Perth Voice Interactive

BUNNINGS has appealed Stirling city council’s rejection of its retrospective planning application for its Inglewood garden centre.

The Wesfarmers-owned hardware giant has operated a garden centre without planning permission since 1994, infuriating locals who’ve long complained about traffic problems.

Insufficient parking at the store, at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Beaufort Street, means customers frequently clog surrounding streets.

Bunnings is now hoping the unelected but powerful state administrative tribunal will overturn the council’s rejection.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

WA POLICE are refusing to get involved with Vincent city council’s “name and shame” scheme.

The council is so fed up with street prostitution plaguing Highgate it’s resolved to name offenders. But in a meeting with mayor Alannah MacTiernan, police refused to back the plan.

Central metropolitan superintendent Paul Coombes told the Voice police have a lot of strategies to deal with the problem but naming and shaming is “not a space that WA police need to get involved in”.

“I know it has been done by some law enforcement agencies in the US, but I’m not sure if anyone’s done any research in what it would achieve,” he said.

“Obviously it would cause great embarrassment and distress to those caught up in the operation, but as far as preventing the problem of street prostitution, I don’t know that it would assist.”

Mr Coombes also said it was difficult to prove who was a punter and who was just innocently passing through the street.

“That’s one of the dangers in running a name and shame operation. You may, and it has happened in other jurisdictions, you may identify someone who is engaged in those activities when in fact they have legitimate reasons to be on the street.”

He says his officers have blitzed the area recently making Highgate the most policed suburb in the central metro area.

But he says getting to the root of street prostitution needs a broad approach.

“[From] studies that have been done worldwide, people that engage in street prostitution are in the margin of society. There’s usually alcohol and substance abuse and chaotic lifestyles involved.

“Trying to unravel all those facets of their life and break the circuit of drug and alcohol dependence is very difficult and it’s more than a policing issue.”

In this week’s police report to council, the number of people being issued move-on notices has dropped from 11 to three, while the number being charged with prostitution act offences has risen from zero to five.

It’s now been a month since rangers started patrols on the worst-affected streets and at Tuesday’s meeting councillors endorsed another $12,540 in funding to keep the rangers there another month.

by DAVID BELL

FOLLOWING outcry from fans, Jon Bon Jovi has added Perth to his Australian tour, bucking the trend of major musos skipping our city.

After the first announcement of tour dates failed to include WA, several online petitions were started.

Most creative petition goes to Jodie Digney from Perth who implored the band: “Because We Can on this Lost Highway. We need to Keep the Faith. Please don’t Crush our dreams. We want to get Slippery When Wet with the Band and we can’t make it to New Jersey, so lets pump up the temp to 7800 degrees farenheit and they need to do The Circle, coz 100,000 fans can’t be wrong, so lets have One Wild Night to rock with Bon Jovi….Have a Nice Day!!!!!”

THE tree commemorating the Halliday family has died.

The family were pioneers in the early days of Bayswater, and their nearby house on King William Street served as a meeting place for the local Baptist congregation. It’s now a museum and the HQ of the Bayswater historical society.

But the tree planted in Halliday Park in memory of the family is dead.

“The dead tree that was removed was a WA peppermint tree and the commemorative tree for the Halliday family,” mayor Terry Kenyon said via email.

“The city has replaced the tree with similar species.”

While a local called the Voice concerned the council had killed the tree, Mr Kenyon said “the tree died”. “Our only involvement was to remove and replace the tree with a similar species. Unfortunately this type of tree does, from time to time, die from disease.”

SPORTS clubs under threat of closure or amalgamation by Bayswater city council have been granted a reprieve.

Spiralling maintenance costs on old buildings and plummeting membership have put pressure on clubs to merge and become more self-sufficient.

Five Bayswater clubs fought for their survival on Tuesday night, presenting deputations to the council to show they were financially viable. Under the spotlight were Bayswater Bowling Club, Bedford Bowling Club, Maylands Sports Club, Bayswater Tennis Club, Morley/Noranda Sport and Recreation Club and Maylands Tennis Club.

Bayswater Tennis Club was a no-show. Maylands Tennis Club received the most scrutiny with staff recommending the number of courts be slashed to save money. It has 17 courts but only 60 members, and costs $105,000 in maintenance every year.

Last week mayor Terry Kenyon told the Voice mergers would not be discussed at the meeting, but they were firmly on the agenda with staff recommending a plan be developed to consider “rationalising” (closing) or amalgamating clubs. In the end, the council applauded the efforts of the clubs over the past two years to become more financially viable and sustainable.

“I’m glad clubs have got off their backside and taken action,” barked Cr Graham Pittaway.

“This council is not a cash-cow—we’re not here just to dole out money.”

Cr Kenyon congratulated the clubs on turning their fortunes around—none are in debt to the council—but said he was disappointed with some of the clubs’ “us and them” attitude.

“There will be amalgamations in the future—it is a fact of life.”

Councillors voted to drop the preparation of a report on amalgamations and closures, but will ask clubs to present their finances to the council in person each year. A report on the cost-benefit of reducing tennis courts at Maylands will be presented to council at this year’s budget.

SCORES of Ringo Starrs will play in a Perth drumathon to raise money for the WA cancer council this Sunday.

The event is part of the global fundraiser Drumstrong, which will see drummers from across the globe unite to fight cancer.

Perth participants will be able to play along with overseas drummers via a Skype video link-up.

Countries signed up include Kenya, Ukraine, Japan, England and the United States.

It is the first time Drumstrong has had an Australian leg and Perth is the only Aussie city participating.

Event organiser Simon Faulkner says drummers of any ability are welcome to head down and have a bash.

“We will have all types of drums there—congas, djembes and tambourines—so anyone will be able to play,” he says.

“We’re hoping to attract around 70 drummers and hopefully we can raise at least $1000 for the WA cancer council.”

The Perth battery will play continuously for five hours, with some US groups playing for up to two days without a break.

Joining the Perth bash will be drum tutor Moses Nii Odartei, who is originally from Ghana.

Now based in Perth, Odartei offers masterclasses on west African drumming.

His international career includes playing for the Queen when she visited Ghana.

People can sponsors drummers at an hourly rate or make a fixed donation at http://www.drumstrong.com.

The drumathon will be held at Royal Park Hall, North Perth, on Sunday May 19 from 1–6pm.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

PLANS for a pop-up scheme to fill long-vacant buildings with temporary shops have hit a hitch.

In order to deal with empty shops dampening trader morale in centres like Oxford Street in Leederville, Vincent city council engaged property retailers Metier to start matching pop up businesses with landlords.

But the scheme, a year in the making, has now stumbled with Metier pulling out of the deal.

In an email to council Metier said it was bailing because it was a direct competitor with many of the real estate agents it’d be dealing with to fill vacancies.

Metier was also worried “the work required to engage landowners in the scheme would incur costs well above” the $2000 the council would pay for each report.

The council will now engage consultants Find a Pop-Up Shop to work on the project.

Cr John Carey, who proposed the pop up plan, said “this has been a frustrating delay, but let’s keep moving”.

He says empty shops damage other retailers’ morale.

“Can you imagine being a small business next to an empty shop? It is demoralising, and they’re not looked after because they’re not active so they become points of vandalism and they affect the amenity of the whole street.”

The Pony Club is still empty and gathering dust, but a couple of long time tough-nut vacancies have recently been filled on Beaufort Street recently: A clothing store opened in the empty shop next to Beaufort Realty and the dormant At Home Furniture premises became the new base of the WA Aboriginal health council.

by DAVID BELL

SERMONS and the sound of jackhammers could soon be mingling at Inglewood Community Church.

Church elders have submitted an application to Stirling city council to relocate from Beaufort to Cleveland Street in the Daniella light industrial zone.

The baptist church has been based in Inglewood for more than 50 years and meets every Sunday at the Bob Daniel Community Centre, just shy of Tenth Avenue.

In his planning submission to council, pastor Mark Edwards said the new location would benefit the local area.

“There have been issues with vandals strewing rubbish all over the street,” he wrote.

“We believe our presence during a previously unused time will actually be a form of passive security.

“We also believe that bringing people into the area will provide some vibrancy for the businesses and cafes open on Walter Road.”

The new church would include a youth department, office space, Sunday school area, creche and a craft area.

Currently parishioners only have use of a main hall at the community centre.

Council staff have recommended waiving the usual cash-in-lieu for the 176 car bays shortfall.

They note the Dianella site is slowly transitioning from an industrial to mixed use zone, with apartments recently being built 90m from the proposed site.

The council is mulling over whether to change its policy to permit recreational businesses—including dance studios, squash courts and indoor cricket centres—to operate in industrial zones.

The Inglewood church was previously located at 144 Sixth Avenue before moving to the Bob Daniel centre six years ago.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK

A “LIGHTER” plan for Heirisson Island has been rubber-stamped by Perth city councillors but there’s still no money for a footbridge.

The original masterplan from 2008 was considered too pie-in-the-sky and PCC staffers call the new scheme “a more ‘grounded’ and detailed proposal”.

This plan will see “low key” landscaping and infrastructure on the southern bit of the park only. A small kiosk and event space will be installed, along with pathways and new trees. A light rail stop might even grace the island that currently hosts a statue of Aboriginal warrior Yagan.

Lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi wants to see the underutilised island transformed into a more complete sculpture park.

But the whole project depends on the pedestrian bridge, a joint project between Perth and Victoria Park councils, Main Roads and the WA transport department.

So far the council’s spent $30,000 on planning and will spend another $100,000 next financial year. It needs $5 million from the increasingly parsimonious WA government to get the plan off the ground.

The island, known as Matagarup to local Noongars, was an important crossing point for tens of thousands of years. It was also the HQ of the second tent embassy, and in January an important sacred stone was taken from the island by PCC staff.

Members of the Matagarup council said the stone had been “stolen” and that it shouldn’t have been touched by men.

PCC CEO Gary Stevenson said it had been removed as part of normal cleaning of the island and staff didn’t realise its significance.

“No offence was intended,” he said at the time.

by DAVID BELL

Some deaths more tragic?
IT is interesting that prime minister Gillard sends condolences to president Obama over the unfortunate deaths of three persons in the Boston marathon.
Where are the condolences and sympathy for the unarmed non-combatants massacred daily by the defence forces and the allies of this country in Afghanistan? There are none.
Society regards soldiers as heroes and even decorates them. This country has no cause to complain when the kinfolk of these people retaliate, but this nation starts to squeal like stuck pigs. Furthermore when the brave soldiers of this land destroy their infrastructure, their homes, possessions and food sources it is a crime against humanity and makes them common war criminals.
How many of these gutless politicians such as Stephen Smith, John Howard or their relatives have the courage to put on battle fatigues and join the front line? History shows these disgraceful acts are never forgotten and a day will come when these very people will square the ledger.
George Bouzidis
Third Ave, Mt Lawley
The Ed says: The vast majority of civilian deaths throughout Iraq and Afghanistan have been caused by insurgents, not Allied forces. Insurgents deliberately target civilians by bombing mosques, markets, buses and other places people gather. Allied forces do not target civilians. It’s an important distinction.

Fresh eyes for old problem
DOUBTLESS a by-product of Michael Sutherland’s Kimberley study trip (Voice, May 4, 2013) will be solution of the Mt Lawley Bofo/Walcott turn-off problem, viewed with a fresh eye from far off.
Too many “experts” involved probably explains persistence of the rogue element—such Kimberley headaches solved in dreamtime BC.
Sir, perhaps your most humble offerer.
Lutah Salt
Kimberley Mansions
Swan River Colony

Safety first
IT seems Vincent city council participated in the Beaufort/Walcott Streets working group to assess the needs of the intersection along with reps from Stirling, Main Roads and the police, however the outcome doesn’t suit its current agenda and it is digging its heels in (Voice, May 11, 2013).
For Alannah MacTiernan to throw accusations that Michael Sutherland is only pursuing the signal alterations for his own political agenda is madness! This issue is about pedestrian safety at a major Perth intersection in the middle of Perth’s busiest café strip and to sit on its hands and not do anything means, sooner or later, Vincent will have blood on its hands.
Why not change the signals and assess the outcome after the act? What has it got to lose? Oh, other than pedestrian safety?
Jo McElvenny
Field St, Mount Lawley

Dressage for discipline
ROWDY scenes from parliaments overseas suggest examples of dignity and decorum in such institutions should be spotlighted (“Speaker wigs out,” Voice, April 20, 2013).
The black gown donned by Michael Sutherland, MP for Mount Lawley and speaker in the newly-elected WA parliament, is certainly a positive gesture.
Yet he is not a judge; rather disciplinarian.
While reflecting the solemnity and sobriety expected of a legislative assembly, the gown can, however, also be seen as somewhat extreme; even a deterrent to those who might like to visit parliament, see our lawmakers in verbal thrust and parry.
Does the stylish gown in question need to be so funereal? Why not introduce relief with touches of gold, or green or saxe blue, or a combination thereof? Mr Sutherland is fond of saxe blue.
While the assembly’s serious purposes should always be borne in mind, of course, its deliberations can surely be conducted with cheerful optimism.
The speaker’s gown, while avoiding gaudiness—even patterned with symbolic wigs and tights?—could act as a useful reminder, during heated debate, of the desired attitude.
Charlie Benskin
Kingston St, Nedlands

Routed in bureaucracy
AS you have observed (Voice April 20, 2013), the PTA has ploughed ahead with changes to buses along Beaufort Street and William Street without any consultation.
Residents of Perth/Northbridge around William Street need to be aware there will shortly be no bus services on William Street between Brisbane Street and the city, which hitherto has been served by several routes. All will now approach the city along Beaufort Street.
I was told that, having bus lanes in Beaufort Street, the PTA wanted to make as much use of them as possible, even dismissing a possible more sensible option to leave the No. 60 as it is.
David Durrant,
Wade St, Perth