SearchArchives for December 2008
18 December, 2008SafeWork SA stirs up drink problems
SafeWork SA has issued a warning to employers that the Christmas period could increase the dangers posed by alcohol and other drugs in the workplace.The Agency’s Executive Director, Michele Patterson, encouraged employers to implement policies that would control the use of alcohol and drugs at work.
Ms Patterson reminded staff not to take shortcuts in their jobs that could jeopardise their health and safety, saying extra pressure to meet deadlines, a holiday mindset and increased workloads could often lead to an increase in workplace safety risks.
Minister for State Industrial Relations, Paul Caica, also urged workers to be vigilant about the safety of young employees in their workplace.
Mr Caica said the chances of a worker aged 15 to 24 suffering harm at work was double that of older workers.
“Far too often, SafeWork SA, in my portfolio, has investigated incidents of injuries to young workers and found a lack of training, induction and supervision to be a key factor,” he said.
“The State Government recommends that employers ensure that policies on these factors are put in place and enforced as a matter of priority.”
Mr Caica said Christmas break-up parties could encourage the use of drugs and alcohol and asked supervisors to be mindful that youths were more susceptible to the ill-effects of the substances.
He said further information was available from SafeWork SA’s telephone Help Centre on 1 300 365 255.
18 December, 2008
DPC chimes in for PS gongs
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet has called for nominations for the Public Service Medal to be awarded on the Queen’s Birthday 2009.The Medal was established in October 1989 and recognises outstanding public service across the Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local Governments.
Public Servants who have displayed excellence in public innovation, project and policy development or have provided service above and beyond the normal requirements of their position are eligible to win the award but a maximum of 100 are presented each year.
Since it was founded, 1,272 recipients have received the award.
Nominations are formally called twice a year, with two award ceremonies - one on Australia Day and one on the Queen’s Birthday.
Nominations are generally made by Departments or Agencies, but any member of the public can put forward a nomination with the endorsement of a relevant Department head.
The Committee who consider the nominations is chaired by the Public Service Commissioner and candidates can only receive the Public Service Medal once.
Nominations for the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Public Service Medal close on 19 January 2009 and nomination forms, and further information on how to make a nomination, is available from www.premcab.sa.gov.au
Nominations can be forwarded to Michelle Evans, Services Division, Public Service Medal Committee, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, GPO Box 2343, Adelaide, SA 5001
18 December, 2008
Senator clocks on to PS day off
Tasmanian Senator, Helen Polley, has called for all Public Servants to spend one day every month participating in charity work.Senator Polley said the community needed people to get involved in charity work to help reduce homelessness, poverty, illiteracy and other ailments that “plague” society.
She said many charities were trying to help people in need, but that they needed help to do so.
“If we can make this happen I am sure many of our society’s ailments will improve rapidly” Senator Polley said.
“This program not only benefits the needy, it will make Public Servants grow and understand the challenges our society faces.”
State President of Tasmanian St Vincent De Paul Society, Peter Lyall, welcomed the proposal.
“I think it is an excellent idea, as charities are forever looking for volunteers,” Mr Lyall said.
“I am glad that a politician is setting a good example.”
Senator Polley’s office has been leading the way, with staff volunteering at Sacred Heart School and the Door of Hope.
Senator Polley said other charity groups that would benefit from the program included Meals on Wheels, St Vincent De Paul and local school literacy programs.
“I would like to challenge my State and Federal colleagues to match me and my staff’s dedication to the community and begin volunteering,” she said.
“Everyone benefits when they volunteer.”
Senator Polley said she hit upon the idea on a recent visit to Massachusetts in the United States, where all Public Service workers were released from their normal duties once a month to work in prisons, schools, aged care homes and for charities.
She said she was impressed by the idea and would be recommending to Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, that Australia implement a similar program.
“I think it's a fantastic idea,” Senator Polley said.
18 December, 2008
Regulator warns on gas safety
The Technical Regulator in the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Rob Faunt, has warned families and holiday makers to take extra care during the Christmas-New Year holidays when using LP Gas for camping, caravanning or barbecuing at home.Mr Faunt said the incorrect use of gas appliances such as three-way portable refrigerators and barbeques could be extremely dangerous.
“In one recent incident, a man died from carbon monoxide poisoning when incorrectly operating a three-way portable refrigerator,” he said.
“The refrigerator, operating on LP gas, was located inside a closed station wagon, parked at a roadside rest area. Lack of ventilation resulted in the production of deadly carbon monoxide gas.”
Mr Faunt said portable fridges were designed to operate on either 240 volts, 12 volts or on LP gas and like other gas appliances, should be used in well ventilated areas and not in unventilated areas like cars, tents and caravans.
He said it was important to check all camping equipment was working well and to keep naked flames clear of tents and other combustible materials.
He reminded campers not to use portable gas cooking or heating appliances inside tents, particularly when the tent fabric was wet.
“Often people throw away their manufacturer’s instructions for gas camping appliances, but it’s best to keep these in a safe place - preferably with the gas appliance - so that you can refer to these when required,” Mr Faunt said.
“When caravanning, never use a cooker or oven as a heater and avoid using portable gas appliances inside your caravan or car.”
He said keeping fixed ventilation areas open would also help to prevent trouble.
“BBQs with family and friends are a great social event but a happy event can turn to tragedy if you don’t check all gas connections and refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before lighting up,” Mr Faunt said.
He recommended gas appliances be supervised by an adult at all times.
Further safety and other information was available from www.technicalregulator.sa.gov.au
18 December, 2008
Heat turned up on firefighters’ health
Officers of the Department for Environment and Heritage have participated in a research project to help gain an understanding of the health and wellbeing of firefighters.Deakin University PhD candidate, Jenni Raines, conducted the study in conjunction with the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre.
Ms Raines said her research showed bushfire fighting was an unmistakably hazardous occupation.
“Firefighters perform physically demanding work in hot weather while wearing protective clothing for multiple days at a time, often in smoke logged areas,” she said.
“For these reasons alone, it is not surprising that bushfire fighting can endanger firefighters’ health and safety.”
Ms Raines said the focus of her research was to determine the physiological strains of bushfire firefighting over consecutive days of prescribed burn operations.
“I did this by spending a number of days with staff from the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) who were undertaking fire fieldwork projects earlier this year,” she said.
“The research showed that prescribed burns shifts significantly stress the cardiovascular system’s ability to recover from physical work.”
Ms Raines said it was possible that firefighters’ cardiovascular stress was related to dehydration.
“While this may seem like common sense, it is an essential first step in determining future OH&S management plans for firefighters,” she said.
Ms Raines said she planned to complete her PhD research into the direct effect that food and fluid intake could have on a firefighter’s hydration and work pattern.
Senior Fire Research Scientist with DEH, Dr Meredith Henderson said Ms Raines’s research was essential to ensure the safety of all firefighters.
“DEH has 391 trained staff available for deployment to bushfires across the State, including 38 seasonal firefighters,” Dr Henderson said.
“Jenni’s research will provide valuable information as to how to keep our staff fit and healthy while undertaking the task of helping to keep South Australia safe.”
She said fire management was important for reducing the risk of a bushfire damaging public and private assets, but that the safety of firefighters was also a top priority.
DEH is a partner in the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, a national research centre for fire and land management agencies in Australia and New Zealand.
18 December, 2008
Education goes back to first Principals
The first three Principals to head up the new Education Works schools have been announced by the Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith.Dr Lomax-Smith congratulated Lynne Symons, who has been appointed Principal at Munno Para West; Sandra Richardson, who will lead Sports Park Multicampus Secondary School; and Aiva Atrens, who is to become the new Principal at Playford North.
“These Principals are passionate, highly experienced and dynamic leaders who will bring an extensive range of skills to their new positions,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“They have been chosen from a pool of outstanding local and national applicants because of their commitment to the highest quality education.”
She said each Principal had extensive experience as a school leader and would start their new positions in January 2009.
“The new Principals will be involved in shaping these innovative new schools and working with local communities in the lead up to the opening of the schools,” she said.
Dr Lomax-Smith said Munno Para West and Playford North were set to open in 2010, while the other four schools, including the Sports Park Multicampus Secondary School would open in 2011.
“These schools are a new approach to education, bringing child care, preschool, primary school and, in some cases, high school together at the one location,” she said.
“Four of the schools will include Children’s Centres to offer a ‘family friendly’ mix of education, health and parenting support services.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said the schools needed leaders who could work across boundaries in the best interests of the children.
She said a selection panel including school, council and union representatives made recommendations on the successful candidates.
“Right from the beginning, the involvement of school communities has been an integral focus of this initiative so the new schools meet the needs of local communities,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
18 December, 2008
Roadblocks drive anti-fruit campaign
A campaign of random roadblocks to crack down on travellers bringing fruit into the State is to continue until May next year.Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen said the roadblock blitzes would be used to prevent fruit and vegetables entering the State, as would disposal bins at State entry points and permanent roadblocks.
Mr McEwen said in the past year inspectors at random roadblocks had seized 1,262 kilograms of fruit and fruiting vegetables and issued over 300 expiation notices.
He urged everyone carrying fruit to stop and dispose of, or eat, their fruit before travelling any further to avoid spreading fruit fly maggots.
Mr McEwen said the maggots could only be bought into the State by people travelling with fruit that was not bought in SA.
“South Australia had two fruit fly outbreaks last season – at Ceduna and Daw Park – which cost just over $1 million to combat,” he said.
“The Riverland needs particular vigilance against a fruit fly outbreak as an outbreak in this region would be devastating to those already affected by drought.”
Mr McEwen said all entry roads into SA and the Riverland were covered by quarantine signs and bins.
“Many South Australians do not realise that if they travel into the Riverland with fruit and vegetable produce purchased elsewhere within South Australia, then they must carry with them a valid detailed receipt or Plant Health Certificate,” he said.
“The SA Plant Quarantine program protects South Australia’s estimated $480 million horticulture industry from this pest.”
Mr McEwen reminded people it was illegal to travel into SA with fruit and vegetables.
“If they’re caught they can be liable for fines ranging from $55 to $210 (plus a $20 levy) depending on the quantity of produce,” he said
Mr McEwen thanked the public for its continued support in keeping SA fruit fly free.
18 December, 2008
River Authority steams into life
The new Murray-Darling Basin Authority took control this week of the independent and scientific management of the Murray river system, furthering nation-wide cooperation on the Basin’s future.Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald, said it was an historic moment for the Murray-Darling Basin.
“Today represents the start of a process where the health of the River Murray will be put before State-based parochial politics,” Ms Maywald said.
“At last, we have the agreements and the measures in place to start to see real change in the way River Murray is managed.”
She said South Australia had fought “long and hard” for the national reform agenda to improve the river’s health.
“It has been imperative that we achieve this reform now, while the issue is high on the political agenda,” Ms Maywald said.
“It is a one-in-100-year opportunity to get the management of the basin right.”
She said under the new Murray-Darling Basin Agreement passed earlier this month, a plan to be implemented in 2011 would set sustainable caps on river and groundwater extractions.
“The new independent Authority will develop the plan and will report only to the Federal Minister, no longer will the States have a right of veto over setting caps on extraction,” Ms Maywald said.
“States squabbling over water can become a thing of the past as new sustainable caps on taking water out of the river are set.
“Money is also available now to buy water from willing sellers to deal with over-allocation as well as improving irrigation systems, reducing losses and getting water back into the river for the environment.”
Ms Maywald said the new management would allow SA to have access to upstream storages for carry-over water which would reduce the State’s reliance on NSW and Victoria.
She said a new Ministerial Council made up of State Ministers would continue to make decisions on day to day functions of water delivery, but would have no decision-making responsibility on the setting of caps.
Ms Maywald said SA would receive $610 million for its Murray Futures project, designed to change the way the River Murray system and irrigation industries were managed.
18 December, 2008
Seed bank grows at Botanic Gardens
Scientists from the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide are the first in the world to present their share of rare and endangered seeds to the Millennium Seed Bank in England.The Botanic Gardens hit its target of 1,010 plant species almost a year ahead of schedule.
Minister for the Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill, presented the seeds to the leader of the Millennium Seek Bank Project, Dr Paul Smith.
“We are handing over the 1,010th species from South Australia, which is the Port Lincoln speedwell (Veronica parnkalliana),” Mr Weatherill said.
“In doing so, the South Australian team has become the first in the world to reach its target collection of seeds for the seed bank.”
Mr Weatherill congratulated the Botanic Gardens for their achievements and for discovering species thought to be extinct in SA while cataloging the seeds.
He said the seed bank would act as an important insurance policy against climate change.
“It is becoming increasingly important to find ways of safeguarding the future of our endangered species,” he said.
“These seeds are precious – they represent our rarest and most endangered plants.”
Mr Weatherill said the Seed Bank was collecting seeds from plant species most at risk from threats, including climate change, to conserve them for the future.
He said it wanted to have 24,000 species by 2010 – 10 per cent of the world’s flora.
He said the Botanic Gardens was one of over 100 organisations from 50 countries involved in the project and the continuing research by scientists at the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide would help establish the best ways to germinate the seeds and identify species at risk from climate change.
Mr Weatherill said the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide aimed to conserve 60 per cent of SA’s threatened plants through seed banking by 2010.
He said the Millennium Seed Bank project was the largest ex-situ plant conservation initiative in the world.
18 December, 2008
Uni intent on SA campus
The University College of London has signed an agreement to establish an international campus in Adelaide as its first degree program outside Britain.Premier, Mike Rann signed the agreement with UCL saying the University would offer courses in Adelaide from next year followed by a two-year Masters degree in Energy and Resources beginning in 2010.
Mr Rann said the UCL School of Energy and Resources Australia would be a collaboration between the State Government and the University and was the first time British degrees had been offered in Australia.
“UCL enjoys a place in the top 10 world university rankings so its decision to set up here in Adelaide reflects our city’s reputation as Australia’s ‘university city of the future’,” Mr Rann said.
“UCL’s credentials in science, energy and resource management are second to none, complementing our development of our immense resources in uranium, geothermal hot rocks, copper and other minerals.”
Mr Rann said he was delighted oil and gas production company, SANTOS, would contribute $10 million to the school through scholarships, research and by sponsoring a professorial chair.
“This partnership with SANTOS is the biggest dividend so far from the company’s $60 million Social Responsibility and Community Benefits fund – a key part of our agreement to lift their 15 percent share cap which came into effect from 29 November,” he said.
“It’s a partnership that involves a growth industry building the skills we need for the future.”
Mr Rann said SA was the perfect location for UCL as the State continued to lead Australia in renewable energy and expansion of the mining sector.
He said the new campus would help build the skills needed to take advantage of the mining boom.
“UCL is the third international university to establish a permanent presence in Adelaide following the arrival of Carnegie Mellon in 2006 and Cranfield in 2007,” the Premier said.
“Adelaide has hosted more than 27,000 overseas students this year – an excellent result when you consider that the figure was just 11,000 in 2002.”
Mr Rann said recently-released figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed international education ranked as the State’s biggest service export and the fourth biggest export earner overall.
He said the latest figures showed SA received an annual export income of $741 million from the industry this year, up 16.5 per cent on 2007.
The UCL School of Energy and Resources is to be located in the historic Torrens Building, alongside Carnegie Mellon Heinz School Australia and Cranfield University’s Business Development Centre in Victoria Square.
18 December, 2008
Managers tap into water resources
A natural resources and management program focusing on water management in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region has been announced by the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill.Mr Weatherill said the State NRM program would focus on the region by investing in watercourse and storm water management.
“It is well recognised that the management of our catchments has benefits for the health of our urban watercourses and marine environment,” he said.
“In a region as diverse as the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges it is important that a whole of community approach is adopted and that is why this package has an emphasis on collaboration with local government, landowners and community groups.”
Mr Weatherill said the package would build on existing initiatives and provide funding for new projects to increase the capture of storm water for re-use.
He said the region would receive around $3.6 million dollars of funding to improve water quality and aquatic biodiversity; rehabilitate watercourses; support storm water harvesting; install gross pollutant traps and trash racks in waterways; improve street drainage; and introduce waste water re-use at Port Elliot.
He said the projects would focus on the Torrens River at Breakout Creek, the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide waterways, the City of Onkaparinga, the City of Unley and Port Elliot.
The funding was in addition to the $10.7 million already allocated to South Australia’s regional NRM projects and funding announced under the Federal Government’s Caring for our Country initiative.
18 December, 2008
Heritage Act review on for young and old
A review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act to better protect Aboriginal culture and heritage has been announced by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Jay Weatherill.Mr Weatherill said the review would develop ideas and encourage debate on Aboriginal heritage issues to develop innovative legislation that “looks to the future.”
“We need to create stronger recognition of Aboriginal ownership or custody of their heritage, greater certainty and timeliness for parties involved in heritage issues and a framework for promoting agreement-making,” Mr Weatherill said.
“Aboriginal heritage is a unique part of South Australia’s history, and all South Australians have a stake in how that heritage can be protected into the future.”
He said Indigenous groups and industry had pressed the need for the reform.
“Aboriginal people have long advocated for greater participation in decision-making about heritage – and industry groups are increasingly recognising the importance of good relations with Aboriginal people connected with the land.”
He said a scoping paper had been released to set out the guiding principles to underpin the review which would look at recognising Aboriginal custodianship of cultural heritage; creating long-term protection and management of heritage; enabling Aboriginal negotiation of agreements about heritage; embedding Aboriginal heritage considerations into land management process; and complementing the Native Title Act 1993.
Mr Weatherill said the review would involve consultations with the Aboriginal community and other industry and community groups across South Australia.
He said following the consultation period, the results would be compiled and analysed, with a position paper to be released by the Government in the second half of 2009.
He said the review was the third initiative to reform Aboriginal affairs announced in the past few months,
Mr Weatherill announced a review of service delivery and governance on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands and the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act in October and November respectively.
A copy of the scoping paper could be accessed from www.premcab.sa.gov.au
18 December, 2008
Forensic partnership makes case for future
A research partnership between Forensic Science SA and Flinders University has been announced that is expected to ‘future-proof’ forensic services in South Australia.Attorney General, Michael Atkinson said that under the partnership, a Justice Chair in forensic DNA testing would be established and further research into forensic science problems and the development of new technologies would be undertaken.
Mr Atkinson said the Government would grant recurrent funding of $200,000 a year for the partnership.
“This partnership means Flinders University’s research will be tailored to FSSA’s needs,” he said.
“New technology will move more quickly from the classroom to the State’s laboratories.”
Mr Atkinson said the collaboration would also help secure FSSA’s future workforce as there was an international shortage of forensic pathologists and scientists.
“Talented students will be encouraged to take up research degree programs and will be given a clear path into the forensic science workforce,” he said.
“There’s no better way of recruiting the best and brightest than giving them a taste of the opportunities on offer in South Australia.”
Mr Atkinson said FSSA and Flinders University had worked together since the first local forensic degree program was developed in 1996.
He said the Memorandum of Understanding formalised and built on their pre-existing relationship.
Mr Atkinson said the grant money would be administered by a Board of Management including representatives from the Attorney-General’s Department, FSSA and the University.
He said FSSA undertook a number of functions, from testing suspected illicit drugs and analysing drug driver tests, to autopsies and crime scene examination and the new arrangement would help decrease the backlog of post-mortem reports and test results.
Fourteen graduates from Flinders University’s Forensic and Analytical Chemistry course currently worked for FSSA.
18 December, 2008
School leavers are top class
Thirty Principals and preschool directors have been honoured in a retirement ceremony conducted by the Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith.Dr Lomax-Smith said between them, the Principals and directors had accrued over 1,052 years of service, with some providing over 40 years of individual service.
“Tonight we recognise the passion, dedication and hard work of these South Australian leaders in education,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“These principals and preschool directors should all be acknowledged for making this State’s public education system what it is today.”
She thanked the leaders for their roles in educating the youth of South Australia, saying their influence would be “felt for years to come.”
“While it is always sad to farewell our leaders and mentors, this year we say goodbye to many influential and much loved Principals and preschool directors,” she said.
Dr Lomax-Smith said Bob Knight had given 45 years of service to the Department, originally as a high school teacher and then 22 years as the principal of various schools.
“This year, we farewell two husband and wife teams, John and Maureen Cain, who have provided 79 years of service between them, and Stephen and Lynette Davis, who have provided 70 years of service,” she said.
Dr Lomax-Smith also honoured Helen (Paphitis) Symeonakis and four district directors, Bill Parker, Aneta Marovich, John Binks-Williams and Ken Francou at the ceremony.
18 December, 2008
Locals hook into fish thieves
Local residents from the Limestone Coast region have been urged to report suspected fish thieves to local fisheries officers this week during a special phone-in service.Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen, said the phone-in, dubbed Operation Hawker, gave locals the opportunity to pass on information they had about suspected illegal fishing activities.
Mr McEwen said officers would be especially interested in information regarding the region’s two most valuable species, the southern rock lobster and abalone.
“In South Australia, it’s illegal for recreational fishers to buy, sell or trade any of their catch, and it’s also an offence to buy fish that has been obtained illegally, or to sell fish without the necessary licence,” he said.
“Penalties are severe under the Fisheries Management Act 2007, and a person can be fined up to $100,000 or be imprisoned for up to 4 years, if found guilty of trafficking abalone or rock lobster.”
Mr McEwen urged people to call the local Fisheries Office on 8735 1316 between 4pm and 8 pm until 19 December.
“Callers can remain anonymous and all information gathered during the operation will be treated as confidential.”
Mr McEwen said a number of people had been reported for allegedly trafficking or selling rock lobster illegally within the Mt Gambier area in the past year.
“The unlicensed catch and sale of these species significantly impacts on the whole Limestone Coast community,” he said.
“More specifically, this activity can affect the commercial Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery, valued at nearly $65.7million and the $5.14 million commercial Southern Zone Abalone Fishery.”
18 December, 2008
Kangaroo Island fire plan in the pouch
A draft fire management plan based on the 2007 Kangaroo Island bushfires has been released by the Department for Environment and Heritage.Senior Fire Planner for the Department, Grant Pelton, said one year after the fires, a new management plan for Cape Forbin had been developed around the lessons learnt last December.
Mr Pelton said the plan was an important first step in identifying, managing and reducing the risks and impacts of bushfires.
“The Cape Forbin Integrated Fire Management Plan has been developed in collaboration with Kangaroo Island Council, the Country Fire Service, Kangaroo Island Bushfire Prevention Committee and the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Board, which highlights the importance of Agencies working together to reduce the impact of bushfires on communities and the environment,” he said.
Mr Pelton said the plan recommended new fuel reduction strategies be employed to protect assets, vegetation and wildlife; that fire access points and tracks be upgraded or altered to protect fire fighting personnel; and that suppression considerations that could improve fire management be identified.
“In addition, the new draft management plan provides direction for land managers in the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the Cape Forbin Landscape Planning Area,” he said.
“The method was initially trialled in this area of the island and has proved extremely successful.”
Mr Pelton said a similar process would be applied across the Island through the development of the Kangaroo Island Bushfire Risk Management Plan Pilot.
He said the pilot commenced earlier this year and was expected to be completed by the middle of 2009.
Consultation is under way and members of the public have been encouraged to submit their comments on the plan before 24 December.
18 December, 2008
Science winners have formula for success
Scientists from the State’s universities, the South Australian Research and Development Institute and industry have been successful in winning funds from the Premier’s Science and Research Fund to further their work on initiatives of strategic and sustainable value to South Australia.Minister for Science, Paul Caica, announced the winners, saying the projects they would work on were of exceptional quality.
Mr Caica said the five major science research projects had a strong focus on climate change and water, issues that were of particular interest to South Australia.
“The State Government’s investment will enable around $12 million worth of significant collaborative research projects to be undertaken in South Australia over the next year by industry, universities and other research organisations,” Mr Caica said.
“This is an investment in South Australia’s future because we are backing projects that will build on our research capability as well as deliver transformational outcomes for the State.”
He said the grants would provide $3.7 million over three years to the projects.
Co-chair of the Premier’s Science and Research Council, SA’s Chief Scientist, Dr Ian Chessell, said the Fund encouraged very productive partnerships between local researchers and end-users of the research.
“The Fund facilitates these partnerships in areas of strategic importance and with the promise of sustainable benefits for the State,” Dr Chessell said.
“It stimulates business investment in local R&D and aims to deliver strategic benefits for all South Australians.”
He said this year’s investments would help build SA’s science and research profile and would deliver benefits to industry, the environment and the community.
Mr Caica said one of the projects was designed to pioneer a sustainable biofuels industry and would be led by Professor Wei Zhang from Flinders University and Dr Sasi Nayar from the SARDI.
He said Professor Wayne Meyer from the University of Adelaide would use his grant money to identify climate change vulnerability and adaptation options for SA.
Mr Caica said the third project would look at new technological approaches to address the quality of water sourced from the Murray-Darling Basin and to ensure high quality drinking water throughout drought periods, and would be led by Professors Rob Short and Simon Beecham from the University of South Australia
A project led by Dr Ruth Marshall from the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre has been designed to benefit people with spinal cord injuries by using exercise to promote neutral recovery and seed funding would be offered to support a high-efficiency, small-scale wind turbine system for stand-alone and grid-connected applications. Mr Caica said that project would be led by Associate Professor Nesimi Ertugrul from the University of Adelaide.
In addition to the winning projects in the current round of funding, Mr Caica said the Fund would continue to support a number of successful projects from previous rounds.
18 December, 2008
PSA women to meet
The Public Service Association’s Annual Women’s conference is to be held on 18 February 2009 in Adelaide.
The PSA has encouraged women Public Servants to attend the conference, which will carry the theme of Women, Work and Health.
For further information or application forms, contact Kathy Tsorvas on 8205 3271.
Police graduate
Fifty-seven new police have graduated from fort Largs Police Academy just in time for the Christmas season.
Police Minister, Michael Wright, said there would be more police on the roads than ever before and that graduates would “hit the ground running”, with most reporting for duty within days of their graduation.
He said the number of Police in SA was at a record high and the State had the highest number of sworn Police Officers per capita than any other Australian jurisdiction.
Computer funds open
Schools are being invited to apply for funding in the Federal Government's Computers in Schools program.
Schools that did not apply in round one or round two of the National Secondary School Computer Fund are being encouraged by the Commonwealth to take the opportunity now.
Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard said schools had until 11 February 2009 to lodge an application, with further information available from www.digitaleducationrevolution.gov.au
Internet report shows growth
A joint report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has found the number of people subscribing for broadband and taking up mobile and 3G options has increased.
The report, Communications Infrastructure and Services Availability in Australia 2008, found thenumber of broadband subscribers increased by 1.1 million in the 12 months to June 2008 and that broadband connection speeds were rising with a 25 per cent increase in subscribers during the year.
It reported there were 8.55 million 3G services in operation at June 2008 (an increase of 88 per cent) and that the number of fixed lines remained stable in the year.
ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, said the report provided a “concise and objective account of communications infrastructure.”
Glenside to continue
The Health Department has announced a plan to allow the Glenside Campus to remain fully operational when construction work begins on the new mental health and substance abuse hospital.
Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Jane Lomax-Smith, said the plan would enable temporary movement of Glenside Campus services to other areas during construction.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the transition phase would cost around $5 million and begin early in 2009.
Lights on at AAMI
The Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Paul Holloway, has announced a multi-million dollar upgrade to the lighting system at AAMI stadium.
Mr Holloway said the South Australian National Football League would fund the upgrade of the 25-year-old system to improve playing conditions and provide better control of lighting spillage into the neighbourhood.
He said the Government had committed to upgrading the facility over the coming years.
11 December, 2008
Taxis hailed as PS Christmas saviour
The Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure has encouraged Public Servants to take a taxi to their workplace celebrations this festive season.Executive Director of the Public Transport Division, Heather Webster, said over 1,000 taxis would be on Adelaide’s roads from this week, with extra taxis called into service to meet the expected demand from late night Christmas functions, after-work parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“The festive season is a time to socialise and wind-down for many South Australians,” Ms Webster said.
“As celebrations are often held within walking distance of workplaces, it makes sense to leave the car at home and use a taxi instead.”
She said concierges would be on duty at the busiest taxi ranks to help people share rides where possible.
Ms Webster said passengers who shared taxis would receive a 25 per cent discount on the metered fare on arrival at each destination.
“During this busy time sharing taxi rides is a great way to reduce waiting in queues and to save money,” she said.
Ms Webster said every available Access Taxi would be on duty on Christmas Day and that metropolitan area hire cars would be available to hail for hire from 4pm to 10am on New Year's Day.
She said taxi ranks were located in the city at SkyCity Casino, the East End on the corner of Rundle Mall and Pulteney Street, the West End on the corner of Morphett Street and Hindley Street and at Jetty Road, Glenelg.
Further information was available by contacting the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on (08) 8210 1000 or visiting www.adelaidemetro.com.au
11 December, 2008
Council peddles recycling program
A pilot recycling program involving 18,000 households has been launched in Adelaide.Adelaide City Council has kicked off the food organics collection project in a bid to cut its landfill waste.
The 12-month trial has seen around 1,250 city households given “bio baskets” to dispose of their kitchen food scraps, and is planned to be extended to include 10 Councils - Adelaide, Campbelltown, Charles Sturt, Mitcham, West Torrens and Norwood, Payneham and St Peters in the metropolitan area – and the regional councils of Light, Mallala, Whyalla, and Wattle Range.
Minister for Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill said SA’s reputation as an environmental leader would be strengthened by the project.
“South Australian households are doing well with recycling, but we can do even better,” Mr Weatherill said.
“Householders involved can recycle all food scraps – including meat, bones, teabags, egg and oyster shells, as well as shredded paper and tissues.”
He said the ventilated bench-top “bio basket” containers and their compostable cornstarch liners would help remove recyclables and green waste from the waste stream.
“Recycling food waste will remove a waste stream from landfill that not only takes up space, but also generates methane, a greenhouse gas,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The food waste collected will be broken down into compost that can be used to enrich our soil, reduce evaporation and conserve water.”
Adelaide Lord Mayor, Michael Harbison, said the program was part of the Council’s move to become more environmentally friendly.
Mr Harbison said it was estimated food waste accounted for around 40 per cent of SA’s household waste and 26 per cent of commercial and industrial waste.
“It’s wonderful to see the Adelaide City Council getting involved in projects like this, which will help to significantly reduce Council’s level of landfill waste,” he said.
Mr Harbison said the program was part of the Council’s New Recycling System, which involved garbage in a bin with a red lid being collected every week and recyclables in a bin with a yellow lid and green organic waste with a lime green bin lid being collected every fortnight.
Mr Weatherill said the project was a significant step towards achieving one of the State’s key objectives of diverting 75 per cent of all household waste from kerbside collections by 2010.
He said the Government had provided containers, kerbside audits, market research, communications materials and project support.
11 December, 2008
Building standards go up for disabled
Public buildings across Australia may have to comply with new standards for access by people with disabilities if a draft policy for improvement is adopted by Australian Governments.The Commonwealth used the recent International Day of Persons with a Disability to table new draft standards, saying they would be mirrored in the Building Code of Australia.
Federal Attorney General, Robert McClelland, said the standards would help provide better access to new and upgraded public buildings for people with a disability by making it clearer what was required to avoid discrimination.
He said mirroring the standard requirements in the Building Code of Australia would reduce complexity by aligning building and discrimination laws.
Mr McClelland said the Commonwealth believed access to public and commercial buildings for all members of society was critical for achieving social inclusion.
“These initiatives will have a positive impact on the daily lives of people with a disability – providing better access to premises such as shops, Government offices and hotels,” he said.
“It will make their rights clearer and more certain.”
The proposed Premises Standards addressed access issues such as signage, circulation space in lifts and accessible toilets, the number of wheelchair spaces in theatres and the use of tactile warning indicators on stairways and ramps.
Federal Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr, said harmonising the access requirements and the Building Code of Australia would provide people with a disability with greater access to public and certainty for the building industry.
Senator Carr said the Commonwealth intended to refer the draft Standards to the House of Representatives’ Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for final public consultation, before it made its report in the first half of 2009.
11 December, 2008
Christmas toy ban not playing around
The Office of Consumer and Business Affairs has reminded consumers to take care when buying Christmas gifts after 16 items failed to live up to safety standards during pre-Christmas safety inspections.Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gail Gago, said hundreds of toys and gifts had been checked for any dangers they could pose, with eight traders ordered to remove items from their shelves.
Ms Gago said among the withdrawn toys were a children’s folding chair, a toy gun with a laser and a toy designed to expand in water.
“Items that expand when placed in liquid are banned from sale in South Australia because if a child ingests part of the toy, that part could swell and pose a choking hazard or problems in the digestive system,” she said
Ms Gago said consumers who thought they had purchased an item on the list below should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
“I also want to encourage Christmas shoppers to buy sensibly this Christmas and ensure gifts are suitable for the age of the child receiving the gift,” she said.
She warned traders and manufacturers to take their safety responsibilities seriously.
“It is a serious offence to manufacture or supply a banned item or an item that does not meet applicable safety standards,” she said.
“This carries a maximum penalty of $10,000. We are reminding traders to ensure that their stock complies with safety regulations.”
Ms Gago said the product safety inspectors would check that stores were not selling the banned items.
“We want to minimise the safety risks to consumers so that everyone has an enjoyable and safe Christmas,” she said.
Ms Gago encouraged consumers with product safety concerns to contact OCBA on (08) 8152 0732.
The list of unsafe and hazardous items was:
- A children’s cartoon folding chair that could entrap small fingers
- Candle decorations that could ignite
- A magnetic learning set that posing a choking/ingestion hazard.
- A toy gun with a laser that has a power rating of 12 times the permitted limit
- A Magic Beast Growing toy that expands in liquid
- Various novelty items that contained or released small parts posing a choking or ingestion hazard, including a plastic squeeze toy, ball projectile toy, spinning top, toy tractor, locomotive learning set, wooden alphabet train, toy truck, and a bath plug and toy set.
11 December, 2008
Ocean phenomenon shores up interest
The Department for Environment and Heritage has used Coastcare Week to raise awareness of an “amazing oceanic phenomenon”, the Bonney Upwelling.The Department’s Principal Marine Advisor (Science), Dr Bryan McDonald, said the Bonney Upwelling was an influx of cold, nutrient-rich water that brought an abundance of marine life to the south east.
Dr McDonald said the water came off the Continental shelf, which was between Robe in the State’s south east and Portland in Victoria.
“Between December and May each year, south-easterly winds, brought by summer conditions and especially by high pressure systems, force the water on the surface out to sea, allowing cool, rich water from the deep to move close to the shore,” he said.
He said the Continental Shelf was relatively narrow in the south east, with some areas just 20km wide, allowing the cool waters to reach the shore.
He said the waters brought nutrients to fuel an entire food chain from the smallest algae to the largest whales.
“It is thanks to these unique conditions that the south east has become a hotspot for marine biodiversity and home to so many productive fisheries, including giant crabs, rock lobster and various scalefish,” Dr McDonald said.
“South Australia’s south east coast has also become a popular summer feeding spot for the blue whale, the world’s largest species of whale, which eats several tonnes of shrimp-like krill every day.”
He said the Bonney Upwelling brought such extremes with it that the water temperature at Kingston could be 22ºC while on the same day at Robe it could be as low as 14ºC.
“The upwelling does not run continuously,” he said.
“It will only start when the conditions are right. It runs for a few days then relaxes, only to start again when the next high pressure system arrives.”
Dr McDonald said the Bonney was the largest of three identified upwellings in South Australian waters, with the others occurring off the coast of Eyre Peninsula, near Avoid Bay, and off the west coast of Kangaroo Island.
He said DEH was also considering the likely effects of climate change on the upwellings and the species, industries and local communities that rely on them.
Coastcare Week ran from 1to 7 December.
11 December, 2008
Premier heats up climate debate
The Premier, Mike Rann, has urged world leaders not to let the global economic crisis stop them from tackling the threat of climate change.During his opening address at the second Climate Leaders’ Summit in Poland, Mr Rann called for governments around the world to unite in the fight against climate change, using South Australia as an example of positive actions and solutions.
“The current world economic crisis – as serious as it is – must not divert, prevent or, worse, give us an excuse from boldly addressing the climate change issue facing us all,” Mr Rann said.
“Even though South Australia is home to just eight per cent of Australia’s population, we have committed ourselves to a leadership role in tackling climate change.”
He said as Australia’s first Minister for Climate Change, he believed an “unprecedented” level of cooperation between nations was needed, as recent cooperation between Australian States and Territories had proven successful so far.
“We must share ideas amongst each other, and it is critically important that each of us offers assistance and mentoring support to regional governments in developing nations if we are to make real progress,” Mr Rann said
“A lack of cooperation meant that precious time was lost in addressing one of Australia’s most serious climate-related problems – the rapidly-declining health of our major mainland waterway, the Murray-Darling River system.”
Mr Rann said by finally passing Australian State’s powers over to the Federal Government, a more stable, cooperative system was put in place to manage the river system.
He said in 2006 he had joined the Premier of NSW in launching a discussion paper on a proposed national emissions trading scheme, which the Government had committed to implementing by the end of 2010.
Mr Rann said SA was a “test-bed” for the “carbon-constrained future” and was the first Australian State to pass legislation including a target for green house gas emission reductions.
“We are also the national leader in the development and use of renewable energy resources, with 58 per cent of Australia’s installed wind power capacity,” he said.
He said the South Australian Government was investigating solar power, wave energy and geothermal energy to help cover the environmental cost of electricity used to power hospitals, schools and other public facilities.
“That’s why our State will purchase 50 per cent of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2014,” he said.
Mr Rann told the Summit he believed everyone could make a difference to climate change.
“I firmly believe that we must all set hard targets – not soft, easy to attain goals – and ensure our progress is independently verified if we are to make a difference,” he said.
11 December, 2008
SA education programs go to top of the class
Three education initiatives from South Australia have been showcased as some of the best in the nation at the Australian Education Ministers’ First Biennial Forum.Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith, attended the Forum along with her State, Territory and Federal colleagues.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the State Government’s Innovative Community Action Networks (ICANs) school retention program ranked among the best of the programs at the forum.
She said since 2004, ICANs had achieved an 82 per cent success rate in helping young people at risk of leaving school early continue with education, training and employment.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the program had been so successful, the Canadian State of Ontario was considering implementing it in its schools.
She said $10.5 million had been allocated in the 2008 State Budget to continue the strategy in South Australian.
A flagship initiative of the State Government Social Inclusion Board’s School Retention Action Plan, ICANs was developed in 2003 when only two thirds of South Australians were completing Year 12.
Dr Lomax-Smith said school retention rates were now at a 13 year high.
Other South Australian initiatives on show at the forum were the Valley View Secondary School’s work education scheme and the State-wide numeracy program which had been very successful at Northfield Primary School.
Dr Lomax-Smith said Valley View Secondary School’s ‘4Cs’ program encouraged students to undertake work placements as part of their South Australian Certification of Education (SACE).
She said since the program had started, 98 per cent of the school’s Year 10 students had successfully achieved two SACE units and completed work experience at over 200 organisations.
She said Northfield Primary School teachers were helping students who needed additional support with their numeracy skills, such as Aboriginal children and students in Years three and four.
She said the program, Maths for Learning Inclusion, aimed to improve maths at 44 low socio-economic primary schools and involved around 4,000 students.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the Biennial Forum was an opportunity for Australian educational leaders to share examples of innovation and excellence in school education.
She said it focused on literacy and numeracy, school workforce development and low socio-economic schools.
11 December, 2008
Water price rises come to the boil
A cut of $20 in the water supply charge and an increase of around 90 cents per week in water costs have been announced in a bid to encourage South Australians to become more water wise.Treasurer, Kevin Foley, unveiled the new charging structure saying it would have no impact on the State Budget.
Mr Foley said water prices would rise in real terms by an average of 17.9 per cent (before inflation) from 1 July 2009 and that the sewerage charge would be increased to cover inflation.
He said the price increase would be a critical water security investment for SA, including Adelaide’s accelerated desalination plant.
“Building a desalination plant is an extremely complex and expensive undertaking and further water price increases will be required in the future to fund the project as construction work commences,” Mr Foley said.
“SA’s 2009-10 water prices compare favourably with the current 2008-09 prices in other states.”
Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald, said new prices would encourage all water users to be more efficient with water consumption.
“The South Australian Government will introduce legislation in early 2009 to enable quarterly billing for water use, which will help people monitor and manage their consumption,” Ms Maywald said.
She said further reform of the State’s water legislation might also occur next year.
Mr Foley said pensioners and holders of Commonwealth Low Income Health Care Cards would still have access to discounts of 20 per cent of the total annual water bill, from a minimum of $95 to a maximum of $200.
He said the Government would also extend the existing $95 sewerage concession to health care card holders.
The Government is expected to prepare a transparency statement and subject the pricing process to independent review by the Essential Services Commission of SA.
Water prices for the 2009/10 financial year are set to rise from $0.71 to $0.97 per kilolitre for zero to 120 kL; from $1.38 to $1.88 per kL for 120 to 520 kL; and from $1.65 to $2.26 per kL for over 520 kL.
The annual residential supply charge will drop from $157.40 in 2008/09 to $137.60 in 2009/10.
The average household is expected to pay an additional $46.90, or 90 cents extra a week under the new rates, up from $340.60 in 2008/09 to $387.50 in 2009/10.
Mr Foley and Ms Maywald said savings could be made by reducing water use.
11 December, 2008
Electricity program sparks success
An industry-based safety training program conducted by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure’s Office of the Technical Regulator has been credited with a total absence of fatalities in the States’ electrical industry since 2001.There have been 25 fatalities in other States in the same period.
The Department’s safety education program delivered a series of electrical safety presentations to industry, featuring photos of electrical safety incidents to promote the discussion of safety procedures and help prevent fatal incidents from occurring.
Since 2001, when there were seven electrical fatalities in SA, all first and third year electrical apprentices have participated in the program alongside numerous companies who participate on a regular basis.
The program, along with tighter incident reporting and auditing, has improved the safety of the electrical industry by ensuring technicians follow best practice procedures.
The OTR also randomly audits electrical installations, workers and contractors and responds to complaints to ensure regulations and legislative requirements are adhered to.
A spokesperson for the OTR said the requirements included electricians issuing and retaining copies of Electrical Certificates of Compliance, calibration of electrical testing equipment, maintenance of calibration records and a demand that all work comply with electrical standards.
The OTR’s electrical safety program has conducted presentations for local government organisations and community groups.
It recommended all South Australians respect electricity; avoid contact with powerlines; be careful using electricity outside or in damp areas; keep cords, cables and plugs in good condition; use licensed electrical contractors for maintenance and other work; and use safety switches to protect against electric shock.
Despite a safer industry, the OTR said South Australia still averaged one non-industry based electrical fatality per year, which is significantly lower than the national average.
11 December, 2008
Apprentice scheme builds reputation
Figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education show SA to be leading the nation in apprenticeship and trainee growth.Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Paul Caica, said the statistics for the June quarter showed an 8.3 per cent rise in people entering apprenticeships and traineeships in SA over the past year.
Mr Caica said the national rise was 6.9 per cent.
He said the NCVER estimated 22,400 new apprentices and trainees started their training in SA over the course of the year.
“Over the last quarter alone, there were 5,700 commencements, representing an 18.1 per cent rise on the same quarter last year, which again tracked above the national average of 16.6 per cent,” Mr Caica said.
“This has taken the total number of South Australians in-training as apprentices and trainees to 33,600 - the equal second highest figure on record.”
He said the figures showed there was a 7.6 per cent rise in South Australians undertaking traditional apprenticeships in the past year.
“This is 4.4 percentage points higher than the national rise in traditional apprenticeships over the same period of 3.2 per cent,” Mr Caica said.
He said this “excellent news” followed other NCVER figures that showed South Australia was achieving the highest rate in the nation for vocational education and training graduates winning jobs.
Mr Caica said over the past year 86 per cent of training graduates won jobs, compared to the national average of 81 per cent.
“It’s clear from both these sets of data, that South Australia’s vocational education and training system is in excellent shape to meet the growing skill needs of industrial expansion,” he said.
11 December, 2008
Population growth shows size counts
The population of South Australia has reached a record high according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Deputy Premier, Kevin Foley, said that at 30 June this year, the State’s Estimated Resident Population was 1,601,821.
Mr Foley said the figure was an increase of 1.1 per cent on the previous year and represented the fastest annual growth in SA in 25 years.
He said overseas migration had been the largest contributor to growth over the past 12 months, with 14,186 people moving to the State, a rate 7.9 per cent higher than the previous year.
Mr Foley said the Government’s campaign promoting South Australia as an ideal location for migrants was paying off.
“In the past few months South Australia has had a significant presence at emigration fairs in countries as diverse as South Korea and South Africa while continuing to pursue traditional migration markets such as the UK, China, India and New Zealand,” he said.
“As these latest figures show, our push to meet the State Strategic Plan target of two million people by 2050 is well on track.”
Mr Foley said the Government needed to continue marketing South Australia to attract skilled workers needed to fill positions in the growing defence and mining industries.
“Adelaide has been consistently ranked among the top 10 most livable cities in the world as well as being recognised as the most cost-competitive city for business in Australia,” he said.
“Therefore it is hardly surprising that people want to come to South Australia to live and work.”
Mr Foley said natural population increase had added 7,793 people to the State in the 2007/08 year, a 16 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.
He said there was a net outflow of 4,355 people to other parts of Australia.
11 December, 2008
Wildlife volunteers in class of their own
A Department for Environment and Heritage biological survey has discovered 13 wildlife species previously unrecorded in Winninowie Conservation Park.The Department’s Threatened Species Ecologist for the Northern and Yorke Region, Anthony Pieck, said nine reptile species, two unidentified bat species, the Bolams’ Mouse and the Inland Thornbill had been discovered with the help of local volunteers.
Mr Pieck said the results highlighted the high biodiversity value and ecological importance of the reserve.
“The Bolams’ Mouse has not been recorded in this area before, so this extends the range of the species,” he said.
“We also found a number of Fat Tailed Dunnarts, a small mammal which was previously only known from one uncertain record that is 23 years old, so it’s certainly exciting to confirm that they exist in the area.”
DEH’s Northern and Yorke Senior Volunteer Support Ranger, Kerri Villiers said staff and volunteers spent four days exploring the park’s tidal creeks, coastal dunes and woodlands.
Ms Villiers said they had collected information about the plants, birds, reptiles and mammals they found.
“The involvement of a large group of volunteers with such a diverse range of skills, knowledge and interests has been instrumental to the success of this survey,” she said.
“Volunteers, many from the Biodiversity and Endangered Species Team and Friends of Mount Remarkable National Park, made an enormous and valuable contribution to this survey.
“We simply could not achieve these results without their support.”
Ms Villiers said the project was supported by the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board as well as a Volunteer Support Grant from DEH.
She said anyone interested in volunteering in the Northern and Yorke region could call (08) 8841 3446.
11 December, 2008
Desalination plan is worth its salt
Water desalination is to be considered as a possible solution for the Eyre Peninsula’s long-term water security.Included in a 12-month study of options for the Peninsula, the plant is one of a number of strategies outlined in a plan launched in Port Lincoln by the Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald.
The plan, Meeting Future Demand – SA Water’s Long Term Plan for Eyre Region, outlined what action could be taken to meet water demand increases in the Peninsula for the next 25 years.
Ms Maywald said by November 2009, SA Water would investigate the feasibility of desalination, look at using abandoned water harvesting scheme sites, work with the District Council of Elliston to secure water supplies for Venus Bay and Port Kenny and research initiatives to improve water quality.
She said investigations would also continue into the amount of underground water at Coffin Bay and explore making the Tod Reservoir accessible by the public.
“While Stage 2 of the Iron Knob to Kimba pipeline has been identified as the most cost-effective option to increase the supply, desalination appears to be more favourable when it comes to the ability to produce a new source of non-climate dependent water,” Ms Maywald said.
“SA Water will work with industry and businesses to produce water efficiency plans to reduce consumption and, with industry support, will look to modify its wastewater treatment plant into high saline and lower saline streams to better manage waste disposal from the fish processing industry.”
Ms Maywald said the plan outlined triggers that could impact water security around the EP such as population increases, reduced rainfall, increased water demand, decreases in water allocation and climate change effects.
“Projections on future water demand show the region will require a new source in 2014-15 based on medium growth in demand, or by 2011-12 based on a high growth in demand,” she said.
“A thorough annual review will occur as part of the plan in which projections for water demand and factors which may impact water security will be monitored and reports provided to the Eyre Peninsula Water Security Reference Group.”
Ms Maywald said SA needed to be prepared to deal with drought and the long-term impacts of climate change.
She said as a result, an addendum was added to the plan to address groundwater resource monitoring and that the EP Natural Resources Management Board would lead a project on groundwater allocation, planning and management in partnership with SA Water and the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation.
Ms Maywald thanked the EP Water Security Reference Group and the community for helping develop the plan.
She said a copy of the plan was available at www.sawater.com.au
11 December, 2008
Prison drug busters go for hard cell
Increased surveillance in SA prisons has boosted drug detection rates, according to the Minister for Correctional Services, Carmel Zollo.Ms Zollo said statistics in the Corrections Annual Report showed increased vigilance and a focus on catching prisoners and visitors trying to smuggle drugs into prisons had been successful.
“We make no excuses for being tough and making inroads into the drug trade,” she said.
“Not only is it more difficult than ever before to smuggle drugs into our prisons, but those prisoners who continue to be involved in trafficking or drug possession are also more likely to be caught than ever before.”
Ms Zollo said prison officers had conducted over 22,000 searches on prisoners, their cells and property throughout 2007/08.
“In SA we have a range of strategies and measures in place to reduce the drug supply and trafficking in our prisons,” she said.
“The increase in recorded drug incidents in prisons over the previous year – 589 in 2007/08 compared to 385 in 2006/07 - clearly indicates that the range of measures we have in place are proving to be very effective.”
Ms Zollo said a “central plank” in the strategy against drugs was the Police Corrections Section, a unit comprising of SA Police detectives and Correctional Services Intelligence and Investigations Unit officers who share intelligence and exchange information.
She rejected claims that trades people working in prisons were no longer escorted due to staff shortages.
“Tradespeople requiring escorts continue to be accompanied by Correctional staff,” she said.
“There’s been no change to this policy.”
11 December, 2008
VET training boasts on-the-job success
The South Australian vocational education and training system has come up trumps in a national survey, topping the nation for employment success for its students.Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Paul Caica, said the State’s “outstanding performance” had been revealed in the Student Outcomes Survey 2008, which wascompiled by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER).
Mr Caica said the report showed 86 per cent of SA’s vocational education and training (VET) graduates had found jobs, five percentage points better than the national average.
He said SA outranked the rest of Australia on several other fronts by achieving the highest score for VET graduates with 92 per cent of graduates saying they were happy with their learning and another 92 per cent getting a job or studying for a higher qualification.
“We also performed better than the national average with the relevance of our training, which was rated well or highly by 80% of our VET graduates - five percentage points higher than the national average (75%),” Mr Caica said.
“These outstanding results show South Australia’s vocational education and training system is excelling in national terms and in meeting the needs of students and industry as we build our skilled workforce.”
The Student Outcomes Survey was conducted for the VET system and focused on students’ employment outcomes and satisfaction with VET in Australia.
11 December, 2008
SACE comes up trumps with more funding
Schools across the State are to be given financial assistance to train their staff to teach the new South Australian Certificate of Education.Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith, said all Government, Catholic and Independent schools with students in years 10 to 12 would receive a professional development grant in 2009.
Dr Lomax-Smith said a key part of the Government’s plan to introduce the SACE was providing teachers with the professional development and training to ensure they were able to deliver the senior secondary qualification.
“The Government is revitalising the SACE to make it more relevant for our young people, employers, and the community, so it’s critical our teachers have every opportunity to be ready to teach it,” she said.
“Already, thousands of teachers and school leaders across the State have benefited from the many workshops, seminars, and training sessions that have been organised to support implementation of the new SACE.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said the Government had provided over $5.3 million in funding since 2007 to provide 7,500 teachers and leaders with professional development and training.
“These include piloting the new subject called a Personal Learning Plan as well as literacy and numeracy initiatives across the State,” she said.
Dr Lomax-Smith said during 2008/09 schools would receive grants totalling over $3 million for professional development, with another $16.8 million to support the new SACE.
She said the new SACE is to begin next year, with around 20,000 year 10 students undertaking the compulsory Personal Learning Plan program to help them plan their studies
Dr Lomax-Smith said PD during 2009 would focus on helping teachers become familiar with a new A to E grading system and helping them implement the Personal Learning Plan.
11 December, 2008
Pay input invited
The Australian Fair Pay Commission has invited interested groups and individuals to make submissions to the 2009 Minimum Wage Review.
The Commission said submissions should address the capacity for the unemployed and low-paid to obtain and keep employment, employment competitiveness, safety nets for the low-paid and minimum wages.
Further information was available from www.fairpay.gov.au
Film production up
A national survey conducted by Screen Australia found film and television production had increased by almost 20 per cent in South Australia over the past year.
The survey found the increase was partly due to increased Government investments in the industry.
Premier, Mike Rann, said SA was one of only three states to record an increase on last year’s figures, joining Victoria and Western Australia.
Post Office reminder
Australia Post has reminded the community to post their Christmas cards early as record volumes of Christmas mail are expected again this year.
Australia Post’s Nadine Lyford said the service handled millions of extra items during the festive season and that early posting ensured mail would arrive in time.
“Generally, if people receive Christmas cards, they are more likely to then send a Christmas card back. That’s a good reason to send your cards now,” Ms Lyford said.
Closed for Christmas
Christmas closures for a number of State offices have been announced.
The Arts SA Central office will be closed from 3pm on 24 December to 1 January 2009.
The State Records’ City Research Centre will close on 25 December to 29 December, re-open for 30 and 31 December before closing for New Year’s Day.
The Centre asked all researchers wishing to view original records on 30 or 31 of December to request them before Christmas.
The Gepps Cross Research Centre will close from 25 December to 1 January.
British police targetted
The British Government has launched a backlash campaign aimed at luring its expatriate police officers home.
According to Agence France-Presse, British Police were ‘fed-up’ with Australia poaching their officers and was offering a £10,000 resettlement package to welcome them home.
The Brits said almost 10 per cent of their force had left to work overseas and they were particularly targetting the South Australian and Western Australian police services.
Wonambi turns 10
The Department for Environment and Heritage has celebrated the Wonambi Fossil Centre’s 10th birthday.
The Fossil Centre, located at the Naracoorte Caves, has welcomed thousands of visitors each year, educating them on life in the Pleistocene era –around 1.8 million to 10,000 years ago.
DEH’s Acting Manager of the Naracoorte Caves, Decima McTernan, said the celebrations had been attended by tourist operators, science and conservation specialists and those involved in the Centre’s conception.
Correctional Officers graduate
Thirty-one trainee correctional officers have graduated in a ceremony at Yatala Labour Prison.
Minister for Correctional Services, Carmel Zollo, welcomed the graduates saying the 27 men and four women would be appointed to prisons around the State.
Ms Zollo said they were the sixth school to graduate this year, bringing the total number of recruits in 2008 to 165.
Last pollution link in place
The final link in a chain of state-of-the-art facilities for boats on the River Murray has been completed.
Minister for the River, Karlene Maywald, said the completion of the Walker Flat waste disposal station, which joined 12 already operational stations, was paramount towards ensuring people did not pollute the Murray.
Ms Maywald said the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation was investigating measures to keep all waste disposal stations in operation as river levels continued to fall.
4 December, 2008
Modern PS is the way of the future
Major reforms to modernise the Public Service and make it more responsive to the future challenges facing the State have been announced by Public Service Minister Jay Weatherill.As Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management, Mr Weatherill said the Government had introduced legislation to reconfigure the economy, tackle climate change, adjust to an ageing population and overcome the skills shortage.
“If we are to successfully meet these challenges, we need a Public Sector that is innovative, agile, collaborative and responsive the community’s needs,” Mr Weatherill said.
He said the Public Sector Bill 2008 aimed to overcome poor Agency collaboration by creating greater employee mobility between Agencies and improved information sharing arrangements.
The Bill would make Chief Executives more accountable for achieving results by allowing them to hire, assign and fire executive staff free from legislative impediments.
Mr Weatherill said the Bill would legislate for performance management and development of employees for the first time and would also provide the South Australian Executive Service with development opportunities.
He said the Bill would provide strong employee rights protection by providing “robust” review processes and maintaining tenure for non-executives and a no forced redundancy policy.
“Despite calls to abolish tenure for Public Servants, we are maintaining it,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The Government believes that our Public Sector employees are great assets, whose value needs to be realised – they are not a burden to be minimised.”
He said the State needed to be able to use its employees more effectively, manage them better and be able to move them to areas of need.
“We must deliver services the community wants in ways that make people’s interaction with Government as easy as possible,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The new approaches in the Public Sector Bill will allow us to do this.”
Mr Weatherill said the changes would help overcome the “silo” mentality by placing greater emphasis on the concept of “one Government” to improve inter-Agency cooperation.
4 December, 2008
Hospital cuts through surgery lists
The Modbury Hospital has exceeded its targets for elective surgery just a year after being transferred to Government management.Minister for Health, John Hill announced the achievement in the House of Assembly, saying the Adelaide Hospital had a strong future ahead of it.
“In its first year in Government hands, elective surgery procedures at the Modbury Hospital increased by 15 per cent on the 2006/07 figures,” Mr Hill said.
“This is beyond the 10-year estimated increase of 12 per cent that I informed the House on 21 June 2007.
He said the hospital achieved its 10-year target in its first year.
Mr Hill said an additional 304 elective surgery procedures had been performed throughout the year, and he thanked nurses and doctors for their work in exceeding the Government’s targets.
He said the SA Health Care Plan had identified Modbury Hospital as a high volume elective surgery site which could focus on the needs of the local community.
Since September, the Central Northern region had identified 89 extra patients who could receive treatment at Modbury instead of having to go to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
“Waiting times for Modbury general surgery outpatient’s appointments and elective surgery are less than 90 days, a benchmark across the State,” Mr Hill said.
“Further improvements in elective surgery performance are anticipated as the Commonwealth Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Plan Stage 2 funding is received.”
He said the Commonwealth had provided SA with an additional $13.6 million for 2008 to perform an extra 2,262 elective surgery procedures by 31 December and Modbury Hospital would receive $1.15 million to increase its ward capacity and $763,000 to purchase more surgical equipment.
“Additionally, with the support of the Commonwealth elective surgery reduction plan, I can advise that from February 2009 Modbury Hospital will reintroduce a plastic surgery service with the appointment of a visiting medical specialist,” he said.
“A fifth General Surgeon has also been recruited and will commence in February 2009.”
Mr Hill said the increase in surgical capacity would help accommodate an increase in referrals including cancer related surgery.
4 December, 2008
Agreement agreed for SSSA transfer
The Government has agreed to the conditions laid out by members of the Public Service Association earmarked for transfer to Shared Services SA.Members of the PSA in Payroll, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable sections accepted the Government’s 20 November offer on four conditions including that classification assessors be independent and approved by the PSA; that ex-Health staff be allowed to fill vacant positions in their old Department under certain circumstances and that staff who accelerated their salary sacrifice arrangement would be covered.
The staff said if the conditions were granted, all bans and limitations would be lifted.
Under Treasurer, Jim Wright agreed to the conditions, saying a list of independent assessors, approved by the PSA would be appointed as soon as possible.
Mr Wright also agreed that employees’ applications for independent reclassification could be made by a simple request and that ex-Health employees transferred to Shared Services be allowed help out their old Department.
He also accepted the condition relating to accelerated salary sacrifice.
The PSA said members expected health employees would be notified in writing that they were in scope and would be given six weeks notice before any physical relocation occurred.
The Union said members in outer metro areas needed reasonable time to make arrangements for the changes to their worksite.
4 December, 2008
Planning overhaul is on the drawing board
Legislation that would ‘revolutionise’ the State’s planning system has been introduced into Parliament.Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Paul Holloway, said if passed, the Development (Planning and Development Review) Amendment Bill would lead to planning reforms that would save time and money for average home buyers.
Mr Holloway said the Bill would speed up approvals for 70% of residential planning applications and that would lead to cost savings.
“The major improvements to the planning system will be delivered next year through a Residential Development Code, which will dramatically cut waiting times for planning approvals,” he said.
“This Code will cut mortgage costs for homeowners by up to $5,000, ensuring that South Australia retains its reputation for affordable housing.”
Mr Holloway said financial advisory firm, KPMG, estimated the introduction of a ‘tick-the-box’ application system for residential development would slash the cost of red tape to the housing industry by $75.6 million a year.
He said the introduction of the Development Code would allow home buyers to receive planning approval within 10 working days, rather than waiting up to a year.
Mr Holloway said the components of the Code had been finalised after five months of consultation with Local Government, industry and community groups.
He said changes had been made to the draft Code released in June following submissions from the public.
“The decision to remove minimum requirements for both allotment sizes and front and rear setbacks from the draft Code should allay many of the legitimate concerns raised by Councils and the community during the consultation period,” Mr Holloway said.
He said the Code would apply widely for alterations and additions to existing homes, but in a more limited way for the construction of new homes.
“As part of a phased rollout of these reforms, the Code will apply only to new homes in areas nominated by local councils, and only for detached and semi-detached dwellings,” he said.
Mr Holloway said the Government was also preparing amended regulations to remove minor matters from the planning system such as pergolas, sail cloths, decks and garden sheds from 1 January 2009.
4 December, 2008
Defence targets SA in push for skills
South Australia was set to benefit from a Defence Department investment program that would address the skills shortage within the Australian Defence industry.The plan was announced jointly by the Premier, Mike Rann and Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, Greg Combet.
Mr Rann and Mr Combet said about a third of the $61 million investment in Defence Industry Skilling would come to South Australia.
They outlined four of the initiatives at the program launch at the University of South Australia.
Mr Combet said a Schools Pathways Program, a Professional Doctorates Program, a Masters of Systems Support Engineering and an expansion of the Masters of Military Systems Integration in South Australia would cost up to $20 million over the next six years.
“Over the next decade the (Commonwealth) Government will be investing over $100 billion to equip and sustain our ADF,” Mr Combet said.
“To help achieve this ambitious program it is essential that we address current industry constraints including the provision of skilled labour.”
Mr Combet thanked Mr Rann and the SA Government for “encouraging and fostering a vibrant defence industry”.
Mr Rann said South Australia’s acquisition of a third of the defence training funding acknowledged the State's growing strength as a defence capital.
“The State Government has worked hard to establish South Australia as the nation’s hub for major defence projects,” Mr Rann said.
“We've won $14 billion worth of defence projects over the past four years, including the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) contract.”
He said the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies predicted a 65 per cent increase in tradespeople would be required by the SA Defence industry over a four year period.
He said the new training package would help ensure SA could provide the skilled workforce needed to maintain and expand the industry, with the AWD project alone expected to create over 3,000 jobs.
Mr Combet said up to $6 million would help establish the SA Advanced Technology Schools Pathway Program to increase the number of youths interested in joining Defence.
He said a Professional Doctorate Program in Systems Engineering would be established to increase the Defence industry’s capacity and capability in the area.
He said the Masters of Systems Support Engineering would receive around $6 million to establish a multi-disciplinary education program covering supply chain management, maintenance, logistics operations and engineering, information coherence, engineering enduring systems and architecting of support solutions.
$2.5 million is to be invested in the Masters of System Integration initiative, which would see the existing Masters of Military Systems Integration converted into a more flexible delivery mode.
4 December, 2008
Equal opportunity comes knocking
New equal opportunity legislation to avoid unfair treatment of carers, mentally ill people, breastfeeding mothers and those wearing religious dress have been introduced to Parliament by the Minister for the Status of Women, Gail Gago.Ms Gago said current laws were out of date and needed to be updated to protect South Australians from “unjustified discrimination”.
“The Bill covers new grounds of discrimination such as religious dress, caring responsibilities, and breastfeeding,” she said.
“These laws will avoid unfair treatment in the workplace, the marketplace and at educational institutions.
She said the Bill marked a big step forward in achieving equality and fair treatment.
Ms Gago said the Equal Opportunity (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2008 would make it unlawful to discriminate against voluntary carers, and provided protections at a State level for people with disabilities, mental illness, learning difficulties or illnesses such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
She said the Bill “makes it unlawful to refuse to sell goods or services to a breastfeeding mother, or refuse nursing mothers access to educational services”.
Ms Gago said the Bill would prohibit employers and educational institutions from forcing workers or students to get rid of religious dress and would make it unlawful to refuse a job to a person based on who their spouse was.
Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson, said he would like to see the laws slightly stronger, but if passed, they would still be a “vast improvement on the current situation”.
“Some change is better than no change,” Mr Atkinson said.
Ms Gago said limited protection for carers already existed under the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act, but that the SA Bill would deliver broader protections.
“Carers are some of the hardest working volunteers in our State and discrimination against them by employers is in no-one’s best interests,” she said.
“The Bill is also a big win for nursing mothers. These laws will make it clear that discriminating against breastfeeding women is totally unacceptable.”
The Bill was first introduced to Parliament in 2006, but did not gain enough support at the time.
4 December, 2008
Asbestos plan is in the air
An Asbestos Safety Action Plan to prevent death and disease from asbestos exposure has been launched by the Minister for State Industrial Relations, Paul Caica.Mr Caica held the launch at a special service in Salisbury for Asbestos Victims’ Memorial Day, which commemorated those who had died from asbestos exposure.
“The Asbestos Action Plan demonstrates this Government’s commitment to work together with industry and community organisations to address this terrible industrial epidemic,” Mr Caica said.
“It’s also a meaningful way for us to honour those who have died from asbestos related diseases.”
He said the Action Plan was developed by the Asbestos Advisory Committee, SafeWork SA, Local Government, industry, unions and community asbestos groups such as the Asbestos Victims Association, the Asbestos Coalition and the Asbestos Diseases Society of SA.
“For the first time, we have a comprehensive, community wide plan of attack on the hazards of asbestos exposure,” he said.
Mr Caica said the Plan had five strategic actions – communication, education and training, partnerships, intervention and research.
He said under the Plan, new training and guidance material for high risk groups would be developed by industry and the Government.
He said the Environment Protection Authority and Safework SA would develop information products on how to safely dispose of asbestos and an Asbestos Information Notice would be given to all potential home buyers by real estate agents.
The Plan also included the expansion of community focus on education and information by community organisations and unions.
“The South Australian Government is committed to building strong awareness about the dangers of exposure to asbestos and the need for its safe identification, management and removal,” Mr Caica said.
“This Plan has been developed with an all-of-Government approach, supported by industry and community groups, and we will continue to work together in our drive to prevent and control further exposure to asbestos and ensure that all South Australians are aware of the dangers.”
4 December, 2008
Big guns take shot at firearm control
World-first laws targeting gun-related violence have been passed in South Australia in a bid to reduce the number of unlawful firearms in the community.Premier Mike Rann said under new prohibition orders people could be stopped and searched anywhere, any time, in their vehicle, vessel, aircraft or residence for evidence of firearms, ammunition or gun parts.
“These new laws are a world-first and have been designed to target unlawful use of firearms to commit violent and criminal acts,” Mr Rann said.
“Those found guilty of any breach will face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.”
He said the laws aimed to disarm dangerous criminals, including outlaw motorcycle gang members.
Police Minister, Michael Wright said the message being sent to criminals carrying firearms was simple – “their time was up!”
“Anyone issued with a Firearms Prohibition Order can, and will, be named through an online registry that can be accessed by firearm clubs, commercial ranges, firearm dealers and the general public,” Mr Wright said.
He said the new laws created a range of offences including possession of a firearm or residing in premises where a firearm is present against a prohibition order; bringing a firearm onto premises where a person subject to a prohibition order resided; supplying someone subject to a prohibition order with a firearm; and attendance at a shooting range or firearm dealership by someone who was prohibited.
Mr Wright said under the new laws, people in possession of a firearm would be required to give Police details of the firearm, its owner and who it last belonged to.
He said failure to provide these details would be considered an offence.
Under the changes it will be an aggravated offence to carry a loaded firearm or conceal it on the person.
Mr Wright said anyone caught doing so would face a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment, an increase from the previous maximum term of two years.
Mr Rann and Assistant Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, announced a three-month gun amnesty, which began on 1 December and would continue until 28 February 2009.
Assistant Commissioner Stevens said the amnesty was a final warning for people with illegal weapons to surrender them to police now to avoid trouble, or face the new penalties later.
“There’s no doubt the criminal element will largely find this amnesty irrelevant,” he said.
“But it is important that we do all we can to reduce the number of weapons that are able to fall into the wrong hands.”
Previous amnesties conducted in South Australia saw 1,490 firearms surrendered.
4 December, 2008
Restoration of river streaming ahead
The target of restoring 35 gigalitres of water to the River Murray by June next year was in line to be met according to the Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald.Ms Maywald said over $20 million had been spent from the Save the River Murray Fund during 2007/08 on projects to restore river’s health and that the State’s Living Murray Initiative targets were on track.
She tabled the Fund’s Annual Report for 2007/08, saying the money had been spent to improve the environmental health of the river system, maintain water quality for irrigation and improve water quality for urban water supplies.
“As a result of South Australians’ contributions to the Save the River Murray Fund, we have now recovered about 18 gigalitres of water for environmental flows,” she said.
She said the Fund supported 19 initiatives during 2007/08, including upgrading River Murray waste disposal stations, improving irrigation research, helping build fish passageways through locks and diverting saline groundwater flows through salt interception schemes.
She said money held in the fund had been committed to future projects still in the planning and development phase.
“The fund is vital in planning for the future of the Murray and once the river begins to recover from widespread drought in the Murray-Darling Basin, we will see more and more benefits of this prudent planning and management,” Ms Maywald said.
“While the current drought and low flows are causing significant problems in managing the river, all South Australians can be proud of the worthwhile and long-lasting contribution they are making toward restoring the river’s health.”
The report listed a number of achievements in improving the management of the River Murray, and was available from www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au
4 December, 2008
Teachers’ website gets top marks
A new website supporting teacher recruitment in SA has attracted up to 16,000 hits a month, according to Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith.Dr Lomax-Smith said the one-month snapshot of the site showed almost two thirds of the hits came from interstate and overseas.
“There is clearly interest in teaching jobs in South Australia,” she said.
“During April this year our Teaching in South Australia website had hits from 8,278 different people living interstate and 2,171 living overseas.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said the interest had led to 60 teachers from interstate applying for teaching positions in schools for 2009.
“Of these 60 applicants, eight have won positions for next year – five in metropolitan schools and three in country schools,” she said.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the appointments included two principals.
“We have also noticed an increase in the number of people applying for leadership jobs in our city and country schools.
“Our recruitment period runs from July to January and more teachers and principals are being appointed to positions across the State every day.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said the Teaching in South Australia website was launched 12 months ago to attract more local, interstate and overseas teachers to South Australian schools.
She said it was the first time the Government had strategically expanded its teacher recruitment activities outside the State.
“This new website not only provides useful information for teachers looking for work, but also showcases the State’s diverse regions, including our renowned wine growing areas and beaches,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“The website promotes teaching as an appealing lifestyle rather than just a career and provides teachers with information about training, scholarships and job opportunities for partners.”
She said the website, www.teachinginsa.sa.edu.au, was linked to the Department of Education and Children’s Services and SA Tourism websites.
4 December, 2008
Tram extension right on track
The $100 million tramline extension to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is to be completed on schedule despite the world facing financial turmoil.Premier, Mike Rann gave the undertaking saying the extension was expected to commence early next year and be fully operational by 2010.
The Premier said it was important the State continued to invest in infrastructure to protect local jobs while the project would stimulate economic and urban growth and encourage more people to use public transport.
”Whilst the start of the new prison complex has been delayed by two years, Cabinet has decided that there will be no deferral of this important transport project,” Mr Rann said.
He said the project still needed to go to the Public Works Committee and that the Government had recently released the preliminary design and operational details of Coast to Coast Light Rail – City West to Adelaide Entertainment Centre, including proposed track alignment, tram stop locations and traffic management arrangements.
Mr Rann said the proposed extension included
- A dual track corridor to allow trams to run safely and efficiently;
- Up to four tram stops;
- Bus indentations to improve traffic flows; and
- A ‘park and ride’ facility at the Entertainment Centre.
Minister for Transport, Patrick Conlon, said the extension would see the existing number of traffic and bike lanes maintained and heritage sites such as the Newmarket Hotel, Thebarton Police Barracks and the 100 year old carob trees and formal gardens at Bonython Park protected.
“Every effort will be made during the detailed design process to minimise the impact on vegetation, however some vegetation will need to be cleared for the provision of the tram corridor,” Mr Conlon said.
He said Australian firms Thiess and DownerEDI Works had won the contract to undertake further design and development work and had demonstrated they had the “understanding, skill and experience to deliver a value‑for‑money project whilst giving proper consideration to the needs of community groups and road users”.
Mr Conlon said a brochure and feedback sheet outlining features and benefits of the extension were now available and that concepts of the project would be on display on Sunday 7 December at Rundle Mall.
4 December, 2008
Aquatic agreement goes to water
South Australia and Victoria have entered an historic alliance to share their research capability in the aquatic sciences.Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen joined Victoria’s Minister for Fisheries, Joe Helper to sign the agreement which will see the two jurisdictions share complementary resources and pursue opportunities to deliver high quality science.
Mr McEwen said the Alliance between South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Resources (PIRSA) and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) was designed to deliver more effective and efficient aquatic sciences research, improved networks and better science outcomes.
He said the SA research would be conducted by PIRSA’s South Australian Research and Development Institute, SARDI.
‘The Alliance will also strengthen our ability to attract funding for new infrastructure and research,” Mr McEwen said.
“Fisheries biology, assessment and modeling, aquaculture, climate change, oceanography, and marine and freshwater ecological research and development will be areas of particular focus.”
He said the agreement would significantly boost aquatic sciences research capability providing each State with the opportunity to expand and enrich their current efforts.
“It will lead to a broader understanding of oceanic and freshwater ecosystems, better management of fish stocks and more cohesive development of management strategies for aquaculture in southern Australia,” Mr McEwen said.
“South Australia will benefit from Victoria’s capabilities in the areas of freshwater research, reproduction of native freshwater fish and recreational fisheries research.”
. He said Victoria would also benefit from SA’s expertise in oceanography, wild fisheries management, aquatic biosecurity and marine aquaculture.
The Ministers said a governing board of representatives from both Agencies was being formed to oversee the Alliance’s development of collaborative research programs.
4 December, 2008
Environment work gets green light
An audit on the challenges facing the State’s environment has been produced by the Environment Protection Authority.Minister for the Environment and Conservation, Jay Weatherill, tabled the State of the Environment Report in Parliament, saying it outlined significant stresses to the environment, areas of improvement and identified where more work needed to be done.
“This report is further evidence that tackling climate change and sustainability must remain at the forefront of Government, business and community decision making,” Mr Weatherill said.
“There are a number of concerning trends illustrating an environment under stress.”
He said the audit report was the fifth of its kind to be conducted in South Australia, with one being produced every five years by the EPA.
Mr Weatherill said the report found the health of the rivers, streams and wetlands of the River Murray floodplain was declining and that there were no recordings of the Coorong and Lowe Lakes ever being in poorer condition.
He said Seagrass populations along the metropolitan coast were continuing to decline and the number of vulnerable endangered plants, animals and ecological communities was on the rise.
“But there are some more encouraging trends as well,” Mr Weatherill said.
He said net greenhouse emissions had decreased by 7 per cent since 1990, while gross greenhouse emissions sources have been stable since 2001.
He said the proportion of energy from renewable energy sources had increased 10-fold since 2002, solid waste going to landfill was decreasing and erosion and salinity were declining.
He said the report also flagged issues looming on the horizon.
“The continued control of greenhouse emissions will be challenged by likely increases in population and mining activity,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The effects of climate change will pose challenges for ecological protection, prevention of fires, water scarcity and agricultural productivity.”
He said the report highlighted the work being done by Government and the community in areas that had seen positive trends.
“The report identifies that greater volumes of wastewater and stormwater are being recycled and re-used in Adelaide than anywhere else in urban Australia.
“Our development of massive landscape-scale corridors is noted as good work being done to combat biodiversity risks.”
Mr Weatherill said the report made 41 recommendations, with the top priorities being to double the capture and use of waste and storm water by 2012; develop adaption strategies to deal with climate change; include environmental representation in strategic decision making; and to use water allocation, planning, pricing, incentives and water rights to work towards sustainable water use by 2012.
He said the Government would respond to the report next year.
4 December, 2008
Shark spotter planes reach new heights
Students and graduates of the University of South Australia Aviation Academy haven taken to the skies to patrol the beaches as part of the summer Shark Surveillance Program.Minister for Emergency Services, Michael Wright, said UniSA had provided fixed wing aircraft to provide weekday patrols from North Haven to Sellicks, commencing on 1 December.
“These patrols complement those already being conducted on weekends and public holidays by Surf Life Saving SA,” Mr Wright said.
“The safety of beachgoers is paramount and it is important that our metropolitan beaches are covered seven days a week over the peak summer period.”
Head of Aviation at the UniSA Aviation Academy, Stephen Phillips, said every year around 40 national and international students participated in the initiative, which did more than provide peace of mind to beach users.
“In addition to the obvious community safety outcomes, the partnership provides students and graduates of the UniSA Aviation Academy with the opportunity to gain valuable flying and surveillance experience under operational conditions,” Mr Phillips said.
“That experience extends to performing the role of captain of a crew, which they would not normally get as a charter pilot.”
He said last year, the UniSA aviators flew almost 700 patrol hours in total.
Manager of the program which is run by the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission, Darryl Wright, said consultation between the South Australia Police, UniSA, Surf Life Saving SA and other Agencies had taken place to ensure beachgoers were warned of potential shark risks.
“If the fixed wing aircraft sights a shark within close proximity of the shore or swimmers, they will commence a circular flying pattern and sound a siren,” Mr Wright said.
“Swimmers should leave the water as quickly as possible once they hear the siren.”
He said Police would be notified of the sighting in case it posed a risk to public safety
Mr Wright said beachgoers could take simple steps to ensure their own safety, such as swimming at patrolled beaches, never swimming alone or in murky water, avoiding fishing activity and schools of fish, never swimming while bleeding and leaving the water as soon as a shark was spotted.
The Government pledged $180,000 towards the initiative which is in its third year.
The UniSA aerial patrols will run between 11.00 am and 8.00 pm Monday to Friday until the end of March.
4 December, 2008
New schools in a class of their own
The State Government has called for registrations of interest from potential students to enrol in six new schools to be built in metropolitan Adelaide.Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith, said eligible students who registered for enrolment now would be guaranteed a place at one of the new schools.
Dr Lomax-Smith said families with children attending schools and preschools involved in the Education Works project would be given top enrolment priority.
“That includes children at the Parks Children’s Centre at Angle Park, which voted in August this year to join the proposal for a new school at Woodville Gardens,” she said.
“Registration of interest will help with planning for the new schools and enable interested families to be kept up to date with details as they become available.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said the planning stages were proceeding well and the successful bidder to build the schools would be announced early next year.
“A short-list of three bidders has been selected to develop proposals for building the new schools. Once finalised, work is expected to start early next year.”
Dr Lomax-Smith said parents and school and preschool communities had already started discussing a range of matters including curriculum and special programs.
She said each school had an advisory group to gather the local community’s views throughout the development and building process.
“The prospect of one-stop education and care – from birth to Year 7 or Year 12 – along with onsite health and family support is expected to be a drawcard for enrolments.”
She said registration of interest forms and fact sheets were available through schools involved in the initiative or online at www.educationworks.sa.edu.au
She said the new birth to year 7 school at Playford North and the birth to year 12 school at Munno Para involved Davoren Park Primary School, Smithfield Plains Junior Primary School, Smithfield Plains Primary School, Smithfield Plains High School, Smithfield Plains Kindergarten, Davoren Park Kindergarten and Smith Creek Primary School.
The birth to Year 7 school at Blair Athol involved Blair Athol Preschool, Kilburn Primary School and Gepps Cross Primary School.
Dr Lomax-Smith said Ross Smith Secondary School, Gepps Cross Girls High School, Enfield High School and Gepps Cross Senior Special School would benefit from the new Multi-campus secondary school at State Sports Park, Gepps Cross.
The birth to Year 7 school at Woodville Gardens would involve Ferryden Park Primary School, Ridley Grove R-7 School, Mansfield Park Primary School, Woodville Gardens Preschool and the Parks Children’s Centre.
Dr Lomax-Smith said the Regency Park School would benefit from the new special school at Taperoo.
She said the six schools would be opened in 2010 and 2011.
4 December, 2008
Geologists rock ancient site
Scientists from Geoscience Australia have discovered rocks up to 3.15 billion years old at the Eyre Peninsula in the State’s south.Chief Executive of Geoscience Australia, Dr Neil Williams, said scientists from the geochronology team had used a new Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) to identify the rocks, which came from a time when the only life on Earth was simple bacteria.
Dr Williams said finding rocks older than three billion years in Australia was uncommon as they were hard to find, and until now, believed to be restricted to areas in the Pilbara and Yilgarn regions of Western Australia.
“The discovery of rocks of similar age to those in the resource rich regions of Western Australia raises the possibility of so far undiscovered mineral resources in South Australia,” he said.
“The newly identified rocks, which were among samples collected as part of a collaborative seismic survey by Geoscience Australia and PIRSA, extend South Australia’s antiquity back another 500 million years.”
Dr Williams said the discovery provided another site which had significant implications for establishing how the Australian continent was formed.
He said the rocks were remnants from the Mesoarchean era, a time when the atmosphere was unbreathable, the only life was simple bacteria and most of the Australian continent was yet to form.
Dr Williams said the rock SHRIMP analysed was a piece of granite from near Iron Knob about 50 kilometres west of Whyalla.
He said Geoscience and Primary Industries and Resources SA would continue to define the regional extent of the rocks and obtain further clues about the region’s geological history.
Dr Williams said the Australian designed and built SHRIMP was commissioned earlier this year by the Federal Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson.
4 December, 2008
Business planner to do the business
Action plans for the development of Indigenous-owned businesses in the Port Lincoln and Lower Eyre Peninsula areas are to receive a boost with the appointment of a Business Development Officer.Federal Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, said the officer would develop an action plan to expand five Indigenous-owned businesses in the region.
Mr O’Connor said the businesses being supported represented a number of industries including aquaculture, landscaping, recycling, sustainable forestry and property development.
He said the Government had provided funding under the Emerging Indigenous Entrepreneurs Initiative, which aimed to boost economic development, business skills and financial literacy skills of Indigenous Australians.
“It’s great to see Indigenous-owned businesses operating in South Australia,” Mr O’Connor said.
“And with the right guidance and support these businesses will continue to grow and provide employment opportunities in communities in the Port Lincoln and Lower Eyre Peninsula regions.”
Mr O’Connor said the officer would work with the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Community Council Board to drive business development and job creation.
He said he wanted to see the employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians halved by 2018.
“The development of business skills is an important part of creating economic opportunities for Indigenous Australians,” Mr O’Connor said.
4 December, 2008
Aboriginal protection fails in Senate
A plan to restore protections to Northern Territory Aboriginal communities has been rejected in the Senate.
Reinstatement of the public access land permit system for Indigenous communities was voted down, as was a move to relax the ban on pornographic pay television programs.
The Bill would now go back the House of Representatives.
CPSU history offer
The university of Sydney is offering a PhD scholarship for an interested academic to write a thesis on the history of the Community and Public Sector Union.
Applications are now open, with more information available from www.econ.usyd.edu.au or by contacting Mandy Nelson at m.nelson@econ.usyd.edu.au
Curriculum and assessment body set up
New legislation has been passed to allow a single body to manage the development of a national curriculum and system of assessment and reporting for schools.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority is to be led by a 13 member Board of Directors made up of experts nominated by the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments as well as the Catholic and Independent school sectors.
ACARA will report to all Australian education Ministers through the Ministerial Council.
9 schools for restructure
The Government is set to restructure nine schools under its Education Works initiative.
Minister for Education, Jane Lomax-Smith, said each of the nine school communities had voted to either close or amalgamate and these included Broadmeadows, Elizabeth North, Brown’s Well, Spence, Heysen, Rosedale, Aldinga and Aldinga Junior schools and Fram Street Kindergarten.
Dr Lomax-Smith said if a school decided to close or restructure, funds would be invested into reshaping schools to improve opportunities for students.
Farmers offered help
The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen, has urged farm businesses to submit applications for support under the Exceptional Circumstances (EC) Interest Rate Subsidy.
Mr McEwen said cut-off dates were coming up in early January and February next year, and that any businesses planning to lodge an application should get it in as soon as possible.
A complete list of EC-declared regions and closing dates was available from www.pir.sa.gov.au
For further information contact PIRSA on 1800 182 235.
Telemarketing protection
Laws to provide consumers who purchase goods from telemarketers with greater protection have been introduced into Parliament.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gail Gago, said the Fair Trading (Telemarketing) Amendment Bill 2008 provided a mandatory 10-day cooling off period where customers could cancel their contract without incurring a penalty
Ms Gago said there was currently no such protection for consumers.
Energy stats reported
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released a report that found Australian households ranked energy star rating more important than price or brand when buying white goods.
Water efficiency rating was ranked first for washing machines, but price was ranked the most important factor in buying a heater.
In the last survey in 2002, price was the most important factor for the majority of goods.
More than half of all Australian households were GreenPower aware in 2008, with 5 per cent paying for GreenPower.
Terrace opened for homeless
Supported accommodation for 100 vulnerable adults and rough sleeps has been officially opened at the Afton House building on South Terrace by Minister for Housing, Jennifer Rankine.
Ms Rankine said the building had been renamed The Terrace and was the largest publicly owned boarding house in Adelaide.
She said The Terrace provided flexible accommodation with communal kitchens and bathrooms as well as fully self-contained rooms.
It won the Civic Trust Award - Human category at Parliament House last week.
Post reveals travel plans
Four in 10 Australians are still planning to travel abroad in the next 12 months despite tougher economic times, according to the Australia Post Travel survey.
Australia Post spokesperson, Alex Twomey, said over 50 per cent of younger Australians aged 18 to 24 were not worried, while three in 10 people aged 55-64 opted to travel within Australia to save money.