IT’S meant to be a living wall but Perth council’s horizontal garden at the Northbridge Piazza looks more like the living dead. Formerly known as the “green wall” it’s been redubbed a “screening wall” in all recent council documentation, maybe because the predominant colours are now various shades of brown. Installed in 2009, many plants…

ANGST over plans to redevelop Charles Street is a storm in a teacup, Mt Lawley MP Michael Sutherland says. The Barnett government says its $31 million widening and bus lane project will cut an average of six minutes off a daily bus trip for about 16,000 passengers. It’s been dubbed an “urban design disaster” by…

SACRED HEART primary school kids got up close with the turtles this week in a class excursion to Hyde Park. The year 2 kids met UWA researchers Blaine Hodgson and associate professor Roberta Bencini who showed them some of the park’s oblong turtles. The pair are in the midst of a joint project with the…

BUNGANA and Brearley Lakes in Maylands are in such poor condition the wildlife is disappearing, say residents. Councillor Christine Ehrhardt says locals have brought their concerns to her about the recent loss of turtles, fish and birds, and she wants action pronto. The lakes were artificially created on clay pits filled from the Swan River,…

PERTH’S Bicycle Transport Alliance has folded. Despite the city’s bike network being riddled with gaps and blackspots, there will no longer be a lobby group to put pressure on the state government to fix them. The alliance wasn’t about lycra warriors or circuit racers, but ordinary bike riders heading to work or school. Chief executive…

STIRLING councillor David Michael will contest the seat of Balcatta at the state election for Labor. The seat is held by Liberal MP Chris Hatton on a 7.3 per cent margin. Cr Michael sought Labor pre-selection for the seat in 2013 but was defeated by Janet Pettigrew. This time, his was the only nomination. “Janet…

ONE year after Devilles Pad closed the venue was revived for a one-night only secret gig on Tuesday March 15. Arizona-based Tex-Mex indy rockers Calexico took the stage in what was billed as a warm-up for a new outfit operating out of the Aberdeen Street joint. It will be called the Badlands Bar. Industry website…