The West Australian [read this story]

You can read a media release from Horizon Power here:

Media Release

7 February 2012

2:00 pm

Unplanned power interruptions for Broome

Broome customers are experiencing power interruptions.

Power supplies were interrupted at 12:32 pm this afternoon with power restored to all customers by approximately 1:20 pm.

However at approximately 1:50 pm, power was again interrupted.

Horizon Power is currently working with the operators of Broome power station to identify the causes of the power interruptions and ensure power is restored as quickly as possible.

Horizon Power apologises for the inconvenience and encourages any customers who may still be experiencing supply issues to contact the Faults and Emergencies Line on 13 23 51.

Photo - Horizon Power

Three more remote communities are to have normal power supplies, just like people in town are used to.

The work is expected to be complete later this year.

You can read a Horizon Power media release here:

Media Release

2 February 2012

Improving quality of power in remote Aboriginal communities

Three remote Aboriginal communities in the West Kimberley will benefit from improved services through upgrades to power supplies under a project being delivered by Horizon Power and the Department of Housing.

Construction work will begin in the town-based communities of Looma, Mowanjum and Bayulu later this year under phase three of the Town Reserves Regularisation Project (TRRP) funded by the Department of Housing.

Horizon Power has completed the necessary audits and designs for the electricity networks in Looma and Mowanjum, which are remote communities out of Broome and Derby.

The project also involves an audit and upgrade of internal house wiring in these communities.

In the community of Bayulu, near Fitzroy Crossing, Horizon Power has designed the upgrade of the electricity network and will oversee the project in collaboration with the Department of Housing which will undertake the network upgrade and internal house wiring work.

There are more than 150 households in these three communities. The residents will become Horizon Power customers once the work is completed which means they will be eligible for rebates and concessions for energy for the first time.

Horizon Power also delivers education about the work, electrical safety and energy efficiency as part of its close engagement with residents of Aboriginal communities.

Under phase one and two of TRRP, Horizon Power upgraded networks in 25 town-based communities, as well as auditing and upgrading internal house wiring.

Horizon Power will soon issue tenders for the work which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2012.

One truckie told the ABC it was Australia’s worst.

ABC [read this story]

This is the second time the shop at the Boulevard Shopping Centre has been broken into this year.

The West Australian [read this story]

It has reopened as the Oaks Cable Beach Resort.

Broome Advertiser [read this story]

Kununurra Visitors’ Centre will coordinate the special display at Broome Aquatic Centre on 5 and 6 May 2012.

You can read a shire media release here:

East Kimberley Featured at 2012 North West Expo

Broome, WA, February 3, 2012

NW EXPO and The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley (SWEK) are joining forces at this year North West Expo to be held on May 5 & 6 at the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre.

Nadia Donnelly, Kununurra Visitor Centre General Manager and coordinator of this year’s SWEK exhibition stand says they are thrilled to have been invited by the NW EXPO committee to be this year’s ‘Guest Shire’ and plan to promote the ‘extraordinary’ diversity the region has to offer. Information on regional tours, produce, regional investments and of course the 2012 Argyle Diamond Ord Valley Muster can be found on the stand.

Following on from the announcement, it is expected this year’s event will draw a lot more exhibitors from the Wyndham / East Kimberley region.

Elisabeth Lucke, NW EXPO President, says “We are very pleased that SWEK has come onboard as the Guest Shire in 2012 as they have so much to showcase in terms of tourism, regional foods, diamonds as well as the investment opportunities that the expansion of Ord Irrigation Stage 2 and other projects in the Shire are presenting. The East Kimberley has abundant opportunities for jobs and lifestyle. We hope that we will attract more East Kimberley businesses to Expo to further add to the regional flavour of this North West event.

With more than half of exhibitors coming from outside of Broome, we hope to select a different Guest Town (or Shire) each year from now on”.

Come to NW Expo on May 5 & 6 to experience the East Kimberley for yourself with a chance to win an Extraordinary East Kimberley Holiday Package.

The public sector commissioner is studying FESA and police reports into Racing the Planet to see if an inquiry into the event can be conducted.

PerthNow [read this story]

You can read a statement from federal minister Gary Gray here:

THE HON GARY GRAY AO MP

SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE

MEDIA RELEASE

2 February 2012

KUNUNURRA AIRPORT READY FOR TAKE OFF

Economic development in Kununurra will take an important step forward tomorrow with Special Minister of State, Gary Gray officially opening a refurbished and expanded Kununurra Airport.

The Kununurra airport redevelopment was made possible through the Australian Government’s East Kimberley Development Package and the West Australian Government’s Regional Airports Development Scheme.

Gary Gray has a special link with the East Kimberley having worked extensively with Brendon Grylls, the Leader of the WA Nationals to implement the Federal Government’s East Kimberley Redevelopment Package.

Mr Gray praised the partnership arrangement between three levels of government and local Indigenous leaders in achieving an important outcome for the community of the East Kimberley.

“This is an example of how funding partnering by the Commonwealth, State and Local Governments can deliver benefits for communities,” he said.

“The $8.68 million airport redevelopment will ensure Kununurra Airport is a gateway to the region as it is the only airport offering regular flights to Perth, Broome and Darwin.

“Heavy wet seasons often result in this area being cut off from essential outside services and deliveries. The airport is a crucial piece of infrastructure which enables people and goods to enter or leave from the region and especially supports tourism and economic development.

“The airport now has the capacity to meet predicted local and tourist demand. The completion of this project is an important building block to achieving the goals that the Federal Government’s East Kimberley Development Package set out to deliver. Developing our transport infrastructure is one such crucial goal.

“With a small, widely dispersed population, effective transport infrastructure is critical to the economic development of the region. The redevelopment of the airport also provided short-term employment benefits for the people of the region. Developing jobs is as important as developing vital infrastructure” the Minister said.

“36 people were employed during this project, including 7 Indigenous people. This provided meaningful employment for this community and ensured long term skill development,” he said.

Event details:

Opening of Kununurra Regional Airport Expansion Project

Date: Friday 3 February 2012

Time: 1700 – 1900

Venue: East Kimberley Regional Airport, Victoria Highway, Kununurra, WA

The contract is for $.5billion turret and mooring system at the Browse Basin.

You can read an SBM statement here:

SBM [read this story]