Western Australia Minister for Planning John Day

Paving The Way For Cottesloe’s Renewal

Victor P Taffa

• Cottesloe’s Town Planning Scheme finalised
• Modified scheme will allow appropriate improvements to the area
• Scheme is a result of exhaustive and detailed consideration

The Town of Cottesloe’s Local Planning Scheme No.3 will now proceed, subject to modifications, after the State Government moved to finalise it.

Planning Minister John Day has granted final approval to the scheme following his request that it be readvertised, which led to further detailed consideration by stakeholders and members of the public.

“Cottesloe offers a wonderful lifestyle for residents and is a popular destination for visitors but has long been in need of redevelopment and renewal.” Mr. Day said.

“The proposals have been the subject of exhaustive debate, examination and consultation and I am confident the modifications will encourage the revitalisation of the land around the foreshore area that is needed.”

The modifications to the draft scheme relate mainly to properties fronting Marine Parade between Eric and Forrest streets, including the Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe Beach Hotel, and Lido sites.

The modifications comprise:

• Proposals that buildings fronting Marine Parade will be generally restricted to five storeys with development above three storeys set back further on the block to reduce visual impact and prevent overshadowing of potential alfresco areas on adjoining properties
• A building height limit of eight storeys is proposed at the Ocean Beach Hotel site – on which a comparatively tall building already exists – but development above three storeys will be set back a minimum of 10m from all street frontages
• At the Lido site, a building height limit of six storeys will be imposed; this takes into account the topography of the area meaning a six-storey building would only be half a storey higher than the neighbouring Seapines site.

Cottesloe MLA Colin Barnett welcomed the news and said it would bring an end to 20 years of debate. He said it was not high-rise development and he was sure the majority of those who lived in Cottesloe, and the many other people who used and enjoyed the beach, would benefit from it.

In late 2010, the Minister requested the Town of Cottesloe’s draft scheme be readvertised with modifications which sought to facilitate redevelopment opportunities and further improve and enhance the popular foreshore area.

“The State Government recognised that improving Cottesloe’s appeal required planning controls which encouraged redevelopment and renewal while also giving consideration to its significance as a key tourism and recreation area for all Western Australians,” he said.

“The clear direction this planning scheme provides will encourage the redevelopment of some areas that would benefit from renewal.

“It will be mandatory that the ground floor of all developed blocks is set aside for retail and commercial activities such as cafes, restaurants and shops.

“To add to the diversity of options for visitors to Cottesloe, the first floor of developments on larger sites will also be set aside for short-stay accommodation.

“The provision of greater housing choice has also been a major priority which will attract new residents to the area but will also provide Cottesloe locals with a variety of different housing choices as their needs change in the future.”

Fact File

• For more information, visit: http://www.planning.wa.gov.au
• The Planning Minister’s decision is based on advice from the Western Australian Planning Commission which sought to enable redevelopment opportunities and enhance the popular foreshore area
• Cottesloe Local Planning Scheme No.3 chronology attached

Western Australia Planning Minister John Day

Perth Waterfront Design Guide Revealed

Victor P Taffa

• New images of waterfront plan released
• Project to reconnect CBD with the Swan River

Planning Minister John Day today released design guidelines and new images of the Perth Waterfront project that illustrate the high standard of development that will be required across the precinct.

 
Mr. Day said the images were derived from the detailed design work that had been undertaken over the past 12 months and provided an insight into how the public spaces would look once completed.
“Perth Waterfront will be developed as a place for people – it will showcase the latest thinking in sustainable building and urban design, with a key focus on the way people interact.” Mr. Day said.

“The design guidelines set provisions for building specifications and land use across each of the nine development sites and provide a flexible framework to encourage innovative design from future developers.”
“The guidelines include provisions to maximise natural light in public areas around the inlet, cater for views between building towers and require podium levels of between three and six storeys for all buildings in the precinct.” Mr. Day said.
“This is in addition to the mandated provisions for incorporating public art in design and achieving environmentally sustainable development, including a minimum five-star Green Star rating.”
In addition to the release of the draft design guidelines, the Minister said a proposed scheme amendment which would officially transfer planning authority for the Perth Waterfront project to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) was also open for public consultation.

“Perth Waterfront is the centrepiece of the Government’s plan to transform the city to ensure it is capable of meeting the needs of our growing population.” Mr. Day said.
 

Fact File

• The draft design guidelines and scheme amendment are open for public consultation until June 5, 2012. Copies of the documents are available at http://www.mra.wa.gov.au or by phoning 1800 639 726
• When completed, Perth Waterfront will provide new commercial, residential & retail accommodation set around a 2.7ha inlet & connected by promenades & boardwalks
• Images available through Minister’s office

Western Australia Minister for Transport Troy Buswell

New Upgrade Works On Great Eastern Highway

Victor P Taffa

• Improvement to pedestrian & traffic safety through Mundaring

Upgrade and improvement works will soon commence on a section of Great Eastern Highway through the Mundaring townsite.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell today announced that a contract had been awarded to Keslake Group for $770,000 to undertake a series of improvements along the highway between the intersections at Stoneville and Mundaring Weir roads and Mann Street.

“The works will significantly improve pedestrian and traffic safety on Great Eastern Highway in the busy Mundaring townsite and business precinct.” Mr. Buswell said.

“Works will include two new designated pedestrian crossing points which will be equipped to the latest disability standards; extending the right-turn pocket into Mann Street; upgrading the median islands and verges; and improving the lighting and drainage.”

“The State Government has provided $770,000 for this important upgrade, with the Shire of Mundaring also contributing to brick paving work.”

“The proposed works will largely address pedestrian safety concerns raised several years ago by Swan Hills MLA Frank Alban.

“The works will also complement the 50kmh variable speed limit flashing lights which were established through the commercial area of the townsite in 2010 following lobbying by Mr Alban as well as East Metropolitan Region MLC Alyssa Hayden.”

Fact File

• Works will start this month and take about 8 weeks to complete
• Delivery of the works will occur between 9am-3pm, during which time the median lanes on Gt Eastern Hwy will be closed in both directions to facilitate the works & ensure safety

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett

Western Australia Minister for Environment Bill Marmion

New Marine Park To Protect Kimberley Coast

Victor P Taffa

• Premier and Environment Minister announce major marine sanctuary
• Camden Sound Marine Park to be one of WA’s biggest
• Park will protect State’s most important humpback whale calving area

Thousands of humpback whales that annually migrate along the west coast will have increased protection within a new Kimberley marine park to be created by the State Government.

Premier Colin Barnett and Environment Minister Bill Marmion today announced the Government’s decision to create Camden Sound Marine Park, about 300km north-east of Broome.

“Camden Sound, covering nearly 7,000 square kilometres, is the first of four new marine parks to be created under the $63 Million Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy. Other parks will be created at Eighty Mile Beach, Roebuck Bay and the North Kimberley.” Mr. Barnett said.

“Creating this marine park reaffirms our election commitment to protect this significant and biologically important region.”

“Camden Sound is internationally recognised as the biggest calving area for humpback whales in the southern hemisphere with more than 1,000 humpbacks found there during the calving season.”

“They are part of the biggest population of humpback whales in the world – numbering almost 30,000 – that migrate from Antarctica each year to give birth in the waters off the north of our State.”

Mr. Marmion said a special purpose zone would be created covering about 1,670 square kilometres to enhance protection of the humpback whale calving grounds.

“This zone will require vessels to remain at least 500m from humpback mothers and calves.” Mr. Marmion said.

“There will also be two sanctuary zones comprising about 20 % of the marine park area – more than 1,300 square kilometres – around Champagny Islands and Montgomery Reef, which is exposed on the outgoing tide to reveal a series of awe-inspiring waterfalls.”

“Montgomery Reef sanctuary zone, at 761 square kilometres, will become the biggest sanctuary zone in the WA marine park system.”

“We have also included a small general use zone covering the frequently visited area known as ‘The River’ at Montgomery Reef. This will allow some fishing and other activities to continue in this area.”

WA Minister for Environment Bill Marmion

“The marine park’s zoning scheme will help protect a unique marine environment, while allowing recreational and commercial fishing as well as aquaculture and pearling to occur.”

For the first time ever in Western Australia, there will be a zone which provides for a ‘wilderness’ fishing experience where recreational fishers (including charter boats) must either catch and release or eat their catch before leaving the zone. Commercial fishing and other commercial activities will not be permitted nor will spearfishing.

Pearling operations will be recognised in a designated zone and some commercial fishing operations will phased out, with 48 % of the marine park closed to commercial trawl fishing and 23 % closed to all forms of commercial fishing. If appropriate, compensation will be paid to affected fishing operations.

Camden Sound Marine Park will contain a range of coral reef communities at Wildcat Reef and in the vicinity of Champagny and Augustus islands.

The marine park will also be home to seagrass and macroalgal communities, extensive mangrove forests of the St George Basin and lower Prince Regent River, tidal flats, and a habitat for dugong, sawfish and dolphins.

The marine park will be jointly managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation and the traditional owners, including the Dambimangari and Uunguu people.

The Government has committed $10 Million over four years to protecting and managing Camden Sound Marine Park, with ongoing funding of $2.3 Million a year from 2015-16.

The marine park will be created by mid-2012 followed by gazettal of the zone boundaries later in the year.

Fact File

• Camden Sound marine park will have 2 sanctuary zones, 3 special purpose zones and 4 general use zones
• The marine park is one of 4 being created in WA’s Kimberley region under the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy
• Final management plan for Camden Sound Marine Park to be released later this year

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett

West Australian Ballet Waltzes Into New Home

Victor P Taffa

• West Australian Ballet moves into a permanent home in Maylands
• New state-of-the-art training and rehearsal facilities
• State Government continues to support West Australian Ballet

Premier Colin Barnett today officially opened the West Australian Ballet Centre in Maylands – the new permanent home of the West Australian Ballet.

“I congratulate the West Australian Ballet on the opening of their outstanding new venue which will provide state-of-the-art training and rehearsal facilities for our State Ballet Company and will be a lasting asset for dance in WA.” Mr. Barnett said.

West Australian Ballet’s move from His Majesty’s Theatre to the former Royal Institute for the Blind building is the result of some important partnerships.

“Support for the centre has come from the State Government, Lotterywest; City of Bayswater; Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA); and the private sector.” the Premier said.

“For example, Lotterywest provided a grant of $7.1Million towards the construction of a new community centre in Maylands and as a result of this investment, the City of Bayswater made funding available for the purchase of the Whatley Crescent building.”

Mr. Barnett acknowledged the city’s commitment to providing a long-term lease to a major performance company as part of their urban regeneration project.

“This is an exciting time for the West Australian Ballet as it enjoys its 60th anniversary and a substantial period of growth.” Mr. Barnett said.

The State Government, through DCA, provided $2 Million towards the core fit-out of the new centre and provides recurrent funding of $1.6 Million annually.

An additional $1.2 Million has also been provided to the West Australian Ballet over the last four years to increase its company of dancers and deliver an extra season.

Fact File

• West Australian Ballet is in its diamond anniversary year – in 1952, West Australian Ballet was established by Madame Kira Bousloff
• The West Australian Ballet is the first ballet company formed in Australia that is still in existence today
• For more information: http://www.waballet.com.au/about_us.php

Western Australia Minister for Energy Peter Collier

First Panels Installed On Largest Solar PV Project

Victor P Taffa

• Solar panel installation starts at Greenough River Solar Farm
• Major construction milestone reached at Greenough River Solar Farm
• Joint venture between Verve Energy and private sector reaching maturity

Energy Minister Peter Collier today marked the commencement of a major construction milestone at Australia’s largest solar photovoltaic power project by assisting with the installation of the first solar PV table at Greenough River Solar Farm.

Construction of the 10-megawatt solar farm 50km south of Geraldton began four months ago and has focused to date on the installation of above ground electrical works and structural elements that will support the 150,000 solar panels across an area of 80ha.

The Liberal-National Government has committed $20 Million, including $10 Million from the Royalties for Regions program, to the Greenough River Solar Farm, which is expected to open in July/August 2012.

Mr. Collier said the Greenough River Solar project would be a major source of renewable energy and a benchmark example of how solar power could be farmed and distributed to the wider community and industry.

“No other jurisdiction in Australia has done what we are doing here in the Mid-West region of Western Australia, and this development clearly illustrates that, once again, we are setting the standard for the rest of the nation.” Mr. Collier said.

“The Greenough River Solar project will generate enough electricity for 3,000 average homes while displacing 20,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year, which is the equivalent of taking 4,000 vehicles off the road.”

“There is an appetite for solar energy and an expectation that governments and electricity generators like Verve Energy will build solar farms and other renewable energy projects. I look forward to returning here in a few months to open this magnificent development.” Mr. Collier said.

Fact File

• Greenough River Solar Farm is a joint venture between Verve Energy and GE Energy Financial Services
• It is located about 50km south-east of Geraldton, near the community of Walkaway
• 150,000 PV panels will be installed on tables fitted to 15,000 steel posts across an area of 80ha and produce about 10MW of electricity

Western Australia Minister for Agriculture and Food Terry Redman

Western Australia Minister for Regional Development and Lands Brendon Grylls

Exploring Further Growth In The Ord

Victor P Taffa

• Study into potential new agricultural zone in the East Kimberley
• Project funded through Royalties for Regions

Further development of agriculture in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) will be investigated in a $1.3Million State Government project, funded through Royalties for Regions.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said a study of land and water resources would provide detailed analysis of areas which could support irrigated production.

The project builds on a Department of Agriculture and Food survey in 2010 which identified large tracts of productive red sandy soils, known locally as Cockatoo sands, within 100km of Kununurra.

“We know where the sandy soils are, but now need to investigate if they are well drained and how they might respond when irrigated.” Mr. Redman said.

“The new work will examine up to 6,000ha of Cockatoo sands just north and east of Kununurra. The work will ensure the Ord expansion continues in a sustainable manner and in co-operation with local stakeholders, the Miriuwung and Gajerrong Traditional Owners.”

The Department of Agriculture and Food project will carry out detailed field surveys of the soils, and ground and surface water, to support the development process.

WA Minister for Regional Development & Lands Brendon Grylls

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said expressions of interest in the latest Ord land release had attracted strong interest.

“In fact we have local, national and international parties looking to develop land for a variety of crops.” Mr. Grylls said.

“This project is another step in the development of the Ord region as a vital food producer for the State.”

Fact File

• ORIA currently encompasses 14,000ha
• A further 15,000ha is targeted for expansion under Ord Stage 2

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett

Western Australia Day Declared

Victor P Taffa

• Premier applauds bipartisan support for renaming of Foundation Day
• Royal Assent granted today by West Australian Governor

This year’s Foundation Day public holiday (June 4) will be the first known as Western Australia Day following the formal assent of the Western Australia Day (renaming) Bill 2011.

Premier Colin Barnett today attended the Bill’s Royal Assent at Government House with His Excellency Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, Governor of Western Australia.

“As the 29th Premier of Western Australia, I am very pleased with the bipartisan support that enabled the recent passing of legislation to rename Foundation Day to Western Australia Day.” Mr. Barnett said.

“Foundation Day is traditionally celebrated on the first Monday of June each year to mark the day when the first European settlers, under the command of Captain James Stirling RN, Lieutenant Governor, arrived from Britain to settle the Swan River Colony.”

“Given that this day also acknowledges our indigenous people as the original inhabitants and traditional custodians of the land and unites all who have made WA their home, it is, more than 180 years later, now appropriate that Foundation Day be known as Western Australia Day.”

“The significance of European settlement will not be lost and the day will now also be relevant to people who migrated to WA from around the world.”

The Premier said that by introducing Western Australia Day, WA had done something no other State had – introduced a public holiday in the State’s name.

“In doing this, Western Australia Day also celebrates our State’s achievements and the vital role we play in the development of our nation.” Mr. Barnett said.

Fact File

• Western Australia Day will be celebrated on Monday June 4, 2012
• More information at http://www.celebratewa.com.au

Western Australia Minister for Youth Robyn McSweeney

National Youth Week 2012

Victor P Taffa

• National Youth Week runs from April 13-22
• More than 80 events planned across the State

Youth Minister Robyn McSweeney is calling on all young West Australians to start planning what events they will take part in for National Youth Week, less than a week away.

National Youth Week starts on Friday, April 13 and celebrates young people aged between 12 and 25 across Australia.

“With more than 80 youth events taking place in WA as part of National Youth Week, there is something for every young person in this year’s festivities.” Mrs. McSweeney said.

“This is the single biggest celebration on the Australian youth calendar and an opportunity for young people to express their ideas, have their voices heard, showcase their talents and, most of all, have fun.”

“Whether you are in the city or the country, I encourage you to log on to the Department for Communities’ website to see what is happening in your area.”

WA’s Youth Week will be officially launched on Saturday, April 14 with the Grassroots Festival in Bunbury.

In Perth, the KickstART Festival in Northbridge will include a Youth Hub running from Friday, April 13 to Saturday, April 21 acting as a one-stop shop for young people to meet to discuss current issues. Throughout the week, WA’s young people can also look forward to workshops, forums, exhibitions and acoustic acts in the hub. 

The KickstART Festival also includes a day of activities at the Perth Cultural Centre on Saturday, April 21 from 11am.  Youth markets with vintage and original wares will be available for sale, along with performances, live music and entertainment.

There is also a collection of regional events planned, including a Junior MasterChef event in Bencubbin on April 20, the Katanning Youth Festival on April 21 and the East Kimberley’s X Games skateboarding competition on April 22.

All National Youth Week events are drug and alcohol free and promote mental health and well-being in young people.

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett

Western Australia Minister for Disability Services Helen Morton

Premier Opens $11Million Autism Facility

Victor P Taffa

• WA’s Autism Association has new Service Headquarters
• State Government contributed $4 Million

Premier Colin Barnett today officially opened the Autism Association of Western Australia’s new Service Headquarters and Early Intervention Centre in Shenton Park.

The $11Million facility will provide specialised care and services to more than 400 pre-school children with autism and their families each year. It will also expand other association services and enable clinical and training staff to connect with organisations, professionals and families throughout WA.

Mr. Barnett said the State Government contributed $4 Million towards the new facility through Lotterywest.

“The Autism Association of WA makes such a significant contribution to the lives of people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families and carers.” the Premier said.

“Not only will the new headquarters help continue the great work of providing services to people with autism throughout their lives, but it will also be a place to showcase the achievements of people with autism and where families and staff can meet.”

WA MInister for Disability Services Helen Morton

Disability Services Minister Helen Morton congratulated the association on its new premises and reflected on her experience in the Politician Adoption Scheme.

“I have been ‘adopted’ by a young boy with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and his family.” Mrs. Morton said.

“This experience has made me much more aware of the importance of early intervention and the development of more services for people with the disorder. Having all the facilities in one place will certainly be logistically better for both families and staff.”

Fact File

• Facility will provide care to more than 400 pre-school children
• Expand other Autism Association services
• Lotterywest contributed $4 M to building, remaining revenue primarily from fundraising