ERIC Singleton Bird Sanctuary in Bayswater is safe from developers after being rezoned from “urban” to “parks and recreation” by the state government. No development was earmarked for the sanctuary, which underwent an award-winning restoration in 2015, but the rezoning closes any planning loop holes. The move comes after the state government and Bayswater council…

“WHY’S the big blue head yellow?” is the question on the lips of Vincent locals. Turns out the sculpture in front of council offices has been painted yellow to celebrate the launch of the city’s outdoor events season. Mayor Emma Cole says: “We host so many fantastic and free outdoor events in Vincent during the…

A HISTORIC glory hole has been accepted into the WA Museum’s collection as a significant object in Perth’s LGBTI history. The hole had been cut through the door of a car park toilet block on the Albany Highway-side of the Gosnells train station and was used by gay men for covert sex and to find…

LEEDERVILLE has joined the ‘Jane’s Walk’ movement. The neighbourhood walking tours are named after late urban activist Jane Jacobs, who advocated people-first, city planning. Local volunteer town team, Leederville Connect, is hosting the free walks and held the inaugural stroll on November 25. Ms Jacobs died in 2006 and the first Jane’s Walk was held…

THERE will be more Aboriginal tourist attractions in Kings Park under a new government plan to entice more overseas and interstate visitors to Perth. The plan will see the WA Tourism Commission collaborate with the Rottnest Island Authority, the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and Perth Zoo. The state government has called for Aboriginal tourism…

TO get you in the Christmas spirit, there’s a stocking-full of events and activities around Voiceland. St Patrick’s Mt Lawley kicks it off with the return of the Mt Lawley Christmas Festival tomorrow, Sunday December 9. There’s an array of Christmas festivities along Beaufort Street with a visit from Santa, kids’ activities, artisan stalls, local…

Woolies profits as A Current Affair stokes racism A Voice Exclusive investigation A BIT of dodgy tabloid journalism by one of Australia’s flagship current affairs programs has led to Chinese-Australians being unfairly demonised and subjected to racist attacks. Viewers of Channel 9’s A Current Affair would be well familiar with its stories about Asian shoppers…

BAYSWATER’S mission to become a hip suburb continued last weekend when council unveiled the first “parklet” in the town centre. By transforming on-street parking bays into a community space for the public, parklets have become a popular feature in cities like Vincent and Fremantle. Baysy’s first parklet is outside the .tbsp café on King William…

BAYSWATER is the first metropolitan council to let the community have a say on how its entire budget should be spent. Until January 31 residents can use an online budget tool to recommend how much is spent on different city services. A community panel will be formed to look at residents’ changes, and the panel…

NORANDA RETREAT is one of several retirement villages set to be off-loaded by Bayswater council as it undertakes a strategic review of its aged care residential services. Maintaining the council-owned villages has become financially onerous in recent years and Bayswater is already in negotiations about divesting Mertome Village to Hall & Prior and Heathley. Other…