BAYSWATER mayor Sylvan Albert wants his council to extend public consultation on its $25 million revamp of the Frank Drago reserve, following community backlash over a “flawed” consultation process. The masterplan for the site was released Friday, giving the public just three days to submit and prepare deputations for the Monday night committee meeting. “The…

“INTERESTING” is how Michael Sutherland has described a portrait of himself, submitted to the prestigious Archibald Prize. “I don’t think there is much chance of me hanging it in my bedroom, it’s absolutely massive,” he quipped. “Art is in the eye of the beholder.” The Mt Lawley Liberal MP did several sittings for urban artist…

THE Perth Centre of Photography hosted its first show at the historic Lawton House, with eastern states photographer Mike Read winning the 2015 Iris Award. The 1911 West Perth mansion and its sprawling grounds on Colin Street were a far cry from the handsome but modest spot they had on Aberdeen Street for three years.…

A BUNCH of proud Maylands locals wants to transform Margaret Reserve into a community bijou. The small 1200sqm reserve has a playground, but locals want to widen its appeal so it can be used by all ages and members of the community. Kennedy Street Collective member Deborah Chinnery says the park will soon be in…

HIGHGATE local Susan Gontaszewski has put her hand up to run for Vincent’s south ward at October’s election. With Leederville Carnival organiser Jimmy Murphy already declaring and incumbent John Pintabona telling us he’ll run again, that means a three-horse race at least for the ward’s two seats. Mayor John Carey backs Ms Gontaszewski and Mr…

A HISTORY-RIDDLED grand house in West Perth once owned by a Perth beer baron is likely bound for the bulldozer, to be replaced with an eight-level, 21-apartment block. The house at 37 Mount Street was once owned by bearded brewery bigwig Thomas Wall Hardwick, born 1834 in Somersetshire who arrived in the colony in 1885.…

BAYSWATER city council is set to lift its ban on political advertising on bus stops and street benches. In 2012 the council voted to ban all political ads on community infrastructure outside the period when election writs are issued. With council elections looming on October 17, council officers have advised the ban won’t hold up…

TWO giant giraffes are bound for Eighth Avenue in Maylands. Bayswater city council has commissioned artist Anya Brock—renowned her for bold and colourful animal art—to paint the mural at 34 Eighth Avenue. “The giraffes were selected by the developer because of the shape of the building: tall and narrow,” says mayor Sylvan Albert. “Once the project…

PERTH city council’s elected members and senior executives will receive thousands of dollars’ worth of free tickets after voting this week to spend ratepayers’ funds sponsoring WA Ballet for $55,000, the 40under40 awards for $20,000 and the WA music industry association festival for $40,000. Lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi didn’t seem best pleased when Cr Reece…

PHOTOGRAPHER Russ Chambers spotted some flamboyant tiny spiders hiding in Noranda’s Lightning Swamp. The peacock spiders are only 4mm long and he first spotted them a few years back but they’re hard to photograph without a big honking lens. The little male critters have colourful behinds that they spread out like a fan and wiggle…