A FINAL hard rubbish collection is underway in Vincent, but the tradition of furnishing your house with verge findings has been killed off early with recent Covid concerns leading to a ban on rummaging through piles.
After decades of messy-but-fun verge collections, starting January 2022 the council’s running an 18 month trial of an on-request verge collection service.
The current collection was meant to be a last hurrah for scavengers, but the spectre of a Delta strain outbreak has seen them banned.
Council flyers advise residents “to prevent the spread of Covid-19, sifting through waste is strictly prohibited”.
Prior to Delta popping up in Perth a softer warning advised that removing material was “strongly discouraged” due to the risk of spreading Covid-19.
The new on-request collection trial came about after increasing complaints over prolonged periods of messy verges, and a decline in scavengings since many people now use online “buy nothing” communities to re-gift decent goods.
PERTH lord mayor Basil Zempilas has had no luck convincing premier Mark McGowan to drop the pricey Perth Parking Levy, with the tax on every city car bay going up 1.75 per cent this year.
The council has to pay the state government around $17.5 million this year, more than $1000 per bay. Private business owners pay as well, delivering the state coffers about $23m all up.
It goes to a state government fund intended to fix traffic congestion, increase pedestrian safety and improve the transport system.
The council feels the fund is rarely touched as the balance ticked past $95m in July last year.
This year’s increase adds another $380,000 the council has to find to balance its books.
At the July council meeting Mr Zempilas said he’d met with Mr McGowan in June and implored the premier to freeze the levy and audit the fund.
Both requests were turned down.
“Our council’s working hard to activate the city as we speak, and an increase in the Perth Parking Levy makes it harder again for the [council] to incentivise people to come in and support our retailers,” Mr Zempilas said.
Doing it tough
“City of Perth small businesses and retailers are doing it tough at the moment and this increase in the parking levy does not make life any easier for them.”
Given the state government’s brush off, he’s now written to the WA auditor general requesting the audit to find out how much is in the kitty now.
“We don’t know what the balance is or where the money’s spent, and that’s why we’re requesting an audit,” Mr Zempilas.
At this week’s budget meeting Mr Zempilas got up a motion to stop the council increasing its parking fees, despite the levy increase.
He said: “It is a key priority to activate our city, and it’s been well documented that city retailers are under constant pressure from suburban shopping centres, and adding to the burden of the city and our businesses is the state government decision to increase the Perth Parking Levy… that 1.75 per cent increase is a financial hit for every business that operates in the City of Perth, both large and small.
“For every dollar the city charges for parking, 29 cents now goes to the state government.”
Previous lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi also made several attempts to get the state government to ease up on the levy, but likewise had no luck.
PERTH ratepayers will enjoy a zero per cent rate increase this year, while lord mayor Basil Zempilas successfully moved to freeze parking fees.
Councillors voted through the budget on July 13, endorsing a staff report that noted the city was being hit by a few “abnormal expenses” this year.
Along with the Perth Parking Levy going up by 1.75 per cent per bay, $8 million is needed to pay for the state government’s 2018-2020 Power Inquiry.
But the admin has still been able to deliver the rate freeze due to savings, starting when the inquiry-era commissioners tightened the purse strings and slimmed down staff numbers.
Speaking at the special budget meeting on July 13, Mr Zempilas said the rates and fee freeze came despite the state government increasing the council’s costs.
“In deciding not to increase rates for the 2021-22 financial year the City of Perth has sent a message to its 21,000 ratepayers that we understand the impact Covid-19 has had on your lives and businesses in the last 18 months, and we understand that many people have been impacted financially,” Mr Zempilas said.
“In looking out for the best interests of our ratepayers the City of Perth has an obligation to ensure our city remains active, vibrant and welcoming.”
VINCENT
VINCENT homeowners will wear an average 2.4 per cent rates increase this year.
Commercial properties get no rate rise in return for the council ceasing to pick up their rubbish and requiring them to switch to commercial waste providers. They can get a one-off rebate of $520 this year.
Mayor Emma Cole described it as a mainly back-to-basics budget, with investment in roads, bike and pedestrian networks, and some spending on infrastructure like a $2.1 million Beatty Park makeover and upgrades of Robertson Park.
BAYSWATER
BAYSWATER ratepayers get an average 2.5 per cent increase this year.
Mayor Dan Bull said “last year we honoured a commitment we made at the start of the Covid-19 crisis and did not increase rates. While a zero percent rate increase cushioned the impact of the pandemic, it is not sustainable.”
But he described the 2.5 per cent increase as “low”. The WA Local Government Association pegged 3.2 per cent as a reasonable increase this year.
The budget includes leeway for some big loans floated for later in the year, with staff proposing borrowing $3.9m for Bayswater Waves, Morley Sport and Rec Centre, and Maylands Waterland. They’ve had no luck getting federal funding for the Waterland so far.
It wasn’t unanimously supported, with an 8-2 vote and councillors Catherine Ehrhardt and Michelle Sutherland dissenting.
STIRLING
STIRLING’S rates go up 0.9 per cent, with mayor Mark Irwin describing the budget as “balanced” and “debt-free”.
Big items this year include redevelopments of the Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, Inglewood Oval/Hamer Park, Hamersley Public Golf Course, and the ongoing work to overhaul the Stirling city centre with the Stephenson Avenue extension.
The rates have been partly kept low because Stirling’s benefiting from $6m of state funding for various projects, secured as commitments at the 2021 election.
They also securing $2m in federal cash to investigate a trackless tram for Stephenson Ave.
Mr Irwin said he was proud of Stirling’s advocacy efforts: “We have received informal feedback from the state government that our advocacy approach was more proactive than any other local government and they commended us on putting forward projects that were well-planned, programs that were well researched and initiatives that the city was willing to partner with them on.
“Advocating for federal and state government funding is a crucial part of ensuring that the city can deliver the maximum value to residents across issues and portfolios ordinarily controlled by those levels of government, but expected by the community nonetheless.”
IT was with much amusement that I read the page 3 headline “Tigers Optused out of final bid” (Voice, July 10, 2021).
To the best of my knowledge the Tiger’s habitat is Claremont Oval in Claremont where it can be seen in royal blue and gold whereas the Lion in maroon & gold resides in Leederville Oval in Leederville.
Yes they are both big cats but one can acknowledge they are nothing alike occupying vastly different habitats.
Me thinks you’ve got your Tigers & Lions mixed up.
I noted in the paragraphs “it was damn” both of which can be applied to the discrepancies in the article.
Frank Morganti
The Ed says: Thanks Frank, consider us suitably mauled. It should be noted that of the two reporters bylined, David Bell was not responsible for the balls-up, and his tiddlywink-loving teammate has been relegated to the back pocket.
Zoom zoom … doom
I HAVE just driven through North Perth in the area where the City of Vincent has recently installed nine roundabouts.
May I say it’s just marvellous!
I had an uninterrupted drive along Raglan Road from William to Fitzgerald Street.
I hardly needed to slow down at the intersections, as the tiny roundabouts didn’t present any obstacle requiring me to slow down.
I could virtually go straight through without turning the steering wheel – zoom zoom!
It’s also great that I now don’t have to stop for pedestrians wanting to cross the road – further reducing my trip time.
It’s such a better route than going along nearby Vincent Street with its 40kmh speed limit and pesky speed humps – and no chance of being caught speeding!
Thank you City of Vincent,
I’ll definitely be using these local residential streets as a short cut from now on. Just hope my little secret doesn’t get out.
Keep up the good work, and hopefully we see many more roundabouts throughout the city.
Viva la voiture!
Andrew Main North Perth
Fired up
DURING our winter it is easy to forget that our future summers are linked to what is happening in Canada at the moment.
Below, I have used the example of my home to convey the growing climate emergency:
“I have had a fire in my lounge room for many years. It has been lovely and warm so I have kept it burning all year round by adding more and more fuel such as some petrol, some gas and some coal.
Unfortunately, my fire got out of hand, burnt my house down and has spread to the nearby bush land, destroying my neighbours’ homes, the trees and the animals that live there.
I tried reducing the fuel load by one third but it has still kept burning more and more and getting hotter and hotter. It has become an emergency!
I realise now that I actually need to completely stop adding any more fuel so will aim to do this over the next 20 to 30 years.
By 2040 or 2050 it will be a NetZero fuel load and all will be well, or will it!
Paula Samson Duncraig Rd, Applecross
Population ponzi scheme
AUSTRALIA’S population ponzi scheme drives down wages and conditions, drives down living standards, drives up already over-priced and unaffordable house prices and decimates more and more natural environment – bushland.
It compounds traffic congestion – finding a parking spot and general over-crowding.
Built in 1886, The Grosvenor Hotel is one of Perth’s oldest operating pubs and is awash with Victorian touches and historic photos.
It’s situated in the Perth Mint precinct; a stylish, little pocket of Hay Street.
Grosvenor’s menu isn’t the biggest or the most adventurous, but it is well thought-out and has a range of dishes to satisfy most tastes.
Aside from the usual burgers, pizzas and steak sandwiches there were some interesting high-end dishes like Mediterranean Chicken (whole chicken breast marinated in garlic, fresh thyme and lemon zest), salmon fillet warm quinoa salad, and filet mignon.
There was also a decent range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes.
My chicken gamberi ($34) was delicious. The prawns were juicy and plump, and the succulent chicken breast had the slightest of pink hues.
Enhancing the flavour was the chargrilled skin, providing a caramelised texture to the meat and seafood.
The smoked paprika rubbed onto the chicken was a nice touch, adding a latent smokiness to the dish.
However the belle of the ball was the white wine and garlic cream sauce – an utterly divine concoction that had the perfect balance of flavours and wasn’t too rich. The chicken breast and prawns were perched on top of a bed of crushed potatoes and baby spinach; a refreshing interlude to the decadent sauce.
This was a dish which tasted a lot better than it looked; the presentation was okay but it could have been better.
Despite the stormy weather, The Grosvenor was pretty busy on a Tuesday night with plenty of patrons in the bar and dining area.
I liked how there was an area for the bar flies and another for people who wanted a quiet meal.
Across the table my wife was enjoying her snapper and chips ($26).
“The fish is top quality – fresh, moist and perfectly cooked,” she said.
“I really like the James Squire Ale batter on the fish, and the chips are crunchy and not greasy.
“Salads are often an afterthought with fish and chips, but this little Greek number has a subtle dressing with fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion and cucumber.”
Grosvenor’s kids menu was one of the biggest I’ve seen with six dishes including steak and chips with salad, and spaghetti Bolognese.
I ordered two Margherita pizzas for the kids ($14.50 each) and they were absolutely ginormous.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we had got adult ones by mistake.
The pizza had a thin, crispy base and that trademark gooey mozzarella that becomes mottled when cooked in the oven.
Despite its size, the kids managed a lot of slices and it wasn’t a doughy slog.
I had a taste and was impressed by the rich tomato sauce and the quality of the mozzarella. A lovely and good-value pizza.
The Grosvenor felt like a family-friendly venue with smiley and polite bar staff.
There’s nothing earth-shattering about its food or menu, but it’s very well executed and high-quality pub fare.
An enjoyable meal in an historic boozer.
Grosvenor Hotel 339 Hay Street thegrosvenorperth.com.au
IT’S been 100 years since the release of Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid, but film critic Mark Naglazas says Chaplin’s movies and social commentary are more relevant than ever.
To mark the film’s centenary, it has undergone a 4K restoration and will be re-released in select cinemas across the globe.
The silent classic introduced the masses to the now-iconic Chaplin character “The Tramp”, who discovers a little orphan and brings him up, but is left desolate when the orphanage reclaims him.
Chaplin directed, produced and starred in The Kid as well as composed the score.
Naglazas says Chaplin’s popularity has ebbed and flowed over the past 100 years.
“While Chaplin was a giant of world culture during the early part of the 20th century – the image of The Tramp became synonymous with the movies – from the 1970s onward he fell out favour,” he says.
“His films came to be regarded as sentimental and mawkish and did not stand up well against his madcap silent-era rival Buster Keaton.
“However, as the cultural focus shifts from the mainstream to the margins, from the rich and powerful to the battlers, Chaplin will be re-embraced, which is no doubt why The Kid, Goldrush, The Great Dictator and others have been restored and re-released.
“The little guy making a mockery of his masters chimes with current social and political attitudes. It’s not hard to image Chaplin teaming with fellow Brit Alfred Hitchcock and making the Korean Oscar-winner Parasite.”
The Kid is just one of many Chaplin classics restored in 4K or 2K for The Charlie Chaplin Collection, a wide-ranging retrospective that includes many of his lesser-known ‘talkies’ from the 1940s and 1950s, when his star began to fade.
They include Limelight, a poignant look at an ageing Music Hall star, A King in New York where a European monarch seeks refuge in the Big Apple in the 1950s, and the decidedly dark comedy Monsieur Verdoux, inspired by notorious French serial killer Landru.
“It’s incredibly rare that we have such a comprehensive season of one of the major figures in film history,” Naglazas says.
“It will also give Perth audiences a chance to see the non-sentimental side of Chaplin in Monsieur Verdoux, in which he plays the seducer and murderer of rich women.”
But perhaps his most famous talkie is The Great Dictator, a satire on Adolf Hitler and the rise of fascism in the 1930s, which deeply troubled Chaplin.
Released in 1940 before America joined World War II, The Great Dictator was a big hit, but Chaplin’s overtly political speech at the end of the movie contributed to his decline in popularity.
“We tend to think of Hollywood’s silent era and its Golden Age as a machine for creating glamour and escapism,” Naglazas says.
“But Hollywood was also a magnet for left-leaning writers and artists and, during the lead-up to World War II, refugees from nazism.
“What makes Chaplin so remarkable is that he took the social commentary of his early comedies that made him the most beloved performer of the silent era and evolved it into the full-blown anti-fascism and pacifism of The Great Dictator.
“It was a huge hit but the five-minute speech at the end, in which Chaplin stepped out of character and addressed the audience directly, forever making him a left-wing figure and a target for those seeking to purge the US of communism.
“Once again his direct mode of speaking, which shocked many at the time, is very much in keeping with contemporary attitudes.
“I have noticed many people sharing that speech on Facebook. I sense Chaplin is ripe for a comeback.”
The Charlie Chaplin Collection at the Windsor Cinema in Nedlands begins with a screening of The Kid tomorrow (Sunday July 18) to July 23.
Well, this house has one and lots of other unique and quirky design touches.
Situated on a whopping 500sqm block, this three bedroom one bathroom home includes a self-contained unit, undercover alfresco, fire pit, chicken coop, vegetable garden, fruit trees and loads more.
But it doesn’t feel jumbled and has been designed and renovated with great care by a master craftsman who according to the realtor is “obsessed with detail.”
In these times of cookie-cutter 4x2s, it’s refreshing to find a high-end house with lots of character and style.
It has a nice friendly feel about it, and is clearly a place where a family has enjoyed lots of fun times.
One of the highlights is the massive sheltered alfresco, which overlooks a manicured garden with lovely raised garden beds, plants and a pergola.
With a built-in BBQ kitchenette, it’s the perfect spot for family meals and get-togethers.
Further down the garden, the self-enclosed unit is spacious and has a fully equipped kitchen, reverse cycle AC, built-in robes and masses of storage.
It’s a very versatile space and could be a fourth bedroom, guest quarters, home office, workshop or games room.
I imagine it would also be popular with teenage kids who want a seperate area to hang-out with their friends.
The interior of the main house is equally impressive, with a relaxing open plan living/dining/kitchen area.
The bedrooms and bathroom are neat and tidy, and have been well designed with clean lines and neutral colours.
And don’t forget about the outdoor bath and shower when you come back from the beach or fancy a glass of bubbles under the stars.
The home includes reverse cycle A/C and there will be no issues with parking with space for four cars.
Situated on Camden Street, you are close to Coventry Village and Morley Shopping Centres, John Forrest Secondary College, and lots of parks including Dianella Regional Open Space.
This is a well-priced family home with its own unique style and character.
Home open today (Saturday July 17) 2.15pm – 3pm 10A Camden Street, Dianella $629,000 – $719,000 ACTON Mt Lawley 9272 2488 Agent Drew Hancock 0411 870 780
• Jessica Elson Reeves – the inaugural winner of the Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best $1000 Best Film Prize.
Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best is back!
The WA Made Film Festival has officially announced the return of its Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best smartphone filmmaking competition.
Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best invites established filmmakers, independent filmmakers, students, and the general public to submit a mini-masterpiece to be considered for a special event screening during the next WA Made Film Festival which will run March 11-13, 2022.
“We were overwhelemed by the success of the first ever Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best competition this year,” said Festival Director Matthew Eeles.
“We received 11 incredible submissions which all screened to a sold out audience in March this year, and we can’t wait to see what WA filmmakers come up with this time around. We are very passionate about creating new opportunities for WA filmmakers to show off their filmmaking skills without the need for expensive equipement and a big budget. Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best is about having fun. You only need to scroll through video sharing platforms like TikTok to see how creative people are getting with their phones.”
The Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best event screening will include a before and after party, drinks and food, networking opportunities and an awards ceremony which will include a major cash prize for Best Film chosen by a jury of industry professionals. More prizes will be announced in the lead up to the event.
This year’s top prize for Best Film was awarded to 18-year-old writer and director Jessica Elson Reeves for her one minute smartphone film, She, while the Audience Choice Award was won by 23-year-old filmmaker Jaron Herren for his moving short, Bereaved.
“Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best gave me the opportunity to take my very first step into the world of filmmaking just by carrying my little mobile,” said filmmaker Andressa Lemos, whose short comedy drama, Cold Coffee, screened at the festival.
“Buy West Eat Best are pleased to support the Western Australian film industry. We were delighted to present the Get Smart! com-ponent of the festival, encouraging and providing a starting platform for many local creators to make fantastic content produced within the state,” says Sarah Gordon from Buy West Eat Best.
With over 50 WA films, Perth premieres, multiple world premieres, and a heap of sold out sessions, passionate WA filmmakers and film enthusiasts helped make the 2021 WA Made Film Festival a huge success. Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best will again be an exciting addition to the 2022 festival.
WA filmmakers will have until the end of the year to complete their films with submissions for Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best opening along with regualr feature film, short film and documentary submissions on August 31 and closing December 20, 2021.
More details about the WA Made Film Festival and Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best can be found at wamadefilmfestival.com.au
An iconic Perth artwork was chopped up and taken away this week. Is it coming back?
AN iconic artwork dubbed Perth’s ‘Ore Kebab’ has been chopped up and removed by Perth council for conservation, prompting concerns it might gather dust in a depot indefinitely.
The removal of the St George’s Terrace artwork happened just days before its 50th birthday on July 23.
The ore obelisk was erected in 1971 to mark the millionth resident in WA, and symbolises the state’s expansion on the back of mining.
Artist Paul Ritter, also Perth council’s first city planner, worked 15 ores into the 15-metre drill-shaft design. It was nestled among the supreme court garden’s trees, and Ritter said it represented “the harmony of mining and environment”. In 1997 Ritter and then-lord mayor Peter Nattrass went up on a crane to install a faux diamond.
A council statement this week said “the artwork will be stored in offsite storage while the City of Perth explores the feasibility of conservation”.
Museum of Perth executive director Reece Harley has publicly called on the council to come up with a solid conservation plan.
He said the statement about exploring options “seems rather noncommittal and secretive.
“This is a significant public artwork and it needs to be maintained and reinstated. How much conservation work do million year old rocks require?”
A response from council CEO Michelle Reynolds said “all public artworks have an optimal lifespan. Ore Obelisk is coming close to the end of its useful life and, in spite of regular maintenance, is in a state of deterioration that poses risks to public safety”.
She wrote “renewal/replacement, decommissioning or relocating a piece of public art is a complex and difficult task that must involve all relevant stakeholders and the community” and it’d likely go to the council early in the new year.
PERTH council will go it alone after abandoning an agreement to build an aquatic centre at the WACA.
After months of investigating the plan, Perth councillors this week voted to opt out of a deal struck with the state and federal governments and look for their own site.
Premier Mark McGowan says the council should stick to the deal, but it was endorsed by state-government appointed commissioners just before they handed back power to an elected council last year.
A business plan commissioned by the new council warned the pool would drain millions from the council’s purse every year unless it was subsidised by an attached gym, cafe and other facilities.
Under the deal signed by the commissioners, the WACA would have had full control of any other facilities.
Lord mayor Basil Zempilas said this week: “We were not convinced that the WACA aquatic facility was the best deal for our ratepayers or was the best pool that we could envisage in our city.
“The WACA pool was bolted on as an afterthought in the grand scheme of the overall WACA ground redevelopment … a six-lane pool, wedged between the last row of the seats and a light tower at the cricket with no shade is not the best we can do for the City of Perth.
“The City of Perth would not have owned the aquatic facility at the WACA and we were also unable to negotiate revenue sharing for other services on-site such as a gym, cafe, retail outlets and creche.”
Instead staff will investigate other potential sites for a council-owned aquatic centre.
“We want an iconic pool, one that is bold, contemporary and will be a city destination,” Mr Zempilas says.
“A pool that is a point of difference, a unique user experience that will cater for the needs of
our community now and into the future, and, importantly, is value for money.”
Perth Voice Interactive 