Farm forestry guidelines
The WA Government has released revised planning guidelines for farm forestry.
The draft policy (DC 3.6 Farm Forestry) is available from (08) 9791 0577, www.planning.wa.gov.au, and WA Planning Commission offices in Perth and in Bunbury.
Public comment is invited until April 1.
Fitness code of practice
The State Government and industry body Fitness WA plan to establish an industry code of practice.
Submissions in response to a discussion paper towards this end are invited until April 30.
The paper is available from www.docep.wa.gov.au or 1300 30 40 54.
Gorgon field ESE review
Public submissions are invited in response to an environmental, social and economic review prepared by ChevronTexaco on behalf of the Gorgon joint venture partners, seeking access to Barrow Island for a processing facility to support the development of the Gorgon gas field.
Copies of the review are available from 9216 4000 and from gorgon.info@chevrontexaco.com.
The document is also available for viewing at www.gorgon.com.au, the Department of Environmental Protection Library, Department of Industry and Resources Libraries, the Ashburton Shire Council in Onslow, Karratha Community Library, the Battye Library and Environment Australia Library.
Submissions can be made until March 24.
Health and safety report
The report of the Mines Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board’s survey of nearly 5,000 employees from 60 mines across WA includes a mine management action plan, and eight recommendations.
These recommendations relate to improved communication skills, health and safety representation, safety training, injury reporting and increased executive participation in safety management.
The report is available from www.mpr.wa.gov.au.
Meat Processing Taskforce
This WA Government taskforce is seeking submissions from interested parties regarding strategies for boosting the long-term viability of the meat processing sector.
Written submissions can be sent to the Executive Officer, Meat Processing Taskforce, Department of Agriculture.
Further information is available from Wim Burggraff, on 9368 3150.
Closing date for submissions is March 7.
Mining safety review
Former Australian Industrial Relations Commissioner Robert Laing has completed a report following his review of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.
Public comment on this report, available from www.mpr.wa.gov.au, is invited until March 7.
National park boundaries
Indicative boundaries of a dozen proposed new national parks under the WA Government’s Protecting Our Old-Growth Forests policy have been released for public comment. The submissions period for the Greater Preston, Greater Beedelup, Greater Kingston, Boorara-Gardner, Jane, Greater Dordagup and Wellington areas closes March 14, while the period for Butler, Hilliger, Milyeannup, Blackwood River and the Boyndaminup National Park will commence once the maps are available. Further information and park maps, as available, can be obtained from www.naturebase.net and the Manjimup, Bunbury and Crawley CALM offices. The Government is creating 30 new national parks and two new conservation parks under the old-growth forests policy.
Regional policy statement
The WA Government has released a draft regional policy statement.
Copies of the draft are available from (08) 9222 0511, (08) 1800 620 511, and www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au.
Submissions can be forwarded to the Department of Local Government and Regional Development, GPO Box R1250, Perth WA 6844.
While the public submissions period formally ended February 28, submissions received during March will also be considered.
Retail trading hours
Ahead of a mid-year deadline to justify WA retail trading hours arrangements to the National Competition Council, the WA Government has released a discussion paper on retail trading hours.
This paper considers a number of options, including having no trading hour restrictions and abolishing Thursday night or Sunday trading.
Further information is available from
(08) 9222 9622 or www.docep.wa.gov.au/reviews/retailtradinghours.
Submissions on the paper can be made to the Retail Hours Review Committee, 15th Floor, 197 St George's Terrace, Perth WA 6000.
The submissions period closes April 10.