Perth Voice Interactive

THE City of Perth will investigate a night-time park curfew following a rise in anti-social behaviour.

At the council’s recent ordinary meeting, deputy lord mayor Bruce Reynolds flagged the harsh measure in response to resident complaints about “disruptive and unsafe” behaviour in Wellington Square and Victoria Gardens.

“Issues such as public drinking, drug use, violence, excessive profanity and noise have led to widespread frustration over the lack of effective intervention,” Cr Reynolds said.

“Implementing night-time park restrictions could be a targeted enforcement approach that could provide an immediate solution to restore public safety and reduce disorderly behaviour.

“This would not prevent people from walking through the parks after 10pm, but it would prohibit camping and large congregations throughout the night.”

Cr Reynolds said he and CEO Michelle Reynolds met with police, Perth MLA John Carey and community members to discuss the issue.

Police had committed to tipping out alcohol, issuing move-on notices and having liquor enforcement units to crack down on bottle-os breaking the rules, while the WA government would extend its Return to Country program and expand cultural and health teams.

“The City has increased ranger patrols, surveillance monitoring and cleaning efforts, while also actively engaging with affected groups to collect intelligence and support police efforts,” Cr Reynolds said.

Cr Reynolds said his motion calling on the admin to investigate the park restrictions would also call on them to look at how to make reporting anti-social behaviour easier for residents to use.

East Perth resident Phillip Higgs raised concerns about broken glass and syringes near the new children’s playground, as well as urine and faeces through the park from people who weren’t using its toilets.

“In several years’ time there will be a primary school, I imagine,” Mr Higgs said.

“We do have to get on top of this now.

“God forbid, kids walking through there that a subject to bullying… drug taking.”

Problems in the city’s parks follows a recent weekend blitz on its roads by police, who busted 50 people for drink driving in Northbridge.

Additionally, nine drivers were caught not wearing a seatbelt, six were on their phones, and five were driving without a valid license. 

In the last six months, around 230 drivers have lost their licenses as a result of police “lockdowns” in Northbridge, Fremantle, Burswood, and Hillarys. 

“Drink driving and drug driving is one of the main contributing factors to fatal crashes,” senior sergeant Kym Mead from police breath and drug operations said.

The blitz came on the same night a Perth obstetrician is alleged to have killed a 24 year old woman while driving under the influence. 

Road Policing Command acting commander Mike Peters said the lockdowns extended into the early hours.

“If you think you can out-wait us, that’s not going to happen,” he said.

“We will be anywhere anytime and hopefully where you least expect us to be.”

by STEVE GRANT

BILLIONAIRE mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has been given the go-ahead to erect a sign five times the size allowed by Perth council’s planning rules after lord mayor Basil Zempilas intervened in the approval of a much smaller version.

Hancock Prospecting was given temporary approval for a 40sqm sign at its Ventnor Avenue headquarters in West Perth last November by council planners, who initially baulked at an application for a 155sqm version.

But council minutes reveal that some time between that approval and Mr Zempilas taking leave from the council mid-February to contest the state seat of Churchlands, he “called in” the application so it could be determined by the council.

Mr Zempilas wasn’t at the council’s February meeting, by which time the sign had reached 105sqm and came with an officer’s recommendation for refusal, but deputy lord mayor Bruce Reynolds put up an amended motion to give it the thumbs-up.

Councillor Liam Gobbert warned there’d been an “abuse of process” and argued against the sign’s approval.

“It exceeds the size restriction by 88sqm,” Cr Gobbert said.

“That is not a minor encroachment to allow for some architectural feature of minor protrusion.

“It is excessive, and therefore contributes to the impact on the local amenity.”

Cr Gobbert said it should have been “very obvious” why the City’s planners had refused the 155sqm sign, making it a mystery why the current application had been brought before council.

Cr Clyde Bevan and said the sign would help give the city vibrancy.

“The song goes ‘Bright Lights, Big City’, so if you compare us to Manhattan, Singapore, Sydney, does it mean we’re just not big enough to be a City of Light,” Cr Bevan said.

“Those cities are vibrant.

“They’ve got a lot of vitality, a lot of lights, which make them very, very colourful, and I see that as an attraction to those cities, and I think it’s an attraction to this city when we eventually grow up.”

Cr Reynolds said while the City wanted a visually cohesive streetscape in West Perth, signage could add to a city’s vibrancy, identity and historical character.

“For instance, when you look at old photographs, signage is often an integral part of the streetscape, reflecting on the commercial energy and the cultural identity of the time,” he said.

Cr Reynolds said a well-designed sign was better than a “blank canvas” and the City’s signage policy had been adopted last year with a “merit” provision to allow discretion in the size.

He said Hancock Prospecting had only sought a three-year approval just in cast there were “unforeseen negative impacts”.

His argument carried the day and he got support from Cr Bevan and colleagues Raj Doshi, Viktor Ko and Catherine Lezer, while Crs Gobbert and David Goncalves voted against.

by STEVE GRANT

WA’s GREENS are calling for an environmental review of AUKUS’s impact on Cockburn Sound. 

The Greens and the Conservation Council of WA say there have been no assessments of the impacts of dredging WA-controlled waters to take Australia’s proposed fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and visits from US and UK vessels.

The Department of Defence is currently getting community feedback to feed into an assessment of the AUKUS expansion by the federal climate change, energy, environment and water department, but the Greens say this only covers Commonwealth waters.

Seagrass

In a letter to federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek at the end of last year, the CCWA said the sound is home to a “critically endangered” community of conifer trees, as well as seagrass meadows which have already suffered an 80 per cent loss. 

The CCWA says dredging will also “pose a high risk” to the little penguins of Garden Island, including the restriction of prey and foraging which could impact their breeding and fledging periods. 

Due to the Island’s isolation from the mainland, the protection of its species’ gene pools is of “evolutionary importance”, including 115 species of birds, 3 species of snake, and a wallaby. 

Greens upper house candidate Sophie McNeill said Defence’s consultation process was “fast-tracked and flawed” and a state-based review by the Environmental Protection Agency should be ordered. 

“It needs to happen anyway, and it should have already happened,” Ms McNeill said. 

“It’s a massive project, and a decades-long agreement that [the federal government] have already agreed to… and they haven’t finalised it. We want to try and influence that.” 

Ms McNeill said lack of a local environmental review was a “massive failure”.

“The Labor Party has not stood up and advocated for this gorgeous environment’s rights against the federal government and the Department of Defence,” Ms McNeill said. 

“The state waters are what’s primarily impacted and the federal review has been broken up into little parts of the project and is only looking at Commonwealth waters… we need a review of the overall impact of this massive project because there’s so many different elements to it.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER

AN East Fremantle park was closed this week after the discovery of asbestos.

The local council says asbestos was detected in the Silas Street Dog Park mid-February, when residents were advised of the Park’s closure. 

Mayor Jim O’Neill says the threat to public health is low, but the park will be closed “until further notice” and the gates locked. 

“The Town is doing everything possible to investigate the extent of the contamination… the safety and well-being of our community and staff is our priority,” Mr O’Neill said. 

“The advice we have received is that while this find presents a low risk to park users, we are taking precautions and conducting further testing to determine the best remediation options. 

“All relevant authorities including WorkSafe and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation have been contacted.” 

The timeframe for remediation works to remove the asbestos is still being determined. 

More information is available at the Town of East Fremantle’s environmental health website, including access to its Environmental Health officers for residents who “may feel concerned” for their health while the asbestos is investigated.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER

THE recent misogynist rant by an eastern states radio shock jock is yet another reminder that many Australian men still have not grown up to accept women as their equals. 

The attack on the Matildas national soccer team was as insulting as it was ridiculous. 

The bloke obviously likes the men’s game better. 

Yep, if one enjoys 22 blokes rolling on the ground, pretending to have been hit by lightning, men’s soccer is the way to go. 

I love soccer. I like most sports, but over the last few years I tend to want to watch women’s sport more than men’s, because I do not get or enjoy the macho rubbish, be that AFL, rugby, cricket, or soccer. 

I have been amazed by the enormous feistiness of women’s rugby and the fantastic skills of female cricket players. 

They are as competitive as male athletes, but still often smile.

The shock jock’s lack of respect for women is an indication why there is so much domestic and family violence in Australia. 

It is actually increasing, although we talk about it more and more in the media. 

A really hard-hitting campaign by federal and state governments should be a priority, because women get killed and bashed daily by angry partners. 

That is absolutely unacceptable, and as a society we should strongly voice that.

We need to however be cognisant to not accuse all men of misogyny or being violent against women, because that is not true. 

It is important to also acknowledge that there are women who are controlling and constantly nag their partners. 

I know of some who insist to see their partner’s mobile phone every evening, to check if they have been texting with other women. 

If there is no trust in a relationship it is doomed. 

I once lived with a woman who removed everything I used in the bathroom and replaced it with products she liked. 

The happy wife, happy life motto is unbalanced. 

Men are more than just purveyors of fine orgasms.

But any kind of unacceptable and controlling behaviour by women is no reason for men to start beating up their lovers. 

Domestic violence is always unacceptable, even when the communication in the relationship has broken down. 

The rubbish that women are asking for it, shows a serious lack of respect for the opposite sex. 

They can wear what they want and do and say what they want, and nothing they do, or how they dress, is an invitation to be raped or violated!

A male athlete getting drunk and giving a police officer lip would hardly raise an eyebrow, but when it is Matildas’ captain Sam Kerr it is a big deal, with some saying this excellent soccer player, and true role model for many young women, should lose the captaincy. 

Why? Just because getting drunk is not girlie, but OK for blokes?

I have always liked strong, intelligent and successful women. 

I was blessed with three sisters, two older ones and a younger one. 

Our tiny house, where I shared the bedroom with them, was a good and steep learning curve for a young man about respect for women and equality. 

I have had my heart severely broken a few times in my long life, and twice had unfaithful lovers, but I still love and  adore women. 

Not once, not ever, have I contemplated beating a partner, no matter how much they had hurt or disrespected me. 

That is what the norm should be in our society.

Let’s remember that very powerful speech by former prime minister Julia Gillard in reply to something Liberal party leader Tony Abbott said:  “I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the Government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever!” 

Misogyny is a cancer in society that needs to be eradicated.

Roel Loopers/FREOVIEW

THE Maritime Union of Australia will strike this weekend over claims vulnerable workers are being exploited on a bunkering vessel at Fremantle Port.

The MUA’s WA branch say that workers aboard the Absolute, which is owned by multination oil and gas company BP, have had their pay cut by nearly $10,000 since marine services company Teekay took over operations midway through last year. 

The union says the workers are on “dodgy common law” contracts with “the worst conditions” of port operations on the west coast. 

That came after the Absolute returned from southeast Asia where it had gone for repairs, with the union saying it was “unpalatable” the cheaper labourers used for that work also sailed the vessel back to Fremantle.

BP then awarded Teekay the contract for bunkering operations in the port, which is when the employment contracts were rolled out. 

The strike was due to begin yesterday morning (Friday, March 7). 

MUA deputy branch secretary Doug Heath said Teekay had offered some pay increases and better conditions, but the rates were still below those other MUA members enjoyed around WA’s coast.

“Teekay is probably the lowest paying vessel operator… we don’t see anything they do as resembling a standard that we want to reach. 

“The response that our members have taken is in response to Teekay repeatedly refusing to align with industry standards.” 

The MUA have enacted a ban on operating winches, bunkering cruise ships or ocean liners unless they have been in Fremantle for a minimum of three days, training employees, meeting with shore-based management without a union official present, and sending emails. 

There will also be a partial ban on crane operations. 

Mr Heath says BP and Teekay were handballing responsibility to each other.

“Teekay are telling us they signed a bad contract with BP that doesn’t allow them to pay industry standard rates to our members,” Mr Heath said. 

“We look at actions like that and shake our heads, because if they’re signing a contract with a multinational oil and gas company that doesn’t allow them to pay proper wages, they’ve completely messed it up.” 

Mr Heath say the MUA are “hopeful” they will come to a solution with both Teekay and BP, but the union’s position will be “locked in” when the strike begins. 

“The industrial action is going to commence and once it commences, the ability to compromise becomes less, so they’ve scored a bit of an own goal by not sorting it out early,” Mr Heath said. 

“We want to make sure that the end result is really good, so it’s got to be better than what it would be if we didn’t have to fight for it, so whatever we lose through strike action we’ll get back off Teekay and BP through the higher wages that we are going to get.” 

Teekay didn’t respond to questions.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER

A NEW tradition kicks off at Hilton Park later this month when two historic football clubs go head to head in a festival celebrating Sicilian culture.

Fremantle City Football Club and Balcatta Etna FC will showcase both clubs’ men’s and women’s teams on the same day, which Fremantle’s vice president Sam Tomeo says is a bit of a rarity.

“It’s a great way to look back at both of our histories, and celebrate that in a festival of football where we get to showcase not only our men’s, but also our women’s teams,” Mr Tomeo said.

The Cup also honours Fremantle’s vibrant Italian community, with the club promising authentic cannoli and arancini which can be washed down with some birra messina.

An accordion player will pump out some Sicilian folk songs, while Mr Tomeo says a cultural standout will be a Briscola competition, a card game popular with older Italians.

“This will allow more senior citizens within the Italian Community to come and play with friends and all family members,” he said.

“We have small prizes, and I think all fans of the broader community will enjoy it as they’ll see it firsthand on that day.”

Mr Tomeo says keeping Italian culture alive is at the heart of the festival

“We’re working really hard with the Italian Club in Fremantle and the Italian Village Nursing Home in Fremantle. We’re finding opportunities for them to come along and celebrate the day as well,” he said.

Junior leaguers will also showcase their talents during halftime games. 

“For juniors this will be an unusually big crowd because of the celebration, and it will be exciting for a lot of those senior players who wouldn’t have ever played in front of a crowd this big before,” Mr Tomeo said.

The Sicilian Cup is Saturday, March 29 at Hilton Park.

by IZABELLA GONZALEZ

A MEMORIAL commemorating the tragic loss of the HMAS Perth (I) off Java in World War II has opened in East Fremantle, while a major exhibition at the WA Maritime Museum explores the cultural impact of the wreck.

The memorial was opened on Saturday by WA governor Chris Dawson and current HMAS Perth (III) commander Dylan White in front of a large crowd which included WA veterans issues minister Paul Papalia, a former naval officer himself.

“Eighty three years ago on this day, of the 681 men aboard the HMAS Perth (I) – including personnel from the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, and four personnel from the ship’s canteen – came up against seemingly impossible odds,” Mr Dawson said.

Noting the ship had almost run out of fuel and ammo during an earlier battle, Mr Dawson said they were steaming in the Sunda Strait when they came up against an entire Japanese landing fleet.

“Despite the exhaustion from the previous battle, and the slenderness of the chances of victory, HMAS Perth, her captain and crew put up an astonishing and gallant fight.”

Both the HMAS Perth (I) and the USS Houston went down in the battle, losing more than 1000 crew, while survivors were imprisoned in the notorious Changi prison and worked on the torturous Thai-Burma railway.

Mr Dawson said the shock of the loss rippled through until today.

“But as of today, this memorial stands as a physical testament to their bravery and sacrifice, in an enduring remembrance.”

Cmdr White also spoke of the significance of the ships’ loss.

“With HMAS Perth, and the loss of Perth in 1941 being such a moment, both for Australia, but also for the city of Perth… to have these gentlemen remembered in a memorial such as this is both an honour to them, but also to the city,” Cmdr White said.

Colin Bancroft’s father Arthur was a surviving crew member who worked on the Thai-Burma railway and was being transported to Japan for further internment as a prisoner of war when that ship also went down in battle. He survived six days adrift before finally being rescued by a US submarine and returning to Australia.

“The reason that this memorial is important is because the crew of the HMAS Perth who didn’t survive the war, they’re not located in one place like the HMAS Sydney – they’re all off Geraldton in one place,” Mr Bancroft said.

East Fremantle mayor Jim O’Neill said his council was proud to have such a significant memorial on its turf.

“Staff, councillors and members of the East Fremantle community have worked tirelessly to support the construction of the HMAS Perth (I) memorial,” Mr O’Neill said.

“It’s a story which must be told of the tragic loss of the HMAS Perth (I) and the triumph, bravery and endurance of those on board.”

The exhibition, Remembering the Men of HMAS Perth (I), was due to open today (March 8) and runs until July 27.

Memorial publicist David Nicolson said a highlight of the exhibition would be a model of the Perth built by German POWs at the Harvey detention camp in 1942 which would be on display for the first time.

“It is believed that the model, made from cigarette tins, was probably built by survivors of the German raider Kormoran,” Mr Nicolson said.

“This exhibition unpacks some of the ways HMAS Perth (I) has been memorialised over time, and how the vessel and its crew continue to have a presence in various aspects of WA life.

“Such aspects include the HMAS Perth (I) Regatta, the annual remembrance ceremony at the St John the Evangelist Church in Fremantle, and now the HMAS Perth (I) memorial in East Fremantle.

by STEVE GRANT