Western Australia Minister for Environment Bill Marmion

2011 Kings Park Festival Has Trees For Life

Victor P Taffa

Environment Minister Bill Marmion today launched the 48th Kings Park Festival themed Trees for Life, which celebrates the United Nation’s International Year of the Forests.

 The festival will showcase the park’s many spectacular trees from the giant Kimberley boab Gija Jumulu, to the rows of lemon-scented gum trees along Fraser Avenue.

 In launching the festival, Mr. Marmion recognised the significant role the park’s trees have played in shaping Western Australia’s culture and history.

 ”Kings Park has so many magnificent trees, many of which have been important to the Nyoongar people for thousands of years.” Mr. Marmion said.

 “A highlight of this year’s festival is the new Boodja Gnarning Walk trail, which translates to living and eating off the land.”

 “This new self-guided walk informs visitors as to how the traditional Nyoongar people used native plants and trees for food, shelter, tools and medicinal purposes.” Mr. Marmion said.

 The festival’s month long program has a range of entertainment, activities, and workshops for people of all ages including interactive art and gardening workshops, to Santos Live Sundays, which will feature free live music and children’s entertainment every Sunday throughout September.

 In celebrating Kings Park’s special trees, the Friends of Kings Park volunteer group has propagated a rare tree species Eucalyptus brandiana, named for Kings Park and Botanic Garden’s Curator Grady Brand. A limited number of these seedlings will be available for purchase at their Native Plant Sale on September 23-25.

 The festival runs through to Sunday October 2. For more details about the festival and a full program guide please visit http://www.kingsparkfestival.com.au

Western Australia Minister for Planning John Day

Perth City Link Development Forges Ahead As Land Sales Begin

Victor P Taffa

The State Government has called for expressions of interest in purchasing land in the Perth City Link – the most significant inner-city development opportunity in more than a century.

Planning Minister John Day said more than five hectares of prime land in the heart of the city was available for development to deliver a range of residential, commercial, retail and tourism facilities.

“To meet the challenges of the fastest population growth in the nation, Perth must continue to provide new opportunities for people to live and work in the city.” Mr. Day said.

“The Perth City Link project will fundamentally transform the heart of Perth by changing the orientation of the city to connect the CBD with the entertainment precinct of Northbridge.”

“Perth City Link will remove a 100-year old barrier in the city and deliver significant benefits including improved public safety, access and connectivity – all funding and statutory approvals for this project are in place and works are well under way on site.”

Mr. Day said the Perth City Link will become the main driver of CBD accommodation beyond 2015 by providing more than 250,000sqm of new retail and commercial space and 1,650 new dwellings. In total, 5.2 hectares is available for development which has the potential to deliver more than 250,000sqm in gross floor area.

“The State Government is looking for developers with the appropriate experience and capacity to deliver high quality, environmentally sustainable designs and an active precinct for all West Australians to enjoy.” the Minister said.

“The investment by the State Government in this project is significant encompassing work to sink the rail line, develop an underground bus station, complete the new 15,500 seat Perth Arena, and deliver high quality public spaces such as City Square.

“In addition, a key outcome of the project is the delivery of much-needed hotel accommodation to meet the growing demands of the WA tourism and business markets.”

“Perth City Link is one of a number of major redevelopment projects, including Perth Waterfront; Perth Cultural Centre; and Riverside, which are currently planned or under way across our city.”

“This project is a collaboration of three levels of government: the Federal Government; the State Government led by agencies EPRA and the Public Transport Authority; and the City of Perth.”

Perth City Link has moved well into delivery phase of the project with demolition of the Perth Entertainment Centre and the commencement of works to sink a section of the Fremantle rail line. At the western end of the project, works are also being undertaken to create two development sites, upgrade critical services infrastructure and create a new public space.

Expressions of Interest are open until November 10 after which a shortlist of proponents will be invited to submit detailed proposals early next year. Developers and investors seeking more information about the sale can contact the Perth City Link project director on 9222 8000.

For information about the Perth City Link project, visit http://www.epra.wa.gov.au

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett

Albany Health Campus Construction Boosts Employment

Victor P Taffa

The construction of the $170 Million Albany Health Campus has provided a boost for local employment with more than 50 people finding jobs on the project.

Premier Colin Barnett today inspected progress on the campus, which is due for completion early in 2013, and met some of the Albany people working on the project.

“Currently 66 % of the full time employees on the site are local Albany people and at one stage it was as high as 80 %.” Mr. Barnett said.

“I am delighted to see how well work is coming along and that the project has provided jobs for local people.”

“The campus is the biggest country public hospital project to be undertaken in Western Australia and, when completed, will benefit more than 55,000 residents and visitors to the Great Southern.” Mr. Barnett said.

“Concrete was first poured on May 26 and suspended slab concrete pours for the maternity and surgical service areas have since taken place.”

“The extended range of services from the new campus will include a bigger emergency department, an increase in the medical and surgical options, maternity improvements, more mental health beds and upgraded cancer services.” Mr. Barnett said.

“Patients will have improved care offered by modern facilities and staff will have a better working environment.”

“When completed, the new hospital will support services from smaller hospitals in the region.” Mr. Barnett said.

Construction on the project started early this year and the new campus is funded by $105.1 Million from the State Government; $60.9 Million from Royalties for Regions; and $4.4 Million from the Federal Government.

The new campus is being built by John Holland Pty Ltd.

Western Australia Minister for Tourism Kim Hames

Top Gear Goes Live Exclusively In Perth

Victor P Taffa

Perth has won the rights to host the live arena version of the internationally acclaimed and multi award-winning BBC television series Top Gear.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said Eventscorp secured Top Gear Live for Perth as the exclusive Australian city for this tour in December.  It will be Top Gear Live’s first appearance in Perth.

“The State Government is building an exciting and diverse events’ calendar, allocating an extra $60 Million over the next four years in additional funding.” Dr. Hames said.

“Top Gear is in its 17th season, with a global viewing audience of 385 million, and it’s no surprise that the live stage shows have been incredibly popular when staged in major cities around the world.”

“Based on past experience we expect a significant number of interstate and overseas visitors to come to Perth to watch the three shows at the Burswood Dome.”

Presented by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Top Gear Australia’s Shane Jacobson, Top Gear Live will bring all the motoring mayhem and entertainment from the small screen to a live theatre experience.

As well as being promoted across Australia, the limited Perth shows of Top Gear Live will also be marketed in Singapore and Malaysia where the program is also very popular.

“Top Gear Live has never toured in South East Asia so we expect strong interest from Top Gear fans there.” the Minister said.

“Events not only attract visitors and put Perth on the map, they engage and add vibrancy to the community and we think Top Gear Live will deliver on all of those criteria.” Dr. Hames said.

Top Gear Live will play at the Burswood Dome on December 8-10. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 6.

For more information about Top Gear Live go to http://www.topgearlive.com.au

Western Australia Minister for Commerce Simon O’Brien

WA Marine Specialist To Address Industry Challenges

Victor P Taffa

The State Government is taking steps to further assist the competitiveness of Western Australia’s long established marine industry.

Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien today announced the Government had pledged $40,000 to appoint an industry specialist to work with the local marine industry to develop strategies and initiatives to improve its efficiency and competitiveness.

Mr. O’Brien said Western Australia accounted for about half Australia’s total shipbuilding production, with an annual turnover of about $1.5 Billion.

“However, the industry is facing a number of challenges, mainly from a rising exchange rate, the availability of skilled workers and low consumer confidence.” Mr. O’Brien said.

Addressing members of the Shipbuilding and Superyacht industry’s peak body Marine WA at the launch of a new website and promotional video, the Minister urged the industry to become involved in working with the specialist to develop strategies and initiatives to address the challenges.

“It is time for the industry to actively work together to consider systems which can be adopted to collectively improve its competitiveness.” Mr. O’Brien said.

“Various focus groups will be established to explore avenues such as joint marketing activities; collective purchasing arrangements; skills sharing; research and development collaboration; or regulation changes.”

The Minister said the State has already seen the benefits of industry collaboration at Australia’s biggest commercial shipbuilding precinct, the Australian Marine Complex, where ship and boat builders, repairers and maintainers are co-located close to marine equipment and component manufacturers, suppliers and service providers.

Western Australia Minister for Finance Simon O’Brien

Opposition Empty Words On Government Office Space

Victor P Taffa

Finance Minister Simon O’Brien has strongly refuted claims made by Opposition spokesperson Mark McGowan that the State Government is wasting taxpayers’ money for unoccupied buildings.

Mr. O’Brien said Mr. McGowan is way off the mark as the State Government’s leased agreements are spread across 96 buildings which are now being consolidated into about 15 properties.

“He claims Government offices have sat empty under the Liberal-National Government costing taxpayers more than $707,000, but Mr. McGowan’s figures relate to expenditure of vacated office accommodation over a period of almost three years. In dollar terms that is much less than 1% (0.125 %) of total lease costs per year.

The Minister said given the difficulty in aligning the expiry of old leases with the start of new leases, this was a good outcome, demonstrating good planning and thrifty management.

“Specifically in my own Finance portfolio, it is true that Building Management and Works vacated a number of locations to consolidate its operations, however these building leases are being back-filled by other Government agencies.” Mr. O’Brien said.

The State Government’s Master Planning approach to office accommodation will deliver a significant reduction in costs compared with the previous piecemeal approach.

“We have been improving Government accommodation policy and hope to realise the $20 Million p.a. savings that the Auditor General identified in the 2006 report.” Mr. O’Brien said.

Western Australia Minister for Fisheries Norman Moore

Fisheries Patrols Improve Compliance And Education Activity

Victor P Taffa

The State Government’s ongoing commitment to improving recreational fishing compliance and education received a boost with last night’s graduation of 12 new Fisheries and Marine Officers (FMOs).

The Graduates:

• Mark Blackburn,
• Jack Dawson,
• Michelle Duffield,
• Bridie Faithfull,
• John Geraghty,
• Emily Jones,
• Blake Mardon,
• Laura Orme,
• Anna Phillips,
• Liam Plant,
• Lewis Robertson,
• Ray Worrall

were presented with their certificates by Fisheries Minister Norman Moore at a ceremony in Fremantle.

The 12 officers have received about 15 weeks of training at the Department of Fisheries’ Marine Operations Centre, to prepare them for a range of duties, including land-based mobile patrols and seagoing duties.

Mr. Moore said the graduates would join the eight teams of existing FMOs dedicated to mobile patrols across the State.

“Direct contact with recreational fishers by FMOs provides important education opportunities to pass on information about fishing rules and to spread important messages about fishing for the future.” Mr. Moore said.

Department of Fisheries’ data shows that funding and increased mobile patrols with the introduction of a fleet of special four-wheel drives had proven successful.

“Mobile patrols across the State have made almost 34,000 contacts with recreational fishers, of which 42 serious matters were identified and a total of 78 alleged offences were recorded.” the Minister said.

“Some of those offences have been dealt with in court, and others are still undergoing prosecution but the high number of contacts reflects most recreational fishers obey the rules and do the right thing.”

Up to June 30 this year, mobile patrol officers had issued 463 official warning notices and 353 infringement notices for a range of offences for which fines were appropriate.

Most of the alleged offences were detected in the West Coast region, with more than 40 of them occurring between Preston Beach and Lancelin.

“The mobility of the patrols has helped the officers reach popular and remote fishing locations across Western Australia where they have been able to focus on a wide range of fisheries, including demersal marine scale fish, shore-based finfish, rock lobster, abalone and crabs.” Mr. Moore said.

“The special four-wheel drives are equipped with high-tech communications equipment and also carry supplies of important Department of Fisheries’ publications to help provide information to fishers.”

The Minister said the mobile patrols were providing highly flexible resources to target problem areas and particular fishing seasons across WA. High visibility of patrol vehicles had attracted significant feedback from Recfishwest, the recreational fishers’ peak representative body.

Fishing licences are available through Australia Post or from the Department of Fisheries’ website and offices. More information on licences and fishing rules that apply in WA are available at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au

Western Australia Minister for Tourism Kim Hames

Top Track And Field Stars To Shine In WA International Athletics Meet

Victor P Taffa

Some of Australia’s finest athletes will face their international rivals at a world-class athletics meet announced today by Tourism Minister Kim Hames.

Dr. Hames said the Perth Track Classic, part of the revamped Australian Athletics Tour, could attract up to 20 invited international athletes.

“Western Australian audiences will see home-grown heroes like reigning world, Olympic, and Commonwealth pole vault champion, Steve Hooker, and Commonwealth gold medallist, Alana Boyd, go head-to-head with their overseas rivals.” Dr. Hames said.

“The one-day event promises to be the best international athletics competition on WA soil since 1996 when British Olympic gold medallist Linford Christie competed in Perth.”

The Minister said the State Government, through Eventscorp, was proud to support the Perth Track Classic for three years starting from February 2012. He also announced that Perth would play host to Australia’s future track and field stars at the Australian Junior Athletic Championships in 2013 and 2016.

“The junior championships attract the best athletes from the under 14, 16, 18 and 20 age groups and has become a must for any junior athlete who wants to go on to represent Australia.” Dr. Hames said.

As well as being a major boost to WA’s athletics community, Dr. Hames said the competitions would benefit the economy.

“The Perth Track Classic and the Junior Championships will see thousands of athletes and spectators visit WA, potentially injecting $10 Million into the State’s economy.”

“This follows last month’s announcement that Perth will host the 2016 World Masters Athletics Championships which could attract 8,000 visitors and deliver up to $31 Million.”

All three events will be held at the WA Athletics Stadium, which was designed to international standards to cater for elite competition.

Western Australia Minister for Tourism Kim Hames

Unique New Basketball Event For Cable Beach

Victor P Taffa

Broome’s world famous Cable Beach will next month host a unique new outdoor international basketball event involving teams from four countries.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the teams would play under the Kimberley stars on a specially-made court, with seating for about 1,500 spectators.

“It’s difficult to imagine basketball being played at a more exotic natural location than Cable Beach.” Dr. Hames said.

“It’s the kind of event that will generate significant vibrancy in the Kimberley region as well as valuable international media exposure for Broome and Cable Beach.”

“There’s a real international flavour with the Perth Wildcats taking on the Shanghai Sharks from China, the Singapore Slingers and the Indonesian National Team.”

The inaugural Cable Beach Invitational will be held on Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1 on a court built overlooking Cable Beach.

“The State Government, through Eventscorp, is proud to be a major supporter of the Cable Beach Invitational, alongside the Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa, Skywest and the Shire of Broome Council.” the Minister said.

“Congratulations to Andrew Vlahov and his team at RV Sport for pulling together this world first event.”

Dr. Hames said the Cable Beach Invitational was one of a raft of new events that were transforming Western Australia’s annual events calendar.

“We are entering a new era of events in WA thanks to the massive $60 Million injection of funds – of which $40 Million was contributed by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program – over the next four years announced in the May Budget.” Dr. Hames said.

It was also announced today that Perth had secured the rights to a round of the Australian Athletics Tour for the years 2012-2014 and the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in 2013 and 2016.

“Watch this space, there’s a lot more coming.” Dr. Hames said.

Western Australia Minister for Transport Troy Buswell

Widening Of Kwinana Freeway Begins

Victor P Taffa

Major construction work began today to add two new lanes to the Kwinana Freeway between the Leach and Roe highways.

The Federal and Western Australian governments are working together to deliver this $58 Million widening and upgrading project, providing $29 Million each for its construction.

WA Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the 4.5km stretch of freeway between Leach Highway and Roe Highway would be widened from two to three lanes.

“This section of Kwinana Freeway carries about 107,000 vehicles per day and this will rise to 113,000 per day by 2016 and 131,000 by 2031.” Mr. Buswell said.

“There is already traffic congestion during peak traffic periods, and the extra lane in each direction will help alleviate the congestion commuters experience in the short term and into the future.”

Western Australian Federal Minister Gary Gray said the project would reduce congestion, travel times and make this stretch of freeway safer for road users.

“The widening works are expected to be completed and opened to traffic by the middle of next year.” Mr. Gray said.

“This project is also a key component of the Perth Urban Transport and Freight Corridor upgrade, a major part of the Federal Government’s Nation Building Program.”

Both Mr. Buswell and Mr. Gray welcomed input from the community reference group which has representatives throughout the length of the project. The group meets monthly with Main Roads and the contractor to discuss work progress, design and construction issues.
Highway Construction Pty Ltd, a locally-based road builder with extensive expertise in delivering major projects, is managing the $58 Million project.