Broome Radar Upgrade Supports Durack Community and Industry
THE HON SUSSAN LEY MP
Minister for the Enviorment
THE HON MELISSA PRICE MP
Member for Durack
Morrison Government upgrades to the Broome weather radar are now giving the Kimberley access to more reliable weather data, improved storm surge tracking and enhanced information for emergency services.
Two months of work installing the latest digital receiver and control system technologies have been completed on schedule ahead of the wet season, helping communities, agriculture and industry plan more effectively.
“The Broome weather radar will have a greater ability to track the location and strength of wind changes through the use of Doppler technology, provide higher quality rain images and deliver a range of other improvements,” Minister Ley said.
Member for Durack Melissa Price said the radar’s improved detection of weather systems such as cyclones and intense rain during storms will help make more informed decisions.
“Accurate weather information is vital to our region and this upgrade represents an important commitment from the Bureau of Meteorology and the Morrison Government,” Ms Price said.
“The new data will provide emergency services with enhanced information about bushfires, through technology that can detect fire-generated thunderstorms and determine the height of fire plumes.
“Images from the radar can now be seen on the Bureau’s website and on the BOM Weather app.”
The upgrade is part of the most significant upgrade to the Bureau’s radar and observation network in a generation. By June 2024, the Bureau of Meteorology will deliver 8 new radars, plus upgrades to 46 radars, nearly 700 automatic weather stations and 200 flood warning network assets.
Ends
Environment Minister’s office
John Brady 0427 867 638
Minister Price’s office
Rose Crane 0427 587 395.
Disaster Assistance for Upper Gascoyne and Murchison Shires
Disaster assistance is now available to communities in the Upper Gascoyne and Murchison Shires to help in the recovery from the damage caused by heavy rain and flooding in May 2021.
Federal member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price welcomed the assistance and said the Australian Government is working with Western Australian authorities to ensure the impacted communities recover as quickly as possible.
“The Gascoyne and Murchison regions were badly affected by the heavy rain and flooding experienced in late May, which caused extensive damage to local roads and isolated several remote communities,” Ms Price said.
“The immediate priority is getting restoration and replacement of the vital road network infrastructure underway, for the remote and isolated families and communities that have been impacted,” she said.
Assistance will be provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Activating Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements will ensure that local communities in our regional have the financial support they need to progress the restoration of key public infrastructure.
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au.
Ends.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Federal Government works to solve Ag Workers Grain Harvest Shortage
THE HON MELISSA PRICE MP, Member for Durack.
RICK WILSON MP, Member for O’Connor
While WA grain producers continue to watch their abundant crops grow with fingers crossed for a good finish, members of the Morrison Government have initiated a solution to ensure there is going to be a workforce available to harvest those abundant crops.
After having been disappointed not to have received a formal application from the State Government detailing their requirements of any overseas worker quarantine system proposal for WA, despite their claims to the contrary, it was only late last week that the Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud did receive those details from the McGowan Government.
Western Australian Morrison Government members, the Hon. Melissa Price, Member for Durack and O’Connor’s Rick Wilson welcome the initiative.
“We believe that a workable solution has been proposed by the Morrison Government and we would now urge the McGowan Government to commit the joint resources required to operate the Northern Territory Bladin Village facility as a quarantine hub. As local members, we are very concerned that this issue is urgently resolved to assist WA’s broad-acre farmers. We now urge action from the McGowan Government so we can get the visa process moving,” Melissa Price said.
“It is vital that the state government works with us to allow hundreds of overseas staff with the skills required to come from the northern hemisphere to help take off this season’s grain crops. This opportunity should not be missed by the McGowan Government. There is economic gold sitting in those paddocks for the WA economy right now. We want the state government to understand that and back our hardworking Western Australian farmers,” Rick Wilson said.
Industry estimates that the broad-acre regions crops this year could produce a record yield of 20 million tonnes worth more than $7 billion.
The Morrison Government this week signed an agreement with the McGowan Government to build a 1000 bed quarantine facility committing up to $400 million, to be completed next year. We now ask that the State Government commit to solving the immediate grain harvest worker shortage with the quarantine solution now being proposed.
Ends.
Media Contacts.
Member for Durack: Rose Crane 0427 587 395
Member for O’Connor Elysia Harverson 0477 360 087
'Light needed for path out' The West Australian Newspaper, Opinion Piece Tues 17th Aug
I’m writing this piece from the confines of the Canberra apartment I call home for about 20 weeks each year during sittings of Federal Parliament.
It’s a non-sitting week this week, and in normal circumstances I’d be at home in Geraldton or elsewhere in my electorate of Durack, which spans some 1.6 million square kilometres from Cervantes to Kununurra.
But I’m here because, like the most of Australia’s eastern seaboard, Canberra is in lockdown.
With Parliament due to sit again next week, going home isn’t an option.
What started as a seven-day stay-at-home order for Canberrans has been extended by another two weeks.
It’s not fun.
Like West Australians, Canberrans have been lucky enough to avoid the worst of this pandemic, with no community transmission in the nation’s capital for more than a year before this outbreak.
But with a full vaccination rate of more than 30 per cent – only behind Tasmania as the best in the country – ACT residents know that for all this pain, National Cabinet’s plan to get us back to something resembling normality once we reach an 80 per cent vaccination rate at least gives them light at the end of the tunnel.
Contrast that with the situation in WA, where I fear Mark McGowan’s extraordinary comments on Sunday and again yesterday may have significantly dimmed that light.
I can only hope that it hasn’t extinguished that light altogether.
The Premier’s claim that he will continue to pursue a zero COVID policy even when we have reached 70 or 80 per cent vaccination has West Australians rightly asking when – if ever – our lives can go back to something close to normal.
If the Premier thinks it is normal to need the permission of WA Police to enter your own state, we have a serious problem.
His declaration that he would not consider reopening the State’s border to NSW until they get down to “zero or minimal spread” flies in the face of the very National Plan he agreed to at National Cabinet not just once, but on three separate occasions.
Importantly, as the Prime Minister said yesterday: “The commitments made in the National Plan are not just commitments made to each other, they are commitments made to our own people”.
It is clear that, like for most of the world, NSW returning to “zero or minimal spread” is simply unattainable.
If, at an 80 per cent vaccination rate, West Australians are still subject to interstate border closures and snap lockdowns whenever COVID seeps in, it logically follows that there is absolutely no possibility of reopening to international travel or leaving behind the devastating lockdowns of the past 18 months.
Reopening interstate and international borders isn’t just about going on that Bali holiday so many West Australians have missed.
It’s about ensuring that our farmers and our hospitality businesses in regional WA have access to the labour they need to get their crop off or serve their customers.
Indeed, if COVID zero is Mr McGowan’s goal, he has told us time and time again that no approach other than harsh border restrictions and lockdowns is effective.
In a pandemic isolation is a blessing, and we are blessed with that critical attribute.
Our isolation, and the good work of the State and Federal governments, means we have been spared the worst of this pandemic.
But with COVID-19 endemic around the world, our greatest test still lies ahead.
So we must stick to the plan and have faith in our vaccines and the expert advice of the Doherty Institute.
Because if we don’t, we will become a hermit kingdom, indefinitely locking down and being locked out of the rest of the world.
The Doherty Institute modelling tells us that once we achieve that golden number of 80 per cent vaccination, COVID-19 hospitalisations will fall considerably, to something like what we see routinely with the flu.
At that time our focus must shift from minimising case numbers to minimising deaths and hospitalisations.
Anthony Albanese’s declaration that he will back in Mark McGowan’s decision to walk back his commitment to the National Plan is very disappointing and little more than a transparent attempt to cash in on Mr McGowan’s recent electoral success in WA.
Mr Albanese needs to back in the National Plan without qualification and back in the State Premiers – including his Labor colleagues like Daniel Andrews, who are upholding the spirit of that plan.
As I wrote on these pages a couple of weeks ago, WA is still lagging behind the rest of the country on vaccinations, probably because we have had it (relatively) good when it comes to community spread.
As of August 14, just 41.94 per cent of those in WA aged over 16 had received a first jab, and only 22.86 per cent were fully vaccinated. We are languishing at the bottom of the national vaccination ladder.
There is no disputing the fact that those rates need to pick up, and that is only likely to come if people see light at the end of the tunnel.
The Premier’s comments only serve to undermine the public’s confidence in the vaccine as our exit strategy and weaken the sense of urgency needed to get this job done.
Based on the Premier’s latest comments, many West Australians would be forgiven for asking what the point of getting vaccinated is in the first place.
No one wants it to take another lockdown or outbreak in WA to get our jab numbers to where they need to be.
This is not only an issue for WA.
The National Cabinet’s plan is contingent on every State reaching the vaccination thresholds before we can move on to the next phase as a nation.
If WA doesn’t pick up the pace we could end up holding back the entire country.
So I say again to my fellow sandgropers, this is our Team Australia moment. We need every eligible West Australian to roll up their sleeve and get their jab as soon as they can. Not only for WA, but for the nation.
And we need a Premier who is willing to hold up his end of the bargain and give us the incentive to do it.
OpEd - Determination and teamwork needed to help us beat COVID
Opinion Piece - The West Australian
5 August 2021
Nothing quite compares to the joy that comes from an Olympic Games.
Australia’s success so far has been remarkable, and if ever those of us back home needed a distraction like this, it was now.
Plenty of people around the world had called for these Tokyo games to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I am truly thankful those calls were not heeded.
We have seen so much to be proud of, not just from our gold medal winners but also from the determination and guts shown by the likes of distance runner Patrick Tiernan, who gave it his all in the 10,000m final before he could give no more and collapsed, eventually dragging himself over the finish line.
But if WA was a competitor at these Tokyo Olympics and COVID-19 vaccination was a sport, we wouldn’t be Patrick Tiernan, or swimming golden girls Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon.
We wouldn’t be Sam Kerr’s Matildas, who gave it their all only to be pipped by a dodgy call from the referee in their semi-final clash with Sweden.
Unfortunately, we’d be Shericka Jackson – the Jamaican sprinting star who inexplicably slowed down with 40m to run in her 200m heat thinking she had sewn up a semi-final spot.
Jackson’s casual stroll over the finish line saw her miss out on progressing to the semis by micro-seconds, and prompted Bruce McAvaney to call her “a little bit too cocky”.
Here in WA, having largely been spared the worst of COVID, perhaps we too could be accused of being a little bit too cocky.
Maybe that explains why we have the worst full vaccination rate in the Australia for those over 16 (16.83% as at August 2) and sit only narrowly behind Queensland in having just 37.67% of people who have received their first jab.
Whatever the reason, it’s not good enough. Because we can’t just keep the borders shut to keep COVID out forever.
Sooner or later, and preferably sooner, we need to become a country that is connected again. We need to get back to a way of life that gives us the freedoms to travel, interstate and overseas.
As the Prime Minister Scott Morrison explained last Friday and again yesterday, we have to learn to live with this virus – to get back to our normal way of life.
We have done a remarkable job so far. Yes, there have been vaccine supply issues, but we are now largely on top of those. Supplies will continue to rapidly grow.
I would encourage every West Australian to speak to their GP about getting the AstraZeneca vaccine – made right here in Australia – as soon as possible (I am having my second dose next week). Or the Pfizer vaccine, with supplies of that growing rapidly soon.
It’s worth bearing in mind that more than 750 million doses of AstraZeneca have been supplied globally in the past 12 months. In the UK alone, 24.7 million first doses and 22.8 million second doses had been administered as of July 14.
Were it not for the measures the Commonwealth and state governments have put in place over the past 18 months, another 30,000 Australians would have lost their lives.
We have a strong national vaccination plan. The modelling done for the Federal Government by the Doherty Institute has shown us how we can move out of the current Phase A in the Government’s four-step plan back to normality, to phases B and C.
Until we get our nation to a vaccination rate of 70 per cent (Phase B), lockdowns – hopefully short and sharp – will be the only way to deal with the Delta strain, undoubtedly the most transmissible of COVID strains we have seen.
Once above 80 per cent (Phase C), it is expected that the hospitalisation rate from COVID will fall considerably, to something like what we see with the flu.
Surely that’s enough to inspire every West Australian to go out and get vaccinated? To ensure we no longer sit last in the vaccination stakes but are at the very least on the podium?
And surely protecting yourself, your family and friends, and avoiding lockdowns that send businesses to the wall, provides more inspiration than the $300 game-show gimmick proposed by Anthony Albanese?
It was pleasing to see the WA Government this week announce a two-week vaccine blitz, starting later this month, to give 140,000 doses to West Australians aged 30-39.
As of July 31, the Commonwealth had administered 45,929 jabs at WA aged care and residential disability facilities and 582,198 at primary care sites, while WA Government clinics had jabbed 505,634 arms.
These figures show that the vaccination rollout is something we must continue to do together and is very much a shared responsibility.
We need the WA Government to hold the line and remain in lockstep with the Federal Government as part of a national team effort to bring an end to the frequent lockdowns that damage lives and livelihoods, especially when we reach phases B and C.
As my beloved Fremantle Dockers showed in their heroic win over Richmond on Sunday, it is only unwavering determination, willpower and – most of all – teamwork that is going to see us give COVID the old heave-ho and get us back the pre-pandemic way of life we all long for.
More vital funding for Durack airstrips
More than $1.7 million across 7 Durack regional airports will benefit from grants under Round 2 of the Morrison Government’s Regional Airports Program.
Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price said the grants are vital to assist local regional communities maintain infrastructure and safety standards.
“Across my vast electorate of Durack, it is so important to assist communities through their local shires to have operational airstrips and air services. This round will benefit things like upgrading firefighting operations in the Moora Shire to expansion of the helipad and apron at Wongan Hills, runway taxiworks and installation of solar lights at others,” Ms Price said.
“These grants will also fund projects like runway fencing and the installation of solar lights, that will improve the safety of aircraft, operators and passengers, the delivery of goods and services and better meet the operational requirements of aeromedical and other emergency services across Durack,” Ms Price said.
For a full list of successful projects and more information on the Regional Airports Program, visit infrastructure.gov.au/regionalaviation.
Ends.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Boosting Mobile Coverage in Durack
Durack is set to benefit from new and improved mobile coverage thanks to Round 5A of the Morrison Government’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program.
Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price welcomed the news that 8 more Mobile Black Spots are set to be addressed under this round of the Program.
“From the Kimberley to the Mid- West there will be improved mobile coverage for the local community, allowing visitors and locals alike to stay connected, access education services, conduct business and remain in contact with family and friends,” Ms Price said.
“I look forward to working with the successful recipients so that building the mobile base station can get underway and the community can benefit from improved coverage. These base stations will improve coverage in disaster prone areas, along major transport corridors and trial new approaches to delivering coverage,” she said.
The Morrison Government has committed $20.5 million to fund 67 new mobile base stations across Australia. This announcement brings the total number of base stations being funded under the Mobile Black Spot Program to over 1,270 base stations, representing a total investment of over $875 million in total investment.
The 67 base stations funded under Round 5A across regional and remote Australia will collectively deliver over 12,000 square kilometres of new and improved handheld coverage. The Government is committed continuing to work with industry and state and local governments to improve mobile coverage and connectivity across Australia.
A key priority of Round 5A is to test new approaches to supporting improved mobile coverage.
“The Liberals and Nationals Government encourage mobile network operators to deploy shared mobile infrastructure to reduce cost and provide new coverage from more than one carrier.
The full list of base stations funded under Round 5A of the MBSP is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.
Ends.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Missing the ‘power’ point.
The Morrison Government continues to invest in regional and remote telecommunications, to ensure that all Australians, no matter there they live, have access to communication services for business, education and staying in touch with families.
Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price welcomes new funding for the Kimberley for 2 new base stations to improve connectivity across the vast region.
“This week, new funding was announced for the Kimberley for two new base stations to improve connectivity across the vast region. Additional to our previous and ongoing investment in Durack services, a new base station at Embulgan near Broome and another at Kadjina in the West Kimberley will benefit from the latest Round 5A funding under its Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) outcomes,” she said
“In the previous 12 months I am proud that we have also invested almost $7million in 17 Kimberley locations in the well-received Regional Connectivity Program (RCP including to Halls Creek, Bidyadanga, Jigalong and Kalumburu. A program specifically designed and funded by the Morrison Government which is designed to assist and deliver place-based solutions that solve regional connectivity issues,” Ms Price said.
I take issue at recently reported comments by the McGowan Government Transport Minister Rita Saffioti that “she would speak to her Federal counterparts about much needed upgrades to the Kimberley’s network coverage”.
“My office has heard nothing on this issue from the minister. The facts are, that many of these ongoing frustrating telecommunication issues are caused by power blackouts. A failure by the government to supply the power necessary for the telecommunication bases to operate, something the state government is entirely responsible for,” Ms Price said.
“It is the McGowan Government and Minister Rita Saffioti missing the point. It needs to be doing some work to solve these power supply issues for the people of the Kimberley,” Ms Price said.
With the ongoing power blackout problems across Durack, and the resulting failure of base stations, the Morrison Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program, has funded and installed 12-hour back-up batteries to 13 Kimberley locations.
The Morrison Government continues to fund improvements to mobile coverage and connectivity in Northern Australia. Under the MBSP to date, the Government has committed $34 million (GST exclusive) to fund 181 mobile base stations across northern Australia, including four under Round 5A. In the 2021-22 Budget, $68.5 million in dedicated funding was allocated to improve telecommunications infrastructure across Northern Australia through the MBSP and the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
Please see investment list attached.
ENDS.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Record Financial Assistance for Seroja Recovery
Clean up and recovery support that was approved in principle in May, and is detailed in the following packages:
More than $100 million has been committed to further assist the long and challenging recovery of the Mid West communities impacted by ex - Tropical Cyclone Seroja in April.
Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price said the largest disaster recovery package in the state’s history is necessary to continue to rebuild and important recognition by the Morrison Government.
“I have been in two of the most heavily impacted communities this week, Kalbarri and Northampton, and while there has been great progress there is still a lot to do. When Prime Minister Morrison and I visited Kalbarri within days of the disaster, we declared our ongoing and long-term support to help these communities rebuild. I am proud today that this record funding commitment is evidence of that unwavering commitment,” Ms Price said.
“Importantly it is not just these 2 communities that will have access to this funding but 16 local government areas across the affected areas through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA),” she said.
The package includes:
· Community Welfare and Outreach Program
· Recovery and Resilience Grants for Insured Residents up to $20,000
· Primary Producer Recovery Grants of up to $25,000
· Small Business Recovery Grants of up to $25,000
· Clean-Up and Restoration of Community, Recreational, Cultural and Heritage Assets
· In-principle support for assistance with establishing workers’ accommodation to enable rebuilding
“The record package developed to provide tailored recovery initiatives reflects my advocacy for these communities to ensure they are not forgotten, nor the extent of damage across a vast area of the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Wheatbelt regions, never before been seen in Western Australia,” she said.
This community recovery package is in addition to support already being provided by the WA and Commonwealth governments under the DRFA.
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist
Ends.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au
Microgrid Muscle for Durack
The Morrison Government is committing $25.6 million to back 20 microgrid feasibility studies under Round Two of the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund.
Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price said the fund is ideal for remote locations in Durack.
“The studies will investigate whether establishing a microgrid, or upgrading existing off-grid technologies, would better meet the energy needs of regional and remote communities. I am really pleased that there are three companies and locations in Durack who have been successful grant recipients,” she said.
The successful recipients are
Regional Power Corporation
$650,000 to support the transition to a cleaner, lower cost energy mix in six remote Mid West towns; Cue, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, Sandstone, Wiluna and Yalgoo to 100% renewable energy.
Sunrise Energy Group Pty Ltd
$1,377,101 Mullewa Microgrid Feasibility Study project. The Project aims to develop a commercially sound, technically and economically feasible solution to significantly improve energy reliability, improve amenity for Mullewa residents and to retain and attract business to the town.
Generators & Off Grid Energy Pty Ltd
$357,593 Providing reliable energy solutions to WA Indigenous outstations in Kimberley Remote Indigenous communities and achieving emissions reduction
Microgrids reduce regional communities’ reliance on diesel generation, bringing down the price of electricity bills for households and businesses and cut emissions.
Ends
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
More funding for headspace in Durack
More funding for a dedicated headspace employment program will assist young people in Durack experiencing mental illness to join the workforce, with extra funding of almost $2 million over the next three years.
Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price said the Geraldton and Broome headspace services would run the Individual Placement and Support Program to address barriers preventing people with mental illness from finding and keeping a job.
“I have always been a strong advocate of headspace and have consistently fought for extra funding and services. I am particularly pleased to see this program has been extended to Geraldton headspace and the Broome service has been re-funded to assist young people increase their employment opportunities,” Ms Price said.
“The Morrison Government continues to be a strong supporter of headspace too and this investment will be a boost to local mental health and employment services in key Durack regions by integrating educational and workforce support with clinical mental health services,” she said.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the onset of mental illness in young people can significantly affect their ability to transition from study to work.
“This investment will provide local career assistance hand-in-hand with clinical support to help young people with mental illness enter the workforce and reach their full potential,” Minister Ruston said.
Nationally, the Individual Placement and Support Program will allow more than 6,000 Australians under the age of 25 experiencing mental illness to access a range of specialist vocational and employment support services.
Ends.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Durack child care gets a boost
Child care services in regional, remote and disadvantaged communities in Durack will share in more than $7 million to help improve access to care and increase workforce participation.
The Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) gives approved services critical funding that may be needed to keep them operating and increase the number of children they can care for.
Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price said the Morrison Government was committed to giving Durack families access to quality child care, regardless of where they live with 43 successful Durack recipients in the latest round of the Community Child Care Fund grants.
“In some remote areas, there may only be one or two childcare services operating and it is critical we keep these open so families can access the care they need,” Ms Price said.
“While staff shortages and accommodation continue to be issues in parts of Durack impacting on place availability, the Morrison Government stays focused on funding facilities so more families in a regional or disadvantaged area can access care if they choose. It will also help achieve our Closing the Gap targets by increasing participation of Indigenous children in early childhood education,” she said.
The Morrison Government has allocated more than $220 million to over 1,000 childcare services through the Community Child Care Fund since 2018.
More information on the Community Child Care Fund can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.
Ends.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Photography, painting and poetry in Durack
New Regional Arts Fund Project grants will provide opportunities for Durack artists and arts workers to cultivate creative community engagement with the arts as we emerge from the pandemic – reconnecting regional communities.
The Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price said she is impressed by the diversity of the Durack recipients in this latest round of grants.
“Kimberley poet Nandi Chinna, who was shortlisted for the Prime Ministers Literature Award in 2020, to create a suite of poetry responding to Martuwarra (the Fitzroy River), Carnarvon’s Miranda Plum for a Street Art Mentorship and a year-long mentoring ‘New Voices in Photography’ program for Kimberley women are among the recipients,” Ms Price said.
“As well, Broome’s Dinosaur Stomp will be a collaboration between artists and scientists to create earth shaking, fun making, bone rattling, in your face street puppets and Kununurra’s Waringarri Aboriginal Arts will draw inspiration from the traditional knowledge of plants to deliver a creative development framework for the next generation of artists and arts workers,” she said.
I congratulate the 5 Durack recipients and look forward to the creative and economic contribution these artists and projects will bring to Durack. This is a major boost supporting local artists and is part of the Government’s investment towards a sustainable, thriving, and diverse arts sector across regional and remote communities,” she said.
Each year the Government provides around $3.6 million through the Regional Arts Fund, supporting sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities.
For more information about the Regional Arts Fund and to view the full list of Project grant recipients visit: www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/regional-arts-fund
Ends:
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Major Project Status to Durack Potash Project
The Morrison Government is supporting development of a major potash production and export project in a remote part of Western Australia’s Pilbara, expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the region.
Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price has welcomed the project’s recognition of Major Project Status.
“It emphasises the importance of the project to Australia’s economy and exports and will help the project deal with Government approvals for this crucial agricultural fertiliser ingredient,” Ms Price said.
Reward Minerals has been granted the status for its $450 million Lake Disappointment Brine and Sulphate of Potash project, located about 320 kilometres east of Newman in northern Western Australia.
“It is expected that the Durack project will produce around 400,000 tonnes of sulphate of potash a year from mining and brine evaporation facilities at Lake Disappointment, providing employment of 230 jobs during construction and 200 direct jobs during operations,” she said.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Christian Porter has also welcomed this decision.
“The Lake Disappointment project will strengthen the security of Australia’s agriculture sector and support the Government’s Ag2030 agenda to boost Australia’s agricultural production to $100 billion a year by 2030 once completed,” he said.
The Lake Disappointment project has an initial life of 25 years. The project is also expected to create new opportunities to export potash to expanding markets in Southeast Asia, India and potentially East Africa.
Major Project Status helps companies access extra support, coordination, and information services from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency which acts as a single-entry point into the Australian Government regulatory approvals pathway.
Ends;
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
More safe places for women and children in Durack
New funding will allow for the renovation, building or purchase of accommodation to support women and children experiencing family and domestic violence in Karratha.
The Federal Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price said this funding is an opportunity for a significant upgrade of emergency accommodation by the Salvation Army.
“This $5.5 million Safe Places program funding will allow for improved options to support women and children experiencing family and domestic violence in the Pilbara,” Ms Price said.
“I congratulate The Salvation Army. I am anticipating that this funding will provide more urgent emergency accommodation to help protect women and children in crisis with 10 self-continued units to be built with 2 and 3 bedrooms, who require a safe place to stay for up to 3 months,” she said.
Minister for Families and Social Services and Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said the Safe Places program was originally designed to help more than 6,000 Australian women and children.
“Women and children in regional and remote communities face specific challenges and often stay with family and friends to escape violent situations, though this is not always an option,” Minister Ruston said.
The Salvation Army has thanked local member Melissa Price for her visit to their facility in Karratha last year and her subsequent advocacy for assistance.
"The allocation of funds means we can address the demand and create the most beneficial service for the women and families we support,” The Salvation Army's WA Commander, Major Brad Potter said.
This funding forms part of the Morrison Government’s record $1.1 billion commitment to women’s safety in the 2021-22 Budget.
For more information on the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation grants, visit the Community Grants Hub.
Ends;
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Cheers to Cheaper Power for Durack Hotels
Small and medium hotels across Durack are receiving support from the Morrison Government’s Hotel Energy Uplift Program to cut their energy costs so they can invest in their business and get ahead.
Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price has welcomed the energy saving benefits for 9 Durack grant recipients.
“I am particularly pleased to see the cross section of outlets benefitting from this program across Durack, like the community run Bolgart Hotel to Wyndham’s Parry Creek Farm - Tourist Resort & Caravan Park,” Ms Price said.
“Through the $10.2 million Hotel Energy Uplift Program, the recipients will be able to lower their energy bills by upgrading to more energy efficient air-conditioning, refrigeration and equipment, improving the building through double glazing and insulation, carrying out energy audits or installing energy monitoring equipment,” she said.
The Hotel Energy Uplift Program was announced in the 2020-21 Budget and is part of the Government’s $1.9 billion investment in new energy technologies which will create new jobs now and into the future, reduce emissions and ensure all Australians have access to reliable and affordable energy.
The list of successful Durack applicants.
Bolgart Hotel Supply and install air conditioning $25,000.00
Bayside Holiday Apartments Energy Efficiency Roadmap Broome $25,000.00
The Dalwallinu Wheatland Motel Energy Audit And Installation Dalwallinu $24,592.00
Redgum Village Dandaragan $25,000.00
Ocean Centre Hotel Geraldton Energy Efficient Window Replacement $24,500.00
API Pelican Beach Front Apartments Kalbarri Energy Saving Window Installation $24,742.00
Koorda Hotel Energy efficiency upgrade $25,000.00
Olympic Motel Upgrade Guest Laundry & Room Windows Merredin $25,000.00
Parry Creek Farm - Tourist Resort & Caravan Park Upgrade equipment to reduce energy consumption Wyndham $18,650.00
Ends;
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587 395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
2021 Powering Communities Grants Program
2021 Powering Communities Grants Program. Grants of $5,000 to $12,000 are available to help not-for-profit community organisations reduce energy use, improve energy productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EOI FORMS available in the ‘Online Office’ file on this page.
Applications close Friday June 18,
Safety First in Durack
The Morrison Government is providing up to $20 million in funding for early intervention projects and up to $10 million for security infrastructure through Round Six of the Safer Communities Fund.
The Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price said this funding will help ensure people in our local community feel safe as they go about their daily lives.
“We’ll continue to work closely with local councils and community organisations to identify infrastructure projects that can be supported through this funding,” Ms Price said.
“There are two streams to this funding round, with the early intervention funding stream providing support for at risk young people to help them turn away from crime and build positive relationships and skills. The infrastructure stream will support funding applications to improve security and protect communities through projects such as CCTV, fencing and bollards,” she said.
The early intervention grant opportunity is open today, closing 22 July 2021.
The security infrastructure grant opportunity opens on 15 June 2021, closing 5 August 2021.
“Durack communities have really benefited from previous rounds of the Safer Communities Fund, including almost $3 million to assist Police and Community Youth Centres in Broome, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Roebourne,” Ms Price said.
Grant opportunity guidelines for the early intervention and infrastructure funding streams will be available on the opening dates at www.business.gov.au. Guidelines will include information about how to apply, eligibility and assessment criteria.
The Morrison Government announced $35 million (including program administration costs) from 2020-21 to 2023-24 to fund round six of the Safer Communities Fund in Budget 2020-21.
Ends,
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Stronger Communities for a Stronger Durack
Eleven Durack communities will have improved local facilities and safety equipment, following another successful grant round of the successful Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).
Federal Member for Durack the Hon. Melissa Price congratulated all the recipients who will share in more than $136, 000 to fund projects as varied as the purchase of defibrillators to be available for various community facilities to improved safety balustrading at a local speedway.
“The criteria for this Stronger Communities Programme Round 6, was supporting the health and safety of Durack community groups so I am pleased to see the positive outcome of this round. There will be benefits for organisations from Broome to Westonia across my electorate, which is a very pleasing result,” Ms Price said.
“I have seen these SCP grants of up to $20 000 have a significant impact in local communities including encouraging greater community participation and safety providing lasting improvements to important community amenities,” Ms Price said.
This program has already committed funding to over 10,000 projects across Australia, locally driven projects which make a real difference in our communities.
Please find attached a list of successful Durack projects, SCP Round 6.
More information about this grant programme is available here.
www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme
Ends.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
Stronger Communities Round 6 Durack Recipients
Project
Broome Basketball Assoc.
$18,500.00 Capital upgrade of storage shed at BRAC- this would include lining the shed and upgrading electrical and fit out with suitable security.
Westonia Progress Assoc.
$3,825.00 To ensure that all sporting and cultural facilities have access to defibrillators and medical kits.
Merredin Military Museum
$2,600.00 Purchase a defibrillator, cabinet and wall mount first aid kit for the museum.
Geraldton City Speedway
$20,000.00 Upgrading of the safety balustrades of the upper landing viewing platform of the canteen.
Feed the Little Children Inc – Broome
$5, 082.00 This project will improve First Aid, PPE and visibility for volunteers and vision for vehicle drivers - thereby improving our duty of care to volunteers.
Geraldton Golf Club
$20,000.00 To upgrade facilities and provide inclusive access by installing a disabled access changeroom/bathroom.
Jabot Dance Inc – Port Hedland
$17,620.00 Upgrade studio foyer area with security roller shutters, cabinetry and furnishings.
Merredin Fine Arts Society
$11,000.00 Kitchen renovation to keep mice out, and to create a safer place for members including disabled and surviving cancer patients.
Port Hedland Motorcycle Club
$8,049.00 Canteen and spectator area upgrades, gas cook top to allow for better food options, fume extractors to comply with TOPH and sun protection for patrons.
Broome Speedway Club Inc
$18,739.00 The club is seeking funding to ensure it stays compliant with Speedway Australia standards.
Hedland Toy Library Inc. - Port Hedland
$10,000.00 We wish to fill a gap in the current availability of disability/delayed development toys.
Ends.