Monday, 21 May 2018
The Minister has announced a $33,815 Lotterywest grant will go towards developing a multilingual reporting capability on the Crime Stoppers WA website. Western Australia is one of the most diverse and fastest growing States with more than 240 languages spoken. The most recent Census data shows more than 17 per cent of Western Australians speak a language other than English at home. Previously, people with English as a second language had to ring Crime Stoppers WA and request access to an interpretive service. The new website feature means people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can provide information more easily and without delay. Mrs Roberts thanked members of the Ethnic Communities Council of WA, who have offered their translation expertise to ensure the reporting platform is available in as many different languages as possible. Comments attributed to Police Minister Michelle Roberts: "Crime Stoppers is a valuable tool for the community to provide information about criminal activity. "Last year alone there were more than 1,500 direct arrests in Western Australia as a result of information provided to Crime Stoppers. "This new initiative will expand the reach and access of Crime Stoppers WA, and allow people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to participate in helping to keep their community safe. "I want to take the opportunity to thank the hardworking team at Crime Stoppers WA, and remind the community to report suspicious and criminal activity on the Crime Stoppers' number 1800 333 000 or you can make a report online at https://www.crimestopperswa.com.au." Monday, 21 May 2018
The recent State Budget reversed a Liberal National Government decision that would have meant affected community service organisations faced a significant financial burden relating to property maintenance and asset renewal, or replacement costs. Community Services Minister Simone McGurk said $1 million had been allocated for each of the next four years, starting with 2018-19, to continue funding the costs for the ongoing maintenance, insurance costs and urgent capital works for the properties. The funding applies to 36 community neighbourhood centres and 28 childcare centres - some of which are owned by the State Government while others are leased. The centres are made available at nominal rent to not-for-profit community and childcare organisations, which provide a range of community and family services. The Government, through the Department of Communities, has also been working on a procurement process with the community services sector and other key stakeholders. This will identify how government can further support place-based, grassroots community development practices. Comments attributed to Community Services Minister Simone McGurk: "The decision to continue funding the asset management of 64 community neighbourhood and childcare centres, shows the McGowan Government's willingness to listen and respond to community concerns. "Community service organisations have limited resources and need to be reassured that they can continue to provide their important activities and services. "The centres provide places of inclusion and a range of social, recreational, educational and training opportunities that for some people make family life and work possible, and in many cases, improve health and wellbeing. "The Government, through the Department of Communities, is working with service providers to ensure that the needs of Western Australian families continue to be met." Monday, 23 October 2017
The Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program provides $4.2 million over four years to enable regional visitor centres to transition towards financial sustainability. A funding pool of $1.05 million was offered in 2017-18 as part of the third and final round of the grant program. Projects supported include a new fit-out and touch screen technology at the Bunbury Visitor Centre; development of a new website for the Derby Tourist Bureau; website development, IT upgrades and new signage at the Kalgoorlie Boulder Tourist Centre; and development of a business plan and training at the Geraldton Visitor Centre. Since the launch of the scheme, more than 100 grants have been provided to regional visitor centres across WA, helping to boost tourism and employment. For more information including a list of the successful 2017-18 funding recipients, visit http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia: "Visitor centres are an important part of our tourism industry as they add $117 million into the State's economy and generate more than 900 jobs. "Research also shows that people spend more time and money in an area when they use a visitor centre, therefore it's vital that we help them become more financially viable. "Tourism contributed $10 billion to WA's economy in 2016, including $4.7 billion in regional areas, and is a key pillar of the Government's plan to diversify the economy, create jobs and develop business opportunities." Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan: "Regional visitor centres provide important local knowledge for visitors to WA, whose spending generates job opportunities for local people. "With a changing tourism environment and the influence of online booking, this program has helped to make significant changes in the way WA regional visitor centres operate." Monday, 23rd October 2017
Premier Mark McGowan, Planning Minister Rita Saffioti and Perth MLA John Carey were joined by City of Vincent Mayor Emma Cole at the site - the first visit since the McGowan Labor Government confirmed funding for the project in the State Budget. With the funding in place, community consultation has since been completed and the tender process for design, documentation and project management is currently underway. The project will establish a vibrant public space at the corner of Fitzgerald and View streets, to encourage people to the area and attract more foot traffic to local businesses. It will also provide the opportunity to attract more events to the area, following the lead of the Angove Street Festival. A working group comprising Mr Carey, Mayor Cole and community group North Perth Local are spearheading the project. The North Perth Common construction is expected to be completed during the 2018-19 financial year. Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan: "This funding will create a beautifully designed urban space that people will want to visit - driving more foot traffic to local businesses. "We want to build on the lively community that already exists in North Perth and ensure it continues to attract visitors and create more job prospects for the area." Comments attributed to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti: "We know well-managed and comfortable public squares draw people into the area and make them stick around, in turn providing a boost to local businesses and jobs. "Congratulations to the working group who have committed their valuable time to progress the project to this stage. It's starting to take great shape and I look forward to watching it develop over the next few years." Comments attributed to Perth MLA John Carey: "Great cities around the world embrace the idea of a central public space as a meeting place for locals, a place for community and arts and to attract visitors to retail and café strips. "This is a fantastic initiative which is all about drawing more people to the area, and encouraging them to shop and socialise locally, and in doing so, support local small business." Following last month's announcement to continue funding the $10 million a year Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston today opened applications for Round 16 for the Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program.
Now in its 10th year, the highly competitive scheme encourages increased private sector resource exploration that could help find new mineral and energy discoveries. Exploration increases knowledge of the State's geology and resources, while also helping increase employment opportunities. Successful Round 16 applications for projects in 2018 will be refunded up to 50 per cent of direct drilling costs - with caps of $150,000 for a multi-hole project, $200,000 for a single deep hole, and $30,000 for a prospector's project. The program has resulted in major discoveries including the Nova nickel-copper-cobalt mine east of Norseman, which was supported by EIS geophysics data and co-funded drilling. Other success stories include the Camelwood nickel deposit, the Yeneena copper deposit, Millennium zinc and the Dusk Til Dawn gold discoveries. Every $1 million invested in the EIS resulted in $10.3 million of exploration activity. Applications close on Friday October 20, 2017. For more information, visit http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston: "The EIS is vital for maintaining investment and exploration activity in the resources sector. It also supports jobs in WA, which the McGowan Government is committed to. "Applications tend to reflect market changes, two out of the 43 successful applications from Round 15 were for lithium exploration. We're expecting Round 16 applications to be focused on a range of commodities throughout WA's greenfield regions. "Our continued investment in the EIS helps create economic opportunities for the future." Funding of $119 million to boost teaching support, over the next four years, has been secured as part of the 2017-18 State Budget.
The McGowan Labor Government will place an additional 120 teachers in public school classrooms to support student learning. Of the additional 120 teaching staff, 72 full-time equivalent teachers will be appointed to free up half a day a week for exemplary teachers - known as Level 3 Classroom Teachers - to work in specific areas to benefit students. This enables a Level 3 Classroom Teacher to mentor other teachers and share their expertise to enhance teaching practices. Another 30 will be appointed to secondary schools so a Level 3 Classroom Teacher can take on the role of co-ordinating and delivering mental health programs for students. These teachers are in addition to the 18 teachers (Independent Learning Coordinators and Regional Learning Specialists) recently announced to support country students studying courses through the School of Isolated and Distance Education. To help children crack the code of the alphabet and become confident readers, $3.5 million will be allocated to work with the tertiary sector to establish a Centre of Excellence in Literacy and Explicit Instruction to develop an increased knowledge in this teaching method. The McGowan Labor Government is also putting 300 more Education Assistants and 50 more Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers in classrooms, over the next three years, as it delivers its election commitment to boost teaching support in schools. To help teachers incorporate coding into their teaching, the Government is investing $2 million in professional learning to ensure schools have the resources, equipment and expertise to teach students science and coding. For more 2017-18 State Budget information, visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery: "We want to provide students in WA with a world-class education and give them every chance for success. "By placing more teachers in public schools, we are giving students the support they need to achieve their very best and giving our exemplary teachers greater opportunities to share their knowledge with others. "Students in schools across the State will benefit from additional teaching staff as more one-on-one attention and specialist assistance is provided in the classroom." Comments attributed to Treasurer Ben Wyatt: "In this financial year alone, we have committed $7.66 million which will ensure our teachers receive the support they need to provide the best possible learning experiences for their students. "Today's announcement means there will be greater education resources in public schools - which the McGowan Labor Government is dedicated to delivering." The McGowan Government has asked Tourism Western Australia to immediately reprioritise $2 million of its current budget to help fill empty hotel rooms in Perth.
A downturn in business travel, coupled with more hotels coming into the market, saw hotel occupancy rates in June 2017 hit 75.6 per cent - one of the lowest levels seen in seven years. Tourism WA will work with its co-operative marketing partners - including airlines, travel agents and travel websites - to offer incentives for people to travel now and take advantage of the great choice of hotels at very reasonable rates. These partners will add to Tourism WA's financial commitment, bringing the total campaign value well above $2 million. Since 2012, an extra 1,611 hotel rooms have been added to the Perth CBD hotel stock including Crown Towers, Peppers Kings Square, Tribe Hotel, Fraser Suites, and Quest Adelaide Terrace. Another 1,851 rooms are scheduled to open by 2020. Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia: "The hotel sector is hurting and we need to focus on direct campaigns that drive visitation to fill planes, get visitors to Perth and fill our hotel rooms. "Tourism WA has been working hard to get the message out there that Perth is no longer expensive and there are plenty of quality accommodation options to choose from. "This campaign will target markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, Sydney and Melbourne where we know people are open to making the decision to travel at short notice. "Visitor attraction remains the State Government's number one tourism priority - everything we are doing is about growing visitor numbers to create jobs, develop business opportunities and diversify the economy. "The $2 million campaign, coupled with the introduction of a Tourism WA East Coast advocate, will lead to a direct increase in visitors." The National Rugby League's State of Mind Program will be made available to Western Australia's 4,000 local rugby league players to destigmatise mental health issues and encourage young men and women to improve their mental health.
The program aims to give the community tools and strategies to manage mental health, increase social support for young people and their families, and provide links to support services. The program includes educating senior players, coaches and staff on mental wellbeing, connecting support services to clubs and identifying actions to support mental health in clubs. Expanding prevention programs aimed at reducing mental illness in young people is a key strategy outlined in the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025. This program builds on similar efforts made by the Mental Health Commission with AFL and netball in previous years. NL Ambassador Clinton Toopi said the program was helping local rugby league clubs across Australia and New Zealand to educate their players and members on signs and symptoms of mental illness and how best to connect with local service providers. For more information, visit http://www.nrlstateofmind.com.au/ Comments attributed to Mental Health Minister Roger Cook: "This program will help to give young people the tools and strategies they need to understand and acknowledge mental health, and mental illness, and to know what to do if they, or someone they know, needs help. "Young people experience the highest prevalence and incidence for mental illness across the lifespan, so it is critical we give them support and information early. "Grassroots sporting and community organisations can play an important role in helping communities to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, and I thank the NRL for their support." People living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions in the South-West have a new state-of-the-art support facility with today's official opening of the MSWA Community and Health Services Centre.
MSWA is a not-for-profit organisation providing supports and services for people living with a range of neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, motor neurone disease and acquired brain injury. MSWA provides direct care services, supports research projects and educates the community about neurological conditions. The organisation is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider and receives State Government funding via the Department of Communities, Disability Services. The $1.5 million facility opened in December 2016 and was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony today. The accessible centre includes a physiotherapy gym with specialised equipment, massage rooms, consulting rooms dedicated to counselling, nursing and allied health teams as well as a large activity area. Comments attributed to Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson: "MSWA has been supporting Western Australians living with neurological conditions for more than 45 years. The organisation has a proven record of providing a wide range of supports and services to meet each person's individual needs. "The new purpose-built centre provides the South-West with superior facilities and enables MSWA to continue their important work assisting people living with neurological conditions." Youth Minister Peter Tinley is leading the charge in calling for a creative and inspirational young Western Australian to head WA Youth Week (formerly National Youth Week) celebrations in 2018.
Nominations are now open for the WA Youth Week Ambassador, an exciting opportunity for a young person looking to inspire others and strengthen their leadership skills at a State level. The successful applicant will chair the youth week planning committee and help guide the planning and delivery of the week's events across the State. The ambassador will work with the committee, Propel Youth Arts and the Department of Communities to promote, support and develop creative ideas to get more young people involved in WA Youth Week. The young person will also have the opportunity to assess WA Youth Week grant applications, attend events as required and travel to attend the regional launch of Youth Week celebrations. Eligible candidates must be aged between 18 and 25 years and be accessible and available for meetings and media activities relating to Youth Week in 2018. Applications are available at https://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au/CommunityInitiatives/Pages/WA-Youth-Week-2018.aspx and must be received by 5pm on Friday, August 18, 2017. Comments attributed to Youth Minister Peter Tinley: "Youth Week is a major event on the youth calendar which celebrates the contributions of young people to the community and also gives them a forum to express their ideas and raise issues of importance. "The McGowan Government is pleased to support the role of the youth ambassador who will play a lead role in this important week and help inform and influence Youth Week events. "We urge young, creative people who are ready to take the next step and keen to develop their organisational and leadership skills to step up and take advantage of this exciting opportunity." |
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