Build it and Bunnings will come HUGE changes are planned for the former West Perth industrial zone dubbed ‘the Pickle District’, but the existing small businesses who revitalised the neighbourhood face being turfed out by a Bunnings megadevelopment. The site takes up half a city block and the private owner is planning to sell to…

HOMELESS services will have a harder time moving into Perth council’s demesne if a new motion by councillor Brent Fleeton is approved by colleagues.  He’s drawn up a motion to amend the city’s planning scheme to put them on safer ground if they reject applications like the recent instance of Ruah wanting to move a homeless…

WA TREASURER Mark McGowan’s latest budget was a missed opportunity to deal with climate change, while its centrepiece $400 electricity rebate was a “lazy” way of helping with household costs, says Greens MLC Brad Pettitt. The Chook caught up with Dr Pettitt as he was teasing out his budget reply and prepping up for this…

A NORTHBRIDGE drop-in centre for people living homeless that was denied an application to move will appeal Perth city council’s rejection.  Homeless services operator Ruah wanted to move its Shenton Street drop-in centre 270 metres away – about the distance of a Minjee Lee tee shot – to James Street, as the Shenton Street site’s…

ELECTRIC cars will soon be able to make a pitstop for a recharge in Vincent. The council has agreed to loan Evie Networks two car bays at Chelmsford carpark for two fast electric vehicle chargers. A few Vincent locals have been asking for public chargers and some residents wanted to install their own on the…

THE untold stories of Galup (Lake Monger) are rendered into virtual reality to bring the wetland’s history to the present in an upcoming free production. The nine-minute VR film was created by Noongar theatre-maker Ian Wilkes and artist and filmmaker Poppy van Oorde-Grainger, with an oral history from elder Doolann Leisha Eatts, based on their…

HUNDREDS of historical buildings are in line to be added to Perth council’s Local Heritage Survey after being passed over for protection for more than 20 years.  More than 700 old houses, shopfronts, inns were reviewed by heritage experts Element back in 2001 and recommended for inclusion on the LHS. Having the historical details recorded…

ONCE-UPON-A-TIME Herald advertising rep Mimi Kwa went on to make a mark in national television as a journo and news anchor with the ABC and Channel 9. She interviewed everyone from prime ministers to sporting stars like Serena Williams; Hollywood heavy hitter Russell Crowe once growled at her to “do something meaningful” with her life…