Perth Voice Interactive

THE Baigup Wetlands on the Swan River border between Maylands and Bayswater have experienced a severe drying out, with some saying they’ve not seen water levels so low in 30 years.

Rosemary Lynch from the Baigup Wetlands Interest Group said while the wetlands were “incredibly dry”, she could see a slightly positive side.

“That the western lake has dried up so extensively will provide us with an opportunity to tackle some weeding that’s normally difficult for us to access,” Ms Lynch said.

“The primary lake is still inundated and remains an important freshwater refuge for a huge variety of birds.”

Ms Lynch said a bird count in January observed 44 species, which was coincidentally the same number as the previous count last September, though they weren’t all the same species.”

Last week the interest group walked through the wetlands with Bayswater council’s natural area coordinator Matt Moore who explained that Perth was generally experiencing a substantial 

“dry down” coinciding with very low tides, meaning waterbodies including the Swan River are at very low levels.

THERE are fears Coode Street and King William streets’ low-rise character homes are under threat, with Bayswater council looking to cram another 2700 dwellings into a 200-metre corridor from Guildford Road to the Morley activity centre.

The mostly single-storey street is currently zoned between R30 and R40, but under a proposed Local Planning Strategy due to come before council this week, it could be as high as R100 butted up against the road, then tapering off to R50 – R80.

A planning report to the council said the aim of the corridor was to increase the area’s population density, encourage more public transport use and “reduce reliance on private vehicle use”. 

“The intent is also to provide for a greater local population to support the viability of commercial uses in the centres near the corridor,” the report said.

“To achieve the level of activity and vibrancy anticipated, the built form is envisioned to be of a larger scale close to King William Street and Coode Street, which will then transition down in scale where interfacing with established low-density residential areas outside of the corridor.”

The report said creating the corridor, which was linked to the Morley and Bayswater centres, would entice market interest and investment, and a number of submissions backed that, encouraging the council to adopt the plan. 

Heritage

Five wanted the Bayswater town centre’s heritage area to be revoked.

“Protecting this area will restrict ability to provide more modern and sustainable development,” one submitter wrote.

“This area was not legally approved and it is requested it is rescinded/removed.”

But council staff said while the town centre didn’t have formal protection under the planning laws, keeping it as a heritage area was “highly desirable”.

Others were concerned about the impact of so much development along Coode Street.

“This corridor contains many streets with highly valued traditional residential character,” one resident wrote.

“The urban corridor should be reconsidered and, at most, should propose a density code of R80-R100 to lots fronting King William Street / Coode Street only.”

The council’s planning officers said originally they’d left parts of Coode Street out of the corridor, but the state’s planning department ordered them to be added in to align with its own broader planning framework.

Similar zoned-up corridors are also proposed along Beechboro Road, Crimea Street, Guildford Road, and Walter Road West and Beaufort Street until they hit the border with Stirling council.

The Embleton Golf Course might also have its links shrunk, with the council looking into whether a sizeable chunk of its southern flanks could be developed for housing somewhere in the future.

by STEVE GRANT

STIRLING council has made its stretch of Beaufort Street a permanent 40kmh zone after a successful two-year trial.

The council voted on the permanent speed limit last week after being prompted by appeals from business owners and residents.

Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said he’d been pleased with the trial.

“The data from the trial period was compelling,” he said.

 “We observed a substantial reduction in overall crashes by 48 per cent, midblock crashes by 62 per cent, and serious injury crashes by an impressive 88 per cent when compared to averages from 2016 to 2020.”

Under the permanent scheme, the lower speed limit will only apply from 7.30am to 10pm, after which it reverts to the old 60kmh limit.

Inglewood on Beaufort chair Ben Kent lauded the collaborative efforts between businesses, residents, and the City in reimagining Inglewood as a destination for both leisurely strolls and car travel.

“We advocated for a reduced speed limit to enhance safety, tranquility, and the overall appeal of Beaufort Street,” Mr Kent said.

“The positive impact is evident not only in statistical data but also in the increased pedestrian activity and the emergence of vibrant alfresco dining venues along the street.”

THE City of Bayswater is gearing up to overhaul of its Strategic Community Plan.

The review, mandated every four years, aims to realign the city’s long-term vision with evolving community needs.

With community engagement scheduled to run from this coming week through to  July, the review aims to chart the city’s development from 2025 to 2035. 

The current plan is scheduled to run until 2031 and emerged from a previous major review in May 2021, but delays caused by the Covid meant community engagement efforts were hampered, leading to a misalignment between the Community Perception Survey and the strategic plan’s review timeline. 

Consequently, no minor review was conducted as mandated.

To kickstart the review, the City quietly used the 2023 Community Perception Survey to glean some early insights into community sentiment, incorporating two visioning questions as precursors to the major review. 

Pillars

The responses helped gauge the relevance of existing strategic pillars and shape the community engagement strategy.

The City of Bayswater will ensure its First Nations community is consulted during the review.

As part of the review process, staff have earmarked $40,000 in the 2023/24 annual budget for community engagement, covering consultancy fees, additional staffing, printing materials, and catering. An additional $20,000 will be requested in the 2024/25 budget to finalise this stage of the review.

Consultants Learning Horizons have been appointed to run the plan post-community engagement.

The review was scheduled to kick off after the 2023 elections, giving mayor Filomena Piffaretti her full term to see it out – and prevent any newcomer from coming in and starting the whole process again.

If the council adopts the review timeline, the engagement will kick off in the next few months with business interviews, focus groups, and surveys, and the overall review is scheduled to be finished and adopted mid-next year.

BAYSWATER councillor Dan Bull has asked the City to find an extra $130,000 from this year’s budget to help the Bayswater City Soccer Club prepare plans for new clubrooms at Frank Drago Reserve.

Cr Bull also wants the city to put another $200,000 into a new reserve account next year to build a war chest for the project, which is estimated will cost more than $16 million.

In a motion to go before this week’s council meeting, Cr Bull said the council had already provided in-principle support for the clubroom upgrade in 2019, though the lack of City funds for the project was noted at the time.

World Cup

Cr Bull said the club had missed the opportunity to have Frank Drago Reserve used as a team training facility during last year’s highly success and popular Women’s World Cup, though it had made the shortlist after an application was made to FIFA.

Late last year the soccer club wrote to the city requesting funds to formally start the process to redevelop the reserve.

“The letter explained the club has experienced a period of significant growth, which means the current facilities are no longer fit for purpose,” Cr Bull’s statement with his motion read.

But a staff report said that while there was $50,000 in a draft forward capital works program to progress the redevelopment plans, there was no other money allocated over the next decade.

Demolish

“Based on the previous concepts, it is unlikely that the project will be a like-for-like replacement; it would involve demolishing the old clubhouse and constructing an entirely new clubhouse building, reoriented closer to Whatley Crescent, to allow space for the inclusion of an additional pitch,” the report said.

Because of the high price tag, the club and council are likely to have to seek most of the funding from the state and federal governments.

The report notes that means they’ll have to show that it can be financially viable and suggests looking into including function rooms, restaurants or cafes in the designs.

IN a rare win for ratepayers over developers, Bayswater council has confirmed it has no plans to develop a prime development site in Maylands and will instead enshrine it as a park.

At this coming week’s meeting, the council will vote on whether to forward a scheme amendment to rezone 1 Kelvin Street in Maylands to “local open space” to planning minister John Carey with a recommendation he wave it through.

The 914sqm lot currently has a medium-to-high density zoning of R50 and is a block away from the Maylands Coles on Guildford Road, and with neighbouring lots with up to four houses on them, would be a dream for a developer.

But a council report notes that the community has already come to view the shady hideaway as a park already, and consultation showed 100 per cent support to keep it that way.

Recent enhancements, including the installation of play equipment, landscaping features, footpaths, and seating, have further solidified its status as a cherished communal retreat.

“The nature of the submissions related to the high value of the park to the community including its trees, native species and play equipment,” the report said.

“The community use the park for enjoyment, learning, family bonding, connecting with the wider community, and for a place to enjoy a native vegetated space.“

THE feelgood factor from the Women’s World Cup is still alive with the City of Fremantle announcing a three-year sponsorship of the Girls Festival of Community Soccer.

On Saturday March 16, more than 500 girls will play in a five-a-side tournament at Fremantle Oval.

A total of 35 teams played in the inaugural Festival last year, which was inspired by the Women’s World Cup matches held in Perth.

The 2024 tournament is a sell-out with 62 teams from 12 clubs participating – up 80 per cent from last year – with most based in the southern suburbs.

Fremantle City Football Club coach Yasmin Philp says they are leading the way in women’s soccer.

“Fremantle City Football Club proudly takes the lead as WA’s largest female football club,” she says.“The club has an ambitious goal in mind – gender parity within 2027.

“The Festival is a significant step in this direction and provides a wonderful opportunity for all girls to enjoy the game.”

Enrolment fees will support the Festival’s charity partner, the Child Cancer Research Foundation, led by CEO Andrea Alexander.

“Support from this event will assist with vital life-saving research into childhood cancers,” she says.

Each team will play a minimum of four games, with players ranging in age from 8 to 17 years old.

Girls Festival of Community Soccer organiser Traci Gamblin says there has been a great reaction to the event.

The Festival is sold out, but there is a waitlist in case of cancellations. For more info go to festivalofcommunitysoccer.com.au.