Perth Voice Interactive

NEARLY 100 people attended a council election forum at Bayswater bowling club Tuesday night.

Every candidate but two—Cr Mike Sabatino, looking after a family member, and central ward running mate Jonathan Jones, who was working—was present.

The evening kicked off with a three-minute spruik from each of the candidates: some addresses were personal and reflective, some political and some grandiose.

North ward candidate Brent Fleeton quoted Mahatma Ghandi while Jacquie Kelly promised to transcend the “factions and backroom deals” she said had plagued the council.

Candidates were then asked submitted questions on a wide range of issues, including parking in Maylands, sustainable transport, the environment, dogs off-leash at Riverside Gardens and retail.

“We need to utilise the laneways in the city to increase foot-traffic at night,” said mayor Sylvan Albert, seeking re-election to south ward.

“This will activate the area and help to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour.”

A Maylands shop owner in the crowd took aim at the city’s parking trial, saying since the introduction of half-hour parking bays in Maylands, their takings had halved.

Cr Albert defended the trial as part of a holistic approach to parking. His ward rival Catherine Ehrhardt said trialing pedestrian-only sections along Eighth Avenue would create vibrancy and increase foot traffic. “There is no easy fix, but we can try out ideas for very little money,” she says.

“We started the Maylands Markets for just $600. Getting the community involved and onboard is a key part of any idea being a success.”

The night was organised and hosted by community group The Bayswater Collective, which did a good job keeping proceedings moving along and preventing candidates from hogging the microphone.

Cr Albert had arranged to leave the forum early, due to a death in his family.

Election postal ballot forms have been sent out and are already being returned.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK