NorthLink WA is an impressive project, but it should not be allowed to unfairly impact the residents in close proximity to it. Yet it does. Continue reading NorthLink Problem
Category Archives: City of Bayswater
Advertising & Consulting – Planning Development Applications
Most State legislation dictates that any required advertising by a local government needs to be in the local newspaper and/or The West Australian. No doubt everyone’s come across these little adverts buried in the middle of a newspaper. Other than the cost, and the fact that readership of newspapers is ever declining, the big problem is that often that the people who happen across the advert, aren’t the ones who are being advertised to. Continue reading Advertising & Consulting – Planning Development Applications
Edible and Waterwise Verges
I am incredibly pleased with the proposed verge policy which will come to Tuesday’s council meeting for formal ratification. Having read dozens of verge policies from all around Australia, the City of Bayswater’s will be the most empowering in the nation. Continue reading Edible and Waterwise Verges
Tree Planting at Street Level
I was really pleased to see the way that the City recently planted trees along Rudloc Road, Morley. Whilst some people may prefer the look of trees on a raised kerb (such as the tree in the middle background of the picture), I think it makes more sense to plant them at road level whenever possible. Continue reading Tree Planting at Street Level
Corporate Governance & the Audit Committee
It has been raised by some councillors at neighbouring councils that there should be independent member/s on their audit committees, including for the chair. Worse still, it has also been mooted that this should be forced upon all councils; hence my interest. So, whilst not an exciting topic, I still thought I’d provide my thoughts on why this is unnecessary, slightly counter-productive and may only serve to increase costs. Continue reading Corporate Governance & the Audit Committee
Morley Compensating Basin
Green space is important. And, as the picture shows, also in short supply within the Morley city centre. The Water Corporation own the green spaces you can see in the aerial picture of Morley and it has been fenced off from the public (the ultimate owners) for far too long. Fortunately that is soon to change. Continue reading Morley Compensating Basin
Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary – Part 3
Due to the destruction of the wetlands around the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary, I submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Department of Planning on the 27th of July. I have now received the documents I sought. Continue reading Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary – Part 3
Bayswater Concrete Batching Plant
After a long six year fight, recent news signals that the proposed concrete batching plant, in close proximity to Bayswater houses, will become a reality. The people who live and/or work in the vicinity have been severely let down by numerous State government departments. And I for one am out of ideas. Continue reading Bayswater Concrete Batching Plant
Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary – Part 2
We have an issue in Western Australia. It’s not one that can be fixed by simply changing political parties; it is one which is entrenched. The Department of Main Roads, Department of Education and Department of Planning have shown that the environment is not something they are concerned about. Continue reading Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary – Part 2
Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary
The City of Bayswater contains a few environmental gems. Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary is one of them, and courtesy of a $3 million investment over the last few years, it will remain so. However, the public is just learning that right next door is private land. Continue reading Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary
Method of Electing the Mayor
From time to time the method of electing a Mayor comes up. There are two methods; elected by the electorate (directly elected) or elected by the council (council elected). For the following reasons, I have a strong preference for the council to elect the Mayor. Continue reading Method of Electing the Mayor
Political Interest Register
I think it is understandable that some Councillors have an attraction to politics and, ergo political parties. But I wonder whether the public has a right to know what, if any, ties their Council representatives have with registered political parties. As such I am considering moving a motion that the City of Bayswater introduces a Political Interest Register. I seek your view on this. Continue reading Political Interest Register
Recording of Council Meetings
In what has been a very big win for transparency, the City of Bayswater will soon start recording their council meetings and posting the recordings online. There may well be some other innovations as well. Continue reading Recording of Council Meetings
Clock is Ticking for Batching Plant
There has been an interesting development in relation to the proposed concrete batching plant which could potentially save the residents from having this noxious industry on their doorstep. It relates to the customary 2 year approval period granted to most developments. Continue reading Clock is Ticking for Batching Plant
Concrete Batching Plant – Bayswater
(Picture used for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the proposed plant)
Further to my earlier blog post requesting people to make a submission to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), unfortunately the EPA have decided that whilst the proposed concrete batching plant “raises a number of environmental issues … the overall environmental impact … is not so significant as to require an assessment by the EPA”. This is a poor decision in the eyes of the community who will have to live near the proposed noxious industry. There is still hope though. Continue reading Concrete Batching Plant – Bayswater
