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SearchArchives for May 2011
25 May, 2011
Water scientists
make a splash
Scientists at the Department of Primary Industries have used cutting edge modelling to develop a precise picture of water availability across Victoria.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh said the research by scientists at the Department of Primary Industries Rutherglen, was providing new insights into the State’s surface water and groundwater resources.
Mr Walsh met with DPI staff at Rutherglen ahead of a meeting of State and Commonwealth Ministers on the Murray Darling Basin in Adelaide.
He said the Victorian Government did not support the Guide to the Murray Darling Basin Plan in its current form.
“An effective Basin plan will include environmental engineering works and infrastructure investment to get measurable water savings for the environment, rather than drastic cuts in water entitlements held by food producers,” Mr Walsh said.
“Rutherglen DPI staff are conducting research to produce a detailed understanding of the interactions between land use and both stream flow volumes and groundwater resources.”
He said fine scale spatial data sets were being linked to a complex landscape and detailed groundwater model to analyse Victoria’s current and future water resources at a local, rather than just a regional, level.
“The researchers are combining this with precision modelling of farm systems to assess both the agricultural impacts of sustainable diversion limit proposals and to determine the sustainability of the entire water resource,” he said.
Mr Walsh said the information obtained by DPI staff was being provided to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to help inform future decision-making in water policy.
“DSE is the lead agency managing water in Victoria but DPI staff at Rutherglen are making significant advancements in modelling the water resource,” Mr Walsh said.
“This research will help inform our approach to the Murray Darling Basin plan,” he said.
25 May, 2011
Cheating homebuyers
kicked out of scheme
Tough new penalties, including jail terms, have been announced for people found defrauding the First Home Owner Grant.
Treasurer, Kim Wells said the penalties would help stamp out fraudulent claims for the grants which assist first home buyers to enter Victoria’s competitive property market.
“Anyone making a false claim is not only ripping off the program, they are ripping off all decent Victorian taxpayers,” Mr Wells said.
“We are taking a tough stance on those who attempt to rort the system.”
Mr Wells said those who made blatant and fraudulent claims for the First Home Owner Grant would face a hefty fine of more than $14,000 and possible jail time.
“Over the past three years first home buyer grant fraud has skyrocketed but the penalties for the grant have not been reviewed in 10 years,” the Treasurer said.
He said during the past three years, the State Revenue Office (SRO) had reclaimed grants and imposed civil penalties on over 1,100 applicants for having failed to meet one or more of the eligibility criteria and rejected over 800 applications for false claims.
He said the majority of the cases involved applicants using false names or making false claims about their marital status.
Mr Wells said the SRO had also successfully prosecuted 19 offenders and was in the process of prosecuting 12 more, with many other matters under consideration.
He said the new penalties would be an increase from a maximum of 60 penalty units ($7,167) to a maximum 120 penalty units ($14,334) and include the introduction of a 12 month maximum jail term.
Mr Wells said eligible first home buyers were entitled to a $7,000 grant on an established home, valued up to $750,000.
He said eligible first home buyers of a new home up to a value of $600,000 were entitled to a bonus of $13,000 in metropolitan Melbourne, with an additional regional new home bonus of $6,500.
25 May, 2011
Testing time for
NAPLAN schools
Schools have been warned against using NAPLAN results to decide on the enrolment of students.
Federal Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett issued the warning saying it was “entirely inappropriate” for schools to use NAPLAN to decide on who should be part of the school community.
He said any schools thought to be doing so should be referred to the relevant State Education Department for investigation.
“The vast majority of schools are using NAPLAN for the purpose that it was intended, that is, as a valuable tool used by parents, schools and Governments to understand and improve literacy and numeracy results of our kids,” Mr Garrett said.
“I fully expect that all students will participate in NAPLAN testing, it is not appropriate to apply pressure to parents to withdraw their children from testing.”
He said attendance data for the day of testing would be published on the My School website and any attempt to manipulate the results would be investigated.
Mr Garrett said NAPLAN was only one indication of how well a child was doing at school, but there were significant benefits in having a diagnostic tool to identify how students were performing in literacy and numeracy.
“We understand that literacy and numeracy are the building blocks of a great education and publishing results on the My School website gives us the opportunity to see how well students are performing in the context of the specific school environment,” Mr Garrett said.
25 May, 2011
New funds model
For fire services
A new system of funding the State’s fire services is to be introduced next year.
Minister for Emergency Services and Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan said the Fire Services Levy (FSL) would be replaced with a new property based levy and would include concessions for low-income earners, as recommended by the Bushfires Royal Commission.
Mr Ryan said the new levy would ensure property owners paid a fair contribution to fire services, while ensuring Victoria’s fire services continued to operate equitably and with sufficient resources.
“Every Victorian understands the need to have well-funded fire fighting services and today’s announcement is an important step in the implementation of this new approach,” Mr Ryan said.
Treasurer Kim Wells said the FSL unfairly slugged home and business owners, particularly in regional Victoria, and encouraged people to under-insure or not insure at all.
Mr Wells said the Government would release a position paper in June and engage in a comprehensive public consultation process.
He said the design and implementation of the new levy and transition arrangements would frame the consultations.
“The position paper will outline the proposed arrangements for key aspects of the new levy including its design and structure; eligibility for concessions; and the most effective and efficient method to phase out the insurance based model and implement a property based model,” Mr Wells said.
He said the Government would introduce the new legislation in early 2012, with a transition period to commence on 1 July 2012.
This would allow insurers time to phase out the FSL prior to full implementation from 1 July 2013.
25 May, 2011
CAV hung up
on phone fraud
Consumer Affairs Victoria has acted on advice from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) that consumers conducting internet banking from their mobile phones could be the victims of possible fraud.
According to the TIO, consumers had reported instances involving the unauthorised transfer of their mobile service numbers followed by withdrawals from their bank accounts.
The Ombudsman estimated the cases had cost affected consumers an average of $15,000.
According to the TIO, consumers who had been targetted had a feature on their internet banking that required a unique code to be sent to their mobile phone when they initiated an external transfer of funds, to ensure they were authorising the transfer.
Once their mobile service provider was transferred, the bank sent the code to the new holder of the number.
The Ombudsman said the complaints alleged the scammers then authorised the transfer of funds out of the consumer’s bank account by using a security PIN code sent to their mobile.
The Ombudsman said typically, the consumer’s mobile service stopped working or they received an error message such as “SIM read error”.
Then the consumer would usually discover from their provider that the service had been transferred to another person without their authorisation.
At around the same time, the consumer would usually find a significant sum of money had been transferred out of their bank account.
The Ombudsman said anyone affected should contact their bank to attempt to retrieve any losses, then contact the TIO on 1800 062 058 or visit this PS News link to reverse the unauthorised transfer of their mobile number back to their preferred provider.
25 May, 2011
Accident police crash
promotions barrier
Uniformed members of Victoria Police’s Major Collision Investigation Group (MCIG) have been formally recognised as detectives.
Officer in Charge of the MCIG, Inspector Steve Smith said the move acknowledged the complex nature of investigations undertaken by members.
“The MCIG has a State-wide responsibility for the investigation of fatal and life threatening injury collisions where there is evidence of criminal negligence by a surviving driver, and other serious road collisions such as those with multiple deaths,” Inspector Smith said.
“These investigations are some of the most complex and demanding in the State.”
He said many investigations were of a serious and criminal nature and required advanced investigative skills and techniques.
“The predominant charge laid by the MCIG is culpable driving,” Inspector Smith said, “this is effectively manslaughter by driving a motor vehicle and carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment.
“It is highly fitting that the expertise and responsibilities of our members are formally recognized today as they transition to detective status.”
Inspector Smith said the move also signified a new focus for Victoria Police in road policing.
“This also sends a strong message that serious road collisions will be investigated for what they are - and that they are often not accidents,” he said.
“If a road death is caused by gross or criminal negligence then criminal charges will be investigated, identified and laid.”
Inspector Smith said the then Chief Commissioner created the MCIG as the Accident Appreciation Squad in 1957 in response to the increasing road toll.
He said it was later renamed the Accident Investigation Section and in 2000 renamed again as the Major Collision Investigation Group.
Inspector Smith said the group comprised the Major Collision Investigation Units at Brunswick and Glen Waverley, the Mechanical Investigation Unit and the Reconstruction Unit.
He said the MCIG had grown to 35 members, undertook around 170 investigations per year and included three professional reconstructionists and three mechanics.
25 May, 2011
Healthy advice in
health booklet
VicHealth has produced a new booklet to help tackle chronic disease among Aboriginal Victorians and promote healthy living.
Minister for Health, David Davis said the Life is Health is Life booklet would make significant steps in closing the health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians.
“This booklet is an evidence-based health promotion resource that contains information for health services working to improve the health and life expectancy of Aboriginal Victorians,” Mr Davis said.
“It collates a vast range of stories and case studies on successful health promotion practices to increase the awareness and understanding of Aboriginal health services.”
Mr Davis said people working to improve Aboriginal health in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, Community and Women’s Health Services and Local Government, could use the stories as a guide to develop their own healthy living programs.
“It includes many case studies about people making a difference to Aboriginal health such as Surfing Victoria’s annual State-wide indigenous surfing carnival,” he said.
Mr Davis said the booklet had great potential to help Aboriginal Victorians lead a longer and healthier life.
“The booklet covers areas where significant health gains can be made, such as tobacco, physical activity, nutrition and food security, and alcohol,” he said.
“What is perhaps most valuable is that it doesn’t just describe the problems, it identifies solutions and highlights actions proven to work in Victoria.”
Mr Davis said the Victorian Government provided VicHealth with $119,700 in funding to develop the booklet.
25 May, 2011
Euroa teacher is
top of the class
A secondary school teacher from Euroa has been awarded the $50,000 Lindsay Thompson Fellowship at the Education Excellence awards announced last Friday night.
Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development (and Northern Victoria MP), Wendy Lovell congratulated Michelle Bootes from Euroa Secondary College who took out top honours at the State’s most prestigious teaching awards.
Ms Lovell said Ms Bootes had revolutionised maths teaching at the school by introducing a system of teaching that encouraged every student to reach their full potential.
She said Ms Bootes led a team of staff that profiled every student, giving teachers a clear picture of their strengths, weaknesses and expected outcomes.
She said Ms Bootes then mapped out classes to suit the individual needs of students, ensuring at-risk learners were given extra encouragement and attention.
“Ms Bootes’ dedication to her students and her desire to see them do well is an inspiration,” Ms Lovell said.
“Particularly admirable is her work with lower performing students in years 7 to 9, before they become disenchanted, helping them reach their full potential and ultimately changing their lives.”
Ms Bootes said she planned to use her prize to investigate inequity in the classroom along with the language of mathematics and how students interpreted it.
“I will spend five or six weeks in New York, which has similar issues of diversity to many parts of Australia,” Ms Bootes said.
She said during her stay in New York, she would work alongside Professor Orit Zaslavsky in a school with students from a low socioeconomic background.
“There is a lot of research from a teacher’s point of view, but I think it will be more powerful from a student perspective,” Ms Bootes said.
Ms Lovell said the Lindsay Thompson Fellowship award, named after former Victorian Premier and the State’s longest serving Education Minister, was awarded each year in recognition of excellence.
25 May, 2011
Language plan sets
tongues wagging
Moves to position Victoria as the language capital of Australia have been announced by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras.
Mr Kotsiras said three initiatives would revitalise language teaching in Victoria.
“The plan is to revolutionise languages education as we endeavour to become an international model for language teaching,” Mr Kotsiras said.
He said languages taught in Victorian schools were part of the State Government’s vision for a successful multicultural society.
Mr Kotsiras said he viewed language education as integral to securing Victoria’s future prosperity.
He said the three initiatives included a bilingual training program; the identification of nine language-based clusters of Government schools in metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria; and research into high performing international jurisdictions which provide evidence that language programs support the learning of other subjects such as mathematics.
“We will be working with a university to develop a pilot content and language integrated learning teacher training course for currently employed primary language teachers,” Mr Kotsiras said.
He said the identification and funding of nine clusters of Government schools would extend innovative strategies to improve the quality and continuity of their existing languages programs.
“The research into the impact of language teaching on other studies will further support the development of a compelling rationale for languages learning,” Mr Kotsiras said.
Minister for Education, Martin Dixon said the initiatives had been designed to lift the profile of languages in schools and in the community, and to build the momentum for long-term reform.
“These are early days of a long journey in building our knowledge, skills and inspirational vision to provide all students access to languages in Victoria,” Mr Dixon said.
“It is my hope that in the future second language knowledge will become a cornerstone of our education policy,” he said.
25 May, 2011
Chinese agreement
to wok the talk
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Victorian and Chinese education authorities has been signed for the greater sharing of information and resources in education in the years ahead.
Minister for Education, Martin Dixon signed the Memorandum with China’s Vice Minister of Education, Du Yubo and the Director General at the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges at the Chinese Ministry of Education, Zhang Xiuquin.
Mr Dixon said the deal would pave the way for greater cooperation and promote better intercultural understanding.
He said under the Memorandum, the flow of student and teacher exchanges between Victoria and China would increase, more sister school relationships would be formed and information and resources would be more easily shared.
He said the agreement would provide opportunities to improve the teaching of Chinese in Victorian schools and provide language learning opportunities to a greater number of students.
“Over 22,000 students are already studying Mandarin in Victorian Government schools and the Memorandum of Understanding will help provide the tools and understanding for this number to increase,” Mr Dixon said.
“We will see a greater number of students and teachers visit China to be immersed in their culture, as well as more Chinese teachers and students visiting Victoria.”
He said China was already Australia’s biggest trading partner and its economic influence was likely to increase in the future.
“It is vital our students are as well equipped as possible to meet the challenges of a more complex and connected world in years to come.
“As well as learning the Chinese language, students will gain a thorough understanding of China’s culture and customs, which will stand them in good stead on the world stage,” Mr Dixon said.
25 May, 2011
Land plan in hand
for more land
A new system of identifying land for inclusion in the urban growth boundary has been announced by the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy.
Mr Guy said the new independent process would help address the shortage of metropolitan land.
He said it would determine possible urban growth boundary (UGB) inclusions stemming from a review of the 2009 boundary changes and examine what are known as ‘logical’ boundary inclusions.
“I have established a clear and fair process involving the Growth Areas Authority (GAA) and an independent advisory committee to consider the logical inclusion of properties within Melbourne’s UGB,” Mr Guy said.
He said the GAA would review the merits of land submissions already submitted to the 2009 UGB review; and after a process of assessment the authority would refer submissions to a new Logical Inclusions Advisory Committee for final determination.
He said for land to be considered as a logical inclusion, strict criteria would apply and projects would need to meet particular standards.
Mr Guy said the process would apply to the Wyndham, Melton, Hume, Whittlesea, Mitchell, Casey and Cardinia growth area Councils only.
He said the timing of the new process would depend on the number of properties to be assessed and the timetabling of the advisory committee hearing process.
“It is only fair that proponents, Local Councils and neighbouring property owners all have an opportunity to make comment and appear before the advisory committee if they desire,” Mr Guy said.
“The assessment process and associated public hearings will be subject to a probity audit to ensure fairness and transparency.”
More information can be found at this PS News link.
25 May, 2011
Police warn
on IT porn
Victoria Police have issued a public warning about a computer virus that downloads child pornography when a link is clicked.
Police said the malware virus was transmitted via a link to a false survey regarding the Myki system and investigators were aware of the link being posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as via email.
They said the survey was wholly fake and in no way connected to Myki.
The link was in a bit.ly format and when clicked, automatically downloaded 45 sexually explicit images involving children into the computer’s ‘My Pictures’ folder.
Investigators working to remove the link however are concerned that some people may unwittingly receive it and download the virus.
They said nine people had been affected after downloading the virus via a Facebook link and police were keen to hear from anyone else who may have accessed the survey.
The Box Hill Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team was investigating the matter alongside the E-Crime Squad and a 57-year-old Mitcham man had been interviewed in relation to the matter but no charges had been laid.
The police urged anyone who had clicked on the link and downloaded the virus to contact investigators so it could be removed safely from their computer.
They said they were not looking to charge those who had inadvertently downloaded the illegal pornographic images this way.
Police had also released an image of the fake survey to encourage people to be aware of the virus and how it initially appeared on screen so further circulation could be avoided.
Anyone with further information about the virus or who has had contact with it is urged to contact crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit this PS News link.
25 May, 2011
Language program
is talk of the town
The Northern Melbourne Institute of Technology (NMIT) and AMES Victoria have been awarded contracts by the Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to deliver Adult Migrant English Programs (AMEP) across Victoria.
The Department awarded the contracts for English language tuition in eight regions.
Announcing the arrangement, DIAC said English language tuition would be provided to newly arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants by NMIT in the northern Melbourne region and by AMES Victoria in the Melbourne central (including CBD), south eastern Melbourne/Frankston, south Melbourne/Mordialloc, western Melbourne/Werribee, north east Melbourne and other rural, Geelong/Barwon rural and regional, and Shepparton rural and regional areas.
It said service providers were selected after a rigorous evaluation process considering technical merit, relative risk, price and financial viability of each tenderer.
The Department said services would be provided from 1 July 2011 with contracts expiring on 30 June 2014.
It said the new AMEP business model would deliver key features such as a greater focus on settlement and on providing guidance to clients both during their participation in the program, and as they exit the program.
Eligibility for the AMEP had been extended to 15 to 17-year-olds who had discontinued their schooling within the first year of arrival in Australia.
The Department said clients would continue to have access to free childcare for under school-aged children and multiple learning delivery modes, which included classroom tuition, home tutors and distance/e-learning.
It said a single national service provider would deliver distance/e-learning to AMEP clients.
According to DIAC, the program is delivered in 250 locations around Australia to more than 50,000 clients from 193 countries.
More information on AMEP can be accessed at this PS News link.
25 May, 2011
Filmmaking skills
caught on camera
The School of Communication and Creative Arts at Deakin University has taken delivery of the most advanced filmmaking cameras in the world.
Coordinator of the Master of Film and Video course at Deakin, Simon Wilmot said the cameras were recognised in the film industry as the very best.
Mr Wilmot said University now had four of the RED EPIC cameras.
“The creation of the EPIC has been the most discussed and watched development in the world of film technology,” Mr Wilmot said.
“Every aspiring filmmaker has heard about EPIC and dreamt of the possibilities.”
He said Deakin was one of the first universities in the world to have the cameras.
He said the EPIC was the realisation of a dream by the makers, RED Digital Cinema, to provide the world with a true digital successor to film.
“The camera is small enough to be handheld, boasts 5K resolution (six times the resolution of HD video) and is capable of shooting up to 120 frames per second in 5k mode,” Mr Wilmot said.
“EPIC is the motion picture camera of the future.”
Mr Wilmot said the University had been following the progress of RED Digital Cinema for several years.
“This is a defining moment for Deakin, its future filmmakers and staff,” Mr Wilmot said.
He said the creator of Avatar, James Cameron had 50 of the cameras and Peter Jackson is using 30 to film The Hobbit.
25 May, 2011
Hotline to drive
car sale dobbers
Consumer Affairs Victoria has set up a new telephone hotline to make it easier for members of the public to report unlicensed car dealers.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien said the new hotline would enable Victorians to inform authorities about unlicensed car traders suspected of flouting the law.
“This new hotline will allow anyone to call up for free and report any car trader that they suspect may be operating without a licence,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Anyone who trades in cars online, from their home or elsewhere without a licence is breaking the law.”
Mr O’Brien said under the Motor Car Traders Act 1986, a person who carried on the business of trading in motor cars must have a licence.
He said anyone who offered to buy, sell or exchange four or more cars in 12 months was deemed to be acting as a motor car trader.
Mr O’Brien said Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) had already received around 20 reports this year about possible unlicensed car traders.
“Illegal operators can rob legitimate companies of business as well as ripping off consumers,” Mr O’Brien said.
He said since July 2009, CAV had successfully prosecuted 14 unlicensed motor car traders and instigated civil action against another five people for conducting business as a motor car trader without a licence.
Executive Director at the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce, David Purchase said buying a car from a Licensed Motor Car Trader provided consumers with significant protections.
He said these included a three-day cooling-off period for most sales; a three-month/5,000 km statutory warranty for cars less than 10 years old that had travelled less than 160,000 km; and clear title to the car, certifying the car had not been stolen, written off or had money owing on it.
“Unlicensed car traders selling from the kerbside, from home or unlicensed premises present an unacceptable risk to consumers and should be identified quickly and prohibited from trading before they cause damage,” Mr Purchase said.
Mr O’Brien said to dob in a suspected unlicensed car trader, consumers should call 1800 351 591 or visit this PS News link.
25 May, 2011
School agreement gets
good report card
Two schools in Melbourne’s north have entered partnerships with La Trobe University to improve outcomes in mathematics and science.
Education Minister, Martin Dixon has formalised the unique partnership agreements saying they would link La Trobe University with Charles La Trobe P-12 College and Quantum Victoria – a specialist science and maths centre based at Charles La Trobe P-12 College.
He said the two agreements would significantly drive maths and science education, particularly in the city’s north.
“These mutually beneficial partnerships are a great example of how schools and universities can work together to create amazing outcomes for Victorian students,” Mr Dixon said.
“While La Trobe University already works with many schools, these partnerships between the university and Charles La Trobe P-12 College and Quantum Victoria will forge an even stronger bond over the coming years to benefit students.”
Mr Dixon said the five-year agreements would see the colleges and the university share expertise and resources and expand professional development opportunities in maths and science education.
“This great partnership will see the sharing of knowledge between university lecturers and teachers in creating innovative maths and science education programs and professional development opportunities.
“It will also see students attending science and maths sessions at the university, or university lecturers working with Charles La Trobe students and teachers on specific projects.”
Mr Dixon said Victoria needed more students studying maths and science in the senior years of secondary school to ensure the State remained competitive in the years to come.
“This level of cooperation is important in ensuring Victoria is at the forefront of innovation and remains a globally competitive society,” he said.
“If Victoria is to remain a leader in driving scientific discovery and technological change, then we must encourage more young people to become engaged in maths and science in innovative, exciting and sophisticated ways.”
Mr Dixon said in its 2011-12 Budget, the Victorian Government allocated $24.3 million over five years to recruit an extra 100 maths and science specialists who would work with teachers in primary schools to build maths and science teaching skills.
25 May, 2011
New privacy brochure
The Privacy Commissioner has published a new brochure You have Privacy Rights.
The brochure explains that the Information Privacy Act is the law in Victoria that gives people their rights and helps protect the privacy of personal information.
The brochure explains what personal information is and how this information is protected.
Planning addresses change
The Department of Planning and Community Development has issued a notice advising of a change of web addresses for a number of its online services.
The new address for Planning Schemes Online is planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au while the new address for Victoria Planning Provisions Online is planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/vpps.
Planning Scheme Amendments Online also has a new website at planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/shared/ats.nsf.
Scholarship on offer
Chartered Secretaries Australia (CSA) is calling applications for its annual scholarship to study for the Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance.
Applicants must be employed in the PS for 12 months or more, hold a minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent and submit a 2,000 word essay on a topic of PS interest.
One scholarship will be made available for each State and Territory and each is valued at over $12,300.
For more details contact the CSA at this PS News link. Entries close 1 July
Electoral Commission consults
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) will be conducting an extensive consultation process to ensure the communities views are properly addressed in an electoral representation review of Latrobe City Council.
The VEC consultation is a two step process.
It consults the community and prepares draft proposals and then puts the draft proposal out for further public comment.
The VEC will be holding public meetings and taking written submissions as part of the representation review.
Boost for police academy
The Victoria Police Academy is to receive a $17.8 million funding boost.
The Academy will undergo major upgrades to ensure Victoria Police can recruit and train 1,700 extra frontline police and 940 Protective Service Officers (PSOs) by November 2014.
The recent funding announcement was on top of $10 million for works which were already underway at the academy and expected to be completed next month.
Current works include provision of ten modular classrooms for training; additional office accommodation to cater for extra training; and installation of an additional ten bay firing range for training purposes.
Track reopens
The revamped Goldfields Track for bushwalkers and mountain bikers is now open.
New sections of track have been opened along the 210-kilometre route between Bendigo and Ballarat, with stops in Creswick, Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and Castlemaine along the way.
Meadows school new
The new Meadows Primary School has opened in Melbourne’s north.
The School was formed following a merger of Campmeadows and Meadowbank schools and is the new home for 275 primary students in Gerbert Street, Broadmeadows.
The School has environmentally sustainable features including solar power and passive cooling.
It will generate power through rooftop solar panels and four wind turbines while rainwater tanks underground hold 500,000 litres of water, which is used to flush toilets and water the gardens.
Latrobe hub closer
A fully integrated industrial estate and transport hub development in the Latrobe Valley is a step closer following the launch of expressions of interest.
The Gippsland Logistics Precinct would give businesses using the estate a competitive edge by integrating manufacturing and transport infrastructure in a single location.
The Precinct would be located at the site next to the main Gippsland Line between the Princes Freeway and Tramway Road, known as the Gippsland Intermodal Freight Terminal and an adjoining 64 hectare site.
Latrobe City Council has recently finalised leasing arrangements with VicTrack for the Gippsland Intermodal Freight Terminal, opening the way for the expression of interest process to proceed.
18 May, 2011
Privacy warning on
Cloud computing
The Privacy Commissioner has issued a new Information Sheet on the dangers and pitfalls of cloud computing.
Commissioner Helen Versey said cloud computing technology was being used increasingly by Victorian Government Agencies in order to reduce capital and operational costs, as the cost of storing data or accessing applications via offsite methods greatly reduced the need for technology infrastructure, IT support and staffing.
“Cloud computing also allows Departments to pool resources efficiently and quickly,” Ms Versey said.
“However there are privacy issues – particularly in relation to data security – that need to be addressed if an organisation plans to use cloud computing technology for hosting and accessing its data or applications.”
Ms Versey said despite the potential cost benefits of cloud computing, the cost to Agencies in addressing the privacy issues might outweigh capital and operational savings.
She said using the cloud might swiftly reveal failures in security and procedural processes that had not been properly thought out.
“Victorian government organisations should only use a cloud service provider that agrees to ensure that privacy protection is essential and that agrees to comply with the Information Privacy Principles in the Information Privacy Act 2000,” Ms Versey said.
“By using a cloud service, the government agency is relinquishing some – if not all – control over their data.”
Ms Versey said agencies should consider a number of questions when using private clouds and community clouds including if there was an actual cost savings benefit; if the organisation knew exactly where the data would be stored, and if the organisation’s data was segregated from other customers’ or government departments’.
She said for public clouds outside Victoria and offshore there were further data security issues such as controlling who could access the data or any security or encryption methods.
Ms Versey said if a security breach occurred, an individual in Victoria could be powerless to take action against the cloud service provider because of privacy laws in different jurisdictions.
She said there were other potential concerns including the sale of a business to another entity; the risk of insolvency or bankruptcy to the service provider; changes to business units or practices made without the knowledge of IT units; machinery of government of changes; and retrieval or destruction of information if the contract with the cloud service provider was terminated.
The full information sheet can be downloaded from this PS News link.
18 May, 2011
Inquiry calls
police into line
A special inquiry has been set up to examine the administration of the senior command structure of Victoria Police.
Premier, Ted Baillieu said Barrister Jack Rush, who served as Counsel Assisting the recent Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, had agreed to head the inquiry.
Mr Baillieu said the Government was concerned at apparent difficulties at the command level of Victoria Police – especially the circumstances surrounding events the retirement of Deputy Police Commissioner Sir Ken Jones.
“I first became aware of recent events concerning Sir Ken Jones during the afternoon of 6 May,” Mr Baillieu said.
“I was advised of these developments by the office of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Police.”
Mr Baillieu said he sought advice because there was confusion and concern in the community that the actions of the Chief Commissioner in terminating Sir Ken’s appointment peremptorily may have been outside his powers or authority.
“The Chief Commissioner indicated that he had made his decision in the best interests of the public administration of Victoria Police,” Mr Baillieu said.
“Given the status and seniority of a senior Victoria Police officer such as Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones, I told the Chief Commissioner that the government would have expected to be advised prior to such an important decision.”
Mr Baillieu directed the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Helen Silver, to make certain enquiries and provide him with her advice.
“The community has a legitimate expectation that Victoria Police is an effective and highly responsive force which adopts best-practice policing methods,” Mr Baillieu said.
He said there were already a number of inquiries relating to the police, in particular, the murder of Carl Williams.
Mr Baillieu said under its terms of reference, the new inquiry would examine the effectiveness and functions of the senior structure of Victoria Police command; the extent to which the senior command structures support the delivery of best-practice policing; and the extent to which the structures could deliver major IT and administrative functions.
He said a report on the conduct, findings and recommendations of the inquiry would be tabled in Parliament within 30 sitting days of its presentation to the State Government.
18 May, 2011
Fed Budget doesn’t
add up for Premier
The Premier has expressed his disappointment at the Federal Budget claiming Victoria has been shortchanged on a number of fronts.
Premier, Ted Baillieu said Victoria had missed out on mental health funding, infrastructure and manufacturing assistance.
“Over the forward estimates, the Commonwealth is receiving an extra $115 billion, yet additional payments to Victoria over the forward estimates amount to $2.3 billion – a pittance,” Mr Baillieu said.
He said none of the Budget’s $916 million in spending on regional infrastructure would come to Victoria.
He said the Budget confirmed that $500 million of the $3.2 billion funding committed to the Regional Rail Link would be deferred with the funds allocated in 2015-16, delaying the anticipated completion of the project from 2014.
Mr Baillieu said a total of $20 million in funding for the upgrade of the Princes Highway between Traralgon to Sale had also been deferred and would recommence in 2013-14.
He said Victoria would receive a smaller share of Commonwealth roads funding than its share of the population – 15.7 per cent of funding despite having around 25 per cent of Australia’s population.
Mr Bailleiu said in the area of health, Victoria would receive just $182.5 million for 15 projects under the Health and Hospitals Regional Priority Round, which represented around 14 per cent of the total funding.
He said Victoria would not receive any of the funding set aside to establish Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centres (EPPIC).
Mr Baillieu said $100 million would also be cut from two different water projects – ending the $14.5 million program for installation of household water tanks and grey water systems and reducing by $85.5 million funding to support desalination, water recycling and stormwater harvesting.
He said funding cuts to the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program were also likely to have adverse effects on Victoria’s outstanding research capability.
18 May, 2011
Road safety campaign
hits the road
Victoria has joined an international campaign to help reduce the trauma of road accidents.
Head of Community Relations at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Phil Reed said the United Nations-led campaign, Decade of Action for Road Safety, aimed to reduce road trauma on the world’s roads.
Mr Reed said the campaign was aimed particularly at trauma suffered by young people in the 18-25 age group.
He said one person was killed or seriously injured on the world’s roads every six seconds, and every day about 3,500 people were killed in road crashes.
He said road trauma remained the number one cause of death for young people across the globe.
“There is no doubt our priority lies with improving road safety here in Victoria, but we are also keen to share our expertise with countries that are in need of extra help,” Mr Reed said.
He said Victoria’s key road safety Agencies, the TAC, Victoria Police, VicRoads, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, Monash University Accident Research Centre, the SES and the City of Melbourne, were joining together to support the Decade of Action which aimed to “stabilise and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities around the world” by 2020.
“From the 1960s when we introduced seatbelt legislation, to the introduction of drink driving and most recently the mandating of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in all new vehicles, Victoria has been at the forefront of road safety,” Mr Reed said.
He said the TAC’s road safety public education campaigns continued to attract global attention, with Ireland purchasing a drug-driving campaign made in Victoria last year.
He said the TAC’s YouTube channel had also attracted more than 15 million views world-wide, with specific interest coming from South American countries.
Mr Reed said the education campaigns had helped the State halve its road toll in the last 20 years.
“It’s encouraging that while we have made a difference locally that we are also having an impact on road safety nationally and internationally,” Mr Reed said.
“We want every Victorian to commit to supporting the Decade of Action for Road Safety so that together we can seriously reduce the needless pain and suffering caused by road trauma here and across the world.”
The Decade of Action for Road Safety runs until 2020 and more information can be found at this PS News link.
18 May, 2011
Teaching standards
to reach new heights
A pilot program to improve the standard of teaching across the State has been unveiled by the Minister responsible for the teaching profession, Peter Hall.
Mr Hall said the $1.8 million trial would set the bar in teacher training, putting greater emphasis on practical experience.
He said the School Centres for Teaching Excellence project would fund seven individual centres across the State and involve six of the nine universities in Victoria.
He said the program, based on strong school-university partnerships, would link student teachers with mentor teachers and experienced academics, boosting their effectiveness in the classroom.
“We know that quality teaching is the single greatest in-school influence on student engagement and achievement and the School Centres for Teaching Excellence program will set the standard for teacher training,” Mr Hall said.
“Student teachers can immerse themselves in school life, apply teaching theory to their practical work and immediately rectify any potential problems with mentor teachers.”
Mr Hall said the seven School Centres for Teaching Excellence, funded for two years through the Smarter Schools National Partnership on Improving Teacher Quality, would involve Victoria University (in both the northern and western areas of Melbourne); La Trobe University (in the Bendigo area); University of Melbourne (in eastern Melbourne); Deakin University (in the Barwon South West area); Monash University (in the Gippsland region); and the Country Education Project (in the Hume and Grampians regions, involving Ballarat University, the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University).
“This new model goes far beyond placing student teachers on rounds,” Mr Hall said, “it will improve the quality of school placements, the practice of current teachers and the research capacity of both teachers and partner universities.”
He said more than 5,200 students were in their final year of a university teaching course last year.
He said each year almost half that number was employed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
18 May, 2011
Uni takes honours in
security management
Deakin University has become the first university in Australia to receive internationally recognised certification for its security management standard.
Executive Director at Deakin’s Information Technology Services Division, Peter Brusco said the certification was a reflection of how seriously the university took information security.
“The ISO 27001 certification shows that we will go that extra mile to ensure the security of the information we store on behalf of students, staff and the university as a whole,” Mr Brusco said.
“As far as information security is concerned we believe it places us in an enviable position, but we do expect that other Australian universities will follow our lead.”
Mr Brusco said to qualify for ISO 27001:2006 certification, the university’s information security management system underwent a rigorous audit.
He said the audit evaluated a number of processes including security policy, asset management and information security incident management.
“We are committed to ensuring that Deakin’s data is as secure as it possibly can be, and we now have the certification to prove that it is,” Mr Brusco said.
“Achieving this certification helps strengthen our information security culture and reduces the risk of fraud, information loss and unauthorised disclosure.”
Mr Brusco said Deakin would now be audited regularly to ensure it complied with the necessary requirements to maintain ISO 27001:2006 certification.
18 May, 2011
Fire levy
fired up
A new levy to fund fire services in Victoria has been announced by the Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan.
Mr Ryan said the new property based levy would replace the old Fire Services Levy (FSL).
He said the levy was recommended by the Bushfires Royal Commission which called for the FSL to be replaced with a property-based levy and the introduction of concessions for low-income earners.
Mr Ryan said the new levy would ensure all Victorian property owners paid a fair contribution to fire services while ensuring they continued to operate equitably and with sufficient resources.
“Every Victorian understands the need to have well-funded fire fighting services and today’s announcement is an important step in the implementation of this new approach,” Mr Ryan said.
Treasurer Kim Wells said the FSL unfairly slugged home and business owners, particularly in regional Victoria, and encouraged people to under-insure or not insure at all.
Mr Wells said the State Government would release a position paper in June and engage in a comprehensive public consultation process on the proposed design and implementation of the new levy and transition arrangements.
“The position paper will outline the proposed arrangements for key aspects of the new levy including its design and structure; eligibility for concessions; and the most effective and efficient method to phase out the insurance based model and implement a property based model,” Mr Wells said.
He said the Government intended introducing legislation in early 2012 with a transition period that would commence on 1 July 2012 to allow insurers to phase out the FSL prior to full implementation from 1 July 2013.
18 May, 2011
Teaching program
makes the grade
A Statewide learning program has been introduced to support first-year teachers settle in to their new careers.
Announced by the Minister with responsibility for the teaching profession, Peter Hall, the Supporting New Teacher’s Practice program would help new graduates while pairing them with experienced teachers as mentors.
Mr Hall said the focus was on areas of need such as curriculum and assessment, classroom management, catering for students with mixed ability and working with parents.
“The Supporting New Teacher’s Practice program offers the perfect opportunity to apply the theory learned at university to the complexities of real life teaching,” Mr Hall said.
“It is universally understood that committed and talented teachers are the single most decisive factor in driving improvement in student learning and bringing about lasting and positive change to young lives.”
Mr Hall said 72 first-year teachers attended the first workshop in Ringwood East, while a further 210 teachers would attend workshops in Geelong, Bendigo, Dandenong, Preston and Traralgon.
He said the Government would also provide $2 million for training for teachers to help them manage difficult classroom behaviour.
He said the money was in addition to the funding boost for welfare officers in primary schools and for combatting bullying and cyber-bullying.
Mr Hall said nearly $30 million had been set aside to improve the standard of maths and science education in schools by hiring an extra 100 maths and science specialists and providing 400 scholarships for university science graduates to undertake teacher training.
18 May, 2011
New frog species leaps
into Victoria
An expert commissioned by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to look for a rare and endangered frog in far East Gippsland found instead a new species of frog never before found in Victoria.
Dr Graeme Gillespie, who was given the task by DSE, said the frog survey of the Genoa River Valley between Wangarabell and Mallacoota discovered a new species of frog for Victoria: the Bleating Tree Frog, Litoria dentata.
Dr Gillespie said he was looking for the Southern Barred Frog, Myxophyes balbus, which had not been positively recorded in Victoria for more than 30 years.
He discovered Bleating Tree Frogs at three floodplain sites on areas of farmland along the Genoa River south of the Princes Highway.
He said to a frog expert, the call of the Bleating Tree Frog was very distinctive.
“This is fortunate given there were seven other species of frog calling in the area at the same time,” Dr Gillespie said.
“One of these species was the Green and Golden Bellfrog, Litoria aurea, which is a nationally threatened species.”
He said the nearest known population of Bleating Tree Frogs was over 40 kilometres to the north in New South Wales, making the Genoa site the most southerly known population for the species and the only one known from Victoria.
“The reason the Bleating Tree Frog has gone unnoticed in the area until now is probably because no-one with knowledge of its call has been there to hear the frogs when they are breeding,” he said.
“The species is known to call only after significant rain events on warm nights, and even then they do so sporadically.”
Dr Gillespie said the survey failed to detect any Southern Barred Frogs, so it remained unclear whether the species still survived in Victoria.
18 May, 2011
Taxi inquirers
deliver paper
An inquiry into the taxi and hire car industry has released its first background paper for community comment.
Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder said the Setting the Scene paper kick-starts a 12-month comprehensive review led by the Taxi Industry Inquiry which was headed up by Professor Allan Fels.
Mr Mulder said the Inquiry had the task of investigating the service, industry structure and regulatory problems that currently faced the taxi and hire car industry.
“Taxis are an integral and essential component of the public transport system,” Mr Mulder said.
“But the Victorian taxi industry needs substantial structural reform and the government believes this inquiry is the first step in achieving reform.”
Mr Mulder said the Inquiry’s background paper delved into the complexities of the taxi and hire car industry and highlighted some of the areas it would be investigating during the next 12 months.
“The latest quarterly customer satisfaction survey will show that passenger satisfaction with Melbourne’s taxis is at an all time low,” Mr Mulder said.
He said the background paper introduced an economic and market perspective on the provision of taxi services; provided high level results and themes from customer satisfaction survey data; looked at general complaints data; and asked if the needs of people with mobility challenges were being met.
The Minister said the paper also considered how taxis fitted in with other forms public transport modes; questioned the effectiveness of the current taxi industry structure and regulatory measures; pointed to the role of improved working conditions, remuneration, and training of drivers in raising the standard of customer service; and highlighted the use of hire car services for pre-booked trips.
Professor Fels said it was important to start the inquiry by asking questions and finding out what the public, stakeholders and the industry saw as the big issues.
“The problems in the taxi and hire car industry are complex in nature and long standing,” Professor Fels said.
Copies of Setting the Scene are available from the Taxi Industry Inquiry’s website at this PS News link or by calling (03) 9655 2000.
Submissions close Friday, 24 June 2011.
18 May, 2011
Education Week
a lesson to us all
Hundreds of families joined the Minister for Education, Martin Dixon and a galaxy of stars to launch Education Week at the National Gallery of Victoria last week.
Celebrating education across the State, Education Week is on now and will run until Saturday 21 May.
Mr Dixon said Education Week was a great opportunity for the community to celebrate the importance of education.
He said Education Week was an exciting week for Victoria.
“Government schools, city and country, will open their doors to showcase the exciting teaching and learning programs inspiring students to be their best,” Mr Dixon said.
He said the Government was committed to improving educational outcomes for all students and schools.
“We are working hard to make schools even better by boosting support for vulnerable young people,” he said, “making schools safer by providing extra welfare officers in primary schools to tackle bullying, and supporting teachers to be the best they can be.
“We are investing in maths and science education, languages and vocational education and training to make sure all students leave school with the skills, knowledge and experience to lead successful and fulfilling lives.”
Mr Dixon said a calendar of more than 50 free events would see children learn to juggle, milk a cow, create colourful artworks, explore the future or discover how snakebite antivenin works in a series of engaging educational sessions for schools and kindergarten groups to be held at Victoria’s best-known organisations.
“I encourage everyone to come and see first-hand the wonderful things teachers are doing, supported by innovative programs and new technology, to guide and nurture students to reach their potential,” Mr Dixon said.
More information on Education Week including the calendar of free events can be found at this PS News link.
18 May, 2011
Principals tested in
leadership course
An intensive leadership course for school principals and other leaders in the teaching profession has been launched by the Minister responsible, Peter Hall.
Mr Hall said the five-day module, Developing Effective Communication, would be offered as part of the highly-regarded suite of leadership programs delivered by Bastow Institute of Education Leadership.
He said the Bastow Institute was established in 2009 with the goal of preparing the next generation of leaders across the education and early childhood workforce.
He said more than 2,500 people had benefited from one of more than 30 Bastow courses last year and the Government was committed to supporting the professional development of principals and teachers.
“The Bastow Institute plays a vital role in ensuring Victoria’s teaching workforce remains among the best in the country,” Mr Hall said.
“Today’s principals, much like politicians or leaders of industry, also need to be good ambassadors for their local community.”
Mr Hall said by freeing up principals it would allow them to operate more autonomously and better focus on the quality of education provided for students.
“The Developing Effective Communication module is all about equipping school leaders with the ability to communicate their vision, values, goals and expectations to their schools and the wider community,” Mr Hall said.
He said the module was one of 16 leadership modules on offer for principals and other leaders.
The Bastow Institute currently has 1,130 individuals enrolled in 32 programs.
18 May, 2011
Institute plugs into
broadband study
A research institute at the University of Melbourne has entered a partnership with internet giant Google to explore new broadband applications.
Director at the University’s Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES), Professor Rod Tucker said the partnership would provide funding for new research projects focusing on broadband applications for healthcare, education and the community.
“Google’s support will help IBES fund more important research projects with social and economic consequences, such as applications for e-learning and e-health,” Professor Tucker said, “two areas where IBES has already made significant progress.”
“It also enables researchers to engage with industry participants to collaborate and foster future broadband applications.”
He said IBES, which was strategically located in the heart of Australia’s technology and communications capital Melbourne, was a state-of-the-art broadband network test-bed laboratory that enabled researchers to trial new ideas and innovations in a real-life networking environment, including on the Australian National Broadband Network.
He said at IBES, researchers could perform experiments ranging from configuring applications vertically through the technology stack to assessing end user reactions to new services and applications.
Director of Engineering at Google Australia, Alan Noble said the company was proud to support the IBES and its “exciting” research capability to develop new transformative applications that would ultimately benefit the community.
“In addition to IBES,” Mr Noble said, “Melbourne and the State of Victoria have much to offer companies like Google, including a wealth of talent, a mature and stable economy that is still growing despite the recent global financial crisis, world-class universities and other infrastructure strengths and a time zone that enables easy access to many other regions where we do business.”
Professor Tucker said Melbourne was the nerve-centre for Australia’s ambitious National Broadband Network (NBN), which was the world’s largest high-speed broadband network.
He said the city was home to more than 8,400 technology companies, which included the Asia-Pacific operations of such industry giants as Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft and Oracle.
18 May, 2011
Profiles outlined
for Councils
A series of profiles of Victorian teenagers has been distributed to Local Government areas to allow them to identify services and needs for their teenage communities.
The Adolescent Community Profiles were supplied to all 79 Local Councils by the Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Peter Hall.
Mr Hall said the profiles included data about numeracy and literacy levels and information on topics such as the proportion of adolescents living in clean neighbourhoods; who reported bullying; who were exposed to tobacco smoke in the home; and who had someone to turn to for advice when experiencing problems.
Mr Hall said the profiles would provide the evidence local communities and all levels of government needed to help inform program planning and identify areas of need across the State.
“The 2010 Adolescent Community Profiles include information about 58 indicators of adolescent health, development, learning, safety and wellbeing,” Mr Hall said.
“They are designed to guide decision-making across government so we can more effectively set priorities and allocate resources.”
He said detailed reports and summary sheets had been prepared for each Local Government Area and for nine regional areas throughout the State.
He said they would be sent to Local Councils and regional offices of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and had also been published on the Victorian Child and Adolescent Monitoring System website.
Mr Hall said the Adolescent Community Profiles included data from the Victorian Adolescent Health and Wellbeing survey of more than 10,000 students in years seven, nine and 11 from Government and non-government secondary schools, as well as a range of additional data held by Government Departments.
18 May, 2011
Volunteers paid
in compliments
The Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge took time out during last week’s Volunteer Week to acknowledge the contribution and achievements of Victorian volunteers who were improving the lives of others with the selfless work.
Ms Wooldridge said Victoria’s volunteers played an important role in the community helping some of its most vulnerable members and contributing millions of hours of effort without expecting any rewards.
“The new BreaCan resource centre is a great example of women volunteers supporting other women living with cancer,” Ms Wooldridge said.
“Women connect and speak with trained volunteers who have all experienced cancer themselves or cared for someone who has, offering invaluable support and information.”
She said there were many inspirational stories of volunteers who made a positive difference and improved the lives of the people they were involved with.
“Volunteers in the community service sector are at the forefront of delivering much needed services to vulnerable children and young people and they provide vital support for people in our community living with a disability or mental illness,” Ms Wooldridge said.
She said the ongoing efforts of volunteers should be recognised and the contribution of carers who dedicated much of their lives to caring for a friend or family member with a disability or mental illness deserved special recognition.
“There are many diverse activities which are supported by volunteers and I would like to thank all the volunteer groups and individuals who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring individuals, families and communities have the benefit of their selfless contributions,” Ms Wooldridge said.
She said the theme for National Volunteer Week was Inspiring the Volunteer in You which aimed to encourage more people to volunteer.
18 May, 2011
Fish caught up in
lake restocking
The Department of Primary Industries is to boost recreational fishing at Lake Boga by stocking it with Murray cod.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh said 15,000 cod fingerlings had been released into the lake for the first time in five years.
“Over time these cod will lure more recreational fishers to our region, boosting Lake Boga’s economy and re-establishing the lake as a popular fishing destination,” Mr Walsh said.
“It will have flow-on effects, not just for Lake Boga businesses which depend heavily on recreational activities such as fishing and boating, but also for Kerang and Swan Hill.”
Mr Walsh said Lake Boga had been doing it tough in recent years after the lake completely dried up in 2008.
“The last time the lake was stocked was in 2005 and 2006 when small numbers of golden perch and Murray cod were released,” he said.
“Restocking is again possible thanks to the spring and summer rainfall which refilled the lake.”
Mr Walsh said the fish would grow to a catchable size in the next three to five years and would help make Lake Boga a great recreational fishery again.
He said revenue raised from the sale of recreational fishing licences was funding the restocking and also being spent on infrastructure works and education programs.
“We are also providing an extra $16.2 million over the next four years to breed more fish and provide more opportunities for recreational fishers,” he said.
“Lake Boga is one of 17 lakes and rivers being restocked by Fisheries Victoria with native fish this month as inland waters recover from the drought.”
18 May, 2011
Sacking condemned
The Community and Public Sector Union has condemned the sacking of Juvenile Justice Centre worker Joseph Fagan, given his marching orders this week.
Secretary of the CPSU, Karen Batt said Mr Fagan had been assaulted, threatened with a weapon and used as a hostage during an escape this time last year but was being treated as a scapegoat.
“‘Joseph is a victim of a serious crime yet is being held solely responsible.” Ms Batt said.
She said the Government had not provided him with a safe working environment.
Funding for bees
Funding of $400,000 will be used to protect and grow Victoria’s valuable beekeeping industry in 2011-12.
The funding will help reinstate bee site licences on public land and protect against the varroa mite.
Some of the funding will also be used to install more swarm catch boxes and additional sentinel hives at Victoria’s major ports.
The funding to help enhance protection against varroa follows the launch of the Bee Force Project pilot in April to strengthen the existing early warning system for varroa and other exotic bee pests.
Greyhounds adopted
The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) is to receive $1 million in funding over the next four years to find new homes for retired greyhounds.
The program has already adopted out more than 4,000 retired greyhounds.
Greyhounds make fantastic pets because they are quiet, lazy and gentle dogs that thrive in the family home environment.
Every dog that passes the GAP program has been thoroughly temperament tested, desexed, wormed, microchipped and vaccinated.
Plans out for Arthurs Seat
Concept drawings for the redevelopment of Mornington Peninsula’s Arthurs Seat Chairlift have been unveiled.
The consortium is working with Parks Victoria to develop the plans and agreements needed to build a facility that respects the natural environment and delivers a great visitor experience.
The consortium expects to invest $5 million into the redevelopment and anticipates about 100,000 visitors to the site each year.
For updates on the development of Arthurs Seat Chairlift contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 or visit this PS News link.
Carbon free houses approved
A leading zero-carbon housing development known as the Cape Paterson Eco-village on Victoria’s Bass Coast has been approved.
The project’s core eco-credentials include approximately 190 homes with a 7.5 star energy rating as well as tourist accommodation, a community hub, and approximately 25 hectares of public open space and habitat reserves.
The sustainable residential development will also include a local park for the use of all Cape Paterson residents and improved fire breaks and road networks.
Shrine service
Members of the public are invited to attend the upcoming service at the Shrine of Remembrance.
This service highlights the significant contribution Indigenous servicemen and women have made, and continue to make, in the Australian Armed forces.
Remembrance services are now held nationwide, enabling the public to pay tribute to Indigenous Servicemen and Women who have often been overlooked for recognition in the past.
The service will take place on Tuesday 31 May at 11am.
High rise plans approved
A planning permit for two residential towers in Melbourne’s CBD at 151-165 Franklin Street has been approved.
The 29 storey (88 metre) and 45 storey (143 metre) buildings will house 810 residential apartments accommodating up to 1500 new city residents.
The development will include ground floor retail space and associated parking.
11 May, 2011
Finalists logged on
to ICT awards
The finalists have been announced in the 2011 Australian Government ICT Awards.
In a field of 19 that includes Agencies from most States and Territories, the Victorian Public Service is represented by the Department of Justice, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Country Fire Authority and the Department of Business and Innovation.
The Commonwealth’s Special Minister of State, Gary Gray said the Awards program recognised the most outstanding initiatives in eGovernment across a number of ICT disciplines.
Mr Gray said this year’s 62 nominations were received in the categories of Applications Development; Geospatial; Government 2.0; Project Management; and Service Delivery.
He said the Department of Sustainability and Environment was a finalist in the Geospatial Category for their Positioning Regional Victoria Project which managed the installation of over 57 Continuously Operating Reference Stations.
Mr Gray said Victoria had two finalists in the Government 2.0 Category– the Victorian Country Fire Authority for its CFA Connect project, and the Wyndham City Council for its WynCrowd project.
He said CFA Connect created a central hub that focused all the agency’s media activity and provided a platform for CFA members to share their stories with each other and the wider community and WynCrowd used a free GPS-aware phone application to tie customer reports from crowd-sourced technology to the Council’s customer request, property and asset management systems.
The Department of Business and Innovation is a finalist in the Service Delivery Category for its VPSHub project.
Mr Gray said the VPSHub was created as a whole of Victorian government intranet platform for collaborations across 42,000+ members of the VPS.
He said the Department was up against the Australian Electoral Commission, which was a finalist for its Virtual Tally Room project, and the National Library of Australia for its Trove project.
The Department of Justice was a finalist in the Applications Development Category for its FireReady applications project which saw free smartphone applications developed for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android to give people real-time information on fires and tips on becoming fire ready.
Mr Gray said the finalists in the Government 2.0 Innovator Award (Individual) had also been announced with Guy Sigley from the Victorian Country Fire Authority, and Maria Katsonis from the Department of Premier and Cabinet vying for the honour.
He said Award winners would be announced at a special dinner, held in association with CeBIT Australia 2011, on 1 June 2011 at the Sydney Convention Centre.
11 May, 2011
Sustainability to
sustain review
A review of the focus and direction of Sustainability Victoria has been ordered by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith.
Mr Smith said Sustainability Victoria was established as a key delivery agency for sustainability and resource recovery programs and he wanted to ensure it had a clear vision and strategy to best deliver the most effective, practical and targeted outcomes.
“I want to ensure that Sustainability Victoria is focused on core efforts such as helping householders and the community to improve recycling, waste management and saving energy and other resources,” Mr Smith said.
“This means looking at things such as best use of the landfill levy and the design and focus of a range of new funding programs.”
He said taxpayers wanted to know they were getting effective results from their investment in Sustainability Victoria.
“It’s important that we take the time to assess and implement approaches that provide long-term results,” he said.
Mr Smith said the internal review would be led by the new Chair of the Sustainability Victoria Board, Gillian Sparkes.
He said Dr Sparkes, who was currently Deputy Secretary, Corporate and Business at the Department of Sustainability and Environment, had been appointed interim Chair of the Sustainability Victoria Board.
Mr Smith said Dr Sparkes brought with her a solid record of achievement in senior private and public sector roles and over the coming three months would lead Sustainability Victoria through a review and renewal phase.
11 May, 2011
Committee to probe
infrastructure skills
The Parliamentary Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) has been asked to inquire into the delivery of significant infrastructure projects.
Treasurer, Kim Wells made the request saying a key priority for the Government was to ensure that significant infrastructure projects were properly managed, delivered on time, and on budget.
Mr Wells said the inquiry Strengthening Capacity for Delivering Significant Infrastructure Projects would assist the Government continue implementing best practice project development and management.
“It is essential that all major infrastructure projects deliver long term benefits for the community and are delivered on time and on budget,” Mr Wells said.
“To strengthen effective decision-making for the successful delivery of significant infrastructure projects, including public-private partnership arrangements, there is an integral need for public sector managers overseeing these projects to possess appropriate skills and expertise in the field.”
He said the terms of reference would include the competencies and skills that public sector managers require for the effective evaluation, decision-making and oversight of significant infrastructure projects and protection of the public interest.
He said the PAEC would also consider and report on the extent to which Government policies specified these requisite competencies and skills, and strategies in place within the public sector for the development of them.
Mr Wells said other terms of reference included considering whether particular significant infrastructure projects had been developed and implemented in a manner which aligned with the public interest and the merits of centralisation versus decentralisation in managing public-private partnership projects.
He said the Committee would present its final report to Parliament by 14 December 2012.
The Terms of References can be accessed at this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Power switch for
human rights
Changes to the powers of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission have been announced by Attorney-General, Robert Clark.
Mr Clark said new legislation would deliver election commitments to remove coercive powers given to the Commission; restore an independent chair separate from the position of Commissioner; and remove the “inherent requirement” test.
He said the legislation would also introduce a range of other amendments that would restore balance and common sense to Victoria’s equal opportunity laws.
Mr Clark said the legislation would help achieve a fair balance between preventing discrimination while also respecting freedom of association.
“This Bill will restore that balance, ensuring the Commission has the powers it needs to promote equality of opportunity and tackle abuses, while also ensuring schools, sporting clubs and other organisations can continue to perform their legitimate roles,” Mr Clark said.
He said the removal of the ‘inherent requirement’ restriction on employment by faith-based organisations would largely preserve the status quo as it applied at present and which had generally worked well under the Equal Opportunity Act 1995.
“The changes will apply the same rules to employment by faith-based organisations as the legislation already applies to all other aspects of the organisation’s activities, such as provision of services or engagement of contractors, where the organisation can take various attributes into account if done in conformity with the organisation’s beliefs or to avoid offence to adherents of the faith,” Mr Clark said.
He said the changes would also ensure that Victorian law remained in line with Commonwealth employment legislation such as the Fair Work Act 2009, which provided a similar exemption to that which will apply under Victorian law.
11 May, 2011
Budget paves way
for road funding
Public infrastructure is to receive a kick-along from measures announced in the 2011-2012 Federal Budget.
Commonwealth Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese said the national Government would provide $1.1 billion to Victoria to progress a list of large and small scale projects throughout the State.
“We want a Victoria that’s built to compete,” Mr Albanese said.
He said funding would be provided in 2011-2012 to start work on major projects including improving rail access to the Altona Intermodal facility ($32 million); construction of the new Somerton Intermodal facility ($20 million); and the widening of Clyde Road in Berwick to a four lane carriageway ($30 million).
Mr Albanese said work was expected to be completed over the next 12 months on a number of other projects including the extension of the Geelong Ring Road; strengthening the West Gate Bridge; constructing the Nagambie Bypass along the Goulburn Valley Highway; and realigning the Western Highway at Anthonys Cutting between Melton and Bacchus Marsh.
The Minister said the Commonwealth would continue its support and funding of the State’s road safety initiatives.
He said $17.6 million would be provided to eliminate another 60 black spots on local roads and $6.5 million would go towards establishing and maintaining rest stops and other roadside facilities used by truck drivers.
“We will also continue funding a range of initiatives designed to make our highways and local roads safer,” he said.
Mr Albanese said Local Governments in Victoria would also benefit from the Budget, with $207.2 million to assist Councils maintain and upgrade local roads.
11 May, 2011
Forward strategy is
health prescription
A priority plan for the future development of the State’s health system has been unveiled by the Minister for Health, David Davis.
Mr Davis said the Health Priorities Framework 2012-22: Metropolitan Health Plan would review Victoria’s health services, set out the case for change, and propose critical directions and priorities to guide detailed planning and development.
He said the health system would face considerable challenges in the near future from increasing demand and changing health care needs as the population grew and aged.
Mr Davis said health service providers, both in the public and private sectors, had limited ability to innovate and change the historically-designed health system which had not been designed to meet the future health care needs of families.
“Without change, our health system will not be able to meet our future needs,” he said.
“The release of the Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012-22: Metropolitan Health Plan marks the first milestone on this journey.”
Mr Davis said the new Plan outlined seven new priority areas including developing a system that was responsive to people’s needs; improving every Victorian’s health status and experiences; expanding service, workforce and system capacity; increasing the system’s financial sustainability and productivity; implementing continuous improvements and innovations; increasing accountability and transparency; and utilising e-health and communications technology.
“What we are developing is focused on meeting our needs right out to 2022,” he said.
“This will put health and hospital planning on a secure and more rational footing.”
He said the new strategy would provide a future plan for metropolitan Melbourne and for the entire State, taking account of population and ageing demographics.
“It will be backed up by similar blueprints for rural and regional Victoria and our health system’s capital requirements, including workforce,” Mr Davis said.
“These blueprints will guide the development of the Victorian health system both public and private, and improvement of our system towards 2022.”
He said consultation sessions with the community would help implement the identified priorities and strategies in this new Plan as well as contribute to the Rural and Regional Plan 2012–2022 and the Health Capital and Resources Plan 2012–2022.
To view the Metropolitan Health Plan visit this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Dandenong audit
not fine or dandy
An audit into the $290 million Revitalising Central Dandenong project (RCD) has found an absence of sufficiently clear, agreed and monitored performance standards.
According to Auditor-General, Des Pearson, without such standards neither the Department of Planning and Community Development nor its project control group could effectively assess the performance of the project or determine if it was on track to generate the benefits and outcomes intended.
Mr Pearson said the 16-year initiative aimed to establish central Dandenong as a thriving service and economic hub, to attract over $1.17 billion of private sector investment, and increase the number of residents and businesses in the area.
He said while VicUrban was delivering the project in partnership with other agencies, the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) had primary responsibility for managing it and was accountable for the results.
He said the Department had signed a memorandum of understanding with VicUrban.
“This audit examined whether the RCD initiative is being managed effectively and whether governance arrangements support effective project delivery and cross government coordination,” Mr Pearson said.
He found that while RCD had made notable progress since 2005, it had occurred in the absence of effective performance standards.
“The lack of sufficient performance standards and the weaknesses in project status reports have led the Department and its project control group to focus mainly on monitoring physical projects, rather than the full range of activities contributing to RCD’s social, economic and financial objectives,” the Auditor-General said.
“As a result, performance monitoring is problematic, and while VicUrban monitors RCD finances, the Department is not rigorously overseeing the long-term financial management of RCD.”
Mr Pearson said there was little assurance that the Department and its project control group were reliably identifying, prioritising and effectively resolving blockages.
He made a number of recommendations including that DPCD strengthen its governance arrangements for the RCD project by establishing clear and agreed standards for progressively assessing performance of all critical activities in consultation with VicUrban and the project control group.
11 May, 2011
Awards scheme
goes to water
A new award scheme to recognise water efficiency has been launched by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).
Statewide Services Business Manager with DSE, Shane Mahony said the inaugural Water Efficiency Improvements Award was a great way to acknowledge regional Victorians for their efforts to use water efficiently and implement innovative water use techniques.
“As we plan for a future with more people and increasing climate change variability, we all need to identify solutions for how best to use and manage the water we have,” Mr Mahony said.
He said the Award acknowledged regional Victorian businesses and community groups, farmers and irrigators, as well as schools and households that were taking action to improve their water efficiency.
“Nominees can be anyone who demonstrates innovative ways to capture water, reduce water use, redirect or recycle water efficiently and effectively, or other water efficiency initiatives undertaken across regional Victoria,” he said.
He encourage people to reflect on those in their community who had demonstrated dedication in their efforts to improve water efficiency and to nominate them for the Water Efficiency Improvements Award.
Mr Mahony said the winner would be announced at an award presentation in October and receive a $2,000 bank account.
He said nominations close on Wednesday 13 July 2011.
To download a nomination form visit this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Commission to vet
VET funding
The Essential Services Commission has been asked to conduct a public review into the fees and funding involved in vocational education.
Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Peter Hall said the community would have a unique opportunity to have their say about vocational education fees and funding in the new review.
“At the 2010 election we committed to a review of all fee and funding structures across the training system to ensure there is continued support for those who need to broaden their skills to gain or maintain employment,” Mr Hall said.
He said the Government was committed to removing barriers to vocational education to help Victorians get jobs and gain the skills they needed to contribute to the State economy.
Minister for Finance, Robert Clark said the review would be conducted in a transparent and consultative manner.
“The Essential Services Commission will conduct a research and consultation process that will lead to the publication of a discussion paper,” Mr Clark said.
“This will be used as the basis for a following State-wide public consultation process.”
Mr Hall said vocational education and training fees could, in some cases, present significant barriers in getting the skills that individuals and businesses need.
“We want to give Victorians the opportunity to have their say, which is why interested parties can make written submissions to the review when it opens in coming weeks, and participate in public forums right across the state in August,” Mr Hall said.
He said earlier in the year the State Government announced the reinstatement of concession fee places for youth Health Care Card holders studying diploma and advanced diploma courses at Victorian TAFEs.
For further information visit this PS News link and this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
TV recycling
gets new look
Householders affected by the switch-off of analog television in regional Victoria will be able to offload their old TV sets for free under a joint State and Federal recycling program.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith said the State Government would implement a transitional recycling program because a planned national recycling scheme was yet to commence.
“The Victorian Government will invest $285,000 for a program that will allow people to drop off their old analog televisions for recycling,” Mr Smith said.
“We don’t want an influx of unwanted televisions in local landfill sites across regional Victoria.”
He said the analog signal had been turned off in parts of regional Victoria, but the national recycling scheme was not under way.
“I have written to the Federal Government urging it to match our funding dollar-for-dollar, particularly given today’s switch-off date is the responsibility of the Commonwealth,” Mr Smith said.
“My office has been liaising with the federal Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator Don Farrell and I urge the Federal Government to support our efforts to prevent old analog televisions from ending up in the dump and instead have them recycled.”
Mr Smith said the program would be administered by Sustainability Victoria.
He said collection points would be set up in Sale, Wodonga, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Bendigo, Ballarat, Hamilton, Horsham and Nhill.
Senator Don Farrell said a national scheme to recycle 80 per cent of all TVs and computer equipment by 2021 would commence from the end of this year.
He estimated 1.5 million televisions were discarded annually.
“These discarded TVs contain non-renewable resources, such as tin, nickel, zinc aluminium and copper, all of which can be recycled for other uses,” Senator Farrell said.
“Recycling also prevents hazardous substances being released into the environment.”
He said the scheme was successfully rolled out in regional South Australia after the December 2010 digital switchover, which saw nearly 20,000 old TVs diverted from landfill.
“In the interim, this important initiative is helping regional areas make the switch to digital TV and manage TV waste safely and responsibly,” Mr Farrell said.
Further information on the switchover is available from this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Safety in schools
passes audit test
An audit of school safety has reported that Victorian students are generally safe in their schools but the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development could be doing more to maintain the standard.
Conducted by the Auditor-General, Des Pearson, the audit Managing Student Safety found the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) was providing a safe and secure learning environment for about 530,000 students at 1,559 Government schools.
Mr Pearson said the continuing low occurrence of both safety incidents over the three-year period to 2009, and injuries to students over a six-year period to 2009 indicated that overall students were safe in schools.
“This is supported by students self reporting over this period that they feel safe,” Mr Pearson said.
He said there were positive trends in the number of injuries to students but on the downside, the total number of safety incidents and playground injuries was increasing.
He questioned whether DEECD was on top of dealing with this increase.
“It is also concerning that DEECD is not well placed to determine if there are school level or systemic issues that need to be addressed,” Mr Pearson said.
“This is because DEECD does not undertake appropriate quality checking of the safety data, and has not established benchmarks or standards against which to judge the significance of trends in safety incidents.”
Mr Pearson said principals needed more support applying DEECD’s safely policies.
“They are particularly concerned about their ability to deal effectively with traffic safety and the emerging cybersafety threat,” he said.
Mr Pearson’s recommendations included DEECD identifying the practical training needs of principals and staff in risk management standards; establishing incident and injury targets and benchmarks to assess school performance; and regularly monitor and analyse data to make best use of the information from schools.
The full audit report can be accessed at this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Education kit is
top of the class
Every Australian primary school is to receive a new education kit to teach children how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland said the Li’l Larrikins Teachers Resource Kit was developed around a national television campaign of safety stories featuring animated cartoon characters.
“It’s important that children are aware of the dangers of natural disasters,” Mr McClelland said.
“The Li’l Larikkins series helps students learn in a fun way that won’t unnecessarily frighten or upset them.”
He said more than 7,800 independent and public primary schools across Australia had already received the resource kit, which included a DVD-ROM containing lesson strategies and student activity sheets for teachers along with background information on the types of disasters likely to happen in different parts of Australia.
Mr McClelland said the safety messages and resource kit were both part of the Li’l Larikkins Natural Hazards Children’s Program which was funded by the Australian Government and developed in partnership with State Emergency Service agencies, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and the Ettamogah Group.
“This is a great program which will help children become more aware of their environment and encourages them to share their knowledge with their parents and families,” he said.
“The storms, floods, bushfires and cyclones that have been experienced in many parts of the country over the past summer remind us that it is extremely important families understand and are prepared for the potential danger posed by natural hazards.”
Further information on Li’l Larrikins Natural Hazards Children’s Program and other natural disaster education and awareness initiatives for children can be found at this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Teacher bonuses a
first class plan
A national system of pay bonuses for Australia’s teachers has been announced by the Federal Government.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the Commonwealth would provide $425 million over the next four years to ensure every classroom teacher in the country was eligible for a bonus payment.
Ms Gillard said this would mean around one in 10 teachers would receive a bonus - about $8,100 for those with most experience and around $5,400 for a teacher in the first few years of their career.
She said the first bonuses would be based on performance in the 2013 school year and paid in early 2014.
Ms Gillard said teachers were vital to ensuring children got a good start and while few had joined the profession for the money, most people would agree that the best teachers should be rewarded.
“We know that independent research conducted as recently as this year shows that a system of meaningful appraisal and feedback for teachers can increase their effectiveness by 20 to 30 per cent,” Ms Gillard said.
She said the method of assessing a teacher’s performance, the Australian Teacher Performance Management Principles and Procedures, would be fair and equitable.
She said the Principles and Procedures would include a range of evidence such as lesson observations, student performance data, parental feedback, and teacher qualifications and professional development undertaken.
She said the existing Teacher Quality National Partnership and other reforms had been making a difference in Victoria where models of school-based and teacher-based rewards in Government and independent schools were already being trialled.
Further information is available from this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Work watchdog does
job on employers
A random audit of employers in North-East Victoria by the Fair Work Ombudsman has found less than half were complying with workplace laws.
Executive Director of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office, Michael Campbell said the audits were prompted by an increase of almost 70 per cent in the number of wage complaints received from employees in Wangaratta, Corryong and Tallangatta which jumped from 16 in 2008 to 27 in 2009.
Mr Campbell said a further 21 complaints were received by the Fair Work Ombudsman from workers in the three centres between November 2009 and November 2010.
He said Fair Work inspectors made educational visits to 48 businesses late last year to assist employers understand national workplace laws, including the National Employment Standards and Modern Awards.
He said 29 were randomly selected to have their time and wage records audited and inspectors found 12 businesses (41 per cent) were compliant, while 17 (59 per cent) recorded contraventions.
Mr Campbell said although most of the breaches related to record-keeping errors, six involved underpayments.
“Five employers were found to have underpaid their employees the minimum hourly rate and penalty rates while another employer was incorrectly calculating employee leave entitlements,” Mr Campbell said.
“As a result of the campaign, Fair Work inspectors recovered more than $12,200 in underpaid wages for 10 employees.”
Mr Campbell said all the businesses had now put processes in place to ensure the mistakes were not repeated.
He said a follow-up campaign might be of benefit to the local business community and would be considered.
11 May, 2011
Safety awards
in safe hands
The Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner is calling for nominations for this year’s Australian Safer Communities Awards.
Acting Emergency Services Commissioner, Joe Buffone said the awards were a great opportunity to highlight the continuing commitment of Victorians towards building safer communities.
“Our Office is once again proud to be facilitating the Victorian component of the awards which are a fantastic way to recognise the variety of innovative work happening across the sector,” Mr Buffone said.
He said the awards covered all aspects of community safety and resilience with an emergency management focus including risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
He said the seven categories were based broadly on the type of organisation applying and included State and Territory, Local Government, Volunteer and Community Groups, Private Sector, Education and training, Federal, and projects developed and/or managed by youth (under 18).
He said while there was no specific award for individuals, they could submit entries in any appropriate category listed.
“In 2010 we had a record number of applicants and I believe that this year is going to be even bigger,” he said.
Mr Buffone said the awards were hosted by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner and sponsored by the Australian Government’s Attorney-General’s Department in conjunction with States and Territories.
He said entries for the 2011 Australian Safer Communities Awards closed Friday 1 July 2011 and more information, including eligibility criteria and how to enter, was available from this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Commission eases
into easement law
The Victorian Law Reform Commission has made a number of recommendations to change the law relating to property easements and covenants.
The Commissioner who led the review, Associate Professor Pamela O’Connor, said the recommendations would simplify and clarify the law, reduce costs, improve access to justice as well as make it easier for landowners to know their rights and obligations.
Professor O’Connor said easements and covenants were property rights a person enjoyed in relation to someone else’s land with easements allowing limited uses such as right of way or access to water and power. She said they affect most land and involved covenants that restricted its use or development.
“The law of easements and covenants developed before the growth of planning controls and new technologies such as solar energy, and were often complex,” Professor O’Connor said.
“They now exist alongside a variety of powers and restrictions created under the umbrella of planning legislation and are enforced by various public entities.”
Professor O’Connor said the interaction of these separate bodies of law was not always clear.
She said the report included 48 recommendations for reforming this complex area of the law.
She said the recommendations aimed to disentangle property and planning laws while modernising the relationship between them.
She said easements and restrictive covenants required for private purposes would be regulated under property law, while easements and restrictions required for public planning purposes would be regulated under planning law.
Professor O’Connor said recommendations also included limiting the types of easements that could exist without being recorded on titles and standardised wording for common types of easements.
She said this was the Commission’s second component of its review of property laws with the first being a review of the Property Law Act 1958, which recommended a complete overhaul of the Act.
The full text of the Commission’s report can be accessed at this PS News link.
11 May, 2011
Council wraps up
Christmas presence
The City of Melbourne is planning to transform the city centre into the ‘Capital of Christmas’ with a $1 million Christmas decorations program.
Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle said following a traditional Christmas carols theme, visitors to the city would be given a Christmas map to explore the decorations trail taking in some of Melbourne’s main thoroughfares and laneways.
Mr Doyle said the proposed revamp would provide families with a full day’s activities to celebrate Christmas in the city – and would extend into the night.
“This Council believes Christmas should be properly celebrated, and we want Melbourne to be recognised as the nation’s Christmas capital,” he said.
Mr Doyle said under the draft 2011/12 budget, $2.6 million had been proposed to be spent on new decorations and operational costs including storage, installation and removal costs, and security.
“Families will be able to come into the city and make a full day of it – from Myer’s Christmas windows, down our ceremonial spine of Swanston St, past Town Hall decked out like a Christmas present, through the laneways celebrating the twelve days of Christmas, to City Square for free photos with Santa Claus,” he said.
Chair of the Future Melbourne (Economic Development and Knowledge City) Committee, Ken Ong said the Council wanted decorations encompassing the traditions of Christmas but were reflective of Melbourne’s style, sophistication and uniqueness as a retail destination.
“Melbourne is a world-class city,” Mr Ong said.
“New York, London and Paris are renowned for their decorations – we want to make Melbourne the undisputed Christmas capital of Australia.”
Mr Ong said the proposed new decorations for 2011 included Santa’s House and an interactive nativity scene at City Square, the ‘gift wrapping’ of Melbourne Town Hall, Christmas scene projections on State Library Victoria and St Paul’s Cathedral, and new decorations suspended along the tram lines on Swanston Street.
He said other decorations would include Christmas banners at Southern Cross Station, Southbank pedestrian bridge wrapped with mistletoe decorations, laneway decorations, and a specially decorated Christmas tram.
Mr Ong said a new Christmas tree would also be unveiled in City Square this year.
He said the Christmas decorations would be on display from 1 December and be officially switched on at the inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Square on Friday 2 December.
11 May, 2011
Firefighters protected
The rights of Victoria’s volunteer firefighters have been enshrined in legislation.
The Country Fire Authority (Volunteer Charter) Bill will recognise that the CFA is first and foremost a volunteer-based organisation, where volunteers are supported by paid staff in a fully integrated manner.
The legislation makes it a requirement that the CFA must recognise, value, respect and promote the contribution of volunteers to the wellbeing and safety of the community.
The CFA is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the world with 59,000 volunteers.
Waiting list shrinks
The Statewide public housing waiting list has fallen for the second successive quarter.
Applications for public housing fell by 1,582 applications or 4.1 per cent for the March 2011 quarter, a reduction of 3,782 over the past six months.
At the end of March, there were 37,430 applicants on the public housing waiting list.
The Loddon Mallee saw the largest rise with waiting lists increasing by 173 applicants or 11.1 per cent.
Help for farm debt
Victorian farmers will have greater access to debt mediation services after the State Government allocated $3.5 million over four years for a new Farm Debt Mediation Scheme.
The Scheme will encourage financial institutions to undertake a mediation process with farmers before initiating debt recovery proceedings.
The scheme will be organised through the Office of the Small Business Commissioner and conducted by approved mediators who will seek to develop a mutually agreed resolution between parties without recourse to other legal measures.
Honeyeaters released
Eleven captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters have been ere released into Bunyip State Park, which researchers hope will be a significant boost for Victoria’s bird emblem.
The young birds, seven of them bred at Healesville Sanctuary and four at Taronga Zoo during the 2010/2011 breeding season, will be supported in the wild by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and volunteer groups such as Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Friends of Bunyip State Park.
The Helmeted Honeyeaters will be radio-tracked for three months following their release.
Work program for Morwell
The Local Connections to Work program has set up a program in Morwell.
The service which will help the long term unemployed, vulnerable youth and other people, and involves multiple service partners providing a broad range of services and tailored assistance under one roof.
The program hosts approximately 20 co-located partners offering services together on a rostered basis, operating out of the Morwell Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
The service is available Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.
Seaford centre opened
A new $2 million multipurpose centre has been opened at Seaford Park Primary School.
The centre was built as part of the Building the Education Revolution – a key element of the $42 billion National Building Economic Stimulus Plan.
The facility has extra significance as the rest of the school consists entirely of portables.
4 May, 2011
Anti-corruption body
to keep PS honest
The Public Service and Ministry are to come under stricter scrutiny with the announcement in the Budget papers of the establishment of a new anti-corruption body.
In his Budget Overview, Treasurer Kim Wells announced that a new Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) would be set up to investigate, expose and prevent corruption across the public sector.
“It will also educate the public sector and the community about corruption and its harmful effects on public administration and the community,” the Treasurer said.
Mr Wells said IBAC was a key part of the Government’s commitment to restore honest, transparent and accountable government in Victoria.
He said the Commission would have a strong prevention and education function, and take over the functions of the Office of Police Integrity.
He said IBAC would have jurisdiction over all members of the Government; including the Judiciary, local Government, Members of Parliament and their staff, Police and the Public Service.
“Any citizen will be able to make a complaint to the IBAC about corruption, Mr Wells said.
“Its function will be to investigate allegations or complaints of corrupt conduct, including matters referred to it by either House of Parliament.”
He said the Government would also provide $7.9 million to establish an independent Office of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner.
Mr Wells said the Office of the FOI Commissioner would oversee FOI governance, and work to increase Government accountability and transparency.
“Providing public access to government information is an important mechanism to enhance Government accountability in a representative democracy,” he said.
“The Commissioner will also be able to streamline FOI processes to facilitate greater community access and contribution to democratic processes.”
Mr Wells said funding would also be provided to establish an independent Government advertising review panel to improve public accountability, along with greater oversight and scrutiny of Government advertising campaigns.
4 May, 2011
Efficiency drive
to drive savings
While increased spending was the hallmark of this week’s State Budget announcements, a raft of efficiency measures was also identified to deliver savings and ease pressure on the public purse.
In his Efficiency Savings Background Brief, Treasurer Kim Wells says up to $2.2 billion would be saved through administrative and other Departmental efficiencies across government.
The Treasurer said the efficiencies focused on cutting waste and duplication, and targeting Departmental administrative costs.
He said savings would be achieved through reductions across a number of areas including Ministerial staff; media and marketing positions; consultants; Government advertising; political opinion polling and external legal advice.
He said Public Service travel would be reduced, office floor space rationed; the purchase of supplies and consumables tightened up; and shared services promoted.
Mr Wells said in the 2010 election, the then Opposition committed to achieving savings of $1.6 billion over the five years from 2010-11 to 2014-15 and the Government had implemented these savings from 1 January 2011 to amount to $638 million over four years.
“The Government undertook an evaluation across Departments to ascertain where there was scope for additional efficiencies to be achieved,” he said.
“Following this assessment, savings have been made in each portfolio with key priorities specified for their achievement.”
In his Brief, Mr Wells outlines key priorities for individual savings in Departments which include reducing programs, realising operational efficiencies, cutting costs and shelving programs.
Among those to be affected will be Business and Innovation’s Business Development program; Education and Early Childhood Development’s Innovation Showcase; and Planning and Community Development’s Respect program.
Health is to reduce its planning and support functions; Human Services to minimise duplication in its strategy, policy and management functions; Justice is to increase the competitive tendering of contracts; and Sustainability and Environment is to restructure its Corporate and Business Services Division.
Transport is to reduce funding to advocacy groups including Environment Victoria; Treasury and Finance is to implement operational efficiencies within the State Revenue Office; and Premier and Cabinet is to increase efficiency in its policy advice and corporate support functions.
The full text of the Treasurer’s Efficiency Savings Background Brief can be found with the Budget Papers at this PS News link.
4 May, 2011
Emergency services
rescued by Budget
Emergency Services have emerged from Tuesday’s Budget as a strong winner with the Treasurer announcing more staff, more equipment and more capital works across the sector.
The Budget revealed funding of more than $38 million for Emergency Services over the next four years, including $13 million for additional staff in key Incident Management Teams which provide warnings and information to communities.
Minister for Emergency Services, Peter Ryan said the Budget also included a boost in funding for Victorian Police, which would see additional staff State-wide as well as new and upgraded police stations in Ashburton, Forest Hill, Mooroopna, Heywood, Paynesville, Mooroolbark and North Ballarat/Sebastopol.
Mr Ryan said the Budget provided funding for an additional 1,700 frontline Victoria Police by November 2014.
He said $212 million would be also provided to recruit 940 Protective Services Officers (PSOs), for a program that would see two PSOs placed at all metropolitan and major regional train stations from 6pm each night to improve safety for commuters.
“From July 1, PSOs will also be recruited to the Victoria Police Academy where they will receive exactly the same firearms training and defensive skills training as police recruits,” he said.
“This additional funding will make a huge difference to community protection across Victoria and will also ensure Victoria Police has the resources required.”
Commitments to improving health services have also been met with an investment in Ambulance Victoria of $151 million to employ an additional 340 ambulance staff over the next five years and additional funding to halve membership fees.
Minister for Health, David Davis said the new staff would include 310 paramedics and 30 patient transport officers with more than 200 staff to be deployed in rural areas.
Mr Davis said recruits would be working in Barwon South West Region (50 new staff); Grampians Region (49); Loddon Mallee Region (49); Hume Region (46) and Gippsland (46).
He said the Budget also included funding for upgrades of the Belgrave, Emerald, Yarra Junction, Maryborough and Castlemaine ambulance branches; new 24-hour ambulance stations at Beaufort, Grantville and Wallan; and the establishment of Mobile Intensive Care single responder units in Warrnambool, Horsham, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Sale, Bairnsdale, Wonthaggi and Swan Hill.
4 May, 2011
Budget adds up for
growth ahead
Fears of job cuts for the Public Service have proven unfounded in the State Government’s first Budget with expansion and growth announced for a number of core PS activities.
Technology-focused initiatives were among a number of areas to benefit after the announcement of $7.9 million to drive innovation through technology.
Budget papers revealed a package that would establish a number of initiatives including an Office of the Lead Scientist; a Victorian Biotechnology Advisory Council; and an Industry Sustainability Working Committee.
Minister for Innovation, Louise Asher said the Office of the Lead Scientist would articulate a clear vision and strategic goals for science, technology and innovation.
“The Office will provide advice on major science, technology and research infrastructure, help build links between institutions and industries across the innovation value chain and support the commercialisation of Victorian research,” Ms Asher said.
She said the Industry Sustainability Working Committee would liaise with industry, research and educational organisations and provide strategic advice to the Government on industry sustainability issues.
Minister for Technology, Gordon Rich-Phillips said the Victorian Biotechnology Advisory Council would report directly to him and provide a link between industry and government.
“The Council will support the Coalition Government’s commitment to working with Victorian businesses in the development and direction of innovation and science policy, technology and research,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
Schools are also to benefit after Minister for Education, Martin Dixon announced the allocation of $208 million for school capital projects.
Mr Dixon said the increased funding was in addition to the Government’s $100 million increase in investment in school maintenance.
He said the Budget provided the means for seven major regeneration projects, including regional school redevelopments in Seymour and Colac; 17 priority modernisation and refurbishment projects; and the building of new schools in growth areas including Torquay Secondary College, Officer Special School, Point Cook South East P-9, and Tarneit Central P-9.
The Minister Responsible for the Teaching Profession, Peter Hall said an additional $2 million had been allocated to train teachers in the skills needed to manage problems of discipline and bullying in schools and assist them in dealing with difficult classroom behaviour.
Mr Hall said the initiative was in addition to the Budget’s $124.4 million funding boost to provide an additional 150 welfare officers in primary schools.
Other funding included an expansion of Victoria’s health service capacity; additional resources for the penal system; a boost for the State Library of Victoria; and $50,000 to update the Shrine of Remembrance’s website.
4 May, 2011
Planning funding
according to plan
Improvements in planning along the coast and in metropolitan areas have been announced as part of the 2011-12 state Budget.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy revealed $9.7 million would be spent over the next four years to plan for Melbourne’s growth and cater for the needs of growing regional and coastal communities.
Mr Guy said the Government was delivering on its commitment to develop a Metropolitan Planning Strategy to identify and accommodate population growth and demographic change, transport and infrastructure needs, employment locations, social and community needs and the tools required to manage growth.
“We have committed to a two-year consultation program and the Department of Planning and Community Development will talk to stakeholders and the community to understand and analyse metropolitan and community planning issues and look at possible locations for future growth,” he said.
“The Metropolitan Planning Strategy will seek to give communities and business the confidence that growth and changes are being managed, and provide councils with the ability to plan and manage local needs and the flexibility to manage growth.”
Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder said the Budget would also benefit Victoria’s public transport network, providing the means for better maintenance, improved reliability and planning for network expansion.
Mr Mulder said the Government would establish of a Public Transport Development Authority and funding for five major rail extensions to build on foundations for future expansion and improvement of Victoria’s public transport network.
“The Authority will be a single public transport authority to administer our trains, trams and buses, replacing the current confusing structure of multiple agencies and authorities,” he said.
“The first job of the Authority will be to audit all Victorian public transport assets and report publicly on the value and condition of those assets and the cost of renewing them and bringing them up to 21st century standards.”
Mr Mulder said the Budget had also allocated $1.2 million to establish a Taxi Services Commission following the completion of an inquiry led by Professor Allan Fels AO into service, safety and competition issues in the Victorian taxi industry.
4 May, 2011
Finance report paints
pretty poor picture
An interim report from an Independent Review of State Finances has been released by the Treasurer, Kim Wells.
Conducted by Dr Michael Vertigan, Don Challen and Professor Ian Harper, the review began in January and reinforces the analysis of the Victorian Economic and Financial Statement released earlier this month.
“These reports confirm that Victoria’s finances went into a structural deficit,” Mr Wells said.
He said the report confirmed that Victorian Government spending during the past decade outpaced revenue and if it had continued, the State would have been forced to borrow just to pay ongoing expenses by 2015-16.
The Treasurer said the report highlighted a failure of the Government to adequately invest in vital infrastructure.
Mr Wells said key features of the report included findings that Victoria’s current financial position was unsustainable in the medium term and that trend growth in expenses had outpaced trend revenue over the past decade. He said this had been obscured by the accounting treatment of some Commonwealth-sourced revenue received for specific infrastructure programs.
He said other findings were that if the finances remained on their current trajectory, the level of net infrastructure investment would be insufficient to deliver high quality public services to Victoria into the medium and longer term; and that the level of debt had risen markedly over the past three years.
“The Independent Review of State Finances is the first root and branch analysis of Victoria’s finances for more than a decade and this interim report outlines some major challenges that must be addressed,” Mr Wells said.
He said the review panel had relied on data contained in the 2010-11 Budget Update and the 2010-11 Mid-Year Financial Report to prepare its interim report.
Mr Wells said the challenge of returning Victoria’s finances to a sustainable level, reducing debt and making necessary investments in infrastructure had been made significantly harder by the Commonwealth Government’s cut of $2.5 billion from Victoria’s GST revenue, a further expected fall in GST revenue ($1.6 billion), and the deferral of $550 million in infrastructure payments.
“Victoria faces an expected $4.65 billion revenue shortfall over the forward estimates compared to what was forecast,” Mr Wells said.
“Underfunded infrastructure projects represent a cost pressure in excess of $2 billion on Victoria’s finances.”
He said the Government would consider the findings and recommendations of the interim report of the Independent Review of State Finances over the coming months.
“The Review’s final report in February 2012 will address the remainder of the review terms of reference, including how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and government spending, and options for improving the governance of the Victorian public sector,” Mr Wells said.
The interim report can be viewed and downloaded at this PS News link.
4 May, 2011
Productivity inquiry
to probe reforms
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission is to conduct a broad-ranging inquiry into priority reform areas that could improve the State’s productivity, labour force participation, and overall competitiveness.
Treasurer, Kim Wells announced the inquiry saying it would look into regulatory reform, State taxes, infrastructure and Victoria’s education and skills base.
He said the Government was committed to lifting Victoria’s productivity, growing the State economy, and encouraging new business investment and job creation.
“This inquiry will identify regulatory reform priorities to boost Victoria’s competitiveness and grow our economy in areas including state taxes and regulation, infrastructure services, and Victoria’s education and skills base,” Mr Wells said.
He said regulation in Victoria had become increasingly complex and costly.
He committed the Government to cutting red tape by 25 per cent over three years through a reform program that set target reductions in regulatory costs to be achieved by July 2014; and required all reductions to be measured under the Victorian Regulatory Change Measurement manual and independently verified by the VCEC.
“More rigorous and transparent processes will deliver regulation that is risk-based, imposes minimal burdens and protects the interests of the broader community,” Mr Wells said.
“While this will be a broad-ranging review, I have asked the VCEC to target areas which will yield the greatest potential benefits in light of our state’s strengths and weaknesses, and in the context of projected national and global economic trends.”
Mr Wells said the Victorian Government was committed to undertaking economic reforms that would ensure Victoria reached its full economic potential, creating better jobs, and building a better quality of life for all Victorians.
He said a draft report for the State-Based Reform Agenda inquiry was expected to be available for public consultation later in the year.
4 May, 2011
Privacy goes public
for Privacy Week
The staff of Departments and Agencies regulated by the Victorian Information Privacy Act 2000 are being urged to find out why privacy is not a secret.
The annual Privacy Awareness Week this week (1-7 May) has a focus of reminding the public sector and broader community of the importance of protecting personal information.
Privacy Commissioner, Helen Versey said the theme for the Victorian public sector – Privacy, it’s not a secret. Find out why – was designed to promote a major objective of the Information Privacy Act - transparency and openness.
“By complying with the Information Privacy Act, public sector organisations protect the personal information in their care and are transparent in the way they deal with members of the community,” Ms Versey said.
“By informing people of why they are asking them to provide evidence of their identity, and (telling them) when the organisation needs to give their personal information to another organisation, members of the public can gain confidence in the organisation’s handling of their personal information.”
She said people were very comfortable with giving their personal information to a Government organisation or Local Council for a specific purpose, but they could get very upset if they discovered the organisation has disclosed it to another organisation without their knowledge.
“While this disclosure may have been perfectly lawful, the fact that the person was not told about it may be a breach of the Information Privacy Act,” Ms Versey said.
She said when handling personal and health information public sector staff had a responsibility to collect, use and disclose it only where necessary to perform operational duties or for other functions permitted by privacy and other laws.
She said reasonable steps needed to be taken to ensure such information was kept accurate and secure at all times.
“I encourage all public sector staff to use Privacy Awareness Week as an opportunity to be reminded of their important privacy protection responsibilities,” Ms Versey said.
She said colourful promotional materials had been distributed to PS organisations and a range of diverse events was being held during the Week to promote the privacy message.
For further information and a full list of events visit this PS News link.
4 May, 2011
Privacy warnings
get personal
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has focussed on Privacy Awareness Week to warn consumers of the importance of keeping their personal details secure to avoid falling victim to identity fraud.
Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, Geoff Browne said whenever a person leaves personal information in a spot that’s readily accessible, whether it is in the mail, wallets, phones or on a social networking site, they may be vulnerable to becoming a victim of fraud.
“Scammers will get information about you by doing anything from simply browsing internet sites through to trawling through the garbage to collect your personal details,” Mr Browne said.
“It doesn’t take much information before someone can scam you.”
He urged consumers to take active steps to protect their personal information, especially online.
“You might think you’re sharing what seems to be harmless information, but this could be added to a mix of information about you which could be used for a malicious purpose.
“When you put information on the internet it’s immediately available and once it’s out there it’s virtually impossible to get it back.”
Mr Browne said one trick that scammers can use is to trick victims into installing fake applications that are really just elaborate ways to obtain a victim's personal details.
“If you’re on a social networking site, consider your privacy settings and who can see what information and photos there are of you,” Mr Browne said.
He said consumers may respond to what looks like an innocent-looking invitation to participate in an online quiz from a friend, and it actually turns out to be a sophisticated attempt to get your personal information that will later be used to scam them.
Mr Browne said during 2010, Consumer Affairs Victoria received over 5,500 reports of scams and it was estimated that 1,400 of those involved some type of online component.
“As many scams go unreported, it’s likely that these figures actually only represent the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Browne said.
Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim said privacy commissioners and regulators from across the Asia Pacific region had released an animation and e-survey to find out more about privacy and social networking.
“Social networking is entrenched in our daily lives but many people seem to be unaware of the risks,” Mr Pilgrim said.
“Default settings usually allow public access to information that is posted, so people continually risk their privacy, often without realising it.”
Mr Pilgrim said the e-survey would be open throughout May, and the results released later in the year.
Privacy Awareness Week is running this week to 7 May and further information, including access to the e-survey was available from this PS News link.
4 May, 2011
Flying fruit flies
turn into circus
Officers of the Department of Primary Industries and its contractors have made more than 38,000 visits to properties in the Sunraysia since fruit fly outbreaks were reported in January.
Senior fruit fly officer Gary D’Arcy said some properties were attended on multiple occasions.
“These visits include fruit stripping, tree and orchard hygiene, larval searches and surveillance activities as part of DPI’s eradication program,” Mr D’Arcy said.
“Some 27,000 kilograms of fruit has been stripped from trees as part of the program to prevent fruit fly infestation.”
Mr D’Arcy urged residents to maintain their fruit trees and dispose of fruit properly to help prevent the spread of fruit fly.
“We also have an extensive treatment, fruit stripping, baiting and surveillance program underway in the Goulburn Valley, with work also being carried out in East Gippsland, North Central and North East Victoria,” Mr D’Arcy said.
He said suspension areas were declared after the detection of fruit fly in a local area and were essential to help stop its spread.
He said the suspension areas covered much of the Sunraysia district and significant parts of the Goulburn Valley, East Gippsland, North East and North Central Victoria.
There had been three new suspension zones declared in Victoria recently – at Invergordon (near Numurkah), Mansfield and Tol Tol (near Robinvale).
“With outbreaks across our most important fruit growing regions we need to continue to be vigilant in stopping the spread and eradicating fruit fly,” Mr D’Arcy said.
He said it was extremely important that people did not carry fruit when travelling into or throughout Victoria and reminded residents to keep fruit trees well maintained, properly dispose of unwanted fruit, report suspected infestations to DPI and not remove home-grown fresh fruit from their properties.
4 May, 2011
School repair fund
is first class idea
School maintenance is to receive a boost with an additional $100 million to be spent over the next four years.
Premier Ted Baillieu said Government schools would receive an additional $25 million per year for the next four years under a new Maintenance Fund for Victorian Schools.
Mr Baillieu said the new funding would go towards much-needed maintenance including repairing floors, grounds and buildings and painting and finishing works, bringing annual government funding on maintenance to almost $90 million in 2011-12.
“This funding will ensure our schools deliver high-quality education in a modern learning environment and will also mean that schools are able to direct funding towards better outcomes for students,” Mr Baillieu said.
He said the Fund would also partly cover the cost of running and maintaining buildings built by the Commonwealth under the Building the Education Revolution and Trade Training Centres programs.
He said while millions of dollars had been provided for new buildings under the programs, Victorian school budgets had been severely stretched.
Mr Baillieu said the Government would conduct a full audit of all maintenance needs in Victorian schools this year to ensure Fund monies were spent where they were most needed.
He said the last audit of maintenance needs in Victorian schools was conducted in 2005 and revealed a need for an urgent boost in annual maintenance funding, yet since 2006-07 maintenance funding only increased by little more than $10 million.
4 May, 2011
Safety award in
safe hands
A Health and Safety Representative at the Loy Yang power station, Glen Barber, has won a major award at the 6th annual Safe Work Australia Awards presented in Canberra.
Safe Work Australia Chair Tom Phillips said the genuine commitment to safety in the workplace by the 38 finalists was acknowledged by their nomination in the awards.
“The Safe Work Australia Awards recognise the important work that organisations and individuals are doing to make work health and safety a top priority and ensure everyone returns home safely from work each day,” Mr Phillips said.
“More than 135,000 Australians are seriously injured at work each year and more than 260 die as a result of work-related injuries.”
“This can be prevented through the adoption of safer work practices.”
Mr Phillips said the Awards were a timely reminder of the importance of safe work practices.
He said finalists in each of the four awards categories were winners in the state, territory, Seacare or Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) awards.
He said the Awards judging panel, a joint effort from State, Territory, union and employer representatives, and Safe Work Australia, considered each finalist’s award submission before deciding on the final winners.
He said category winners included Mr Barber, who was awarded the Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety, and CSIRO Livestock Industries who won Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue.
“I encourage businesses and individuals to follow in the footsteps of these winners and enter the awards at their jurisdictional level so they too can receive national recognition for their efforts”, Mr Phillips said.
He said the Awards provided an opportunity to focus the attention of Australians on one of the most important aspects of work life – ensuring the safety of yourself and your colleagues.
He said National Safe Work Australia Week would be held from 23 to 29 October 2011.
For further information visit this PS News link.
4 May, 2011
Funds flow for
flood buyback
A plan to buy properties on the Lower Loddon floodplain to protect irrigators from future flooding has been unveiled by the Minister for Water, Peter Walsh.
Mr Walsh said the $12 million package also included funding for strategic levee repairs and case management for irrigators.
“We need to develop a long-term plan that will protect communities such as Benjeroop and Kerang by ensuring flood waters have somewhere to go in future events,” Mr Walsh said.
“We now know that many of the properties which flooded in January have been built on an active floodplain, which has severely diminished property values.”
He said the buyback program, which would be managed by the Rural Finance Corporation, would reinstate the floodplain and develop a management regime to protect the community in the future.
Mr Walsh said landholders in the Lower Loddon region would be offered a voluntary acquisition package or compensation as a percentage of the property value to establish covenants on land on active floodplains.
“Land purchased by the state will either become part of the public land estate or resold under a flood overlay,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the Victorian Government had made a further $5 million available to provide individual case management for irrigators in regions severely affected by the floods.
“People need independent advice to give them choice and confidence in recovery decisions as they try to make sense of the flood situation.”
He said the recovery funding would provide 700 irrigators within the Torrumbarry, Pyramid-Boort and Rochester irrigation districts with access to a range of flood recovery services; $2,000 grants for irrigators to seek independent advice; workshops specifically targeting service providers to improve their knowledge around flood implications and recovery priorities; and soil salinity surveying to help landholders make sound decisions on where they will get the best return from investing in flood recovery activities.
Mr Walsh said a further $3.5 million had been set aside for strategic repairs to levees and ground water bores in the Lower Loddon area.
“This funding will be used to address short-term repairs needed in the region in case further flooding occurs in the next few months,” the Minister said.
4 May, 2011
Social website put
to business use
A new website that can be used like social media has been launched by the Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) to support Government-led trade missions to India.
The website www.trade.vic.gov.au is the first of its kind for the Victorian Government and aims to augment international trade missions with a fit-for-purpose social technology tool.
DBI said the new platform was designed to support Government-led trade missions which were part of the Trade Engagement Program – India (TEPI) and was put through its paces during a recent trade mission to India.
It said in the first weeks of operation, 35 per cent of Victorian companies taking part in the April mission engaged with the site, uploading their business and personal details and contributing to forums and updates on it.
DBI said the social media platform would be used to expand business networking relationships online, starting with Victorian TEPI mission participants, broadening to Indian businesses, and then facilitating matching-orientated interactions between Indian and Victorian firms.
The Department said the online platform had been designed to benefit business people engaged in TEPI as well as providing timely and accurate interactive communication.
It said benefits of the social media platform would be continually refined throughout the two-year Trade Engagement Program for India.
4 May, 2011
More warnings in
flood wash-up
A range of measures to improve flood warnings and the community’s ability to cope have been announced by the Minister for Water, Peter Walsh.
Mr Walsh said the funding would be used to repair flood warning networks damaged in the January floods, undertake more riverine flood mapping and develop a system to improve flood information and warnings.
He said the Government would spend $19.3 million over the next four years to boost the State’s capacity to cope with floods.
“The web-based $12.1 million Floodzoom tool will improve the effectiveness of community warnings and response and recovery,” Mr Walsh said.
“It will give emergency services a more accurate prediction of flood behaviour and help individual landholders assess their own flood risk.”
Mr Walsh said Floodzoom would use weather forecast models, satellite observations, river gauges and hydrological modelling to improve warnings and emergency response.
“Emergency services organisations will be able to use the information to plan flood response activities before a flood arrives and provide the community with information so they can act to reduce their risk,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the money would also fund new flood plans for rural and urban areas.
“We have acted quickly to address the risk in areas such as Charlton, Clunes and Creswick by funding flood studies in those communities.”
He said the Victorian Government would work with catchment management councils and local government to identify up to 25 high-risk communities that required flood risk assessments.
“Funding will also go towards repairing and replacing damaged stream gauges, collecting and assessing information from the January 2011 floods and addressing gaps in the flood warning system,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the current flood warning system was critical during the recent floods in providing warnings to communities, but there was significant damage to almost one-sixth of the surface water sites.
He said work would be undertaken to repair the sites, remove debris and restore access.
4 May, 2011
Teacher awards to
recognise excellence
A short list of school and kindergarten teachers, principals, business managers and support staff has been produced in the lead-up to the Victorian Education Excellence Awards to be presented on 13 May.
Minister for the Teaching Profession Peter Hall congratulated the 36 individual and school finalists for 12 awards, selected from hundreds of nominations across the state.
“The Victorian Education Excellence Awards recognise the innovative, passionate individuals and teams who go the extra mile to make our schools and kindergartens exceptional places to learn,” Mr Hall said.
“These awards are a fantastic way to acknowledge the lasting contribution these inspiring people make to Victoria’s young people – by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to lead successful, fulfilling lives.”
Mr Hall said professional development grants totalling $240,000 including the $50,000 Lindsay Thompson Fellowship Award would be presented to award winners.
“Ongoing professional development is vital to a successful education system and these grants provide exciting opportunities for our school and early childhood workforce,” Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said finalists in the Outstanding School Leadership Award were Tony Bryant, from Silverton Primary School, John Burt, from Ballarat Specialist School, and Ken Massari, from North Shore Primary School.
He said long-serving school teachers and staff who had dedicated 40, 45 and 50 years of service would also be honoured at the Victorian Education Service Awards.
Mr Hall said retiring school councillors, community members and outstanding parents would be recognised too.
For further information and the full list of finalists visit this PS News link.
4 May, 2011
Bushfire plans funded
The Government is to spend $5 million on the first stage of Retreat and Resettlement policy of non-compulsory land acquisitions in a commitment to accept all the Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations.
Minister for Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan said the scheme would give eligible bushfire survivors who are unable or unwilling to rebuild the chance to move on and buy elsewhere.
“Comprehensive consultation with the community has always been central to the development of this plan, and we will seek advice from residents in high-risk areas before we start this program,” Mr Ryan said.
He said the Government had also provided $50 million to fund safer electricity assets in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission.
IPAA goes international
The Institute of Public Administration Australia, Victoria is to host an international congress on public administration in September 2012.
The Congress will bring together administrators from countries with which Australia has strong aid, trade and political links.
More information about the 2012 Congress will soon be made available via the IPAA website.
Matchmakers’ red tape cut
Introduction Agents are no longer required to be registered with the Victorian Government to engage in introduction services for fee or reward.
This does not mean that anyone will be entitled to operate an introduction agency.
Certain persons will be prohibited from operating an introduction agency.
Office claims rejected
The Treasurer has rejected claims he requested the Department of Treasury and Finance to renovate his Ministerial office.
Treasurer Kim Wells said the Department had commissioned some minor work at the time of the change of government but he did not take possession of the office until 6 December, after the work was performed.
More water for Werribee
An environmental entitlement to increase water flows in the Werribee River will help maintain water quality and protect aquatic plants and animals.
About three billion litres of water will be returned to the Werribee River in coming months.
The entitlement will improve the environmental values and health of the River and its tributaries by legally entitling the river to 10 per cent of the inflows into Lake Merrimu.
Sporting clubs have win
Victorian country football and netball clubs will share $1 million worth of funding to help redevelop and improve their club and association facilities.
Funding is available to country football and netball clubs and associations through all rural, regional and outer metropolitan councils.
The funding will assist a variety of projects including $60,000 towards installing a new netball court and floodlights at the Drysdale Recreation Reserve, and $100,000 to upgrade football ground lighting at the Western Park Recreation Reserve in Warragul.
Planners forum open
The Department of Planning and Community Development has called for registrations for the third annual planners forum.
The forum for planning and community development professionals will explore ways of preparing for and responding to future planning challenges in rural and regional Victoria.
The forum will be held in Warrnambool on 7-8 June 2011.
Fire review under way
The Emergency Services Commissioner is to undertake a review of the Tostaree fire in East Gipplsand.
Communities impacted by the fire in February 2011 have been invited to participate in the review by providing their views and feedback.
The review will be undertaken on a no blame principle with a view that the findings will be determined and fully reported without bias.
Submissions close on Friday 27 May 2011.
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