 2019." Science Minister Dave Kelly today announced the opening of applications for round two of the State Government's Agriculture and Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Program.
The program forms part of the Science and Agribusiness Connect initiative's suite of programs designed to build the capability of the Western Australian agrifood sector. Three scholarships of up to $30,000 are available this round to enable farmers and individuals engaged in the agriculture or aquaculture sectors to develop and pursue their idea or invention through exposure to international best practice and leaders in their field. Successful applicants will have an innovative concept or idea within the fields of agriculture or aquaculture that has the potential to broaden the economy and to modernise the agrifood sector. The program awarded $55,202 in scholarships in its first round to four WA farmers and innovators from across the sector. These individuals are now travelling interstate and overseas to learn from the world's best on a range of innovations including lime application for the management of sub-soil acidity, boosting productivity in marron farming, using drone technology in agriculture and investigating ways to establish a log-grown shiitake industry in the South-West. They will be returning to Western Australia and sharing their knowledge within their industries and regional WA later this year. Applications for round two of the program close at 12pm AWST on May 31, 2017. Comment attributed to Science Minister Dave Kelly: "The McGowan Labor Government is committed to building the capability of the agrifood sector to further improve its long-term competitiveness and diversification in Western Australia." Comment attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan: "We already have some of the brightest thinkers in agriculture here in WA and these scholarships will provide an opportunity for our innovators to learn from the very best."Science Minister's office - 6552 6100 Agriculture and Food Minister's office - 6552 6200 |
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