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
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
(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
Courtesy of ‘Scaffidigate’ and multiple undisclosed overseas trips, transparency and accountability are front and centre for local governments – and the community we serve. I’m pleased to advise that the City of Bayswater is now joining the City of Vincent at the forefront of transparency. Continue reading City of Bayswater Transparency
When we really look at a streetscape what do we see? Do we see beauty which mindfully piques our interest and stimulates us to exist in a better way or are we flattened in boredom? Personally I have a problem with signs and think there are far too many of them. A small change will go a long way in fixing that though. Continue reading Are we becoming the City of Signs?
(picture: WA Police website)
There has been a lot of press coverage over the increasing crime rates in Western Australia. It’s actually to be expected because when the economy slows and unemployment rises, crime increases. Nonetheless it does provide a good opportunity for me to float an idea I have been mulling over for a couple of years now. Continue reading “OUR COMMUNITY” EXPO
Has your privacy been invaded since Christmas yet? Mine has, and at some point yours most certainly will be as well. Drones were a popular gift and they will be even more so in the years to come. Drones invade privacy, but privacy is probably not the most worrying thing about them. Continue reading Drones invade privacy
Well, they’re not really free because, as with most things the City of Bayswater does, it is paid for from our rates. That said, people don’t have to pay any more if they want a street tree.
But do they know this? Possibly not – and your help is needed to change this. Continue reading Help spread the word about free Street Trees
A proposed 7-storey development in the middle of historic Bayswater has divided the community. Some people are desperate to see any development occur in an area which has been starved of development, others want a more controlled development, others want the Jacaranda tree preserved and others want the heritage buildings preserved in their entirety. As such, no matter what happens, there will most certainly be an aggrieved or disappointed party. Continue reading 9-11 King William Street
Unfortunately the City of Bayswater has copped some bad publicity in WAToday and 6PR this week. I say unfortunately not because of bad publicity, this is after all often the instigator for positive change, no, I say unfortunately because the facts presented were fundamentally wrong. Continue reading Media Beat Up on Airbnb in Bayswater
(Picture used for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the proposed plant)
Would you like something like this within approximately 220 metres of your house? I didn’t think so, especially as it is classed a “noxious industry”. Yet this is the prospect a number of Central Ward residents, and businesses, now face. You can do something to help them though. Please help them. Continue reading Concrete Batching Plant
This type of verge treatment can frequently be seen around the City of Bayswater. It could be considered by some to be practical, nice & tidy and long lasting. However it can’t be considered environmentally friendly. (Read on to see an environmentally friendly option). Continue reading Verging on Excellence
Thank you.
Having a majority of people put a tick next to your name in order choose you to be their voice on council is truly an honour.
Labor went to the last State election saying they would cap rates at CPI plus 2 per cent. Now the Liberals are following suit and talk is a cap at CPI. I don’t blame them; I’d probably do the same if I were in their shoes. But it does need to be seen as the populist and short-sighted idea that it is. As I detail near the end of this article, the workable method to limit future rate rises is to target the expenditure side of Local Governments; not the income side.
Continue reading Rate Cap = Crazy Idea
Can you see it? Because it’s happening throughout the City of Bayswater, on a number of fronts. Attitudes have changed, policies are changing and our streetscapes are improving. The Greening of Bayswater has started.
