The BGC contract to build the facility, at the corner of Roe, Fitzgerald and James streets in Northbridge, is worth $57.8million.

Police Minister Hon Rob Johnson MLA said building was set to start next month and the complex ready for use by late 2012.

“The Perth Police Complex will be one important component in a revitalised zone linking the CBD and Northbridge, and become a tremendous asset in terms of helping make this area safer for everyone,” Mr Johnson said.

“The new 24-hour station will accommodate about 500 officers and staff and consist of the Perth Police Centre; a new Perth Watch House; a Magistrate’s Court; and the Central Metropolitan District Office.

Hon Nick Goiran stated that this is just another example of how the WA Government under the leadership of Premier Colin Barnett is committed to safeguarding families and communities.

“One of the highest duties of government is to keep the people you represent safe. As leaders of this State this government’s job is to make sure that Law Enforcement has all that it needs to keep our streets safe, so that families and communities can enjoy all the riches this beautiful state has to offer. The WA Government should be congratulated for its continued investment into the Police Force, and into the community.” Nick Goiran said.

Mr Johnson said in addition to the new complex, the State Government was spending considerable funds to ensure WA Police officers were well resourced, including:

• $208.5million for an additional 500 officers and 200 support staff over five years
• $47.5million to expand the Perth Metropolitan Radio Network
• $33million across forward estimates to continue the upgrade of the WA Police I.T system, as well as $15.7million for police to upgrade its core information and communication infrastructure.

“Under the Liberal-National Government, WA Police are better resourced than ever before, with hundreds of additional police officers out on the streets responding to anti-social behaviour and preventing crime,” the Minister said.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said significant progress had recently been made on the project, with the building contract awarded for the project’s final phase in Fremantle.

“The museum and the project architects have worked closely with Fremantle Ports to ensure the completed Welcome Walls integrate with the overall Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan,” Minister Day stated.

Hon Nick Goiran MLC said that the project would recognise the contribution of migrants to Western Australia.

“This project is an important part of our past, our present and our collective future.  By honouring those who have come from across the globe to our wonderful State, we say something about who we are now,” Hon Nick Goiran MLC said.

“My parents were migrants, and like the names inscribed on these Walls I hope that my story as well as countless other stories will continue to encourage and inspire West Australians that their contribution matters and that their story matters.”

The Welcome Walls Fremantle project pay tribute to those migrants who arrived by sea, landing at Fremantle, and the many benefits they gave to their new home, enriching the lives of all Western Australians.

Stages 1 and 2 of the Welcome Walls display more than 16,700 inscriptions, paying tribute to some 34,500 immigrants to Western Australia.

Dr Constable said the students, who moved on to the new campus at the start of the school year, would experience a range of learning opportunities with the facilities.

“The new campus has 12 classrooms; an inclusive learning area; activity spaces; three early childhood classrooms; a library resource centre; covered assembly area and canteen; music and art/craft areas; and administration and staff facilities,” The Minister said.

The campus also includes a dental therapy facility, an oval, hard courts and cricket practice nets.

Hon Nick Goiran MLC stated that the school was a reflection of the WA Government’s commitment to excellent education for West Australian school children.

“This is an investment in the future of Western Australia. Our Government believes strongly in using our States resources to further invest in young students’ lives,” Hon Nick Goiran MLC said of the school.

“But here’s the best thing about education investment; it’s not just dollars, but the positive ramifications of what that money will mean to our students and later our economy. Targeted, responsible and wise investment education spending leads to value multiplied many times over the original amount.”

Just over 2,000 people attended the Ceremony, with the Hon Nick Goiran MLC representing Premier Colin Barnett. The dedication, performed by Chief of Navy Vice Admiral RH Crane AO CSM RAN, recognised and honoured the sacrifices these boys made for their country.

“It is both an honour and a privilege to have been involved in this ceremony, and pay proper and due respect to the service of these men who were at the time just boys,” Hon Nick Goiran MLC said.

Many served on Active Service as seventeen-year-old members of the RAN in a variety of units during the Vietnam War. These included destroyers on the Gun Line, Logistic Support and Escort roles as well as Clearance Diving and Helicopter Units based ashore in South Vietnam.

Hon Nick Goiran MLC officially represented the Premier and the WA Government, and stated that the service of these Junior Recruits, many of whom also attended the ceremony, was inspiring to all Australians. 

“On the 13^th of July 1960, 155 boys started their training to serve our Navy. They couldn’t vote, many may not have ever even driven a car. But they were ready to be trained to fight and defend Australia. 155 boys became men, not knowing that over the next 24 years, another 13,000 would do the same.”

Many more Juniors served the nation during the Indonesian Confrontation, the two Gulf Wars and in the many peace operations conducted by members of the Australian Defence Force in recent decades.

The ceremony was funded by the ANZAC Day Working Group and through generous private donations and fundraising through the sale of a commemorative medallion together with a $10,000 contribution from the State Government.

The land on which the memorial stands was provided by the Department of Defence.

Member for the South Metropolitan Region, Hon Nick Goiran MLC said part of the funding for the City of Fremantle would go towards marking and widening the Parry Street bicycle lanes.

“The new cycling infrastructure will improve the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and people with disabilities, provide new healthy transport opportunities and reduce vehicle emissions within the City of Fremantle,” Mr Goiran stated.

“The Perth Bicycle Network program is also helping to reduce congestion on our roads whilst providing people a healthy transport and leisure alternative.”

Research findings by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing indicate that physical inactivity is the second biggest cause of illness in Australia, and this funding will go towards combating this epidemic,

Other projects in the current round of grants in Fremantle include;

• Upgrading the black asphalt path to from Annie Street to existing path to Mather Road (Mather Road, Beaconsfield)
• Installation of bicycle parking at the Fremantle Leisure Centre (Shuffry Street, Fremantle), and
• Bicycle parking for South Beach near Ocean Road

Administered by the Department of Transport’s Bikewest, the program offers funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis for the development and implementation of cycling infrastructure, facilities, planning and promotional projects, and so far $13million has been spent under the grants program since first established in 1996.

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien, who announced the grants last week , said that 19 metropolitan councils would share in a total of $1million for improvements to the Perth Bicycle Network,

“Perth is recognised for its world-class cycling facilities and these grants will further improve our cycling and pedestrian infrastructure for residents and tourists.” Minister O’Brien said.

For more information on the Perth Bicycle Network and the Local Government Grant Program, ring (08) 9216 8000 or visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/pbn

Transport  Minister Simon O’Brien stated that the consultation process had received a satisfaction rating of 85% and a 70% support rating for the project more broadly, promising that “this project will deliver significant benefits to the community”.

“A high level of innovative planning and design solutions and construction techniques, unlike any previously seen on Main Roads’ projects, will be used to ensure the environment is in a better condition following completion of the project; Aboriginal heritage sites are respected; and social values preserved and enhanced”, Minister O’Brien said.

The State Government, in line with its pre-election promise to investigate this extension, has allocated $20million across four years to bring the project to construction phase. “Unfortunately there has been a concerted misinformation campaign by people who oppose the project, but I am pleased to see the overwhelming majority of the community has seen beyond this to the significant benefits this project will bring,” the Minister said.

Hon Nick Goiran MLC, member for the South Metropolitan Region supported Minister O’Brien’s statements, saying that infrastructure projects such as this are an integral part of the Liberal Party’s vision for the future of Western Australia.

“This project will not only support WA’s future by providing for our transport and road freight needs, but will also go a long way in further connecting the more outlying areas of our community to each other and to Perth. The State Government made this promise, and the State Government is making sure that it delivers,” Hon Nick Goiran MLC said.

The project is a major plank in the State Government’s Transport Policy for the next 20 years, and based on current estimations represents a $550 million investment in the future of Western Australia.

Hon Nick Goiran MLC, Member for the South Metropolitan Region together with Peter Abetz MLA, Member for Southern River, have joined forces, arguing that the existence of ‘skimpies’ in pubs is outdated and does nothing to promote healthy relationships with women but rather only serves to promote our already hyper-sexualised culture. 

The Hon Nick Goiran MLC, said this week, “It is because of outdated sub-cultures like these that we have to have in the 21^st century a Minister for Women’s interests!  I want to encourage men to be ‘real’ when it comes to showing women respect.”

“Together, my colleague and I are saying that we also need to get ‘real’ about the effects of the exploitative nature of these types of businesses – that have no regard for the message it sends to our community”.

“I applaud the strong stance being taken by the Police and hope that this will send a clear message to pub operators:  Demeaning and degrading women has no place in our society”, said Peter Abetz MLA.

Ms Brookes employer, Raunchy promotions owner Steve Zielinski, said police should be chasing violent criminals and drug dealers, not spending time targeting skimpy barmaids.

“I would argue that this sends the message to our men and boys that women must be respected.  I would argue that if we want a better society, then this is just as important as chasing violent criminals and drug dealers”, said the Member for Southern River, Mr Peter Abetz MLA.

The area was allocated $12 million as part of a $128.7 million reform program which will be rolled-out across Western Australia in the next four years. The south metropolitan area will also benefit from an additional $12.1 million allocated to programs for the metropolitan region and $36.3 million allocated to state-wide programs.

The program, announced by Health Minister Dr Kim Hames last month, represents the single biggest investment into Aboriginal health reform in the State’s history – funding more than 80 health programs and services for Aboriginal communities throughout metropolitan and regional WA.

Hon Nick Goiran MLC, member for the South Metropolitan Region said the initiatives funded in the south metropolitan area would offer culturally appropriate health services to Aboriginal people, enhance child and maternal health, promote healthy lifestyles, chronic disease management and improve access to primary health care.

Service agreements were finalised this month and it is anticipated these programs will create over 30 jobs across the southern suburbs.

“This ground-breaking partnership between Aboriginal people and the State Government signals a new way for WA Health to plan and develop health services with Aboriginal communities,” Hon Nick Goiran said.

 Spokesperson for the South Metropolitan Aboriginal Health Planning Forum Val Swift-Otero said it was exciting to see the development of partnerships between the Aboriginal community and health service providers. 

“With the commitment to working differently and the employment of more Aboriginal staff we look forward to seeing an improvement in the delivery of health services for Aboriginal people“.

The initiatives funded in the south metropolitan area are:

• The Rockingham Kwinana Division of General Practice will receive $869,970 to work in partnership with the local community and Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services to provide an Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre for Aboriginal people in the Rockingham Kwinana area. 
• The Fremantle General Practice (GP) Network will receive $720,475 to employ three Aboriginal health professionals to increase the range of services available to local Aboriginal people and to reduce the barriers to attend a GP clinic.  
• The South Metro Area Health Service will receive $1,674,405 to work in partnership with various organisations, including GP Down South, to establish a range of primary care services in the purpose-built Health and Wellness Centre recently completed in Mandurah.  
• Funding of $322,520 will be provided to Rockingham Kwinana Division of General Practice to establish a primary care outreach clinic at Medina Primary School. This will be delivered by staff from Kwinana Division of General Practice and Derbarl Yerrigan Aboriginal health workers.
• The South Metropolitan Area Health Service will receive $3,226,725 to employ eight Aboriginal health liaison officers to provide support for Aboriginal patients using hospital and primary health care services.  , An officer will be based at Royal Perth Hospital, Bentley Armadale mental health and two each will be based at Armadale/Bentley, Fremantle and Rockingham/Peel hospitals.  Additionally, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service will receive funding to employ an Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer at the Maddington clinic.
• The Canning Division of General Practice will receive $153,081 to provide a self-management program for chronic disease, called Living Improvements for Everyone (LIFE), for Aboriginal people in the south east corridor of the Perth metropolitan area.
• The South Coastal Women’s Health Service will receive $374,644 to expand the primary health care and emotional and social wellbeing components of their Aboriginal Men’s Health Group. This will include regular General Practitioner Clinics, camps, provide transport and employ health workers to assist men in attending health appointments in their wider community.
• The South Metropolitan Public Health Unit will receive $871,502 to employ two adolescent health staff to provide community-based health programs and resources for young Aboriginal people.
• The South Metropolitan Area Health Service will receive $2,089,678 to work in partnership with the Women’s and Newborn Health Service to develop Aboriginal Maternity Group Practice Teams across the south metropolitan area to provide care for pregnant women and their families.
• The Child and Adolescent Health Service will receive $1,700,000 to expand the Aboriginal Maternal and Child Health Program to the Armadale area. Two Aboriginal health workers and two community health nurses will be employed to improve the level of engagement with Aboriginal families and to increase the number of infants and young children offered child health and developmental assessments. 

 Hon Nick Goiran MLC said Aboriginal people had been involved in both the planning and development process to improve the delivery of Aboriginal health services across WA.

 Since August 2009, Aboriginal people have taken part in Aboriginal health planning forums in the metropolitan area and regional WA to develop local health plans.

Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs opened the Saranna Women and Children’s program last Wednesday, which provides a specialist therapeutic community to tackle alcohol and drug issues whilst providing parenting support.

 “The Saranna Program is Western Australia’s first residential therapeutic community specifically for women and children affected by alcohol and drug use,” Dr Jacobs said, “And ensures mothers and children are kept together during this important time, increasing the success of the treatment and improving their wellbeing.”

 The six new housing units that were opened, together with the eight existing units means the program can accommodate up to 14 families at one time.

 In addition to helping mothers overcome alcohol and drug problems, the program helps support children, strengthen the relationship between mother and child, reunite and strengthen families and build resilience and skills.

 The Liberal-National Government is committed to supporting holistic treatment initiatives like the Saranna Women and Children’s program and the Healthy Mother-Infant Relationship Initiative that was also launched this week.

 The Healthy Mother-Infant Relationship Initiative was developed by the North Metropolitan Area Health Service’s Clinical Application Unit.

Mental Health Minister Dr Graham Jacobs said the resource was a practical framework and risk assessment resource to help mental health clinicians, GPs, hospital staff and community health clinics all work together to improve the care of women with mental illness.

“As a father, I recognise that the birth of a baby is a very joyous time, but it can also be a very stressful time and the pressure that a new Mum finds herself under can be enormous”, said Hon Nick Goiran MLC.

 Research had shown that where the mother-baby relationship was disrupted, babies could develop significant emotional, learning and developmental disorders.

 “The benefits are wide ranging”, Dr Jacobs said, “and the quicker we can identify that a new mother is experiencing problems, the faster we can offer effective care and treatment options, and the sooner mother, baby and their family can happily move forward.”

This week is 2010 Storm Awareness week and Hon Nick Goiran MLC, Member for the South Metropolitan Region is encouraging residents to commence preparing their homes for the start of storm season, “with all of the nice weather we have been having, it is hard to imagine that winter is just around the corner – the recent hailstorm in March is proof that we need to be practical and prepared.”

At the launch of Storm Awareness week, Emergency Services Minister, Mr Rob Johnson said homes in metropolitan areas that still needed repairs due to the March hailstorm were more vulnerable and could be damaged further when the bad weather started. “The hailstorm in March caused hundreds of millions of dollars damage to thousands of cars and homes, and injured three people. While it was a freak warm weather storm that occurred out of the normal season, it highlights just how much damage storms can cause and how dangerous they can be.”

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority’s (FESA) State Emergency Service volunteers and emergency services personnel responded to more than 3,000 calls for help during the March storm, with Coastal areas more vulnerable to major damage.

To prepare for this year’s storm season, residents should:

• check roofs and gutters for damage and clear gutters and downpipes so they do not overflow after heavy rain
• trim branches around the home to prevent them falling on cars and hire a contractor to clear trees from powerlines
• store or weigh down loose objects around the home, such as outdoor furniture that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, causing damage or injury
• prepare an emergency kit with portable battery-operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
• organise an emergency plan, including a relocation plan for family members and pets in case the home becomes flooded, and know how to turn off the gas, electricity and water supplies. 

More information about what to do before, during and after a storm is available on the FESA website http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au