Perth Voice Interactive

Tudor to tower

October 31, 2014

THE demise of the 90-year-old Tudor mansion in West Perth was ushered in with nary a mention of the building’s storied history.

Eight luxury units are to take its place on a street that long ago lost most of its other aged buildings, and which now houses US consulate residents.

Perth city councillor Reece Harley had earlier tabled information on the historic value of the place for consideration.

The original building dates to 1906 and for years was owned by the family of former premier George Leake. It burned down in 1926 and was rebuilt in Tudor style.

Renowned anti-communist campaigner James Sinclair McGibbon lived there till his death in 1943. News of its possible demise in the Voice attracted 80 or so online comments from those unhappy to see it go.

But it had been looked over by both the state heritage office and the council’s own history experts and declared unworthy of listing.

Without that protection in place the vote to allow its demise was unanimous.

The one concession to history: the council says the owner is “required to provide a photographic record”.

by DAVID BELL
Bus (don’t) stop

October 31, 2014

PERTH commuters are getting to work late because of a new bus stop built behind trees and three metres from the road.

A Voice reader and commuter describes the positioning of the Lord Street bus stop as a joke: “It’s ridiculous,” she says. “If you sit at the bus stop you can’t see a thing coming, only traffic whizzing past you. How are you meant to hail a bus if you can’t see it?”

Vincent city council CEO Len Kosova says the stop, near the Guildford Road intersection, was installed three weeks ago: “The trees have grown back since it was cleared for a property development,” he says. “The city will cut the trees back so the bus stop is not obscured.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK
Lifeline for new year’s party in Perth

October 31, 2014

A MASSIVE New Year’s Eve party for Wellington Square has been thrown a lifeline after Perth city council staff initially opposed the event.

The 15,000-person Origin NYE party’s already being advertised around town as being held in Wellington Square so it was a nervous moment for organisers when staff recommended it be knocked back.

A report notes the event consists of “mainly ‘dub-step’ and ‘drum and bass’ (heavy bass) style music” that the whipper-snappers like these days.

But staff’s chief gripes were WA police warnings that it’d be tough to control, along with public transport authority concerns about getting everyone out of there when it wrapped up at 1am.

This all despite the PCC actually advising the organisers to hold the event at Wellington Square, after it outgrew the preferred location at Ozone Reserve last year.

Organiser Saran Bajaj from Horizons Touring fronted the PCC’s planning committee to plead the case.

Cr Judy McEvoy held fast but he seemed to win councillors Rob Butler and Reece Harley, who voted to defer the decision to let Mr Bajaj come up with management plans and chat with staff over how to make it work.

Back in 2011 Mr Bajaj fronted the WA liquor commission over multiple minor drug convictions but managed to keep his licence for the Shape Bar.

Even if the council gives the event a thumbs-up, Mr Bajaj will have to win another liquor licence if he wants guests knocking back anything harder than Cottee’s.

Police have indicated they’ll oppose the licence application.

At last year’s event some loon climbed the lighting tower and then fell off. US rapper ASAP Rocky pleaded with him to come down and he did, by falling, sustaining serious injuries.

by DAVID BELL
The bots are coming

October 31, 2014

“I MOVE an alternative motion to support the robots.”

It’s not Vincent council siding with our automaton overlords, just Cr Ros Harley showing support for artist Si Hummerston’s robot sculptures in North Perth’s town centre.

The council’s expert art team nominated some weird-legged geometric shapes as its first preference but the elected members reckoned robots ruled.

The budget for the project is $150,000.

The council’s been moving away from designing art by committee, already pulling back on consulting the community over public art.

Cr Harley reckons art shouldn’t be handled as a popularity contest.

“I’d be happy if this was the last piece of art we ever had to decide on as a council,” she said, wearily.

She’d be happy to let the expert art committee handle it then defer the final decision to CEO Len Kosova. “We’ll see what his taste in art is.”

Cr Matt Buckels looked concerned. “Have you seen his tie?” Cr John Pintabona represented human resistance, the only councillor voting against the robots.

by DAVID BELL
Manse to meet its maker

October 31, 2014

FROM the late 1890s through the early 19th century, Methodist Manse was the home to the reverends of the old Wesleyan Church on Charles Street.

Now the 116-year-old Newcastle Street building’s on the chopping block, an eight-storey office and apartment block planned for the site.

The building was in line to be heritage listed back in Nick Catania’s days as mayor but ultimately it was denied protection.

Council staff said the Queen Anne federation bungalow was in fairly good nick and they recorded a rich history.

The planned building for the site is bigger than what’s usually allowed there, but hired developer TPG will argue it represents the future of Newcastle Street and should be allowed.

by DAVID BELL
Council looks to hand off Mertome

October 31, 2014

BAYSWATER city council will look at handballing ownership of its Mertome retirement village to another operator.

At a lively and passionate special council meeting, the council voted to investigate two options:

• seek a specialist operator to manage the redevelopment program; and,

• look at transferring ownership to a professional aged care operator.

Any recommendations will include caveats to protect the interests of residents.

“There was a lively and often passionate debate about the way forward for Mertome and I certainly welcomed that,” mayor Sylvan Albert said.

“It showed that councillors were engaged and wanted to explore options that would deliver the best outcome for residents and the community.

“I think the preferred options, which include measures to protect the interest of residents, represent the best way forward.”

The meeting was held behind closed doors, but around 10 people were in the gallery for public question time.

The Winifred Road home was established in 1972 and accommodates 213 people in 200 units. It was the first of its kind to be constructed by a council and pioneered WA councils’ involvement in aged care.

Many councils are now getting out of the sector, labelling the assets financial white elephants that are a drain on resources. With tired facilities and pressing demand, the council is considering an expensive redevelopment.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK
Letters 1.11.14

October 31, 2014

Sutherland enjoys support
CONTRARY to the baseless claims about the local Liberal party in your story “Merger sparks Lib feud” (October 25, 2014), I can assure you Paul Collins’ views are not shared by local party members.
Michael Sutherland is a popular, well-liked and respected local member of parliament. The personally insulting view of one Liberal Party member does not constitute a feud in the party.
On the issue of local government boundaries, I have a suggestion for judging the issue in a balanced way: just ask yourself if anyone has ever asked you “what council do you live in?” I can’t remember ever being asked such a question, which is a fair indication of just how much, or little, importance we give to local government.
I have recently moved house from Menora to Mt Lawley and I suffer no anxiety about which local council will collect my rubbish, look after roads and parks, and do all the things local councils do.
Paul Mannion
Robinson Ave, Belmont

Line toe-ers
I AM one of the thousands of Stirling residents who attended one of the three public rallies or signed a petition to stay in Stirling.
Representation on this issue by Messrs Britza and Sutherland was insipid. On the other hand Eleni Evangel’s representation of Perth electors in Vincent was vigorous and influential.
Whilst Messrs Britza and Sutherland were more interested in toeing the party line, Ms Evangel showed the interests of her electors come before party politics and broken election promises.
Kathy Swavley
Collingwood St, Dianella

Second-class
I HAVE been a long-time critic of the current and proposed development of units in the stretch of road from the Fitzgerald/ Walcott Streets lights to the North Perth shopping centre.
By my calculation there is more than 100 to be built on what I can work out is less than 10 house blocks. More importantly to me is an area bounded by Walcott /Fitzgerald Streets and Russell Avenue.
In the article “By Joh!” (Voice, October 25, 2014) mayor John Carey says “Vincent residents are not second-class citizens” but as far as I am concerned the council is already treating us that way now.
I would be very keen to ask the council what, if any, consideration it has taken when it has passed these developments about the effect this will have on lifestyle and real estate values.
The seemingly relentless nature of passing unit developments in the area I have mentioned appears to me nothing more than a money-grabbing excise by the council with little consideration taken for the effect it will have on current residents, not to mention the social effect of “packing” so many people into a small space.
John Matthews
Little Walcott St, North Perth

Building ruins
I WAS at the Stirling council meeting addressed by WA local government minister Tony Simpson who said the city had a 91 per cent ratepayer approval and was considered a model local authority.
He may have also observed it is debt-free, funded its capital works from within, had one of the lowest rates with all its facilities paid for and with the popularity of the Terry Tyzack swimming pool ensures it is the only one paying its way.
So what does the Barnett government do? Instead of bringing the other local authorities up to the same standard it pulls this model local authority apart.
Goodbye Mt Lawley, Inglewood, parts of Menora and Dianella and the Inglewood swimming pool.
This mob has been at it for five years and instead of the pyramids has left us with the ruins of Pompeii. Now we are threatened with legislation to force through the emperor’s bidding because we, including the Mount Lawley Society who are the greater representatives of local residents, are against the carve up of a perfectly working council.
Barnett was a member of the Court government which carved up the City of Perth. Now the Liberals want to use my money to put it together again—what a wasteful mob they are. It’s not unlike Humpty Dumpty—neither the king’s horses nor the king’s men will put it together again!
Unlike Perth MP Eleni Evangel who stood up for her constituents what ever our member for Mt Lawley did has amounted to nought.
There is a change in the boundaries of Legislative Assembly districts coming so maybe our member does not care. Maybe it is time for a new representative.
Arthur Mistilis
Carnarvon Cres, Coolbinia

Low blow
WITH local government reform the Voice seems interested only in cultivating antagonism towards the Liberal Party.
The stories in your October 25 issue covered the same gripes from the same people who have been given coverage in your paper in the past. But you sank even lower by reporting the grubby attempt by Paul Collins to link local government changes to Michael Sutherland’s wife. What is the link to his wife, who is unaffected by the changes?
Why do you go to Paul Collins for an attack on Michael Sutherland every time the local government matter comes up? Is there really nobody else who can comment without personal insults?
Christopher Stafford
Rookwood St, Mount Lawley
The Ed says: This letter has been significantly edited for length.
Weekend gardening: check

October 31, 2014

PERTH’S dining scene may be catching up with the rest of the world, but our liquor laws are stuck in the 1950s.

The heavy hand of the law will descend if you’re served a glass of champers, a wine or a beer at The Garden before 10am.

But you can get a 1.5-litre jug of vodka-based bloody mary, or a glass of champers and OJ. If it had been a litre of sparkly and orange I may have thought about it—after all, orange juice is a breakfast food, sort of.

But we went with a couple of watermelon and strawberry juices ($5.50) and were rewarded for our virtue with a refreshingly delicious mix.

The Garden, attached to the Leederville Hotel on Newcastle Street, recently added breakfast to its offerings.

My friend and I rocked up bright and early on a Sunday to find big-screen TVs pumping loud lounge music.

“Can I help you?” a cheery waiter asked, as we looked around the slick, ultra modern interior, with its massive walls of glass and the mix of garden settings and hidden nook seating.

Being old farts we took her up on the offer, saying we’d like to stay, but… and in no time the volume was reduced.

We parked our bottoms at an outdoor table, where we further tested the service with a request for the heater to be lit.

Not having to compete with loud music while we talked, bodies toasty warm, we took in the garden setting, complete with koi ponds and a massive gum tree, and were happy as the proverbial piggies.

There are no surprises on The Garden’s menu with its variety of eggs as you like them, fruit toast and a meaty big breakfast and a vegetarian version.

But better to do simple things well than put wacky things on the menu for the sake of it. I was more than happy with my tomato salsa with avocado and garlic mushrooms ($16). The generous serve of nutty avocado went beautifully with the toasted ciabatta it sat on, and the mix of tomato, mushrooms and basil oil was great.

My companion ploughed her way through the big garden, with eggs, bacon, pork chipolata, mushrooms, chat potato and slow-roasted tomato, also on ciabatta ($22). The eggs were moist and creamy, the bacon beautifully crisp and the sausages most enjoyable: “And I defy the hangover that could survive that breakfast,” she opined, sitting back replete and resisting the urge to belch.

Her double-shot long mac was a real heart starter, and my weak long black ($4) was just as it should be, with no hint of bitterness. Attentive and pleasant service was the cherry on a very enjoyable meal.

by JENNY D’ANGER

The Garden
742 Newscastle Street, Leederville
Phone 9202 8282
Mon—Fri 11.30am–late
Sat—Sun 8am–late
Mick and Keith have fewer creations

October 31, 2014

Stones Pizza is a bit of an anomaly. For the past 9 years Stones has been producing not only some of the best gourmet pizza in Perth, but some of the most unusual.

The regular menu boasts a number of international award winners like the Devine Lamb and the Sweet Tina, and some unusual pairings like 10 month aged jamón with cranberry, pistachio, mushrooms and fresh thyme. But it’s the Pizza of the Week that is where things often get the most interesting.

Chef Brandon Farrell is fast approaching his 400th unique pizza creation. Yes, you read that right, 400 different pizza combinations over the past 9 years, and he says he plans to mark the milestone in a couple of weeks with a creation that he says some will find “challenging”.

“We gained a bit of notoriety a few years back with a snail pizza that sold surprisingly well, especially after national media attention.” Says Brandon, “The 400th pizza will be on that level of um, uncomfortableness for some customers.”

“Creating a completely new pizza each week has been relatively easy, and I have not repeated myself very often,” Says Brandon “The hardest part is actually naming them. Some end up with bad puns, and some are a bit of Tongue In Cheek.”

“For example, in honour of Halloween, this week’s is called the R.I.P. (Rest In Peas) it has roasted red onion, roasted red capsicum, marinated artichoke and green peas on a pumpkin and fennel puree, and topped with shaved parmesan cheese.

400 Fitzgerald St, North Perth
Phone (08) 9228 1877
400 Fitzgerald St, North Perth
http://www.stonespizza.com.au
Delivery from 6pm – 9:45pm
Don’t hold your…

October 31, 2014

PERRIER for the nostrils, designer air tailored to complement the occasion—or the dinner menu—Ben Elton’s Gasp is all about corporate greed and making the suckers pay.

Mining is in decline because most of Australia has been shipped overseas, so a new market is needed, and air becomes just another commodity.

More than 25 years old, Gasp has been virtually rewritten for an Australian audience by UK-born Elton, now an Aussie living in North Fremantle.

The bottom line message is the destruction of the environment to fuel corporate greed, packaged as creating a healthier lifestyle, and jobs.

And Elton flogs his line mercilessly—with machine-gun velocity jokes that just about make the ears bleed.

The rebadged version tosses Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer into the mix, along with a hailstorm of jokes about mining selling out Australia to supply the latest must-have gadget around the world.

“There’s milk in fridge (somewhere overseas) that still calls Australia home,” a mining magnate simply called “chief” says.

The audience laughs on cue every time, despite drowning in fast-paced metaphors and double-entendre and innuendo.

They even laugh at a joke so old and corny it was probably written by Benny Hill (I suspect Hill was the inspiration for many of the jokes).

A young girl is at the doctor: “Big breaths,” he says. “Yes, doctor and I’m only 16,” she lisps. I mean really, REALLY? From the man and the brain and the talent and the wit who brought us The Young Ones and Blackadder? A tits joke? FFS.

The cast was fantastic, keeping up the pace of witty one-liners, but the characterisations are pure caricature and creaking stereotypes. McNeill, as head of the corporation, is one-dimensionally ruthless. Steven Rooke as Sandy, his right-hand man, is the toady of all toadies.

He’s soon outclassed in the corporate world by the man who came up with selling air, Phillip, played brilliantly by Damon Lockwood. Phillip is the classic poor boy (in love with a sweet girl) made good, turned bad by corporate greed, and you just know where it’s all going.

Or, do you?

Lucy Goleby is Phillip’s girlfriend Peggy, whose chronic asthma inspires the sale of air sucked free of pollutants.

Caroline Brazier as the PR company mega-bitch is a little grating, but that could just be the over-the-top hard-arsed character she plays. You know, a PR woman and therefore hard-arsed career bitch. Of course. All that’s missing is the shoulder pads.

For me the absolute standout is Christina Smith’s set design, where props effortlessly, almost magically, glide on and off stage with no apparent hand guiding them. And Trent Suidgeest’s lighting adds real punch.

There’s nothing subtle about Elton’s Gasp, but the rest of the audience didn’t seem to mind. Didn’t take my breath away though.

Gasp is on at the State Theatre until November 9. Tickets at Ticketek.

by JENNY D’ANGER