Latest news with #MatthewSwinbourn
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
State Government bid to bring accommodation to Kings Park falls short with community left divided
A bold push to allow tourist accommodation in Kings Park has seemingly fizzled out after last year's tiny cabin trial, with neither the Tourism Minister or Environment Minister keen to talk about a future for overnight stays. The company that brought in the three tiny cabins last June around drawcard event Lightscape has also confirmed it won't be returning when the lights and sound spectacle returns next week. 'We really appreciated the opportunity to trial the concept at Kings Park and while the response was positive overall, we've decided to focus on our regional expansion for now,' a Heyscape spokesperson confirmed to PerthNow. WA's new Tourism Minister Reece Whitby, who was environment minister when the accommodation trial was supported, referred questions about the prospect of future accommodation for Kings Park to new Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn. Mr Swinbourn did not answer any of PerthNow's questions this week and a written response — attributed to a State Government spokesperson — was non-committal. 'The Heyscape overnight stay experience provided a novel, world-class experience in an extraordinary location,' the statement read. 'Any future proposals will be informed by the Heyscape review, which provides valuable insights into key considerations for accommodation experiences.' Last year's State Government-backed trial allowed the three cabins to be set up in the park for the three-week duration of Lightscape, providing a rare overnight accommodation experience for some of the event's 180,000 visitors. At the time, Premier Roger Cook called it a 'start of a new era for Kings Park' as the State Government explored new opportunities for hospitality and accommodation within the park. 'Kings Park is one of WA's best attractions and my government wants to bring Kings Park to life,' he said. 'That means more for visitors to do as they experience one of the world's biggest and best inner-city park.' But the accommodation audition drew a mixed response, with plenty taking issue with the $495 per night price tag for being too steep. Community group Friends of Kings Park also slammed the trial because of the potential to 'ruin' the A-class reserve.
The Age
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Perth got millions for new trees. Not a single one has been planted
Approaching a year since the state government promised $7.2 million to replant 16,000 trees devastated by a destructive beetle, not a single tree has been planted and none will hit the ground until at least May 2026. In response to concerns raised by Greens MLC Brad Pettitt in state parliament regarding the progress of the WA Tree Recovery program, including the number of applications received from local governments and residents, new Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said only that the 'program continues to progress'. The multimillion-dollar investment was to help replace thousands of trees affected by polyphagous shot-hole borer at Perth landmarks including Perth Zoo and Hyde Park. It comes after the news that the majority of trees and shrubs on the islands in Hyde Park's two lakes are now infested with shot-hole borer, and will need to be removed. Its eradication is a tough battle with no treatment options proven to be effective anywhere in the world – tree pruning and removal of infested trees is the only accepted way to stop the spread. City of Vincent Mayor Alison Xamon said the council just started its annual tree program with around 4000 new plants to be planted on Hyde Park islands this winter, including mature trees to bring back canopy quicker. She said minimising the loss of more trees to the borer was a priority for Vincent. 'The State Government grant funding is not yet available. As soon as it is released, we will apply,' she said. 'We will continue to seek additional funding support from state or federal government to ensure we not only replace, but increase our tree canopy coverage across Vincent.'
Sydney Morning Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Perth got millions for new trees. Not a single one has been planted
Approaching a year since the state government promised $7.2 million to replant 16,000 trees devastated by a destructive beetle, not a single tree has been planted and none will hit the ground until at least May 2026. In response to concerns raised by Greens MLC Brad Pettitt in state parliament regarding the progress of the WA Tree Recovery program, including the number of applications received from local governments and residents, new Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said only that the 'program continues to progress'. The multimillion-dollar investment was to help replace thousands of trees affected by polyphagous shot-hole borer at Perth landmarks including Perth Zoo and Hyde Park. It comes after the news that the majority of trees and shrubs on the islands in Hyde Park's two lakes are now infested with shot-hole borer, and will need to be removed. Its eradication is a tough battle with no treatment options proven to be effective anywhere in the world – tree pruning and removal of infested trees is the only accepted way to stop the spread. City of Vincent Mayor Alison Xamon said the council just started its annual tree program with around 4000 new plants to be planted on Hyde Park islands this winter, including mature trees to bring back canopy quicker. She said minimising the loss of more trees to the borer was a priority for Vincent. 'The State Government grant funding is not yet available. As soon as it is released, we will apply,' she said. 'We will continue to seek additional funding support from state or federal government to ensure we not only replace, but increase our tree canopy coverage across Vincent.'
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Burrup Peninsula industrial pollution has impacted Murujuga rock art: report
A long awaited scientific report suggests industrial emissions have damaged rocks in a globally significant ancient WA rock art gallery – though the damage occurred in decades when pollution was higher than current levels. The report into the Indigenous heritage site of Murujuga, on the Burrup Peninsula in WA's north-west – near gas giant Woodside's proposed expanded operations – sought to address years of scientific uncertainty over whether years of industrial pollution on the peninsula has affected the site, the subject of a World Heritage bid. The government released the report on Friday afternoon, a time in which announcements typically attract less media scrutiny, and thus provoking the ire of traditional owners and the Greens, and coincidentally the day before the five-year anniversary of Rio Tinto's destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage site Juukan Gorge. The government said the program had delivered the largest and most reliable data set on rock art in the world, tracking air quality, rock surface chemistry, rainfall, and pH levels. Key findings of included science showed 'elevated porosity in an area near Dampier' during periods of significantly higher industrial emissions in the 1970s. It also said further research was required to investigate these processes, including the role of microbial activity. The report co-produced with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation also found that key air pollutants had dropped since 2014 and that there was no evidence acid rain or deposition was damaging the rock art. The report sets out interim Environmental Quality Criteria now being used to guide regulation of industrial emissions on the peninsula. Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said successful development of the interim Environmental Quality Criteria could not have been achieved without the knowledge and support of the Murujuga Circle of Elders, Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation Board, rangers and other personnel, 55 highly qualified scientists, a panel of independent expert peer reviewers and a stakeholder reference group.
The Age
23-05-2025
- General
- The Age
Burrup Peninsula industrial pollution has impacted Murujuga rock art: report
A long awaited scientific report suggests industrial emissions have damaged rocks in a globally significant ancient WA rock art gallery – though the damage occurred in decades when pollution was higher than current levels. The report into the Indigenous heritage site of Murujuga, on the Burrup Peninsula in WA's north-west – near gas giant Woodside's proposed expanded operations – sought to address years of scientific uncertainty over whether years of industrial pollution on the peninsula has affected the site, the subject of a World Heritage bid. The government released the report on Friday afternoon, a time in which announcements typically attract less media scrutiny, and thus provoking the ire of traditional owners and the Greens, and coincidentally the day before the five-year anniversary of Rio Tinto's destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage site Juukan Gorge. The government said the program had delivered the largest and most reliable data set on rock art in the world, tracking air quality, rock surface chemistry, rainfall, and pH levels. Key findings of included science showed 'elevated porosity in an area near Dampier' during periods of significantly higher industrial emissions in the 1970s. It also said further research was required to investigate these processes, including the role of microbial activity. The report co-produced with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation also found that key air pollutants had dropped since 2014 and that there was no evidence acid rain or deposition was damaging the rock art. The report sets out interim Environmental Quality Criteria now being used to guide regulation of industrial emissions on the peninsula. Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said successful development of the interim Environmental Quality Criteria could not have been achieved without the knowledge and support of the Murujuga Circle of Elders, Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation Board, rangers and other personnel, 55 highly qualified scientists, a panel of independent expert peer reviewers and a stakeholder reference group.
