Category Archives: Environment
Let’s Make An Urban Forest
The Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary redevelopment has been a terrific success, and the City has received a number of awards over it. Predominantly these are for the wetlands management, water management and general project delivery; not necessarily in creating a better bird sanctuary. Let’s do that by planting more trees; hundreds of them.
Significant Tree Register – City of Baywsater
A lovely house with a truly magnificent tree. Certainly a significant tree. Somewhat ironic that the house which bears the negatives of the tree (perceived and real) receives the benefits of the shade, but the main beneficiaries are the streets surrounding the property which are able to view the tree in its splendour. So how can the tree be protected so that the hundreds of houses surrounding it can continue to benefit? Continue reading Significant Tree Register – City of Baywsater
Committed to Street Trees
The City has now started planting street trees which have been requested from residents via the free street tree request form. If you’re one of the residents who requested a street tree, let me tell you about some of the care which goes into the planting. Continue reading Committed to Street Trees
The System is Broken
Please, let me share a story which illustrates a failing in our State planning & environmental systems. Continue reading The System is Broken
What is the Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax?
At a special council meeting on the 28th 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?
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
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
Concrete Batching Plant
(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
Verging on Excellence
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
