Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It may be only the start of the new parliamentary year, but there are already some great things happening in the electorate of Swan that need to be brought to the attention of the House. The recess is always a good time for making progress on local issues in the electorate, and the good news I am about to announce is thanks to the hard work of many people over the summer months.

Back in August I spoke about my disappointment at Airservices Australia's cancellation of a planned Perth night-time noise respite trial that was set to test the aircraft noise sharing of flightpaths in my electorate. I pledged to work to have the trial reintroduced, and we have been working behind the scenes to come up with a proposal acceptable to most parties, including, crucially, the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman. I pleased to be able to inform the House that it has been announced today that a night-time respite trial will proceed over the following dates: 15 February to 6 March; 7 March to 20 March; and 21 March to 10 April. I will have much more to say on this when a longer speaking opportunity arises, but I wanted to share this news with my constituents today.

Secondly, I can inform the House that, as part of the Swan-Canning River Recovery Program, the hydrocotyle management plan has been finalised. I have worked for many years towards eradicating the aquatic weed hydrocotyle from the Canning River, and this is now in sight with the completion of a 100-page blueprint. I thank the environment minister for continuing to back the Swan-Canning River Recovery Program and look forward to expanding on this in the near future, particularly with the local volunteer groups, who are working hard to eradicate the hydrocotyle weed.