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  • Take a seat – anywhere

    Take a seat – anywhere

    THE bizarre and beautiful benches of Bayswater have never been so closely examined, with a new online repository documenting the best worst seats in the ‘burb. 

    The “Benches of Bayswater” Facebook page launched in September after years of conversations about confusing placements.

    Its anonymous administrator, who goes by the pen name Oscar Nonslip, tells us “it kicked off with a flurry of bench installations around the Bayswater town centre a couple of years ago which left myself and a few others scratching our heads as to the intent behind them.”

    Nonslip says he’s seen the bench landscape change over the generations, but rarely do they stray towards utility.

    “There’s a lot that seem to be echoes of a past time with these concrete and wood things that were perfect advertising opportunities. Most of those live at the corners of busy junctions – which are just lovely spots to sit and have a contemplate.

    “Then there are the new contenders. There’s been a flurry of installations in the past couple of years by the council in really quite odd places as well. Full sun. Quite random locations. Awesome.”

    Asked if the blog was meant as a prod for planners, Nonslip says “you would think so. But at the same time there’s something slightly endearing about the truly random nature of some of these placements.

    “Full sun seems to be a mandatory placement criteria.”

    But he wouldn’t mind if “maybe someone from the council stumbles upon it. It might inform some possibly better choices in the future”.

    Nonslip wants to remain a benchy Banksy on this, describing himself as “just a guy really.

    “I’m a Perth resident, Bayswater local, quite active in the local community. It’s a good spot. I’m quite interested in the developments that are coming to Bayswater in terms of the train station redevelopment.

    “I have no prior expertise in the bench area at all. I sat on one once, when I was about eight, I think.”

    He says the page has only just scratched the surface with plenty more oddities to cover, and submissions of notable benches are encouraged at facebook.com/benchesofbaysie

    by DAVID BELL

  • Little things 

    Little things 

    EVERYTHING screamed fun about Little B in Mt Lawley.

    The funky photo menu, the downtown Bangkok theme, and the colourful website with cool 20-somethings and flashing graphics.

    Unfortunately when we arrived at the small Thai restaurant on Beaufort Street, it didn’t feel like much fun with mediocre service and a middling atmosphere.

    It all started when I went up to the counter to order, where the lady at the till was po-faced and couldn’t muster a semblance of a smile.

    To be fair she was the only person serving and taking orders in the restaurant, so I can appreciate she was under the cosh. No big deal.

    But then she gave my wife a tofu pad thai, instead of the chicken version ($16.90).

    After my wife had a couple of mouthfuls and realised there was no chicken, I alerted the waitress who said she gave us the wrong dish and did we want to keep it. No apology.

    Slightly bemused we said no, we wanted what we had ordered, and the waitress obliged.

    Service aside, the food itself was pretty good.

    The moreish salty broth in my wonton noodle soup ($15.90) was teeming with flavours and textures.

    The boiled egg seeped into the soup, enhancing the favour, and the fish balls bobbing on the surface added a strong seafood punch. Submerged in a mass of egg noodles were the large wontons, which had a lovely soft casing and slight spicy filling.

    It was a well-balanced and very enjoyable wonton soup with lots of twists and turns.

    Across the table my wife was enjoying her belated chicken breast pad thai.

    “The sauce has a sweet tang and the dish is nice and moist; a lot of pad thais I’ve eaten have been a bit dry,” she said.

    “The chicken is good quality and well cooked, and there’s a good variety of veggies in there.

    “It’s very moreish and great comfort food”.

    Throughout our meal we were treated to a litany of soft rock ballads that sounded like Michael Bolton on ketamine.

    The music didn’t really fit the restaurant’s funky theme with raw brick walls, industrial pendant lights, and a kitchen with a tin roof, hinting at a downtown food stall in Bangkok.

    As Ronan Keating sang the love theme to Notting Hill, my kids were mauling their chicken satay sticks ($9.90) and spring rolls ($8.90).

    I had a sneaky taste and can confirm the thick peanut sauce was delicious with a pleasant, sweet coda.

    The spring rolls were competent and came with a nice zesty dip.

    There was a huge variety of dishes in Little B with the menu including soups, salads, curries, street-favourites, and specials like steamed barramundi in chilli and lime sauce, and shiitake mushroom stir-fry.

    It’s also licensed with nice range of Asian beers and some wine.

    Little B is good value with huge serves and no-nonsense tasty food. 

    Hopefully I just had an off-night with the service – it happens and these are difficult times.

    Little B – Bangkok Dining
    4/609 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley
    http://www.little-b.com.au

    by STEPHEN POLLOCK

  • He’s back

    He’s back

    • Craig Silvey

    PERTH author Craig Silvey says the 11 year gap between Jasper Jones and his new novel Honeybee wasn’t down to crippling anxiety over how to follow his best-seller.

    He didn’t elaborate on why it took so long, but he wasn’t exactly resting on his laurels in the intervening years – releasing the novella The Amber Amulet in 2012 and co-writing the screenplay for the film adaptation of Jasper Jones in 2017.

    “The pressure of expectation tends to occur to me mostly once the book is finished, that’s when I feel the most anxiety about potentially disappointing people,” Silvey says.

    “The response to Jasper Jones has been so profoundly generous. Hundreds of thousands of people are invested in my work, which is a privilege I’m very grateful for. 

    “But worrying about critical and reader responses while I’m developing a novel would make the process impossible, so I try to focus purely on the story and the characters who inhabit it.

    “Fortunately early responses to Honeybee have been generously enthusiastic and universally positive, which has gone a long way towards assuaging my anxieties.”

    Like Jasper Jones, a teenager is at the heart of his new novel.

    “Honeybee is about a West Australian teenager, Sam Watson, who climbs over the rail of a traffic bridge late one night with the intention of ending their life,” Silvey says. “At the other end of the bridge stands an old man, Vic, who is smoking his last cigarette before ending his own struggle. 

    “Sam and Vic see each other across the void, and their fates are forever changed. Honeybee is about the relationship that blooms between them, and their efforts to repair each other.

    “Despite the bleak opening scene, Honeybee is ultimately a hopeful, life-affirming novel about the importance of support, community, love and understanding.”

    The Voice asked Silvey, 38, if it became harder to tap into that teenage voice as he approaches his 40th birthday. 

    “There are a diversity of characters in Honeybee, from drag queens to war veterans to small time drug dealers to Sam, our teenage narrator,” he says.

    “The truth is, when developing any character, regardless of how closely they mirror your own interests or history, it’s necessary to sit with them and allow them to reveal themselves to you. 

    “It’s the same way you might connect with a stranger. You spend time with them, observe them, gauge how they react, listen to the way they want to express themselves, give them the freedom to unfurl.”

    Silvey grew up in Dwellingup and later went to school in Mandurah, but he’s now well and truly settled in Freo.

    “I’ve lived in Fremantle for twenty years…I write in my office at the same oak desk that I’ve always sat behind. I’ll work for five or six hours in the afternoon, break for dinner, then work another session in the evening for four or five hours.” 

    Honeybee was released in bookshops this week.

    by STEPHEN POLLOCK

  • Fun approach

    Fun approach

    People work up a sweat in Leederville to raise awareness of mental health issues (above), and Kaye Holmes, Anne Hearen, Susan Klauz, Carol Gray and Val Baldwin have been busy making decorations for the “blue tree” in Melville (left).

    A SERIES of fun events will be held in Perth as part of Mental Health Week (October 10 – 17).

    Kicking things off next Saturday on world mental health day is Stand Up! For Comedy at the Perth State Theatre.

    Now in its sixth year, the event features a stellar line-up of some of Australia’s funniest comics including MC Matt Dyktynski, Brodie Snook, Alissia Marsh and Peter Rowsthorn.

    A percentage of ticket sales go to the WA Association for Mental Health, which provides invaluable support to mental health sufferers.

    On October 16 Leederville locals will work up a sweat at the Jungle body Mega Fitness Class; a one hour conga dance workout with live DJ at Leederville Town Hall.

    Participants will raise awareness of mental health issues while enjoying a fun workout that fuses boxing, cardio, dance and pilates, and is suitable for all ages.

    South of the river, Melville is hoping to kick-start conversations about mental health with its Blue Tree Project, which encourages locals to create their own version of a blue tree – whether a painted stick in a pot, a craft project or artwork – and share a photo of it at melvillecity.com.au/bluetree.

    In April the city painted a tree blue on Honour Avenue in Point Walter.

    “The blue trees are a visual reminder to check in with a loved one, a friend that’s having a rough time, or a mate having a blue day,” says Blue Tree project founder Kendall Whyte.

    “By spreading the paint and spreading the message that it’s okay to not be okay, we can help break down the stigma that’s still largely attached to mental health, inform people that we all have blue days but there will always be someone who you can talk to, and someone who will listen.”

    Melville council will also hold a free Active in the Park yoga class on October 17, next to the Point Walter Blue Tree.

    Melville mayor George Gear said the recent challenges and uncertainty of covid-19 had brought mental health sharply nto focus.

    “With the ABS reporting that one in five Australians aged 16 to 85 experience a mental illness each year, and almost half of Australians experience a mental illness in their lifetime, we know that supporting our community to be mentally healthy is a key priority,” he said.

    “Mental Health Week encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing and check in with those around us.” 

    On October 16 schools are encouraged to take part in Magic Coat day, which uses fun analogies to teach kids simple and effective mental health strategies.

    The free event includes a host of special guests and activities at the WACA grounds in Perth.

    Rounding off Mental Health Week will be a high tea and closing ceremony at the Padoga Resort and Spa in Como, with free tickets available for 50 people.

    For more information and to see all the events during Mental Health Week go to mentalhealthweek.org.au

  • River King

    River King

    MAYLANDS is one of the prettiest suburbs in Perth.

    The art deco buildings, river foreshore and lush parks all combine to create a sense of well-being and relaxation.

    You’re still close to the city, but the suburb doesn’t have that hemmed-in feeling you often get in Mt Lawley.

    There’s loads of space in this four bedroom, three bathroom home, which is situated on a 825m block beside De Lacy Reserve and the Swan River in Maylands.

    Forget about all those cream-rendered clones, this home has a bold brick facade with more than a passing nod to the old Maylands brickworks down the road. 

    A nice bullnose verandah sets off the front garden, creating a stylish entry statement.

    The large lounge and open-plan living space has gorgeous wooden floors and high ceilings, and is a great place to relax.

    This area overlooks the large garden, with windows letting in plenty of natural light.

    There’s a big office on the ground floor (which could be utilised as a fifth bedroom if you have lots of kids) and a family-sized laundry with shower and powder room. 

    Out the back is a large swathe of grass for children to play on, with plenty of room for playground equipment and a trampoline.

    There’s even a cute lookout platform the owners have installed on a pretty tree looming over the garden.

    This feels like a lovely open space with loads of potential to add extra things or leave unspoiled.

    After a run around the garden, kickback in the sheltered alfresco which has plenty of room for a barbecue, pizza oven and an outdoor lounge setting.

    All the bedrooms are upstairs.

    The spacious main has an ensuite bathroom with double vanities, a walk-in wardrobe and French doors opening to reveal stunning views of De Lacy Reserve.

    The three other bedrooms are a great size (two have built-in robes) and share a family bathroom.

    Situated on Richard Street, this home is close to Maylands primary school and within walking distance of the train station, Eighth Avenue/Whatley Crescent precinct, a supermarket and loads of other amenities.

    This is a huge house which has not been over-developed, so there’s an opportunity to put your own stamp on things.

    Home open today (Saturday October 3) 11am-11:30am
    EOI in low one millions
    16 Richard Street, Maylands
    ACTON Mt Lawley 9272 2488
    Agents Paul Owen 0411 601 420
    Carlos Lehn 0478 927 017

  • Road plan stalls

    Road plan stalls

    The road is flanked by greenery that’d have to be removed. Photo by Elli Petersen-Pik.

    THE most contentious road proposal in Maylands’ recent history has stalled following unprecedented opposition.

    A group of Maylands peninsula residents wanted a dual use path between Clarkson and Swanbank Roads upgraded to a through-road in preparation for the opening of the new Waterland, convincing councillor Catherine Ehrhardt to call for an investigation at Bayswater council’s last meeting.

    Resident Steve Cloughley told the council Clarkson Road was already busy and Waterland would add to the problem; while there was also new housing going up, more cars towing large boats down to the nearby boat ramp, and police needing to leave the Maylands Police Complex at speed.

    Mr Cloughley said the road could still have a cycle/pathway alongside it.

    A petition of 42 residents supported the upgrade.

    But the opposition was more numerous and vocal, not wanting the area’s greenery flattened for roads. The Friends of Berringa Park, Friends of Maylands Bricklands, and Friends of Maylands Lakes all opposed it, with the lakes group concerned a road would have a “devastating” impact on the already suffering Bungana, Brearley and Brickworks Lakes. 

    Councillors’ inboxes were also flooded with an unprecedented number of emails, and deputations against the plan dominated the September 15 council briefing where it was previewed.

    So many people attended that to comply with Covid distancing an overflow room had to be opened up to stream the meeting.

    The opposition was so staunch Cr Ehrhardt requested the motion be withdrawn from the September 22 agenda, but was told it was too late. In the end her motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

    Feasability

    It would’ve cost about $5,000 to investigate the feasibility of the road, and more than $750,000 if council decided to build it.

    Fellow south ward councillor Elli Petersen-Pik, who’d been against the road, also tabled two petitions to be further considered calling on the council to rezone the cycle/walking path from a ‘road reserve’ to ‘public open space’.

    It’s listed as a road reserve as in the distant past there was an unsealed track there, and the rezoning would put a speedbump on any resurrected road plans. 

    by DAVID BELL

  • Double-checked decisions in city inquiry response

    Double-checked decisions in city inquiry response

    PERTH council decisions will be double-checked for legality and reimbursement claims published online as part of a raft of measures introduced in response to the Power inquiry. 

    On September 15 the city’s stand-in commissioners approved a formal response to the 248 findings outlined in the inquiry report. 

    A few dozen actions have already been completed, like tightening up elections to keep out fake votes, while others like stricter policies on reimbursement and accepting gifts are in the pipeline.

    A new draft policy coming to the next council meeting requires all reimbursement claims to be scrutinised by the CEO, while independent auditors will review grants, the gift register, complaints, and contracts. Council decisions will be audited every two years to ensure they’re within the law.

    Chair commissioner Andrew Hammond released a statement after the September 15 meeting saying “since the inquiry was announced in 2018, the City has been on an extensive journey of transformation. 

    “While there are 248 findings that require action by the City, we have already begun to make progress. 

    “When commissioners were appointed, our remit was to restore good governance at the City and we have been implementing various actions to achieve this. 

    “When elected members join in October, they can continue this work and rebuild community trust.”

    Around $200,000 is needed to implement additional actions, including appointing specialists, training new councillors, coaching  mayors, and reviewing the insufficient audit system. Commissioners vote on that spend at the next meeting, but the money’s already sitting in a reserve they set up to cover the costs stemming from the inquiry.

    By DAVID BELL

  • Vincent takes out shop bins

    Vincent takes out shop bins

    BUSINESS waste bins will no longer be collected by Vincent council as of mid-2021.

    Vincent, which doesn’t have a dedicated commercial waste collection service like Perth, wants traders to switch to private operators. 

    The council has been lumbering along collecting business bins as part of its residential pickup system, with businesses needing more than two standard sulo bins paying more to have extras collected (some large restaurants have dozens).

    The system’s become increasingly clunky as growing businesses fill verges and alleyways with bins, and with the new FOGO three-bin system coming in October 21 the council has decided it’s time to act. 

    It also wants to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, and commercial operators have high contamination rates in their recycling bins.

    About 15 per cent of Vincent businesses have already switched over to external operators, who can offer bigger bins and more frequent, on-property pickup rather than hauling 20 sulos to the kerb. 

    Savings

    It may also save larger businesses money: A big restaurant paying the council for 32 extra bins will save about $2,000 a year under a commercial operator.

    The council’s own Beatty Park Leisure Centre cut its waste cost from $15,000 a year to less than $5,000 by hiring Perth council’s big bin service to make a detour across the border.

    But micro businesses could take a slight hit in the switch: In the council’s modelling a small hairdresser might pay $19 more per year. 

    Mayor Emma Cole tells us there are still details to be worked out over the next nine months and people won’t be left without a pickup if they haven’t organised an alternative in time. 

    “It’s a big change and we’re trying to talk to businesses to make it as successful as possible. 

    “If there are businesses that say to us ‘we just want a FOGO system and that would work for us’… I’m certainly open to that”.  

    The council would save $920,000 a year by not collecting commercial bins and has proposed using the savings on a $520 rebate to traders to smooth the transition, with further rebates considered at the next budget time. 

    Councils are obliged by state law to pick up household waste, but not commercial. Some do anyway, with Perth, Fremantle and Stirling running a full commercial waste system, while others like Joondalup and Wanneroo make businesses seek external services.

    Other councils already using the three-bin FOGO system including Melville and East Fremantle haven’t rolled it out to commercial collections yet. 

    by DAVID BELL

  • ECU does city deal

    ECU does city deal

    How ECU’s campus might look.

    EDITH COWAN uni’s Mt Lawley campus will move to the CBD by 2025, while Mt Lawley high school will stretch out onto the vacant campus. 

    The $696 million project is the centrepiece of the long-stalled Perth City Deal between local, state and federal governments, and comes more than two years after negotiations started.

    WAAPA and some of the Mt Lawley campus’s courses focused around “creative industries” and technology will be relocated, and the school of business and law will be moved down from Joondalup. 

    Murdoch Uni gets a partly state-government funded tech-focused “vertical campus” and e-sports stadium for the growing competitive video game scene, and Curtin uni will build on its existing city presence with an east end “knowledge and innovation” precinct.

    The plan’s intended to bring more people into the city, stimulate the CBD economy, and hopefully attract visitors to 300 performances a year. 

    The state government will resume control of the Mt Lawley campus, which has seen student numbers drop recently as more went to Joondalup or studied online. 5,400 students attended the Mt Lawley campus in 2019, down from 7,500 in 2017. 

    A masterplan for the site is still to come but ML high school using the facilities has been flagged.

    Many Mt Lawley locals wanted WAAPA and ECU to stay, and while last year Mt Lawley MP Simon Millman told ECU’s vice chancellor about “the level of affection people in our neighbourhood have for WAAPA and ECU” he was this week welcoming the “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the high school and the area. 

  • Power inquiry: Training a hit or miss affair

    Power inquiry: Training a hit or miss affair

    TRAINING for both staff and councillors is a big focus of the recommendations for improvement, as inadequate training underpinned many problems leading up to the suspension. 

    The inquiry report says a lack of staff training contributed to illegitimate voters being registered, candidates with no right to run being accepted onto the ballot, improper reimbursements being given to councillors, and complaints being dismissed without proper investigation.

    The lack of training was confirmed by a 2018 independent report by Tower Human Capital Group that surveyed hundreds of staff.

    One question asked staff: “Have you undertaken non-compliance training on (council’s online training website) City Learn and only 109 out of 247 said they had.

    Dozens gave “don’t know” responses including:

    • “What is non-compliance training?”;

    • “What is non-compliance?”;

    • “Do not understand this question”;

    • “I don’t understand what this means”;

    • “I don’t know what this is”;

    • “Non-compliance for what? I don’t know what this is”; and

    • One respondent said they “do not get City Learn as we don’t have computers”. 

    Some training has already been completed in areas including risk management and financial management, and future annual reports will have to include the percentage of staff being trained about the city’s code of conduct.