Perth Voice Interactive

ADVERTISING a property for rent on services like Airbnb could soon cost Bayswater residents $200,000 if they fail to get council approval beforehand.

Next week the council will vote on a new policy, designed to deal with the ballooning interest in renting out private properties for short-term accommodation.

Cr Michelle Sutherland confirmed at a committee meeting this week it was to deal with issues caused by websites such as Airbnb and Stayz.

The new rules restrict guest numbers and allow council staff to take action against troublesome tenants.

Alanah Jenkin, who has used Airbnb for a year to advertise her properties, reckons councils have no place regulating the comings and goings of “guests” on private property.

“Why should they have a say in what ratepayers are doing on their properties when it comes to this?” she asks. “The same issues can arise from long-term residents, too. This is just the council wanting more control.”

She says she and her partner chose short-stay rather than longer term tenants because it’s cheaper and easier.

“It costs too much for maintenance—on painting and carpet—after a lease finishes,” she says. “Visitors on short stays are less likely to do damage.”

She’s had one bad experience in the past year, which was reported to police, and says landowners have a vested interest in taking care of their properties and should know how to manage them without council intervention.

But council spokeswoman Julia Kogan told the Voice residents living near a house used for short-term accommodation had complained about safety, security, noise, property mismanagement and disruptions.

Additionally, council staff were concerned with a lack of car parking and inappropriate signage.

The council defines short-term accommodation as property that is let for less than three months.

If the draft policy goes through, and the council receives a complaint about short-term accommodation, staff will “investigate” and undertake a “compliance action”.

To get approval, property owners must supply a “management plan” outlining “house rules” for tenants, such as banning anti-social behaviour, and creating a plan to deal with complaints. The initiative comes before the December 15 council meeting.

by EMMIE DOWLING

TWO weeks after Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi reportedly threatened to quit if the WA local government department started a new probe into her, premier Colin Barnett’s predicts she’ll stay.

He told ABC radio he believed she would stay, despite her unhappiness at the department looking into the same travel and gift irregularities that led the crime and corruption commission to issue adverse findings against her.

If Ms Scaffidi resigns she’d not be subject to any potential action under the WA local government act.

Her threat apparently came after the department said it’d have to do its own digging as it couldn’t use the CCC’s evidence.

While Ms Scaffidi hasn’t been keen on chatting with the Voice ever since our reports on her part-ownership of the decrepit Grand Central hotel backpackers building, chatter from sources close to her pegs the premier’s prediction is on the mark.

THE bosses at the Italian Club and the WA Italo-Australian Welfare & Cultural Centre have implored Vincent council not to charge for parking on Fitzgerald Street.

The Fitzgerald Street car park is one of the last sneaky free parking spots in town, but earlier this year the council floated a plan to charge $2.40 an hour, following “numerous complaints” of people overstaying, especially commuters who catch a bus into the city, or employees of nearby businesses. It’s so popular that sometimes 150 cars cram into its 120 bays. Staff reckon ticket machines will give everyone a fair go at the bays.

Sarina Sirna says many people accessing IAWCC services are “aged people, needy people, disadvantaged people” and would have trouble finding the extra coin to pay for parking.

Italian Club president Joe Ridici says the “financial burden” on his membership could have big consequences if the bays go paid.

Vincent mayor John Carey says parking’s been one of the biggest issues since he got into the seat, and with the WA government not keeping up with demand for public transport it’s only getting worse. “There is intense demand for car parking in city areas,” he says.

His council deferred the introduction of paid parking but he says it isn’t permanent: if all remaining streets get timed limits, he says the Fitzgerald carpark could just get packed with those people instead. The idea will be revisited once the city’s car parking strategy is reviewed. Ticket machines for Lawley Street are also on the cards.

by DAVID BELL

WE got excited when we heard the Vincent council-owned Beatty Park aquatic centre had recreated Project X with the party of the century, but it turns out the initial claims might’ve been a little exaggerated and there was definitely no Mercedes in the pool.

We received a letter this week concerned about “binge drinking” at the ratepayer-funded bash, with someone who’d attended claiming “there was in excess of 100 cartons [of] beer supplied”.

“As a member and ratepayer should we be wasting huge amounts of money on a booze up?” the reader asked.

We asked Vincent council and got a description of a little more subdued affair: 20 cartons of beer opened, along with 96 bottles of wine and bubbly.

The event cost about $7000 and all 3300 Beatty Park members had been invited, with 222 showing up, meaning about $31.50 was spent per guest.

CEO Len Kosova says the event’s designed for members to meet new people and socialise, “enhancing the ‘club’ experience and promoting Beatty Park as a community hub”.

He says the three bar staff limited service to two drinks per person at a time. There were also softies and food available and a free taxi service to Leederville train station and other local hubs after the 9.30pm close time.

Mr Kosova points out a senior law professional, who’s also a Beatty Park member, wrote a memo saying: “a wonderful party—I wanted to note that I felt that all the employees took their role as hosts very seriously, looking after us all as their guests. Thanks to everyone.”

So maybe we didn’t miss the party of the year. Shucks.

by DAVID BELL

These photos taken in and around Bayswater could win their photographer a $1500 camera as part of a council competition. The council’s “picture perfect Bayswater moment” monthly competition starts in January, with the best photo posted as the city’s Facebook cover picture. Monthly winners will get a $50 voucher for a local shop and will be in the running for camera of their choice up to the value if $1500. Send photos to photocompetition@bayswater.wa.gov.au.

THIS suit cost $800 and its wearer could legally have slapped ratepayers with the bill.

But sharp-dressed Bayswater councillor Brent Fleeton believes citizens have no place paying for his threads.

This month he’ll ask the council to dump the policy clause permitting councillors to charge ratepayers up to $1000 for clothes each year.

And while Cr Fleeton — elected in October — thinks colleagues sometimes take liberties with the “equipment and accessories allowance” that also allows claims for phones, tablets, a filing cabinet or shredding machine, he thinks they’re legitimate expenses and should stay.

“I will be the first to admit that my wardrobe is probably worth more than most people’s car, but I would never think to ask someone else to pay for it,” says Cr Fleeton, a staffer for Liberal MLC Peter Katsambanis.

“I bought this tie from Rome and there’s nothing stopping me from coming back and claiming it at council.”

He says he would be “very surprised if any councillor genuinely believed they could not appropriately dress themselves” using their own money.

“Councillors are paid $30,900 in meeting fees per year, plus annual allowances of $3400 for telecommunications and information technology,” he says. “I think it’s utterly ridiculous to expect ratepayers to pay for our clothing while rates continue to rise and pensioners are getting slugged more.”

He says “more than two” councillors have complained to him about his plan to wind back the expenses. He says they need a “reality check”.

Mayor Barry McKenna defends the allowance, saying councillors “have to look nice”, and they can’t turn up in casual clothes like jeans and a t-shirt.

“There is a standard of dress at council,” Cr McKenna says. He advises councillors to spend some on a “a good $200 to $300” paper shredder, instead of using it all on clothing.

The council failed to say, before the paper’s deadline, how much councillors had spent on clothing in the past two years, and what was bought.

by EMMIE DOWLING

NEWS broke in October that Perth ratepayers spent tens of thousands of dollars outfitting Perth mayor Lisa Scaffidi and her councillors last financial year.

Council figures show Ms Scaffidi racked up a $7600 bill for clothing and another $1100 for dry cleaning.

Cr Reece Harley, who had run for mayor in October, was the only councillor who didn’t claim any clothing expenses.

In Stirling, $20,000 is annually budgeted for “justified…personal expenses” used on council business.

Reimbursable items are clothing (but not underwear), council uniforms, dry-cleaning, footwear, hair styling and “accessories/consumables”.

Mayor Giovanni Italiano and CEO Stuart Jardine—who came under fire last month for each receiving a ratepayer-funded Mercedes Benz—are responsible for approving any claim.

At Vincent, it’s a different story: councillors can’t claim personal expenses such as hair cuts and clothing. No-one can claim travel expenses either, and mayor John Carey is getting an electric bike instead of a car.

He says there’s “no justification whatsoever” for ratepayer-funded clothes.

“What makes elected members of local government think they’re so special that they deserve these kind of perks,” he asks.

“If councillors are so comfortable with it, they should run a campaign saying, ‘I believe residents should pay for my suit.’

“I understand the need for it in jobs where you need safety uniforms, but there are so many other professions where you do need to look professional that don’t have the same perks.

“It’s outrageous. Full stop—I can’t believe we’re even having this discussion in the 21st century.”

While the WA salaries and allowances tribunal allows for the reimbursements, councils have “considerable discretion” on developing policies to include them, or not.

NEIGHBOURING mayors might cruise around in Mercs, but Vincent council has voted to give its mayor use of a $3000 electric bike.

Vincent hasn’t traditionally provided a mayoral vehicle (instead it reimburses the cost of travel), but Cr Josh Topelberg suggested an electric treadly as Vincent’s pretty small and has an “excellent network of bicycle routes”. He says it’ll support the city’s travelsmart initiatives (which aim to get people out of their cars) and set a good example.

Mayor John Carey’s a fitness nut so pedalling about the place will be no trouble: the electric motor will ensure he doesn’t end up sweaty for meetings, and he promises not to turn up in lycra.

“I’ll be getting around to functions, I’ll need to have a jacket and shirt,” he sighed. “It’s also setting an example that at Vincent we are frugal. We have a ban on travel, we don’t have a clothing allowance, we’re a very frugal council.”

by DAVID BELL

CRAFT beer, wine and community spirit will feature at Bayswater’s first pop-up artisan market and mini soiree this weekend.

Stallholders and an acoustic band will converge on an otherwise empty yard on the city’s main drag while nearby shops stay open till sunset.

On the menus at “The Backyard” artisan market are gourmet pies, raw salads, platters of cheese, and wine, beer or coffee. For sale is anything from homewares, woodworks, clothing and accessories, such as silk scarves.

It’s one of the first of many projects planned by the Baysie Rollers, a local group campaigning for more activities, infrastructure and excitement at the town centre.

Roller Kylie Elsegood-Smith plans on the market going monthly in the new year, and wants to host outdoor movie nights. She says the aim is to draw folk in and make them want to stay, shop and socialise for several hours.

“Our logo is ‘experience local’,” Ms Elsegood-Smith says. “Come and experience our beautiful town. This is the perfect time to energise this spot because there are so many passionate people around—especially active young people.”

The event comes as the council is expected to vote this month on giving the group $5000 to complete its projects.

The funds would “enable the city to be responsive to any community group wishing to deliver activities” says a report.

Businesses and foodies offering goods include the Little Cheese Shop, Bayswater man Adam Semple’s Stampede Gelato, Bassendean business Nail Brewing Australia, Jessica Jubb’s handcrafted jewellery, Lock & Key Clothing, Howdy Coffee and Mary Street Bakery.

The Backyard is at 9-11 King William Street from 3–7pm. Visit the Baysie Rollers Facebook page for more.

by EMMIE DOWLING

ELIZABETH QUAY might’ve caused a flurry of letters to the editor and talkback calls, but a new book and exhibition at the Museum of Perth reveals that’s nothing new.

In researching Take me to the river: The story of Perth’s foreshore Julian Bolleter uncovered around 200 plans for the riverfront have been proposed over the years.

And some of the outcry would’ve fit right into the modern day: when engineer Frank Vincent proposed an artificial island in the middle of the river in 1931, it was crueled by politics of the day, with one letter to the editor mourning that the authors of the proposal had not been lynched.

An assistant professor at the Australian Urban Design Research Centre, he says the public’s often quick to oppose any plans for the river.

Express

“Waterfronts, foreshores, tend to be places where cultures express themselves. The different schemes can be seen as proposals for what Perth is about at different times.”

Some early plans reveal Governor Stirling’s intentions that Fremantle be the colony’s port while Perth be an administration centre, hence the large space between the river and the city, with plans for it to be a recreational area.

In the 1960s, plans reflect our growing love of cars. The government had planned a curling ribbon of freeways and carparks so people could easily drive to the city, in a day where the motto was “your car is as welcome as you”.

Perth city council planner Paul Ritter fought desperately against the car-centric rings of roads, saying “the freeway noose tightens on Perth [and] would literally choke recreation on the south, and take the puff out of business life in the north’.

City staff worked late nights without pay to fight the plan, and in the end the plan was massively downgraded.

As for the most recent plan, Asst Prof Bolleter notes people perjoratively refer to it as the “Dubai on the Swan”, a hint of Perth’s xenophobic suspicion of foreign ideas that don’t hail from England.

As for his prediction for Elizabeth Quay: “I’m not sure it will be the waterfront that puts Perth on the map, but I think it will be the waterfront that works.” But he points out it’s just 300m of an 8km foreshore, and future planning needs to look at the foreshore as a whole.

Museum chair Reece Harley says the riverfront was picked as a topic due to Elizabeth Quay’s opening, slated for next year.

“The river has been argued over basically since white people first arrived,” he says.

“It’s important to remember that since white settlement, European people have been trying to alter the flow and shape and purpose of the river, so Elizabeth Quay is nothing new. People who are ultra-protective of the waterfront must remember it’s reclaimed land.” The portion being dug out was once water that was filled in long ago.

Since opening mid-October the museum’s had more than 2000 people through, and with so many exhibition ideas Mr Harley, who’s also a Perth city councillor, says they’re now looking to secure additional exhibition space.

Take me to the river is on from Friday December 11 at the Museum of Perth in Grand Lane, CBD. The book is available through UWA Publishing.

by DAVID BELL