Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia has today appointed two new members to the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) Board.
John Langoulant joins the RIA Board as chairperson, replacing outgoing chairperson John Driscoll. Mr Driscoll departs the board following his recent appointment to the position of chief executive officer of Seven West Media. Also joining the board is Hannah Fitzhardinge. Ms Fitzhardinge's appointment comes as the board farewell's long-term member Dr Peter Hick. The State Government thanks Mr Driscoll and Dr Hick for their hard work, dedication and passion for Rottnest Island. First appointed in 2010, Mr Driscoll has overseen significant governance improvements at the Rottnest Island Authority, as well as an ever increasing level of visitation to the island in balance with rigorous attention to environmental and heritage management. Under the guidance of new chairperson John Langoulant and executive director Michelle Reynolds, the State Government is confident Rottnest Island will continue to be managed for the benefit of current and future generations of Western Australians. Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia: "I thank Mr John Driscoll and Dr Peter Hick for their hard work and dedication to Rottnest Island over the past five years. "As the leadership baton passes over on the board, I am confident Rottnest Island is in safe hands. "The Western Australian public, and all visitors to our great State, will continue to see improved access and a refreshed approach on Rottnest Island." The State Government has made changes to improve the provisional licence process which come into effect today (October 9).
The improvements to the provisional licence process enable novice drivers to develop the necessary skills to drive a vehicle safely and build the experience they need to cope with potential hazards and distractions while driving. One of the major changes is the re-sequence of the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) and Practical Driving Assessment (PDA). Applicants must complete the HPT before the PDA, which will result in driver's licence applicants having greater driving experience when attempting their PDA. Applicants must be 17 years of age or older and have completed 50 hours of supervised driving, including five hours of supervised night-time driving, before being eligible to attempt the PDA. Changing the sequence will not only see applicants have greater driving experience when attempting their PDA, it will reduce the complexity of the provisional licence process, align Western Australia with other Australian jurisdictions and streamline the Department of Transport's service delivery. New modernised car HPT clips - designed to measure a novice driver's ability to assess traffic situations and make safe driving decisions - are now live and provide applicants an improved experience. In anticipation of increased customer attendance for a computer-based theory or hazard perception test, the Department of Transport has put measures in place to alleviate wait times, however customers should be prepared for additional wait times for the next few weeks. Existing learner's permit holders will automatically transfer to the new process. For more information, visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/gdtl Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: "The new sequence does not increase the number of supervised driving hours an applicant must complete to obtain a provisional licence. "The new national Hazard Perception Test is an Austroads-funded project and is a great example of our Government working in partnership to achieve a common goal. "Western Australia is the first jurisdiction to implement the new national Hazard Perception Test. "The computer-based HPT measures a driver's ability to recognise potentially dangerous situations on the road and respond appropriately. "The requirement for a minimum of five hours of supervised night-time driving provides better opportunities for supervised experience in conditions which are high-risk to provisional drivers." Today welcomes in the new learners system and Hazard Perception Test with three successful applicants already gaining their provisional licence; congratulations! Due to the overwhelming numbers of hopeful applicants coming in to sit their HPT today the centre is a little crowded, we appreciate your understanding and continued support. Applicants can sit the HPT between the hours of 8.30 am and 3. 45 pm - currently there is a lengthy cue so we appreciate your patience.
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly today announced Western Australians can go fishing licence-free on October 15, 2017 to mark the second-ever national Gone Fishing Day.
The special day will enable recreational fishers to cast a line, even if from a boat, without the need for a recreational fishing licence. Gone Fishing Day began in 2016 to celebrate the great fishing experiences that our State has to offer. Recfishwest through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund has provided $500 grants for fishing clubs and groups to run fishing workshops, information sessions, community fishing clinics and other events promoting recreational fishing. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has also delayed the start of the 2017 West Coast Bioregion demersal finfish closure by one day, to enable people to fish for special species, such as dhufish and pink snapper, on national Gone Fishing Day. Recreational fishing rules such as bag boat, size and possession limits still apply as does existing recreational fishing closures, including the existing closure on fishing for pink snapper in the Cockburn and Warnbro sounds. For more information, visit https://gonefishingday.org and http://www.fish.wa.gov.au Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly: "Recreational fishing is one of WA's treasured pastimes and the McGowan Government wants more people in the community to enjoy the pleasure of casting a line. "National Gone Fishing Day, which is also a special licence-free day, is the perfect time for those who haven't tried fishing before to get a taste of the experience. "There are plenty of events scheduled around WA for the day, so grab the family, take a mate or simply just take time out for yourself and enjoy a day of fishing for free." The McGowan Government will drive Albany's place as a hub of renewable energy expertise and jobs, today announcing successful applicants for grants for a wave energy technology project and research centre.
Carnegie Clean Energy has been awarded a $15.75 million grant as a contribution towards a wave energy technology project. The grant will be used to install a large-scale wave energy converter device off the coast of Albany capable of producing about one megawatt of electrical power for export into the South West Interconnected System. The project will advance wave energy technology by establishing common user infrastructure, enabling other wave energy industry companies to test their technologies into the future. Carnegie will work with other Western Australian companies to create opportunities for more jobs and economic growth in the renewable energy sector. The University of Western Australia (UWA) has been awarded a $3.75 million grant to develop a world-class Wave Energy Research Centre in Albany, building on expertise already developed at the UWA Oceans Institute. UWA will work with researchers from Curtin University, allowing some of Australia's brightest scientists to work together on this ground-breaking renewable energy initiative. Both Carnegie and UWA will have a physical presence in Albany, which could see Albany develop as a global centre for marine renewable energy expertise while creating job opportunities for local people. Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan: "The McGowan Government has seized the opportunity to leverage off the capabilities of WA's industry and universities and off our natural assets to create a new industry for our State. "This initiative has real potential to develop world-class renewable energy technologies and skills in the Great Southern and could help to drive new opportunities across the renewable energy sector in WA. "The wave energy technology project could make the Great Southern a hub for marine renewable energy expertise, bring long-term economic benefits and create regional jobs in this growing sector." Comments attributed to Albany MLA Peter Watson: "This is great news for Albany as it will be a significant driver for local jobs and as a producer of renewable energy. "To have Albany as a world-class research centre in wave energy is fantastic for the whole region." Housing Minister Peter Tinley has welcomed Fremantle City Council's proposal to rezone the Davis Park area of Beaconsfield - a location colloquially known as the 'Beacy Bronx' due to its history of anti-social behaviour.
The Fremantle council recently agreed to seek amendment of its town planning scheme, a decision that, if formally endorsed by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), will help pave the way for further urban renewal of Beaconsfield. Mr Tinley was advised of the council's decision when he gave Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt an on-site briefing about the State Government's proposed redevelopment of the 10-hectare Davis Park site bounded by South Street and Lefroy Road. During the briefing, the Minister told Mr Pettitt that the newly established Department of Communities, which incorporates the former Housing Authority, is committed to continuing the positive engagement undertaken to date. The urban regeneration plan, which will support hundreds of jobs during its construction phase, entails a full redevelopment of the area into a vibrant community and includes building a currently estimated 700-1,000 high-quality dwellings. Comments attributed to Housing Minister Peter Tinley: "Since discussions began in mid-2015, the City of Fremantle has been broadly supportive of Communities' urban regeneration plan. "As Housing Minister, I am encouraged by its recent decision to seek WAPC approval to rezone the Davis Park area for development. "I applaud the council, led by Mayor Brad Pettitt, for reaching this milestone with a high level of community support. "The Heart of Beaconsfield initiative, which encompasses the Davis Park area, is fully supported by the Department of Communities. "This is just one milestone in a long process before any construction begins. Community consultation will be a feature of the process and I encourage all interested parties to participate wherever possible." Comments attributed to Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk: "When I was first elected as the local member, nearly 100 people living in the Davis Park area signed a petition saying this development should happen. It's good to see the proposal moving forward. "I believe it will result in much better outcomes for families living in Davis Park now and into the future. "Facilitating this visionary project has great potential to generate significant employment prospects as well as creating a new and thriving addition to the Fremantle community." Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia has congratulated Western Australian maritime company, Nauti-Craft Pty Ltd for taking home a national award for innovation.
The Dunsborough-based research and development company has been named a winner in the prestigious 2017 Maritime Australia Industry Innovation Awards, announced earlier today. Nauti-Craft was awarded the Civil SME Innovation Grant of $10,000 for its patented marine suspension system, which provides increased levels of ride comfort, control and stability through an interlinked hydraulic system. The company is one of a number of WA's small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), along with South Metropolitan TAFE, being hosted on the Defence West stand during Pacific 2017, a major defence and maritime exhibition in Sydney. The SMEs hosted on the stand represent a broad range of defence and maritime services and products, including engineering, underwater technologies and manufacturing. Mr Papalia is attending Pacific 2017 along with WA's Defence Advocate Rear Admiral (Rtd) Raydon Gates AO CSM, and meeting a number of prominent organisations and companies involved in the defence industry. Comments attributed to Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia: "Western Australia's maritime and defence sector is innovative, competitive and modern, from major contractors to small and medium-sized enterprises. "Being here at Pacific 2017 with industry leaders from 35 countries has only reinforced my belief that our defence industry is ready to take its rightful place on the global stage. "I congratulate Nauti-Craft on winning this prestigious award and look forward to seeing what comes next for this innovative WA company." The first stage of Perth Zoo's new $3.3 million African Lion exhibit was unveiled today amid growing pressure on wild lion populations around the world.
The new African-themed exhibit was opened by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson this afternoon and provides enhanced opportunities to view Perth Zoo's lioness, Shinyanga, and learn about the threats facing these big cats. The exhibit features a thatched hut with native African plantings, large viewing windows and moulds of lion paw prints so visitors can appreciate the sheer size of the cats. Information about research taking place to protect the species in the wild is also on display. The second stage of the exhibit will commence construction shortly and be complete in mid-2018. When fully constructed, the African Lion exhibit will include a breeding area with indoor dens and a separate outdoor area where a breeding lioness can have privacy with her cubs, and still feel close to the pride. It will have the capacity to hold a pride of eight lions. Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson: "This new lion exhibit will provide visitors to the zoo with better opportunities to see and learn more about these majestic cats, and allow Perth Zoo to bring in a new pride of lions to play a bigger role in regional and global breeding programs into the future. "The extensive upgrade will more than double the size of the Perth Zoo lion exhibit when fully completed. "This is one of many new attractions being developed through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, all of which have the potential to increase tourism and create jobs. "This new exhibit also allows visitors to Perth Zoo to learn about lion conservation and discover how everyone can be a part of protecting these amazing animals." |
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