Focus on federal transition efforts

CALLS have been renewed for the development of a National Energy Transition Authority ahead of the Federal Government’s May budget.

However, former Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray has again stressed the Collie Shire Council needs to be proactive in seeking Federal Government funding.

Mr Murray, who has been critical of the council’s efforts in pursuing funding, again stressed that the council must make its voice heard at a federal level.

He pointed to the Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s recent visit to Collie, stating it is his understanding the council never asked for a meeting with the minister.

“We can have all the authorities in the world,” Mr Murray said. “What I’m trying to put across is that the council needs to shake themselves up and be a major leader within this community.”

Mr Murray noted that while any additional federal transition initiatives will be helpful, there is the inherent potential for an east coast focus.

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Michele O’Neil has pointed to the key role an authority would play in delivering “good jobs and economic opportunity”.

The ACTU has highlighted the centralised role it would take in co-ordinating across governments, departments, industry and communities, along with supporting workers via a range of tailored packages.

It also envisages the authority funding and co-ordinating regional economic diversification programs focused on securing jobs in new and emerging industries.

Other planning would span infrastructure and training as the transition continues around the country.

Government of Western Australia

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Guideline: Spring exemptions

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has published the Guideline: Spring exemptions under Part III section 5(1)(a) of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 following a five-month public consultation period.

We thank all respondents who provided feedback on the draft guideline during the public consultation period. All feedback was considered in finalising the spring exemptions guideline.

This guideline and associated field guide provide information for landowners or occupiers of land on the requirements for determining whether a spring rising on a property is exempt from regulation under the Act. There is no change to existing legislation on the spring exemption.

It clarifies interpretation of section 5(1)(a) of the Act by establishing a voluntary self-assessment process and is available for implementation by landowners or occupiers of land to guide self-assessment of the sometimes-complex hydrological considerations to determine a spring exemption.

A copy of the spring exemptions guideline, field guide and a consultation summary report capturing feedback from the public consultation can be accessed at www.wa.gov.au/ water-resources or by scanning the QR code.

Keep Australia Beautiful WA Tidy Towns representatives Les and Shirley Brindley at the litter pick-up.