Ribbon cut at Jobs and Skills Centre
COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, APRIL 13, 2023 3
Free and tailored support available for all local workers
PROJECT PROTEST: Aboriginal elder Phillip Ugle snr and son Phillip Ugle jnr talk with Premier Mark McGowan, Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns and Minister for Regional Development Don Punch.
Minningup in spotlight during Premier's visit FOCUS shifted to the development of an eco-tourist resort at Minningup Pool during Premier Mark McGowan’s visit to Collie after he was approached by Aboriginal elder Phillip Ugle snr and son Phillip Ugle jnr. Mr McGowan spent a number of minutes talking to the menshortly after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Jobs and Skills Centre in Forrest Street. Many Collie residents have voiced their objection to the development, expressing anger over a lack of consultation and planning transparency.
Planning for the accommodation is continuing, with two lots having been earmarked for development. Mr Ugle jnr said he wasn’t happy with the premier’s response that he did not know about the development. “Hopefully he gets himself up to date with the project, comes back to us and talks to us,” Mr Ugle jnr said. “Don Punch and Jodie Hanns said they want to re-engage with us about the project at a later date. So, hopefully they do that as well.” Mr Ugle jnr said that while he was involved in earlier consultations, plan-
ning has since proceeded without traditional owner input. “I told them a number of times that they’re going ahead too fast,” he said. “We don’t support the project as traditional owners because we believe our voice has been lost at the table.” Mr Ugle jnr said tourist developments should be focused elsewhere, with Minningup both a sacred site for traditional owners and a communal place for locals. “That’s the only place that the local people have,” he said. “I told the Premier that today.”
COLLIE’S new Jobs and Skills Centre has officially opened, with Premier Mark McGowan cutting the ribbon last Thursday outside the Collie Central Shopping Centre. The centre is set up as a one-stop-shop for workforce transition services. It is intended to support residents and businesses seeking new opportunities amid the retirement of Collie’s coal-fired power stations in the coming years. The centre provides free and practical career, training and employment assistance. It is also the base for South Regional TAFE’s Training Transition Team, which provides services supporting the retraining of local workers, such as skills gap analysis and assistance in enrolling in appropriate programs. Mr McGowan said he encourages “all local workers to take advantage of this free, practical and tailored support”. “Supporting local workers is our number one priority as State-owned coal-fired power generation is retired and Collie transitions to a more sustainable future,” he said. Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said she is proud to see the centre up and running. “Every day, the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre will assist people in our community to find stable, local jobs and support local businesses to grow and upskill their workforce, securing our town’s future,” Mrs Hanns said.
Standing Committee on environment and PubliC affairS Inquiry into past forced adoptive policies and practices The Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs is inquiring into forced adoption policies and practices in Western Australia. The Committee invites written, video or audio submissions to the inquiry by 16 June 2023. Information about the inquiry and making a submission (including requests for privacy) is available on the Committee’s website at www.parliament.wa.gov.au/env. For inquiries, or lodging submissions, contact:
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