Perth Voice Interactive

Advertising Feature:

Absolute Smiles
Absolute Smiles has been looking after patients in Mt Hawthorn and surrounding regions for the last 15 years. The team is led by experienced dentists Dr Sarrah Omran and Dr Joe Muscara.
In December 2014, Absolute Smiles moved to new custom built premises. The new practice features state-of-the-art equipment and the latest in dental technology, including an on-site dental technician and laboratory. This means Absolute Smiles can offer a same day service for ceramic dental crowns (normally takes two weeks), saving patients time and the need to come in for multiple appointments. The new premises also has its own dental implant specialist.
Absolute Smiles offers all aspects of general dental care for the whole family, and specialises in cosmetic dental makeovers. There’s also a variety of sleep dentistry options for nervous patients, to make the experience as comfortable and easy as possible.
Absolute Smiles
112 Scarborough Beach Rd
9444 1227
http://www.absolutesmiles.com.au

Aranmore Catholic Primary School
Aranmore is a double stream co-educational school catering for 500 students from Pre-Kindy (3yo) to Year 6 and is located in Leederville. Students come from a range of nearby suburbs and reflect the diversity of
Perth today.
There are specialist programs in the areas of Music/Performing Arts; Languages (Italian); Information and Communication Technology and Physical Education and a number of extra-curricular sport and performance arts programs supported by the school.
Facilities include wonderful natural playgrounds, ovals, courts, a new hall, a well resourced library and state-of-the-art classrooms including an innovative technology-focused learning hub.
Aranmore Catholic Primary is founded upon the traditions of the Sisters of Mercy and has a staff of more than 40 teaching and non-teaching staff who are committed to providing a high level of pastoral care and quality education for all students. Enrol your child to enable them to learn today and lead tomorrow.
Aranmore Catholic Primary School
20 Brentham Street, Leederville (near Loftus St & Anzac Road)
9444 9366
Email: admin@aranmorecps.wa.edu.au
http://www.aranmorecps.wa.edu.au

DiaboliK Books
Diabolik Books and Records is a haven for music and book lovers in Mt Hawthorn. Along with a large vinyl music section, Diabolik has a very cool range of books covering film, fashion, fiction, non-fiction, music, art and design, as well as graphic novels and cookbooks.
A large children’s book section catering from babies to teenagers sits beneath a colourful Hayao Miyazaki mural. You’ll also find an interesting array of gifts, stationery, plush toys, tote bags and t-shirts.
Along with the latest book and music releases, this is the place to discover forgotten cult classics, rare and limited edition recordings on vinyl, and that very inappropriate birthday card for an unsuspecting relative! Pick a chair or stool at the back of the store and immerse yourself in the best picks of culture today, they’re open every day from 9am til late.
Diabolik
149 Scarborough Beach Rd, Mount Hawthorn
9201 0271
http://www.diabolikbooks.com.au

Il Pasto Italian Trattoria
YOU know you’re in for a treat when you see the crisp, white tablecloths and catch the aromas of traditional Italian cuisine: Yes, Ilpasto Italian Trattoria has most definitely brought the best of the old country to Inglewood and now also to the new premises at Mount Hawthorn.
The menu is Sicilian influenced featuring fresh produce that is beautifully and simply prepared – the sort of food Sicilian families have been enjoying for generations. Boasting an in-house pastry chef, the desserts are out of this world and you’ll be pleased to learn the owners work in the trattoria.
Ilpasto Italian Trattoria: Enjoy a BYO service at the Inglewood Ilpasto or come in and try wine from the large selection of Italian grape varieties at the new fully licensed Mount Hawthorn Ilpasto. Plenty of free parking. Ilpasto is open Tuesday to Sunday, 5.30pm onwards. Book now online at ilpasto.com.au
ILPASTO Italian trattoria
Inglewood
9271 7870
4/885 Beaufort Street Mount Hawthorn
9444 6005
180 Scarborough Beach Road
http://www.ilpasto.com.au

The Mezz
If you live in the Mt Hawthorn area, or even if you don’t, what better reason is there for a visit than The Mezz Mini Market?
With storytelling, magic potion making, live cooking demonstrations and food stalls, The Mezz Mini Market will bring the Laneway to life every Saturday from March 28 to April 18 and is a fun morning out for the whole family.
While the kids are making some magic potions, Mum & Dad can watch Celebrity chef and WA food ambassador Don Hancey who will be cooking up a storm and there’s also live music. You might even want to stay for lunch at The Peasant’s Table afterwards.
Come and enjoy all of the fun and entertainment, food and frivolity from 11am to 2pm at The Mezz, Mt Hawthorn.
The Mezz
9426 8888
148 Scarborough Beach Road,
Mount Hawthorn
http://www.themezz.com.au

 

Niesz Art Gallery
Agnieszka Izydorek’s affair with art started with little fanfare or ceremony.
One day a few years ago, in the bright heat of the Australian desert, her sister put a paint brush in her hand and gave her some paper. Never one to stand down from a challenge, and much to her surprise, some quite realistic looking strawberries appeared on the page. Agnieszka’s passion was born.
Working largely with acrylics and modelling pastes, Agnieszka’s inspiration comes from the beauty of flowers; to capture their differences of colour in changing sunlight. Agnieszka has travelled extensively. The diverse landscapes and abundance of wildlife provide ongoing inspiration. Agnieszka’s original pieces capture her passion for the outdoors.
Agnieszka will hold her debut painting exhibition Irelephant at the Leaf and Bean Café on Sunday 8 March from 2pm.  Entry is free to the exhibition and refreshments will be served on arrival. All artworks and reproductions are for sale.
Irrelephant Art Exhibition
Sunday 8 March 2015, 2pm – 5pm
Leaf and Bean Cafe, Mount Hawthorn
178a Scarborough Beach Road
Facebook: Niesz Art Gallery

OPSM Mount Hawthorn
OPSM optometrist, Bjorn Russell, is encouraging everyone to look after their eyes after research found an estimated 2,000,000 Australians aged between 18 and 44 have never had their eyes tested or have failed to get them tested in the past 5 years.
“A lot of people in our community are diligent with their eye health. However, it’s important for everyone to have their eyes tested, not just those at a higher risk of eye disease or those with an existing condition,” said Bjorn.
OPSM eye tests are conducted using the Optos Daytona Ultra Wide Digital Retinal Scanner, which takes a 200-degree view of the back of the eye in less than 5 minutes.
It’s never too early to get your eyes checked. The key is early detection. 80% of blindness is preventable. A comprehensive eye examination by your optometrist is the best way to monitor your eye health.
OPSM Mount Hawthorn
1/180 Scarborough Beach Road,
Mount Hawthorn
9443 5266
http://www.opsm.com.au

The Paddo
The old Paddo is finally about to have a facelift! The renovations will start in April beginning with the doubling of the kitchen, which means a serious focus on food for the future, all steered by the vision of new Head Chef Brendon Burrow.
The new state of the art bathrooms will also be revealed as stage one of the refurbishment is finalised.
Even though The Paddo’s cosmetic changes are much needed,  the beautiful old building will will retain all the charm and character of the 83 years since she was built.
The Paddo team can’t wait to share this exciting new era with all the loyal customers at everyone’s favourite neighbourhood pub and look forward to welcoming a new influx of punters to the family.
The Paddo
141 Scarborough Beach Rd, Mt Hawthorn
9242 3077
paddo.com.au

 

Pet’s Meat Suppliers
Pet’s Meat Suppliers is the place to go for high quality pet food and friendly, expert advice. Established since 1965, the family owned business celebrates 50 years this year, with the past 47 years at the current location on Oxford St. Catering to all your pet’s needs, Pet’s Meats Suppliers prides itself on providing good old fashioned service. It even has its own meat processing plant in Osborne Park, where only local produce is used to ensure that no preservatives or sulphites are added.
As qualified pet nutritionists, the team provides expert advice on elimination diets, which are beneficial for pets with skin allergies or digestion problems. The store also carries an extensive range of bedding, toys, flea treatments and much more.  Treat your pampered pooch to the doggy day spa – deluxe hydro bath, blow drying and nail clipping services are available by appointment. Proud sponsors of Pound Watch and Swan Animal Haven.
Pet’s Meat Suppliers
414 Oxford Street, Mount Hawthorn
9444 1220
http://www.petsmeatssuppliers.com.au

RSL Mount Hawthorn
Axford Park in Mount Hawthorn at the intersection of Scarborough Beach Road and Oxford Street, is named in honour of a resident of Mount Hawthorn, Thomas Axford.
Following WW1 Mr Axford returned to Boulder to learn a trade at Kalgoorlie Foundry working in the Eastern Goldfields. In the early 1930s joined  the Western Australian Department of Mines in Perth. In November 1926 Mr Axford  married Lily Foster in St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth. They lived in Mount Hawthorn and were to have five children. When the  Second World War started Axford enlisted in the Army again. Discharged with the rank of Sergeant in April 1947 he returned to his job at the Department of Mines.
RSL Mount Hawthorn
Events@outlook.com
0419 192 183

 

Ruri Studio for Hair
Ruri Studio for Hair introduces Keune Satin Oil Treatment – a luxurious treatment that will leave your hair soft, deeply nourished and incredibly shiny.
Suitable for either fine or normal hair, the Keune treatment is a weightless oil infusion that detangles, conditions and leaves hair hydrated without ever feeling greasy. The rich blend of Yangu, Manoi, Sweet Almond and Maracuja oil gives your locks a brilliant healthy sheen.
There’s no need for other products once you have Keune Satin Oil Treatment in your bag of tricks. This little marvel does it all: pre-condition, overnight leave-in, shine boost treatment, heat protection and styling finishing.  Keune is exclusive to Ruri Hair. Miki, Vincent, Yuki, Juri, Chika, are all fully qualified, international hairstylists. Come and experience the Ruri royal treatment today.
Ruri Studio for Hair
Shop 2, 401 Oxford St. Mt Hawthorn
9444 3113

Samari’s
Take a trip around the orient without leaving the country at Samari’s Restaurant. Serving fine Asian cuisine, the extensive menu is a delicious selection of authentic Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Cambodian dishes. With so much choice on offer, it’s like having four restaurants in one. Established in 2007, Samari’s was originally located at Victoria Avenue Perth and has recently relocated to more spacious premises in Mt Hawthorn.
Samari’s serves all the favourites such as green chicken curry, stir fried chilli beef, mongolian lamb, pad thai, crispy skin chicken, salt and pepper fish, seafood birds nest, lettuce cups and much more.
You’re in for a culinary treat, as Samari’s highly qualified head chef has over 15 years experience and his specialty is authentic Asian cuisine.
Samari’s Fine Asian Cuisine Restaurant
413 Oxford Street Mt Hawthorn
9444 5817
Email: samarirestaurant@iinet.net.au
http://www.samarirestaurant.com.au

COOL BREEZE CAFE owner Georgia Johnson is “devastated” Bayswater city council has effectively forced her to close and sack eight staff.

She sat through a three-hour council meeting only to hear councillors reject her request to continue using a council power supply at Riverside Gardens.

Her coffee van has been at the Riverside car park in Maylands for more than two years, but the recent introduction of food van permits prompted the council to ask her to reapply as a “mobile” vendor and stop using its electricity.

“It would cost me $6500 to buy a mobile generator and another $1500 for a mobile food permit—I just can’t afford it,” Ms Johnson says.

“Nearly three years ago I went through all the rigmarole and expense of getting a development application approved and the council agreed to install a power point if I paid for the electricity.

“Now they want to pull the rug from under my feet and I have no choice but to shut down. I’m devastated.

“Having sat through the meeting, I can see there is a lot of support for development, but not much for the community.”

Since announcing the closure of her cafe on her Facebook page, Ms Johnson’s post has been viewed 9000 times and she has been inundated with messages of support:

“What the ?,” posted Cara Fanning. “are these people so out of touch. What an amazing addition you have been to the area which was crying out for a coffee/food vendor.”

“Sounds like a repeat of the Maylands Hawkers Markets,” posted Kylie Bryant. “I will be remembering when it is time to vote. Such a shame and a loss.”

Crs Stephanie Coates, Chris Cornish and Sylvan Albert voted for Ms Johnson to use the power.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

THE WA state library board is considering closing the state library two days a week to rein in a blown out budget.

WA culture and arts minister John Day says the government “currently has no intention of reducing the number of opening hours” but a library director told the Voice it was on the agenda at the last meeting.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the director said the proposed closure was in response to pressure from the WA arts department, which funds the library.

“They’ve already axed the bookshop, that’s definitely going,” the director told the Voice.

Lamented

Conceding the bookshop ran at a loss, the director nevertheless lamented its demise as the loss of a “really good public face” for the library.

The director also revealed there had been pressure applied to completely cancel the Premier’s book awards, rather than cut it back from an annual to a biennial prize.

“It was pushed to the wire and looked like the whole thing was going to be dumped, but as a compromise they made it every two years,” the director said. “The awards are a wonderful occasion. I can’t believe the premier would want to cut this: it’s cheap to produce and a real winner for the state and the premier, and all to save $65,000.”

As a result of budget cuts, support services such as professional development and book purchasing are also likely to disappear at metropolitan libraries, but remain in the regions.

This year’s book allocations have already caused grief for local libraries, with Fremantle council issuing a stern letter to the state library and WA local government association about the depth of cuts and advice from the library which left its shelves depleted.

“Late notice of quotas, not received till November, combined with advice from State Library from July to November, that public libraries should order as per the previous year’s allocations meant a severe impact for new item supply,” the minutes of Fremantle library’s management committee reveal.

The minutes also show this financial year’s funding for library stock was to be 43 per cent lower than 2013/14’s. However, by the time the mid-year budget review was completed the cut was reduced to 25 per cent.

Slammed

Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi slammed any prospect of reducing the Alexander Library’s opening hours.

“With the art gallery closed on Tuesdays the last thing we want is another closed building,” she told the Voice.

“If we are keen to attract international students they will want to access to books and places to study.

“This really is a no-no.”

She’d been annoyed by the decision to cut the premier’s book awards back to a biennial event.

“I had a letter from the head of the book awards and I thought ‘here’s another handball to local government’, because we could pick it up, but that annoys me because they all think we will.”

She said she’d recently been talking with radio host and former West Australian newspaper editor, Paul Murray, and was taken by his comment you hardly ever see local governments racking up deficits.

“You put up a budget and then you work to that—you live within yours means,” she said.

But the director defended library administrators: “I don’t think it was because of incompetence.”

The Voice contacted the library but didn’t get a response before deadline.

Mr Day said his portfolio had been under the microscope of the razor gang, which is scouring eight of the state’s biggest-spending agencies to identify savings.

by STEVE GRANT

THIS year’s premier’s book awards has been cancelled—to save $65,000.

The formerly annual awards will now be held biennially, a move the LNP government says it’s making as part of its efficiency drive. It says that a week or so after shelling out $2 million to bring the Giants to Perth,

Author David Whish-Wilson, whose history book Perth was short-listed at last year’s awards, says they are an important fillip for local writers: “The awards are announced nationally and receive wide media coverage,” he says. “Booksellers frequently promote short-listed writers, as do librarians.

“The loss of the annual awards for very little financial saving is an illustration of an out-of-touch government that clearly sees the arts as a soft target.”

The writing team behind Perth literary journal Regime is split over the cutback.

Poet Nathan Hondros says writers should be more concerned about the government impinging on their freedom of speech, than what it thinks about their books.

“Any writer worth their salt should be boycotting publicly-funded writing awards,” he says.

“There is still legislation making it unlawful for a writer to offend anyone: for instance, the material published by Charlie Hebdo wouldn’t be allowed here.

“It’s also a criminal offence if you don’t hand in a copy of your published book to the government.

“Writers should spend more time worrying about that, than about what some government committee thinks of your work.”

His playwright buddy Damon Lockwood is concerned the biennial timeframe might influence publishing schedules.

“I just hope publishers don’t start delaying releasing books until the year of the premier’s award,” he says.

“You know, so they are in people’s consciousness when it comes to voting time.

“It’s hard enough for aspiring fiction writers to get published without having to deal with another hurdle.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

STIRLING city council will spend nearly $20,000 to send two councillors to separate overseas conferences.

Cr Keith Sergant will don castanets and montera for an undoubtedly vital three-day urban transport conference in Valencia, Span.

Cr David Boothman will put on his union jack briefs to attend a similarly important three-day conference in England on coastal cities and their sustainability.

Cr Boothman, a former Stirling mayor born in England, defended the cough-inducing $9045 to be spent flying him business class to Blighty.

“There was no similar conference being held in Australia,” he says.

“Anyway, I recently went on a council trip to Brisbane and it cost around $7000, so the difference between going overseas isn’t that much sometimes.”

Stirling is no stranger to jet-setting councillors.

Last year, the council spent $25,000 to send Joe Ferrante and David Lagan to California for a three-day conference on sustainable infrastructure. In 2013 the same pair attended an audit conference in Orlando, Florida costing $32,750, despite Cr Lagan not being on the council’s audit committee.

In May the council voted to spend $6545 flying mayor Giovanni Italiano and CEO Stuart Jardine business-class to Canberra—so they could lobby the government for money (someone’s got to pay for all the flights).

Councillors must produce a report upon their return.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

A LOCAL Liberal MP has gone into bat for a Coolbinia resident battling Stirling city council’s demands that he cough up $200,000 to buy a supposed laneway next to his property, or demolish eaves and a pool that were illegally built on it.

Council bureaucrats concede the Wiluna Street property’s pool and house eaves encroached on the laneway in the 1960s and 1990s, long before Ajdin Dzemailoski bought the house, but they’re still demanding he pay up.

Mt Lawley MP Michael Sutherland is calling on the council to apply common sense, not red tape.

“I visited Mr Dzemailoski’s home and my inspection only reinforced to me the injustice of the council seeking to correct this long-standing error through an impost on him for a problem that was not of his making,” he says.

“Aerial photographs going back to the late 1960s show the current house and pool locations have been the same for over 40 years.

“A fair and just resolution would be for the council to allow current and future owners of this property to continue the enjoyment of the council land that has been encroached on.”

Mr Dzemailoski recently divorced and is keen to make a fresh start after 15 years in the street, but says he’s unable to sell till the matter’s resolved. He says the council’s actions contributed to his recent heart attack. He hadn’t even known the laneway was there when he bought the place in 1999. “You can’t even see the laneway in my garden and it’s not ever been used by the public as far as I can tell,” he says.

“The council are issuing crazy demands, like the eaves encroach 270mm into the laneway and part of the swimming pool is blocking the path.

“The ironic thing is, the pool was built in 1968 and the plans were approved by the city.”

Stirling compliance manager Peter Morrison is sticking to his guns. “The city has requested the unauthorised encroachments be removed and this has not occurred and a notice was issued accordingly,” he says. “That notice has now expired and the city is considering what further action to take.

“It appears the house has been built by a former owner in the wrong location on the site, so too the pool which is authorised but was not built according to the plans submitted to council.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

COMMUNITY and heritage groups are crying foul after the WA government moved further ahead with a planned sale of the East Perth power station without their input.

Last week developers were invited to submit expressions of interest for the 8.5-hectare heritage-listed site with neither the National Trust nor the Banks precinct action group consulted.

“This is somewhat disappointing as it was the NT who brought recent private sector interest to the Metropolitan Regional Authority and encouraged them to pursue such interest where prior to that, the power station had not been a priority,” Trust CEO Tom Perrigo complained.

Since the government announced in October the station would be sold, The Banks precinct has been campaigning for the heritage-listed building to become a community asset. “There has been no contact from the state government,” co-chair Caroline Cohen says. “We will be holding a Banks precinct meeting this week and initiate contact with the MRA.”

MRA media manager Vanessa Toncich says public consultation is planned, “following the EOI period”.

Mr Perrigo is sceptical: “History suggests decisions are made within government including heritage matters and then it becomes more about information-sharing than engagement,” he says.  “One would have hoped the brief could have been circulated for input, however, now that a public decision has been made, one would hope the brief put out by government including all the conditions is made completely transparent and put onto the MRA’s web page if it hasn’t been already.”

The power station, located on the banks of the Swan River, is one of 20 assets to be sold by the government to reduce WA’s staggering $21 billion debt.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

INGLEWOOD’S Valerie Dixon has been stalked by cancer her entire life.

Her mother and sister-in-law died of breast cancer, her father and brother of bowel cancer, and her sister survived the disease.

In 2013, Ms Dixon was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy and six weeks of radiation treatment. The sanguine 69-year-old beat the disease and now is determined to help cancer sufferers by going on a 60km two-day charity walk.

“We went on a 20km trial walk around Perth last weekend, but us girls got talking and ended up getting lost,” she laughs. “We ended up doing 25km instead.”

The mother of four says because of the family history of cancer, her daughter is very conscious about going for regular check-ups. “Every woman should be vigilant and go for regular mammograms and do self-checks,” she says.

“The lump in my breast was very deep and if I hadn’t gone for a mammogram I probably wouldn’t be here today.”

In preparation for the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers, Ms Dixon walks 6km every morning.

“I’ve never been a very sporty person and I turn 70 next year, but having been touched by the cancer, I determined to help raise money to fight it,” says the chirpy ex-Londoner.

“Around one in three women will develop a form of cancer before the age of 85.”

Funds raised from the March 28/29 walk will go to Perth’s Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

To donate or participate visit http://www.endcancer.org.au.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

Just not cricket
IT is with some frustration and more than a little dismay that I read your article about the possibility of the blind cricketers being forced off Shearn Park because some local dog walkers are agitating to have the park fenced (Voice, February 21, 2015).
I live directly opposite the park and also walk my dog there and totally agree the proposal to completely fence it in is both unnecessary and expensive. The cricketers have been using the park for years and have never caused a single moment of trouble and they all have a great time, they never leave any mess or make too much noise.
On the other hand I have stepped in poo and have had to deal with aggressive and poorly trained and behaved dogs on many occasions.
Mesh infill and a bottom rail on the existing fence along Central Ave would solve the problem for everyone, but I guess that would be too simple a fix.
I notice with interest the main instigator for this fence is also involved in trying to get the feeder road to the new Seventh Avenue bridge blocked, using a fairly aggressive campaign to get people to sign the petition.
It would be interesting to see where a lot of the people who signed it actually live. Leave the cricketers alone, train your dogs, supervise your dogs, be happy and don’t waste ratepayers’ money as there is already a fenced park a five-minute walk away towards Beaufort Street.
Bill Malabre
Central Ave, Mt Lawley

Perth needs Cutbush’s CPR
FIRST of all, dear Perth Voice, I would like to express my gratitude for your existence. Reading you helps me keep up with everything worth knowing in Perth. Almost everything.
I was slightly outraged by the violent sense of selfishness expressed by Siena’s representative regarding the Rough Love Laneway Party (Voice, February 14, 2015).
It is now widely known of several musical venues closing down, such as The Bakery, Ya Ya’s and Devilles Pad, which would not only cause unemployment, but also a ridiculous representation of the city’s cultural development.
Perth is at risk of becoming an expensive condo block, restaurant-oriented-bourgeois-run-by car-only expensive city. This city still is culturally active, yet satisfying itself with Fringe once a year would be simply funny.
I would like to express my kindness and appreciation to Dave Cutbush’s initiative: “Perth Needs More Music and Arts Venues”, a Facebook community page he created. (Dave Catbush is the managing director of “life is noise” and big part of the Australian music scene for almost two decades). This page has appealed to more than 2000 similar-minded people who will definitely not sit and watch all these changes from their condo square window.
My point is music and entertainment are essential, even for economic purposes. Culture attracts people/customers/hungry, curious buyers, which obviously makes businesses like Siena’s benefit.
Yet this time, and taking into consideration the business’ clientele, this event is not so beneficial and it becomes a community problem, putting the event at risk. This is one event, occurring during seven hours. It is possible for some customers to dislike that. It is possible for a patron to dislike an employee and leave the premises as a result. It will be noisy and there may be some trash left. It will be cleaned and the decibels re-established.
And yes, it is the “young” who are organising these events and who are fighting for venues, yet Dave Cutbush, who is enormously respected for his work in Perth music has himself initiated this push for open-mindness and cultural freedom.
I would like for businesses, whose idea of this laneway party being atrocious, to consider that we are a community, a city in which people from various races, cultural tastes, habits cohabit and try to be happy.
Nora Karailieva
North Perth

Who’s green?
TO date we (the ratepayers) have lost near on 100 mature trees in the lower end of Mount Hawthorn, Brady Street, Anderson Street, etc.
This week two magnificent gums were lost on Brady with a possible six or seven destined to go further down. All in the name of greed: infill, to which only the City of Vincent and developers profit.
In many cases, as in NSW, with proper planning and care, many of those trees could have been integrated into the overall design, rather than pack as many on each side, bugger the trees in the way.
Well, son we will have no trees in the verge. Considering dramatic increases in rates and the so-called “Greening of Vincent” they could bury the ugly overhead power lines. Make the developers pay for such and furthermore, as I suggested to the mayor, make the developers contribute to “Greening of Vincent” paying for two trees for every one they remove. How about an infill of verges.
Robert Hart
Anderson St, Mt Hawthorn

It’s a ShockR
I WAS shocked on Wednesday February 18 to receive a letter from the City of Stirling regarding a redevelopment application for an adjoining property. The single dwelling  property occupies 898sqm and has a development application lodged to construct seven multi-storey residences.
I was further shocked to learn, after speaking with the council planning department that the application will go ahead despite breaches of the R-Code building and development guidelines and principles.
This area lies within the Mt Lawley heritage protection zone. Seven units on 898sqm lot? How is this possible? We moved to the area 16 years ago, attracted by the heritage fabric of the area, now it would appear we will be living next to high-density accommodation with limited parking provisions and no regard for our privacy nor our right to quiet enjoyment.
Regan Whitby
Central Ave, Mt Lawley

Cavalier attitude
“SHAMBOLIC!” Yes, the premier’s proposed forced amalgamations (Voice, February 21, 2015) but for the City of Bayswater to go along with the amalgamation proposal, when in the words of Liberal MLC Simon O ‘Brien “no case for change existed” shows council to be worse than shambolic—it showed a cavalier attitude to the use of ratepayers’ money.
Greg Smith
Rose Ave, Bayswater

Gone off track
BUILDING a designated bike lane on a road does not make for a bike-friendly road was my thought as I rode home along Oxford Street, Leederville yesterday afternoon.
It was a beautiful afternoon and I was keen to see the new roadworks as I am a supporter of any new bike infrastructure. However, as I rode along with cars parked on my left and a bus passing on my right I could not help but wonder about a car door opening suddenly in front of me. What would happen?
Of course I know, it has happened to me before but I have always be so lucky to respond immediately (years of hyper-vigilance) and to have had room to swerve. On Oxford Street, in that moment, it was sobering to think that I could have very easily been killed.
And whose fault would that be? Don’t we just love to apportion blame? It comes so easily. The person in the car could blame me or the bus driver, my family would blame the car driver and the bus driver and on it goes… to no end, it is pointless.
Why do we get fixated on blame and the problem? Where is the problem-solving and the solution? Where is the education, where is the compassion? I cannot believe for one moment those talkback radio callers whom I have heard so many times, who think they own the road because they pay car registration, who generalise the entire population into “them” (the riders) and “us” (the motorists) would really want to be involved in an accident that kills a person on a bike.
Because, at its simplest, that is what we are talking about—lives, people. It is ridiculous to talk about who has the more rights. Ridiculous because it is completely irrelevant and plain wrong.
Roads are public infrastructure and that means they belong to everyone. That means we share the roads we don’t not own them. Education and compassion are the keys not that unhelpful, unfounded sense of entitlement. The solution has to lie with a shared responsibility, of the individual, of the collective and the government.
Where is the public education campaign to accompany the new bike lane? I haven’t seen one sign, newspaper article or public service announcement. Does the City of Vincent just think that building something will force a change? Will raise awareness?
Yes, I just want everyone to get along and be happy—and, ok, I get that is not always possible but surely I can ask to share the road, as both a car driver and a bike rider, and to the feel safe. At the moment, on Oxford Street, and on countless others, I do not. So for now I think I’ll just walk into Leederville.
Silvana Patorniti
Ashby St, Mt Hawthorn

Consider victims
IT is not my intention to weigh in on the artistic merits or otherwise of shows currently being performed at the Perth Fringe Festival.
I understand that performer Adrienne Truscott, who has featured prominently in your publication over the past few weeks, is well-intentioned in attempting to debunk myths about rape through her Fringe show.
However, in my role as commissioner for victims of crime in Western Australia, where I speak daily with victims who have suffered significant abuse, including sexual abuse, I would like to request that you reconsider how you report on traumatic crime in your publication.
The nature of the photographs and headlines in the article on January 17, “A funny thing about rape” was obviously intended to be provocative.
From the victim of crime perspective, unfortunately, “provocative” can often be traumatising.
Sensationalised photographs like the one published with the article will often trigger flashbacks to the crime the victim has experienced.
I believe it is possible to provoke without harming people, and there would certainly be victims of sexual crime among your readers, who most certainly could do without further harm being wrought upon them.
Jennifer Hoffman
Commissioner for Victims of Crime
Department of the Attorney General

End of story
GOODBYE to amalgamation! To those few miscreants who erroneously believe most people are in favour of amalgamation, I offer the following.
I attended, with thousands of other City of Canning residents, all four public meetings to debate the forced amalgamation process. Not one spoke in favour and not one single Liberal politician attended, because they recognised the people were united in their opposition. End of story.
William Booth
Queen St, Bentley 

Lock ‘em up
ANY school teacher male or female who has sex with a underage student should not be allowed to go free or be shown mercy.
We have the recent case of a female teacher having sex with a boy being let free. It sends a message of confusion to all males—your crime is worse although it’s the same.
I do note we have female correspondents who write to the papers exercising their feminist rights, dumping on men when they get the opportunity when a male has done wrong.
Well, now we have the perfect opportunity for them to show they are not cheering for a team but rather for the cause.
SM Livingston
David St, Yokine