Australia news live: Shark attack victim thanks donors after ‘incredibly difficult’ recovery; penguin parade gets flu shots

A significant investment is set to revolutionize apartment construction in Western Australia, with the National Reconstruction Fund committing $120 million to a $240 million advanced manufacturing project north of Perth. This initiative aims to produce up to 2,000 apartments annually once fully operational, addressing the region's housing needs.

The Built Living project, slated to commence by year's end, will leverage advanced manufacturing techniques to build residential apartments at scale. The project is a collaboration involving the National Reconstruction Fund, a $20 million grant from the Western Australian government, and a $100 million equity investment from Wesfarmers, a prominent retail conglomerate. Government officials state the project will deliver apartments up to 20% cheaper and 50% faster than conventional construction methods.

Industry Minister Tim Ayres highlighted the project's dual benefit: "Australia needs to build more homes, but we also need to build more capability. This project brings advanced manufacturing into the housing supply chain, lifting productivity and helping deliver more homes for Australians."

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Australia needs to build more homes, but we also need to build more capability. This project brings advanced manufacturing into the housing supply chain, lifting productivity and helping deliver more homes for Australians.

In separate news, Leah Stewart, who endured a severe shark attack at Sydney's Coogee beach, expressed gratitude to her supporters on GoFundMe. Stewart, who underwent multiple surgeries and had an arm amputated following the attack, described her recovery as "incredibly difficult" but expressed happiness at regaining independence and seeing "light after all of this."

Meanwhile, authorities on Phillip Island, south-west of Melbourne, have initiated a vaccination program for the island's 5,000-strong colony of little penguins against the H5 strain of bird flu. This measure follows the confirmed death of a seal from the flu, marking the first mainland mammal fatality from the disease. The penguins' predictable nightly return to their burrows makes them suitable candidates for the vaccination effort.

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After what has been an incredibly difficult few months, I’m so happy that I’ve progressed enough to build some independence, and I can finally see some light after all of this.