WITH trees being clearfelled for subdivisions across the city, Bayswater council is calling on the WA Planning Commission to help stop suburban deforestation. This week Bayswater councillor Giorgia Johnson tabled a notice of motion requesting their CEO write to the WAPC to retain “worthy” trees when land is subdivided. The city hopes the new rule…

AT the same April 30 meeting, Bayswater council voted to allow trees on private land to be added to the city’s significant tree register”. The register currently only protects trees on public land, with 23 listed so far. Under the new rules landowners will be able to nominate trees on their own land, and once…

A LOOMING federal election and echoes from Christchurch helped push up numbers at this year’s Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees in Perth. More than 15 church and community groups took part this year, marching from St George’s Cathedral in the city. This year’s marchers called for “a reform of the whole detention system,” said Uniting…

ONE man’s vigilance has hopefully ended untold litres of drinking water being wasted at Robertson Park in Vincent. Over the last few months leaks have been mysteriously springing up in the park, leading to huge pools of pristine water at the Palmerston Street side. Chris Hair lives across the road and is a long-time member…

UNDERPAYMENT by 7-Eleven franchisees to its employees has revealed widespread workplace exploitation of temporary migrant and working holiday visa holders in Australia. A new report by the Migrant Workers Taskforce has twenty-two recommendations to improve the protection of vulnerable visa workers, including criminal sanctions for serious cases of worker exploitation and educating Australian employers about…

A PERMANENT green light crossing is on the way for busy Charles Street near Kyilla Primary School, following a push for better safety from parents. Perth MP John Carey held a survey asking people what to do about Charles Street’s pedestrian-unfriendly stretch in North Perth, which separates the school from the residential blocks to the…

LABOR has pledged to create a $1 million “music hub” in Leederville if it wins the federal election on May 18. The hub would be located at the YMCA headquarters, just off Oxford Street, and include a rehearsal space, soundproof studios, instruments and gear. Perth federal Labor MP Patrick Gorman says: “Labor wants to realise…

THE public toilet is art in a new Perth exhibition focusing on gay ‘beats’ – public areas frequented by men seeking sex with men. Looking now anyone here? by artists Benjamin Bannan, Brent Harrison and Wade Taylor examines the function, aesthetics and architecture of public toilets that served as a refuge for male sex in…