The exhibition has already travelled to 25 countries.

Invest in Australia [read this story]

Photo by P Doughty WA Museum

A species of gecko found near Kununurra is now considered to be a “new” species.

It is the Northern Beaked Gecko.

A scientist examining a specimen of the lizard last year noticed differences that were markedly different from other beaked geckos.

Science Network WA [read this story]

Stephen Bevis here gives a fairly straight-forward review.

The West Australian [read this story]

Victoria Laurie was disappointed with the script.

ABC [read this story]

The Australian [read this story]

Mark Naglazas compared it with Steve Hawke’s Jandamarra play, which he did not like either.

The West Australian [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 new agency would manage the ports of Wyndham, Derby, Cockatoo and Koolan Islands, Broome, and the planned port at James Price Point.

Sydney Morning Herald [read this story]

You can read a statement from Special Minister of State Gary Gray here:

THE HON GARY GRAY AO MP

SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE

MEDIA RELEASE

2 February 2012

WYNDHAM JETTY OPEN FOR ANGLERS

Anglers in Wyndham will cast their first lines from the Wyndham Community Recreational Fishing Jetty when it opens this weekend. The $7 million project funded by the Federal Government will be officially opened this Saturday by the Special Minister for State, Gary Gray and the WA Leader of the Nationals, and WA Minister for Regional Development, Brendon Grylls.

Gary Gray said the Australian Government’s $195 million East Kimberley Development Package had delivered real benefits for the community of Wyndham not least of which is the jetty.

“This jetty is an important piece of infrastructure for the local region. It will serve the area for decades to come.

“It will be a publically accessible all-tides jetty that provides unrestricted access for local community members and small craft wishing to engage in recreational fishing. Importantly, this project has been vital for the local community as it will facilitate safe access to deep water for recreational fishing, particularly for local Indigenous people. The construction of this jetty provides the Wyndham community with a substantial community asset which would facilitate significant social and community growth.”

The project is one of a number of significant projects for the East Kimberley funded by the Australian Federal Government.

“Already the community swimming pool and residential rehabilitation facility have been opened and we have had a number of other facilities completed such as the Picture Gardens Upgrade, 17 social houses built, hospital upgrades and the Wyndham Sobering Up Centre established.

“These projects are important for the community of Wyndham and the opening of the Wyndham Community Recreational Fishing Jetty will provide a long-lasting community facility for people of all ages both now and into the future.”

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.

Event details:

Opening of Wyndham Jetty

Date: Saturday 4 February 2012

Time: 0800 – 0900

Venue: Anthon’s Landing (off end of Gambier Street, Wyndham 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]

Liliwan project leader Professor Elizabeth Elliot said FASD is more common in Aboriginal and remote areas, and advocates higher alcohol taxes.

She also wants women abusing alcohol to use contraceptives.

WAToday [read this story]

Jack Burton

Indonesia plans to supply 90% of its own beef by 2014.

Jack Burton, described as a “farmer” by the West Australian, said he is already seeking alternative markets.

The West Australian [read this story]

The group CAYLUS told the minister better laws to tackle petrol sniffers are needed in WA.

The visit comes after last year’s coronial inquiry into the deaths of several young people from Balgo.

ABC [read this story]