From Rebecca's Desk
Happy New Year!
Welcome to the January 2022 issue of Albany Update. I hope you had a restful and relaxing festive break. I have been busy with a range of projects, as detailed below, to help boost and support the Albany community for 2022 and beyond.
I hope you and your family had a smooth transition back to work and school, and I wish you a healthy and happy new year.
Please do contact my electorate office with any queries you may have, or if you require assistance.
REDS Grants Announced
I was excited to welcome the successful recipients of this round of Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants, alongside Minister MacTiernan.
I particularly congratulate local Albany business, Venco Products, that will use its grant to construct a new facility, allowing it to greatly increase production capacity.
Congratulations to all grant recipients. We look forward to following your development journey.
Binalup/Middleton Beach Redevelopment Launched
Local families and tourists alike have the opportunity to enjoy the recently completed Binalup/Middleton Beach precinct, which I had the pleasure to open recently, alongside the City of Albany and the Federal Government.
The $9m redevelopment sees coastal protection measures applied, including a seawall and drainage measures. A new promenade, new footpaths, an upgraded carpark, beach showers and drink fountains all make for an improved visitor experience for families to enjoy Binalup.
Local artist Jhodi Bennet’s mural at Ellen Cove makes a beautiful, creative addition to the project.
I am proud to have been part of this incredible redevelopment of the beach that I grew up swimming at. I know this will be enjoyed by our community for years to come. Please take the time to visit and enjoy it this summer.
Plan for Plastics
The McGowan Labor Government has fast-tracked our Plan for Plastics by four years with a range of single-use plastic items phased out at the end of 2021.
We’re serious about reducing the impact of plastics on our planet, that’s why our Plan for Plastics will be fully implemented by the end of 2022, four years earlier than originally planned.
Stage One includes plastic plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, stirrers, straws, thick plastic bags, polystyrene food containers, and helium balloon releases. Stage Two - now to be completed by the end of 2022 - includes plastic barrier/produce bags, cotton buds with plastic shafts, polystyrene packaging, microbeads and oxo-degradable plastics. Takeaway coffee cups and lids with single-use plastic materials have also been added to the Plan for Plastics and will be phased out in stage two. Consumers and businesses will be able to use alternative environmentally friendly takeaway cups and lids.
We’re supporting businesses thought our Plastic Free Places Programme, helping them understand their obligations and adapt to become single-use plastic free. A six-month transition period will allow businesses to use up supplies and adapt to the changes for all items, except for cups which will have an extended transition period to October 1, 2022 to allow time to source alternatives.
We know Western Australians care about reducing their plastics us and support our Plan for Plastics. More than 98 per cent of those surveyed support further action on single-use plastics. This builds on our Government’s record of cutting down on plastics use.
Skate Park Pop-Up
On the last two Fridays of the school holidays, I hosted a free sausage sizzle at the recently launched Albany Skate Park. In warm weather, we watched skaters and riders test their skills on the newly-completed track.
It was terrific to see the park being put to such good use in the holidays and to see our young people getting active and having fun outdoors!
Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics
To book your family's Covid-19 vaccinations, if you have not already done so, please visit: Albany COVID-19 vaccination community clinic (rollup.wa.gov.au)
Rebecca Stephens MLA | Member for Albany