Archived News for Professionals in State Government - April, 2012
Canberra is set to roll out the country’s first free e-waste recycling service, allowing residents to dispose of their unwanted televisions and computers under a national scheme.
“This is the start of a nation-wide roll-out of services as part of an extremely exciting initiative under the Gillard Government’s landmark Product Stewardship legislation. Services like these will be rolled out across Australia, boosting television and computer recycling rates to 30 percent in 2012-13 and 80 per cent by 2021-22, providing a long-term solution to television and computer waste,” Minister for Sustainability Senator Don Farrell said.
“Televisions and computers contain valuable non-renewable resources, including gold and other precious metals, as well as hazardous materials including lead, bromine, mercury and zinc. By recycling them, we can recover useful materials and at the same time reduce health and environmental risks.”
Funding announced for WA wave plant
The Federal Government has announced $10 million in funding for Western Australia’s Carnegie Wave Energy’s Perth Wave Energy Project on Garden Island near Fremantle.
Mindarie mineral mining resumes
The South Australian Government has announced that mining of mineral sands is set to resume at Mindarie in South Australia’s Murray Mallee.
Broad Construction wins Riverside redevelopment contract
The Western Australian Government has announced it has awarded the $22 million contract for road and infrastructure works at Perth’s Riverside project to Broad Construction.
NSW outlines transport blitz
The New South Wales Government has announced a $100 million blitz of the state’s public transport, with an aim to improve services and undertake much-needed upgrades.
NSW projects target hospitalisation and homelessness
As part of a new National Partnership Agreement (NP) on Mental Health, the Labor Government will provide the NSW Government with $57.6 million over 5 years for three new projects that will improve the care and support provided to people living with severe mental illness.
Under the NP, NSW is receiving the largest share of funding of all states and territories.
The following projects will receive Commonwealth funding:
Perth redevelopment starts
Work on Perth’s $440 million redevelopment has commenced after Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett attended a groundbreaking ceremony.
SA Reaches marine parks agreement
The South Australian Government has announced an agreement as been reached with the conservation, recreational and commercial fishing sectors on the future zoning approach for South Australia’s marine parks.
SA uranium deal inches closer
The development of South Australia’s next major uranium mining development has inched closer after the signing of a 10-year least for the Four Mile site.
Victoria backs waste-to-energy pilot
The Victorian Government has confirmed $4.5 million in funding for a biomass plant that will convert organic waste into electricity.
Federal Government announces NSW mental health boost
The Federal Government has announced it will provide the NSW Government with $57.6 million over five years for three new projects to improve the care and support provided to those living with severe mental illnesses.
Federal Government announces school independence scheme
The Federal Government has announced the first phase of the Empowering Local Schools initiative that will allow public schools to join together to form ‘confederations’ to allow greater integrated decision-making and community engagement.
Government releases GST distribution review interim report
The first interim report of the independent GST Distribution Review has been published.
NSW on the hunt for senior IT manager
The New South Wales Government has announced it is currently searching for a Head of NSW State Government Senior IT Manager.
Victoria announces $1.2 billion infrastructure project
The Victorian government has announced a $1.2 billion re-development of the Port of Melbourne and will see the construction of a new container terminal at Webb Dock and further infrastructure upgrades as Swanson Dock to increase capacity.
Bruce Highway upgrade second stage begins
The Federal Government has announced preparations are underway to start work on the second and final stage of the reconstructing and upgrading of the Bruce Highway through Wide Bay township of Tiaro.
New freight terminal for Sydney
The Federal Government has announced a new freight terminal to be built in Sydney’s south-west.
NSW flags WorkCover cuts
The New South Wales Government has released an issues paper and announced a parliamentary committee as the next steps to reforming WorkCover NSW.
Victoria's population set to boom
A study into Victoria’s population growth has found the state is set to boom over the next 20 years.
Crean calls for cooperation for Latrobe transition
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean has called on local leaders to work cooperatively in the Latrobe Valley to help identify new opportunities to assist the area transitioning to a clean energy future.
Perth Waterfront design guide released
The Western Australian Government has released design guidelines for the new Prth Waterfront project.