The latest in a network of centres to support the development of small local business across regional Western Australia will today be officially opened in the Goldfields.

The Business Growth Centre (BGC) has opened its doors to offer a range of mentoring services and training programs, as well as the opportunity for small business owners to have their skills formally recognised.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said the facility would help boost the uptake of training for small businesses and provide job opportunities for the local community.

"Small business is crucial to WA's economy and it is vital that the sector has the capacity to be innovative," Mr Collier said.

"BGC has partnered with the Vocational Training and Education Centre Kalgoorlie and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry to expand its range of services throughout the Goldfields.

"I want to ensure small businesses in regional areas have equal access to opportunities provided by the State Government to help enhance their operations and most importantly, create jobs for their local community."

BGC was established in 2008, hosted by West Coast Institute of Training in Perth's northern suburbs.

With additional State Government funding, its services have since been expanded into regional WA, partnering with local State training providers, private registered training organisations and enterprises to provide more effective services to the regional small business sector.

Since its inception, the centre has:

• signed up more than 740 people to its accredited training programs
• had 5,980 one-on-one contacts with small business owners
• achieved more than 1,240 referrals to other services, including small business centres, Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• promoted more than 3,000 training events on the website by other registered training organisations
• issued more than 55 accredited qualifications (Certificate IV Small Business Management, Diploma of Marketing and Diploma of Management)
• developed six new programs tailored to assist small business owners
• recruited more than 40 qualified contracted advisers/mentors.

Programs developed and launched last year focused on Aboriginal business mentoring; green business skills; tourism training; and networking.

A new Western Australian advertising campaign urging women not to drink alcohol while pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding was launched today on World Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day.

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said the Strong Spirit Strong Future campaign, including State-wide television and radio advertising, was aimed at dispelling any confusion within the community, even among health practitioners about drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

"The National Health and Medical Research council guidelines warn women about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, which has associated harms to the unborn child, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder," Mrs Morton said.

"This campaign is aimed at sending the clear message that the safest option is not to drink alcohol when you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.

"Research is in its early years in Australia but we do know that without the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy - FASD wouldn't exist."

FASD is caused by alcohol use during pregnancy and children born with FASD can experience a range of permanent problems, including developmental delays; poor growth; birth defects; abnormal brain function; behavioural problems; and social skills deficits.

The Minister said the campaign featured flamboyant, well-known Aboriginal woman and health campaigner Mary G but stressed the message was an issue for the whole Western Australian community.

"While this is not just a problem for Aboriginal people, it is great to see Aboriginal people leading from the front with this campaign message to give our children a strong spirit for a strong future," she said.

The Drug and Alcohol Office has received funding over four years to develop a suite of Aboriginal FASD prevention initiatives. The project funding was made available through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership Agreement.

Future water supplies for Karratha, Roebourne, Dampier and Wickham have been secured by a new agreement between the State Government and Rio Tinto Limited, leading to the deferral of a planned desalination project.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls and Water Minister Bill Marmion said under the new agreement Rio Tinto would surrender its annual entitlement to water from the Millstream aquifer. Rio Tinto will develop its own alternative water supply from the Bungaroo Valley at an estimated cost to the company of US$310million.

Mr Grylls said the agreement would help ensure that community and Government aspirations for the West Pilbara could be realised.

"Secure water supplies will enable the growth of Karratha as a city and the expansion of surrounding communities as part of the Pilbara Cities vision," he said.

"This agreement means there will be enough water to accommodate Rio's planned major expansion of its production capacity.

"It also allows other businesses and industries to plan investment projects, knowing that water is available to meet the needs of an expanded population."

Mr Marmion said the agreement meant the State would not proceed with the $370million West Pilbara Desalination Project.

"Heavy rains in the Pilbara following the 2010-11 cyclone season replenished major drinking water sources and secured short-term water supply. The rain, combined with this agreement, has allowed the Government to defer the desalination project," Mr Marmion said.

"The Government was separately engaged in discussions with Rio on the possibility of reducing their use of scheme water for industrial purposes.

"This is great news for the future of water supplies for the West Pilbara."

Mr Grylls said that in return for surrendering its allocation from the Millstream water supply scheme it built 40 years ago, some of Rio's secondary processing obligations under Agreements with the State would be amended. The State and Rio will jointly develop a proposal to upgrade the existing water supply infrastructure and increase its capacity.

Regional Development Minister's office - 9213 7000

Water Minister's office - 9220 5000