• $8.5million building to boost services to the Denham community
• Shared facility improves management of important WA fishing and tourist area
• Local marine rescue volunteers get new emergency operations base

A purpose-built facility to deliver better services to protect, regulate and manage Western Australia's Shark Bay marine area was officially opened today in Denham.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore and Environment Minister Bill Marmion opened the new $8.5million building that will be shared by the departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation (DEC) and local marine rescue volunteers.

Mr Moore said the new facility would support improved management, compliance and education services to local residents and the thousands of tourists who visited Denham.

"Co-location of Fisheries and DEC will reduce costs and duplication of similar activities and these better facilities will support officers from both agencies who deliver licensing services and marine park information, as well as general information, brochures and guides promoting appropriate behaviour in the marine and terrestrial environments of Shark Bay," he said.

"The new facility provides a good vantage point to the waterfront and jetty area for Fisheries officers to monitor boating activity and improve compliance effectiveness."

The new building will also become a new base for the local marine rescue volunteers.

"Marine rescue is a perfect fit with the government agencies that have vessels and experienced staff at call during marine emergencies, ensuring confidence for local recreational and commercial fishers and for other aquatic activities in this important fishing and tourist area," Mr Moore said.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said co-operation of the region's DEC and Fisheries' staff had led to highly successful joint servicing arrangements for Shark Bay Marine Park.

"The marine park and, in particular, sanctuary zones are subject to an extensive compliance program across both agencies. The successful joint servicing arrangements are so well regarded they are a model for other marine parks in the State," Mr Marmion said.

DEC would also have a better base to deliver the new management plan for the area, which will guide how terrestrial conservation reserves will be managed in Shark Bay for the next 10 years, and to support science and education in the region.

The opening of the Knight Terrace building coincided with Denham's annual Fishing Fiesta.

Fact File

• For information on the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, visit http://www.sharkbay.wa.gov.au/world-heritage/
• Shark Bay attracts more than 115,000 visits every year

Fisheries Minister's office - 6552 5400

Environment Minister's office - 6552 6800

• New and redeveloped facilities for WA's largest public secondary school
• Rapidly increasing student population putting pressure on current facilities
• School features regularly in top 20 table, based on academic achievement

Premier Colin Barnett and Education Minister Liz Constable today announced a major redevelopment of one of Western Australia's biggest and best performing secondary schools.

Willetton Senior High School, which was named WA Secondary School of the Year in the WA Education Awards 2011, will receive $32.5million worth of new and redeveloped facilities in the State Budget 2012-13 for the first stage of works, expected to be completed in 2015, and the commencement of a second stage from 2016.

Mr Barnett said the State Government was looking at a long-term plan for the school which could see up to $80million spent to provide a 21st century learning environment to better meet the needs of some of WA's most able students.

"This school, built in the 1970s, has been growing rapidly, with 1,736 students enrolled in semester one this year, making it the biggest public secondary school in WA," he said.

"Significant areas of the school need refreshing, so that the increasing number of students learning here can benefit from contemporary learning facilities."

Willetton Senior High School, which became an Independent Public School in 2011, is one of WA's very best performing public schools and features regularly in the annual list of the top 20 schools based on results in WA Certificate of Education (WACE) courses.

"Stage one will provide for the construction of a new science block suited to the high standard of science education at the school, complete with the most up-to-date science and technology equipment, more laboratories and a dedicated planning area for staff," the Premier said.

"It will also provide permanent classrooms to maintain and enhance student learning programs, and gifted and talented facilities, relieving the need for transportable classrooms.

"From 2015 we will begin to look at stage two facilities with a view to redeveloping the current library, mathematics and administration buildings.

"While we are looking to invest up to $80million in this school, full costs are indicative at this stage to enable the Department of Education to undertake further planning work with the school and community."

Dr Constable praised principal Chris Booth and his staff for forging an outstanding reputation for Willetton Senior High School, based on consistently high student achievement in both academic and vocational education.

"Last year, 11 public school students won General Exhibitions from the Curriculum Council, which are awarded to the top 40 WACE students, and incredibly, five of them came from Willetton Senior High School," Dr Constable said.

"The number of students achieving a Vocational Education Training qualification has also risen from 35 to 173 in just four years.

"Teachers and students have been doing a wonderful job in these ageing facilities. It is essential all students have the best possible environment in which to learn.

"This is particularly important because in 2015, year 7 will become the first year of secondary education, with students benefiting from the specialist expertise of teaching staff and the outstanding facilities and technology available in our secondary schools.

"However, we are very conscious that any building program in a working school must consider the interests of current staff and students, so the redevelopment program will be planned with the school community, to ensure that we keep any disruption to teaching and learning to an absolute minimum.

"Construction will begin next year, and an architect will be appointed shortly to begin detailed design and planning work in consultation with the school community."

Fact File

• The State Govt spent $3.978billion on educating WA students this financial year
• About $850million was provided for education asset investment this year

Premier's office - 6552 5000

Education Minister's office - 6552 5700

• Business costs cut under environment regulations changes
• Environmental standards still maintained

More than 700 existing small businesses will be freed from a requirement to be registered and new businesses will not have to pay a $624 environmental charge under changes to the Environmental Protection Regulations that come into effect today.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the State Government had gazetted changes to the regulations meaning certain small businesses no longer needed to register with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) under what was known as Schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulations.

"Removing Schedule 2 from the regulations means small businesses whose operations don't pose a significant risk to the environment do not have to hold a registration that costs $624," he said.

"The change also means these businesses, ranging from small food processing facilities such as small abattoirs and prepared meat processors through to small plastics manufacturers, no longer will risk being fined up to $25,000 for failing to register with DEC."

Mr Marmion said the Government had taken the measure as part of its ongoing drive to reduce duplication and unnecessary regulation.

"Business is already regulated by the Environmental Protection Act and relevant regulations, so effective environmental controls will still apply," he said.

Small Business Minister Simon O'Brien said changes in technology and administration improved interaction between Government and small businesses.

"These improvements have meant that Schedule 2 essentially had become redundant," Mr O'Brien said.

"It makes sense for the Government to remove unnecessary regulations to reduce the legal and cost burden on business."

Fact File

• Businesses affected include small abattoirs, meat curers, fibreglass reinforced plastic manufacturers, drinking water treatment facilities and abrasive blasters

Environment Minister's office - 6552 6800

Small Business Minister's office - 6552 5800

• Great Southern boating projects will receive $450,480 for improved facilities
• 38 projects to share $5.79million in funding from RBFS
• Includes Royalties for Regions funding of $4.66million

Recreational boating enthusiasts in the Great Southern will share the benefits of nearly $6million in State Government funding to improve boating facilities.

In Albany today, Transport Minister Troy Buswell said five projects in the Great Southern were allocated a total of $450,480 in the latest round of Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) grants.

The grants include:

• $216,750 to the City of Albany to upgrade the trailer parking, construct a new toilet block and provide fish cleaning facilities at Little Grove
• $150,000 for the Department of Transport to build a second universal access jetty at the Albany Waterfront to make it easier to set down and pick up short stay visitors
• $37,500 for the Department of Transport to implement five courtesy moorings at Oyster Harbour for vessels visiting for up to 72 hours
• $29,800 for the Shire of Katanning to assist in the planning of boating facilities at Lake Ewlyamartup
• $16,430 for the Shire of Jerramungup to install a light tower and upgrade the existing lighting at the boat ramp at Fisheries Beach.

"Increased funding for boating infrastructure, which is costly to implement and maintain, will ensure facilities meet the needs of WA's growing boating community," Mr Buswell said.

"Through the RBFS, the State Government is able to work in partnership with local government and other authorities to provide appropriate facilities."

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said a total of $4.66million Royalties for Regions funding had been allocated under round 17 of the RBFS.

"Last year, Royalties for Regions committed $20million over four funding rounds of the scheme resulting in a fivefold increase in RBFS grant funding available for regional projects," Mr Grylls said.

"Recreational boating is a popular pastime for both residents and visitors, and the provision of new boating facilities is an important component in improving safety and increasing the social amenity of our regional communities."

Fact File

• Since its introduction the RBFS has seen $25.9m allocated to 320 projects throughout WA (rounds one to seventeen)
• The Royalties for Regions fund will contribute $20m towards regional projects funded under rounds 16-19 of the RBFS
• Eligible authorities may also apply for planning grants which result in detailed plans, cost estimates, approvals or similar for public recreational boating facilities
• Further information about the RBFS is available at http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/rbfs or by contacting the RBFS Project Officer on 9435 7513

Transport Minister's office - 6552 6400

Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 5500

• Injection of $20million over two years to improve cycling infrastructure and increase bicycle network grants across the State
• Additional $7.5million over four years as part of CBD Transport Plan
• Funding will address gaps in infrastructure and meet community demand for safer cycle routes

The growing number of West Australians who cycle will benefit from unprecedented State Government spending of $28million on cycling infrastructure over the next two years.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell and Treasurer Christian Porter today announced the additional funding would be used to improve Perth's principal shared path network within a 15km radius of the Perth CBD and increase bicycle network grants across the State.

"Funding of $28million in the 2012-13 State Budget demonstrates the Liberal-National Government's commitment to the implementation of the Western Australian Bicycle Network Plan, which we released in March 2012," Mr Buswell said.

"With an estimated 300,000 cycling trips a month in the Perth metropolitan area alone, this funding will enable us to deliver targeted projects to address infrastructure gaps and provide safe routes for the many West Australians who cycle."

Mr Buswell said, in line with the Bicycle Network Plan, the priority principal shared paths to be built with the additional Budget funding included the Midland rail line from Bassendean Station to Midland Station; the Fremantle rail line from Shenton Park Station to Loch Street Station and from Grant Street Station to Marine Parade; and sections of the Mitchell Freeway from Glendalough Station to Reid Highway.

"Principal shared paths are vital for cycling activity due to their versatility. Although the paths are primarily used for longer trips they are also suitable for less experienced cyclists on shorter trips, as well as pedestrians," he said.

"This funding boost will enable relatively large sections of principal shared paths to be constructed, whereas this has previously been done on a kilometre by kilometre basis.

"These projects will provide many cyclists with safe, high-quality paths to ride on, in place of using a mixture of poor quality paths and local roads, which may be busy and without any provision for cyclists."

The Minister said the additional Budget funding would also mean the funding available for Perth Bicycle Network grants would double from $2million to $4million over two years, and increase Regional Bicycle Network grants to $1.5million in 2012-13 and to $2million in 2013-14.

"This additional grant funding will benefit metropolitan and regional local governments to develop their local cycling infrastructure projects," he said.

"The Liberal-National Government is committed to ensuring that all West Australians have access to sustainable methods of transport through the bicycle network plan, which will continue to guide the development and implementation of cycling infrastructure over the next decade."

The Treasurer said 2012-13 State Budget funding would supplement the $2.66million the State Government already spent annually on cycling, and was part of the $105million Budget allocation for initiatives to address traffic congestion in and around the CBD.

"The Liberal-National Government has provided unprecedented investment to not only transform our capital city but also ensure there is capacity to meet the needs of our growing population and to keep the city moving during this transformation," Mr Porter said.

"The provision of this funding in the 2012-13 State Budget further strengthens our commitment to building our State for future generations."

Fact File