as posted here
WA health authorities have today confirmed two more deaths linked to swine influenza, both occurring in the past two days.
A 78-year-old man died at Royal Perth Hospital on Monday and a 39-year-old woman died at Armadale Kelmscott Memorial Hospital today. Both had significant underlying medical conditions.
WA has now recorded 12 deaths related to human swine influenza, A/H1N1.
Nationally 29,000 people have tested positive to the virus.
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Thursday, 13 August 2009
Pollies miss pay rise but get allowance boost
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WA's politicians look set to miss out on a pay rise next year, although they could get an increase in their electoral allowances after Labor revealed it had backed a boost in the payments in its submission to the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal
The independent tribunal, which takes into account submissions from the public and political parties, will announce its wage determination on Friday for the next financial year.
In its submission, the Barnett Government called for a freeze on both wages and electoral allowances because of the tough economic times.
Politicians' wages rose 4.2 per cent last year, taking a backbencher's salary to about $129,000 a year - slightly above the nation's other parliaments.
They received a similar increase in their electoral allowance, which helps them to manage expenses such as offices, to about $50,000 a year.
With other stipends such as car and travel allowances, the average backbencher collects more than $200,000 a year.
A Labor spokeswoman said a rise in the electoral allowance was warranted by the increasing technology and training costs facing local MPs.
Nationals leader Brendon Grylls said he supported freezing MPs salaries because the Government had asked the public service to "tighten its belt" and politicians should take the lead in these matters, but it had not made a submission.
as posted here
WA's politicians look set to miss out on a pay rise next year, although they could get an increase in their electoral allowances after Labor revealed it had backed a boost in the payments in its submission to the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal
The independent tribunal, which takes into account submissions from the public and political parties, will announce its wage determination on Friday for the next financial year.
In its submission, the Barnett Government called for a freeze on both wages and electoral allowances because of the tough economic times.
Politicians' wages rose 4.2 per cent last year, taking a backbencher's salary to about $129,000 a year - slightly above the nation's other parliaments.
They received a similar increase in their electoral allowance, which helps them to manage expenses such as offices, to about $50,000 a year.
With other stipends such as car and travel allowances, the average backbencher collects more than $200,000 a year.
A Labor spokeswoman said a rise in the electoral allowance was warranted by the increasing technology and training costs facing local MPs.
Nationals leader Brendon Grylls said he supported freezing MPs salaries because the Government had asked the public service to "tighten its belt" and politicians should take the lead in these matters, but it had not made a submission.
as posted here
First past the post for council elections
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WA's local government elections in October will be carried out using the first-past-the-post voting system after State Parliament last night voted for the amendment, two years after Labor scrapped it.
Proportional preferential voting was introduced in 2007 despite criticism from WALGA, which said it was not consulted and the system was too complicated.
Local Government Minister John Castrilli introduced an amendment to return to the old system and called on Parliament to expedite the Bill for the October council elections.
"This important amendment has the capacity to deliver a simpler, less factional-driven electoral process to the local government sector," he said earlier this year.
WALGA has said the first-past-the-post was simpler, it stopped candidates running as a ticket and it helped stop factionalism.
WA Local Government Association President Cr Bill Mitchell today applauded the Government for pushing through the change.
"There was very little time and significant resistance from the various government departments to have this change made in time for the October elections but the Minister has pushed through all that," Mr Mitchell said.
"Given that the legislation had lapsed previously and that the timeframe was down to just two days, the Association was preparing the sector to accept that the change would not be made in time."
Mr Mitchell said under the first-past-the-post system candidates needed only to win the support of their local community whereas under the PPV system there was a greater focus on running mates and back room deals that mostly suit the organised, larger political parties.
"The move back to first-past-the-post returns control of Council elections to the community and lessens the influence and potential manipulation by the major political parties," he said.
The elections will be held on October 17.
as posted here
WA's local government elections in October will be carried out using the first-past-the-post voting system after State Parliament last night voted for the amendment, two years after Labor scrapped it.
Proportional preferential voting was introduced in 2007 despite criticism from WALGA, which said it was not consulted and the system was too complicated.
Local Government Minister John Castrilli introduced an amendment to return to the old system and called on Parliament to expedite the Bill for the October council elections.
"This important amendment has the capacity to deliver a simpler, less factional-driven electoral process to the local government sector," he said earlier this year.
WALGA has said the first-past-the-post was simpler, it stopped candidates running as a ticket and it helped stop factionalism.
WA Local Government Association President Cr Bill Mitchell today applauded the Government for pushing through the change.
"There was very little time and significant resistance from the various government departments to have this change made in time for the October elections but the Minister has pushed through all that," Mr Mitchell said.
"Given that the legislation had lapsed previously and that the timeframe was down to just two days, the Association was preparing the sector to accept that the change would not be made in time."
Mr Mitchell said under the first-past-the-post system candidates needed only to win the support of their local community whereas under the PPV system there was a greater focus on running mates and back room deals that mostly suit the organised, larger political parties.
"The move back to first-past-the-post returns control of Council elections to the community and lessens the influence and potential manipulation by the major political parties," he said.
The elections will be held on October 17.
as posted here
Mild earthquake rocks Wheatbelt
Troy Buswell to demand a bigger share of GST for WA
as posted here
TREASURER Troy Buswell says WA has been cheated on its share of the GST and will demand a bigger cut for the state at a showdown in Canberra today.
The heads of state treasury departments are preparing for a confrontation on the division of GST revenues today, with resource states WA and Queensland claiming the tax should be used to help build their infrastructure.
Changes to the formula for distributing GST that have been proposed by the Commonwealth Grants Commission have been the subject of heated debate among the states.
The commission has accepted arguments from Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory that their rapidly growing populations are putting strains on infrastructure for which they need compensation.
Queensland argued that over the past decade, its population had grown by 22.5 per cent, compared with 10 per cent in New South Wales and 12.6 per cent in Victoria. This meant it had to spend more on transport, water, power, schools, hospitals, police stations and prisons.
NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT argued that the fair division of GST required only that it should enable all states to deliver equivalent quality services on an annual basis.
But the commission accepted the argument of the resource states in its draft recommendation. It said the division of grants was not just about the annual budget bottom line, but about the financial net worth of states.
A joint statement by Mr Buswell and Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser said they were being cheated by the existing formula.
"Queensland and Western Australia were Australia’s economic engine rooms leading into the global recession, and we are best-placed to lead the nation out of it," they said.
"Both have outpaced the national rate of economic growth over the last dozen years, and both have had lower unemployment rates than the national average.
"However, Queensland and Western Australia are both donor States.
"On a per capita basis, Queensland and Western Australia will both receive a GST allocation well below the average per capita GST distribution.
"And despite the protests of the southern States, Queensland and Western Australia will both receive a lower GST per capita than both NSW and Victoria.
"Presently Western Australia receives around $910million less than its per capita share while Queensland misses out on $700million.
"The current formula recognises the provision of services - but common sense would suggest that the provision of services requires not just people, but buildings and other infrastructure too."
WA and Queensland receive lower GST per capita because their resource richness gives those states greater taxing power than other states, for which they are penalised by the commission.
However, NSW and Victoria have argued that the commission's proposed changes would greatly damage their ability to provide services
as posted here
TREASURER Troy Buswell says WA has been cheated on its share of the GST and will demand a bigger cut for the state at a showdown in Canberra today.
The heads of state treasury departments are preparing for a confrontation on the division of GST revenues today, with resource states WA and Queensland claiming the tax should be used to help build their infrastructure.
Changes to the formula for distributing GST that have been proposed by the Commonwealth Grants Commission have been the subject of heated debate among the states.
The commission has accepted arguments from Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory that their rapidly growing populations are putting strains on infrastructure for which they need compensation.
Queensland argued that over the past decade, its population had grown by 22.5 per cent, compared with 10 per cent in New South Wales and 12.6 per cent in Victoria. This meant it had to spend more on transport, water, power, schools, hospitals, police stations and prisons.
NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT argued that the fair division of GST required only that it should enable all states to deliver equivalent quality services on an annual basis.
But the commission accepted the argument of the resource states in its draft recommendation. It said the division of grants was not just about the annual budget bottom line, but about the financial net worth of states.
A joint statement by Mr Buswell and Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser said they were being cheated by the existing formula.
"Queensland and Western Australia were Australia’s economic engine rooms leading into the global recession, and we are best-placed to lead the nation out of it," they said.
"Both have outpaced the national rate of economic growth over the last dozen years, and both have had lower unemployment rates than the national average.
"However, Queensland and Western Australia are both donor States.
"On a per capita basis, Queensland and Western Australia will both receive a GST allocation well below the average per capita GST distribution.
"And despite the protests of the southern States, Queensland and Western Australia will both receive a lower GST per capita than both NSW and Victoria.
"Presently Western Australia receives around $910million less than its per capita share while Queensland misses out on $700million.
"The current formula recognises the provision of services - but common sense would suggest that the provision of services requires not just people, but buildings and other infrastructure too."
WA and Queensland receive lower GST per capita because their resource richness gives those states greater taxing power than other states, for which they are penalised by the commission.
However, NSW and Victoria have argued that the commission's proposed changes would greatly damage their ability to provide services
as posted here
All making an effort
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LOCAL councils are all doing their bit to protect the environment, particularly in waste and water management, according to a new survey published last week by an eco-watchdog group.
The Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire excelled in natural resource management scoring 100 per cent in survey responses while Gosnells and Armadale scored highly for waste management with 9/10 and 8/10, respectively.
The survey, published by HowGreen Is My Council, assessed the performance of metropolitan councils in a range of categories including access to information, climate change and sustainable transport, environmental sustainability and natural resource, waste and water management.
HowGreen spokeswoman Brenda Conochie said councils have “enormous potential” to affect the planet’s air, soil, water, biodiversity and climate at the local level.
In the access of information category S-J received four stars out of four, followed by Armadale with three and Gosnells none.
But Gosnells received six out of 12 stars in the climate change and sustainable transport, followed by Armadale (4) and SJ (3).
None offset their vehicle fleets’ carbon emissions, publish energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions or have addressed peak oil risks and vulnerabilities.
They have all purchased green power and participated in the Cities for Climate Change program.
Ms Conochie said the survey, which was online at www.howgreen.net.au was a “user-friendly” tool for residents, councillors and staff of Perth’s metropolitan councils.
“Our site recognises local governments’ efforts to protect the environment, while also drawing attention to gaps and, we hope, raising the bar to encourage further innovation and best practice,” she said.
There are plans to extend the service for country councils.
More detailed responses from the surveys are on the website.
as posted here
LOCAL councils are all doing their bit to protect the environment, particularly in waste and water management, according to a new survey published last week by an eco-watchdog group.
The Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire excelled in natural resource management scoring 100 per cent in survey responses while Gosnells and Armadale scored highly for waste management with 9/10 and 8/10, respectively.
The survey, published by HowGreen Is My Council, assessed the performance of metropolitan councils in a range of categories including access to information, climate change and sustainable transport, environmental sustainability and natural resource, waste and water management.
HowGreen spokeswoman Brenda Conochie said councils have “enormous potential” to affect the planet’s air, soil, water, biodiversity and climate at the local level.
In the access of information category S-J received four stars out of four, followed by Armadale with three and Gosnells none.
But Gosnells received six out of 12 stars in the climate change and sustainable transport, followed by Armadale (4) and SJ (3).
None offset their vehicle fleets’ carbon emissions, publish energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions or have addressed peak oil risks and vulnerabilities.
They have all purchased green power and participated in the Cities for Climate Change program.
Ms Conochie said the survey, which was online at www.howgreen.net.au was a “user-friendly” tool for residents, councillors and staff of Perth’s metropolitan councils.
“Our site recognises local governments’ efforts to protect the environment, while also drawing attention to gaps and, we hope, raising the bar to encourage further innovation and best practice,” she said.
There are plans to extend the service for country councils.
More detailed responses from the surveys are on the website.
as posted here
Central area plans proceed
as posted here
A PLAN to revitalise Maddington moved a step closer with the Central Maddington Outline Development Plan and an associated town planning scheme amendment being approved by the City of Gosnells.
The approvals came after public consultation through which 129 submissions were made regarding the plan to subdivide and develop about 150ha of land near Maddington railway station.
Matters raised in the submissions related to proposed increased residential density, new roads and areas of public parkland.
Mayor Olwen Searle said the approved plan reflected a series of modifications to the plan that was advertised for public comment, with many of the changes made in response to landowner submissions.
“Approval of the proposals has paved the way for further work to be undertaken to establish detailed design guidelines for the area,” she said.
“The City will now prepare a development contribution plan, which is needed to fund infrastructure works such as new roads and land acquisition for new parkland to facilitate the proposed redevelopment.
“This will be a challenging aspect of the planning for the Central Maddington area given there are approximately 550 individual properties and 470 landowners affected.”
Cr Searle said the proposals would now go to the WA Planning Commission for consideration and adoption.
Landowners could comment on the changes made to the plan adopted by the council. Such comments would be forwarded to the commission.
“While the approval by council is an important milestone there are still several steps to be taken before approval of applications for subdivision and development in the area can occur,” Cr Searle said.
“A positive decision of the commission as well as the required development contribution plan are critical requirements to allow this to occur.”
as posted here
A PLAN to revitalise Maddington moved a step closer with the Central Maddington Outline Development Plan and an associated town planning scheme amendment being approved by the City of Gosnells.
The approvals came after public consultation through which 129 submissions were made regarding the plan to subdivide and develop about 150ha of land near Maddington railway station.
Matters raised in the submissions related to proposed increased residential density, new roads and areas of public parkland.
Mayor Olwen Searle said the approved plan reflected a series of modifications to the plan that was advertised for public comment, with many of the changes made in response to landowner submissions.
“Approval of the proposals has paved the way for further work to be undertaken to establish detailed design guidelines for the area,” she said.
“The City will now prepare a development contribution plan, which is needed to fund infrastructure works such as new roads and land acquisition for new parkland to facilitate the proposed redevelopment.
“This will be a challenging aspect of the planning for the Central Maddington area given there are approximately 550 individual properties and 470 landowners affected.”
Cr Searle said the proposals would now go to the WA Planning Commission for consideration and adoption.
Landowners could comment on the changes made to the plan adopted by the council. Such comments would be forwarded to the commission.
“While the approval by council is an important milestone there are still several steps to be taken before approval of applications for subdivision and development in the area can occur,” Cr Searle said.
“A positive decision of the commission as well as the required development contribution plan are critical requirements to allow this to occur.”
as posted here
Trial sparks change in electricity use
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HOMEOWNERS in Thornlie and Canning Vale are being invited to take part in an Australian-first trial by energy retailer Synergy, aimed at helping change electricity use in the home.
Synergy managing director Jim Mitchell said the Advanced Metering Proof of Concept study aimed to revolutionise the way households consumed energy and monitored their energy use.
“This will be the first study in Australia by an energy retailer delivering such a comprehensive customer experience, as we test and measure the effectiveness of innovative technology, alternative time-of-use pricing and customer support,” he said.
Mr Mitchell said the study involved communicating with customers, including through an In-Home Display, an interactive website, email and SMS, to encourage behavioural change.
“The advanced meters, with the associated communications support, are a new technology which give householders the power to control their energy use and see the cost of their energy consumption in real-time,” he said.
“Using these, households can make positive changes to the way they use energy.”
Synergy will test three different technologies – advanced meters enabling more detailed and up-to-date information on electricity consumption, in-home display units providing instant information on energy use and costs, and the Power to Change website, which provides a detailed and personalised energy analysis.
Gosnells Mayor Olwen Searle said the study was an exciting development in WA’s energy market and encouraged residents to participate and be the first in WA to use technology.
Synergy will invite 500 residents to participate in the study, which is by invitation only. Thornlie and Canning Vale were chosen for the trial because of the demographics of the area.
as posted here
HOMEOWNERS in Thornlie and Canning Vale are being invited to take part in an Australian-first trial by energy retailer Synergy, aimed at helping change electricity use in the home.
Synergy managing director Jim Mitchell said the Advanced Metering Proof of Concept study aimed to revolutionise the way households consumed energy and monitored their energy use.
“This will be the first study in Australia by an energy retailer delivering such a comprehensive customer experience, as we test and measure the effectiveness of innovative technology, alternative time-of-use pricing and customer support,” he said.
Mr Mitchell said the study involved communicating with customers, including through an In-Home Display, an interactive website, email and SMS, to encourage behavioural change.
“The advanced meters, with the associated communications support, are a new technology which give householders the power to control their energy use and see the cost of their energy consumption in real-time,” he said.
“Using these, households can make positive changes to the way they use energy.”
Synergy will test three different technologies – advanced meters enabling more detailed and up-to-date information on electricity consumption, in-home display units providing instant information on energy use and costs, and the Power to Change website, which provides a detailed and personalised energy analysis.
Gosnells Mayor Olwen Searle said the study was an exciting development in WA’s energy market and encouraged residents to participate and be the first in WA to use technology.
Synergy will invite 500 residents to participate in the study, which is by invitation only. Thornlie and Canning Vale were chosen for the trial because of the demographics of the area.
as posted here
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