Program promotes positivity

THE Stephen Michael Foundation will be getting a number of programs underway in Collie in the next few weeks, including its NightFields sports program.

The NightFields program spans a range of sports activities, with an underlying goal of encouraging positive community behaviour.

Ijah Coyle, South West Program Coordinator, said the foundation is very much focused on building strong community ties in creating access for young people to participate in its programs.

“With our NightFields program we can liaise with the sporting community and be the middleman,” Mr Coyle said.

“With our 10-week program, we do half at the start of term two and the other half at the end of term three, try- ing to get lucky a bit with the weather. In Collie we’re quite fortunate to be partnered with a high school, where we have access to their basketball gym, which is quite helpful on those rainy days.”

The NightFields program is typically paired with the foundation’s high school-based Rising Leaders program, which utilises sport to engage students in activities.

The Rising Leaders program seeks to strengthen mental wellbeing, improve engagement, confidence and develop leadership skills.

“It’s really exciting to be kicking the programs off soon,” Mr Coyle said. “Over the week, we’ll start promoting through the primary schools and the high school.”

By comparison, all regional rentals lasted 23 days across the month.

Perth rentals ranked as the equal fasted in the country at 16 days.

“Across regional Western Australia, the south west of the state is seeing rentals snapped up fastest,” PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty said.

“The greater Bunbury region has a low supply of rental properties available, with the vacancy rate sitting at just 0.7% in March.”

Ms Flaherty said strong competition continues to drive prices upward.

“Low vacancy rates are the key factor driving rents in Collie,” she said.

“With fewer options available, tenants face a competitive environment.”

Ms Flaherty noted the regional market has been further crowded by an increasing amount of remote workers choosing to move away from Perth and other city areas.

LJ Hooker property manager Angie Maxwell said rentals continue to be “snapped up quickly”.

Mrs Maxwell said one recently advertised property had 40 people registered to view it, with multiple applications typically being received for all rental properties.

“There’s definitely no shortage of people looking,” she said. “Obviously it depends on what we’ve got advertised and what people are looking for.”

Mrs Maxwell said she is hopeful more rental properties will become available in the coming months.

WorkSafe looking into Griffin incident

WORKSAFE Mines Safety has confirmed there was an incident at the Griffin Coal Collie site last Thursday.

Details of the incident have not been released. WorkSafe has advised that its inspectors are making enquiries into the matter.

Making good things happen