Perth Voice Interactive

A BAYSWATER recycling company responsible for a worker losing an arm has been removed from the WA Local Government Association’s list of “preferred suppliers” while a decision’s made over possible suspension or termination.

In July the Voice reported that Resource Recovery Solutions was convicted of “gross negligence” over a 2016 incident where a worker’s arm was severed at the shoulder after being pulled into a conveyor belt that lacked a safety guard. 

It followed a worker death from a collapsing roof in 2013, another conveyor accident resulting in a broken arm in 2015, and repeatedly ignored warnings from Worksafe WA to improve safety at the site and install guards on the factory’s conveyors.

Dire history

Despite the dire history the company remained on WALGA’s “preferred supplier” list of companies it recommends to councils, intended to give them the best value for money. 

In July we queried whether worker safety was taken into account, and WALGA told us they’d commence a review into the company’s listing. This month the company disappeared from the preferred supplier directory.

WALGA CEO Nick Sloan says “removing organisations from our active directory forms part of the review process prior to any decisions being made on possible suspension or termination.

“Our current review is ongoing and no decisions have been made on this particular contract.”

IT’S a huge turnout for the City of Perth election with seven candidates for lord mayor and 27 candidates vying for eight councillor spots. It’s a special election to make up for the one missed last year when the council was suspended, and Perth will be brought back in sync with other local government elections next year. That results in the lord mayor and the top four vote-garnering candidates getting a three year term, while the four in the lower winning bracket will get just a one year term.

Mayor:

Mark Gibson: TV and radio presenter and long time city resident, he says he’ll be an independent, full-time mayor with no political or business conflicts. He wants to brighten up the city’s darkened corners, and better footpaths, cycleways and recreational facilities. 

Sandy Anghie: An architect, lawyer and accountant, she’s had involvement with the City of Perth before as part of Adrian Fini’s “Historic Heart of Perth,” a project that received state and council grants along with private funding to revitalise the east end. Ms Anghie says “we need to fix the fundamentals – governance, homelessness, safety and support for local businesses”. 

Brodie McCulloch: Founder of “smart office” company Spacecubed, he says he has plenty of leadership experience and is big on governance, serving on boards and holding qualifications from the Governance Institute of Australia. In August Spacecubed was offered a $15,000 council covid-19 recovery grant, but knocked it back as Mr McCulloch had decided to make his mayoral bid. 

Bruce Reynolds: A city resident, he’s been working in town since he was 15 with his first job at Vanguard Printing, and at 22 he opened his own marketing, design and ad agency next door. Recently he bought the 120-year-old heritage-listed Braddock’s Dispensary building on Aberdeen Street, adapting it into a well-regarded cafe. He’s big on encouraging retail in the city, and wants to investigate shorter “drop-in tenancies” to reduce the risks for start-up businesses.

Tim Schwass: The first candidate to confirm his run, he’s a retired magistrate of 30 years, and says he’s independent and can bring relevant legal and governance experience. He’s also keen to turn Perth into a more pet-friendly city, proposing a “world class dog park” at Langley Park (there’s no current off-leash place to run a pooch in Perth) and wants licensed dogs to be allowed on public transport. 

Basil Zempilas: Sports talker and columnist, he wants a safer Perth and says 200 more police are needed for the Fitzgerald Street police centre. He also wants to encourage owners of vacant city buildings to put tenants in, proposing higher rates for vacant properties as used by Vincent and Fremantle councils. He’s got the backing of his employer The West Australian (which has been the source of criticism from both opponents and Media Watch)

Di Bain: The outspoken chair of city advocacy group Activate Perth (though on hiatus as chair during the election), she’s also a Tourism WA commissioner and a former ABC journo. She plans to keep up the campaign of getting a better deal on the Perth Parking Levy, an arrangement that sees the council and city businesses pay many millions in car bay taxes to the WA government every year for very little return. She’s into “the basics”: “Extending lighting/security patrols to increase safety, boosting street cleaning/greening, improving residential amenities, prudent scrutiny of budget/rates, and, critically, helping rough sleepers off our streets for a safe night’s sleep”.

Council: 

Gary Mitchell: Community TV presenter and former convener of the Australian Republican Movement, he’s scored an endorsement from his cousin Basil Zempilas.

Charles (Mark) Davidson: A mining industry veteran who wants to “reinvigorate the city centre into a family welcoming location which also attracts business and private investment”.

David Ho: A migration agent who says he’s seen “the ups and the downs, the good and the bad” working in the CBD for many years, he says October 17 “is a day of hope” to inject new blood on council.

Shelley Hill: President of the Parents and Friends Federation of WA, she wants a city that “looks after its residents without a home,” is safer and more inclusive for everyone and that celebrates its Indigenous culture and heritage. 

Reece Harley: A former councillor, he was vindicated by the inquiry into the City of Perth which backed concerns he’d had over city finances and a council culture of entitlement. A heritage, cycling and greener city advocate. 

Viktor Ko: A city resident and medico with experience in executive roles with bodies including the Royal Australian College of GPs. Australia-born to Cantonese parents, Mr Ko says “Perth should be Asia’s gateway to Australia” and the city should have a university campus to attract students. 

Liam Gobbert: A former councillor and deputy mayor at Joondalup. He’s a city resident and worker and qualified town planner, and wants to use “design out crime” strategies for city infrastructure. 

Claire Trolio: Co-owner of clothing and gift shop Rock Rover General Store in Northbridge since 2006, she says small business is vital for the economy, tourism and culture, and also says “I will push for a green, sustainable city with urgent and progressive action on climate change”. 

Lexi Barton: A former councillor from October 2017 to March 2018 when the whole council was suspended, the inquiry report didn’t have a bad word to say about her. She wants a safer and more vibrant city and promises a council that listens.

Nancy Haddaden: A coastal and environmental engineer, she was motivated to run for council after being a member of the community reference group that helped develop the city’s big Community Strategic Plan. Her ideas include a community garden for Crawley, a new and safer bike plan, and ensuring youth and elderly are considered.

Clyde Bevan: The proprietor of Friends Restaurant for 23 years, he’s also done six years as chair of Lotterywest and has the endorsement of lord mayoral candidate Basil Zempilas. 

Andrew Toulalan: Runs the tourism booking site waholidayguide.com.au, says the council needs “no infighting or factions,” and he’s keen on more security, clean streets with more trees, and more amenities for residents like a city pool.

Deni Symonds: A 28-year-old Perth resident who works in governance, integrity and reform at a state government agency, he wants more community facilities for residents, and cautious spending for the city budget.

Terresa Lynes: A former City of Gosnels deputy mayor, and also president of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association WA. She also has a diploma in local government and is studying criminology and justice. Her ancestor Richard Gallop (great-great-uncle of former premier Geoff Gallop) was among the first Europeans to arrive, and was an indentured worker for colonel Peter Latour. 

Dwayne Berwick: Having moved from the Goldfields to Perth about 10 years ago, he says he has no ties to any commercial interest and self-describes as “an everyman who has worked primarily in the mining industry”.

Taofeng (Leah) Xia: A Perth resident, she founded a dance school in 2016 and wants to bring international students back to the city, along with attracting foreign investors and tourists. 

Catherine Lezer: An East Perth resident and a director at the WA Strata Community Association, she wants better apartment living instead of cramped spaces, more amenities for families and pets to live in the city.

Michael Felix: A CPA and Murray Street resident, he missed out on his tilt at council in 2017 but is back with an aim to reduce financial waste and to keep the CEO and executive team accountable.

Vance Franklin: A 35-year-old Northbridge resident, he says getting around on foot lets him see and hear what’s working well and what needs improving.

Brent Fleeton: A former Bayswater councillor now living in the city, he runs consulting firm Overarch and has spent a bit of time in Perth council chambers lobbying for clients’ projects. He’s fighting red tape including signage approvals taking months, to “absurd fees attached to an application, or the lingering 1950s retail trade hours that Perth is known for. It all needs to go”.

Rebecca Gordon: Former deputy mayor at Melville (as Rebecca Aubrey, daughter of former mayor Russell), she also contested Willagee for the Liberal party in the 2017 state election. A city lawyer, and also served on the Local Government Standards Panel for four years.

Michelle Rosenberg: Lives in the city and now manages a family bar and restaurant after 20 years experience working in state and federal government agencies.

Raj Doshi: An East Perth resident who was involved in organising the city music sessions during the Covid-19 lockdown, she’d also like to see a local primary school in the city.

Aimee Smith: A climate change policy adviser, she says Perth is vulnerable to climate change but there’s opportunities in making the city greener and healthier. 

Di Bain, Sandy Anghie and Bruce Reynolds are also running for council, as candidates are allowed to run for both mayoral and councillor roles (but can only serve in one).

SUBURB activation groups like the Beaufort Street Network are needed in Yokine and Dianella, says Mt Lawley Labor MP Simon Millman.

He’s putting the call out for people keen on signing up to two new groups he’s helping establish, with initial meetings planned for late September.

Drive

It follows consultation sessions held last summer, where Mr Millman says “establishing new community groups to drive activities and events in Yokine and Dianella was a key recommendation”.

Now that Covid restrictions have lifted and meetings can be held, it’s back on the table. 

“I will provide administrative and organisational support, put people in touch with organisations that exist to support groups like this, and lend my support to any activities the groups want to pursue,” Mr Millman said.

“If you want to be part of new, exciting events in your community, let me know.

“We are lucky to be able to engage in most of the normal activities that people in other States and countries have to forego, so let’s take this chance to build our communities and enhance our connection with one another.”

Dates are being finalised, register via simon.millman.mla@ mp.wa.gov.au or 9473 0800. 

NEW rules for leasing Vincent council facilities have been delayed following concerns from small sports clubs and state sports organisations.

While some small clubs would get a rent decrease under the new policy, most would get a bump upwards as they would pay 5 to 10 per cent of the market rate. Some maintenance and upgrade costs may also have been passed to the clubs.

Several clubs made their concerns known to the council briefing last week (“Clubs fear leases will push them over edge,” Voice, September 12 2020).

Councillors were due to vote on the item on September 15 but mayor Emma Cole announced it had been withdrawn by the administration, as “there were a number of questions that arose during the council briefing process and that has been withdrawn for further work to be undertaken”.

POLICE are investigating an assault in Northbridge which left a 20-year-old man with “facial fractures” requiring plastic surgery.

The young man and a friend were at an Aberdeen car park on Sunday August 16 when the were approached by a gang who spoke to them for about 10 minutes. One of the gang stole the victim’s belt buckle before running away. The victim gave chase but was set upon by three of the gang members, who also stole his phone and watch.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

RESILIENCE is the fitting theme for this year’s Perth Poetry Festival which runs from September 18-27.

Despite being hit by a “big curveball” in the last eight days with a main venue change, interstate and international guests performing through Zoom and having to organise a pop-up series for delayed events, WA Poets Inc insist the show will go on.

Committee member Jaya Penelope said given the trying year it has been for many people due to the coronavirus, it was important the festival went ahead. 

“Poetry allows you to express something authentic and sometimes something very vulnerable or challenging that might not be able to be shared in another context,” she said.

Side-effects

“In terms of the work we’ve had submitted to us this year, we’ve had a lot of people reflecting on the situation in their poetry.”

Ms Penelope said while Covid-19 has meant people have lost events, gigs and work, it has also had some interesting side-effects. 

“At WA Poets we do a couple of competitions a year and the amount of entrants we’ve had has increased by about a third, so clearly people have had more time and possibly more of a desire to write poetry,” she said.

“There’s also been a lot of workshops and performances online which has actually fostered a bit more of a community across Australia because normally poetry in WA can have a tendency to feel a little bit isolated.”

Introverted

Local poet and muso Natalie D-Napoleon said while online tools allowed her to host a Zoom book launch for a fellow writer locked down in Melbourne and connect with poets she had read but never met, she found the lack of in-person contact challenging. 

“I know some people have loved the introverted time and the ability to stay at home and write,” she said.

“But for me a lot of my work is about connecting with people so I’ve found it very hard to be stuck at home and writing and not being able to go out and be part of the community.”

Ms D-Napoleon also affirmed the theme for this year’s festival was perfect and believed the pandemic had highlighted the importance of the arts.

“I think we will reflect back on this time and realise the creative arts is what lifts human beings, it lifts our spirits, it helps us process the world,” she said.

Further details on the Festival may be found on the WA Poets Inc Facebook page or wapoets.com

by AMELIA CHANNER-HOLMES

NORTH Perth people are centre frame in a new project which chronicles 10 of the suburb’s characters.

The suburb’s town team North Perth Local’s put together the “People of North Project” with some funding from Vincent council and help from the library’s Local History Centre. They brought in journalist Kate Ferguson to photograph and interview 10 community champs who enrich the area just by being around.

NPL’s Renee Jefferys tells us the idea came about because “we felt like there are so many great stories… people who’ve done some great things and had some great influences both in business and in the community”.

A committee chose 10 people for categories like business champion, academic champion, Indigenous community champion and migrant community champion.

Two well known faces are out so far and they’re releasing the others over the coming months via the website at northperthlocal.org/people-of-north-perth

By David Bell

Business Champion Jim Howe

Jim’s been working on Angove Street for nearly 70 years, having started working at 14 at Pal & Panther Cycles in 1952. 

He worked for owner Cyril Collins, eventually buying the business in 1980 and expanding it to selling and servicing motorbikes and lawnmowers.

His son Craig and daughter-in-law Karen had been involved since the 80s and in 2004 started their own business “Motorcycle Pit Stop” in the same shop while Jim focused on the bicycles.  

A third generation joined soon after as his grandson Jamie started his motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship there. Jim only had a brief retirement before missing the shop and coming back to join Motorcycle Pit Stop.

“I’m 82 and I’m still working,” he says.

“My wife died 10 years ago, with cancer, which was the worst thing that happened to me in my life.”

He took some time off but said he “didn’t like it. 

“Me son who ran the business, and [daughter in law] Karen, when me wife died, said ‘come and do a bit of work’ and I’ve been here ever since.”

Community Champion David Boothey

Many people around town will have bumped into Dave while he’s taking the bins out for local businesses. 

But he says “I’m getting older. 

“I’ll be 70 next year. “I don’t think I’ll be doing it next year.”

He’s seen a lot of change over the years as his suburb turns more urban.

“You’ve got all these big buildings going up, all these townhouses. 

“People don’t talk much anymore. 

They just keep to themselves.”

Photos and interviews by Kate Ferguson.