Perth Voice Interactive

Kids are streets ahead

November 18, 2016

MOUNT HAWTHORN parents have banded together to take back the streets for their kids.

From Sunday next week (November 27) Rae Street will be closed off for a couple of hours each weekend thanks to a bunch of mums who wanted to give their kids somewhere to play close to home.

The group submitted their proposal to Vincent council as part of this year’s budget deliberations and scored $10,000 to make it happen; that’s a trike-load more than they’ll need, but they reserved some of the money in case traffic management turned out to be costly.

• Mums Katharina Popp, Claire Hunter and Marg O’Connell chat with mayor John Carey and Cr Emma Cole while the kids run wild in the streets. Photo by David Bell

“Backyards are small and the kids are ready to explore their neighbourhood,” says mum Katharina Popp.

She says the kids go to different schools, so opening up the street for play lets them get to know neighbours they might not usually meet.

The mums also hoping the experience helps kids build independence and confidence, so when they get older they’ll not be scared walking the city.

Mayor John Carey says “what I love about this project is it’s resident-led: This is residents saying they want liveable streets for kids to play and have fun. I reckon other streets will want it too.”

The first day of the trial starts November 27 at 3.30pm.

by DAVID BELL
Vigil for the felled

November 18, 2016

MARKING two years since Bayswater council cut down “dangerous” century-old trees in Halliday park, local agitator Greg Smith has been standing vigil every morning this week to remind passing motorists of the felling.

Dressed as the Lorax and bearing a sign that reads “lest we forget,” he’s been chatting to every passerby about the trees.

“It stimulates some conversation with the cars that go by: They sometimes wave or toot the horn, they stop and ask why I’ve got the silly outfit on, or what’s it to do with,” he says.

Over the years Mr Smith has appeared in the Voice’s pages decrying the irony of the City of Bayswater’s “Garden City” motto contrasting with what he describes as a consistent anti-tree stance.

But he says things have improved in the last two years, with the last election ushering out some “tree haters”.

• Long time tree activist Greg Smith marking two years since historic trees were felled in Halliday Park. Photo by Trilokesh Chanmugam

Culture shift

“The culture seems to be changing to recognise that trees are important,” Mr Smith said.

“There’s been a shift in the culture certainly from the new councillors of Dan [Bull] and Catherine [Ehrhardt], and also Sally [Palmer] although she’s not so much a new councillor, and Chris Cornish has been pushing it even before the last election”.

He says Bayswater’s still got a ways to go though: “They still haven’t done the fundamental issue that we asked them to two years ago, and that’s to amend their town planning scheme to create a significant tree register that would require planning approval for cutting down a tree on the list [that’s on private land].

• These happy little wagtails show why more needs to be done to preserve trees.

“Developers know there’s no requirement to get planning consent to clearfell, so they clearfell their land and then submit an application with a blank block.

“The [city] officers are inclined to say it’s in the too hard basket because it’s dealing with the private domain, but you need planning approval to build a verandah on your block and that’s in the private domain.”

In other municipalities you can’t just cut down a significant tree on your land, so councils use the retention of a tree as a bargaining tool, for instance to let a builder bend the rules on boundary setbacks if they keep a tree.

by DAVID BELL
Stirling beefs up tree protection

November 18, 2016

STIRLING council has strengthened its tree protection with new requirements for developers and more regulations on the horizon for tree retention on private land.

The council’s goal is to reach 18 percent tree canopy cover by 2030, but it’s currently at 12.9 percent and 81 hectares of canopy have been cleared in the last four years.

Its parks and reserves team is on track to meet a planting target of 1 million trees/shrubs by 2025, but can’t keep pace with the number of trees being cut down on private property.

In October the council adopted an amendment to the city’s planning scheme which requires developers to plant an “advanced” tree (at least two metres high and two years old) for every 500sqm if there are no existing trees on the land.

Developers will also have to pay for a street tree if the verge is barren. The amendments have been forwarded to the WA planning commission for final approval.

City officers are also looking to regulate “significant” trees on private land, but submissions have already been sent in saying it’s unacceptable to dictate what residents do on their own property, so it’ll be a controversial item when it comes before council in early 2017.

Stirling uses the Helliwell method to place a monetary value on an individual tree based on its visual amenity.

Mayor Giovanni Italiano was thrilled at the progress of the million trees initiative which was launched in 2009.

“This year alone, the city planted 126,795 trees and shrubs, which is a remarkable 40 per cent above our previous record,” Mr Italiano said.

“We are now sitting at a cumulative total of 518,188, which means we’re ahead of our target by almost 20,000 plantings.”
LETTERS 19.11.16

November 18, 2016

Greens failing
GREG SMITH like many of the urban greens is failing his profession by being political rather than keeping up with the transformation of his locale.
Bayswater like many of Perth’s older suburban areas (Mt Lawley, North Perth, Leederville, etc) has been dealing with densification for the past 20 years or more. The renovators have done up lovely old houses and made them liveable and have revitalised their sense of place just like Freo did 30 years back, but the fact is grey and blue corri iron housing has taken over the suburbs in every Australian city.
The ABC has just broadcast a two-part series on this phenomena, Streets of Our Town. That said it all urban bunnies.
But get this … the real change will happen when the new Bayswater underground happens (talk about lack of transparency — who knows what is going on there).
Apparently the project has begun, but talk to the railway men in Midland and half of them have no idea where and what is happening other than it’s a massive underground project. It starts at the airport, it has a station in Forrestfield and ends in Bayswater. The Link.
My thoughts as a former architectural designer researcher /come journo that has kept up with the various urban planning projects is the enviro nutters worry about smaller details like three gum trees but can not deal with the bigger issues like is Whatley Avenue going to have an underground shopping link from one side of the road to the other?
Easily done … it’s all sand. Just dig a hole and cover it and pedestrianise Bayswater.
But like Midland the protest groups rule, the trade unions keep their big contract deals secret via their university mates.
What Bayswater needs is to skip the bickering and like Elisabeth Quay move on with revitalising rather than worrying about angst or lightning rods (a metaphor I presume for the steel WAGYL).
I think the Americans called their trains back in the day an iron horses.
Australian cities need to get rid of the motor car dependence and pedestrianise in a bold way like they did on Perth’s waterfront. That got a bad press and still does by people like Greg Smith that hold back urban planning.
Paperbark trees can be transplanted … anyway, more shade-giving trees for people are needed like the Ficus Hilli which are those spreading trees that grace Guildford Road on the mad mile on the straight stretch.
Get bold and gee whizz you need someone of Sutherland’s stature to think beyond hippy shite that plagues new design.
It’s time to encompass the new hipster style with their modernist image and leave behind suburban, bloated Mc Mansions in places like Bayswater.
Transparency come on … where is your subway going to be Bayswater?
Robert Wood
Helena Valley

Clap clap
THANK you Voice for resurrecting the memory of pianist John Gill.
He shared his talent without cost to many thousands of people who were fortunate enough to hear him so often in the Murray Street mall in Perth.
We miss his happy disposition and beautiful ragtime music, which brought joy to the many folk who stopped to listen. His only pay was a few voluntary coins.
We ponder why there is not even a plaque to recognise his efforts. We all miss you John!
However, we will not miss lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi who scudded any recognition of John Gill.
Didn’t Fremantle build a statue of Bon Jovi at their harbour. The least Perth can do is honour John with a plaque.
William Booth
Queen St, Bentley
The Ed says: We think you might find it’s Bon Scott of Accadacca fame, and yes, he’s got a sculpture down Freo way. But the local council didn’t really embrace the project and it took fans to raise the funds, as well as nag until they were given a spot – which the council made sure was far away from its “cultural” centre.

The system is broken
ALL it indicates when Greg D’Orazio says; “every step has been by the book, by the letter of the law” (“D’Orazios float buffer option,” Voice, November 12, 2016) is that this WAPC planning system is broken and flawed and desperately needs reform.
It’s easy to comply in such a planning system, especially when actions by the City of Bayswater facilitate your subdivision, not the community’s interest.
The planning system and environmental regulation system should prevent perverse outcomes like those at Carters wetland, part of Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary, where an ecosystem has been destroyed for developers’ profits.
An application that should have rung alarm bells in our planning system made it through with an approval; how did this occur when there was no environmental assessment of the impact on the Carter block?
The minister would do well to expedite the city’s request for a Metro Scheme Amendment and then facilitate purchase of the wetland, for the good of Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary, Riverside Gardens, and the greater Swan River environment.
In future, local councils must consult the community on development applications in sensitive ecological areas, and things like this may be prevented.
Dr Jacquie Kelly
Bayswater Urban Tree Network
Hill St, Bayswater

Uncovered
I WAS sad to see on your front page pictures of young Muslim girls covered up with Islamic clothing, who were contrary to the Christian girls with beautiful hair.
I wish to enlighten these girls that Allah has also given them beautiful hair, ears and necks to be proud of.
It’s a gift from Allah to be a female and one should proudly accept this gift instead of rejecting it.
It should be a blasphemy for Muslim women to reject and be ashamed of their gender just because their leaders think they should hide their gender because they could be seen as a sex object.
I commend Voice to highlight this difference in the front page where Christian girls accept nature’s gift and oppressed Muslim girls reject it.
All Australian Muslims should reject such oppression and brainwashing of these innocent, beautiful, Muslim girls. Allah will never judge you by your clothes but your heart and mind.
Alex Mulla (Humanist)
Smith St, Highgate
The Ed says: While not being fans of enforced dress codes for any religion, we still thought they were beautiful young women; and we’re just judging them by their hearts and minds.
Hold the starch

November 18, 2016

A BLOODY great rusty engine takes pride of place in the alfresco area of the Old Laundry on Angove Street, North Perth.

Apparently it was too difficult to remove so it stayed.

This trendy cafe/bar really was an old laundry, as recently as the 1990s.

But the boiler engine is the only nod to the building’s past and the the decor is smart industrial, with clean lines and smart fittings.

I was taking the kids for an outing — two student journos who probably now think the craft is all about lunching out.

I opted for the pumpkin and beetroot bruschetta ($20), sans the eggs.

Variation

Bruschetta is quite literally toast, so I was keen to try a variation on the usual tomato version. And wasn’t disappointed.

Warm cubes of beet, soft, sweet pumpkin, and a nice, sharp contrast in the goats cheese and spicy rocket. All wonderfully rounded off with a balsamic dressing.

The junior member of the trio, aged 15, turned vegetarian in protest about the way animals are farmed.

She went for the beet salad ($14), a leafy green feast, with organic beetroot, creamy goats cheese, hints of fennel and a sweet maple balsamic dressing.

“It was light, but filling and satiated my hunger, and a side of Mediterranean olives ($6) complemented the meal,” she said.

The third member of our happy band tossed up between the meat-heavy big boy breakfast ($25), but settled on the buttermilk crispy chicken ($26), minus the blue cheese dressing.

“The chicken skin was nice and crispy, with a hint of spice, leaving a lovely flavour in the mouth,” she said.

“[And] the potato and spec salad was deliciously creamy, making it feel a little naughty, but it was so moreish.”

We shared a coconut and rum trifle, with lime anglaise and burnt meringue ($10).

The flavours were sensational, the rum a subtle undertone, while the lime was the perfect antidote to the sweetness of the coconut.

And according to our meat eater, the waiter was “hot”. She’d get no arguments from this old hack.

by JENNY D’ANGER

The Old Laundry
22 Angove St, North Perth
7 days breakfast to late
6162 1105
A gift of wonder

November 18, 2016

WHEN WA Academy of Performing Arts jazz graduate Anna-Kat sang for her American singing teacher the reaction almost ended her career.

“She said ‘you have a lot of work to do’,” says Anna-Kat (her full name is Anna-Katarina Hicks).

“Then I sang her one of my original songs and she said ‘girl you gotta gift, you gotta move to a big city’.”

A move to Europe is in the pipeline, but not before her musical collective Wonderchild releases its first single Malaika on Sunday, with the EP to follow in early 2017.

The members are all WAAPA graduates: “They are my best friends,” Anna-Kat says.

Swahili angel

She chose the band name after seeing a little girl dancing in sheer wonder to music at the Subiaco Markets.

“That’s what I want for our music, for people to connect … music for children who have grown up.”

Malaika comes from the Swahili word for angel – and was inspired by Anna-Kat’s grandmother, who at 87 still rides her two horses daily.

“She is amazing. Couple of years ago she was in a rut after my grandfather passed. She was telling a stranger about it and they said ‘do you know the difference between a rut and a grave? It’s six feet’.”

The comic remark jolted her into moving on and enjoying the rest of her life.

“The theme of [Malaika] is about living on your own terms, living with dignity,” Anna-Kat says.

The singer-songwriter’s musical influences are varied: “As an adolescent I was consumed by Paul Kelly…then it was Joni Mitchell.” Elton John’s wispy piano music also influenced the song: “Because I loved him growing up.”

Anna-Kat describes her music as a mix of: “Pop with jazz and folk influences … it’s contemporary, but has a more RnB and jazz feel.”

The Sunday show kicks off with WAAPA jazz honours graduate Little Seal (Ronan Chapple), who chose the name because Ronan means little seal in his mother’s Gaelic tongue.

Also supporting Wonderchild is Kid Dingo, described by Aussie music website Pilerats as “kind of like a young Aussie version of Chance the Rapper’s Social Experiment Project”, Anna-Kat says.

The Sunday launch is the day after Anna-Kat’s 26th birthday, but it will be on available at online music mag Tone Deaf Friday November 18.

Catch Wonderchild before they go global, at the Good Shepherd, 663 Newscastle Street, Leederville. Doors open 7pm, show starts 7.30pm.

by JENNY D’ANGER
ASTROLOGY: November 19 – November 26, 2016

November 18, 2016

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
The gentler path is the one to take. If you can stay light and retain equanimity in the midst of unusual twists and turns of fate, you’ll be laughing. The moment you become excessively proud, you’ll be prone to outbursts that could easily derail your best intentions. Tread carefully.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Keep it steady as she goes. You are in full-blown experiential learning territory. Now is the time to really master your craft, to get to know and exercise your skills. If you focus (and it is your love for what you are doing that will help you to focus), the fruit will be powerfully delicious.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Relationship is central. How you dance through the maze of interpersonal connections will be what determines your level of satisfaction this week. With Mercury in Sagittarius, the message is to avoid subterfuge at all costs. Be as direct as you can, without being obsessive or too serious.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
The waning Moon begins her week in Cancer. This could make you moody and self-reflective. Self-reflection is a good thing. Moodiness can distort perception. Be sure to sift and sort your feelings so that you can see yourself as you are, rather than as you imagine yourself to be.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
The Sun leaves Scorpio this week. This lets you off the hook. Those little things that have been derailing you back off, leaving you to get back to confidence. Though your feelings have been tested, there will have been some learning in it all. It is your job to understand and integrate.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22
There’s a big pull coming from the universe, for you to get your act together. It is important to generate community support for the tack you wish to take. This might require you to educate those who don’t give you immediate undying support. People have discerning minds. Respect this.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Venus is in Capricorn, keeping you grounded. If you are going to point your love anywhere right now, it is most likely to bear fruit in practical matters. The Sun will leave Scorpio in a couple of days, freeing you up from awkward emotions that have been hard to digest. Work with love.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
The Sun will soon be gone from Scorpio for another year. Have you brought everything you need to bring from out under the carpet? If not, use the next few days to clear the air. If you have, then you have done well. Your prize will be a few weeks of reflective peace, quiet and optimism.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
The Sun will move into Sagittarius this week. This bodes very well for your state of mind. Optimism will make a welcome return. Imagine this week as a kind of new dawn. It is. Obstacles that have been driving you around the bend will soon show you their kind face. Celebrate freely.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Venus is passing through and she is particularly well aspected. It will be tempting to melt into either community, or your own solitary universe. You will have more fun however, if you do the unexpected and point your love towards honing your calling. Turn your labour towards love.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Mars has by now well and truly settled into Aquarius. Find your strength. Masculinity was pictured as an oak tree in ancient Celtic times. Rather than riding around creating havoc with assorted symbolic weaponry, get your roots down and stand steady. Add some peace to your yang.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
History actually does tend to repeat; no matter what the song might say. You are a true witness to this. To see yourself repeating old patterns and not getting the lesson, is daunting; as is watching large crowds of people doing the same. Allow such insights to provoke you into awakening.
Riverfront tranquility

November 18, 2016

SITUATED by the Maylands foreshore, this tranquil home is the essence of peaceful living.

Looking like a single storey from the street, I was surprised coming through the private courtyard to find a spectacular two-storey home overlooking the Swan River.

This cleverly designed home really does take your breath away, with an open alfresco and balcony overlooking tree-filled parklands and the river; and with its barbecue and outdoor fridge it’s the perfect summer entertainment space.

The house has fantastic natural light and openness. Even the main bedroom has bi-fold doors overlooking the living room and balcony. That means you can wake up to a view of the sunlight glimmering on the river and the sound of birdsong.

For more gloomy days you can roll down the shutters to the alfresco and balcony and still hang out there, as they’re equipped with heaters to keep the chill at bay.

The ensuite to the main bedroom is a standout, with plenty of storage and a his and her sink. The timber and chic tiling gives it a stylish Balinese vibe.

The kitchen is a cook’s dream, with a large, stone curved bench in the centre, double dishwasher, double oven, walk in pantry and enough storage to neatly hide all you kitchen bits and bobs!

The second and third bedrooms are located downstairs as well as a lounge room and a kitchenette — perfect for some privacy away from the main living area.

Both bedrooms are spacious, with one of them sharing the view to the backyard, waking up to the beautiful sight of greenery gleaming in through the large double doors.

Innovative is an understatement to describe the backyard. It’s situated on a downwards slope with a small grassed area, and gorgeous, plant-covered stone ledges lead you down towards the river. Just open the back gate and you’re ready for your morning jog along the river path.

The garage has a double carport and the highest roof I’ve ever seen, with a bike rack on the wall and kayak and/or boat storage attached to the ceiling.

With the house less than a minute from the Maylands Yacht Club you’ll be parading your inner yachtie in no time.

by SJANNA SANDALOVA

7 McEvoy Cove, Maylands
Auction (unless sold prior)
Saturday December 10 at 11am
Nick Wallace 0409 295 914
LJ Hooker- Applecross
9364 9560
Expand Your Horizons

November 18, 2016

Travel expands your horizons and gives you the opportunity to experience unique cultures. It enriches your life, while contributing to the financial prosperity of the local communities you visit. Orbit World Travel’s expert team has a passion for travel like no other. They have experienced the extraordinary, the amazing and the remarkable, and would love to give you the opportunity to do so too!

Orbit’s trusted travel advisers specialise in high end travel, maximising the value of your trip with customised itineraries, exclusive pricing and additional perks. Gain valuable inside knowledge, such as which café or restaurant to dine at when in Rome, or which chateau in the South of France to visit. Orbit’s specialists will send you on a journey of discovery!

It’s this expertise that sets Orbit apart – you just can’t get this from a website! From the moment you engage in conversation you’ll become aware that they will listen and advise to create the perfect itinerary for you. From your very first booking, it’s Orbit’s aim to keep you as a lifelong client.

“Hi Teresa, We had a fabulous trip – thank you! You got us great seats on the flight and we loved the Langham in Hong Kong! The staff at the Langham are exceptional – so warm, welcoming, professional, accommodating. The pool is wonderful! We are looking forward to Colombo – another great trip you have planned for us.”
Rachel Tham Melbourne

Teresa Mason
Orbit World Travel
100 Royal St, East Perth
Phone 9221 2133
Renovate and update

November 18, 2016

Renovating can be a tough slog for anyone wanting to update their home. Here are the areas best businesses to help you get started.

Pro-Tech Asphalt
Pro-Tech Asphalt is a leading provider of asphalting and related services throughout Perth. From small patchwork to new driveways and commercial car parks, Pro-Tech’s highly skilled team of professionals has the experience and equipment to get the job done. Pro-Tech’s work spans the civil, commercial and residential sectors, with regular clients in the shires of Claremont and Peppermint Grove, Elizabeth Quay and Garden Island.
Pro-Tech can help with a wide range of services such as pothole repairs, kerbing, fitting water diverters, wheel chair ramps, speedbumps, asphalt cutting and emergency call outs. Protec also specialises in bitumen driveways. The preferred surface for driveways and roads, bitumen is durable, economical, quick to set and easy to repair.
Pro-Tech Asphalt
Phone 0416 175 975
admin@protechasphalt.com.au
http://www.protechsasphalt.com.au

Smitty’s Gutters
Do your gutters need a clean out after winter? Has your roof seen better days? When it comes to all things roofs and gutters, Smitty’s Gutters can do the lot. A family owned business servicing the Perth metro area, Smitty’s prides itself on excellent service, advice and value for money.
Smitty’s wide range of services includes: roof repairs, roof restoration, roof replacement, ridge cap repairs, gutter cleaning, gutter repairs and replacement, cleaning, repair and installation of downpipes, storm damage assessment and repairs.
Smitty’s also carries out jobs for strata companies and insurance work. No job is too big or too small for Smitty’s. Plus all workmanship is backed by a 5 year warranty. For enquiries and prompt service, please call or email Shannon today.
Smitty’s Gutters
Phone 0413 243 006
info@smittysgutters.com.au
http://www.smittysgutters.com.au

Solar Doctor
Is your solar hot water system not performing like it should? You might need a visit from the Solar Doctor Perth. With years of experience in the industry, the Solar Doctor can help solve any problems with your solar hot water system.
A major service should be carried out on systems 4 to 5 years old and then every 3 to 4 years thereafter, although all systems should undergo a physical inspection every 12 months. The comprehensive service includes: Flushing out sediment to prevent corrosion, cleaning filters, changing the P&T valve and checking the entire system to ensure there’s no defects or signs of leaking.
Solar Doctor offers prompt, professional service and can get a qualified tradesman to your door usually on the same day you call. Solar Doctor charges a flat labour fee, not by the hour, and a fixed price is agreed upon before any work is undertaken. Call today for an obligation free quote.
Solar Doctor
Phone 9472 4789
sales@solardoctorperth.com.au
http://www.solardoctorperth.com.au