Dec 16, 2016 - initiatives have commenced, including a winter marketing campaign, new edition print-run of the Great Eas
AGENDA 2016 THIRD QUARTER UPDATE (October to December 2016) PRIORITY AREA 1: FUTURE-PROOFING OUR STATE Initiative Implement Initiatives
2016-17
Progress Budget
All Budget initiatives are on track, including the Bushfire and Climate Change Research project, the State Revenue System Replacement, commencement of the Tasmanian Brand review, a new ferry contract for Maria Island, and work on the Northern Cities Major Development Initiative.
Release first annual update under the Tasmanian Access 2020 Strategy, to grow air and sea capacity for freight and passengers.
The first annual update was released on 16 November and shows significant progress including $144 million in infrastructure improvements to key access points (including air and seaports), an increase in air capacity by 173,658 new seats on key routes, and a 27% increase in passengers on the refurbished Spirits of Tasmania. The Access 2020 Progress Report can be found at www.tourismtasmania.com.au.
Commence implementation of recommendations from the Emergency Management Review.
Work is well underway on the implementation of the Review’s recommendation.
Launch Round 2 of EOI for sensitive tourism development in Tasmanian National Parks and Reserves.
The next round of the Government’s highly successful Expression of Interest process to unlock the tourism and economic potential of our world class Reserves, was launched on 16 December 2016. The EOI seeks proposals to develop best practice environmental tourism.
Finalise the new management plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA)
The Plan was officially released on 10 December 2016, ensuring the management plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area reflects all its natural values and establishes the framework for its management into the future.
Release of Future Directions for a new contemporary Biosecurity legislation framework for public consultation.
The “Future Directions” Biosecurity legislative framework was released for public comment on 29 November 2016. The new single Biosecurity Act will replace seven existing Acts and provide an efficient and effective way to regulate biosecurity into the future. Draft legislation will be released for public consultation in early 2017.
Continued roll-out of Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan, with commencement of next stage of new projects.
Eight projects are already complete, six are under construction and a further four in the development phase. For further detail of all projects and timeframes, see: http://www.midlandhighway.tas.gov.au/projects
Host the inaugural Antarctic Industries and Business forum to coincide with CCAMLR meetings.
The forum was held in September 2016 as part of the Australian Antarctic Festival, which coincided with the lead up to the CCAMLR Annual General Meeting.
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Release second progress report of the Tasmanian Visitor Economy Strategy (T21) 2015-2020.
The report was released on 19 December 2016 and shows great progress towards ambitious targets, including a 4% increase in visitors numbers to 1.19 million people, an 8% increase on visitor spend to $2.07 billion, 74% of visitors recommending Tasmania to others (the highest in the nation), and more than $500 million in tourism investment planned. The T21 Progress Report can be viewed at: www.t21.net.au
PRIORITY AREA 2: JOBS AND SKILLS Initiative Implement Initiatives
Budget
All Budget initiatives are on track, including the Work Readiness for Growth, Industries program to support work-ready young Tasmanians and pathways to apprenticeships and traineeships, additional support to Business Events Tasmania, small business assistance through the Government’s Enterprise Centres Tasmania Program, and the Geoscience Initiative Program to attract exploration investment.
Begin negotiations on a 20 year rolling extension to the Regional Forest Agreement.
Negotiations have commenced, with the process to be completed and an amended agreement tabled in Federal Parliament in 2017.
Complete certification project for Private Forests in Tasmania.
Completed. Independent group certification templates available from Private Forests Tasmania for use by interested growers..
Release second Tasmanian Red Tape Report.
The second Red Tape Audit Report was released on 20 December 2016, documenting 98 red tape issues identified through consultation, 72 of which have been addressed through legislative and policy change, in many industry sectors. The report highlights the Government’s continued focus on reducing unnecessary and inefficient regulation across the community. The report is available at: www.cg.tas.gov.au/home/red_tape_reduction
Commencement of further signage and marketing activities under the Great Eastern Drive marketing strategy.
Road improvements and additional signage planning continues through the joint Tourism/State Growth working group. Additional marketing initiatives have commenced, including a winter marketing campaign, new edition print-run of the Great Eastern Holiday Drive booklet, and social media content (which has generated reach of up to 130,000 hits per month). The Great Eastern Drive won gold for Destination Marketing in the Tasmanian Tourism Awards.
Announcement of long-term commercially sustainable shipping services for King Island.
The preferred proponent was unable to secure a ship to meet its proposed January 2017 start to operations. The Government remains committed to a reliable and affordable shipping service for King Island.
2016-17
Progress
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Update on the Data Centre Action Strategy.
Collaboration is continuing with a range of stakeholders to develop investment information for both generic data centre promotional activities and in-depth site specific information for prospective developers. The Office of the Coordinator-General is exploring potential investment opportunities with national and international data centre operators and has engaged Austrade officers in the US to identify key targets in that country. Tasmania’s proposition will be promoted at the Data Centre Show in Melbourne during March 2017.
Deliver next stage of IT@Work program under the ICT Industries Workforce Development Plan to provide real world experience in the ICT sector to UTAS and TAFE students.
The Government’s ICT Workforce Development Plan included a $75,000 for the IT@Work Pilot Project. Now complete, IT@Work brings the ICT industry and education sector together through an online portal to provide experience in the ICT sector to UTas and TAFE students. The portal has facilitated the submission of ‘real world’ projects by non-ICT businesses that were matched with students to deliver the projects. Of the 39 proposed projects received and assessed, 10 were selected and assigned to students.
Completion of new mooring dolphin at Port of Burnie in readiness for 2016-17 cruise ship season.
The mooring dolphin is installed and the first major cruise ship carrying 3400 passengers and crew to use the infrastructure will be on 9 February 2017.
Roll-out of Masterclass (TasTAFE) training opportunities.
TasTAFE’s Masterclass series provides one-off classes taught by industry professionals to small groups of hospitality students using TasTAFE facilities. In September and October, international chefs, Dan Hong and Michael Luo provided an Asian Cooking Course and dinner.
PRIORITY AREA 3: IMPROVING HEALTH RESULTS Initiative Implement Initiatives
2016-17
Progress Budget
Implementation of initiatives has commenced for the majority of initiatives.
Completion of State-wide models of care for the majority of clinical services under the One Health System reforms.
Clinical advisory groups have now completed State-wide models of care for the majority of clinical services, a key element of the One Health System reforms. The Tasmanian Health Service is consulting with clinicians and other health staff on a State-wide clinical service delivery model, which will drive implementation of these new models of care from 2017.
Continue roll-out of prevention programs from the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy, Tasmanian Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy and Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Workforce Development and Training Plan (released March 2016)
The service model for Tasmania’s first Suicide Prevention Early Intervention Referral Service has been developed, with a successful tenderer for the service to be announced in January 2017. This service will support people presenting to health services including public hospital Emergency Departments, GPs or public mental health services, following a suicide attempt. We are continuing to progress a range of other initiatives, including helping communities develop and implement suicide prevention community action plans.
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Commence a single State-wide Mental Health system to align with One Health System reforms as part of long-term Rethink Mental Health Plan.
A State-wide Director of Mental Health Services has been appointed. The new Director will work closely with health planners, clinicians, consumers and carers to integrate public mental health services across the State. This is part of our Rethink Mental Health Plan and will help develop better linkages between inpatient care and care provided by community teams.
Review the progress and impact of service improvements in North West drug services.
The new 12-bed residential rehabilitation facility at Ulverstone, funded by our $4.8 million investment, has engaged around 40 participants since it opened earlier this year. In addition to increasing residential rehabilitation services, we have delivered education and training relevant to methamphetamine use and are supporting a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention.
Establish tele-health clinics to make it easier for patients to access specialists under One Health System reforms.
Three new endocrinology tele-health clinics have been delivered and endocrine neoplasia clinics are now scheduled on a fortnightly basis. The new tele-health clinics help reduce patient travel to specialists and improve access to treatment.
PRIORITY AREA 4: BETTER EDUCATION FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE Initiative Implement Initiatives
2016-17
Progress Budget
All Budget initiatives are on track, including new positions under the Strong Families, Safe Kids project, the development of Aboriginal curriculum resources and the Student Health Initiative.
Introduce cyber bullying programs into Government primary schools across Tasmania.
The Government’s $3 million partnership with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation will roll-out the 2017 Cyber Safety Pilot in cluster schools in the north and south of the State. The program model has been provided to all school principals during Term 4.
Call for Expressions of Interest for high schools wanting to extend to Year 12 in 2018.
The EOI period opened on 16 November 2016 and closed on 9 December 2016. As a result, a further eight schools have been announced to extend to year 12 in 2018. Since 2014, there has been a 57% increase in enrolments in the first 12 high schools to extend. By 2018, a total of 38 schools will have extended to year 12.
Provide first annual statement of outcomes from the Making the Future partnership 2015-2025 between the Government and UTAS, focusing on increasing tertiary education.
Released 23 December 2016. The Government is committed to working in partnership with UTAS to increase education results, improve economic outcomes and increase productivity in Tasmania.
Commence independent review of VET in schools to ensure more students achieve meaningful qualifications.
The independent review into vocational education and training is being undertaken as part of the review into the way education is provided in Years 9-12. The review is being undertaken by the Australian Council for Educational Research.
Commence professional learning for teachers and principals for the
Professional learning for principals has taken place, and digitally-based professional learning for principals has been available from 10
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Respectful Relationships program under the Family Violence Action Plan.
November. The program will be rolled out in all schools from Term 1, 2017 as committed in the Family Violence Implementation Plan.
Completion of capital works at the School of Special Education North West.
Due to delays caused by weather, all capital works will now be completed by the end of February 2017. The $4.5 million refurbishment of the former Acton School site will accommodate students of School of Special Education North-West, currently using facilities on the Hellyer College site.
Commence delivery of stage 2 curriculum resources reflecting Tasmanian Aboriginal history and culture, available to all Government schools from Term 4, 2016.
Teacher professional learning resources were released in October 2016, with two curriculum resources trialled in selected schools. Continued testing on teacher resources is underway, and will be available in all schools from Term 1, 2017. Curriculum resource videos are online and available to all staff to view.
PRIORITY AREA 5: PROTECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE Initiative Implement Initiatives
2016-17
Progress Budget
Implementation has commenced for the majority of initiatives.
Commence construction of new crisis accommodation in Hobart as part of the Tasmanian Family Violence Action Plan.
Construction will now commence in the first quarter of 2017, following delays in finding a suitable site for the new centre. The new crisis accommodation will allow for a 30% increase in capacity (from 47 beds to an estimated 70 beds).
Continue to progress the next tranche of amendments to give effect to the recommendations of the Sentencing Advisory Council on sex offence sentencing and the Government’s commitment to mandatory sentences for serious child sexual offences.
The Sentencing Advisory Council’s final report on the Mandatory Sentencing for Serious Sex Offences against children was released on 15 November 2016. The Government has agreed in principle with the advice provided by the SAC in relation to the offences that should carry mandatory minimum sentences and the level of mandatory minimum sentence applicable to these offences, and will legislate in 2017 to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for perpetrators who commit serious sexual offences against children.
Launch of new 10 year Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy 2017-2026 and new road safety initiatives after significant public consultation.
The Towards Zero – Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy 2017-2026 was launched on 19 December 2016, providing a blueprint for the Government’s road safety efforts over the next decade, to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Tasmanian roads by targeting highest risk areas.
Launch second round of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) scholarships, to encourage greater Board diversity and increased representation of women on Boards.
Scholarships presented to 19 women on 28 November 2016 through a partnership between the Government and AICD as part of the Government’s Women on Boards Strategy, to increase the representation of women on government boards to 50 per cent by 2020. Since 2015, the percentage of female representation has increased from 33.8% to 39.5%.
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Completion and review of one year trial of duty lawyer services, providing assistance to clients in the Magistrates Court who would otherwise not be represented.
The trial of duty lawyers services commenced in December 2015. This has delayed the timeframe for the one-year review, which has now commenced and is expected to be completed in early 2017.
Introduce legislation to provide Constitutional recognition for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community as our first peoples.
This historic legislation passed both Houses of Parliament on 26 October, with Aboriginal People to be finally recognised in the Tasmanian Constitution as Tasmania’s first people, bringing Tasmania into line with all other States of Australia.
Progress Emergency Services Computer Aided Dispatch (ESCAD) project to improve the safety of all emergency workers including firefighters.
System configuration, testing and planning for the delivery of training commenced in December 2016. The new $15.3 million ESCAD project will link all emergency services, including Ambulance, SES, Police and the Tasmanian Fire Service, and improve the safety of all emergency workers. The project will be ready by October 2017.
