South West News
Busselton to Melbourne Flights Take Off
At long last, the first Melburnians jetted directly into Busselton Margaret River Airport on Jetstar JQ900, going straight to one of the world’s premier wine regions. The flight time may have only been a few hours but this collaboration was years in the making between the McGowan Government, the City of Busselton - Local Government and Jetstar Australia.
This is the beginning of a new era for this gourmet, surfing paradise. It was fantastic to see the flights take off with Tourism Minister Roger Cook. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Congratulations, Carol Pettersen!
As part of the Australia Day 2022 Honours List, the Governor-General announced the awarding of a Medal in the General Division (OAM) to Mrs Carol Pettersen for her service to the Indigenous community of Western Australia.
Recently, Member for the South West region, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan hosted a special reception honouring Carol at which her family, friends and colleagues acknowledged and congratulated her for her considerable achievements.
Harvey Hemp Visit
A fantastic visit to Harvey Hemp saw local member Robyn Clarke MLA and Alannah MacTiernan MLC viewing a facility that is offering farmers the opportunity to locally process high-grade hemp products.
The McGowan government has been a strong supporter of the industrial hemp industry and would like see more research into this crop so industry can viably expand across the region. It is certainly an exciting time for industrial hemp in WA.
Southern Forests Ecology Tour
Recently, UWA ecology experts hosted Alannah MacTiernan MLC and Jane Kelsbie MLA on a tour of southern forests, taking in the ecology of the Great Southern region. Thank you to UWA Albany Centre staff for their time and knowledge.
Oranje Tractor Farm Tour
Oranje Tractor Wine has declared itself net zero, with the stamp of approval from Professor Peter Newman following exhaustive testing. Pam Lincoln and Murray Gomm’s commitment to regenerative practices on their vineyard and farm have paid off big time!
Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC and Rebecca Stephens MLA checked out their Albany property recently and took a tour of the beautiful winery and surrounds.
Denmark Fire Thank You
The launch of Fire Day, a short documentary commissioned by Steve Birkbeck on the recent Denmark fires, was held at The Dam, Denmark, recently, with the William Bay Fire Brigade, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC, Member for the South-West region, and Jane Kelsbie MLA, Member for Warren Blackwood. It includes fabulous chopper and water-bomber footage of the many brave and smart people who saved the day. We all know we still have much more to learn.
Agrifood & Beverage Voucher Programme Recipients
Congratulations to the Great Southern based businesses which received support from the McGowan Labor Government to take their WA product to the next level.
The Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program is supporting our local WA agrifood businesses, backing their growth and supporting new economic opportunities across the State. The successful Great Southern-based recipients are:
- Wilson Brewing Company
- Lange Estate
- Shepherd's Hut Wines
- Singlefile Wines
NRM Grants Open
The 2022 NRM Grants are now open! Our Natural Resource Management funding is transforming landscapes across the State, driving better practices from coastal environments through to our pastoral estate.
The $7 million in Community Stewardship Grants is critical in supporting the NRM initiatives of people at a local level in protecting and restoring WA's natural resources.
Applications close on May 9, 2022. For more information, visit www.nrm.wa.gov.au.