Archived News for Professionals in State Government
The Western Australian Government has released a study which assesses the opportunities for desalinating saline or brackish groundwater reserves in the state’s Wheatbelt region.
The independent engineering study revealed that large scale water supplies from desalination of groundwater were not currently feasible, but there may be opportunities for future local scale schemes with improved technology.
“This study has found that there are logistical and technological challenges to the treatment and use of major saline water resources in the dryland agricultural areas. It is unlikely that the major ‘sea-water equivalent’ resources can be exploited economically for use within the agricultural areas, and it is even less likely that exporting this water out of the region will be economically viable,” the report found.
Record rates of skill training in WA
An interim report card issued by the Western Australian Government’s Training WA body shows that a record number of people are undertaking skills training in Western Australia.
Queensland gas market to continue boom
The Queensland State Government has expressed its confidence in the health and longevity of its gas mining sector, with a number of new major investments set to deliver ‘decades of jobs for Queenslanders’.
Ombudsman slams government service failure
Poor governmental communication is at fault for the breakdown of good policy, according to Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher.
States show patchy performance on elective surgery waiting lists
In its third and final report on elective surgery waiting list, the Council of Australian Governments’ National Partnership on elective surgery waiting lists (COAG) found that state and territory governments had achieved mixed results in reforming the area.
South Australia developing STEM strategy
The South Australian Government is developing a cross-government strategy to increase the supply of people taking up careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields to meet the future needs of local industry.
$1.3 billion injected into SA renewable energy
Sulzon Energy Australia has revealed plans to spend upwards of $1.3 billion to build one of the world's largest wind energy projects on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.
Queensland leads economic growth
National Accounts data released by the Australian bureau of Statistics (ABS) has shown Queensland’s economy is quickly returning to pre-disaster levels.
Round one of Regional Development Australia Fund announced
The Federal Government has announced the first $150 million round of the $1 billion Regional Development Australia Fund.
WA announces planning legislation changes
The Western Australian State Government has announced planning legislation changes that will oblige all WA local governments to develop a Strategic Community Plan and corporate Business Plan.
Victorian ports notch up record years
Victoria's Port of Melbourne has recorded a seven per cent increase in container movements, handling a total of 2.39 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), an average of about 6,500 containers per day.
New South Wales Budget overview
The New South Wales Government has announced a $2.8 billion spending package for aged care and disability services in the state's 2011-12 State Budget.
NSW to follow WA on royalties increase
The New South Wales Government has announced it will follow Western Australia's example and move to increase mining royalties.
Drought Pilot review published
The joint Western Australian and Federal Government Drought Pilot panel has published its drought policy platform into adapting and dealing with future droughts in the country.
Victoria releases health plan
The Victorian State Government has released the state's first ever Public Health and Wellbeing Plan which aims to address the state's increasing rates of chronic and preventable diseases.
Federal Government establishes Skills Standards Council
The Federal Government has announced the formation of the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC), which will act as a standards setting body for the vocational education and training (VET) sector with an aim to improve quality and consistency of VET regulation throughout the country.
Ambulance Victoria board replaced
The Victorian Health Minister, has sacked four members of the nine-member board of Ambulance Victoria, and announced the appointment of a new board which includes just two members of the outgoing board. Outgoing board members include former Labor MP John McQuilten, Bruce Levy, a senior executive at Medibank Private, Melbourne lawyer Jan Moffatt and Suzanne Ewart, an independent consultant who has worked with water companies and the RSPCA.
Queensland announces road reconstruction funding
Federal and State Governments have announced $195 million in joint funding for reconstruction of key road infrastructure in Queensland's north west.
West Kimberly heritage listed
19 million square miles of the Northern Territory's West Kimberly region will be under Federal protection after Environment Minister Tony Burke announced that the area is to be formally listed under the national heritage listing laws.
WA announces new Royalties for Regions funding round
The Western Australian Government has announced the next round of funding for local communities under the state's Royalties for Regions Grants Scheme (RGS).
Victoria passes new wind farm legislation
The Victorian State Government has passed legislation which prohibits the construction of new wind turbines within certain proximity to dwellings and regional centres.