Perth Voice Interactive

JAMES PEART is Vincent’s new south ward councillor, picking up 44.41 per cent of the by-election vote to replace John Carey (who had to resign his seat after winning October’s mayoral vote).

An urban planner and a street coordinator for the Vincent to Perth merger campaign, Cr Peart beat out Mark Rossi (36.14 per cent) and Gary Simmons (19.45 per cent).

Endorsed by mayor Carey, Cr Peart also had the most visible campaign, with many shops and cafes hosting his posters.

Cr Peart says his priority now is to get up to speed with major projects like the bike plan, town centre spruce ups and the greening plan to make sure they’re delivered.

He also wants to keep a close eye on new developments popping up all over the city and make sure they’re not detrimental to the neighbourhood: “If developers are looking for flexibility in the standards, then they have to show that what they’re proposing is going to be a good thing for the neighbours and the community.”

He recently had a run in with one of these multi-dwellings himself. At last week’s council meeting then-Mr Peart stood up during public question time to oppose a development on Burgess Street in Leederville, where he lives.

He’d said the seven-unit development was “cheap and nasty,” and councillors agreed, rejecting the proposal. Cr Matt Buckels said “I can’t see a redeeming feature in this proposal”.

by DAVID BELL