Peter Abetz
MLA
State Member for Southern River
Your Strong Local Voice
Newsletter - Summer 2014
Representing: Southern River, Canning Vale and Huntingdale.
Transport Minister Enthusiastic
About Local Road Plans
Dear Resident,
Following up on my pledge in my winter newsletter, I have been
speaking to the Transport Minister about our local traffic problems.
Traffic is still the number one issue for the people in our electorate.
Engineers from the City of Canning
showing the Transport Minister plan
s for
the third lane on Ranford Road.
The Minister, Hon Dean Nalder MLA, and I, visited Ranford Road and
the proposed Nicholson Road overpass site. He was keen to see what the problems are and how
the Government’s proposed projects will help improve traffic flow.
I have always believed that it is vitally important for our ministers to see proposed project sites
firsthand. We discussed my proposal for an extra lane each way on Ranford Road between the
Canning Vale Markets and Nicholson Road. I recommended that this project be given the highest
priority.
Construction of an extra lane on Ranford Road first will help ease traffic problems that are
anticipated during the construction of the rail overpass on Nicholson Road. I am working with
the Minister to pursue funding options. The overpass project already has 50% funding from the
Federal Government. The upgrading of these two major access ways into and out of our area will
make a huge difference to local traffic flow.
Minister Nalder also shares my enthusiasm to get the Thornlie rail line extension happening as
soon as possible. This would run from Thornlie, through Canning Vale, to join the Mandurah line
just north of Cockburn Central.
The good news is that the planning for the Thornlie line extension is
expected to be finalised and considered by Government by the end
of 2014.
The Minister’s visit was highly productive and I will continue to
work with the Transport Minister to ensure these projects have top
priority. I am hoping that the planning stages are completed soon,
and that we see works beginning in 2015.
Warm Regards,
Truss,
Deputy Prime Minister, Warren
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Peter Abetz MLA
Contact Peter:
Office. Unit 4, 2 Furley Road, Southern River
www.facebook.com/PeterAbetzMLA
Phone. 9256 4900
Fax. 9256 4995
[email protected]
peterabetz.com.au
Peter Abetz
Your State Member for Southern River
Feedback Needed on Airport Noise
Jandakot airport is a major flight-training airport. Circuit training of both fixed wing aircraft and helicopter pilots make up
a large proportion of aircraft activity.
As activity at the airport increases, some residents of Canning Vale have made complaints to the Noise Complaints and
Information Service (NCIS), run by Airservices Australia and residents have also contacted me about airport-related noise
issues. Noise complaints typically increase over the summer months as trainee pilots take advantage of the longer days.
Six noise monitors are distributed under the flight paths across the suburbs to collect noise data from all of Perth’s
airports. An opportunity now exists for an extra monitor to be placed in Canning Vale so that, for the first time,
noise data can be collected in the area. The Jandakot Civil Aviation Consultation Group is looking for community input
to determine the best site.
The information from the community will be collated in January 2015, and Airservices Australia will then make a decision
regarding the placement, which should occur by February 2015.
If you would like to make a comment about noise in your area to assist in best placing the noise monitor, please send
feedback to me at www.peterabetz.com. Formal complaints about aircraft noise can be lodged at the Jandakot airport
community page: http://www.jandakotairport.com.au/community/aircraft-noise.html
Record Fall in Electricity Prices for WA
West Australians are reaping the benefit of a record fall in electricity prices due to the
scrapping of the Carbon Tax. This flawed tax hit every household and commercial
business in Western Australia, and its removal is a cause for celebration. The average
household electricity bill will fall by $126 per year, which equates to around an 8%
reduction.
Customers seeking more information of the changes applied to their account can also
register for Synergy’s enhanced My Account service. You can view your billing history,
including the recent carbon changes and see how your energy consumption compares
to similar households in your suburb.
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WA Seniors Discounts
WA has the most generous Seniors Card scheme in Australia and the State Government offers a
big range of concessions and rebates to seniors. The new Seniors Card Discount Directory lists
discounts offered by a further 500 businesses.
State Government discounts include half-price drivers’ licence renewal, half-price recreational
fishing licences and discounts on entry to State attractions including the Perth Zoo, National
Parks, the WA Museum and Rottnest accommodation. Seniors Card holders can also receive
up to $50 towards new spectacles every two years and half-price regional rail and coach
travel. Business listings offering discounts include everything from beauty therapy to electrical
contractors; gardening, fitness, pest control, plumbers and wineries.
If you have not yet picked up your 2014-16 Seniors Card Discount Directory, please call in to my
office in Southern River for your complimentary copy.
I now have a Facebook page to keep you up to date with
what’s happening in the community.
Join me at www.facebook.com/PeterAbetzMLA
Peter Abetz
Your State Member for Southern River
State Asset Investment
The WA State Government’s net debt at 30 June 2014 stood at $20.8b. This is $1.3b less than the recent Budget estimates.
The State has invested $6.8billion in 2013-14 including road infrastructure ($983million), health facilities ($905million) and
schools ($546million), as well as $3.5billion in key economic infrastructure by the State’s public corporations. This could
not all be funded from tax revenue – we needed to borrow around 40% of the cost of these works.
With a growing population, we need this state-building infrastructure. Elizabeth Quay and the new Perth Stadium project
accounted for only 2.1% of the State’s asset investment program in 2013-14.
Much of the State Government spending is on electricity and water, reflecting the large contribution that the Government
makes subsidising the provision of these services to the people of WA. While every effort has been made to keep prices
for electricity, water and transport as low as possible, the Government is currently looking at options to reduce the
$500million per year taxpayer-funded electricity subsidy (about $400 per household each year) and is reviewing the
electricity market. Water charges have also been subsidised by $2.5billion over the last four years.
The State’s debt level remains affordable and is the second lowest of the mainland States, being significantly lower than
triple A-rated Victoria. However, with declining revenue from iron ore royalties and the Federal Government returning only
a fraction of the State’s GST, it is a real challenge to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the State’s finances.
Assessment Investment Program
Total Public Sector
Did you know?
A $1 drop in the iron ore price reduces State Government royalty revenue by $50m for the year.
A $40 drop in price puts a $2billion dollar dent in the budget!
Peter Abetz
In the Community
Congratulations to the 58 new police recruits who graduated
from the Joondalup Academy last month! After the ceremony
I paused at the memorial at the Academy, which is a moving
tribute to the dedicated police men and women who have lost
their lives in the performance of their duty.
My office is a receiving point for Samaritans Purse “Operation
Christmas Child” from September to November each year.
Lucy and Amy, with the help of their Mum, each filled a box
with small, age-appropriate items for children living in very
poor areas overseas.
I recently visited Daund, India, for a wedding. Whilst there,
my wife and I were honoured at a public forum hosted by the
local Member of State Parliament, Hon. Ramah Appa Thorat.
The Federal Minister for Small Business Hon. Bruce Billson
MP was guest of honour at a Gosnells small business
breakfast. Business owners were positive about the Federal
Government’s commitment to helping small business reduce
costs by eliminating the carbon tax and unnecessary red tape.
Local School Highlights
Congratulations to
•
The Ranford Primary School community which received an Exemplary school award from the Director General of Education.
•
The choirs of Caladenia Primary School and Canning Vale Primary School for their excellent performances at the WA Primary Schools Massed Choir Festival Concerts.
•
The students who participated in the annual Thornlie Christian College Art Exhibition and the school Open Day
•
Excelsior Primary School and Canning Vale College on their 10th anniversaries.
Best wishes to all of our graduating Year 12s and to our Year 6s and 7s as they start high school next year.
As 2014 winds down, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe
Christmas season.
Authorised by Peter Abetz, Unit 4, 2 Furley Road, Southern River. Printed by Worldwide Printing Cannington, 112-114 Mallard Way, Cannington WA 6107.