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BILDing Partnerships for housing solutions
Content:The State Government today introduced further innovative, lower-cost housing solutions by announcing a partnership between LandCorp and The University of Western Australia. Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the initiative enabled the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts to create a dedicated research and design program, including lectures, seminars and practical design exercises, to investigate cost-effective housing solutions with a focus on sustainability. ?Some of the best young minds in architecture and design studies live in WA, so it makes sense to tap into their talent, enthusiasm and ?can do? attitude as part of our determination to find more affordable living solutions,? Mr Grylls said. ?In return, participating students will have a golden opportunity to work alongside LandCorp to model their work on real projects, with the real challenges they incur.? The Built-form, Infrastructure and Landscape Design Innovation Program (BILD) will initially focus on the Government?s Mandurah Junction residential development. Located next to Mandurah?s train and bus interchange, the medium to high-density development will provide an excellent opportunity for students to investigate innovative building designs and produce new concepts for the project. The BILD initiative follows on from the success of the State Government?s REAL Challenge in regional WA, which called for builders and architects to work together to develop housing designs that addressed the dual issues of housing affordability and climate-responsive design for the diverse climates of the Kimberley, Pilbara and South-West. The three winners of the REAL Challenge are in the process of building their homes in Kununurra, Karratha and Collie respectively and these were expected to be open for display within the next couple of months until the end of the year. Similarly, all work and concepts from the BILD program, including a final design report and display, would be exhibited at the end-of-year exhibition at UWA?s Cullity Gallery. The LandCorp BILD program at the university is likely to be followed by an extended, more ambitious project in Karratha. Expected to start next year, this project would involve students looking at leading edge design solutions for new homes, infrastructure, landscaping and open space to improve lifestyle opportunities in the Pilbara. Minister's office - 9213 7000 Date: 30/07/2010 Minister: Grylls Portfolio: Lands Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
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Builders selected for Pilbara?s biggest display village at Baynton West
Content:20 builders have been selected by the State Government to develop Karratha?s second display village at Baynton West, expected to be the biggest in the North-West. Designed to showcase affordable, quality residential design and climate responsiveness, the Baynton West display village will offer a variety of homes in one convenient location. As a part of this initiative a number of the selected builders will also be allocated some of the 150 house and land lots in Stages 5 to 8A to be sold as house and land packages. Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said he was delighted with the level of builder interest in the Pilbara. ?This initiative shows the strong links between the State Government and the private sector to deliver affordable, climate-friendly homes for regional Western Australia,? Mr Grylls said. ?The new display village will play an integral role in introducing more housing choice for the people of the Pilbara, which is a central to the Government?s Pilbara Cities vision. ?The housing solutions chosen are innovative in their heating and cooling systems and construction materials and are well suited to the Pilbara?s climate.? Expected to open in 2011, the display village will offer designs starting at $189,500 for a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home or $338,300 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence. The selected builders are Alternative Living; Amoveo; Ausco Modular; Aussie Portables; BGC; C&A Engineering Pty Ltd; Colin Wilkinson Developments; Eaton Building Company; Formas; Ganan Group Pty Ltd; Hi-Tech Accommodation Solutions; McGrath Homes; Mitie Construction; Prefab Building Systems; Rapley Wilkinson;Summit North West; Timik Developments; TJR Building Pty Ltd; TR Homes and Wightman Building Company. HIA WA executive director John Dastlik said the appointment of the 20 builders was a significant step forward in providing home owners in the Pilbara region a wide choice of affordable and sustainable housing. ?The village demonstrates the strong commitment of the State Government and the WA home building industry in providing affordable housing to residents in one of the power house regions of Australia?s economy,? Mr Dastlik said. Located on the southern side of Dampier Road at the western end of Karratha, the 93-hectare Baynton West Estate would eventually support 1,100 new homes with impressive parks and a $2.5million playground funded by Woodside; a joint-funded LandCorp and Shire of Roebourne $11million community centre and a primary school. Minister's office - 9213 7000 Date: 30/07/2010 Minister: Grylls Portfolio: Regional Development;Lands Region: Pilbara
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Minister begins push to improve buy-local culture
Content:Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced today in Kalgoorlie-Boulder his intention to investigate new ways to promote a greater buy-local culture across regional Western Australia where an estimated $4billion would be invested in new projects and programs over four years. Mr Grylls has invited Kalgoorlie MLA John Bowler to chair a Regional Buy-Local working group to make regional communities aware of existing programs and mechanisms that promote buy-local policies and to explore new ideas. North West MLA Vince Catania, Albany MLA Peter Watson and Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney have been invited to join the group, ensuring strong State-wide regional representation. ?While there are certain national and international competition rules that may mitigate against local buying, I am keen to find ways to ensure that local business and industry can benefit from Royalties for Regions investment wherever possible,? the Minister said. Mr Grylls intended to explore with his ministerial colleagues the potential for a specific, regionally-focused promotion and education program funded through Royalties for Regions and said that he would like the Regional Development Council, comprising chairs of the State?s nine Regional Development Commissions, to become involved. ?The State Government?s Royalties for Regions program is a significant source of new funding for regional WA and there may be avenues to incorporate, where appropriate, a greater buy-local thrust into our grants schemes and capital works projects,? he said. The working group would report to the Minister by October 31. Minister's office - 9213 7000 Date: 29/07/2010 Minister: Grylls Portfolio: Regional Development Region: Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Peel;Pilbara;Wheatbelt;South West
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Fuel Card reaches 30,000 pensioners
Content:The State Government?s Country Age Pension Fuel Card Scheme reached a significant milestone today, following the release of the 30,000th fuel card. Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today presented the 30,000th card and a memento of the occasion to Valerie Regan at Australia Post in Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Mrs Regan said she was delighted to receive her Country Age Pension Fuel Card and told the Minister it would provide welcome help for her to get around as she suffers from arthritis. ?Mrs Regan relies heavily on her daughter to help her get to and from appointments, collect shopping and visit friends and family,? Mr Grylls said. ?It is great to see the benefits of the scheme first hand and I look forward to many other eligible pensioners applying for the card and receiving the $500 credit for fuel or taxi fares.? The scheme?s expansion, announced this May, means the card could reach up to 43,000 people by the end of the year. ?Fuel card and call centre service provider Retail Decisions, transaction provider Australia Post and the Department of Transport have worked hard to ensure existing card holders received their new cards in July,? Mr Grylls said. ?Some new applicants like Mrs Regan are already enjoying the benefits and I encourage anyone who hasn?t applied to do so as soon as possible.? Country pensioners who receive Centrelink age pension; Department of Veterans? Affairs (DVA) service pension; DVA Social Security age pension; DVA Income Support Supplement pension; Centrelink Disability Support, Carer Payment, Widow B and Wife pension, should visit their local Australia Post outlets to apply. For more information about the fuel card, phone the info line 1300 666 609 or visit http://www.RoyaltiesforRegions.wa.gov.au/fuelcard. Minister's office - 9213 7000 Date: 29/07/2010 Minister: Grylls Portfolio: Regional Development Region: Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Peel;South West;Wheatbelt;Pilbara
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New Supreme Court Judge
Content:Barrister Jeremy Allanson SC has been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia following the retirement of Hon Justice Neville Owen from the Court on July 3. Announcing the appointment today, Attorney General Christian Porter said Mr Allanson?s expertise in the areas of administrative and constitutional law, appeals, common law, coronial inquiries, disciplinary tribunals and native title provided a solid background for his move to the Supreme Court. ?Mr Allanson is highly regarded within the legal profession and I congratulate him on his appointment to the Supreme Court,? Mr Porter said. Mr Allanson graduated with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Master of Laws degree at The University of Western Australia. He completed his articles of clerkship with the Crown Law Department and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of WA in 1981. Mr Allanson then worked as a legal officer within the Crown Solicitor?s Office for 14 years attaining the classification of Senior Assistant Crown Solicitor, focusing on administrative law and taxation matters. In 1994, he joined the Independent Bar, practising from Francis Burt Chambers, and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2007. Mr Allanson has been an honorary consultant to the Australian Law Reform Commission, a member and then convenor of the Law Society?s Administrative Law Committee, a member of the Legal Practice Board and a member and deputy president of the Legal Profession Complaints Committee. He is current Deputy President of the WA Bar Association. Mr Allanson?s new appointment starts on Monday, August 9. Attorney General's office - 9220 5050 Date: 29/07/2010 Minister: Porter Portfolio: Attorney General Region: All
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