A redeveloped $3.5 million Maylands Peninsula Tavern—which includes a bigger Dan Murphy’s liquor barn—looks set to be approved despite the opposition of Bayswater city council, hundreds of ratepayers, the local MP and a planning assessment panel. The latest version of the Railway Parade pub and bottleshop proposal includes a 942sqm Dan Murphy’s outlet, courtyards and…

BLOOD is thicker than water, even amongst blue-blooded members of the Liberal party. Seeking re-election to Lawley ward, which he’s held for 20 years, Cr Rod Willox was stunned to discover Professor Ray Wills had nominated to run against him. Prof Wills is the brother of the Liberals’ Perth division president Fay Duda—and she is…

It’s back to square one for a catalina flying boat business, with the Swan River Trust ordering it to reapply for permission to land seaplanes on the river. SRT environment officer Jacey Mills this week wrote to Catalina Airlines stating its application had to be reconsidered—a year after the original application was lodged—because the proposed…

Submission defies demands to merge STIRLING city council has lodged its official submission with the WA local government advisory board to keep its boundaries intact, after several months of council rallies, adverts and social media campaigns promoting the status quo. Councillors voted to keep Stirling as is—its only concession being Hale Road which moves Churchlands,…

Stirling’s $1 million state-of-the-art playground is set to be pinched by the new Bayswater-Bassendean council in the forthcoming boundary amalgamations. Stirling city council spent three years painstakingly consulting with residents and community groups over the innovative Dianella playspace, officially opened by mayor David Boothman last week. But under the proposed Barnett council mergers the playground—which…

When engineer Luke Halpin decided local artists weren’t getting the support they needed from galleries, he made a drastic shift in his career and started up arts organisation Artlab. “We started to hear stories of people who had artwork stored up in their garages or their sheds, waiting for exhibition space, or waiting until they…

A very sparse looking turn-of-the-century Hyde Park, a 1913 look at family life in West Perth and the excitement of the opening of the Woolworths Variety Store in Leederville (right)are amongst the winners for Vincent’s local history photographic awards. Debbie Saunders, who operates the Oxford Street cafe 50mL, won an award for submitting photographs of…

When Dianella gardener Rae Conway spotted a rose the size of a dinner plate growing in her garden, she decided she had to share it. Ms Conway, who arrived from South Africa 16 years ago, called the Voice to say she didn’t think it was fair to keep the gigantic flower to herself, and invited…

Bayswater City Soccer Club hopes to break a 40-year hoodoo when it faces Stirling Lions in the premier league grand final on Saturday. Bayswater versus Stirling—could this be an omen for the looming council mergers? Baysy last reached the final in 1972—losing to East Fremantle—but a series of brilliant displays this season has got it…

Bayswater mayor Terry Kenyon is being sued by his lawyers for unpaid fees. Lavan Legal is seeking $324,767—plus interest and costs—for representing him in his defamation action against councillors Mike Sabatino and Mike Anderton. Cr Kenyon is contesting the bill and a directions hearing has been scheduled for November 6. The mayor is also being…