Perth Voice Interactive

Your free, independent newspaper

recent posts

about

  • Vincent’s own goals

    Vincent’s own goals

    DUDLEY MAIER is a former Vincent councillor. In this week’s SPEAKER’S CORNER he casts a critical eye over a lease deal at Leederville Reserve between the WA government and Vincent council and finds the city needs to lift its game.

    THE December 21 edition of the Voice had a front page story about how the WA Government took the City of Vincent to the cleaners over the lease of the office building on the Leederville Reserve.

    The headline “State def Vincent (1-0)” was somewhat premature; the final score was 3-0, with Vincent kicking a couple of own goals in extra time. There are a number of reasons for this.

    Leederville Oval was initially vested in the care of the City of Perth for the purpose of “recreation”.

    In 1994 the vesting order was changed to “recreation and child care centre” in order to allow a child care facility to be built. The precedent for change was set!

    Vincent councillors have acknowledged that the deal is “not a great outcome” and “in the commercial sector it may not be regarded as the best outcome”. 

    They are claiming that they were constrained because the building could only be leased to the one, specific tenant.

    I questioned if the City formally approached the minister with a view to amending the vesting order. It appears that no approach was made as part of the lease negotiations. It seems to have been accepted as a fait accompli.

    For all intents and purposes the building has been used as an office for 15 years, and it would take a brave minister to knock back a request to change the vesting order to “recreation, child care centre and office”.

    To add insult to injury, the Voice’s story said mayor Cole was looking forward to more staff from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries joining their sports and rec colleagues, therefore reinforcing the reality that the building is just a general “office”, and calling into question whether the proposed use is allowable.

    I mentioned that it would be a brave minister to knock back a request to change the vesting order. A politically savvy council would have realised they had the upper hand with the state election coming up, and it would be easy to spin the story along the lines of the state government bullying the council and being unreasonable with the result that the local community loses out. 

    Political waves

    Then again, perhaps they didn’t want to make party political waves. Just saying.

    But that only accounts for the first own goal.

    The story stated that the department, which currently pays $645,000 in rent, will nominally pay $546,000 in the first year despite a market evaluation of $640,000.

    The deal was that a $3 million “incentive” would be paid over 10 years, with $1.6m being paid in the first three years. The silver lining, if there was one, was that the $1.6m was to be spent on a Vincent approved fit-out. At least some of Vincent’s money would be used improving its asset and it would have some control over how it was spent.

    But this wasn’t good enough for the department. It asked for an extra $25,000 to spread the $1.6m over three years rather than two, and it wanted the $1.6m to be deposited into consolidated revenue with no commitment to spend the money on a fit-out. And Team Vincent lived up to their vision of being a council that says ‘yes!’ (but that’s another story).

    The story also made reference to a council mood that was more Chamberlain than Churchillian. After seeing that the department, which currently pays about $645,000 a year, will pay about $290,000, $340,000 and $365,000 in the first three years, I think a more apt reference would be the Kerry Packer quote. After Packer sold the Nine Network to Alan Bond for $1.05b, and after buying it back three years later for $250m, he said: “You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime, and I’ve had mine.”

    This exercise has highlighted the lack of experience and commercial acumen at Vincent and a lack of confidence in Leederville. I feel the approach is along the lines of getting an outcome that can be defended, rather than the best, long-term deal for the community.

  • YUMMY OPTION

    YUMMY OPTION

    PERCHED on the top level of Yagan Square is Shy John.

    The CBD restaurant/brewery opened about a year ago and serves classic Cantonese fare and makes its own beer off-site.  

    Shy John is named after John Pong Shying – reputed to be Australia’s first Chinese settler in 1818.

    There’s a plethora of cantonese joints in Perth, and Shy John is one of the better ones, but the chef needs to reconsider the duck spring rolls ($10).

    They’re baked, not fried, which makes them rubbery and chewy instead of crispy and crunchy. 

    There’s barely any duck filling and the flavour is almost non-existent. 

    They’re so flat and tasteless you’d think they were scraped off the road after being run over by a steamroller. Avoid them. 

    The duck san choy bao ($16) gave us hope for the rest of our meal. 

    The crisp lettuce cups, packed with cubed duck meat and chopped vegetables, are well seasoned with soy and oyster sauces. 

    Kylie’s spicy seafood soup starter ($10) was big enough to be a meal in its own right. 

    It’s served in a peculiar looking bowl that’s wide-brimmed and deep. 

    If you turned it upside down it wouldn’t look out of place in Diane Keaton’s hat collection.

    Every spoonful had a medley of mixed seafood including crab, fish, squid and prawns; all swimming in a rich tomato sauce.

    I’m so glad the waitress recommended the beef curry ($32) for our main.

    The braised angus beef chunks were slow cooked for almost two days, and are so tender they literally melt in your mouth. 

    The faultless curry is served with a generous stack of roti that are perfect for mopping up the creamy coconut sauce. 

    This dish packs some serious heat, so those with a low tolerance to chilli should exercise caution.

    There’s a lot going on in Shy John’s menu including a heap of rice and noodle dishes like fried squid ink noodles with roast pork ($16.50) and salted fish and chicken fried rice ($20). 

    I’d recommend everything from the crispy roast pork belly ($22) to the steamed szechuan-style barramundi ($24). 

    Just avoid those spring rolls.

    by MATTHEW EELES

    Shy John Brewery
    & Yum Cha
    Yagan Square, Perth
    9226 0617
    shyjohn.com.au

  • Jus Buy West to Eat Best!

    Jus Buy West to Eat Best!

    Jus Burgers recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as foundation restaurant members of Buy West, Eat Best.  The Voice caught up with owner Bert Giancristofaro to get the lowdown on what goes into making a Jus burger and how they’ve gained such a cult following. It all starts with the beef patty, sourced from the pristine and fertile farmlands of WA’s Stirling Ranges, where Paul O’Meehan and his family run Butterfield Farm. 

    “They grow their own grain and devote an enormous amount of time to the feeding and care of their prize-winning cattle. The O’Meehan’s are true champions of the paddock-to-plate philosophy and you really can taste the difference,” Bert said. 

    A signature of a Jus Burger is the Turkish bun, produced for them by Turkish Bakeries since 2008. Turkish Bakeries is a local family business run by the Genc sisters who took over the bakery started by their father and inherited his passion for authentic Turkish cuisine.

    “There’s something magical that happens when you take stone-baked artisan bread and toast it on a grill. There’s nothing quite like the combination of charred crispy crust against a slightly dense and chewy interior. Every mouthful’s a delight!” Bert said.

    The perfect accompaniment for Perth’s favourite burgers is a schooner of craft beer and in keeping with the WA theme, Jus Burgers look to local producers with an entirely WA beer list. “All the beers on our menu are locally produced. We have a large range of craft beer with Eagle Bay Brewing Co on tap. Based in the picturesque south-west, Eagle Bay Brewery is another family-owned business producing some of the best beer money can buy. Cheers to that!” laughed Bert.

    So, to all you burger & beer aficionados out there, get into Jus Burgers, Buy West to Eat Best and support WA’s passionate producers.

    Jus Burgers
    743 Newcastle Street Leederville
    – 9228 2230

    1 Rokeby Road Cnr Roberts
    Subiaco
    – 9381 1895
    http://www.jusburgers.com.au

  • Rock motherlode

    Rock motherlode

    THEY’VE toured with AC/DC and been nominated for an ARIA, but Kingswood lead guitarist Alex Laska still lives with his mother.

    “Dude, I live at home with my mum,” he says.

    “I’ve dedicated all my money into this band and experiencing success, it’s really tough. 

    “I don’t have a second job at the moment, but if any cash work pops up I’ll grab it.”

    But Laska says his love of rock ‘n’ roll is undiminished and he can’t wait to get back out on the road with the band next month.

    • Kingswood lead guitarist Alex Laska

    The Melbourne rockers have a new album out, Juveniles, and will be playing The Rosemount Hotel in Perth on March 27 as part of a 20-date Australian tour.

    “Our new album has taken about two and a half years, but you could say it’s taken 10,” Laska says.

    “We canned two completed albums to get to this one. 

    “There was some seriously good music on those albums, but there was something not right, it wasn’t the right feel, it wasn’t Kingswood”. 

    The band formed in 2009 and called themselves Kingswood because they had all been conceived in a Holden Kingswood.

    They had all known each other from school or university, but more recently the band’s lighting technician Braiden Michetti became their new bassist.

    • Alex Laska with the band. Photos supplied

    “Braiden used to work for the band, then we discovered he was a kick-ass bass player”. 

    Laska says he is inspired by classic rock bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.

    “The Beatles are the greatest band of all time; the way they produced, their creativity and experimentation is like no other”.

    The guitarist says the band is looking forward to playing in Western Australia.

    “I love Perth, it’s so beautiful. We’ve been to WA heaps of times.” 

    If you like honest, hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll then check out Kingswood at The Rosemount Hotel on March 27.

    by COURTNEY REISS HALL

  • Yokine stunner

    Yokine stunner

    THIS stunning Yokine home has stylish modern lines and dark-honey blackbutt floors.

    The four-bedroom house was built nine years ago, but is so immaculate it could pass for a new build.

    The spacious main bedroom, located on the ground floor, has a bank of built-in wardrobes and a large ensuite with double vanities, deep bath and separate shower.

    This home is a great entertainer and the spacious open plan has a bar adjacent to a dining area with mood lighting.

    Guests can spill out the sliding glass doors to the courtyard alfresco, which has low-maintenance garden beds and a relaxing water feature.

    A golden timber ceiling, high fences and cafe blinds make this a delightful spot all year round.

    Whipping up dinner for guests would be a cinch in the massive kitchen, which has white-stone benchtops and plenty of storage, including a walk-in-pantry.

    Blackbutt stairs lead to the second level bedrooms and a large sitting room. Double glazing on the ground floor and zoned reverse-cycle air conditioning ensures the home stays cool in summer and warm in winter.

    There’s crimsafe screening on the ground floor doors and windows, and an entrance camera/intercom. Situated on a 445sqm block on Lonsdale Street, this is a great family home close to desirable schools in Mt Lawley. 

    by JENNY D’ANGER

    46a Lonsdale Street, Yokine
    $869,000-$899,000
    Jody Missell
    0401 770 782
    Bellcourt Property Mt Lawley
    6141 7848

  • Recycling reprieve

    Recycling reprieve

    THE McGowan government has stepped in to resolve a stalemate that threatened recycling in Vincent and Bayswater.

    The two councils were amongst a number affected when Cleanaway’s recycling plant in South Guildford burnt down in November.

    Although Cleanaway signed a short-term agreement with the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council, which agreed to take its recyclables until it could rebuild the plant, both were taking a financial hit.

    The SMRC had to supercharge its 25,000-tonne facility to take the extra waste, while Cleanaway had to honour its contract rates with the councils despite the extra costs.

    The deal fell apart on January 24.

    The WA government has now agreed help the SMRC cover extra maintenance, leading to a new contract to accept 50,000 tonnes a year waste from Cleanaway to its Canning Vale plant.

    Cleanaway is looking at existing waste sites to hand-sort any extra recyclables.

    Vincent mayor Emma Cole says: “Any recycling going to landfill is a major concern, but it is such a relief that Cleanaway and SMRC have been able to come to an agreement.

    “This is a really sensible solution,” she said, thanking environment minister Stephen Dawson and the WA government for “bringing the parties together and helping to resolve the matter”.

    by DAVID BELL

  • Back to school

    Back to school

    THE owners of the old Perth Girls School precinct in East Perth are holding a public “open house” on February 29 to talk about the site’s future.

    The WA government sold the historic site in two lots to Australian Development Capital in 2017 and 2018 ($5 million for the school, $8.5 million for the adjoining lot at 20 Bronte Street). It wanted a “mixed use” precinct of residential, retail, office and community space.

    ADC is currently working with the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority on reviewing the planning rules for the precinct. Part of the East Perth Cemetery was once located within the girl’s school precinct and while it was built over and the headstones removed, the bodies remained interred underneath. They are being moved over to Karrakatta cemetery in preparation for the site’s next iteration.

    Artrage

    In the meantime the school houses Artrage for a three-year seatwarming stint, and is used for movies and Fringe shows.

    The East Perth Community Group and the Town Team movement are helping ADC hold a post-Fringe open house to have a look around the precinct and talk about future plans.

    ADC’s Rod Hamersley says: “This isn’t a survey or tick a box exercise, this is us seeking genuine input from East Perth and the greater city for what they would like to see created in and around this special building.”

    EPCG’s Graeme McCullagh says he hopes “as many people as possible in the community will take advantage of this opportunity to come have a say in what they would like to see in the future of the Perth Girls School Precinct”.

    To keep the Fringe mood flowing there’ll be storytelling about the site’s past, walking tours, swing dances, DJs, drinks and food trucks.

    Ghosts of the past will also be present: One of the cemetery’s prominent figures Thomas ‘Satan’ Browne, noted convict artist, will be revived for a storytelling performance of love, loss, loneliness and laughter.

    Mr Browne (or the Genrefonix actor portraying his ghost) is ‘fresh’ from a sold out Fringe Season, and the session will be narrated by local arts historian Ivan King.

    The open day runs from 4.30pm to 8.30pm on February 29 at 2 Wellington Street.

  • McGowan moves to ban clamping

    McGowan moves to ban clamping

    A PROPOSED state-wide ban on wheel clamping has been welcomed by Stirling mayor Mark Irwin.

    The city started drafting a local law to ban clamping in August last year, but on Monday the WA government announced it was fast-tracking legislation to outlaw what premier Mark McGowan says is a “disgraceful scam”.

    Public consultation on Stirling’s draft law revealed that 83 per cent of respondents favour a wheel clamping ban.

    “The penalty imposed for vehicles detained via wheel clamping is totally disproportionate to the crime and that is why we initiated the process to draft a local law to ban wheel clamping at council last year,” Mr Irwin said in a statement.

    Hotspots

    “It’s wonderful news that the state government will now draft their own legislation to ban the practice across WA and that they are looking to introduce it as quickly as possible.

    “Scarborough and Mirrabooka have been hotspots for wheel clamping in the city and no doubt these high-profile cases have contributed to the government’s decision.

    “Other states such as Victoria and New South Wales have had a wheel clamping ban in place for some time so it is great that WA is following suit.”

    The McGowan government’s clamping legislation is backed by the opposition.

    There are also moves to amend regulations to lift standards in the WA towing industry, which will come into effect late this year.

  • Perth looking to axe buskers fee

    Perth looking to axe buskers fee

    A BUSKING fee may be axed in Perth, but auditions to keep off-key warblers out of the city are likely to remain.

    Bad buskers have long been a source of complaints in the CBD; in 2018 Perth council received 146 complaints over a six-month period, mostly about songs on repeat, bad singing, loud acts and unrehearsed acts.

    A letter writer in the Voice that year captured what others were clearly thinking as well; “At what point will the council begin to do something about the amateur ‘opera’ singer who has ruined the atmosphere of the Perth Cultural Centre with over-loud and obnoxious busking,” he wrote, claiming customers had been “driven away by the tuneless, ear-piercing singing”.

    Complaints

    The complaints prompted the council to trial new busking rules later that year, dropping the permit fee from $269 to $60 to encourage a wider talent pool, and creating a booking system for prescribed busking zones.

    Acts were given time limits so traders didn’t have to hear the same songs on repeat. The council even planted professional acts to inspire amateurs.

    The price drop saw busking applications skyrocket from 28 to 264.

    Under the new screening process performers had to submit a video to the council’s arts team, with the grey-suited Simon Cowells rejecting 55 as not up to par.

    Busking complaints halved during the bureaucratised busking trial, while a survey of buskers found most were in favour of the new system.

    City staff have now recommended the screening system stay in place and advised commissioners to drop the fee to $0 a year in line with Fremantle, Brisbane and Armadale, and they’ll vote on that at the February 25 council meeting.

    by DAVID BELL

  • Call for climate emergency vote

    Call for climate emergency vote

    • Calls for councils to declare climate emergencies are being driven by the Extinction Rebellion movement.

    STIRLING residents have submitted a petition to council urging it to declare a climate emergency.

    Vincent, Fremantle and Victoria Park councils have already declared a climate emergency, joining the millions of people across Australia pushing for government action on global warming.

    “I am writing to you today to ask that you consider the 150 million people that will die prematurely before the end of the century,” stated the petition.

    “I am writing to you today to ask you to consider the 100 to 200 species that

    have gone extinct between the time you and I woke up this morning and the time we will go to bed this evening.

    “I am writing to you today to ask you to consider the horrible and disastrous effects the climate crisis will have on human rights.”

    During public question time at the Tuesday February 11 council meeting, Leisha Jack said Stirling was behind the climate eight ball.

    “Is the council aware that 1348 jurisdictions in 26 countries have declared a climate

    emergency, including major cities like Auckland, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver,

    London and 400 councils in Britain all together have signed-up,” she said.

    “Forty local councils in Australia, including the City of Sydney, City of Melbourne, North Sydney, and here in WA – Fremantle, Vincent, Augusta and Margaret River. Were you all aware of that?”

    Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said the city was aware and it had a decision to make, but they had existing and new policies related to climate like the Energywise City Plan.

    During the meeting, councillor Lisa Thornton moved a motion for the city to declare a climate emergency, but after some discussion the motion was withdrawn.

    Instead an energywise councillor workshop will be held this month, with the plan presented to the city next month.