VINCENT mayor John Carey is furious Perth City Council has gone behind his back to secretly poll his ratepayers.

Perth-appointed pollsters have been phoning Vincent residents asking a series of questions about amalgamations, including whether they wanted their small council’s suburbs to be kept together, and how they’d feel about being in Perth.

Mr Carey said he recently met with Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi and CEO Gary Stevenson who told him they wanted “a positive, constructive relationship,” and the next thing he knows they’re doing cross-border patrols.

The PCC for its part told Mr Carey it kept mum in case Vincent tried to use the polling to gain publicity and skew the result.

“I think it’s extremely disappointing,” Mr Carey says. “It’s a desperate measure. They are now desperately seeking out any tactic they can to stop Vincent going into Perth.”

Vincent wants to be taken lock, stock and barrel into Perth instead of being split down the middle.

Perth council only wants Vincent’s business areas, hoping the northern half will go into Stirling.

“They don’t want 21,000 voters coming into a new electoral system that, quite frankly, is going to shake things up in a good way because they’re going to have to be accountable to an active residential base,” Mr Carey says.

We’re waiting on a response from Perth city council.

The poll questions:

• Are you aware of the current debate in WA about the state government’s plan to change local government?

• How important is it to you that all suburbs currently in the City of Vincent remain together within the same local government area?

• If the entire area currently defined as the City of Vincent were to be assigned to another local government area, which of the following would you prefer: City of Perth, City of Stirling, another local government or it doesn’t matter.
• How would you feel  if your household was to become part of the City of Perth?

• Why do say you are in favour/against to becoming part of the City of Perth?

by DAVID BELL

PERTH gallery staff and politicians are mulling over the fallout from the WA art gallery’s dramatic cancellation of its three remaining shows from the Museum of Modern Art in New York exhibition.

The six-exhibition modern masterpieces series—which has already featured art legends Van Gogh, Picasso and Salvador Dali—was cut short when rising insurance costs and falling revenue from disappointing ticket sales made it commercially untenable.

Almost a quarter-of-a-million people viewed 400 artworks shipped in from NYC, but it was not enough to green-light the final three shows.

Turner Galleries director Helen Turner says Perth’s art-loving public need to step up.

“The state gallery is presenting wonderful exhibitions and I am sure it will find some exciting replacement shows,” she says.

“It will be up to the Perth public to step up and attend those exhibitions and create the cultural vibrancy that we all speak of and desire for Perth.

“Maybe the viewing public became complacent with a promise of six shows in a row.

“Maybe there isn’t the critical mass that supports such events with a population around 2.5 million in Perth.

“Maybe the state government needs to offer more support to such events.”

WA arts minister John Day says the government ploughed more than $12 million into the modern masterpieces exhibition and refused to prop up the remaining shows.

According to the WA art gallery, 60 per cent of visitors to the exhibitions were new or had not visited the gallery in three years.

PICA curator Leigh Robb says other galleries in the Perth Cultural Centre have benefited from the extra visitors that attended the MoMA shows.

“It definitely gave the area a boost and we noticed an upturn in visitors numbers,” she says.

“I think we should focus on the positives: We had three great shows and this whole situation has provided a talking point about the future direction of arts and culture in WA. We need to regroup and ask ourselves: Right, what did we learn and where do we go from here?”

Ms Robb adds Perth’s isolated location makes shipping and insurance more expensive.

“Having organised a few shows, I know that shipping and insurance costs are always that bit higher because we are so far away from everyone.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

 

RESIDENTS around Haig Park Circle bought in thinking a restrictive covenant would keep nearby land as a car park, but now a developer wants a 60-unit block on the site.

Subiaco-based Kingsway Pty Ltd bought the 2233sqm site from the East Perth Redevelopment Authority for a song, paying just $205,000 precisely because the covenant restricted its development potential to a car park.

Land in the area with no restrictive covenant is worth around ten times what Kingsway paid ($92/sqm).

Locals are crying foul over Kingsway’s bid to develop the land, with 350 signing opposition petitions. Paul Gabb wrote to Perth city council saying when he’d bought his property he was told the biggest building that would ever go up was a two-storey carpark, not a six-level unit block.

“Its scale, bulk, mass and proposed change of use leaves this a very unsuitable development for that location,” he says.

“Whatever lipstick or brows are smeared or wrapped around this proposal, it remains a pig! Sorry, I just cannot find kind words for this one.”

Kingsway has engaged law firm Lavan Legal for advice on how to remove the covenant.

Lavan says it can ask the PCC for a scheme amendment, appeal to the supreme court or—the easiest option—get the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (which EPRA merged into) to agree to remove it.

Perth’s development assessment panel knocked back the project on planning grounds but even that could pave the way for a removal of the covenant if Kingsway appeals to the powerful state administrative tribunal.

Lavan’s advice states “an alternative strategy” would be “to engineer a review right in the SAT,” and then pull in the MRA to attend mediation and “agree on an appropriate solution”.

Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi says the council hasn’t yet formally considered the issue.

MRA boss Kieran Kinsella said his board voted last month to keep the covenant, but is looking to handball responsibility to the Perth council.

by DAVID BELL

PRIMARY schools in Voiceland are losing around $154,000 as part of the WA government’s swingeing budget cuts.

Figures released by WA education minister Peter Collier to Labor MP Ljiljanna Ravlich reveal the dollar amount of every cut.

A 30 per cent reduction in resource allocation, introduction of a long-service leave liability levy, procurement savings and scrapping performance management funding means losses of:

• Highgate primary — $48,102

• Mt Hawthorn primary — $43,436

• North Perth primary — $27,939

• Kyilla primary — $21,013

• Mt Hawthorn education support centre — $13,815

Teachers’ union president Anne Gisborne says schools are being forced to take money out of their budgets to cover long-service leave entitlements—which for some could add up to $80,000 a year—and funding for special programs is being slashed by a third.

“The Barnett government refuses to be transparent about how many staff each school is losing and the extent of cuts in funding, so we are having to collect that information ourselves,” she says.

“The government is trying to confuse parents by talking about full-time equivalents. What people need to understand is that up to five people could make up just one FTE position.

“So when your school is talking about losing 1.4 FTEs, that could actually equate to seven valuable staff members who are losing their jobs, and seven fewer people who will be working with your children.”

Ms Ravlich, a former WA education minister, says these are cuts dressed up as reform.

“These are new cuts that have, until today, been kept quiet by the Barnett government,” she says.

“The Barnett government can no longer dress up its cuts as reforms—its own figures confirm that it is cutting funding for vital education services to help pay for its disastrous management of the state’s finances.”

Unions will hold a series of cake stalls at MPs’ electorate offices—including Perth Liberal MP Eleni Evangel—to raise awareness. An online survey has been launched—http://www.puttingourkidsfirst.com.au—where parents can comment.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

PARKING on verges near Maylands train station is causing accidents on Railway Parade says a local business owner.

Blackcurrant Clothing owner Catherine Ehrhardt says she sees numerous accidents every month on the busy thoroughfare.

She sent the Voice a photo this week of the latest crash, which happened when the driver of a burgundy car reversed off the verge and smacked into a silver car going past.

“I live at 205 Railway Parade and myself and family own the adjoining properties to 215,” Ms Ehrhardt says. “We have five children under eight years old that live on these sites and some days the commuter parking is so horrendous that it extends on to our side of the road making it almost impossible getting out of our own driveways, for people parking on the street and verges. I feel that it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt—something needs to be done.”

She has written to Bayswater city council, WA main roads and the WA public transport authority but they’re all passing the buck. A chronic lack of bays at park-and-rides across Bayswater have led to commuters parking illegally on verges and driveways, incurring fines and clogging streets.

Ms Ehrhardt sent the latest photo to staff at the council: “So, are there any plans to do anything about the commuters parking on this area?”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

THE lingerie football league has been branded sexist and damaging to women’s sport by a Vincent local calling for games at Perth Oval to be scrapped.

Michelle Dean told councillors, “the LFL require bikini photos of their potential players before they’re accepted”.

“They’re required to sign an ‘accidental nudity’ clause if they want to be part of the team.

“A little bit of research will show the incidences of accidental nudity are quite high in any game.

“This sends a very dangerous message to women: This message grooms young women to accept that nudity is a reasonable condition if they want to have the same opportunity as their male counterparts. What a toxic mix to negotiate.

“Although they have rebranded themselves to the Legends Football League, it has not changed from the goal of the founder to combine sex and sport, and this is by his own admission.”

Ms Dean said the LFL had been misclassified as a sport, which meant easy approval to perform at Perth oval.

“The LFL are not a sport. The Australian Sports Commission is on the record saying the LFL does not meet the criteria of fairness, responsibility and safety.

“The Australian Women’s Sport and Recreation Association is on record as saying the LFL is sexist and demeaning to women.”

She’s calling on the council to demand the Barnett government review the LFL’s approval to play at Perth Oval.

Mayor John Carey said the council wasn’t involved in that decision, but on face value he personally agreed with Ms Dean’s assessment.

“We want to encourage young women in sport, but from what was stated last night you wouldn’t classify that as sport.”

Mr Carey said her request for the council to lobby the WA government would have to go to a vote.

A change.org petition has 3000 signatures calling on Channel 7—owned by WA billionaire Kerry Stokes—to cancel broadcasting the LFL, but 7’s sticking to its guns calling it “a genuine sport”.

by DAVID BELL

stories by DAVID BELL:

BIG lamp out, big pen in. A controversial artwork has finally been chosen for the even more controversial unit/office development at 1 Albert Street in North Perth.

The artist’s first attempt, a 300kg lamp, received a thunderous thumbs down from locals with 16 of 20 submissions opposing Robin Yakinthou’s piece. A split Vincent council asked the artist to come up with something more fitting.

Yakinthou drafted up a giant Phoenician coin jutting from the earth, along with a big pen writing “I think, therefore I am”.

The developer liked the coin but the arts advisory committee picked the pen, with most councillors (except Matt Buckels and Laine McDonald) agreeing it better related to the neighbouring school.

The $63,000 artwork is paid for by developer and landowner (the Rigoli family) under the council’s per cent for art scheme.

Nearby neighbour Craig Willis is still shocked the council approved the entire project in the first place, saying construction is making life hell.

He told the chamber, “I wake up every morning at 6am with workers looking into my bedroom”.

Work isn’t supposed to start before 7am but Mr Willis says he hasn’t lodged a complaint about the breaches because he just wants it finished.

He told councillors “you’ve let us down” by approving the project in February 2012.

At a previous meeting Mr Willis suggested an alternative design for the public art project: A big poo, which reflected his thoughts on the design.

He pointed out the council had spent more time consulting on the artwork than it had on the actual building.

Cancel consultation: Mayor

VINCENT mayor John Carey says the council should stop consulting the community on public art.

“Quite frankly, we shouldn’t consult on public art… it doesn’t make sense,” he says.

“We have a great arts advisory committee with substantial expertise that are very good and we should listen to their advice. 

“When you put public art out for community consultation, you get six billion different responses, and is anyone particularly right?

“But we can rely on our arts advisory committee who can tell you how a particular work can fit to a particular location.”

Cr Matt Buckels pointed out that going with the committee’s recommendation would have seen the lamp approved.

Mr Carey says the council should focus consultation efforts on the most important issues.

“Let’s focus on what the community is concerned about: That’s not public art, that’s the future development of our city and the rise of larger multi-dwellings in residential areas.”

 

AN historic 1910 billiard table from the WA parliament—played on by billiards legend and MP Bob Marshall—has been loaned to students at Edith Cowan University.

The full-size table, which was gathering dust in the long-disused parliamentary snooker room, is now in the central cafe at ECU’s Mt Lawley campus.

The $15,000 table has been restored to its former glory and drunken students can now enjoy a hit of snooker for $5 an hour.

The sign on the table states students should have clean hands before playing on the immaculate baize.

Mt Lawley Liberal MP Michael Sutherland—who enjoys sinking the pink—says the table has found a good home.

“It was not being used in parliament and the snooker room was needed for vital office space,” he says.

“Gone are the days of MPs having lots of spare time to play billiards and loaf around (well, he would say that). I’m sure Bob Marshall would have enjoyed a few games on this table in the ‘60s.”

Marshall, a four-time world amateur billiards champion, was reluctantly coaxed by then-premier Sir David Brand into running for Maylands in 1965.

He won the seat and represented the electorate until 1968.  Going by Marshall’s account of Marshall’s short-lived political career, it appears he enjoyed the green baize more than the machinations of politics.

“I spent three years in the legislative assembly,” Marshall wrote in his memoir My Life and Times.

“I enjoyed it but remained convinced that I was no politician.

“Premier Sir David Brand advised me not to be in a hurry to say anything in the house.

“He assured me that in his first three years he had spoken for only 10 minutes.”

“…The upshot was that I barely opened my mouth…”

Marshall’s billiards career spanned six decades and he dominated the sport before and after the war, including a successful comeback at the age of 76 to win the Australian amateur title in 1985.

In 1954, billiard god Walter Lindrum declared Marshall one of the best amateur players he had ever seen.

He died in 2004, aged 94.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

SEAPLANES will start using the Swan River over the next 12 months after authorities caved in to persistent pressure.

Catalina Airlines spent nearly two years trying to get access to Perth’s iconic river (‘Green tape strangling Swan River venture’, Perth Voice, October 5, 2013) and this week, the Swan River Trust approved its application to conduct a year-long commercial trial in which a Cessna 208 Caravan will fly between the South Perth jet ski freestyle area and Milyu marine park twice a day between 8am and 5.30pm.

The plane can carry up to 11 passengers to Rottnest Island, Mandurah and the Margaret River region. The company is still required to submit additional operational details and secure all approvals from relevant authorities before flights start: “The Trust may consider extending the seaplane trial by six months, to an overall period of 18 months to allow for the operation to run over two peak periods,” statutory planning acting manager Jennifer Stritzke said. “This option will only be considered if it is evident that the continuation of the trial will not unnecessarily impact on the community or waterway.”

Ms Stritzke said the proximity of the seaplane landing area to Milyu marine park and nature reserve was a major consideration: This area is set aside as a refuge for migratory wading birds protected under international agreements.

“In an effort to protect birdlife, the seaplane and company support vessel are not permitted to enter the Milyu marine park and an exclusion/no fly zone has been established 300m from the shore to minimise shadowing and disturbance of birds in the area,” she said.

“Restricting the seaplane from flying close to the Como foreshore will also greatly reduce any noise impacts on nearby residences.”

The public will be invited to comment on the seaplane operation during the trial period.

by CARMELO AMALFI