THE City of Vincent is proposing new “caretaker” rules to stop councillors splashing cash on policies that would boost their re-election chances. The new rules are designed “to protect the apolitical nature of the public sector and avoid the use of city resources that advantages a particular candidate,” a report to council states. Under the…

ARE you a senior still living at home but unsure what support services you are entitled to? How do you get started, find the information you need or access the services that are out there when you don’t know where to look? Council on the Ageing WA are helping older people remain independent by teaching…

I WAS so tempted to pick one of the rosy red apples peeking over the high wall outside this Perth home. But the manicured front garden had no snakes to beguile me and unlike Eve, I resisted. My reward was a delightful early 1900s tuck-pointed home with all the bells and whistles, including a colourful…

THE opening of the North Perth Common town square is just around the corner, with the centrepiece artwork installed this week.Western Power’s due to connect the lighting by the end of the month. Vincent mayor Emma Cole (pictured) says the new artwork will help make the new town square an “iconic visual landmark” for North…

PERTH council’s ruling commissioners are considering dropping generous heritage grants to privately-owned buildings. The city awards grants to heritage-listed buildings in need of restoration, but at the April 30 meeting commissioner Andrew Hammond threw a spanner in the works. “I’m not convinced that it is good public policy to invest ratepayer’s funds into privately owned…

MAYLANDS MP Lisa Baker wants to ban the export of Australian greyhounds to countries without animal cruelty laws. For years Ms Baker has fought for better treatment of greyhounds in Australia, arguing that overbreeding leads to “wastage”. Dogs that aren’t fast enough, don’t have a competitive nature or get injured are often killed. But dogs…

PERTH comic Sean Conway has apologised and paid $2000 to fellow comic Jimmy Kuratz over an attempted joke on social media after the latter complained he had been defamed. Conway had posted to a 30-odd member Facebook group created in the build-up to last December’s Flying Camel comedy awards at the Bassendean Hotel. But Kuratz…

JIMMY KURATZ says he pushes the boundaries of comedy by using harsh material and “offensive jokes”. “The content of these jokes is morally reprehensible, I accept that, but that is the reason I was doing these jokes, to see; could I push them over the line despite the content,” Kuratz said in a video posted…

BEING told by a professional photographer that WA was “culturally sterile” inspired local Dale Neil to create the Fremantle International Portrait Prize. Now in its fifth year, the biennial competition receives thousands of entries from across the globe and has $20,000 in prizes and cash up for grabs. Mr Neil, a professional snapper who also…

THERE’S good news for commuters struggling to get from public transport to their CBD offices on time. Signal changes at two of the city’s busiest intersections – William/Hay and William/Murray Streets – have created twice as many crossing opportunities for pedestrians. Gaye McMath, deputy chair commissioner of Perth council, said the changes would create a…