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SearchArchives for April 2011
27 April, 2011
Library report gives
positive reading
A report into public libraries has found that for each dollar spent in the sector $3.56 in benefits is returned to the local community.
The report Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries, commissioned by State Library of Victoria and the Public Libraries Victoria Network, identifies the economic stimuli
Victorian public libraries introduce into local economies.
President of Public Libraries Victoria Network, John Murrell said the Report found Victorian public libraries generated $722 million in income for Victoria and contributed $120 million to the Gross State Product - in return for an annual outlay of just $36 per person.
“This Report shows that investment in public libraries is money well spent,” Mr Murrell said.
He said Victoria lagged behind most other states, including New South Wales and South Australia, in funding its public libraries.
“We need an ongoing commitment from our funding agencies to help us cater for future technological and social challenges,” Mr Murrell said.
He said the Report demonstrated that in every measure used, public libraries made an important social and economic contribution to their local communities.
Mr Murrell said the Report also showed for a funding investment of $36 per person per annum, Victorians received $419 in services from their public libraries.
“The Report showed overwhelming support for public libraries: people want them, people use them,” Mr Murrell said.
“But, they want more - expanded and updated collections and programs, and extended opening hours.”
Mr Murrell said in addition to traditional library services, the Report revealed customers had access to new forms of technology, information and entertainment; and used libraries as a hub to connect with friends and family, potential employers, government, banks and other online service providers.
He said libraries were a safe and welcoming community space for lifelong learning.
“We need to cater for population growth, in newly developed suburbs and regional Victoria, and an ageing population who require home delivery services and specialised reading formats,” he said.
Mr Murrell said the emergence of e-books also presented libraries with new opportunities and challenges.
“By investing in Victorian public libraries, we can address these challenges and return even more value for our communities,” he said.
27 April, 2011
Speed cameras focus
on new website
A new website listing the locations of mobile speed cameras has been launched by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan.
Mr Ryan said the Cameras Save Lives website would include statistics on fines and a list of weekly mobile speed camera information.
He said the site would be a valuable road safety resource for motorists, which included educational tools and up-to-date news about Victoria’s speed camera system.
“I encourage all Victorians to visit the site and familiarise themselves with how our camera system actually works – from testing of the cameras right through to verification of infringements,” Mr Ryan said.
“Victorians now have access to detailed information about how the camera network operates, the technology used, and statistics on the number and types of fines issued.”
He said the website would also serve as a valuable educational tool, with information and research on the relationship between speed and road trauma, and animations and technical details about how cameras work.
“Easter is one of the busiest and most dangerous periods on our roads, and with the fixed and mobile camera locations now available on Cameras Save Lives, there is no excuse for motorists caught speeding,” he said.
Mr Ryan said the website would publish quarterly speed and red-light camera statistics, including data on the dollar value of traffic camera infringements; camera locations with the highest number of infringements; the number of infringements by speeding category offence; and the number of people who receive official warnings.
For more information visit this PS News link.
27 April, 2011
Wireless hospital
is first of a kind
Casey Hospital in Berwick is to be the first in Victoria to become 100 per cent wireless capable.
Minister for Health, David Davis said wireless local area networks (WLAN) were being used to a variable extent in Victorian public hospitals, but Casey Hospital was leading the way.
“Casey Hospital is serving one of the fastest growing areas in Melbourne’s outer east and this technology will greatly assist staff in treating patients,” Mr Davis said.
“Wireless area network technology enables clinicians to access vital medical information at any location in the hospital, for example at a patient’s bedside.”
Mr Davis said benefits of the new technology included the efficient flow of information with real time access to patient charts, laboratory results and medical histories.
“It will also reduce paperwork and needless human traffic and increase bed mobility through reduced reliance on cabling,” he said.
“Other benefits include more time spent with patients, improved efficiency, improved patient safety, reduced error rates and reduced costs.”
Mr Davis said all areas of Casey Hospital had been surveyed, guaranteeing there are were ‘black spots’ for network coverage.
“Any clinician will be able to walk into Casey Hospital, securely connect to the network, then access resources, information and take meaningful and therapeutic technology to a patient’s bedside,” he said.
“Medical notes on electronic systems can be instantly updated, reducing many of the risks that come with the delay between a patient being examined and the clinician recording their notes and observations.”
Mr Davis said the rollout of the WLAN would start in Casey Hospital’s Emergency Department, with the remainder of the hospital to progressively “go live” throughout April and May 2011.
27 April, 2011
Credit scheme
credited online
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has announced the trial of a new online system for trading Native Vegetation Credits.
The Department is seeking landowners and developers to take part in the trial.
Acting Secretary for DSE, Adam Fennessy said the new system would make it easier to trade Native Vegetation Credits.
Mr Fennessy said the Native Vegetation Exchange (NVX) had been designed to improve the effectiveness of offset arrangements regulated by Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management Framework.
“NVX is an innovative system that matches buyers and sellers of Native Vegetation Credits and enables trades between multiple parties,” he said.
“We are trialling the system in the Gippsland area and invite landowners and developers to participate.”
Mr Fennessy said landowners in the Gippsland area might be eligible to be paid for protecting, managing and improving native vegetation on their property, including works such as planting native trees, fencing, or weed and pest control.
“If you’re a developer seeking to offset your clearing, you can use the NVX system to find the Credits you need,” he said.
“The target area for the NVX trial extends from Lakes Entrance in eastern Victoria, through to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and including Dandenong, Yarram, Wonthaggi and Traralgon.”
Mr Fennessy said the NVX trial was managed by DSE in partnership with the Bass Coast Landcare Network (BCLN).
He said in the field, BCLN would provide support and assistance to landowners during the trial.
For further information visit this PS News link.
27 April, 2011
Youth service
growing up
The Youth Substance Abuse Service has been renamed the Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) and given responsibility for a new $4.5 million early intervention service.
Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge said YSAS would receive $4.5 million in funding to employ 23 youth workers in the Melbourne metro area and Latrobe Valley as part of the new Youth Support Service (YSS).
“YSAS is the largest provider of the Youth Support Service which focuses on early intervention and addressing the underlying causes of youth crime,” Ms Wooldridge said.
Ms Wooldridge said the emphasis was on supporting young people aged between 10 and 18 years who were at risk of progressing into the juvenile justice system.
“Young people in contact with Victoria Police with offending behaviour will be referred to YSAS where a youth worker will be assigned to assess their needs and connect the young person with the range of supports they need in the community,” Ms Wooldridge said.
“We want to see a decrease in the number of young people offending and we want to increase their opportunities to participate positively in the community, at school or work, with their friends and in sporting and other activities.”
She said the YSS program had commenced operation in Geelong, through Time for Youth, and Mildura, through the Mallee Accommodation and Support Program.
Ms Wooldridge said the program would also be rolled out in Ballarat, through Ballarat Community Health Centre; Bendigo, through St Lukes; and Shepparton, through Rumbalara and Uniting Care Cutting Edge.
“I look forward to working closely with YSAS and Victoria Police to ensure our young people have every opportunity to make a better life for themselves and avoid entering the youth justice system,” Ms Wooldridge said.
27 April, 2011
Inquiry to chart
Charter’s course
A Parliamentary Inquiry is to be held into the operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.
Announced by the Attorney-General, Robert Clark, the Inquiry will be conducted by the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC) of the Parliament.
Mr Clark said the Inquiry would review all aspects of the first four years of operation of the Act, including matters required to be reviewed under the Act.
He said the Inquiry would provide an opportunity for all aspects of the Act to be examined and debated.
“The Charter Act has been controversial since the day it was introduced into Parliament,” Mr Clark said.
“Supporters say it enhances and protects human rights and brings Victoria into line with international human rights law.”
Mr Clark said the Inquiry would give all interested parties the opportunity to have their say.
“Critics say it delivers vague and open-ended powers into the hands of judges, undermines Parliamentary democracy, is costly and bureaucratic and fails to provide effective remedies for citizens,” he said.
“The review will also provide an opportunity for a wide range of factual information about the operation of the Act to be examined, including when and how the Act is being used, what have been the results, costs and benefits, and how the public service and public authorities have responded to the Act.”
He said the State Government would decide on any changes to be proposed in relation to the Act after taking into account the findings and recommendations of the inquiry.
“I will be asking the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to assist me in relation to the review, including by providing to SARC detailed information about the Commission’s role and activities in relation to the Act and about the cases of which the Commission is aware in which the Act has been invoked,” Mr Clark said.
He said the SARC had been asked to report to Parliament no later than 1 October 2011.
27 April, 2011
Air ambulances reach
for higher standards
Air ambulances are to carry blood products to allow paramedics to administer blood transfusions at emergency scenes and in the air.
The move is believed to be a world first.
Minister for Health, David Davis said Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics had been able to give blood transfusions to seriously injured people for more than five years, but blood products had to be brought to the scene from local hospitals.
“Air Ambulance Victoria will be the first paramedic-operated helicopter service in the world to have paramedics carrying and administering blood products,” Mr Davis said.
He said Victoria had a robust network of professional expertise that enabled services such as this to come to fruition.
He thanked the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s blood bank for working with Ambulance Victoria to provide the vital supplies, and the Red Cross for their technical expertise.
“Air Ambulance Victoria is the oldest medical helicopter service in Australia and one of the oldest in the world, and recently celebrated 40 years of operations,” Mr Davis said.
“Air Ambulance Victoria pioneered the process of putting people suffering head injuries into an induced coma and taking over breathing for them, which is now used by MICA across the state.”
Mr Davis said research showed the process had resulted in more patients who in the past wouldn’t have survived, or would have been living in assisted accommodation due to severe brain injury, leaving hospital to go home.
He said the new service was part of the Baillieu Government’s election commitment of $151 million to boost ambulance services over the next four years.
27 April, 2011
Defence Council
on the defensive
The Defence Council Victoria (DVC) is to visit Canberra next month to put Victoria’s case for local companies to win more Defence contracts.
DCV is a State Government advisory body chaired by former Secretary of the Federal Department of Defence, Ric Smith.
Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade, Richard Dalla-Riva said the delegation would meet with key Defence and Commonwealth Government stakeholders and decision-makers on 18 May.
“The Victorian Government is committed to supporting our local defence industry to gain their fair share of upcoming Defence contracts, particularly the LAND121 Phase 3 contract for new medium and heavy trucks,” Mr Dalla-Riva said.
“We strongly support the Council advocating for Victorian companies such as Thales Australia, which has a proven track record producing vehicles that save lives in the world’s toughest combat zones.”
Mr Dalla-Riva said Thales Australia in Bendigo was shortlisted for the LAND121 Phase 3 contract to supply 2,300 medium and heavy trucks, half of which would be fitted with protection for active deployment.
“Securing a contract for LAND121 Phase 3 is critical for the future of military vehicle manufacturing in Bendigo and in Australia,” he said.
“The passion from the people of Bendigo reflects the huge importance of Thales Australia as a key regional employer and a strategic national defence asset.”
He said the choice for a LAND121 Phase 3 supplier should be about making the right decision for the safety of Australian soldiers, the right decision for regional manufacturing and the right decision for Australia’s national defence industry capability.
“Our servicemen and women deserve the best possible protection and Thales has proven itself with the Bushmaster, which has a demonstrated track record protecting the lives of Australian and Coalition soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Mr Dalla-Riva said.
He said the Australian Defence Force’s current Bushmaster fleet was locally designed and manufactured by Thales Australia.
27 April, 2011
Milk scientists lock
horns on cholesterol
Scientists at the Department of Primary Industries’ dairy research centre at Ellinbank have launched a project to develop new milk that would fight cholesterol.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh said the search for cholesterol-fighting milk was the focus of a collaborative research initiative conducted by the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI).
“The research being undertaken at Ellinbank could show that milk can play an instrumental role in reducing risk of heart disease and high blood pressure,” Mr Walsh said.
“Scientists are investigating whether feeding dairy cows differently could result in milk that helps lower cholesterol absorption in humans.”
Mr Walsh said about 160 grazing cows were being fed supplements of either wheat grain or a mixed ration containing wheat, maize grain, maize silage and lucerne hay.
“The study - which has never been done on this scale - aims to show whether different components of a cow’s diet can enhance natural levels of phytosterols in the milk it produces,” he said.
“Studies have shown that phytosterols, which are cholesterol-like molecules found in plant foods, can block dietary cholesterol absorption in humans.”
Mr Walsh said phytosterols were not produced by animals or humans and so were often added to foods.
“Enhancing the natural levels of phytosterols would make milk even healthier to drink by fighting the body’s absorption of cholesterol,” he said.
Mr Walsh said commercial phytosterol fortification levels in food products could be up to 100 times greater than naturally occurring levels in fresh vegetables, fruit and nuts.
He said the research was supported by DPI, Dairy Australia, the Gardiner Foundation, Victoria University and the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and would form the basis of NMI scientist, Samantha Duong’s PhD program.
27 April, 2011
Radio warning is
tuned into traffic
An emergency warning system that ‘breaks in’ to radio broadcasts has been used by police in the Morwell area to advise motorists of traffic delays and road safety issues.
Incident Controller Superintendent, Geoff Newby said police used the emergency warning system to communicate traffic delays and road safety messages to motorists travelling through Morwell during the Easter weekend.
Superintendent Newby said the Princes Freeway was closed in both directions at Morwell following some land movement in early February.
He said traffic was diverted in both directions along Princes Drive through the township of Morwell and the emergency warning system delivered ‘break in’ messages via FM radio frequencies through car radios to motorists.
Superintendent Newby said the messages gave motorists details on expected delays and traffic conditions so they could chose to proceed along the freeway and Princes Drive or take an alternative route.
He said police were very fortunate to have the technology at their disposal over the Easter weekend and hoped it delivered an extra level of information to motorists travelling through the area.
He said the emergency warning system was complemented by variable message sign boards on the freeway.
Superintendent Newby said the sign boards reinforced road safety messages that encouraged drivers to avoid changing lanes and to leave a safe distance between themselves and the car in front of them.
27 April, 2011
Death sentence for
suspended sentences
The Attorney-General, Robert Clark has announced that from 1 May, Victorian Courts will no longer be able to impose suspended sentences for a number of serious crimes.
Mr Clark said suspended sentences would no longer be available to offenders found guilty in the Supreme Court and County Court of murder, manslaughter, rape and other serious sexual offences, armed robbery, intentionally or recklessly causing serious injury, aggravated burglary, arson and commercial drug trafficking.
Mr Clark said a suspended sentence was when an offender was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment, but the term of imprisonment was then suspended as long as the offender did not re-offend
He said in the vast majority of cases, the offender then walked from the court completely free and without supervision.
“Abolishing suspended sentences will put truth back into sentencing, so that jail will mean jail,” Mr Clark said.
“If a judge thinks an offender should not go to jail, the judge will say so openly and put the offender on a community based sentence, instead of the law pretending the offender is being sent to jail.”
Mr Clark said the abolition of suspended sentences marked the end of a “revolving door” approach to justice, where drug traffickers, arsonists and violent thugs were given pretend prison sentences and then allowed to walk straight out of court.
He said 1 May would also be the commencement date for the abolition of the mandatory one-month jail term for second and subsequent convictions for driving while disqualified or suspended, which was a provision included in the sentencing legislation passed late in 2010.
27 April, 2011
Water plan springs
into action
A 10-year master plan for managing mineral spring reserves in the State’s Spa Country has been published by the Victorian Mineral Water Committee (VMWC).
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Executive Officer-VMWC, Daniel McMahon said the plan was developed in consultation with local land managers.
Mr McMahon said the area known as ‘Spa Country’ was an important network of mineral spring reserves concentrated in the Central Highlands region of Victoria.
He said the Central Highlands were located within an hours drive from Melbourne and have long been a favourite destination for day-trips and weekend getaways.
“The Master Plan will assist the VMWC in providing grants and guidance to local councils, reserve committees and Parks Victoria to improve and maintain reserve areas” Mr McMahon said.
“The plan sets out a bright future for the region’s mineral springs by building on the current priorities for the reserves.”
He said the plan included water quality testing to ensure safe drinking water standards were met, and continual improvement and promotion of the springs.
He said the recent beautification of the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserves and Bathhouse was guided by the previous Master Plan.
Mr McMahon said several improvement projects identified under the new plan were currently at the planning stage.
He said the VMWC had recently published the book Spa Country about the mineral springs region and were in the process of revitalising their website.
27 April, 2011
Water buyback in
river wash-up
The Federal Government is to call two new tenders for the buyback purchase of water in the Murray Darling river system in Victoria and South Australia.
Minister for Water, Tony Burke said the tenders for water purchases in the southern-connected system would open in Victoria and South Australia on 2 May 2011 and 6 June 2011 as part of the Government’s approach to having smaller rounds of ‘rolling’ tenders for buybacks in the Murray Darling Basin.
Mr Burke said each water purchase tender would be open for two weeks, following on from similar tenders conducted in February and March.
“I am determined to achieve a plan for the Murray Darling Basin that delivers healthy rivers, strong communities and continued food production,” he said.
Mr Burke said the smaller, more regular water buyback tenders were aimed at giving communities confidence in a steady, measured pace of water purchasing.
“We’ve seen the devastating impact of drought on farmers and regional communities,” he said.
“I am determined to make sure that these effects are not repeated the next time drought hits the Murray Darling Basin.”
He said the rolling tender approach provided irrigators with the opportunity to sell their water, with the added reassurance that more rounds would be available soon if their circumstances changed or if their sell offer was not accepted.
“Water purchases made under the buybacks will count towards any reduction in diversions needed to meet the final sustainable diversion limits under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and complements our substantial investments in more efficient irrigation water delivery and use,” Mr Burke said.
“There are no forced sales and the Government only purchases water from willing sellers who choose to put part of their entitlement on the market.”
He said guidelines and application forms for each tender round would be available from 2 May and 6 June by calling 1800 218 478 or visiting this PS News link.
27 April, 2011
New trails
on track
A new pathway and bike track from Yarram to Alberton has been opened as part of the Tarra Trail which runs from Yarram to Port Albert.
Officially pressed into service by the Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Peter Ryan, the Tarra Trail is to add to the many existing tourism attractions in the area and provide a further boost for businesses and the local economy.
Mr Ryan said the new recreational development would be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
“Tarra Trail: Stage One is a significant project as it is a future destination for the iconic Great Southern Rail Trail, which currently extends to Foster,” he said.
“The community has also been actively involved in the project throughout its development and it is great to see local people getting behind a great tourism initiative like this.”
Mr Ryan said the Victorian Government had provided $200,000 in funding for the trail through Regional Development Victoria, with the Wellington Shire Council providing the balance of funding for the $270,000 project.
He said the project involved the construction of a shared trail along the existing railway reserve and included re-vegetation and the installation of signage and seating.
“The development has made use of local materials with the trail being constructed using the same local gravel which was used in the previously-developed Yarram Station Ground Reserve,” Mr Ryan said.
“The State Government is pleased to be able to contribute to this project and we will continue to support important local initiatives like the Tarra Trail.”
“We are committed to working with local communities to deliver better infrastructure, greater prosperity and new opportunities in regional and rural Victoria,” he said.
27 April, 2011
Wild dog strategy
to be given bite
Preliminary work has begun on a strategy to control wild dogs in the State’s regional areas.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh said the State Government had met with Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) representatives from north-east Victoria and Gippsland to discuss future strategies to control wild dogs and protect livestock.
“We have been consulting with landowners on our plans to introduce aerial baiting and improve on ground control activities,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group requested last week’s meeting through Coalition MPs Bill Tilley, Bill Sykes and Tim Bull.”
Mr Walsh said the meeting was chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries, Bill Sykes and included Facilitator for the National Wild Dog Program, Greg Mifsud, and President of VFF Livestock Group, Chris Nixon.
“The group put forward a new wild dog program proposal taking into consideration the needs of both north-east Victoria and Gippsland farmers,” Mr Walsh said.
“VFF have advocated a model of enhanced community involvement in the wild dog campaign, driven through stronger partnerships at a local level between Department of Primary Industries and regional committees.”
Mr Walsh said VFF had also proposed reform of wild dog management away from the two existing wild dog management committees towards a single, strategic State-wide body.
He said the proposal focused on baiting, including aerial baiting, as a key strategy to control wild dog numbers; and retaining trapping capacity, especially in reacting to dog attacks.
“We have also supported maintaining the 72-hour exemption from current requirements which stipulate that traps for wild dogs have to be checked every 24 hours,” he said.
Mr Walsh said the State Government would continue to consult with landholders and affected communities in north-east Victoria and Gippsland to develop an improved, comprehensive wild dog control strategy.
27 April, 2011
Literary award is
one for the books
The Premier’s Literary Award has been upgraded with the main prize now $125,000, the richest in Australia.
Premier, Ted Baillieu said the Victorian Prize for Literature was by far the largest prize for a writer in Australia.
“Literature is in Victoria’s lifeblood,” Mr Baillieu said.
“UNESCO has recognised the importance of literature in this state by granting us the City of Literature title, and this award sends a further clear message about the importance of writers and writing to our society and culture.”
Mr Baillieu said the new Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards would include five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Drama, Poetry and Writing for Young Adults - each with a prize of $25,000.
He said the winners of these categories would be eligible for the major prize of an additional $100,000.
“This is a clearer and more equitable structure, increasing the prizes for Drama, Poetry and Writing for Young Adults and strengthening the awards in line with recommendations by key stakeholders in the writing, publishing and book selling community,” Mr Baillieu said.
He said the changes boosted the overall prize pool from $180,000 in 2010 to $225,000 in 2011.
Mr Baillieu said in addition to the main awards, from 2012 the program would include a $15,000 award for an Unpublished Manuscript, to be presented as part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival in May; and a $20,000 biennial prize for Indigenous Writing to coincide with Indigenous Literacy Day in September, an increase of $5,000 from the previous offering.
Mr Baillieu also announced continued ongoing funding for the Melbourne City of Literature Initiative of $250,000 a year plus indexation.
He said this would secure future funding for the Melbourne Writers’ Festival as a premier international literary event, enabling it to build on its great success of recent years.
Mr Baillieu said the Premier’s Literary Awards would continue to be delivered by the Wheeler Centre, which administered the program for the first time in 2010.
He said entries for the 2011 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards opened on 18 April 2011.
For further information visit this PS News link.
27 April, 2011
Rail plan derailed
A planned initiative to allow train passengers to travel with their pets over Easter came unstuck when V/Line failed to put the appropriate measures in place in time.
Having announced the new service before Easter, the Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder, said despite the hiccup it would still go ahead.
“Commuters wishing to travel with pets over the weekend have every right to be disappointed with V/Line for failing to properly implement the policy” Mr Mulder said.
The initiative will allow regional commuters to take their pets on holiday to country Victoria.
Water plant on stream
A new recycled water plant in Altona is set to save more than 2.5 billion litres of drinking water each year, reducing demand on Melbourne’s potable water supplies.
The $48 million plant will allow up to nine million litres of Class A recycled water to be available for manufacturing and irrigation use each day.
The plant uses membrane technology to treat effluent from the plant, removing salt and other contaminants.
The water will be used by a neighbouring chemical manufacturer, two golf courses, and public parks in Melbourne’s west.
Pay offer rejected
Staff of the ACT Government have voted to reject a pay offer of 2.5 per cent over three years.
More than 10,000 of the territory’s public servants voted to reject the offer, with the Community and Public Sector Union demanding a pay rise of between 3.5 per cent and 4 per cent.
The CPSU aired fears that the current pay offer would make it difficult for the ACT public service to attract employees to replace the ranks of its rapidly ageing workforce.
The Chief Minister’s Department will now consult with cabinet regarding the pay offer, and will meet again with the CPSU early next month.
Long-serving lady retires
The longest serving female on a committee of management in Victoria will retire after 34 years of service.
Lynne Hucker has been recognised by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) for her commitment and contribution to the Narre Warren North Hall, on the outskirts of Melbourne.
Mrs Hucker was appointed to the Narre Warren North Hall and Recreation Reserve Committee in 1977.
Search for bridge name
The search is on for a name for Maroondah’s new $6.2 million pedestrian bridge.
The closing date has been extended to 5 May 2011 to ensure as many people as possible can get involved in naming the bridge which connects the EastLink trail on either side of the Maroondah Highway.
The bridge is expected to be dubbed with its new name in June this year.
Submissions can be emailed to mseprojects@roads.vic.gov.au
Public say on Uni attendance
Submissions are now open for Victorians to have their say on ways to increase tertiary education participation in Gippsland.
Tertiary education participation figures show the region is lagging behind much of the state.
Once written submissions are received an expert panel will prepare a discussion paper.
A series of consultation meetings will also be held with interested parties throughout Gippsland.
Further information is available at this PS News link.
Cool health system launched
A solar thermal cooling system at Echuca Regional Health – a first for Victoria – has been officially launched by Minister for Health, David Davis.¬
The system will save about 1400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and $60,000 per annum in energy costs.
The system works by capturing the sun’s rays and generating hot water, which is sent to an absorption chiller producing low cost and sustainable cooling for the hospital.
The system matches the time when energy is needed the most with the time when solar energy is most available, thereby cutting the peak electricity demand and related costs for the hospital.
Shepparton gets ambulance
A new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) single responder unit will service the Shepparton community.
The new 24-hour Shepparton MICA single responder unit is one of four new teams that are already operational in regional Victoria.
Single responder units are useful in regional cities and built-up suburban areas as a way to overcome traffic and increase the spread of MICA paramedics.
The new services would complement other MICA single responder units already operating in Ballarat, Bendigo, Morwell and Geelong.
20 April, 2011
Funding package for
flooded parks
A $62.4 million package to rebuild flood-damaged parks and reserves across Victoria is to include $42.7 million from insurance payouts.
Premier Ted Baillieu said the Government would contribute $19.7 million.
“Since September last year more than 70 parks or reserves have been affected by severe storm and flood events which have battered our state,” Mr Baillieu said.
“The damage sustained has prompted partial, and in some cases total, closures of some of our most popular visitor areas.”
Mr Baillieu said the Restoring our Parks package, which will be delivered as part of the 2011-12 Budget, will allow Parks Victoria to fast-track works to repair extensive damage.
He said repair work would include clearing debris and re-opening access to damaged areas of parks, restoring walking tracks, restoring roads and bridges, repairing visitor facilities in the parks, and preparing for future disasters by assessing and mitigating the risk of landslips and debris falls.
“Our immediate priority with this funding is to restore safe access for Victorians, but repeated flooding has made the damage assessment and early recovery works difficult,” Mr Baillieu said.
He said the most severely affected parks included the Grampians, Wilsons Promontory, Mount Buffalo, and Alpine National Parks, You Yangs Regional Park, and parks in the Creswick, Hepburn, Bendigo, Beechworth, Upper Murray and Dandenong Ranges areas.
He said 10 parks remained closed and another 16 had major sections still closed. Around 150 campgrounds and visitor sites were severely affected.
“In some areas damage to roads and crossings caused by September’s floods was repaired completely, only to have the works undone by this year’s floods,” Mr Baillieu said.
He said the extent of damage in some areas meant road and track closures would remain in place until authorities were confident access was safe for visitors.
“This process is being staged and undertaken as quickly as possible but it will take some time given the poor access available to some areas, as well as the scale and intensity of the flood and storm events,” the Premier said.
20 April, 2011
Update report brings
finances to book
An update of the State’s finances has revealed a drop in income of more than $5 billion according to the Premier Ted Baillieu and Treasurer Kim Wells.
Releasing the Victorian Economic and Financial Statement, April 2011, the Premier and Treasurer said the shortfall was due to a $2.5 billion cut in GST revenue, $550 million from a project deferred from the Commonwealth and capital cost blowouts.
“This conservative estimate in the order of $2 billion may be revised upwards,” Mr Wells said.
Mr Baillieu said the Government had introduced a rigorous process to ensure that major projects would now have proper governance, management, design and financial costing to ensure they were delivered on time and on budget.
“These projects are in such a mess they need to be put onto a solid and responsible financial footing,” Mr Baillieu said.
“We are taking the necessary steps to resolve these issues, even if it means that some projects will take longer to deliver, they must be fixed.”
Mr Wells said the State Government had been working through an expanded budget process to prioritise and properly fund key service delivery areas.
He said Victoria’s revenue would be impacted by the $2.5 billion cut to Victoria’s GST revenue and deferral of payments by the Commonwealth Government.
Mr Wells said Victoria strongly opposed the $2.5 billion cut to GST revenue and was successful in securing a review of the flawed GST formula, however the Commonwealth Government intended to proceed with the “unprecedented” cut.
Mr Baillieu said the Commonwealth had also deferred $500 million in funding for the Regional Rail Project and $50 million for the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
“This $5 billion impact on Victoria’s finances makes the task of preparing this year’s Budget particularly challenging,” Mr Baillieu said.
To view the Victorian Economic and Financial Statement visit this PS News link.
20 April, 2011
Single safety law
the safest way
The Chair of Safe Work Australia, Tom Phillips has defended the national harmonisation of work health and safety (WHS) laws saying the process was not designed to reduce the size of WHS regulation but to ensure uniform safety standards were in place across the country.
Mr Phillips said the initiative was consistent with the requirements of the Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety.
“This exercise is about harmonisation and putting everyone on the same page, it is not rationalisation or reform,” Mr Phillips said.
He said the content of the draft WHS Regulations was based on existing Work Health and Safety Regulations in each of the nine Australian jurisdictions, all of which were varied in length and content.
He said chapters of the draft WHS Regulations addressed hazards such as noise, confined spaces and falls, or specific industries such as construction, major hazard facilities or driving.
Mr Phillips said for national businesses, familiarity with only one set of work health and safety regulations would be easier than needing to know the nine sets that currently existed.
For these businesses, thousands of pages of regulations and rules would be replaced by the draft WHS Regulations which were about 580 pages.
“The model WHS Regulations needed to ensure effective safety standards and protections for all Australian workers without being overly prescriptive,” he said.
“It is not the number of pages or size that is important, but whether the model WHS Regulations will contain sufficient guidance to duty holders to ensure the health and safety of Australian workers.”
During a recent public comment process, submissions were made regarding concerns about the length and level of prescription in the draft regulations.
Mr Phillips said however that Safe Work Australia had already identified a number of ways the draft WHS Regulations could be reduced in size without compromising important policy objectives.
20 April, 2011
Bullying campaign
hits back at bullies
A new campaign to stamp out bullying in Victorian schools has been announced by the Premier Ted Baillieu.
Mr Baillieu said the Stamp Out Bullying plan included funding for reviewing and updating bullying policies and programs in Victorian schools over the next four years and $10.5 million for an eSmart cyber-bullying program developed by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation for Government and needy Catholic schools.
“Bullying and cyber-bullying are two of the biggest issues facing Victorian schools,” Mr Baillieu said.
“Victorian students are at risk of bullying and especially cyber-bullying, and through our $14.5 million Stamp Out Bullying plan we are taking real action to protect Victorians and make schools safer.”
He said under the plan, $4 million would be spent on reviewing, updating and expanding the suite of anti-bullying plans and strategies operating in Victorian schools – better integrating the range of programs available.
Minister for Education, Martin Dixon said schools would also establish committees from existing staff to oversee and develop cyber-bullying policies and programs, and teachers in each school would be given professional development and training to develop and run effective cyber-bullying programs.
“It is time for a comprehensive response to these threats, particularly in our schools,” Mr Dixon said.
He said the Stamp Out Bullying plan built on major announcements already made by the State Government including new legislation to crack down on workplace and other forms of bullying; greater powers for principals to suspend and expel students and search for dangerous weapons; and the establishment of a further 150 Primary Welfare Officer positions over the next four years.
He said the Stamp Out Bullying plan would also incorporate and update a number of existing anti-bullying strategies and programs in schools including Learning On Line; SuperClubsPLUS; and Safe Schools are Effective Schools.
He said the Student Engagement Policy Guidelines and Building Respectful and Safe Schools resource, in which schools were required to have a bullying prevention and cybersafety strategies incorporated within their Student Engagement Policy would also be included.
20 April, 2011
Cold weather heats
up fire warning
Firefighters have warned of an increased risk of fire as the weather cools down and householders light up their wood fires and gas and electric heaters.
State Duty Officer with the Country Fire Authority, Peter Lucas said that two houses in Wonga Park and Mount Dandenong had been totally destroyed by fire recently with both incidents caused by heaters.
He said these were examples of how quickly a fire could take hold in a home if a heater was faulty, not properly maintained or was too close to flammable materials.
“Usually, we would expect to see an increase in heater fires during winter months but since February, we have seen some cool temperatures meaning the heaters are being switched on early,” Mr Lucas said.
“Some of these heating appliances wouldn’t have been turned on since last winter, which is why it is so important to check that they are working properly, particularly older heaters.”
Mr Lucas said that in 2010, CFA responded to 37 more electrical-related fires than the previous year, with a rise in all fires where the cause was from a heater.
He said this included fires caused by dryers, central and portable heating, electric blankets and water heaters.
“If you are in any doubt about your heating appliance, throw it out or get it checked by a professional because taking that simple step can avoid a fire in the home which, as we saw recently, can cause significant amounts of damage and loss,” Mr Lucas said.
Commander of the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board, Frank Stockton said that heaters and fireplaces were the second most common cause of house fires during the winter months, responsible for 14.2 per cent of all household fires during winter last year.
“During winter last year the MFB attended 78 residential property fires caused by a heating system,” Commander Stockton said.
He said it was important to ensure that portable heaters in particular were not left unsupervised.
“If you leave the room, or go to bed, make sure you turn off the heater,” he said.
For more information on fires and their dangers visit this PS News link.
20 April, 2011
Water trading
turned off
Some water allocation trading has been suspended by the Minister for Water to protect next season’s allocations to entitlement holders in Victoria’s Murray system.
The Minister, Peter Walsh said trades from NSW and the Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems into the Victoria’s Murray system had been suspended.
“These suspensions will be in place until 1 July 2011, but may need to be reinstated in certain circumstances,” Mr Walsh said.
He said high storage levels, huge volumes of unused irrigation water and Victoria’s progressive carryover rules had converged to create challenges in managing the allocation trade.
“At present there are more than two million megalitres of unused irrigation water remaining on the Murray and Goulburn water systems and the temporary suspension will prevent these trades from having a negative impact on next year’s Murray allocations,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the trades were increasing the obligation to deliver water to users on the Murray but Victorian storages were not receiving a matching volume of water.
He said under the accounting rules for the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement, New South Wales allocation holders could transfer water to Victoria.
“Victoria cannot accept any more water from New South Wales because our share of Hume Dam is full,” Mr Walsh said.
“If trade from New South Wales is not temporarily halted, the water available to Victorian irrigators in the next irrigation season will be reduced.”
He said trade from the Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems would also impact on future allocations in the Victorian Murray system if trade was not temporarily suspended.
“If there is a spill from Lake Eildon in the new season, it will wipe out some or all of the water to be supplied to the Murray or interstate from the inter-valley account.”
Mr Walsh said Victoria was a strong supporter of trade and regretted the necessity to put the suspensions in place.
“It is unfair to allow trade if it is done at the expense of Victorian Murray entitlement holders,” Mr Walsh said.
20 April, 2011
New mobile signs
hit the road
A program of rolling out electronic trailer-mounted road signs across the State’s highways has been launched on the Princes Highway in Gippsland.
Minister for Police, Peter Ryan said the new sign on the Princess Highway between Pakenham and Drouin, was one of 15 variable messaging signs now operating on three of the State’s highways.
He said the Victorian Government had consulted with Victoria Police and VicRoads to ensure 15 high-risk locations across the State had signs in place alerting motorists to drive carefully.
“The 15 sites on the Calder, Western and Princes Highways have been chosen based on previous crash data, and because they do not have any fixed speed cameras,” Mr Ryan said.
He said the electronic signs would display “High Risk Area, Police Enforcing Speed” to notify motorists that if they exceeded the speed limit, they would be penalised.
“Unfortunately motorists in regional and rural areas are currently disproportionately represented in the state’s road toll.”
He said the 15 trailer-mounted signs would be placed in locations on the Calder Highway between Melbourne and Bendigo; on the Western Highway between Melbourne and Burrumbeet (near Ballarat); and on the Princes Highway between Melbourne and Sale.
Mr Ryan said work had already begun on the second phase of the project which would involve a State-wide rollout of electronic and fixed signs based on detailed information about serious and fatal crashes throughout Victoria.
“Regardless of whether there are fixed cameras operating on a stretch of road, police will enforce the speed limit with on-the-spot fines and mobile speed cameras to ensure that those who break the speed limit are penalised accordingly,” Mr Ryan said.
20 April, 2011
Overseas students
learn local lesson
An information day for international students was held last weekend to show them how to rent a home, find a job and remain safe in their temporary environment.
Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher said the free Studying, Working and Chillin’ Information Day covered a wide range of relevant topics including building a resume and the strong range of support services available to international students.
She said the State Government delivered the information day in partnership with the Australian Federation of International Students (AFIS) to ensure that international students who came to Victoria had the information they needed to get the most out of their time in the State.
“Victoria attracts very high calibre students because of our top education and research facilities and excellent teachers,” Ms Asher said.
“It is important to ensure International students feel welcome in Victoria, enjoy their studies and their experience of living here.”
She said the information day complemented other initiatives including the Government’s international student website, the International Student Care Service and the Student Welcome Desk at Melbourne Airport.
She said a range of agencies had delivered information for international students at Victoria University including Consumer Affairs Victoria, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Victoria Police and Jobwatch.
20 April, 2011
Speeding fines
hit the wall
A former employee of a contractor processing data from speed and red light cameras has been arrested by police for allegedly tampering with the records.
Police say the 36-year-old man from Craigieburn could have affected over 67,500 infringements.
Detectives from the Victoria Police E-Crime Squad investigated allegations that data on a number of road infringements from 2010 and 2011 had been changed in the systems of the service provider who manages speed and red light camera infringement data.
The police believe changes were made to infringement data after they had been issued to drivers.
They said the changes had no impact on any infringement issued in relation to the speed or red light camera system and no infringements had been issued to motorists with incorrect data and there was no ongoing impact on any infringements to be issued.
Police said all original data remained within the system and the modifications to data were picked up by internal checks. Staff alerted police who began an immediate investigation.
The police believe the data changes were made over a three week period in February and March 2011 by the ex-employee.
They said the changes to infringement data included alterations to the date and time of the offence, as well as speed.
The Craigieburn man had been released pending further investigation.
20 April, 2011
Pilot project makes
bee-line for bees
A pilot project to guard against damage to the State’s beehives, honey and pollination industries has been launched in Footscray.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh said the Government had enlisted the support of urban beekeepers to protect the Australian honey and pollination industries from foreign pests and disease invasion.
Mr Walsh said the pilot project, Bee Force, would improve Victoria’s capacity to detect incursions of the damaging varroa mite and other exotic bee pests.
“Under this pilot, 10 volunteer urban beekeepers close to the Port of Melbourne will be supplied with extra hives to complement a national program of early detection for varroa mite and other bee pests,” Mr Walsh said.
“Australia remains the only country in the world free of varroa mite, which has the potential to devastate the nation’s $90 million-a-year honey industry if it ever reaches our shores.”
He said the project was focused around the Port of Melbourne because shipping ports were a high risk for the entry of exotic bee pests.
“A number of sentinel hives have already been set up in the Port of Melbourne and the Bee Force project will increase our ability to quickly detect the arrival of varroa or other exotic bee pests,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the mite had the potential to severely affect Australia’s food security.
“The honeybee industry is at the heart of Victoria’s agricultural and horticultural food production and plays a critical role in the pollination of food crops.
“It is estimated that each year the industry makes a direct contribution of between $4 billion and $6 billion to agricultural production nationally.”
He said the estimated cost to the Australian honey and pollination industries of varroa or similar pests could be as high as $50 million a year over 30 years.
“It’s vital that we minimise the risk of varroa mites ever coming to Australia but equally, it’s crucial that if the pest does arrive, we detect it quickly,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the Bee Force pilot was part of the Pollination Program, a strategy jointly funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and Horticulture Australian Limited and managed on the ground by the Department of Primary Industries.
20 April, 2011
DPI hatches
hatchery plan
A new hatchery for native fish at Snobs Creek has been officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh.
Mr Walsh said the $1.9 million project would allow for a significant increase in the production of traditional recreational fishing species such as Murray cod and golden perch.
“It will help replenish native fish stocks in our rivers and lakes and provide future opportunities for recreational fishing,” Mr Walsh said.
“Importantly, the new native fish hatchery will also expand our capacity to breed endangered fish such as trout cod and Macquarie perch.”
He said the upgrades had seen a series of new ponds built to accommodate brood fish, three new plankton ponds for juvenile fish and an eco-friendly wetland for the treatment of effluent water.
“It also includes new state-of-the-art facilities for incubating and rearing native fish,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the new native fish facilities complemented the trout and salmon production capacity at Snobs Creek.
“About $218,000 has been allocated from revenue raised through the sale of recreational fishing licences to buy fish tanks, a fish counter and fish grader as well as increasing water flow and oxygen supply to the salmonid hatching house,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the funds would also be used to secure the supply of up to 140,000 yearling trout to stock drought recovery waters over the next two years.
Mr Walsh said scientists from the Department of Primary Industries had also successfully bred large numbers of Macquarie perch in captivity for the first time at Snobs Creek.
He said the scientists used improved diet management and advanced hormone therapy to induce egg maturation and spawning.
“Four fish spawned over summer resulted in the hatching of 11,700 larvae,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said the Macquarie perch was a valued recreational fish in Victoria that could only be taken from a few waters in accordance with strict catch limits and an annual three-month closed season.
“This breeding breakthrough will greatly assist the recovery of Macquarie perch in its natural range, given declines in its distribution and abundance,” Mr Walsh said.
For more information visit this PS News link.
20 April, 2011
Speed & alcohol drive
road safety failures
A new report on road safety from the Federal Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reveals that speed, alcohol and drugs remain the major causes of fatalities on Australia’s roads.
Entitled Fatal Road crashes in Australia 1990s and 2000s: Crash types and major factors, the BITRE report was officially launched by the Commonwealth’s Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King.
Ms King said the report reinforced the intent of the draft National Road Safety Strategy 2011–2020.
“These statistics are alarming,” Ms King said.
“While we have been successful in reducing the road toll in the past 10 to 20 years, some realities have not changed at all and we really need to continue to drive home the messages.”
She said that as well as highlighting ongoing problems, the report identified new trends including an increase in motorcycle road deaths, an increase in fatal road crashes involving vehicles with one occupant and an increase in fatal crashes involving vehicles running off the road.
Ms King said drivers needed to recognise that many aspects of road use had changed over time and those changes must be accounted for.
“We have been working closely with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) to record any changes in patterns in serious injury and death from road crashes,” Ms King said.
“Its latest report shows significant increases in life-threatening injury in the 2000s.
“As we move to finalise the strategy I urge all road users to take responsibility for their actions and their lives, and the lives of others.”
The BITRE report can be accessed at this PS News link and the AIHW report Trends in serious injury due to land transport accidents, Australia 2000-01 to 2007-08 is available from this PS News link.
20 April, 2011
Landscape scoped
in vegetation study
An investigation into the condition of remnant native vegetation by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) has found it plays a crucial role in supporting the State’s flora and fauna.
VEAC Chairperson, Duncan Malcolm said while rates of clearing remnant native vegetation had declined within Victoria, remaining vegetation was becoming threadbare.
“Maintaining the existing native remnant vegetation in our State is critical and this investigation highlights the actions on the ground that are needed to improve condition and connectivity and protect our biodiversity,” Mr Malcolm said.
“In its recommendations, the Council does not want to duplicate strategies and programs that are already in place but to support local and regional knowledge and activities.”
He said the Remnant Native Vegetation Final Report revealed that Victoria’s fragmented landscapes supported around 40 per cent of Victoria’s native land vertebrates including mammals, bird, amphibians, reptiles and freshwater fish.
He said a further 45 per cent relied on fragmented landscapes across a major part of their distribution in Victoria and the majority of remnant native vegetation existed in rural and regional areas.
Mr Malcolm said the report also found that public land remnants such as roads, railway lines, water frontages and small bushland reserves were significant contributors to ecological connectivity, providing critical habitat for some of Victorias most threatened flora and fauna.
He said the report called for more attention to be given to roadside vegetation, which in some parts of Victoria was a large part of the remaining native vegetation.
Mr Malcolm said the State Government was required to respond to the final report within about six months.
For more information, or to view the full report, visit this PS News link.
20 April, 2011
Environment cleans
up with litter grants
Grants totalling $1.4 million are to be made to counter the amount of litter in public places around Victoria.
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith said the grants would help reduce the visual pollution in public places and along Victorian roadsides.
“Litter costs the Victorian community an estimated $74 million a year,” Mr Smith said.
“It also makes our public places less attractive to visit and can make people feel unsafe and more at risk of anti-social behaviour.”
He said the Yarra City Council received a grant of nearly $269,000 to install recycling bins in 22 parks and 15 sporting grounds throughout its municipality.
“Visitors to our parks and gardens want to do the right thing, so installing recycling bins in these open spaces means that people can recycle their rubbish, rather than placing it all in the one bin which then ends up as landfill,” Mr Smith said.
He said that having bins in parks and sporting grounds in the Yarra City municipality would reduce the amount of rubbish going into landfill by an estimated 75 tonnes per year – the equivalent of more than 8,000 wheelie bins.
He said the $1.4 million program included 25 grants for public place recycling projects and eight grants for roadside litter projects.
He said the public place recycling grants had been awarded to Councils throughout regional and metropolitan Victoria and two regional waste management groups.
Mayor of Yarra, Alison Clarke, said increasing the options for people to recycle in public places was an important way to reinforce the message of being responsible with rubbish at home.
“For many people recycling in the home is now second nature,” Ms Clarke said.
“So of course we want to make it easy for people to do the right thing with their rubbish in public places.”
20 April, 2011
Industry officers
to link with skills
Four new Industry Link Officers are to be appointed in the Latrobe Valley to support the valley community and industry to grow and develop.
Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Peter Hall said the $10 million Skilling the Valley project would play a key role in supporting the Latrobe Valley through a period of growth, with an increasing population and expanding new and existing industry operations in the region.
Mr Hall said the new officers would link employers, government, labour groups and education providers to build long-term skill and training strategies for the Latrobe Valley.
“The appointment of the new officers and their placement with our key partners in the project will give the Valley an integrated capability to develop the State of the Valley Report and Latrobe Valley Industry and Employment Roadmap, both of which are vital to support the region’s growth,” Mr Hall said.
He said the Latrobe City Council, the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council and the Gippsland Education Precinct would host each of the four Industry Link Officers.
“The roadmap will sharpen the focus of the existing $25 million Latrobe Valley Advantage Fund to ensure a greater strategic approach to developing new skills, attracting new industries and developing new technologies in a low carbon economy,” Mr Hall said.
“The new positions will work with local training providers, government, and employers on several projects including preparing the State of the Valley Report – which is vital in informing the development of the overall Latrobe Valley Industry Employment Roadmap.”
MP for Morwell Russell Northe said the Skilling the Valley project was a positive step towards retraining and reskilling retrenched workers, or those who had been out of the workforce for a period of time.
“The Industry Link Officers will work with local training providers to increase the uptake of foundation level courses as part of the government’s Strong Foundations initiative,” Mr Northe said.
“Under Strong Foundations, all Gippsland residents can access a range of foundation level qualifications to improve literacy, numeracy, language and work skills under the Victorian Training Guarantee.”
20 April, 2011
Online images paint
image of Geelong
A new online image library at the Geelong Heritage Centre has been launched for public use by the Minister for Regional Cities, Denis Napthine.
Dr Napthine said the Centre was Victoria’s largest regional archive and already held a unique collection of public and private records.
“With the development of the Geelong Heritage Centre Online Image Library, many will now be able to connect with the past, discover their ancestry and access the recorded history of their regional towns and cities,” Dr Napthine said.
“Communities are increasingly searching for their heritage and seeking to determine why their lives have been shaped in a certain way.
“The information at the centre gives access to a wide range of materials that help to fulfil these investigations.”
He said the new library consisted of photographs, slides, cinema advertisements, paintings, plan drawings, real estate notices, parish maps and other artefacts, which would entice many historic enthusiasts to visit the Reading Room.
“As a website, the Online Image Library is available to anyone, anywhere in the world, giving access to public records and images of historic interest,” Dr Napthine said.
“It also brings additional insight for tourists visiting the region.”
He said research had shown that access to online material often inspired people to visit the actual item.
“Anyone researching the region’s history will not only appreciate the visual side to the area, but will also gain a greater understanding of why we cherish such locations as Eastern Beach, Barwon Heads, Lorne and, of course, the Great Ocean Road,” Dr Napthine said.
“The new Online Image Library will give many people the chance to view such points of interest and follow up by visiting specific regional locations.”
20 April, 2011
Travellers warned
to do their duty
Victorian travellers heading overseas for Easter have been urged to find out what they can legally bring back into Australia.
The Commonwealth Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor reminded travellers to be careful about what they purchased and tried to bring back into the country.
“Don’t waste your money and time by buying items that may get seized at the border,” Mr O’Connor said.
He said items such as toy and replica guns, various knives, refused classification video games, novelty lighters, high intensity laser pointers and wildlife items like eggs and tusks were sometimes bought as gifts or for personal use.
“But consumers should be aware that under Australian law these items, and others, may be banned or require an import permit prior to being imported into Australia,” Mr O’Connor said.
He said Customs and Border Protection detected 3,768 prohibited goods at Melbourne Airport last financial year, an increase of almost 5 per cent on the previous financial year.
“Travellers should also be wary of purchasing counterfeit goods,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Items such as fake pharmaceuticals, electrical items, cosmetics and perfumes can be dangerous.”
Mr O’Connor said these items not only cheated unwary consumers but could also be a threat to health and safety.
“This holiday season I’m also reminding all travellers that Customs and Border Protection treats the importation of weapons seriously and detecting illegal imports is a priority,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Anyone who brings prohibited weapons into Australia without a permit will have their goods seized and destroyed – no matter how much they’ve spent on such weapons.”
He said individuals could also face fines of up to $275,000 or 10 years jail, or both.
For more information go to this PS News link.
20 April, 2011
Cattle threat over
The Commonwealth Minister for Environment has dropped plans to call in a trial of cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park by the Department of Sustainability and Environment because the cattle have been removed.
The Minister, Tony Burke, said since there was now “no existing proposal for me to deem referred or ‘call in’ for assessment under the Act” he was powerless to take action.
Mr Burke had demanded the cattle be removed because the trial had not been approved under Federal environment law.
DSE introduced the cattle to the park as a bushfire mitigation measure.
New link for rail
The Regional Rail Link Authority is to release a key section of work to the market.
The Authority has issued a Request for Proposal to potential builders for works from Southern Cross Station to Footscray.
Works include the construction of new tracks, signalling and upgrades to the existing network.
The Request for Proposal closes on 3 June 2011 and a winning bidder will be selected in 2012. The Request for Proposal is available at this PS News link.
Market seeks members
High calibre applicants are being sought for two positions on the Melbourne Market Authority Board.
The Authority is responsible for Melbourne’s Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Markets and consists of five members including a Chairman.
Expressions of interest close on Friday 29 April 2011.
Cycle lanes open
Cyclists from Parkville, Carlton, Brunswick and Flemington are to benefit from upgraded green cycling lanes.
The new green lanes will improve safety for hundreds of cyclists riding to and from the city each day.
The upgrades to Royal Parade for cyclists included green pavement, line marking and vibra lines (bumpy white lines) to ensure a clear separation between traffic and bicycle lanes.
The cycling lane upgrades run along 2.4 kilometres of Royal Parade between Park Street and Grattan Street.
Forest plan out
The Portland Horsham Forest Management Plan is now available.
The Plan outlines management strategies for the 170,000 hectares of state forest in Victoria’s far south west and Wimmera.
The Plan involved an extensive program of community consultation and discussion which began in 2003.
To view the Plan visit this PS News link.
Fort complex reopens
Tour operators are to have access to the reopened Port Phillip’s South Channel Fort complex.
The site underwent a major transformation after the buildings were temporarily closed due to structural concerns.
The fort contains antiquated gun emplacements, a labyrinth of underground passages and panoramic views over southern Port Phillip.
Safety funds granted
Ballarat is to benefit from $100,000 for community safety measures as part the Safer Suburbs program.
The grant will implement measures such as closed circuit television cameras to deter crime and anti-social behaviour.
Safer Suburbs aims to make city centres and community facilities safer places by funding community safety measures such as closed circuit television systems and street lighting.
13 April, 2011
DPC to open office
in the regions
Satellite offices of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) are to be established in Ballarat and Bendigo from July 2011.
Premier Ted Baillieu said the DPC Regional Program was the first step to bringing government closer to the people of regional Victoria.
“Having staff from the Premier’s Department stationed in regional centres will strengthen channels to enable local people to get direct help and direct access to the Premier,” Mr Baillieu said.
“This initial phase of the DPC Regional Program will operate for nine months to enable us to refine how these offices will operate before DPC Regional is expanded to any further locations, which we anticipate will be Geelong, Bairnsdale and Seymour.”
Mr Baillieu said five DPC staff would work in the Ballarat office while three would work in Bendigo.
He said Ballarat and Bendigo had been selected for the initial phase of the program as both cities already had a government regional office presence, enabling the efficient utilisation of existing infrastructure and community networks.
Mr Baillieu said the Regional Program would enable DPC to work more closely with Government Departments, agencies and local government to fix problems across all portfolios and Departments.
“These DPC Regional offices will also help to develop better awareness of regional concerns and to shape government projects and programs,” he said.
Mr Baillieu said DPC Regional would assist communities to access a $1 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) that would be available for projects in regional Victoria to provide better infrastructure, facilities or services; strengthen the economic base of communities; create jobs; and improve career opportunities.
13 April, 2011
Management seminars
to help managers
The State Services Authority has unveiled a series of free presentations to assist managers deal with workplace challenges.
The Management Seminar Series will include four half-day sessions in May and will be open to managers from across the Victorian public sector.
Presentation topics will include expectations of managers within the Victorian public sector; the use of the recruitment process to get the best staff; obvious indicators of when things aren’t working; and how to optimise staff performance.
The Foundations for management success presentation will take place on Monday 9 May and provide an introduction to understanding management style, its impact on others, and gaining insight into the external environment.
The Recruiting for future capability presentation will be held on Tuesday 10 May and include a focus on why managers needed to consider short and long-term organisational goals when recruiting, and a guide to what processes they should use to recruit well.
The Workplace culture & performance presentation on Thursday 19 May will introduce managers to tools to achieve the sort of culture that supports performance and the Making it work presentation on Friday 20 May will examine effective approaches to managing teams, particularly interpersonal dynamics, models to reduce the ‘risk’ of conflict, and providing effective feedback to staff.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Managers can attend more than one session, and multiple sessions do not have to be sequential.
All seminar sessions will be held at the Park Hyatt and the State Services Authority has advised that registrations close on 27 April 2011.
For further information, or to book a session, visit this PS News link.
13 April, 2011
New laws sign off
on public holidays
Regional Councils are to have their powers to nominate public holiday arrangements in lieu of Melbourne Cup Day restored.
Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher said amendments to the Public Holidays Act 1993 would allow regional Councils to nominate either one full day or two half-day public holidays as substitutes for Melbourne Cup Day
“Regional councils will also be able to nominate different substitute public holidays in lieu of Melbourne Cup Day for different parts of their municipality, based on the needs of their communities,” Ms Asher said.
She said the previous restrictive ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to the substitute Melbourne Cup Day holiday disallowed half-day or part-shire arrangements.
“This pointless and out-of-touch decision meant that many half-day events such as agricultural and pastoral shows and regional race days suffered,” Ms Asher said.
“In recent years, these events have missed out on attendances and valuable turnover because regional Councils have been forced to recognise only one regional event at the expense of others, or none at all if a Council decided to recognise only Melbourne Cup Day.”
She said all Victorians, whether they were in regional Victoria or metropolitan Melbourne, would continue to receive the same number of public holidays each year.
“With half-day and part-shire options restored to the Act, regional Councils will be able to make the arrangements that best suit their various communities leading up to Melbourne Cup Day 2011,” Ms Asher said.
“Agricultural and pastoral shows and regional race days are significant and special events for communities,” the Minister said.
13 April, 2011
EPA cleans up
in litter case
The successful conviction of a man for littering in Gippsland earlier this month was a “show of support” for anti-littering laws according to the local manager of the Environment Protection Authority, Elizabeth Radcliffe.
Ms Radcliffe said a man from Morwell, who failed to appear at Court on 4 April, was convicted on one charge of depositing litter and fined $1,000.
She said the matter arose from a public report, where a member of the community witnessed the rubbish being discarded from the defendant’s car in September 2010.
She said the community member lodged a litter report form and a $239 fine was issued to the alleged offender.
Ms Radcliffe said the result was an acknowledgement that information provided by public litter reporters works.
She said people who reported incidents were required to submit a number of details including the make, model, colour and registration number of the vehicle, where and when the vehicle was seen, and what the rubbish was.
“EPA receives thousands of reports every year, which is a clear indication that people are unhappy with the others continuing to use Victoria as their personal rubbish bin,” Ms Radcliffe said.
She said the public report system ensured that those fined for littering had every opportunity to appeal.
She said the Morwell man denied the allegation and requested the court proceedings.
Ms Radcliffe said the matter was first listed in February but adjourned at the man’s request to obtain legal advice.
The matter was relisted for 4 April and after the man failed to appear, he was fined and ordered to pay EPA’s costs of $75.
“(The man’s) actions have hit him in the hip pocket,” Ms Radcliffe said.
“We all need to take responsibility for our actions and our rubbish.”
For more information or to report litterers visit this PS News link.
13 April, 2011
Energy audit finds
schemes out of puff
An audit of programs promoting the use of renewable energy in Victoria has found they have not been effective, failed to meet goals and were not on track to meet future targets.
Tabling his report Facilitating Renewable Energy Development which examined the activities of Sustainability Victoria (SV) and the Departments of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), Primary Industries (DPI), and Business and Innovation (DBI), Auditor-General Des Pearson said the programs were “undermined by poor planning”.
Mr Pearson said total renewable energy generation had increased, however neither the setting of renewable energy targets, nor the establishment of investment incentives, had delivered expected results.
“The volume of renewable energy presently generated falls well short of expectations and growth in the state’s capacity to generate renewable energy is not on track to deliver future targets,” he said.
“While several external factors have affected the amount of renewable energy generation, achievement of targets has been undermined by poor planning.”
The Auditor-General said renewable energy research and development projects had been generally well managed by DPI, DBI and SV but despite the importance of targets and timeframes for delivery, no assessment was undertaken by DPC to support or substantiate them.
He said two publicly funded large-scale solar projects were not supported by a documented assessment of need, and business cases were not completed before major investments were approved.
Mr Pearson made three recommendations including that DPC undertake a cost-benefit analysis for the solar energy targets and feed-in tariff; clarify Cabinet-in-Confidence material; and DPI prepare a business case for the Victorian Large Scale Solar Project and the Solar Systems Project.
The full audit report is available from this PS News link.
13 April, 2011
40 years glowing
at green council
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) has celebrated 40 years of providing advice to Government on public land use.
Chairperson of the VEAC, Duncan Malcolm said the Council was established in 1971 and first known as the Land Conservation Council.
He said from 1997-2001 it was known as the Environment Conservation Council and was renamed Victorian Environmental Assessment Council in 2002.
“In the face of challenges such as climate change it is more important than ever before to apply best science and best practice public consultation to management of our natural environment,” Mr Malcolm said.
He said the Councils had been at the forefront of some of the State’s most difficult public land conflicts in their studies of areas such as East Gippsland, the Alps, marine and coastal areas, box-ironbark forests and River Red Gum forests.
He said recommendations from the Councils on public land use had overwhelmingly attracted bipartisan support over their 40-year history.
Mr Malcolm said less than one per cent of Victoria’s land was protected in parks and reserves in 1971 and through the work of the Councils and successive governments, Victoria now had more than 15 per cent of land protected in parks and reserves.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith said the VEAC would establish annual research student scholarships to support students undertaking Honours, Masters and PhD research projects related to public land in Victoria.
“The Land Conservation Council and its successors have transformed the manner in which Victoria manages its public land and natural resources,” Mr Smith said.
“The model pioneered by the Land Conservation Council meant the use of public land wasn’t decided in an ad hoc manner but reviewed systematically on the basis of comprehensive information and public input,” he said.
13 April, 2011
Bullying laws
beefed up
New laws that crack down on workplace bullying and include jail terms for offenders have been announced by the Attorney-General, Robert Clark.
Mr Clark said the proposed legislation followed the death of Brodie Panlock, who was the victim of serious workplace bullying.
“There should be no doubt that serious bullying is a serious crime which should carry a serious jail term,” Mr Clark said.
“Victorian families are entitled to be confident that when their children start out in the workforce, they will be protected from falling victim to bullying.”
Mr Clark said the Crimes Amendment (Bullying) Bill 2011 would expand the current offence of stalking to include serious bullying.
“These changes will make clear that the kind of suffering inflicted upon Brodie Panlock will be treated as stalking and will be liable to a jail term,” he said.
Mr Clark said bullies could face up to 10 years in jail.
He said similar legislative changes would be made to allow victims to apply for an intervention order, to make clear that a victim could seek an order to protect themselves against situations of serious bullying.
He said the Bill made clear that threats and abusive words or acts could be a course of conduct that amounted to stalking, as could any other action that could reasonably be expected to cause physical or mental harm to the victim.
Mr Clark said the Bill also broadened the definition of harm to include self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
The issue of serious bullying had already been referred to the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) for an inquiry that was due to be report on in December this year.
Mr Clark said however that the Chairperson of the VLRC had concluded that the inquiry was unnecessary as serious bullying could be dealt with under the existing law.
The inquiry reference to the VLRC will now be withdrawn at the VLRC’s request.
13 April, 2011
New Code to home
in on stray animals
Dogs and cats held in animal shelters and pounds have been given a stay of execution with the removal of a 28-day time limit on their length of captivity.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh announced the move, saying the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds would be revised to abolish the time limit completely.
“Under the current code of practice, the maximum time any animal for sale can be held at a shelter or pound is 28 days,” Mr Walsh said.
“After that, animals must be put down or removed permanently from the facility.”
He said despite a shift in community expectations, the code had not been revised since it was introduced 14 years ago.
“We have made these changes in consultation with key groups including the Lost Dogs’ Home, the RSPCA, Animal Aid, the Cat Protection Society, Animal Welfare Science Centre and a number of local Councils,” he said.
“The code has now been released for public comment.”
Mr Walsh said the revisions also proposed to clarify requirements that any animal leaving a shelter must be micro-chipped, wormed, de-sexed and vaccinated.
“These changes provide greater clarity and more options for re-homing and protecting the welfare of animals by requiring them to be vaccinated and micro-chipped.”
He said other changes would include the number of staff required at shelters and pounds to be increased from one for every 50 animals to one for every 40.
Mr Walsh said written submissions would be received until 29 April 2011.
More information is available this PS News link.
13 April, 2011
Bushfire fund sparks
advisory committee
A new Community Advisory Committee has been appointed by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) to advise it on medium to long-term community projects.
The seven-member committee will be chaired by former Victorian Opposition leader and Minister Alan Brown.
Mr Brown said the Fund had set aside a $16 million gift allocation to assist with medium to long-term community recovery and the Community Advisory Committee would provide expert advice and insight to the VBAF panel about the priority needs of the community during this phase of recovery.
“The recovery process for bushfire-affected communities as a result of the 2009 bushfires is ongoing and in some cases, this process may continue for years to come,” Mr Brown said.
“The VBAF panel decided very soon after the bushfires that it was important to put measures in place to ensure the medium to long term recovery needs of communities were met.”
He said many community projects have been successfully undertaken during the past two years.
“The Community Advisory Committee, which will closely assess community needs from on the ground and up close, will be a great asset to the panel in its aim of ensuring funds go to areas of unmet medium to long term need,” Mr Brown said.
He said the Community Advisory Committee’s seven community members were Ange Gordon, Bill Gale, Tony Thompson, Bronwyn South, Jennifer Wood, Loretta Carroll and Malcolm Hackett.
Mr Brown said the Community Advisory Committee would also provide advice to community groups in preparing applications for the recently-announced gift program.
13 April, 2011
New transit police
hit road running
An extra 100 transit police are to be assigned to the public transport network by 30 June to improve security on Victoria’s trains, trams and buses.
Minister for Police, Peter Ryan said the additional members would expand the transit division’s capacity and provide greater flexibility for specialist operations and teams within the division, such as the roving Transit Strike Team.
“These new officers will take Victoria Police’s transit division to 350 police dedicated solely to the safety of passengers on Victoria’s public transport system,” Mr Ryan said.
“This strike team is a group of officers who are able to respond to a wide range of issues on the public transport system as they arise, such as violent or anti-social behaviour at stations or on trains, trams or buses.
He said Victoria Police had conducted a number of operations on the public transport system since the start of the year.
“Victoria police have so far searched about 300 people in the months to March and in February alone during Operation Trojan removed 12 dangerous weapons, made six arrests for drug offences and handed out 57 fines for public transport offences,” he said.
Mr Ryan said the boost in transit police numbers and the success of targeted public transport operations sent a clear message to the community that anti-social behaviour and violence would not be tolerated.
“Victoria Police last week announced that 600 frontline police would be allocated across the state by June 30, of which 450 are the first stage of the Coalition’s commitment to deliver 1,700 extra police over four years,” he said.
13 April, 2011
Ocean Road breaks
onto heritage list
The Federal Government has announced that the Great Ocean Road is to be listed on Australia’s National Heritage List.
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke said the Great Ocean Road would become the 92nd place on the list of Australia’s most valued natural, Indigenous and historic heritage sites.
“The Great Ocean Road is one of the most powerful, spectacular and distinctive landscapes in Australia and the nation’s most famous coastal drive,” Mr Burke said.
“Due to its extraordinary historic and natural significance, the Great Ocean Road and the area that includes the Twelve Apostles and Bells Beach have outstanding heritage value to Australia.”
Mr Burke said the Great Ocean Road would become one of only 20 of the nation’s most iconic coastal places including the Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach, Point Nepean, Kurnell Peninsula and Shark Bay to achieve National Heritage listing.
“The Great Ocean Road’s addition to Australia’s National Heritage List is a fitting tribute to the returned servicemen who built the road, often under difficult conditions, and a celebration of its cultural and historical significance to our nation,” Mr Burke said.
He said the Road was constructed as a memorial to the war service and sacrifice of Victoria’s First World War servicemen and women, with more than 3000 returned servicemen working on the construction of the road for 13 years from 1919 to 1932.
“Its construction provided long term employment for returned servicemen, recognised their sacrifice at war and for generations has enabled people from across the world to enjoy this spectacular coastline,” Mr Burke said.
He said more than 7.5 million visitors from Victoria, interstate and overseas visited the Great Ocean Road in 2010.
Mr Burke said the National Heritage listing meant the heritage values of the Great Ocean Road would be protected under national environmental law.
13 April, 2011
Justice programs
win audit verdict
An audit of the Department of Justice’s Neighbourhood Justice Centre (NJC) and Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) has found both programs to be managed effectively and achieving their intended outcomes.
Conducted by Auditor-General, Des Pearson, the audit entitled Problem-Solving Approaches to Justice found room for improvement however.
Mr Pearson said both the NJC at Collingwood and the CISP at the Magistrates’ Courts in Melbourne, Sunshine and Latrobe Valleys showed positive indications of reducing reoffending.
He said the two programs were funded based on problem-solving approaches in 2005.
He said both programs were the first of their type in Australia and the initial development was based on the best available evidence and research.
“The program objectives for NJC and CISP could have been clearer and this affected the ability to evaluate whether programs had been effective in meeting their intended objectives,” Mr Pearson said.
He said the Department could have consulted with the court better when preparing the funding submission for CISP.
“Both NJC and CISP have shown positive indications of achieving their client and community outcomes,” Mr Pearson said.
“Each program supported its intended client groups and provided high quality reports to the judiciary to assist their decision making.”
Mr Pearson said both NJC and CISP’s conceptual development were sound and underpinned by solid research and best practice in other jurisdictions.
He said overall, the Department had successfully managed NJC’s implementation.
“NJC’s project governance was particularly effective because of high-level stakeholder involvement, timely and comprehensive reports on progress, clear roles and responsibilities in decision-making and reporting, and the active involvement of the department’s senior management,” Mr Pearson said.
He said one shortcoming in NJC’s implementation was the delay in developing a client database system but the methodologies used to evaluate the criminal justice outcomes of NJC and CISP were sound.
“The CISP evaluation showed that the program had reduced reoffending for the sample of offenders included in the evaluation study,” Mr Pearson said.
“However, care needs to be taken not to generalise this conclusion to all who have completed CISP.”
He said both NJC and CISP showed positive indications of achieving their client and community outcomes.
Mr Pearson said the Department and the court needed to improve data collection and analysis so that intervention programs could be better evaluated.
The full audit report can be accessed at this PS News link.
13 April, 2011
Building plans to cut
through red tape
Victorian builders and plumbers are to be relieved of red tape and regulation with the State moving to adopt the National Construction Code Series (NCC) from 1 May.
Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy said the national code was a key deregulation reform priority that the States and Territories had agreed to in the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Partnership Agreement to Deliver a Seamless National Economy.
“For the first time, both building and plumbing codes will be consolidated into a national code,” Mr Guy said.
“Consolidating the building and plumbing codes will deliver efficiency gains to the economy and it will ease the regulatory and administrative burden that multiple regulations placed on the construction industry.”
Mr Guy said the standards for building and plumbing had been separate and caused overlap and inconsistencies as well as confusion for industry practitioners, while contributing to delays and added costs to the construction industry.
“Performance-based requirements provide greater opportunities for innovation,” he said.
“Two important changes are the introduction of new access standards for people with a disability for publicly accessible buildings, and new thermal efficiency provisions for houses with the introduction of the 6-Star Standard.”
Mr Guy said the changes would provide certainty for Victorian communities that improved access and sustainability provisions were being applied to the built environment with a nationally-agreed commitment.
He said the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the Building Commission and Plumbing Commission were working hard to ensure that the industry was prepared.
“Consultation has been undertaken at the national level through a Regulatory Impact Statement process and consultation has also been held directly with the industry and representatives of the disability and community sectors through a range of committees,” Mr Guy said.
13 April, 2011
River to bank
on review
An independent review is to be conducted into water quality at the Anglesea River.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith ordered the investigation following community concerns about the health of the popular waterway.
Mr Smith said the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) would co-ordinate the review, to be led by Deakin University Associate Professor John Sherwood, and would examine acidity levels in the river and make recommendations on measures to improve water quality.
“While the levels improved following rises recorded last year it is important that we get a clear understanding of what caused this activity and what can be done about it,” Mr Smith said.
He said an investigation by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) had previously found that water in the river had become too acidic for fish after the drying of soils in the upper catchment during the drought was followed by flushing from heavy rains.
Mr Smith said the review would build on the EPA’s finding by reviewing the history and identifying sources of acidic water and metals in the Anglesea estuary, while reviewing options for remediation of poor quality water originating from the catchment.
“The review will lead to strategies for improving the health of the Anglesea River and these strategies will be fed into the local response plan being prepared by the Surf Coast Shire and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority,” he said.
Mr Smith said the review would also provide relevant information for the review of the Anglesea Estuary Management Plan.
“DSE is currently working with the Department of Primary Industries to monitor the recovery of fish populations and we have found a variety of fish species have returned to the estuary and are in good health,” he said.
“In addition, Surf Coast Shire and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority are continuing to monitor water quality of the estuary with regular assessments.”
Mr Smith said the independent review would be conducted over a period of two months and its findings were expected to be completed by June 2011.
13 April, 2011
DSE hooks into
lazy fishers
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has issued a reminder to recreational fishers to clean up carefully after themselves.
DSE Wildlife Officer, Emily Gibson said a cormorant was found with a fishing line stuck in its beak at Brighton Beach in March.
She said recreational fishers needed to remember to avoid lazy fishing practices and pick up after themselves.
“We are fortunate enough to be surrounded in the inner city by protected wildlife such as cormorants,” Ms Gibson said.
“But we need to remember to pick up after ourselves to ensure protected wildlife can survive and that locals and visitors can enjoy their time at the beach.”
She said protected bird species in the bayside area included five species of cormorants, the Little Tern, Fairy Tern, Pacific Gull, Australian Pelican and the St Kilda Little Penguin colony that is particularly vulnerable to discarded fishing line.
She said the cormorant managed to escape from the rocks with the fishing hook still caught in its beak before anyone was able to rescue it.
“While still alive this cormorant will have a most uncomfortable existence because while some fishing hooks can dissolve most will require removal by a vet,” Ms Gibson said.
She said anyone one found littering could receive an on-the-spot fine of between $119 and $239.
She said the maximum penalty for intentionally littering that is a danger to an animal was $7,100 and the penalty for wilfully injuring or molesting wildlife was $3,200 and/or six months imprisonment.
Ms Gibson said anyone reporting injured wildlife could call Wildlife Victoria on 1300 094 535.
13 April, 2011
War memorials
not forgotten
More than $200,000 in grants for the maintenance of Community War Memorials has been announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Hugh Delahunty.
Mr Delahunty said 50 projects would receive grants through the program to help local communities repair, protect, restore, and enhance their war memorials.
“Victorians are proud of the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans and these grants will assist in keeping their memories and stories alive,” Mr Delahunty said.
“Local war memorials and avenues of honour are important in educating future generations about the role veterans have played in the history of Victoria and these grants provide support to keep them in the best condition.”
Mr Delahunty said the Moonee Valley City Council would receive $10,000 to build a new pathway to the Queens Park Cenotaph in Moonee Ponds to make it more accessible for veterans and other visitors.
He said other grants would include $5,000 for the Nagambie RSL Sub-branch towards installing a Cairn at the existing Nagambie Memorial to include the names of a family of brothers from the district who served in World War II, and $10,000 for the City of Glen Eira to clean and restore the Caulfield Park War Memorial.
Mr Delahunty said the Government would continue to work with local governments, key ex-service organisations and community groups leading into the centenary of Anzac Day in 2015.
Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon also announced funding for 12 new projects in Victoria totalling $23,610 that would honour Australia’s wartime heritage.
Mr Snowdon said the Saluting Their Service grants would include $3,000 for the Derrinallum RSL Sub-branch to help install an honour board at the Derrinallum Community Hall to commemorate local servicemen and women who served from the World War II to the present day.
He said other recipients would include the South Port Community Residential Home which is to receive $1,018 to help install a flagpole for use by residents on days of commemoration, and the Elphinstone Cemetery Trust to receive $3,200 to help restore the Elphinstone War Memorial.
“In almost every city and town across the country there’s history of Australian service,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Through these projects we can help ensure the contribution of our servicemen and women is remembered, and their sacrifice is not forgotten,” he said.
13 April, 2011
Cats get lions’ share
Geelong’s Skilled Stadium will be made bigger and better after a $25 million contribution from the State Government.
The Stadium redevelopment will be a partnership between the Geelong Football Club, the AFL and the City of Greater Geelong.
Key features of the redeveloped facility include a new Community Wellness and Education Centre and an increase in the stadium’s capacity to 34,500.
Crime prevention funding
Funding totalling $580,000 will be provided to support crime prevention initiatives in Koori communities around the state.
Grants support innovative programs developed at the community level aims to reduce contact between Koori youth and the criminal justice system.
Grants funding also aims to reduce the number of young Koori people becoming caught up in the criminal justice system.
6 April, 2011
Review of Regulations
finds reform needed
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission has released part 2 of the draft report of its inquiry into Victoria’s Regulatory Framework.
The Commission found Government Regulation to be impacting on the productivity and competitiveness of the State’s private sector.
Chair of VCEC, Dr Matthew Butlin, said regulation was also imposing substantial burdens on not-for-profit organisations.
“The productivity and competitiveness of Victorian businesses are being reduced by areas of regulation that are unnecessarily burdensome, complex, duplicative or redundant,” Dr Butlin said.
“Around half of Victorian businesses believe State regulation has become more costly and more complex over the past three years.”
He said the Commission examined about 200 regulatory issues which pointed to at least five priority areas for regulatory reform including environment protection and climate change; planning and land use regulation; vocational education and training regulation; taxi cab and hire car services regulation; and liquor licensing regulation.
Dr Butlin said other areas where there was scope to reduce regulatory burden were occupational health and safety and workers compensation; administration of State taxes and charges; road safety regulation; and fair trading regulation.
He said these nine areas included the five issues most commonly identified by business in a perceptions survey.
Dr Butlin said the Commission has proposed draft recommendations covering 28 areas of regulation, and had asked for information on many more.
He said the next stage of the inquiry might identify some more priority regulatory issues.
“The Commission is looking for further input and evidence from business and stakeholders to test its draft recommendations and to consider further issues stakeholders might put forward,” Dr Butlin said.
To view the draft report visit this PS News link.
6 April, 2011
‘Gift’ to flood in
for flood victims
The Advisory Panel on the Floods Disaster Relief Fund has announced a new ‘gift’ for people whose homes and household contents were damaged or destroyed in the January and February floods.
Panel Chairman, Ron Walker said the gift consisted of a two-staged payment to eligible households.
“We want to see the funds distributed as quickly as possible to those in the most need,” Mr Walker said.
“We are very grateful to the many people and businesses who have donated generously to the Red Cross Victorian Floods Appeal 2011 and made possible these payments to the thousands of Victorians whose lives have been impacted by these record floods.”
He said stage one was an initial payment of $1,000 to assist with immediate costs facing households with significant damage to their flood affected home, while stage two was a further larger payment to assist with replacing household contents and contribute towards the repair and restoration of homes that had been more severely damaged.
He said an application form would be used to determine eligibility for the two payments.
Mr Walker said key eligibility criteria would include establishing that the applicant’s home had been damaged by the floods, as well as their capacity to recover.
He said some applications might only be eligible for the first stage payment.
Mr Walker said tenants and boarders whose household contents had been seriously damaged or destroyed, as a direct result of the January and February floods would also be eligible to apply.
He said application forms were available by calling 1800 180 213 or visiting this PS News link.
Applications close 1 July 2011.
6 April, 2011
Council is new voice
for multiculturalism
A new Advisory Council has been established to oversee the implementation of education programs recommended in the Government’s Plan for a Multicultural Victoria.
To be chaired by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras, the new Council has brought Victoria a step closer to having one of the world’s most diverse and effective school languages programs.
Mr Kotsiras said the Ministerial Advisory Council for a Multilingual & Multicultural Victoria (MAC – M&MV) would include representation from community groups, teacher and Principal associations, business, industry, universities and the school sector.
“Complex and challenging issues are impeding truly effective languages education in all our schools and this is an opportunity for the development of languages and multicultural education,” Mr Kotsiras said.
“This highly-qualified advisory council will begin the conversation about those challenges and devise ways to address them.”
Minister for Education, Martin Dixon said the MAC – M&MV would help the Government revolutionise languages education in Victoria.
He said the Government had made a long-term commitment to improving languages, English as a Second Language (ESL) and multicultural education.
“While Victoria’s participation rates in languages education are among the highest in Australia, we are still lagging behind our international counterparts, and there are many areas in which we can improve,” Mr Dixon said.
He said the MAC – M&MV would initially focus on increasing the availability of quality languages study in schools and the community and, in future, would advise on policy, planning and implementation advice on ESL and multicultural education programs.
6 April, 2011
Water restrictions
rusted on
Melbourne is to stay on Stage 2 water restrictions until at least September.
Minister for Water, Peter Walsh said the city’s main drought reserve, the Thomson Dam, was only 37 per cent full.
“Though recent rain has filled most of the smaller dams, the Thomson still has room to store a further 650 billion litres, making it critical to the ongoing recovery of Melbourne’s overall storage levels in 2011,” Mr Walsh said.
“Many storages around the State have recovered significantly in the last few months, however at almost 54 per cent, Melbourne’s dams are still only a little more than half full.”
Mr Walsh said the Victorian Government would review the restrictions at the end of spring.
“We are also conscious of the fact that modelling by the Bureau of Meteorology suggests La Nina will continue to weaken, leading to a return to more neutral conditions by this winter,” Mr Walsh said.
He said by keeping restrictions at Stage 2, dams would have a better chance to recover without impacting severely on Melbourne water users.
“As both individuals and a collective, Melburnians made a huge effort to save water throughout the drought,” Mr Walsh said.
“It’s important that we continue those efforts and ensure we don’t need to return to more severe restrictions later by lowering restrictions before the storages have properly recovered.”
Mr Walsh said the Government would also conduct a comprehensive review of drought response and permanent water savings plans.
He said households and businesses would be able to continue to apply for a 28-day exemption to establish new warm season grasses.
More information about water restrictions is available from this PS News link.
6 April, 2011
Training Awards
a first class plan
Nominations are being sought for the 2011 Victorian Training Awards.
Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Peter Hall said this year’s awards would be bigger than ever with two new categories being added, taking the total to 14 awards, and prize money totalling around $150,000 available to winners and student finalists.
“The Victorian Training Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for the state’s top apprentices, trainees and vocational students,” Mr Hall said.
He said much of Victoria’s competitive advantage came from its highly skilled workforce and high quality industrial sector.
“The provision of world-leading training delivered by outstanding training providers and supportive businesses is fundamental in ensuring Victoria remains at the forefront of business and industry, providing jobs and a decent standard of living for families,” Mr Hall said.
“These awards not only celebrate achievement, they also play a key role in fostering excellence in vocational education and training, leading to a more highly skilled workforce and due recognition of our top apprentices, trainees and training providers.”
Mr Hall said this year’s awards would also recognise the crucial role played by employers and industry bodies through the establishment of two new categories.
“The inaugural Industry Collaboration Award recognises collaboration between a training organisation and an employer or industry body resulting in exemplary skills development, and the Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development will be presented to an employer for innovation and excellence in the development of training programs,” Mr Hall said.
“I encourage anyone involved in vocational education and training to provide nominations for a training award.”
He said nominations were welcome from students, apprentices and trainees, teachers and trainers, training providers, employers and any business involved in training.
“As an apprentice, student or trainee, being an award finalist provides an opportunity to receive recognition and networking opportunities to help further your career,” Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said last year five winners of the Victorian Training Awards went on to win an award at the Australian Training Awards.
He said nominations for the Victorian Training Awards close on 6 May, 2011.
For more information visit this PS News link.
6 April, 2011
Planning pops up
for bottle shops
Bottle shops and retail outlets selling packaged liquor will no longer be exempt from planning laws under changes to planning permit requirements.
Premier Ted Baillieu said proposed new bottle shops would now be required to apply for planning approval.
“Bottle shops and retail outlets selling packaged liquor will no longer be exempted from the planning process,” Mr Baillieu said.
He said bottle shops would be required to justify their presence in the community in the same way as other licensed premises.
“This means local councils and the community will now have an active role in deciding the location of new bottle shops.”
Mr Baillieu said the new permit requirement would be supported with guidelines to help councils assess the cumulative impact of bottle shops in a local community.
He said the new guidelines would also be able to be used to help Councils assess the impact of other licensed premises within localities such as hotels and nightclubs.
Mr Baillieu said that previously, under clause 52.27 of the Licensed Premises section of the Victorian Planning Provisions, no planning permit was required for a liquor licensee who sold only packaged liquor for consumption elsewhere.
“Removing this exemption will give communities a say about new packaged liquor outlets in their local area,” he said.
“Victorian families will now have the opportunity to comment to their local council under planning laws if they are concerned about the impact or appropriateness of a new bottle shop opening in their local shopping centre,” he said.
6 April, 2011
Police extend
thin blue line
Four hundred and fifty new police recruits and 150 others reassigned to frontline duties are being allocated across the State to be in place by 30 June.
Deputy Police Commissioner Ken Lay said Victoria Police had undergone a process of determining where the additional police should be placed.
“We’ve looked at population size in growing suburban and large regional areas, as well as areas facing a high operational demand, current crime levels, community perceptions and emerging trends,” Mr Lay said.
He said the Frankston, Ballarat and Brimbank Police Service Areas (PSAs) were set to receive the most significant injection of resources over coming months.
“Police in these areas already work hard to keep their communities safe and these additional officers will boost their efforts in targeting local crime issues, such as property damage and assaults, and road safety issues.”
Mr Lay said the 450 new recruits were part of a State Government commitment to recruit an extra 1700 police over the next four years.
He said Frankston would receive 35 extra officers, while Ballarat would get an additional 25 police and 24 would go to Brimbank.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police, Peter Ryan said the allocation model formed part of Victoria Police’s Building Operational Capacity and Capability project, which would be reviewed and tested each year to make sure resources were being allocated effectively and that they accurately reflected the demand for police services across the state.
“Victoria Police is best placed to decide where to allocate these resources, based on their analysis of where the highest demand is for new members,” Mr Ryan said.
“The demand-based model that Victoria Police uses considers factors such as population, the crime to population ratio and the level of road accidents to population ratio.”
6 April, 2011
Land development
lands approval
Around 1,000 new homes and associated shopping and community infrastructure have been approved for the Yarraville Bradmill Precinct, just eight kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.
Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy said the Victorian Government responded to Maribyrnong Council’s request to implement key rezoning plans to facilitate the redevelopment of 26 hectares of redundant industrial land to help meet demands for housing.
“This site offers a huge new opportunity for inner city urban renewal,” Mr Guy said.
“The Bradmill Precinct development will bring 1000 new dwellings to the site and continues the government’s commitment to addressing housing affordability.”
Mr Guy said the site would form a new Neighbourhood Activity Centre that would include a supermarket, speciality shops, a library and a medical centre.
He said an Environmental Audit Overlay would ensure an appropriate environmental response was provided given the site’s previous industrial use.
Mr Guy said the approval of this inner city site for urban renewal complemented the State Government’s moves to advance new housing supply in Melbourne’s growth areas.
“The Government is delivering on its target to release 50,000 lots this year and has established a new dedicated Housing Affordability Unit to provide advice on the policies and legislation to assist in making housing more accessible to more Victorians,” Mr Guy said.
He said the Bradmill precinct development and the release of more land on Melbourne’s outskirts would help meet the challenges of Melbourne’s housing needs.
6 April, 2011
Premier hails
taxi inquiry
An inquiry into Victoria’s taxi industry has been ordered by the Premier, Ted Baillieu.
Mr Baillieu said the inquiry would be chaired by eminent reformer Professor Allan Fels and would work to improve public confidence, provide better security and support services for drivers, increase safety for customers, and ensure drivers were properly trained and knowledgeable.
“The state of the taxi industry has deteriorated,” Mr Baillieu said.
“It is a troubled industry that needs significant reform to drive improvements in service.”
Mr Baillieu said key problems included; safety and security for passengers and drivers, insufficient support for drivers, low customer satisfaction, lack of training and experience for drivers, as well as complex ownership and management structures.
Mr Baillieu said Professor Fels would investigate every aspect of the current industry.
“It is obvious that the current industry structure and regulation has failed,” Mr Baillieu said.
“It has entrenched a lack of accountability for on-the-ground taxi services by the major industry participants.”
Mr Baillieu said the reform process would include two stages.
He said in the first stage, the Fels Inquiry would undertake a comprehensive inquiry into the service, safety and competition issues in the Victorian taxi industry, while in the second stage a Taxi Services Commission would take over the role of industry regulator, giving it the powers and tools necessary to reform the taxi industry.
Mr Baillieu said the Taxi Services Commission would be established as a statutory authority.
He said the inquiry will begin in May.
6 April, 2011
Environment watchdog
sinks teeth into baits
The Department of Sustainability and Environment has announced that community baiting programs are to be carried out soon in East Gippsland.
Southern Ark Operations Manager, Andrew Murray said the highly successful baiting programs would be carried out on private land and adjacent forested areas and run for nine to 11 weeks.
Mr Murray said a community baiting program in the Bete Bolong and Jarrahmond area commenced in late February and would run until late April.
He said a key aspect of the programs was that baiting resources on public and private land were co-ordinated across as large an area as possible.
“This means that farmers are baiting their properties at the same time as government agency staff are carrying out baiting programs on the adjacent forested public land,” Mr Murray said.
“Wild dogs and foxes therefore have a much greater risk of finding and eating a bait, making the program more effective.”
Mr Murray said a number of government agencies were involved, including DSE, Southern Ark, DPI and Parks Victoria.
“The baiting program is run like a military operation, where different agencies target different areas at the same time to ensure we get the most effective coverage possible,” Mr Murray said.
“Pooling our resources and effort dramatically increases the effectiveness of the program and we get a better bang for our buck.”
He said the involvement of a facilitator to ensure that farmers got involved in the baiting was critical to the success of the program.
Mr Murray said funding for the program came from a number of sources, including the Good Neighbour program and the Southern Ark Project.
6 April, 2011
Child alcohol laws
a sobering move
New laws banning adults from supplying alcohol to children in a private home have been proposed by the Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge.
Ms Wooldridge said the proposed legislation would restore decision-making power to parents over access to alcohol by their children.
“The changes will make it an offence to supply liquor to a minor in a residence without parental consent and will strengthen the role of parents in making decisions regarding their children and alcohol,” Ms Wooldridge said.
She said those supplying alcohol to minors in a private residence would face the same penalty as licensees who supplied alcohol to minors in licensed venues.
She said the maximum on the spot fine for the offence was $716.70, with courts being able to impose a maximum fine of $7,167.
Ms Wooldridge said the new laws were intended to provide scope for prosecution where liquor has been irresponsibly provided to a minor in a way that may lead to harm.
Minster for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien said the change would hand control back to parents and open the discussion of alcohol consumption between parents and their children.
“We are sending a very clear signal the supply of alcohol to minors without permission from a parent or guardian is illegal,” Mr O’Brien said.
He said under planned changes to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998, police would have the power to investigate and follow up where there was evidence a child had been placed at risk as a result of the supply of alcohol without consent.
Ms Wooldridge said the legislation would be supported by an information and education campaign, providing young people and the broader community with a greater understanding of both the new law and issues associated with underage drinking.
She said the Victorian Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council’s 2009 Youth Alcohol and Drug Survey found of the 15 and 16 year-olds surveyed, 61 per cent had obtained alcohol from a friend or acquaintance, while 45 per cent obtained it from their parents.
More information about the laws and the campaign is available from this PS News link.
6 April, 2011
Elders at risk from
language barrier
Research commissioned by State Trustees has revealed that people from a non-English speaking background were at higher risk of financial elder abuse than other members of the community.
Managing Director of State Trustees, Tony Fitzgerald said theDiversity and financial elder abuse in Victoria survey was undertaken by Monash University and commissioned by State Trustees.
Mr Fitzgerald said 62 respondents were from non-English speaking backgrounds, including Greek, Italian and Vietnamese cultures.
“The study found that non-English speaking participants, in particular the Italian and
Vietnamese groups, relied heavily on their English-speaking children to manage their day-to-day financial affairs,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“These tasks include renting property, paying bills and engaging with institutions such as banks, real estate agents and government departments on behalf of their parents.”
He said data for the study was drawn from 76 survey respondents aged 65 to 100 who provided information on their current and planned financial management strategies.
He said participants in the study were aware of instances of financial elder abuse, however they believed it would be unlikely to happen to them.
“Sadly, this commonly held belief among older Australians directly conflicts with past findings which suggest family members, in particular children, are the most common perpetrators of financial elder abuse,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
He said the study also found that non-English speaking respondents were less likely to have prepared personal financial and legal documents, such as an Enduring Power of Attorney.
“Many older people from non-English speaking backgrounds avoid preparing an EPA because they trust their family will know what to do in the event they lose capacity,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“Individuals can outsource the future management of their financial affairs to a professional, helping to circumvent potential family conflict and financial mismanagement.”
More information on the survey is available from this PS News link.
6 April, 2011
Sentence council has
word on prisons
Research by the Sentencing Advisory Council has found the Victorian community favours developing more alternatives to prison rather than building more jails.
Chair of the Sentencing Advisory Council, Professor Arie Freiberg said the Alternatives to Imprisonment: Community Views in Victoria paper reports on one aspect of a national survey that canvassed community views on issues to do with crime, the courts and sentencing.
He said the study found that almost three quarters of people surveyed supported increasing the use of alternatives to prison such as supervision, treatment and community work.
Professor Freiberg said only one in four people surveyed supported a policy of building more prisons as a way to address the increasing number of people in Victorian jails.
“The general public is often portrayed in the media as being highly punitive,” Professor Freiberg said.
“However this study reinforces previous research findings that show the community is far more thoughtful in their consideration of issues to do with sentencing offenders, and understands the benefits of sanctions that aim to rehabilitate.”
Professor Freiberg said those surveyed were especially supportive of community sentences for mentally ill and young offenders, with 92 per cent and 88 per cent in favour.
“Clearly the public understands there are significant benefits associated with non-prison sentences such as community orders and treatment programs,” Professor Freiberg said
“In terms of economics alone, one day of prison costs taxpayers around $240, compared to one day on a community corrections order costing only $18.”
“We also know that offenders who go to prison end up back before the courts more often than those sentenced to community corrections orders, which suggests a better outcome for the community in the longer term,” Professor Freiberg said.
6 April, 2011
Warnings on the level
for railway crossings
An Australian-first radio warning system for railway crossings has been conducted in Yendon.
Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder said the innovative level crossing warning system would prevent collisions between trains and road vehicles.
“The Radio Break-in collision warning system, which warns drivers of approaching trains at level crossings, is the first of its kind in Australia and is a new railway level crossing safety system,” Mr Mulder said.
“The Radio Break-in system broadcasts messages to local vehicles to warn them of hazards, such as approaching trains at railway level crossings.”
Mr Mulder said it could also be used in other applications, such as to warn of approaching emergency vehicles.
“In Victoria between 2001 and 2009 there were 120 people killed and 172 injured in vehicle crashes involving collisions with trains,” Mr Mulder said.
“Level crossing crashes result in enormous human and financial cost.”
Mr Mulder said the Radio Break-in technology worked by fitting a radio transmitter unit to a vehicle or train, or to roadside infrastructure such as a railway level crossing, which broadcasted a local signal.
He said small receiver units were fitted to vehicles and a warning message was played over the vehicles’ sound system.
He said the technology also enabled a warning message to be delivered to a driver even if a vehicle’s sound system was switched off.
“The purpose of this trial is to develop and demonstrate an innovative railway level crossing safety system with the potential to be deployed in Victoria,” Mr Mulder said.
He said the project was funded under the Victorian Government’s $28 million Smart SMEs Market Validation Program, which aimed to promote innovation in business and government to develop the Victorian economy.
6 April, 2011
Public artwork to
mark achievements
A major new public artwork is to be commissioned to mark the contribution and achievements of indigenous Victorians.
Premier and Minister for the Arts, Ted Baillieu said the Government was seeking expressions of interest for the commission, which is open to artists, organisations and project teams across the state and is worth up to $200,000.
“Koorie people in Victoria have played a key role in shaping the society we have today,” Mr Baillieu said.
“The Indigenous Cultural Expressions project invites artists across the state to devise a concept for a significant new public artwork that will celebrate the strength, richness and diversity of indigenous culture and people in Victoria.”
Mr Baillieu said the commission, administered by Arts Victoria, acknowledged the contribution of indigenous culture to Victoria’s identity, aimed to promote the career and profile of Victorian indigenous artists, and would add to the stunning examples of public art that can be found across the state.
He said the commission was open to all Victorian artists but it was expected that Indigenous artists would drive the project’s artistic vision and take a central role in its delivery.
“This commission is also an opportunity to acknowledge the changing face of public art and there is no set location for this artwork,” Mr Baillieu said.
“We want artists and teams to let their imaginations run free and create work that enlivens public spaces and engages the community in new and unique ways.”
Mr Baillieu said the commission was open to all art forms including two-dimensional and three-dimensional works, new media works and performance art.
He said proposed works could be permanent or temporary in nature.
“The arts have a powerful capacity to bring people together, to tell the stories of our state and to promote understanding, share memories and celebrate achievements,” Mr Baillieu said.
“I look forward to seeing how Victoria’s artists respond to this new commission and to seeing the final work being enjoyed by the whole community in 2012.”
He said expressions of interest for the Indigenous Cultural Expressions commission were now open and will close on 24 May 2011.
For more information visit this PS News link.
6 April, 2011
Schools dig in for
garden awards
The 34th annual School Garden Awards have been opened by the Minister for Education, Martin Dixon.
Mr Dixon launched the awards from the impressive gardens at Croxton School in Northcote and said it was a perfect example of what could be achieved when gardening was integrated into the school curriculum.
“These awards are about encouraging students to become more involved in their community and the environment,” he said.
Mr Dixon said younger students at Croxton School used the vegetable patch and chicken shed in their maths classes, counting the eggs and the vegetables produced each day.
He said a group of 10 senior students also formed a mobile unit that travelled to community gardens throughout their area to perform maintenance.
“The school became the first to open its kitchen garden to neighbouring residents, offering eight plots for community use in exchange for help over summer.”
Mr Dixon said gardening was not only an enjoyable pastime, but also vegetables grown by students in their school gardens promoted a healthy diet and taught students about the environment.
“Students can learn a lot from experiencing the simple pleasure of planting seeds and watching them grow,” Mr Dixon said.
“Gardens can also be used to teach students important environmental messages, such as the importance of being water wise and being sustainable.”
Mr Dixon said judges were not necessarily looking for the most aesthetic school grounds, but for the school garden that had the most benefit for students, teachers and the community.
He said the competition prize pool was worth $88,790, including a $45,000 turf and installation package, a $5800 ride-on mower, a $2990 greenhouse and $35,000 in regional prizes.
Mr Dixon said the Victorian Government was the major sponsor of the competition and would contribute $52,300.
He said the awards, which last year attracted 200 entries, were open to all Victorian schools with winners to be announced in December at a special ceremony in the Botanical Gardens.
6 April, 2011
CAV on flood visit
Consumer Affairs Victoria will visit regional towns in April this year to assist people in flood-affected communities.
Consumer Affairs Victoria staff will visit Carisbrook, Dunolly, Castlemaine, Charlton, Kerang, Swan Hill, Bridgewater, Rochester and Donald, from 4 to 11 April.
Staff can help with topics including tenant and landlord rental issues, repairs and rebuilding, buying or selling property, damaged vehicles, and buying or selling flood-damaged products.
Flood submissions open
Victorians affected by recent severe floods can now provide public submissions on the Review of the 2010-11 Flood Warnings and Response.
Public meetings in flood-affected towns will continue during April and May.
Written submissions must be accompanied by a cover sheet and received by 27 May 2011.
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee make its final report to Parliament by 30 November 2011.
Cancer centre to be completed
The Victorian Government has provided funding of $44.88 million to complete the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.
The funding will result in the full fit-out of the new facility, which includes two half-floors of cancer research laboratories.
The centre will also provide clinical facilities including 32 inpatient oncology beds, 31 inpatient haematology beds and 28 palliative care beds.
Fire station for Whittlesea
Whittlesea has a new $1.5 million fire station to help protect the area from bushfires.
The new three bay station on Laurel Street, features a large motor room, spacious multi-purpose room and training area to the rear of the property as well as three 20,000 litre water tanks.
The Whittlesea Brigade also received with a new $236,000 tanker that was funded jointly by the Victorian Government, the CFA, and the Whittlesea Brigade.
The Whittlesea Fire Brigade has 76 members and responds to about 110 incidents a year.
GST campaign urged
Premier Ted Baillieu has urged Victorian families to write to Prime Minister Julia Gillard for short-changing Victoria by $2.5 billion in GST revenue.
Mr Baillieu said Victoria had been unfairly punished because of a flawed system.
Mr Baillieu said every teacher, every police officer and every child protection worker ought to be writing to Julia Gillard and saying, ‘restore those funds’.
Builders recognised
The Building Commission has recognised five Victorians working in the building industry for their commitment to Continuing Professional Development.
The 2010 award winners were Tamer Mitwally of TM Building Group, Richard Stoddart, of MTG Australia, and Anton Engelmayer of Calm Living Homes.
The Building Design Association of Victoria and the Master Builders Association of Victoria were joint winners of the Provider of the Year Award.
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