From today, more than 30,000 eligible patients in the Fremantle catchment area will be able to access free general dental care from the newly expanded Fremantle General Dental Clinic.

Now located at Fremantle Hospital, the clinic will provide vital general dental care to eligible patients including Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card holders aged 17 and over, and children under the age of four. The new purpose-built clinic is expected to receive more than 8,000 visits each year.

The new clinic has nine treatment rooms, a dental laboratory, sterilisation areas and staff support rooms. It will offer patients:

• Dental examinations and assessments;
• Radiographic examinations and interpretation;
• Preventive and prophylactic services;
• Periodontics;
• Extractions and minor oral surgery procedures; and
• Fillings, dentures and some crown and bridge services.

The Fremantle General Dental Clinic is part of the North Metropolitan Health Service Dental Health Service, and is one of 28 public dental services in Western Australia.

Dental services for the disadvantaged commenced in Fremantle in 1936, with a further two upgrades of the Fremantle public dental clinic taking place in 1954 and 1995.

“This new clinic offers greatly improved facilities and services for the eligible residents of Fremantle and the surrounding suburbs. The newly refurbished unit features nine treatment rooms, a dental laboratory, sterilisation areas and staff support rooms,” said Health Minister Roger Cook.

“This new dental clinic is part of the McGowan Government’s commitment to put patients first. It delivers an important health service to local residents who need it most.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said, “Relocating public dental services to Fremantle Hospital is good news.

“It shows the McGowan Government’s commitment to investing in Fremantle Hospital and the health care needs of people living in the area.

“Dental health plays an important role in our overall wellbeing so it makes sense to co-locate important health services in a central location.”

Young Western Australians from a care background have today been recognised for their dedication to ongoing education and training at the annual Achievers Awards.

Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk congratulated the 46 recipients for their hard work and determination in pursuing their career goals.

The annual Achiever Awards celebrate young Western Australians aged 15-25 years who have been in the care of the Department of Communities and are continuing with further education and training.

The award recipients were recognised across three main award categories and receive a prize of up to $4,000 to undertake further training or education courses.

The three award categories are:

• University Achiever Award for a young person who has successfully completed Year 12 and is enrolled in their first year at university. Prize: $4,000 and a trophy.
• Registered Training Achiever Award for a young person who has left secondary school and is in their first year of a State Training Provider course. Prize: $1,000 and a trophy.
• Apprenticeship or Traineeship Achiever Award for a young person who is in their first year of an apprenticeship or traineeship. Prize: $1,000 and a trophy.
• The Community Spirit Award is an additional award for an Achiever Award recipient who has also demonstrated leadership and a significant contribution to their community. The winner receives $1,000 and a trophy.

This year, the STEMbassador Scholarship will also be launched. This scholarship is a partnership between the Department of Communities and Graduate Women WA to honour a female Achiever Award winner for pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. This winner will receive an additional $2,000 towards her studies.

The Rise Up Regional Award will be open to all 2019 regional winners. This award will assist one regional Achiever Award winner to develop a strategy, activity or solution to benefit young people in their community.

The Achiever Awards are supported by Curtin University, Murdoch University, the Foster Care Association of Western Australia, Graduate Women WA, Edith Cowan University, The University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle), CCI Apprenticeship Support Australia, RTRfm 92.1 and the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.

More information about the Achiever Awards is available here.

“I would like to congratulate today’s award winners on their inspirational commitment to tertiary education and training, despite any obstacles they may have faced in their young lives,” said Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk.

“The dedication and hard work they have displayed will make a big difference to the career opportunities that lie ahead for them and I applaud them for their efforts.

“I would also like to thank the families, foster carers, friends and other people who have supported these incredible young people in their aspirations and who have provided a loving and safe environment for them to pursue their ambitions.”

The Department of Communities will partner with Anglicare WA to implement a targeted trial that provides enhanced supports to vulnerable young people transitioning from out-of-home care to independence.

Developed through a unique co-design process with the community services sector and care leavers, the trial will commence in the south metropolitan region from May 2019.

The trial focuses on care leavers between the ages of 18 and 21 who may be at risk of homelessness or unemployment, to help them develop and build on their support network and independent living skills.

The trial will provide one-on-one support provided by a qualified worker who will help the young person build an ongoing circle of support in their life. It also includes a safety net fund to provide stable living arrangements and facilitate access to health, education and life skills services.

The trial demonstrates the Government’s commitment to early intervention and supporting young people leaving care to reach their potential.

There will be regular reviews of the trial as well as ongoing evaluation to track the effectiveness of outcomes for the young people involved.

“Just like other young people, some young people leaving care need additional supports to prepare them to live independently,” said Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk.

“Research suggests young people who have these supports are more likely to move in to work or further education and are less likely to experience unemployment, homelessness or contact with the justice system.

“This project is an example of how the McGowan Government is taking a new approach to addressing complex social issues by co-designing solutions with our community partners and the people using services.

“I want to acknowledge the input of the young people who participated in the co-design process, Anglicare WA, The Homestretch Coalition, and CREATE in Western Australia.”

Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson said, “This pilot will be the first step towards achieving a better outcome for all young people with a State care experience in WA. It’s a step in the right direction, but now the work really begins.

“The involvement of young people with a State care experience was critical to the pilot design. They have the lived experience and know best what the young people taking part in the trial will need.

“Very few young people in WA are expected to move out of their family home on the day they turn 18, and we are a step closer to young people living in State care being extended that same support which many others take for granted.

“We believe the Home Stretch trial will comprehensively demonstrate the benefit to both the participants, and the broader community of increasing the leaving care age to 21.”

The McGowan Government supports the introduction of safe access zones, and work has commenced on a discussion paper that will explore the introduction of such zones in Western Australia.

Safe access zones are designed to address concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff entering premises to access legal health services, such as abortion and reproductive and fertility health services.

These zones currently exist in most other Australian States.

The zones introduce a buffer to move protesters away from the immediate vicinity of premises providing relevant health services, thereby preventing intimidation or harassment of patients and staff who are receiving or carrying out a legal medical procedure.

This discussion paper, being led by the Department of Health, will be released for public comment following the outcome of a High Court challenge on safe access zone laws in Victoria and Tasmania.

The High Court decision will need to be carefully considered before determining whether safe access zones can be implemented in WA, and in what particular form they may take.

“All patients in Western Australia have a right to safety, privacy and respect when accessing healthcare,” said Health Minister Roger Cook.

“I can only imagine the distress a patient will experience when they arrive at a clinic to undergo a legal medical procedure and are confronted with a group of protestors.

“I am in favour of safe access zones and look forward to Western Australians having their say on the discussion paper when it is released in the coming months.”

Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk said, “On International Women’s Day it is timely that we acknowledge the rights of women to access medical procedures in a safe manner and without undue distress.

“Safe access zones are a vital step in ensuring that women can maintain their safety and wellbeing during what is a difficult time.”

The McGowan Government has welcomed local shipbuilding company Austal’s commitment to increase female representation in its workforce by boosting its female apprentice intake.

Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery visited Austal, on the eve of International Women’s Day, to meet some of the shipbuilder’s newest female apprentices. Austal is seeking to hire 45 female apprentices in 2019 and to date has filled 18 of those roles.

Austal, the world’s largest aluminium shipbuilder, headquartered in Western Australia, currently runs a Pink Ship Program, which aims to increase female participation in its workforce across every department from current levels of 12 per cent to at least 20 per cent.

Its 2019 apprentice initiative is underpinned by the Pink Ship Program and encourages more women to the traditionally male dominant industry through more flexible working arrangements such as job sharing arrangements.

Austal subscribes to a critical mass approach, as preferred by the Royal Australian Navy, hiring a group of women to create substantial change and provide appropriate support systems.

Once hired, apprentices are mentored with senior trades staff who supervise their work and support their transition into the Austal team.

Austal have expanded to three facilities in Henderson and Naval Base, and is now seeking more than 260 local workers to fill positions.

The McGowan Government is committed to working with industry to create more local job opportunities and support women to enter traditionally male dominated industries, including shipbuilding and defence.

State Government initiatives include:

• Implementing the Western Australian Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan, a key part of the Plan for Jobs, with a focus on education, training and upskilling WA workers;
• The Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) working with South Metropolitan TAFE to develop a Defence Workforce Development Plan, to ensure defence sector workforce needs are anticipated and met;
• Providing incentives to Group Training Organisations, through DWTD to employ women in non-traditional trades;
• Working with Chevron to deliver the Women in Engineering Program through South Metropolitan TAFE;
• A commitment to launch a State-wide STEM strategy, which will include lifting the STEM skills in under-represented groups such as women and girls; and
• Creating Jobs and Skills Centres on TAFE campuses, a one-stop shop for linking job seekers and employers.

“With International Women’s Day tomorrow, it is important to recognise the valuable contribution women make every day in our lives,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“My Government is committed to creating more local jobs and encouraging opportunities that build a more diverse workforce.

“Austal is committed to increasing women representation in the workforce and encouraging a positive cultural change across an industry that has been traditionally male dominated.

“With 260 local jobs on offer at the Henderson facility, now is the time to ensure WA workers have the skills to access the opportunities in the defence and shipbuilding industries.”

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said,

“We are committed to working with industry to increase opportunities for women to enter the industries of construction, shipbuilding and defence.

“Apprenticeships and traineeships are important for the ongoing growth and success of Western Australia, and this Government is providing incentives to organisations to employ women in non-traditional trades.

“We want to increase the number of female apprenticeships and traineeships, and I commend Austal for playing their part in encouraging more women into these industries.”

Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk said there is a strong correlation between the gender gap and economic performance.

“The business case for diversity is clear and well established.

“If we want to compete and flourish in a global economy and build communities that thrive, gender equality will be a key strategic advantage.

“Targets and quotas deliver results for women’s representation, and I applaud Austal for their initiative and commitment to ensuring a prosperous future for Western Australian women.”

The City of Fremantle will be able to approve minor heritage building works in Fremantle’s West End without needing to refer to the Heritage Council under a new legislative framework.

The Heritage Council’s Delegations Framework grants the City of Fremantle authority to assess minor or routine works to heritage buildings, in accordance with Section 11 of the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990.

The new system will provide a more simplified approval process for West End landowners, proposing minor works to their heritage listed properties.

To identify minor or routine works an Impact Matrix has been developed to accompany the Delegation Framework and are available at https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au

Proposals for moderate to major works to a heritage building will still be referred to the Heritage Council for advice and comment.

Heritage Minister David Templeman said he was delighted that the City of Fremantle would play a key role in safekeeping local heritage.

“I believe this delegation will result in the conservation of the historic Fremantle West End for the benefit of all Western Australians. By removing red tape, West End landowners will have a more streamlined process when considering routine works to heritage buildings,” he said.

State Member for Fremantle, Simone McGurk agreed, “our historic West End is a wonderful window into the past and a significant tourism attraction. Allowing the City of Fremantle to remove some of the red tape associated with minor building works on heritage buildings, this will make things easier and less cumbersome for local owners and businesses.”

A senior steering group formed to drive forward plans to develop Fremantle Ports’ historic Victoria Quay as a vibrant, people-oriented waterfront precinct has met for the first time last week.

The steering group is chaired by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk and includes high-level representation from Fremantle Ports; Landcorp; the City of Fremantle; Department of Transport; the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce; Tourism Western Australia; Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage; Westport Taskforce; and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

The steering group’s brief includes examining the range of land uses in identified ‘precincts’ on the site, the needs of the working port and how to better link the Fremantle central business district to Victoria Quay, across the rail line.

The group’s work builds on the recently completed $3.25 million makeover of the Fremantle Passenger Terminal, as part of the McGowan Government’s commitment to revitalising Victoria Quay.

Any waterfront planning will be in line with the ongoing work of the Westport Taskforce, which is examining Western Australia’s future port and environs needs.

“There are numerous examples around the globe where inner-city port areas have been spectacularly transformed to create exciting waterfront areas,” said Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

“We can do the same in Fremantle and mastermind the development of one of the world’s great inner-city port developments. Our goal should be achieving a transformation in a staged manner that is world-class.

“We have the right people at the table and I’m confident they have the resolve to achieve what the community desires.”

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said, “A great deal of high-quality planning and consultation has already taken place in the past decade or more, so considerable groundwork has been done.

“We are not starting from the beginning – the challenge is building upon that knowledge bank and seizing the moment.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said the quay has always been an integral part of Fremantle’s history, and it’s the right time to push through and transform it into a high-quality destination for both Western Australians and international visitors.

“This area has a spectacular harbour outlook, a rich and diverse history, cultural meaning for the Aboriginal community and has huge tourism appeal.

“The Fremantle community know this is an area full of possibilities and are impatient to see its potential realised.”

Premier Mark McGowan has visited the southern suburbs’ major grassroots netball facility to inspect the $1.8 million McGowan Government funded upgrades, an election commitment, which will revitalise the iconic club.

More than 5,000 participants from across the metropolitan area use the facility each week during the netball season.

Western Australian company Buildwell Group is overseeing construction with support from a range of local small businesses and contractors, supporting WA jobs.

Located at Gibson Park on High Street, the Fremantle Netball Association is an award-winning club and will welcome a new era when the new facility replaces the previous 60-year-old administration building.

The upgraded facility is expected to be completed by April, in time for the start of the 2019 netball season.

“The Fremantle Netball Association has provided a home for thousands of southern suburbs netball players over the years, and this new facility will ensure a bright future for the club,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“Gibson Park is an integral part of the electorate of Bicton, and as Lisa O’Malley is a passionate supporter of netball, I’m pleased she has been able to deliver this key election commitment on behalf of her community.

“Importantly, the State Government has engaged a local company, the Buildwell Group, to manage this project. Their support for local contractors on the project will help support local jobs and the economy in the southern suburbs.”

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said, “Netball at Gibson Park has been helping create strong, confident and healthy young women in our community for years.

“Once the season kicks off in April, thousands of local girls and their families will be down at Gibson Park every Saturday.

“This Government is proud to invest in women’s sport and deliver first-rate facilities for local families.”