Start of Containers for Change deferred due to COVID-19

The McGowan Government has deferred the launch of Western Australia’s container deposit scheme Containers for Change.

Originally planned for launch on June 2, 2020, the decision to delay the scheme is due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 and its expected disruption to refund points.

The scheme’s postponement is in accordance with advice from the scheme coordinator, WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL).

The State Government has also responded to calls from community, local government and businesses for the scheme launch to be postponed.

The McGowan Government will review the situation in August 2020 to determine whether the scheme’s new start date will be November 2020 or June 2021.

Delaying the scheme until after the major impacts of COVID-19 are felt will eliminate the public health concerns such as potential risk of infection from handling containers, as well as over-the-counter refund points contravening social distancing.

A delayed launch would also avoid starting the scheme during a period which may be the potential peak of the pandemic.

The scheme focuses on employing people with disability, older people and Aboriginal people. These community groups are generally more vulnerable and their involvement in the scheme may place them at greater risk of infection.

Closures of pubs, clubs and many other venues, as well as schools, would have also impacted on the volume of containers.

WA Return Recycle Renew Limited, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and the State Government will continue to work closely on developing a revised timeline for the launch of the scheme.

“COVID-19 has resulted in significant global, national and State impacts and there has been disruption across the board for Government initiatives and services.,” said Environment Minister Stephen Dawson.

“The McGowan Government, in close consultation with WARRRL and DWER, determined that under the COVID-19 environment we are all faced with, there are too many potential health risks and logistical difficulties to start the scheme on June 2, 2020.

“The Government has also responded to calls from community, local government and businesses for the scheme launch to be postponed.

“Starting the scheme on June 2 would put the scheme’s success at risk and place refund point operators under significant pressure.

“While it is disappointing to be deferring the scheme, we remain committed to delivering the most diverse and accessible scheme in Australia.

“We will continue to work together and update the community, operators and suppliers throughout this period of uncertainty.”

Changes to government school learning from Monday

  • ​New guidelines based on the best national medical advice
  • From Monday, March 30 to Friday April 3, all students who attend school will continue to be taught
  • However, parents are encouraged to keep them home, if they can access online and other learning resources
  • Teachers and education assistants will use the final four days before Easter to prepare for Term 2
  • During this period, if students need to attend school, they will be supervised

New learning arrangements in Western Australian government schools will be introduced to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

To assist students, teachers and parents, from Monday, March 30 to Friday April 3, all children who attend school will continue to be taught. Staff will continue to be on hand to ensure this can occur.

However, the State Government encourages families to keep their children at home, if they can access the online or other resources for their education to continue.

Children of parents who need their children to attend school to enable them to maintain employment, and those children in vulnerable families, such as children living with grandparents, are encouraged to continue attend school.

Teachers and education assistants will be able to use the time between April 6 to 9 to complete professional development at school to prepare for Term 2.

Arrangements will be in place to allow students to continue to attend school and be supervised, for children who need to attend school on the last four days prior to Easter.

It is expected independent and Catholic schools will introduce their own suitable arrangements.

Work will commence during the school holidays on developing a longer term education model for Term 2 and beyond, in response to COVID-19.

The State Government continues to base its decisions on the best available advice.

“I understand this has been a very difficult issue for many teachers, parents and students,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“We act on the very best national health advice when it comes to our schools.

“We have made the difficult decision to change the way learning will continue in Western Australian public schools in response to COVID-19.

“Our schools will remain open to students, but it’s important that everyone understands, it is not business as usual.

“I want to reassure parents that our schools are well prepared to continue to provide education for their children.

“It’s important that those who are learning from home abide by all other laws and that includes all recently-introduced social distancing rules.

“Once again, I thank our teachers and school staff who are providing the critical service of educating our children during this difficult and evolving time.

“I know I’m not alone in recognising their extraordinary efforts for Western Australian children.”

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said, “Firstly, I want to thank teachers and school staff for their continued professionalism during this difficult time.

“I also want to assure families that every school aged child at a public school will continue to receive an education in Western Australia.

“We will work with key stakeholders on the implementation of this new form of delivery.

“We understand this is an extremely difficult time for parents and their children and an enormous amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure education can continue from home.

“This week I announced the Learning at home website that has been developed by education experts to provide parents and students with lessons that are in line with the curriculum.

“Resources will continually be added for every year group to give children and young people the best opportunity to learn from home.

“I want to thank parents and carers of Western Australian children for their understanding and support for school staff as we navigate our way together through this unprecedented situation.”

Cruise ships update

A number of Fremantle residents have been in touch with me about the cruise ships currently in Port at Fremantle. 

Please take a moment to read this statement from Fremantle Ports concerning this matter.

New funding option for undergrounding power

Energy Minister Bill Johnston is pleased to announce a trial of a new funding model that will allow more Western Australians to access the benefits of underground power.

Western Power’s Network Renewal Underground Program Pilot will be tested in four suburbs where significant capital works projects have been planned to replace and upgrade sections of overhead network.

Local governments invited to participate in the pilot are the Town of Bassendean (Eden Hill), City of Stirling (Scarborough), City of Fremantle (Hilton) and the Town of Victoria Park with the City of Canning (St James).

Under the pilot model, local government authorities are being given the option to contribute additional funds to cover the difference between like-for-like pole replacement and the cost of converting the area to underground power.

Because the poles and wires in the pilot areas are old and due to be replaced, the cost to homes and businesses are expected to be lower than the State Government-led Underground Power Program and other local government-led programs for undergrounding.

“This is an opportunity for local governments to capitalise on the significant investment Western Power commits to rejuvenating and upgrading the network that supplies its customers’ energy needs,” said Energy Minister Bill Johnston.

“On top of the reliability and aesthetic benefits that underground power brings to the customer, the increased capacity also helps unlock the network to new technologies.

“This announcement is in line with the McGowan Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy, which is committed to a secure, safe and reliable energy future.”

State Member for Fremantle, Simone McGurk said the details were still to be finalised between Western Power and the City of Fremantle with costs likely to be spread out across homeowners’ council rates.

“This program is fantastic news for thousands of Hilton residents who will be able to have their power lines undergrounded at a fraction of usual cost.”

Government moves to introduce Bill for safe access zones in Western Australia

The McGowan Government will legislate to establish safe access zones around premises that provide abortion services in Western Australia.

The legislation is now being drafted with the purpose to protect and respect the safety, dignity, wellbeing and privacy of individuals seeking access to these legal medical services.

The introduction of safe access zones in WA would bring the State into line with all other Australian jurisdictions, apart from South Australia. There is currently a Bill before the South Australian parliament to introduce safe access zones.

Significant community consultation on the issue was undertaken by the Department of Health between April and May 2019.

A report entitled Safe Access Zones – a proposal for reform in Western Australia released today presents the consultation findings and the recommendations of the Department of Health to the Minister for Health.

The consultation received an extraordinary level of community and industry engagement including more than 4,000 submissions from the general public and from more than 40 public and private organisations.

Seventy per cent of respondents supported the introduction of safe access zones around abortion services in WA.

It is proposed the zones will operate 24 hours-a-day and seven days-a-week.

It is not the purpose of the proposed legislation to review or debate the arguments for or against abortion in WA.

The legislation is expected to be introduced into Parliament later this year and will set out behaviours prohibited in a safe access zone, such as harassment, intimidation and obstruction, as well as penalties for non-compliance.

More information about the Report and the proposed legislation can be found here.

“Demonstrations outside abortion services act as a barrier to accessing legal health services, cause distress and anxiety to patients and staff, and are unable to be adequately managed by existing laws,” said Health Minister Roger Cook.

“The behaviour of demonstrators affects vulnerable patients and those accompanying patients to the clinics, as well as medical, nursing, allied health and administrative staff.

“Consultation has shown there is strong community support for the introduction of safe access zones around clinics and the McGowan Government will now move to introduce this legislation into State Parliament.”

Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk said, “Western Australia and South Australia are the only remaining states without safe access zones. It is time to bring WA into line with the rest of the country.

“Western Australian women have a right to access legal medical services without fear of intimidation or harassment.

“It is important to move demonstrators away from the immediate vicinity of premises that provide abortion services so that patients can access legal health services in a safe and confidential way.’

“Safe access zones are vital to help to ensure that women, who have a legal right to access these procedures, can maintain their privacy and safety.”

 

New processes to strengthen Working with Children Checks

The Department of Communities has implemented changes to its Working with Children Check (WWCC) screening processes to enhance the protection of children across Western Australia.

In response to the findings of a recent Auditor-General’s report, the Department has strengthened its criteria for determining whether a WWCC applicant is issued with an interim negative notice until their application is finalised.

The changes have resulted in interim negative notices – a tool that restricts a WWCC applicant from working with children until they have been fully assessed – being used more often, further minimising risk to children during the assessment period. The revised criteria have resulted in more than 60 interim negative notices being issued since November 2019, compared to the 78 issued over the entire 2018-19 financial year.

Additional staff have been allocated to the WWCC screening unit to fast-track current applications awaiting assessment.

Since the release of the Auditor-General’s Report, the Department of Communities has also:

  • expanded its proactive compliance program to identify areas of non-compliance, and ensure those who undertake work with children and their employers, comply with the Act;
  • worked with key stakeholders including the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and SportWest – to remind community groups and employers of their obligations;
  • forged new partnerships with other areas of government, including Consumer Protection, the Small Business Development Corporation and WA Seniors Cards, to better promote awareness of Working with Children requirements across the community;
  • created additional community training opportunities to inform stakeholders about the provision of support, guidance and resources to meet their WWCC obligations; and
  • taken action to ensure all Department of Communities employees who work with children are compliant with WWCC and reviewed its practices to further assist family and foster carers with meeting WWCC requirements.

The McGowan Government’s continued commitment to child safety is demonstrated in its approach to addressing recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

In the 2019 Budget, the McGowan Government provided $5.7m of funding to support implementation of the 409 recommendations made by the Royal Commission.

This has led to specific measures aimed at improving WWCCs, including:

  • $114,000 to strengthen cross-jurisdictional checks by enabling WA to become the first State to join the National Working with Children Check National Reference System; and
  • $741,000 to replace and enhance recording equipment used by the WA Police Force to interview children, and to improve WWCC processes by digitising historical criminal records (with 4,300 completed so far).

In addition, Cabinet has approved the drafting of amendments to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 – to further strengthen the State’s child-safe systems.

The proposed changes include implementing relevant recommendations of the Royal Commission.

“The Auditor-General identified an unacceptable level of risk where certain people who have applied for a Working with Children Check card can work with children while their application is being processed,” said Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk.

“In October I asked the Department of Communities to speed up the processing of applications that may result in negative notices, and to review the criteria that determine when an interim negative notice is issued.

“The Department of Communities has now implemented changes to address the issues identified in the Auditor-General’s report and I am pleased that they will further reduce the level of risk to children across WA.

“While these changes will improve one of our vital child-safe systems, it is important to acknowledge that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. It cannot be left to one organisation, one person, or one particular safeguard to ensure the protection of children across the community.

“The Working with Children Check is like a swimming pool fence – a great safety measure, but no substitute for supervision or teaching a child to swim.

“Keeping children safe requires more than just criminal history screening. Other areas such as a safe environment, supervision and training are equally important.

“While we know the majority of people do the right thing, it is crucial that all the systems we have in place to catch the few that don’t, are as rigorous as possible.”

Construction begins for Fremantle High St upgrade

Construction has begun on the $118 million High Street and Stirling Highway intersection upgrade in Fremantle with the first sod turned today.

The joint Australian and WA government project will bust congestion and dramatically improve safety along a 1.5km section of High Street between Carrington Street and Stirling Highway, with construction and design works being undertaken by outstanding WA builder Georgiou.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the upgrade was only one example of a suite of projects to be delivered this year.

“2020 is shaping up to be a huge year for public infrastructure construction across Western Australia,” Mr McGowan said.

“The High Street upgrade will deliver a more efficient route for locals and visitors travelling to and from Fremantle.

“We welcome the input of the City of Fremantle and the local community, who have helped shape the concept design and ensured that the project will move forward with strong support.”

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the upgrade would be a boost for the local economy with hundreds of new jobs created during construction.

“We also know that this intersection has become notorious for truck rollovers and the upgrade will mean a safer journey for locals and truck drivers,” Mr Tudge said.

The upgrade is part of the Morrison Government’s strategy to bust congestion in Western Australia which includes $13.6 billion committed since coming to office in 2013.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the upgrade would reduce travel times.

“This upgrade will reduce travel times along High Street by improving traffic flow through the busy High Street and Stirling Highway intersection,” Ms Saffioti said.

“Thanks to positive community consultation, we have also expanded the project scope to include two new pedestrian underpasses and improved parking and safety at the Fremantle Netball Centre.

“We will continue to alleviate pressure on roads by boosting freight on rail from 15 per cent to over 20 per cent, developing intermodals, and planning for the new Fremantle traffic and rail corridor solution to replace the current Fremantle Traffic Bridge.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk MLA said, “after years of inaction by the previous Liberal Government, followed by the Perth Freight Link debacle, we’re getting on with delivering the High Street Upgrade.

“It will create local jobs during construction, reduce congestion and improve road safety.

“We’ve worked hard to get the design right and deliver maximum community amenity including two pedestrian and cyclist underpasses, a local access road and improved parking for Gibson Park, and retention of over 70% of mature trees.”

About 700 jobs will be created during construction, which will include:

  • A new roundabout at the intersection of High Street and Stirling Highway
    Widened median on High Street to separate traffic lanes and maximise mature tree preservation;
  • Single-lane one-way service road for residents on the northern side of High Street;
  • New underpass at the junction of Forrest Street and Stirling Highway; and
  • New underpass at the junction of Montreal Street and High Street.

In the five years to 2018, there were 282 crashes along this section of High Street, including some truck rollovers at the High Street and Stirling Highway intersection.

The new roundabout has been designed to include bypass lanes that will separate local traffic from traffic going to and from Fremantle Port, or locations north of the river.

These intersection changes will improve efficiency and address safety concerns with the current intersection, including reducing the risk of truck rollovers.

Residents living in properties on the northern side of High Street will now have a dedicated single-lane service road, affording them safer access and separation from the main road.

Meanwhile, the two new underpasses will improve pedestrian and cyclist connectivity across the intersection. The project will also provide new formal parking bays adjacent to the Fremantle Netball Association to improve safety on game days.

Through carefully considered design features, the project will retain more than 70 per cent of the established trees in the area. These design features include a wide, tree-lined median on High Street, which will separate the eastbound and westbound traffic lanes, providing an attractive gateway into Fremantle.

Main Roads is also finalising an extensive landscaping and revegetation strategy for the project, which covers revegetation and landscaping of the road reserve to improve local amenity on High Street and Stirling Highway.

Additionally, following feedback from the local community, the strategy has been expanded to include a significant Tuart tree planting initiative across local sites.

The High Street upgrade is just one of the projects being delivered by the Australian and WA governments aimed at ‘boosting jobs and busting congestion’.

The Australian Government is providing $73.6 million and the WA Government $44.4 million for the upgrade.

In this area, the Australian and WA governments have also committed $230 million to build a replacement corridor solution to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.

McGowan Government contributes $200,000 for Port Beach rock wall

The McGowan Government will contribute $200,000 towards a temporary rock wall to protect the infrastructure at Port Beach in North Fremantle.

Port Beach was identified as an at-risk location in the Coastal Erosion Hotspots in Western Australia report released last year.

Today’s $200,000 contribution follows a State Government grant of $50,000 provided to the City of Fremantle in August last year to undertake further analysis on the issue of coastal erosion at Port Beach.

The funding will be matched by the City of Fremantle to build the $400,000 rock wall, which will serve as an interim measure to protect local infrastructure.

The project will involve constructing a rock wall to adjoin the existing wall in front of the beach change rooms and replenishing sand on the dune in front of Coast Café.

The City of Fremantle is aiming to have the wall built prior to winter, when the area is more prone to damaging weather and severe erosion.

A technical advisory group for the North Fremantle development precinct has been formed to investigate options for the long-term solution to erosion in the area.

“Construction of this rock wall is intended to secure Port Beach’s current functions and provide time to refine and implement a long-term approach,” said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

“Port Beach is hugely popular with locals and visitors, and we are working with local government and the community to devise longer-term safeguards.

“The McGowan Government has also called on a greater role from the Federal Government in addressing the national issue of coastal erosion.”

Bicton MLA Lisa O’Malley says she’s had a lot of discussions with local business owners, beachgoers and residents about the plan to manage erosion at Port Beach.

“It’s clear a longer-term plan is required, however, the temporary rock wall will give us the time to find ways to address the increasing challenges faced due to changing environmental conditions.

“Coastal monitoring and data collection is currently in progress with the aim to develop a longer-term coastal adaptation strategy for Port Beach.

“There has been a groundswell of local support for taking action on Port Beach and I thank everyone who has provided feedback.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said, “Port Beach is a much loved icon among Freo residents.

“I’m proud to be part of a Government that is partnering with the City of Fremantle to protect Port.”

First look at Containers for Change recycling network

The McGowan Government has today announced the first operators of refund points for Western Australia’s new container deposit scheme that will see millions of bottles and cans diverted from landfill each year.

Launching on June 2, Containers for Change will allow Western Australians to claim a 10-cent refund when they return eligible beverage containers at designated refund points across the State.

Sixty-five entities have been selected to deliver 145 refund point locations. Around 40 per cent of refund points will be operated by social enterprises including charities, disability sector organisations, Aboriginal corporations, and sporting and community groups.

Refund points will be established in every region across the State, from the Kimberley to the Great Southern. The number of refund points across the State will grow to at least 172 by June and to 229 by the end of the scheme’s first year. Refund point locations and operating hours will be available here in May.

It is estimated more than 500 jobs will be created at refund points across the State, including hundreds of jobs to be targeted at employing people living with disability, the long-term unemployed and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as opportunities for apprentices and trainees.

Logistics and processing applicants have also been selected, with state-of-the-art compacting trucks and on-site compacting to be used for the first time in any container deposit scheme in Australia.

This will mean less heavy vehicle movements on Western Australian roads – the equivalent of one truck instead of five.

“WA’s first container deposit scheme, Containers for Change, is taking shape and it’s pleasing to see so many organisations from all sectors of the community getting on board,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“Western Australians have been calling for this type of recycling scheme for a long time. I’m proud that my Government is implementing Containers for Change, which will deliver a big boost to recycling and create jobs.

“Today’s announcement is just the starting point for the Containers for Change network, which will grow significantly in coming months and years.

“More than 500 jobs will be created through Containers for Change. Refund point operators will provide job opportunities for all Western Australians, but particularly for people living with disability and long-term unemployed.”

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said, “There are more than 1.3 billion eligible beverage containers used in Western Australia each year, and they make up 44 per cent of litter in our parks, streets and waterways.

“The McGowan Government has introduced Containers for Change to help reduce litter, improve recycling rates, create new businesses and employment opportunities across the State, and provide a new way for community organisations and charities to raise money.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said that along with the community, she’s been campaigning for a container deposit scheme since she was elected in 2013.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that takes the war on waste seriously and has finally made it happen.

“I’ve no doubt uptake will be strong in Fremantle – a community of committed and conscientious recyclers!”

New addition to Fremantle cruise season

The McGowan Government’s push to increase cruise tourism in Western Australia is paying off, with Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan today welcoming premium cruise liner Vasco da Gama to Fremantle for the first time.

The newest addition to the Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV Australia) fleet, the premium Vasco da Gama will be home-ported in Fremantle for the first time this summer, until February 12.

Described as small to mid-sized, the 220 metre Vasco da Gama’s 1,220 guest capacity more than doubles that of CMV’s Astor, which had been based in Fremantle from 2013 to last year.

The Vasco da Gama brought 935 passengers from Busselton this morning, with a further 856 passengers embarking for its maiden Western Australian voyage to Broome and then Bali. An additional 110 passengers remained on-board.

Cruise shipping in 2018-19 contributed $229 million to the WA economy and supported about 848 jobs, and the McGowan Government has driven efforts to increase cruise tourism in WA.

The McGowan Government’s $15.3 million dredging at the Port of Broome, completed in September 2019, was a deciding factor in Vasco da Gama choosing to homeport at Fremantle for the 2020 cruise season.

The dredging at Broome enabled better access for cruise ships at all tides, eliminating some of the challenges cruise lines faced when deciding on destinations.

The McGowan Government also refurbished the Fremantle Passenger Terminal in a $3.25 million makeover, completed in early 2019.

In June 2019 the State Government announced a co-operative marketing agreement between Tourism WA and CMV Australia supporting a new range of WA-focused fly, cruise, rail and stay packages.

Port calls to popular regional WA destinations including Broome, Geraldton, Kuri Bay, Albany and Esperance feature in Vasco da Gama’s itinerary while home-ported in Fremantle. Itineraries include extended stopovers at WA ports, allowing for longer shore excursions in Perth metropolitan and regional areas.

CMV Australia has also committed Vasco da Gama to Fremantle for the 2020-21 season.

“The McGowan Government has taken real steps to market WA as a cruise destination, and that work is paying off with ships like the Vasco da Gama home-porting at Fremantle for the first time,” said  Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

“Cruise and Maritime Voyages is running with a new WA itinerary that includes stopovers at WA ports, extending visitor nights in the State.

“This has a strong impact on our local and regional economy, supporting WA tourism businesses and jobs while giving visitors the opportunity to explore Perth and regional WA.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said, “I’m thrilled to welcome the Vasco da Gama to Fremantle and look forward to its visits this summer and next.

“Our Government has brought the cruise tourism industry back to Fremantle and WA after years of neglect under the previous Liberal Government led to operators pulling anchor.

“More cruise ships in port at fremantle means more local jobs, a more vibrant town centre, and more opportunities to showcase all that our port city has to offer.”