PORT HEDLAND council is planning to follow Vincent’s lead in instituting a relationships declaration register, where any couple (straight, gay or elsewise) can declare their relationship. Port Hedland mayor Kelly Howlett got the idea when visiting Vincent last week and her council’s now asking the public what they think about the idea. It’d be the…

VINCENT mayor John Carey says he’s been getting the cold shoulder from other mayors after asking their councils to adopt transparency reforms at last week’s WA local government association conference. Mr Carey labelled it “The Day of Shame” when delegates from WA councils overwhelmingly rejected his proposals, 172 to 46, and says his peers haven’t…

VINCENT is living up to its reputation as WA’s funkiest council with a new mural cum public art work. The city has affixed eight lightboxes to a mural by artist Drew Stalker in the laneway beside St Michael’s restaurant on Beaufort Street. Every three months a new artist will be allowed to display their works…

MORE late night food options are needed for Perth to fight its reputation as an asleep-by-nine city, Perth councillor James Limnios says. This week the council approved continuing the food truck trial until next May to keep testing it out. Right now the trucks must shut at 10pm in most places, and in only one…

A MEN’S SHED in Bayswater is a step closer with the council identifying a preferred site at the corner of Kings Street and Raymond Avenue. The council has earmarked an existing 1000sqm shed, behind the Rangers HQ, used to store old furniture. Under the mooted plan, the men’s shed association would have access to half…

AROUND 100 Bayswater locals attended a meeting last week to brainstorm how to rejuvenate their city centre. The council wants to tszuj-up the area in and around King William Street and was pleased to see a healthy swathe of residents of all ages and backgrounds attend. Ideas included a farmers market, open air movies, better…

NORTH PERTH photographer Alex Cearns’ adorable dog photos have seen her selected for the “Day of the Dog” exhibit in Los Angeles. Other tourists looked at her strangely when she waited outside the Taj Mahal to frame the perfect shot of a couple of street dogs playing near the landmark. “They were playing and chasing…

BAYSWATER charges the lowest average rates in the metropolitan area, but the local ratepayers’ association says the figures don’t tell the full story. Peppermint Grove topped the rates list with a whopping average bill of $4161 (rubbish included) while Baysy was the cheapest at $1063.72, with a rates rise of 3.75 per cent. The second…

A FORMER ally of Sylvan Albert is backing the Bayswater mayor’s opponent at the October council elections. Sonia Turkington has authorised campaign material for Catherine Ehrhardt, who is going head-to-head with Cr Albert for the sole south ward seat. Ms Turkington was a close south ward ally of Cr Albert’s before stepping down from council…

EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY will splash $5 million on a new communications and arts hub at its Mount Lawley campus. New facilities, including design, visual art, fashion and animation, will be built over the next two years at a cost of $4m. The complex will include a new art gallery where students can showcase their works…