March 1999

Retail turnover up 11.2%

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that retail turnover rose 11.2% in the past 12 months, representing an extra $291 million sales during February compared with last year.

Fibre centre opened at Geelong

The International Fibre Centre at Geelong has been opened by the Premier, Mr Kennett.

MAS attends record number of emergencies

The Metropolitan Ambulance Service attended more than 47,500 emergency cases - an average of more than 500 per day - in the December quarter of 1998.

200 new jobs in automotive industry

A new $9-million automotive electronics centre in Carrum Downs will create 200 jobs over four years.

Y2K budget boosted

The State Government has allocated an extra $133.5 million to prepare the Victorian public sector against the Millennium Bug.

Cruise ships boost economy

The visit of P&O’s Sky Princess to Melbourne — the 26th cruise ship to visit this season, between the months of November and March — marked the conclusion of Victoria's best ever cruise shipping season.

Public consultation on Health Services Act

The Minister for Health, Rob Knowles, has launched a consultant’s review into the Health Services Act and urges the community to take part in the ensuing eight-week consultation process.

Gaming venues restricted in strip shopping centres

The Minister for Planning and Local Government, Robert Maclellan, has approved a list of 361 strip shopping centres across metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong as locations where new gaming venues will either be restricted or excluded.

Vehicle registrations highlight confidence

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Victoria recorded the highest increase in new motor vehicle registrations in the 12 months to February.

Ecogen Energy sold

The sale of the assets of Generation Victoria, trading as Ecogen Energy, to the AES Corporation for $350 million completes the sales under Victoria's electricity reform program.

Capital works funding for disability agencies

Disability services agencies will be able to access Victorian Government grants of up to $400,000 following the establishment of a new $6-million fund.

OneLink gets the go-ahead

The Public Transport Corporation (PTC) has announced that it has granted commissioning for the Metcard automated ticketing system.

Curriculum to be simplified

The school curriculum in Victoria is to be simplified based on a recent report by the Board of Studies.

Amendments to the Coroners Act

Legislative changes to the Coroners Act proposed in a Bill introduced into State Parliament are designed to enhance the role of the State Coroner in preventing avoidable deaths and improve the operation of the coronial system in Victoria.

Regulation of video surveillance devices

A Surveillance Devices Bill, to protect private conversations and activity from being recorded on video, has been introduced in Parliament. The new Bill will replace the Listening Devices Act 1969 and extend it to a broader range of surveillance devices.

Scams outlawed in new Fair Trading Bill

Victorian consumers and business will have greater protection against some of the most common scams with the introduction of the Fair Trading Bill in Parliament by the Minister for Fair Trading, Jan Wade.

New sentencing option for young offenders

Young adult offenders will be given an opportunity to resolve their criminal behavior under a new sentencing option in an amendment to the Sentencing Act.

Local content high in new laboratory

A new $4-million car-emissions laboratory at Toyota's Altona plant has been opened by Industry Minister, Mark Birrell.

Telecommunications Code of Practice

Victorian is to get a Code of Practice for telecommunications that will provide a single set of performance based planning principles for the whole State.

$21m more for problem gambling

The Victorian Government has committed a further $21 million over the next three years to fund a range of services and research related to problem gambling.

Labor’s sums don’t add up

The Treasurer, Alan Stockdale, said a study of Labor's costing document released in February showed the Opposition would be facing a shortfall of at least $129 million, by relying on estimates about privatisation and executive salary savings.

Restructuring of Victorian superannuation funds

The State Government will separate administrative arrangements for two State superannuation funds to improve services for more than 190,000 members.

New law to encourage Y2K disclosure

The State Government has introduced a Bill into State Parliament to encourage voluntary disclosure and exchange of information among business and industry about Year 2000 problems.

Farmers going on-line

The State Government has launched the $100,000 Smart Country program to encourage farmers to increase their Internet awareness.

TD Williamson buys Pipex for $4.52 million

PIPEX, a business unit of Gas Services Business Pty Ltd , has been sold to the US based TD Williamson Inc for $4.52m.

Help for over-45 job seekers

The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Mark Birrell, has launched a new employment plan for jobseekers over the age of 45.

Low-floor ‘easy-access’ trams for Melbourne

As part of the Government’s public transport franchising program, 90 low-floor trams will progressively start operating between 2002 and 2004 to replace the current fleet of Z1/Z2-class trams.

Successes for school VET programs

An independent study by Melbourne University has confirmed the success of Vocational education and training (VET) programs in schools.

Concern for regional waterways

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Patrick McNamara, responding to the Labor Party’s plan to abolish the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) levy, said he feared that the move would lead to a cessation in much-needed environmental works in regional Victoria.

Help for Koori business participation

The Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Ann Henderson, has launched a State Government policy initiative aimed at promoting a healthy Koori business sector.

Service to promote women for government boards

The Premier, Mr Kennett has launched VicWomen, a service that will replace the Victorian Women’s Register in providing a register for government departments seeking Victorian women for leadership roles on government boards and committees.

Students to get involved in fighting crime

Students will join forces with the police, local councils and other community agencies to fight underage drinking, vandalism and misuse of public areas under the Student Action Teams project.

Stratus Network/Energy 21 sold for $1.67 billion

The Treasurer, Alan Stockdale, has announced the sale of the gas distribution and retail companies Stratus Networks and Energy 21 to a consortium of the Australian-owned Boral Energy and Envestra Limited for $1.67 billion.

Record intake for Victorian Youth Development Program

In a record intake since its inception in 1997 when it was established, 1150 students from 41 schools will join the Victorian Youth Development Program.

Multinet/Ikon Energy privatised

Victoria's second gas distribution and retail companies, Multinet and Ikon Energy, have been sold to The Energy Partnership, comprising 50 per cent Utilicorp United Inc. and 50 per cent Australian investment manager AMP, for $1.97 billion.

Plan to improve teacher quality

The Minister for Education, Phil Gude, has released a plan to ensure high quality teacher graduates, based on the recommendations of the  Report of the Review of Graduate Teacher Outcomes.

$45m of TAFE capital works

The Minister for Tertiary Education and Training Phil Honeywood has announced a $45.7 million capital works program for nine TAFE colleges in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

$95m cut recommended to grants to Vic.

The Commonwealth Grants Commission has recommended a $95 million annual cut in Victorian grants.

Moody's revises Vic. to "Aa1 positive"

International ratings agency Moody's Investors Services has revised Victoria's domestic debt rating from Aa1 stable to Aa1 positive - the final step before an AAA rating.

For earlier news stories see our Archives.  For the latest New Releases from the Victorian Government's main media releases page, see What's New.

Page last changed Friday, 04-Jun-2004 05:19:35 EDT

(other news from the Government's web site main media releases page and other releases)

The re-emergence of strip shopping centres throughout Victoria will be examined at the second National "Power In Numbers" Congress on May 30 and 31, 1999. (31 Mar)

Mr Lance Pilgrim, a former president of the Guardianship and Administration Board, deputy president at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and Magistrate has been appointed as a new County Court judge. ( 31 Mar)

State Housing Minister Ann Henderson has officially opened a new $6.8-million housing development for older people in Moonee Ponds. ( 30 Mar)

Rushworth’s 1000 residents will enjoy drinking water that meets World Health Organisation standards following the opening of a new $1.6-million water-treatment plant there. (30 Mar)

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Patrick McNamara, has announced a new five-year plan for the meat industry aimed at securing a reliable supply of competitive product through projects centred on food safety, eating quality, skills development and improving farm productivity. (29 Mar)

A new Dairy Industry Research Project will hopefully save 10% in costs related to inefficiencies and effect a 5% decrease in losses caused by mastitis over the next six years. (26 Mar)

Victorian and South Australian Agriculture Ministers are to meet with the Australian Animal Health Council to clarify the national agreement on cross border controls for Ovine Johne’s Disease. ( 29 Mar)

Amendment VC5 to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPPs) has been gazetted. Amendment VC5 contains a number of operational improvements to the VPPs and various schemes designed to empower the council, as the Responsible Authority, to make the final decision about development proposals within its municipality. (25 Mar)

The Minister for Conservation and Land Management has approved the issuing of strictly controlled permits for the use of allowed chemicals to control cockatoos, corellas and galahs, but only where severe economic damage can be demonstrated.   (24 Mar)

Commercial fishermen have been banned from catching prawns in ocean waters off the Gippsland Lakes because of the toxic algal bloom. (23 Mar)

Detailed plans for Melbourne’s new $27-million Hockey and Netball Centre in Royal Park have been released. (23 Mar)

Women in country Victoria are being encouraged to apply for the 1999 Rural Women's Leadership Bursaries. (21 Mar)

The State Government had committed $14 million to mark the centenary of Federation in 2001. (19 Mar)

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has issued permits to the RSPCA to look for injured game birds on a number of Victorian wetlands during the duck season, thus removing any need for unauthorised people to be on the wetlands. (18 Mar)

Victoria is sending the largest contingent of any Australian state to the world premier information technology trade fair, CeBIT 99, in Germany. The fair runs till March 24. (18 Mar)

The Minister for Fair Trading, Jan Wade, has launched the new edition of Senior Power, a consumer rights magazine for senior citizens designed to help them make informed decisions on a range of consumer issues. The magazine is produced by the Office of Fair Trading and Business. (17 Mar)

Three wetlands are closed to duck hunters until further notice in order to protect the freckled duck, which is considered a threatened species. The three wetlands are the Wool Wool Rocks area of Lake Corangamite, Lake Nurrumbeet and Johnson Swamp. (16 Mar)

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Graham Rouch, is advising young adults to be immunised against measles following an outbreak of the disease in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. All but three of the 25 confirmed cases were between the ages of 18–26. (16 Mar)

The 1999 Victorian Fair Trading Awards for businesses that demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality of customer service has been launched by the Minister for Fair Trading, Jan Wade. The awards are in their fifth year. ( 15 Mar)

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Mr Patrick McNamara, has invited tenders for the right to be the sole applicant for the exploration licences in the Murray Basin surrounding the WIM150 areas in Victoria's Wimmera region. (15 Mar)

Victoria is emerging as a premier backpacker destination, which market is now bringing $170 million annually to the Victorian economy. (12 Mar)

The Federal and State Governments have committed another $10 million to the home care help package that allows Victoria's frail elderly to continue living in the community, bringing the total funding for the Home and Community Care program to more than $235 million each year in Victoria. (12Mar)

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Victorian, South Australian and Commonwealth Governmen to provide cross-border conservation in the Murray Mallee country. (12 Mar)

A new one-stop business information and support centre has been opened in Geelong. (12 Mar)

More than $820,000 will be allocated to six performing arts centres in country Victoria under the latest funding round of the Regional Performing Arts Centres Development Program. (12 Mar)

A $16.3m contract has been awarded to DMR Consulting Group (Australia) Ltd to provide a new computer system for VicRoads which issues and renews driver licences, as well as records and manages demerit points and driving convictions, and which is expected to bring faster service and greater efficiencies for customers. (12 Mar)

Country Victorians were enjoying an 18% reduction in prices and higher water quality due to a $450-million capital works on the Victorian water system, according to the Treasurer, Alan Stockdale. (11 Mar)

An extensive review of the State’s wildlife reserves has led to them being classified either as State Game Reserves where duck hunting is permitted or as Nature Conservation Reserves where it is not. (11 Mar)

The State Government is addressing traffic concerns identified in the recent RACV Red Spot survey, with improvements are taking place at nine Red Spot locations during 1999 at a total cost of $5 million. (11 Mar)

The Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs has launched the first Memorandum of Understanding in Victoria signed between a local council and their traditional indigenous community, entered into by the City of Port Phillip (11 Mar).

The success of ADI Ltd in winning the contract to supply 350 Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles to the Australian Army is expected to create 40 jobs in Bendigo and further jobs if projected sales are realised. (11 Mar)

The Minister for Fair Trading has taken steps to address delays and other complaints about the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. (10 Mar)

The State Government has signed contracts with Santos, Boral and Texas Utilities Australia (TUA) to open a new source of gas supply for the State from the Otway Basin in south-west Victoria, providing up to 100 terajoules of gas a day in reserve supplies, as part of the Government's objective to secure 20 per cent of alternative supplies for expected peak demand during winter.(10 Mar)

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has launched a Five Year Grains Strategy, which aims to expand the industry's capacity to meet customer needs for high quality, safe foods from environmentally sustainable production systems, through five priority areas for departmental activity to be delivered through large projects.(10 Mar)

The Premier, Mr Kennett, proposed to form a national Coalition for Employment to pressure the Senate to overturn its decision to abolish junior wages. (9 Mar)

An exhibition of more than 40 ceramic portraits of prominent Victorian women, entitled Return of the Goddess, will be held in Queens Hall, Parliament House, next month to celebrate the contribution of a number of the State's leading women in a range of different areas.(8 Mar)

Victoria’s 31,000 game-licence holders will receive a copy of this year’s Victorian Hunting Guide from the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment by mail. (5 Mar)

State and Territory Housing Ministers have unanimously agreed they cannot sign the Commonwealth's proposed Commonwealth State Housing Agreement at this time because it would lead to reductions in housing services, and have also unanimously rejected a Commonwealth proposal which would abolish capital funding and move to recurrent funding only in 2003. (5 Mar)

The Minister for Planning and Local Government, Robert Maclellan, has approved Melbourne City Council's new format planning scheme. (4 Mar)

The State Government is sponsoring new awards, the DesignTech Awards, aimed at highlighting design excellence within the Victorian automotive industry. (3 Mar)

A 10,000 hectare eucalyptus plantation is to be established on cleared agricultural land in the State's North-east, and is expected to create 150 jobs. (3 Mar)

A new state-of-the-art State Weightlifting Training Centre is to be established in Hawthorn.(3 Mar)

Victorian farmers will have access to timely and accurate information on the newly-launched  TOPCROP site. (3 Mar)

The Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Mr Patrick McNamara, has urged regional employers to take advantage of the Federal Government’s additional $1000 Rural and Regional New Apprenticeships incentive aimed at dealing with the shortage of skilled rural workers. (2 Mar)

A program of events has been released for International Women's Day on 8 March - see the web page (2 Mar)

Reclaimed water will be turned into fine Victorian wine under a new agreement between Barwon Water and the Scotchman’s Hill Group, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Patrick McNamara has announced. (2 Mar)

The national plumbers union has withdrawn its application of last December to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission for a new wage structure for apprentices. The union, part of the CEPU (Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union) had wanted to set a national precedent by creating adult wages for apprentices at age 18. (1 Mar)

Special public transport services will be provided for the 1999 Grand Prix. (1 Mar)