Latest news with #DavidMichael
West Australian
01-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Port of Albany increased grain ship capacity ‘several' years away and more than $10 million in planning
Bigger grain and fertiliser ships could one day berth at the Port of Albany, but it will take 'several years' and more than $10 million in planning before the project breaks ground. The Port of Albany received $10.8 million in the recent State Budget for the design and redevelopment of Berth 1 and Berth 2 to support an increased capacity for grain, fertiliser and mineral sands exports. A State Government spokeswoman said the funding would bankroll engineering designs, preliminary environmental studies and regulatory approvals to 'inform a business case' for an upgraded general purpose berth at the port. Southern Ports has engaged British professional services company Arup to support the planning work as head consultancy. 'Early planning work is already under way but given its nature and complexity, is expected to take several years to complete,' she said. 'Any upgrades to berth capacity would deliver numerous State and regional benefits for farmers, including sustaining demand for grain exports to global markets, as well as the import of fertiliser each year to support higher grower yields. 'More broadly, future development of the Port would also position it for growth in additional grain exports, cruise tourism, fertiliser imports, project cargo such as wind turbines, other dry bulk, and contribute to the ongoing economic prosperity of the Great Southern region.' Grain export records tumbled at the Port of Albany in 2022-23, powered by WA farmers' record grain harvest of 26 million tonnes, with a history-making 4.1Mt exported from the Great Southern port that year. Planning and development work for upgrades at the Port of Albany were promised by WA Labor in February prior to the State Election, with then-ports minister David Michael describing the upgrades as 'critical for the ongoing strength of our local industries and economy'. Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks welcomed the funding and said it built on work 'already under way'. 'It allows us to progress the early designs and environmental studies required to bring the project a step closer,' he said. 'This planning and development work to renew our critical but ageing berth infrastructure is essential to the Port of Albany's future and its continued role in driving trade, cruise tourism and economic prosperity within the Great Southern region.' Farmers in the Albany Port Zone produced their biggest crop on record last harvest at 5.27 million tonnes, nearly all of which was destined to be shipped to various export markets from the Port of Albany. A CBH spokesman said the co-operative welcomed the investment into regional port infrastructure and it 'looks forwards to engaging with port authorities'. Grain production is expected to increase across as farmers across the region start to use more paddocks for cropping, rather than livestock production, as WA's sheep flock continues to decline.
Perth Now
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Balcatta Etna FC kicks off new era
A new era for Balcatta Etna Football Club has kicked off with a $2.5 million upgrade to their home ground now complete. A grand opening of the new facilities at Grindleford Reserve was held this month, coinciding with a twilight clash between Balcatta Etna and Perth Soccer Club — the first played under the new 200 lux floodlights. As well as the lighting upgrade to the main field and training area, the club's amenities were refurbished as part of the project jointly funded by the City of Stirling and the State Government. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The upgrades included renovations to the kitchen, improved access to toilet facilities, more storage, and enhancements to the roof structure above the spectator area. Regarded as one of Perth's premier soccer clubs, Balcatta Etna FC is one of just four in WA to field both men's and women's teams in the National Premier Leagues. The club develops players from juniors all the way to the elite levels. President Peter Carlino said the upgrades had taken their home ground to the next level, not only for players but also for spectators. 'It's really about how it all comes together, particularly being able to play night games under lights,' Mr Carlino said. 'We now have the ability and the facilities to mix it with all the top teams.' (L-R) Balcatta MLA David Michael, City of Stirling Cr Teresa Olow, Balcatta Etna FC president Peter Carlino and City of Stirling Cr Lisa Thornton. Credit: Alex Verhagen City of Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said the city was proud to contribute $1.2m towards the facility upgrades. 'Balcatta Etna FC is part of our soccer heritage in the City of Stirling and has gone from strength to strength since it was founded almost 50 years ago,' Mr Irwin said. 'It's fantastic to see a successful community club get the first-rate facilities it deserves, from the new lighting to the renovated clubrooms.' The remaining $1.3m for the project came from the State Government, including $300,000 from the Women's World Cup legacy grants which supported improvements to female changerooms, player shelters and the grandstand. Balcatta MLA David Michael said the upgrades had been a long time coming. 'Grindleford Reserve is a vibrant community hub for Balcatta and the surrounding areas, but it's been in need of upgrades for some time now with the original clubrooms built back in the 1990s,' he said. 'With more people getting out and joining clubs like Balcatta Etna Football Club, these upgrades are really important in helping to support growth in participation from juniors right up to our veterans.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I just had a feeling': Davidson County man wins $100K from $50 scratch-off
LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — David Michael says he just had a good feeling when he purchased a $50 scratch-off that won him $100,000. 'I figured it would happen sooner or later,' said. 'I just had a feeling.' He purchased an $8 Million Money Maker from the Fast Fuels on Randolph Street in Thomasville. 'I actually wasn't going to go to the store that night because I was feeling a little sick, but I forced myself to go,' he laughed. Michael was in for a shock when he went home and started scratching his ticket. 'I saw a couple zeroes then another and another,' he recalled. 'I got lucky.' Michael arrived at lottery headquarters on Wednesday to collect his prize and took home $71,764 after required state and federal tax withholdings. He plans to use his winnings to build a pier on the lake where he lives. The $8 Million Money Maker game debuted in December with five $8 million top prizes and 10 $100,000 prizes. Four $8 million prizes and seven $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Moving on before cleaning up: Gas wells spark fears for the Kimberley
The regulator has now listed both the well-containing leases as pending cancellation, and said it prefers sites to be decommissioned and rehabilitated before cancellation takes place, because this facilitates access arrangements. Rey Resources, which sold the subsidiary and wells but remains their operator, has no apparent use for them and ascribes little value to them; before the sale it wrote down their value from nearly $5 million to $400,000 and its latest shareholder update gives no mention of them in its text or tenements map. But rather than plan decommissioning or rehabilitation, after the government knocked back its last environmental plans for the sites, Rey Resources lodged two fresh plans for only annual inspections and maintenance. Environmental group Lock the Gate says they also contain multiple inaccuracies; they do not reference or address the 44 breaches the regulator identified in 2021 that gave rise to the recent government directions notice, instead referencing a nearly decade-old inspection. They also refer to tanks and fences that Lock the Gate says no longer exist on the sites, and security measures Lock the Gate says were also not executed. Lock the Gate also says they contain passages that are obvious remnants of older documents. DEMIRS has estimated the cost to close an abandoned gas well at $1.5 million but that was in 2021 and an easier location, leading Lock the Gate to estimate that the clean-up for these three wells could exceed $5 million given their greater number. Operator Rey Resources hopes to strike it rich from its other leases, including the huge Derby Block tenement covering King Sound and the land adjacent to the wells. Shortly before announcing the China Guoxin deal, Rey applied to clear more than 3000 kilometres of grid lines across Derby Block for seismic testing, prompting fears from Lock the Gate that it lacked either the serious intention or capabilities to safely carry out such work in this high-value location, which is also subject to floods, extreme tides and cyclones. The applications then disappeared and in March, Rey lodged a new plan for Derby Block, which the regulator says it is 'screening'. The WA government has also listed the Derby Block tenement as under 12-month suspension with an extension application lodged in September 2024 for a second year. Rey Resources recently advised investors it was 'actively contacting with Native Title holders and landowners for the land access for the proposed 3D Seismic survey' and 'working with consultant [sic] for the update of [Derby Block's] seismic environmental plan.' It remains unclear whether the department intends to issue further directions notices to China Guoxin/Gulliver Productions regarding the two other wells. Rey Resources did not respond to a request for comment. Attempts to contact China Guoxin Investment Holdings were unsuccessful. Environs Kimberley executive director Martin Pritchard said Minister for Mines and Petroleum David Michael needed to take charge before this evolved into a 'Northern Endeavour' situation, referring to the ageing disused oil vessel Woodside sold to an inexperienced company that failed and left the federal government with an enormous clean-up bill. 'We're calling on Minister Michael to explain how taxpayers will not become liable,' Pritchard said. 'Oil and gas companies appear to have free rein in the Kimberley to undertake exploration, but it looks like existing legislation is failing to ensure that industry cleans up the mess.' Lock the Gate says the government should permanently remove these tenements, which could represent the beginning of an extensive fracking industry in the region. Minister Michael said the safe, timely and responsible decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure was a government priority. He said the complexity of ownership and operational history at particular sites often required thorough due diligence to resolve liability, which DEMIRS prioritised to ensure compliance. In March 2024, he said, DEMIRS released a new guideline outlining the requirements for decommissioning of petroleum and geothermal energy assets, including wells, in WA's onshore areas and state coastal waters.
The Age
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Moving on before cleaning up: Gas wells spark fears for the Kimberley
The regulator has now listed both the well-containing leases as pending cancellation, and said it prefers sites to be decommissioned and rehabilitated before cancellation takes place, because this facilitates access arrangements. Rey Resources, which sold the subsidiary and wells but remains their operator, has no apparent use for them and ascribes little value to them; before the sale it wrote down their value from nearly $5 million to $400,000 and its latest shareholder update gives no mention of them in its text or tenements map. But rather than plan decommissioning or rehabilitation, after the government knocked back its last environmental plans for the sites, Rey Resources lodged two fresh plans for only annual inspections and maintenance. Environmental group Lock the Gate says they also contain multiple inaccuracies; they do not reference or address the 44 breaches the regulator identified in 2021 that gave rise to the recent government directions notice, instead referencing a nearly decade-old inspection. They also refer to tanks and fences that Lock the Gate says no longer exist on the sites, and security measures Lock the Gate says were also not executed. Lock the Gate also says they contain passages that are obvious remnants of older documents. DEMIRS has estimated the cost to close an abandoned gas well at $1.5 million but that was in 2021 and an easier location, leading Lock the Gate to estimate that the clean-up for these three wells could exceed $5 million given their greater number. Operator Rey Resources hopes to strike it rich from its other leases, including the huge Derby Block tenement covering King Sound and the land adjacent to the wells. Shortly before announcing the China Guoxin deal, Rey applied to clear more than 3000 kilometres of grid lines across Derby Block for seismic testing, prompting fears from Lock the Gate that it lacked either the serious intention or capabilities to safely carry out such work in this high-value location, which is also subject to floods, extreme tides and cyclones. The applications then disappeared and in March, Rey lodged a new plan for Derby Block, which the regulator says it is 'screening'. The WA government has also listed the Derby Block tenement as under 12-month suspension with an extension application lodged in September 2024 for a second year. Rey Resources recently advised investors it was 'actively contacting with Native Title holders and landowners for the land access for the proposed 3D Seismic survey' and 'working with consultant [sic] for the update of [Derby Block's] seismic environmental plan.' It remains unclear whether the department intends to issue further directions notices to China Guoxin/Gulliver Productions regarding the two other wells. Rey Resources did not respond to a request for comment. Attempts to contact China Guoxin Investment Holdings were unsuccessful. Environs Kimberley executive director Martin Pritchard said Minister for Mines and Petroleum David Michael needed to take charge before this evolved into a 'Northern Endeavour' situation, referring to the ageing disused oil vessel Woodside sold to an inexperienced company that failed and left the federal government with an enormous clean-up bill. 'We're calling on Minister Michael to explain how taxpayers will not become liable,' Pritchard said. 'Oil and gas companies appear to have free rein in the Kimberley to undertake exploration, but it looks like existing legislation is failing to ensure that industry cleans up the mess.' Lock the Gate says the government should permanently remove these tenements, which could represent the beginning of an extensive fracking industry in the region. Minister Michael said the safe, timely and responsible decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure was a government priority. He said the complexity of ownership and operational history at particular sites often required thorough due diligence to resolve liability, which DEMIRS prioritised to ensure compliance. In March 2024, he said, DEMIRS released a new guideline outlining the requirements for decommissioning of petroleum and geothermal energy assets, including wells, in WA's onshore areas and state coastal waters.
