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Michael Major Hall

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25.01.2022 NEW AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY CODE Local councils must now hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, 26 January, unless they conferred citizenship on fewer than 20 people in the previous year, the Australian Government has said. Councils are also required to introduce a dress standard for people attending citizenship ceremonies, and must give their local office of the Department of Home Affairs a schedule of their planned ceremony dates, the Citizenship Ceremonies C...ode released on 20 September, said. Ceremonies should be held outside of parliamentary sitting days wherever possible. However, Citizenship Day is an exception, as 17 September generally falls on a federal sitting day. Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman, said he will write to all councils to advise them of the new code. ALGA News Posted 20 September, 2019

25.01.2022 November Unemployment for WA - 5.8% The national unemployment rate declined 0.1% to 5.2% for the month of November while the rate for Western Australia edged upwards by the same margin to 5.8%. According to the ABS - some of the key highlights for November include:... Employment increased by 39,900 to 12,954,400 people. Full-time employment increased by 4,200 to 8,837,300 people and part-time employment increased by 35,700 to 4,117,200 people. Unemployment decreased by 16,800 to 708,100 people. Unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 pts to 5.2%. Participation rate remained steady at 66.0%. Monthly hours worked in all jobs increased by 2.9 million hours to 1,781.2 million hours. Just South Australia and Western Australian rates increased for the month. See more

25.01.2022 Australian Recycling Label resources for councils Are the more than 200 recycling labels used in Australia making you confused about how to dispose of packaging and empty items? The Australasian Recycling Label which featured at the 2019 National General Assembly aims to help you correctly dispose of all parts of a products packaging.... The logo is one part of the evidence-based, nationwide Packaging Recycling Label Program that was created by Planet Ark, PREP Design and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), said APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly. There are currently more than 200 organisations that have committed to using the Australasian Recycling Label on their packaging, with support for the program growing every day. Research shows there are two common sources that people turn to when trying to understand how to recycle correctly: for general recycling advice its their local council, while for packaging specific information, they look to the label itself. This tool kit for local councils gives an overview of all available resources and suggestions for how and where they can be used. https://recyclingnearyou.com.au//doc-1837-local-gov-interm Alga news 23 August 2019

25.01.2022 The beautiful Canning River.

22.01.2022 COUNCILLORS BEHAVING BADLY An article in the West Australian on 21 September 2019 drew attention to the significant increase in the number of complaints against local government members with a growing number of members being forced to issue apologies for bad behaviour. (Co-incidentally, interesting timing with local government elections due to be held on 19 October.) At the outset let me say that most councillors do the right thing, but for a small minority it is all about t...hem instead of what is in the communitys best interests. (Scroll down to my post on what motivates people to stand for election.) The Standards Panel lodged 147 complaints against local councillor in the 2018-19 financial year compared to 82 in the previous year with many councillors being forced to issue apologies or undertake training. The standards panel finalised 126 complaints in the financial year. In response to growing concerns of infighting and factionalism inside local councils, the McGowan Government has introduced the need for all newly elected council members to complete a new training course within 12 months of being elected. The course has been developed to provide council members with the skills and knowledge to perform their roles as leaders in their City and contains five units. Great, this training is essential and will go a long way to helping Councillors to avoid making genuine mistakes. However, it will not resolve the personality problems that are regrettably the root cause of infighting and factionalism. There will always be tensions and differences of opinion and, in healthy councils; this diversity works to achieve better results for its ratepayers. However, the community expects their elected councillors to maintain high standards of conduct, as well as observe their legal obligations to support the effective decision making processes of the council

21.01.2022 New study assesses Local Governments emissions reduction goals An assessment of how some of Australias largest local governments are cutting their emissions has found 58 percent have a target or aspiration to reach net zero by 2050 for their operations emissions those activities or emissions sources owned or controlled by the local government. Thirty seven percent of those local governments have a target or aspiration to reach net zero for community emissions, those p...Continue reading

21.01.2022 The City of Canning is promoting the planting of trees on the verge for residents Would you like to request the planting of a tree on your verge and contribute to growing the Citys urban forest? The City ordering fresh stock for next year so there are plenty of great trees to choose from! ... Simply click to fill out a request form and the Citys Parks and Place Improvement team will be in touch to discuss the finer details. Request form https://www.canning.wa.gov.au/treerequest

20.01.2022 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CHILD SAFETY OBLIGATIONS The Federal Government has reminded local councils of their obligations to ensure safe environments for children following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Councils are urged to remind themselves of their responsibilities in Recommendation 6.12 of the Royal Commissions report which involves designating child safety officers within councils who will carry out the following:... a: developing child safe messages in local government venues, grounds and facilities b. assisting local institutions to access online child safe resources c. providing child safety information and support to local institutions on a needs basis; and d. supporting local institutions to work collaboratively with key services to ensure child safe approaches are culturally safe, disability aware, and appropriate for children from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, councils are also advised they must adhere to the requirements of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework and National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The framework was created to protect children and young people who have contact with Commonwealth entities. Its three main requirements include the obligation to: undertake risk assessments annually in relation to activities of each entity, to identify the level of responsibility for, and contact with, children and young people, evaluate the risk of harm or abuse, and put in place appropriate strategies to manage identified risks. ALGA NEWS Posted 19 July, 2019

20.01.2022 China Is the World's Manufacturing Superpower While the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak will undoubtedly be most severe in China, the negative effects of the pandemic wont be confined by the Great Wall. After all, China is the worlds manufacturing hub and the ripple effect of shutdowns across the country is already leading to supply constraints in various industries all around the globe. According to data published by the United Nations Statistics Division, Chi...na accounted for 28 percent of global manufacturing output in 2018. That puts the country more than 10 percentage points ahead of the United States, which used to have the worlds largest manufacturing sector until China overtook it in 2010. With total value added by the Chinese manufacturing sector amounting to almost $4 trillion in 2018, manufacturing accounted for nearly 30 percent of the countrys total economic output. The U.S. economy is much less reliant on manufacturing these days: in 2018, the manufacturing sector accounted for just 11 percent of GDP in the worlds largest economy.

18.01.2022 55 VIC councils in Electric Vehicle study Fifty five Victorian local councils are working on an Electric Vehicle charging stations network to get the necessary public infrastructure in place so local communities can benefit from an expected increase in zero-emissions vehicles as the models become cheaper and more available. Charging the Regions, led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, has examined optimal site locations and priority towns, and what regional and metr...Continue reading

16.01.2022 India overtook France and the U.K. to become the fifth-largest economy in 2019, a U.S. think tank has said. The Asian country with a nominal gross domestic product, or GDP, of $2.94 trillion is narrowing the gap with Germany, which is now in the fourth place with a GDP of $3.86 trillion, the World Population Review report shows. The nominal GDP is the total value of all goods produced and services provided within a specified geographical unit at current prices, as opposed to real GDP estimated at constant prices, according to Investopedia website.

16.01.2022 No More Robocalls? Are your tired of those robocalls? Under proposed laws, voters would be able to block politicians bombarding them with text messages during Federal elections. This has been sparked in part by Clive Palmers spam-a-thon in the last federal election. ... The Bill put forward by Senator Stirling Griff resulted from repeated text messages from Mr Palmer in the lead-up to the elections. Actors pretending to be nurses and tradies will be forced to identify that they are not real people, so voters know that they are listening to performance during a robocalls In the USA robocalls appears to be a major problem with scam calls. President Donald Trump recently signed into law the TRACED Act, a measure that will give authorities more power to fight robocalls following years of escalation into a full-blown epidemic. The bill will give authorities more power to enforce punishments and crackdown on scam calls and also prevents phone companies from charging for the service of blocking robocalls. With this bill, phone companies will be required to implement systems that assure customers when a number is real. While a major step in the fight to end robocalls completely, the bill leaves numerous ways for scammers to continue operating. The new laws only target automated calls, meaning scams that use real people can still operate the same as before.

16.01.2022 SOME APPROPRIATE OLD WORDS FOR THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE (PERHAPS NOT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT?) I recently came across the following words generally attributed to the renowned US journalist, satirist and cultural commentator, H.L. Mencken. The State or, to make the matter more concrete, the government consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me.... They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the business of government: they have only a talent for getting and holding office. Their principal device to that end is to search out groups who pant and pine for something they cant get, and to promise to give it to them. Nine times out of ten that promise is worth nothing. The 10th time it is made good by looting A to satisfy B. In other words, government is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods. Henry Louis Mencken was an American journalist, essayist, satirist, cultural critic and scholar of American English. He commented widely on the social scene, literature, music, prominent politicians and contemporary movements. Born: 12 September 1880, he died 29 January 1956 He was influenced by: Friedrich Nietzsche, Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad, Jonathan Swift Some of his other quotes: Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false-face for the urge to rule it. Truth would quickly cease to be stranger than fiction, once we got used to it. Bachelors know more about women than married men. If they didn't, they'd be married, too

15.01.2022 WAS NEW CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME TO LAUNCH ON JUNE 2, 2020 Western Australia's new container deposit scheme will start on Tuesday June 2, 2020 following the WA Day long weekend More than 170 refund points across the State to open on launch date... 'Containers for Change' provides a 10 refund for every eligible beverage container The establishment of a container deposit scheme will help divert waste from landfill and create jobs for Western Australians. From June 2, 2020, Western Australians will be able to return and recycle their eligible containers at any Containers for Change refund point to receive a 10 cents refund per container. More than 170 full-time or flexible refund points will be open for business on June 2 next year, with 229 refund points to open by the end of the scheme's first year. An array of refund points will be available - from over-the-counter depots providing on-the-spot refunds, to 'Bag Drops' that provide the convenience of a 'drop and go' facility with refunds deposited into customers' nominated bank accounts once their containers are counted. Mobile refund points and reverse vending machines will also be in operation. Containers for Change, run by not-for-profit WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd, will be the driving force behind changing consumer behaviours when it comes to recycling beverage containers. Beverage containers currently account for 44 per cent of all litter by volume in WA. Over the next 20 years, WA's Containers for Change container deposit scheme is estimated to result in: 706 million fewer beverage containers being littered; 6.6 billion fewer beverage containers sent to landfill; and 5.9 billion more containers being recycled. Containers for Change will also help create 500 jobs across the State, with a key objective of the scheme to support employment of people with disability and the long-term unemployed. Read the media statement at https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au//WAs-new-container-d. In addition, the following changes have been added on the CDS website: The final Position Statement - Container Deposit Scheme Infrastructure published by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage; A Beverage price monitoring program; A Link to the website for the WA Scheme Coordinator (WA Return, Recycle, Renew); A market research report on consumer preferences for refund point types; and The Decision regulation impact statement. The information can be accessed from the website www.dwer.wa.gov.au/cds.

15.01.2022 Why do you pay council rates? It is that time of the year when Local Governments determine the amount of rates to be paid for the financial year and it is perhaps appropriate to reflect on why you have to pay rates and where the money goes. Rates are a property tax that contributes to the orderly running of your community and the delivery of services and facilities to the local district. ... Rates work on the same principles as income tax the higher the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of your property, the higher your rates. The same principle applies to State Government property charges, such as water rates. Your rates provide Council with part of the revenue needed to manage all the services and facilities which make the City an attractive place to live. These services include community services, sporting and recreation services, environmental planning, public health, environmental protection and waste collection, treatment and disposal. They include the paths you walk or ride along every day, parks and gardens and recreational grounds, including the playgrounds and barbecue areas available for you and your families to use. The rates you pay allow your council to fund these services. Not all of the charges relate to the amount charged as Gross Rental Value (GRV). Collection of waste: This comes at a cost and is subject to the State imposed Landfill Levy charge. Security: There are additional costs for providing this service. Emergency Services Levy (ESL): Rates notices are also required to include the State government ESL. This is a State imposed charge that the City collects on behalf of the State government. The ESL funds Western Australias fire and emergency services. Rate capping However, when setting the rate, there is a need for Local Governments to be conscious of the economic environment and the ability of residents to meet these charges. In Western Australia there has been some discussion around putting a cap on the amount of any rate increase. For example, in 2016, the Victorian Government introduced rate capping to restrict the amount that councils can raise their rates each year. The rate cap is set each year by the Minister for Local Government. The State's independent umpire, the Essential Services Commission, can grant councils an exemption to raise rates above the cap. Information and outcomes on higher rate cap applications submitted by councils is published by the ESC. The rate for 2019/20 in Victoria is capped at 2.5%. The rate cap applies to general rates and municipal charges. It does not apply to waste charges or the States fire services property levy. Even a cap of 2.5% is considered too high by many in WA in the current economic climate.

14.01.2022 COUNCILLORS BEHAVING BADLY PART 2 The draft of new Code of Conduct for Councillors mandates that Councillors will not be impaired by mind effecting substances while performing official duties. Quite right but this presents the problem of proof and it leaves me with the vision of Councillors lining up at the door of the chamber to be tested for alcohol and drugs. On 27 June 2019, the Local Government Legislation Amendment Act 2019 was passed in Parliament.... Amongst other requirements, the Act includes a requirement for the introduction of a mandatory code of conduct for council members, committee members and candidates. The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (department) is seeking feedback on the draft Code of Conduct and draft CEO Standards (and accompanying guidelines). These documents and the online survey for each topic are available on the departments website. https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au//consultation-of-proposed-code Submissions close on 22 November 2019 and I urge all Councillors and Candidates to read the draft Code of Conduct. Allowing that this is a consultation document, I see a number of potential problems. The process of ensuring that a Councillor is not compromised by the use of alcohol or drugs starts a process that once begun generates many complicated problems. The Code is heavy on mandating respect. This word can mean different things depending on the context it is used in. The most common use is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important, or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities. This cannot be mandated and in most cases where it is used the word could simply be removed. And it contains the gag. Councillors are required to abide by the decisions of council and publicly support the decisions even if they hold an alternative view. It is one thing to require them to abide by the decision and another to prevent them from speaking. The penalties for a breach of the Code leave one to wonder if they are a deterrent. Penalties listed are: Training Mediation Counselling Apology When you look at the penalties for a breach of the Code you may ask, can they be considered a deterrent? However, as the cost of the hearing may be awarded against the guilty party, this may provide a deterrent. There are many good points in the Code but as this will become embedded in legislation it must be carefully reviewed.

13.01.2022 New study assesses Local Governments’ emissions reduction goals An assessment of how some of Australia’s largest local governments are cutting their emissions has found 58 percent have a target or aspiration to reach net zero by 2050 for their operations emissions those activities or emissions sources owned or controlled by the local government. Thirty seven percent of those local governments have a target or aspiration to reach net zero for community emissions, those p...Continue reading

12.01.2022 Inclusive playgrounds need toilets, swings, shade: survey A new survey has found most visitors to inclusive play spaces around Australia want to see more universally-accessible toilets, swings for all abilities, and shaded areas. The State of Play 2019 report was created by Touched by Olivia, a charity that creates inclusive play spaces, and Variety, which have together created more than 30 such playgrounds. ... Nearly three-quarters of 482 respondents said inclusive toilets would deliver the biggest improvement to their experience, followed by swings for all abilities (68 percent), while 66 percent wanted more shade, trees, and nature. The report said people involved in the planning, design and funding of play spaces ought to consider how the whole community can benefit. It said 20 percent of Australians have a disability, one percent of children are on the autism spectrum, and 43 percent of people aged 55 and over have a disability. Designing an inclusive play space involves thinking about a lot of issues access, facilities, equipment, location and safety all have to be factored into the project, the report said. A hub that encourages children of all abilities to interact and engage with each other can only lead to a strong, inclusive community that is a great place for everyone to live in. The report is an update on its 2016 study which listed factors which made a playground non-inclusive such as inaccessible or unusable equipment that was too high or lacked ramps or rails. Other barriers include a lack of support facilities such as toilets and nappy changing facilities for bigger children, and a lack of quiet space for children who struggle with sensory overload. The latest report follows the NSW Governments Everyone Can Play guidelines released earlier this year. The document assists local government by helping staff to identify design elements such as pathways, an accessible toilet, access to public transport or car parking, shading and seating for carers. Among the newest inclusive play spaces by Touched by Olivia and Variety is one under construction in Gunnedah, north western NSW. When completed in late December, it will feature a treehouse tower, sensory garden walk, a flying fox, and a specially-designed swing. Image: A Livvis Place inclusive playground which opened in the City of Marion (SA) in 2018. Photo courtesy City of Marion Facebook. ALGA news Posted 23 August, 201

12.01.2022 Waterwise Greening Scheme The State Government has announced they will expand the verge rebate scheme for Councils to include free waterwise street trees and waterwise gardening workshops, making it easier for residents to plant a free street tree outside their home. Through this scheme, Waterwise Councils can receive funding to support waterwise greening initiatives.... Waterwise Councils can apply for up to $10,000 of dollar for dollar funding in total each year for the following initiatives: Waterwise verge subsidies for residents Waterwise street tree programs e.g. Adopt a Waterwise Tree, free waterwise street trees, waterwise tree canopy programs Waterwise garden competitions e.g. best Waterwise categories Waterwise plant sale subsidies for residents Waterwise garden and verge workshops Demonstration waterwise gardens, including median strips, roundabouts and reclaimed public open space gardens etc. For more information go to https://www.watercorporation.com.au/verges

10.01.2022 IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT Contamination - or the presence of non-recyclables - is a "huge issue". Most material recovery facilities are set up to process and sort specific materials, generally plastic containers, metal containers, glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard....Continue reading

10.01.2022 On Sundays, 11am to 12pm we have our Junior Roll Up Clinics! Turn your aspiring little putter into a PGA superstar! Ring us on 9457 8999 for more information, or just show up on the day and sign in with the Pro Shop! (This clinic will not be run on December 22nd and February 24th only)... Is your little Tiger in need of some fun outdoors time these holidays? Try our School Holiday clinic - your kids will get some sun, learn something new and make some new friends! Cost is $55 per clinic. This includes teaching, equipment, and golf balls. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing, footwear, and remember a hat! We also ask for juniors to bring a water bottle so we can keep them topped up and hydrated throughout the clinic. For more information email [email protected]. ring us at 9457 8999 or get in touch with Donna directly at 0402 000 432. See you on course!

07.01.2022 CITY OF CANNING Wharf Street Basin - Whats being proposed? In November 2018 the City of Canning was successful in receiving a federal government Smart Cities Grant for the Wharf St drainage basin. This grant will facilitate redevelopment of the Wharf Street detention basin, which is owned by the Water Corporation, into a Smart Park - the Wharf Street Next Generation Community Park.... Although the area will still perform its function as a drainage basin, the project proposes to remove the barrier fence around the basin and add vegetation, pathways and equipment to provide an additional area of public space. It is anticipated that the Next Generation Community Park will set the benchmark for and inform the future development of public spaces within the Canning City Centre. Through smart landscape design and technology solutions, based on the use of environmental data and community needs, the concept includes: landscape design to promote the natural environment a living lab where water quality and levels will be recorded in real time interactive education stations a bridge for pedestrians to access Cecil Avenue from Wharf Street a boardwalk on the Wharf Street side of the basin technology to provide information on environmental conditions at the park. The City received $1.09 million funding from the Australian Government; $200,000 from Water Corporation and; $30,000 from Department of Water, Environment and Regulation to assist in delivering Wharf Street Basin Next Generation Park. The City is currently working with local schools to help inform the final look of the new park, including the construction and installation of nesting boxes, planting days and artwork. Wharf Street Basin Next Generation Community Park is expected to be ready for community use in June 2020.

04.01.2022 One from the archives. Although dated 2017 it still has a powerful message.

04.01.2022 BENTLEY AND ST JAMES TO HAVE THEIR OWN COMMUNITY HUB The City of Canning has approved the purchase of the Kingdom of Light Church on Hillview Terrace Bentley for use as a Community Hub for the Bentley and St James communities. The building is perfectly positioned to become a community centre where members of the Bentley and St James communities can have access to a varied range of events, service and facilities.... The sale has not yet been finalised however the City will now begin planning for the necessary modifications to turn the building into a community centre. The Centre is expected to be operational in 2020.

04.01.2022 Local Government exempt from reporting on supply chains under Modern Slavery Act: Commonwealth Local Government is not required to report on supply chains as part of the Modern Slavery Act, but large local councils are welcome to consider voluntarily complying, the Australian Government has said. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au//modern-slavery-reporting-e which aims to tackle slavery in global supply chains, applies to all entities Australian and foreign entities doing bus...iness here with at least A$100m annual consolidated revenue. The Commonwealth and other entities must prepare annual public statements detailing their efforts to assess and address modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. While the Act does not cover State and Territory Government, it was not clear until 17 December 2019 whether Local Government was also exempt. The Australian Border Force wrote to ALGA President, David OLoughlin, and confirmed the exemption. I can advise that the Australian Border Force will also not require Local Government entities to comply with the Act. This approach will not prevent Local Government entities from voluntarily complying with the Act, should they wish to do so. I encourage large Local Government entities to consider whether they may be in a position to voluntarily comply with the Act. Border Force added that Local Governments have an important role to play in combating modern slavery, of which the United Nations estimates there are at least 40 million victims worldwide. The Australian Government said its 2018 Act is the worlds first national legislation to device modern slavery. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au//modern-slavery-reporting-e defines modern slavery as including eight types of serious exploitation: trafficking in persons; slavery; servitude; forced marriage; forced labour; debt bondage; deceptive recruiting for labour or services; and the worst forms of child labour. The worst forms of child labour means situations where children are subjected to slavery or similar practices, or engaged in hazardous work, the guidance added. ALGA News Posted 19 December, 2019

04.01.2022 CITY OF CANNING IMPROVING CANNING Clifton Oval Cricket Pitch... The City has engaged with the Canning Vale Cricket Club who have successfully obtained some grant funding from Cricket Australia to construct a 3rd practice wicket at Clifton Oval. A practice wicket (addition to the existing two) that has been constructed to meet the demands from the increased numbers of clubs using the facility, including the new pavilion and upgraded sportsground irrigation system. The current work is at the stage whereby the concrete is waiting 20 days to cure, and then the synthetic turf and fencing will be installed.

01.01.2022 Sundowners @ Whaleback Are you looking for a different way to get your workmates together leading up to Christmas? Whaleback offers a Driving Range Function Package, where you get to whack balls on the driving range, then enjoy food and drinks in the clubhouse. Try the new Toptracer Range technology where you can play a round of virtual golf, see who has the longest drive, or other fun games. Enjoy an hour on the driving range, then relax afterwards with an assorted food plat...ter, midstrength beer, wine and bubbles for under $30 per person. Enquire in the proshop, phone 9457 8999 or email [email protected] for more information.

01.01.2022 $200,000 in grants to help new container refund points Thursday, 27 February 2020 Grants of up to $2,000 available for infrastructure at donation or refund points 45 community information sessions and registrations for Scheme ID start on March 4... The McGowan Government is offering $200,000 in community grants to support the introduction of Western Australia's upcoming container deposit scheme, Containers for Change. Not-for-profit organisations, schools and community groups can apply for a grant of up to $2,000 to help them establish a donation or refund point for beverage containers. Grant applications are open from February 28, 2020 to March 27, 2020. The grants, which will be administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, can be used for infrastructure such as bins, cages, skips, security stands, fences, tippers, sorting equipment and trailers. Priority will be given to applicants providing employment outcomes for people with disability, long-term unemployed people, and under-served remote and regional areas. More information about the container deposit scheme community grants can be found at http://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/cds

01.01.2022 The World's Biggest Coal Exporters. Smoke from the bushfires that have plagued Australia since December are now putting the production of coal on hold, a producer said Wednesday. While slower production obviously means an unwelcome harm to the economy, coal producers and the Australian government have been scrutinized for the large-scale extraction of coal and other fossil fuels in the country which contribute to climate change. Critics have also accused Prime Minister Scott ...Morrison of putting the interests of the coal industry before the protection of the Australian population and nature. After Indonesia, Australia is the second-largest exporter of coal in the world and shipped 382 million tons out of the country in 2018.

01.01.2022 ESTABLISHMENT OF A SELECT COMMITTEE INTO LOCAL GOVERNMENT On Wednesday 26th June 2019 The Hon Simon OBrien, Member for South Metropolitan, successfully brought forward a motion in the Legislative Assembly requesting a Select Committee be established to inquire into the effectiveness of Local Government in Western Australia. The successful motion proposed:... (1) That a Select Committee into Local Government is established. (2) The Select Committee is to inquire into how well the system of Local Government is functioning in Western Australia, with particular reference to (a) whether the Local Government Act 1995 and related legislation is generally suitable in its scope, construction and application; (b) the scope of activities of Local Governments; (c) the role of the Department of State administering the Local Government Act 1995 and related legislation; (d) the role of Elected Members and Chief Executive Officers/employees and whether these are clearly defined, delineated, understood and accepted; (e) the funding and financial management of Local Governments; and (f) any other related matters the Select Committee identifies as worthy of examination and Report. (3 The Select Committee shall comprise five Members (4) The Select Committee shall report by no later than 12 months after the motion for its establishment is agreed to and may, if it sees fit, provide interim reports to the House.