Advertising & Consulting – Planning Development Applications

February 15, 2017City of Bayswater, e-Bayswater, Planningplanning application advertisingChris Cornish

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 →

Chatters – Central Ward Business Review

January 18, 2017Central Ward Business ReviewChris Cornish

Slap bang in the middle of Progress Street, between the Galleria and Coventry Village, is an excellent café/restaurant called ‘Chatters’. My wife and I decided to pop in there last night for a meal, and it was such a pleasant experience I felt compelled to write this blog article. Continue reading Chatters – Central Ward Business Review →

What is the Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax?

December 5, 2016Environment, PlanningEric Singleton Bird SanctuaryChris Cornish

At a special council meeting on the 28^th of November 2016, council approved $1.5 million to be contributed towards the purchase of Lot 14 next to the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary. This is subject to the State government funding the balance. The Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax (MRIT) is one way the State government can fund ‘their’ portion. Continue reading What is the Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax? →

Edible and Waterwise Verges

November 13, 2016City of Bayswater, Edible Gardensedible verge, waterwise vergeChris Cornish

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

October 31, 2016City of Bayswater, TreesStreet trees, Tree pits, TreesChris Cornish

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

October 5, 2016City of Bayswater, Transparency & accountabilityaudit committee, corporate governanceChris Cornish

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

September 21, 2016City of Bayswater, Environment, PlanningDrainage for Liveability ProgramChris Cornish

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

September 8, 2016City of Bayswater, Environment, PlanningEric Singleton Bird SanctuaryChris Cornish

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 27^th of July. I have now received the documents I sought. Continue reading Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary – Part 3 →

Transparency = Accountability

September 1, 2016Transparency & accountabilityaccountability, transparencyChris Cornish

The City of Bayswater has taken further steps to ensure they are one of the most open and transparent local governments. And transparency allows for accountability. The new ‘Governance Portal’ provides plenty of information to residents, ratepayers and other interested parties. Continue reading Transparency = Accountability →

Bayswater Concrete Batching Plant

August 19, 2016City of Bayswater, Environment, Planningconcrete batching plantChris Cornish

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

July 24, 2016City of Bayswater, Environment, PlanningEric Singleton Bird SanctuaryChris Cornish

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

July 15, 2016City of Bayswater, Environment, PlanningEric Singleton Bird SanctuaryChris Cornish

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

July 1, 2016City of Bayswater, Community EngagementElecting MayorsChris Cornish

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 →

Percent for Public Art?

June 13, 2016Community Engagement, Difficult decisions, Planning, TreesPercent for Public ArtChris Cornish

As a Councillor, one of the things we can do is table a motion at a council meeting. This is a tremendously powerful opportunity, but with it comes a certain level of responsibility. So, prior to any motions I have moved, I generally run it by the relevant Director at the City to check that my objective is actually achievable. There are a few benefits of doing this, including not making staff needlessly prepare a 4 or 5 page report on the merits, or otherwise, of a motion. Continue reading Percent for Public Art? →

Political Interest Register

June 2, 2016City of Bayswater, Transparency & accountabilityPolitical Interest RegisterChris Cornish

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 →