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  • The BIG question for WACA members

    The BIG question for WACA members

    PAUL COLLINS has been a WACA member since 1986 and is a former WACA board member. While there’s been a lot of focus on whether the WACA pool is a good deal for Perth city council, Mr Collins questions whether it’s a prudent move for the WACA to hand over a chunk of its land to a wealthy council. 

    WACA members once again need to ask a lot of questions.

    The WACA was last refurbished in circa 2002, it did so without fanfare but a time when premier Alan Carpenter’s government was wanting to move cricket to Subiaco Oval.

    For the last 20 years the WACA’s successive administrations have struggled to achieve further refurbishment but for an upgraded media centre before the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

    The WACA entered into a disastrous deal with Ascot Capital (Ripple Holdings) in 2009 under CEO Graeme Wood and chair David Williams to re-zone and develop large tracts of the WACA into apartment towers to fund an upgrade. 

    That deal left the WACA with a noose around its neck in the form of a contingent value uplift fee payable if any of the land the subject of the development agreement is later sold or leased not in accordance with the original agreement with Ascot Capital.

    WACA Members had the opportunity to read and vote on that agreement in 2009. I was the only member to take up the opportunity to read the agreement and could not believe what the WACA was proposing to sign but my calls of concern were ignored until board member George Jones AM resigned in 2013.

    George Jones was anointed incoming chair to replace David Williams but resigned beforehand over the agreement with Ascot Capital and publicly encouraged members to “ask a lot of questions about it”.

    We now fast forward to 2021 and WACA members would once again do well to follow Mr Jones’ advice and “ask a lot of questions” but this time about the WACA’s proposed pool deal with the City of Perth.

    The City of Perth is the second largest CBD landowner behind the state government. 

    The balance sheet comparisons between the WACA and the City of Perth are chalk and cheese. The City of Perth has net assets of $1.2 billion compared to the WACA’s $10.7 million. On parking revenue alone, the City of Perth generates nearly double the WACA’s total annual income.

    The City of Perth is also not short of land. One just needs to look at the four city block-sized, ‘at grade’ public carparks adjacent to the WACA as a small example of the city’s landholdings.

    So why then is the WACA entering into a deal that would give up valuable WACA land to the City of Perth for a pool?

    Under questioning by myself at a members only briefing on March 24, 2021, the night before the WACA’s media announcement of its latest refurbishment, and in response to written questions submitted by myself after the briefing it is not because of:-

    1. Any positive financial return;

    2. Any condition of the state or federal government’s $30 million (each) grants; or

    3. To ensure the upgrade of much needed cricket facilities and other ground infrastructure.

    Conditions

    CEO Christina Matthews and chair Terry Waldron made it very clear the WACA upgrade will occur with or without a pool and the pool was not a condition of any government grant.

    As for the financial return, it is another noose around the neck of the WACA because the WACA proposes to grant the City of Perth a 40-year peppercorn lease over valuable WACA land for the city to build and operate a pool – think of the large tract of land between Shepherd Gates and the Prindiville Stand on the corner of Nelson Crescent and Hale Street.

    The principal governance and financial questions for the WACA board in the members’ interests are, “What is the highest and best use/return for the land being proposed to be leased?” and “What is the opportunity cost to the WACA of the proposed 40-year peppercorn lease deal?”

    This land was once so valuable it was going to contain dozens and dozens of apartments, now it is worth a peppercorn?

    In answers to my questions, the WACA does not know the area of land to be leased or the value of land to be leased. I find that concerning before proposing a 40-year peppercorn lease.

    I suspect the opportunity cost to the WACA of a 40-year peppercorn lease will be quite significant and increasingly so in coming years.

    The Perth CBD is the only CBD in Australia with major at grade public carparks in its heart and 80 per cent of them sit opposite the WACA, owned by the City of Perth. The other 20 per cent sit in front of the Perth Concert Hall.

    These are all likely to be developed over the next 5, 10, 15 or 20 years – particularly such prime land opposite Queens Gardens and the WACA.

    This then makes the WACA land proposed to be leased to the City of Perth for a peppercorn very valuable.

    The message to government should be: “Let us retain this land as a future revenue stream for the WACA. Proceeding with a 40-year peppercorn lease will only result in the WACA knocking on government’s door for more money in 10, 20, 30 and 40 years’ time.”

    WACA members need to ask a lot of questions about this pool deal and the WACA board needs to ensure the lease deal is presented in full for ratification or not at a general meeting.

  • WA’ s shameful record

    WA’ s shameful record

    THIS week marks 30 years since the release of the findings of the 1991 Royal Commission Into Indigenous Deaths in Custody. The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee was due to mark the day with a rally in Forrest Place on Thursday April 15, calling on the full implementation of the recommendations, many of which have been delayed as more than 450 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have died in custody since the report. Dorinda Cox is a Noongar Yamatji woman and lead senate candidate for the Greens in the next federal election, and says the lack of political leadership on First Nations issues in WA is “shameful” and we’re leading the country for all the wrong reasons.

    WESTERN AUSTRALIA incarcerates First Nations peoples at the highest rate of anywhere in the world and has the highest rate of deaths in custody in the country. WA also leads the country with the highest rate of incarceration of First Nations children and young people.

    No child should be in prison and it’s time the McGowan Government acted on the very clear evidence and raised the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years.

    With the McGowan Government achieving the results they did at the state election they have the opportunity to make real change and that needs to start with fixing the prison system that is literally killing our people and tearing families apart.

    We don’t want to hear about budget surpluses until this Government is putting real, long-term funding into early intervention and prevention programs and justice reinvestment.

    In order for us to achieve the Closing the Gap targets for reducing First Nations incarceration, we must include national accountability measures and significant investment in preventing incarceration. 

    Here in WA we must dismantle the current justice pipeline by reducing out of home care; an internationally recognised driver for young people’s disengagement in education and increased vulnerability for youth imprisonment.

    One of the most prevalent causes of death for First Nations people in custody are medical issues, or what coronial reports refer to as “natural causes”, and research supporting the claims that people were much less likely to have been given all of the medical care they needed prior to their death. 

    It is unacceptable that in modern day Australia, First Nations people are dying in custody because they don’t receive adequate custodial care which is ultimately a breach of their human rights.

    First Nations Deaths in Custody Watch Committee spokesperson Mervyn Eades said that the 5 deaths of First Nations people since the beginning of March is disgraceful and unacceptable with the last death of an inmate from Perth’s Casuarina Prison. The 12 key asks of the committee will enable immediate action and provides an opportunity for the committee to work alongside the state government for their successful implementation and measurement for change.

    The First Nations Deaths In Custody Watch Committee honour the memory of all of those who have died in custody and pay our respects to their families and communities and call on the State Government to immediately take action to:

    1: Raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years of age;

    2: Abolish mandatory sentencing and reform bail and probation laws;

    3: Decriminalise drug possession and treat drug use as a health issue;

    4: Reform vehicle offence laws, end move on notices and dangerous police pursuits;

    5: End the process of police-investigating-police and remove racist police and prison officers; 6: Ensure that police and prison officer training continually promotes anti racism and cultural capability;

    7: Provide adequate social housing;

    8: Ensure better medical and mental health services in and out of prisons;

    9: Improve and increase rehabilitation programs in prisons;

    10: Build more refuges and provide more support for victims of family and domestic violence; 11: Increase funding and resources for justice reinvestment and community run programs;

    12: Establish more community based healing and cultural centres.

  • Footy feast

    Footy feast

    WHEN my family and I arrived at The Royal on Sunday evening, the place was awash with Dockers fans.

    They were in good mood after beating Hawthorn 96-81 at the Optus Stadium, and the East Perth eatery had a lively feel-good buzz.

    But it wasn’t just a macho love-in with men enjoying a simian embrace, and there were plenty of families celebrating the win as well.

    The massive waterfront alfresco has gorgeous views of the LED-lit pedestrian bridge and glimpses of the UFO-like stadium, but it was getting a bit nippy so we opted for the plush dining area inside.

    The maître de was pleasant, chaperoning us to our table with a carafe of water.

    The menu had share plates, pizza, mains and a few sides, but there wasn’t enough variety and it needed more dishes in-between the heavier fare and the shares.

    After seeing a waitress walk by with a parmi and chips bigger than Matthew Pavlich’s head, my wife and I decided to share some spiced calamari ($21), cauliflower and cheese fritters ($18) and a charcuterie board ($29).

    The service was polite and efficient and it wasn’t long before the waitress was back with our meal.

    On a chilly night the cauliflower and cheese fritters were the standout – superior comfort food with  a moreish gooey filling and a delightfully spicy tomato chutney. This dish was super addictive and very tasty.

    The fritters were closely followed by the spiced calamari, which was deliciously light and tasted great with a liberal squeeze of lime. 

    They were so tasty I didn’t need to bother with the little tub of lemon aioli.

    The charcuterie board didn’t quite hit the same heights, but it did have a nice range of pickled veggies including onion, capsicum, carrot and cauliflower.

    The dainty slices of toasted ciabatta and shaved deli meats went well with the piquant olives, but the board really needed some cheese to bring it all together.

    I noticed there was a seperate cheese board and it would be good if they combined the two dishes into a well-balanced whole. 

    On the other side of the table, the kids were enjoying a Hawaiian pizza ($15) from the childrens menu.

    This was the real deal with a thin base, Parma ham and stringy mozzarella cheese. I had a sneaky taste and can confirm it was top notch with rustic chunks of pineapple and loads of flavour. 

    I hadn’t been down to Claisebrook Cove in a long time  – last time I was there Polly Farmer had just bought his first VCR – and I was impressed by the multicoloured lights in the underpass and the various art installations dotted around the quay.

    The Royal is a good bet for a pub meal in a fantastic locale, but maybe they could look into expanding the menu.

    If they do that, it might even make Ross Lyon smile.

    The Royal on the Waterfront
    60 Royal St, East Perth
    theroyaleastperth.com

    by STEPHEN POLLOCK

  • In luck

    In luck

    LUCKY OCEANS will be joined by a who’s who of the Fremantle music scene at his 70th birthday bash later this month.

    In an amazing career spanning Nashville to North Fremantle, the talented guitarist has played with the likes of Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson and Jerry Lee Lewis.

    Originally from Philadelphia, Oceans enjoyed his first big break with the US band Asleep at the Wheel, who got their debut recording contract after being praised by Van Morrison in Rolling Stone.

    A grammy quickly followed and Oceans – renwoned for his pedal steel guitar playing – was soon rubbing shoulders with the likes of Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris.

    “A lot happened at the Palomino Club, Los Angeles’ premier Country Music Venue, which Asleep at the Wheel played regularly,” Oceans says.

    “Peter Fonda come to one of our shows and hung out on our bus with us. 

    “One night, Jerry Lee Lewis was in the audience, flicking his lighter on in appreciation of the band and then he stormed the stage, taking over the piano playing a ferocious boogie woogie.”

    But Ocean’s life was turned upside down when he fell in love with Boston Globe photographer Chris Haddow – originally from Broad Arrow in WA (now a ghost town) – and they got married and moved to Fremantle in 1981.

    Since then he’s become an integral part of the local music scene playing with bands like Jim Fisher’s Outlaws, Zydecats, and Nansing and the Jam Tarts, whose Sunday Sessions at the Seaview Hotel were legendary.

    He’s also forged a career as a well-respected broadcaster; his eclectic music show Daily Planet on ABC Radio National enjoyed a dedicated following for many years. 

    “As a broadcaster, I’m proud of the musicians I’ve helped by putting them on air, of the people that took up music as a result of the show and the high-level musical community that we built,” he says. 

    “As a musician, I’m proudest of my projects as musical director (The March 2021 Songs for Freedom at Point Walter) and as co-musical director for Perth Festival’s opening concert Home in Langley Park, 2014.  I’m proud of the albums I recorded here – Dude Ranch, Zydecats, Secret Steel and Purple Sky (with Paul Kelly and Kasey Chambers), of my Sonic Sessions series, of my compositional work with cutting edge arts organisation Big hART, and of evolving a unique pedal steel style.”

    Lucky Oceans will be joined by a host of established and new musicians including Dave Brewer, Peter Evans and Jim Fisher at his 70th Birthday Bash at Freo Social on Friday April 23.

    Tix at moshtix.com.au/v2/

    by STEPHEN POLLOCK

  • Canvas waiting for your mark

    Canvas waiting for your mark

    THIS petite and charming two-bedroom home is already nestled in the enviable Golden Triangle around Hyde Park, but while snooping about courtesy of Google Maps’ satellite imagery, I noticed it had a big advantage over most of its neighbours.

    The ubiquitous extension has pushed the building envelope of many of the triangle’s character homes right to the back fence line, but 19 Cavendish Street has arguably the biggest chunk of backyard left in the whole area.

    That gives you a couple of great options.

    You could earn sustainability bragging rights by cleverly using its modest spaces as they are and creating a little green oasis out the back. The children’s children’s children of the planet will remember you fondly for it, and if it wasn’t for Hyde Park being just a couple of streets away I’d suggest charging the neighbours a few bucks to escape their heat islands and sit in your cool, oxygen-friendly yard.

    The other option is to stamp your own mark on the property and put up an extension that’s tailored exactly to your needs (though please keep those sustainability principles in mind).

    To make that even more attractive, there’s also rear access courtesy of the quaintly named Martyr Lane.

    Behind the early 20th century facade with its white picket fence, verandah and leadlight verandah is the classic layout of a wide central hall with two well-proportioned bedrooms at the front and a combined lounge and dining beyond.

    There’s three original fireplaces to give the place that old-world cosiness, while the decorative plasterwork and gleaming timber floors give it elegance as well.

    The compact kitchen, bathroom and laundry have been cleverly conceived at the rear of the house and have some very smart storage ideas.

    Another great aspect to this house is its proximity to a whole heap of stuff I’d be thrilled to have within walking distance of my place.

    Highgate Primary School’s at the end of the street, St Alban’s Anglican Church is just up the next street and links you to the best part of Beaufort Street where you can get your coffee and pastry fix from Mary Street Bakery or any of the other awesome cafes, a pint and chunky wedges from the Beaufort Street Hotel, or get yourself waxed, coiffed or exfoliated at one a variety of beaty salons.

    19 Cavendish St, Highgate
    EOI over $899,000
    Donna Buckovska 0419 928 467
    Wayne Heldt 0433 118 353
    Bellcourt Property Group 6141 7848
    Home open today (Saturday April 17) from 11-11.30am and tomorrow (Sunday April 18) from 11-11.30am

  • Tranby pizza proves spicy

    Tranby pizza proves spicy

    Locals divided as tea house set to disappear

    A TUSSLE is brewing at Maylands Peninsula, with locals divided over plans to turn the old Tranby tea gardens into a pizza bar.

    The WA National Trust owns Peninsula Farms, co-named Wu-ru Woorat, where an operator ran a tea room in the smaller caretaker building west of the old 1834 Tranby House until earlier this year.

    But in June 2019 the trust asked for renewed expressions of interest, and after delays related to Covid, recently chose the people behind Northbridge’s historically-housed Picabar as a new tenant to open a restaurant serving pizza, beer and wine.

    But that’s divided locals into groups that liked a low-key tea room and others who felt it had limited opening hours and a small selection of fare (online reviews weren’t raving, averaging 2.5 out of 5 stars). 

    Two petitions have now been created, one for and one against.

    The petition in favour by Krista de Blanken says “the area is significantly underutilised” and they like the past work Picabar’s people have done running a venue in a heritage building.

    The pro-tea, anti-pizza petition “Save Maylands Heritage and Environment”, by a group described as The Custodians, takes umbrage at the lack of consultation, opposes liquor being served until a potential 10pm closing time, and fears for the venerable building’s integrity.

    It says: “Contempt has been shown for the effect this will have on ageing residents who have lived nearby for many years, as well as local people and visitors who enjoy the peaceful ambiance of this uniquely quiet place.”

    The lack of consultation led to fears the venue’s capacity could jump from 70 to 300, but the Trust has since clarified the maximum patrons will be 120, and the 300 number is the site-wide Peninsula Farms capacity that is unchanged.

    The Trust said there’ll be no new buildings or redevelopment of the old ones, a concern sparked by a draft master plan showing the area marked for “potential adaptation”.

    “There are no plans to redevelop existing heritage buildings or to install exclusion fencing,” a primer from the Trust says. 

    Instead there’ll likely be extended outdoor seating around the old oak tree and a nature playground. 

    Since it’s so close to the river an application would still have to go to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the liquor department would need to sign off on a booze licence.

    A letter from NTWA CEO Julian Donaldson advises residents they’ll have the “opportunity for comment” when the DBCA application goes in.

    The Trust predicts it’ll be about six months from application to opening, and in the meantime they’re installing a temporary takeaway cafe from mid-April.

    by DAVID BELL

  • Double act

    Double act

    John Keene will be soloist and conductor at Fremantle Chamber Orchestra’s performance today (Saturday April 10). Photo by Nik Babic

    JOHN KEENE is used to raising the bar (youngest Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellow, Australian Chamber Orchestra emerging artist), and this weekend he’ll hit new heights by juggling the roles of soloist and conductor with the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra.

    The young double bassist has already stamped his mark on the national classical music scene and when borders aren’t blocked can boast of being on the books of the Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmanian, Adelaide and New Zealand symphony orchestras. He moved to Perth early in 2019 to take up the role of associate principal double bass with WASO.

    It will be Sandgropers’ first time seeing Keene soloing with an orchestra this side of the Nullarbor, and Fremantle Chamber Orchestra founder Hans Hug says it comes with the bonus of some “forgotten jewels” of the classical repertoire.

    Giovanni Bottesini’s Double Bass Concerto 2 in B Minor already holds fond memories for Keene, who performed it with the Sydney Conservatorium’s chamber orchestra in 2015 after winning the prestigious institution’s string concerto competition. 

    Show-off

    Keene told the Voice he practiced the piece for a year leading up to the competition, describing Bottesini as the “Paganini of the double bass”.

    “I have a fondness for Romantic Classical, and Bottesini is also a bit of a show-off, which I think played into my hands in the concerto competition,” he said.

    The performance garnered great praise for the vocal quality of Keene’s playing, which he said he achieved by tinkering with his instrument to find something akin to “a tenor singing without words”.

    Keene says the show-off is also also evident in Ignace Pleyel’s Symphony in D Major, its comical elements coming from the composer’s meddling with styles and the interaction between soloist and ensemble.

    Pleyel was a pop star of his day, though his star has since waned. Facing imprisonment or execution for monarchist sympathies during the French Revolution, crafty Pleyel kept his head (literally) and composed some rousing revolutionary tunes to keep the mob at bay.

    He was taken under the wing by Joseph Hadyn, another composer whose Symphony No 60 is on the FCO’s bill for this weekend.

    The Fremantle Chamber Orchestra will be playing at the Perth Town Hall today (Saturday April 10) from 3pm and at the Naval Store at the foot of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge tomorrow (Sunday April 11) both at 3pm. Cash tickets at the door ($40, $35 conc or $20 kids and youth) or ticketek.

    by STEVE GRANT

  • City drops staff survey

    City drops staff survey

    PERTH council workers won’t be surveyed about their job satisfaction this year, despite a recommendation from the state inquiry for a survey within three months of the October 2020 council elections.

    The inquiry wanted a close eye kept on cultural improvements, noting only 44 per cent of Perth council employees in the 2017 survey thought their workplace was “free from discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying”.

    The surveys are normally done every two years, with another pretty grim rating in 2019, but commissioners filling in for the suspended council jumped the gun and held an early one in July 2020. 

    Despite its finding that a majority of employees still wouldn’t recommend working at the city to friends of colleagues (with women the least impressed) CEO Michelle Reynolds recommended giving this year’s a skip because it was too soon to hold another.

    “I’d argue that [the inquiries’] recommendation’s been achieved” Ms Reynolds told the March 30 council meeting.

    Cr Rebecca Gordon urged them to go ahead anyway.

    “For me, workplace culture is absolutely paramount, and if we want to achieve great things we want our staff to be operating in a positive work environment,” Cr Gordon said. 

    “It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be safe and it should allow our hardworking staff to excel.

    “We have seen the tragic news from the Town of Cambridge, of what can happen in a local government environment,” Cr Gordon said. 

    Last month a Cambridge council employee suicided. They had been on leave after complaining of ongoing bullying. 

    Culture

    Cr Gordon said “workplaces I’ve been in always do an annual culture survey … I think it’s prudent for us to schedule one this year”.

    Cr Di Bain was her only supporter, saying in her workplaces “we do culture surveys annually”.

    “We shouldn’t be afraid of doing them, sometimes we won’t like what we hear, but as Cr Gordon suggested it’s a good opportunity to start dealing with some issues ahead of them becoming major problems for our organisation,” Cr Bain said.

    Ms Reynolds said it was ideal to do the surveys every two years to give time for any changes to take effect.

    Deputy lord mayor Sandy Anghie said results might be thrown off because of the current changes and people may still be focusing on historical issues.

    Cr Brent Fleeton agreed with holding off: “We know things aren’t that great right now because they are in flux… I don’t think we need to put out a survey right now because we know things are tough and we’re putting a lot of effort and money into making them better.”

    At Cr Fleeton’s request the CEO described support they had ready for any staff who felt distressed or bullied. 

    Lord mayor Basil Zempilas agreed with waiting: “I don’t understand on what score or measure we’re conducting a cultural survey five months into the journey. 

    “We’re right at the start of that journey of change. Let’s get on and do it… I’m not afraid of any answers or any surveys, but in my view it makes no sense to conduct a survey five months into our time.”

    The bid for a survey was lost two votes to seven, and they’ll save about $28,000 by not running it. 

    There were some glimmers of hope in the July 2020 survey: Staff had seen improvements in how the new executive worked together.

    But since then three fifths of the executive team has gone. 

    CEO Murray Jorgensen retired in August. 

    Infrastructure general manager Chris Kopec announced his resignation in November 2020 and left in January, 13 months into the job.

    Community development GM Anne Banks-McAllister left to move closer to family, and was at her final meeting on March 30 after 19 months at Perth.

    by DAVID BELL

  • Bearing up

    Bearing up

    A juvenile sun bear named Sweet Pea recently rescued in Cambodia, enjoying playing with the watermelon more than eating it. 

    FREE THE BEARS is holding a quiz to raise funds for their rescue efforts after Covid cut off a funding source. 

    The group was founded by Stirling resident Mary Sutton after a 1993 tv program about bears being farmed for bile.

    About 1000 have since been rescued, earning Dr Sutton an Order of Australia medal in 2020. 

    Covid was tough, as visitors and volunteers to sanctuaries in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam provide important funds. Donations helped tide them over and they recently saved two Vietnamese moon bears from 18 years on a bile farm. 

    The quiz is at South Perth Community Hall, May 15 at 6.30pm, with raffles and bear-helping auctions, book via office@ freethebears.org.au or 9244 1096.

  • Survey to dig up farm history

    Survey to dig up farm history

    AN archaeological survey is underway at Peninsula Farms April 4 to 10.

    The National Trust brought in UWA archaeology students and staff to document the landscape and plan future conservation and interpretive works. 

    They were assisted by the uni’s Centre for Forensic Anthropology, bringing in ground penetrating radar last week trying to identify the original building footprints.

    Peninsula Farm may be the oldest colonial residence still standing in Perth, but there were many changes in the early days.

    It was home to early colonist Joseph Hardey, who came over with the first Methodists to arrive in WA on the ship Tranby.

    The extant house was built in 1839, but it wasn’t the first Tranby House. An earlier house was built downstream in 1830, but it soon washed away in a flood. Little is known about the second house built, and then Hardy recorded in a diary that he finished the roof on the third and current house by 1839.

    “It seems likely that this is the current house and, if so, would be one of the oldest brick houses in the state,” the state heritage listing says.

    Some of the oak, olive and mulberry trees on the site were planted in these early days.

    The farm remained in the family until 1913, but wasn’t officially dubbed Tranby House until 1923 at the state centenary. 

    Over the years outbuildings like cottages and stables were added, though those were mostly demolished in the 1960s and 70s when the Bond Corporation was planning a redevelopment.

    That plan was cancelled amid public opposition, and the property was acquired by the National Trust in 1972. 

    The findings of the survey will be used as part of the final masterplan.