Fire away. Please refrain from getting in to personal debates. Go to the Spam thread for that.

Anything in West Property today?

"Call to extend below ground line to McIver"
(Limnios spruiking sinking the railway to the immediate east of the Perth train station)
"Huge interest shown in refurbished GPO"
"Pricey Perth office lags Hong Kong"
"Hotels in favour with investors"
"EMCO to transform old print-works site"
"Rebound in CBD leasing catches sector off guard"
"Plaza upgrade geared to uni students" (about Waterford Plaza Shopping Centre)
"Morley master plan a glimpse of future centres"

1st one- pipedream
2nd- in which universe?
3rd- no shit
4th- could have fooled me

you geddit :P. If you get time scan a couple. I missed out on todays paper.

Will do tomorrow if not beaten to it. Let me know which you would like OCR'd.

sinking to mciver would just be pure waste... build over it and be innovative!

"Call to extend below ground line to McIver"


Sounds interesting....


This however is probably nothing new to us on SSC:
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

New Mandurah trading push
BEATRICE THOMAS, The West Australian
November 25, 2010, 6:00 am


The City of Mandurah is forging ahead with extended trading, backing the creation of a special trading precinct with Sunday trading as well as extended shopping hours throughout the week.

The council voted 7-5 to seek approval from the State Government to create the special trading precinct around the city centre, boardwalk area and Mandurah Ocean Marina.

Shops within the precinct would be able to trade from 8am to 9pm seven days with the exception of Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day.

The West (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8386986/new-mandurah-trading-push/)

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
:lol: how true or false is this article?


Traffic snarls hurt business
BEN HARVEY STATE POLITICAL EDITOR, The West Australian
November 25, 2010, 3:00 am

http://l.yimg.com/fv/xp/wan/20101125/02/2368880721.jpg

Traffic congestion in Perth has become so bad, businesses are turning down new contracts and ordering staff to start late or finish early to beat peak hour jams, a survey has revealed.

As the number of vehicles on Perth roads broke through the two million mark in September, companies surveyed by the RAC said traffic snarls were choking the economy and biting into profits.

Some businesses estimated that congestion cost them up to $100,000 annually, with the intersection of Tonkin Highway, Leach Highway and Horrie Miller Drive listed as one of the worst for traffic holdups.

The survey of 243 RAC business customers found:

· Half of those surveyed reported productivity was affected;

· Seventy per cent thought congestion had grown worse over the past year;

· Forty per cent said it caused staff to be late for work;

· Seventy per cent said it was adding to their annual fuel bill;

· Twenty per cent said they could not take on more work;

· One-third had rescheduled job times because of congestion.

Congestion was so acute that nearly half had changed the way their business ran, with the same proportion changing shift times for staff.

And businesses were worried the State Government did not have a plan to alleviate congestion, with 56 per cent saying they weren't confident the situation would improve.

The survey was conducted by the RAC's BusinessWise program, which provides roadside assistance to WA companies.

RAC spokesman Matt Brown said the city's growing economy and population meant urgent action was needed to tackle congestion, which was no longer just a social problem.

Steve Brown, who runs mobile refrigeration company Cool Runnings, said congestion had worsened steadily since 1993, when he started his Bibra Lake business which delivers trailer-mounted cool rooms for events and parties.

"The freeway is a disaster," he said.

"It's a lottery, you never know when it's going to be jam-packed."

Retail Traders Association director Wayne Spencer said convenience was a major factor in a consumer's decision to spend and the threat of traffic jams undoubtedly discouraged people from shopping.

Shadow transport minister Ken Travers said the State Government had failed to provide bus services in fringe suburbs. A planned extension to the Roe Highway would not alleviate congestion enough to justify the $550 million price tag, he said.

The State Government declined to comment.

Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8385568/traffic-snarls-hurt-business/)

LULZ, that is all.

* 93% of people surveyed are retarded
* 86% didn't think to catch the train
* 91% didn't think that living out in the 'burbs would involve so much driving

99% of the day the freeway is empty

99% of the day the freeway is empty

Depends where abouts, i've been driving on the freeway a bit lately and i've noticed that it's dead quiet in some areas and then picks up substantially at others.

Peak hour is an absolute joke, something needs to be done immediately to reduce congestion.

they should build another freeway above it...

p24 yesterday's West Property liftout


Call to extend below ground line to McIver
MARISSA LAGUE

The sinking of the railway line 'dividing Perth's CBD and North-bridge should be extended to Mclver Station in East Perth, opening up prime land for homes and businesss, according to James Limnios. head of Limnios Property Group.

The Perth City Link Project involves sinking the Fremantle line from Perth to Lake Street, taking the Wellington Street Bus Station underground and creating several pedestrian and vehicle connections between the city centre and Northbridge.

While welcoming the $600 million project, Mr Limnios said the extension of the sinking of the railway line to Mclver Station would directly link the area north of the rail line from Beaufort Street to Lord Street to the major new developments planned for East Perth and Riverside.

"For the past 100 years, the railway station has been like a 'Berlin Wall' that has divided the city and the current Perth City Link Project will only remove half of the wall," Mr Limnios said.

"The sinking of this second section of railway line would revitalise this important area of Perth which is largely under-utilised."

A strong advocate of planning initiatives that curb Perth's urban sprawl, Mr Limnios said better use of existing room within the city could save the Government millions of dollars in new infrastructure costs for roads, electricity sewerage and schools that are needed to house people in the south, north and east of Perth.

The land around Mclver Station would be suitable for several thousand residents, according to Mr Limnios. "What we need is mixed use development with retail or shops, showrooms and houses that are priced between $350,000 and $550,000 that could accommodate professionals and young families and we need as many of those as we can get around the city," he said.

Mr Limnios said there was also a need to identify other main arterial roads leading into the city like Fitzgerald Street, and change zonings to allow for hundreds of new homes in three or four-storey projects.

Mr Limnios, who is also a City of Perth councillor, said the financial cost of urban sprawl was highlighted recently in a report produced by the Victorian Government which found it cost an extra $40 billion in new infrastructure costs to proceed with its urban expansion plans compared with encouraging redevelopment in existing suburbs.

"This report cited research that found for every 1000 dwellings, the cost for infill development in existing suburbs was $309 million and the cost of fringe developments was $653 million," he said.

Perth is expected to be home to 556,000 more people in the next 20 years andfinding space for an extra 328,000 homes has put the spotlight on urban infill housing targets for the metropolitan area.

According to Directions 2031 and Beyond, the Department of Plan-ning's blueprint for the future of Perth and Peel, 47 per cent or 154,000 of the new homes will be built in infill developments across the entire metropolitan region, leaving 121,000 houses to be built in the central sub-region area. The Department of Planning expects the remaining 33,550 dwellings will be distributed across the outer sub-regions.

Mr Limnios said the lack of inner city living in Perth was highlighted recently by the National Housing Supply Council which found there were 57 city workers for every resident in the Perth CBD.

"Even in smaller capital cities such as Darwin, the ratio of workers to residents is around 11 to one," Mr Limnios said. "This is the target that, Perth should aim for and it would put us in line with other major capital cities such as Sydney and Melbourne."

p23 yesterday's West Property liftout

Morley master plan a glimpse of future centres
MARISSA LAGUE

Perth will one day consist of a number of activity centres, where business exists alongside homes, public open space and entertainment venues.

The plan to transform Morley has been recognised with two awards from the Planning Institute of Australia, which recognised the master plan as a template for future centres.
Urban design practice Hames Sharley received the certificate of special commendation in the urban design plans and ideas category and the prestigious WA Planning Minister's award for their Morley master plan.

The plan reconfigures a 60-70ha area in Morley and replaces a dated city centre with a pedestrian and business-friendly area, and will introduce thousands of new homes to cope with the area's projected population increase.

New parks and open spaces will also be included, as will a revamped bus station, pathways for better pedestrian access between amenities, and parking decks that will provide convenient access to retail and business areas.

"Shopping centres are based on a model that was adopted in the 1950s and we now are re-evaluating that model to get employment and people living in the area," Paul Drechsler, managing director of Hames Sharley, said.

"This plan considers the economic and transport context of the city centre, utilising them as key drivers and it also embodies a fundamental shift in thinking as we move our focus from traditional retail-based centres to the creation of activity centres where employment and residential targets are to be achieved as well," he said.

City of Bayswater mayor Terry Kenyon said the master plan would provide the council with a blueprint for the future development of the Morley city centre. "This is a strategically important area for the city and it will help us deliver on our vision for Morley city centre as a great place for people to live, work, shop and socialise," Mr Kenyon said.

Morley is recognised as a strategic city centre in the State Government's Directions 2031 and Beyond which outlines how Perth can sustain-ably accommodate an increasing population and cope with-economic growth. Located 7km north-east of the CBD, Morley is the first city to get a master plan for its future makeover.

The plan also recognises Morley's future importance as a transportation hub and the role it will play in the Metropolitan Transport Strategy.


There was a graph with this if anyone is desperate to see it...

Rebound in CBD leasing catches sector off guard
MARISSA LAGUE

Perth's CBD office market has made a swift recovery from the leasing slowdown, with net ahsorption this year expected to climb beyond 90,000sqm — the highest level recorded for a calendar year, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.

Jones Lang LaSalle's head of leasing in Perth, Nick Van Hel-den, said the Perth office market had shown a remarkable recovery this year and inquiries had been extremely strong since the September quarter numbers were released.

"It's a surprise, I don't think anyone thought we would have this sort of a bounce back," Mr Van Helden said.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle, net absorption for the year to date totals 82,700sqm and with inquiry levels showing no signs of abating in the fourth quarter, the figure is expected to exceed the 87,000sqm recorded in 2005, the biggest yearly figure recorded.

"There are a number of deals expected to conclude before the end of the year, pushing net absorption past 90,000sqm," Mr Van Helden said. "This is equivalent to one-and-a-half times QV1 or almost 25 per cent of the total West Perth market."

Jones Lang LaSalle said net absorption in the June quarter was characterised by pre-com-mitted space but in the September quarter, there were new entrants to the CBD market while existing tenants were expanding. This trend continued through October and November.

Mr Van Helden said most of the pick-up in CBD activity had occurred in the past five months and was being driven by the resources sector's demand for office space.

"In 2011, we suspect vacancies will fall rapidly, incentives will start to come off and there will also be rental growth," he said. "Most leasing agents are now a little worried about 2011 stock levels."

The WA economy is expected to achieve prolonged growth as many emerging and developing economies experience strong growth and continued appetite for natural resources.

Jones Lang LaSalle said demand for office space was strong across all areas, with West Perth's vacancy rate also falling significantly

"All premium grade stock is now leased or committed with the majority of existing CBD vacancies in secondary stock," Mr Van Helden said.

i notice one key word is missing from that article... "Galleria"

p22 yesterday's West Property liftout
(render was with this if anyone is desperate to see it)


Plaza upgrade geared to uni students
MARISSA LAGUE

The transformation of the Waterford Plaza Shopping Centre near Curtin University is continuing with the third stage of the development, which includes a High Street, under way.

Because of its location, the centre is-a popular shopping destination for Curtin students and this demographic has played a part in the development plans.

Lease Equity's managing director Jim Tsagalis, who is responsible for leasing the development, said a lot of time had been spent on the design of the High Street to give it a traditional look, and building facades and heights had been varied to help with the authentic look and atmosphere.

A halo dome will straddle the centre of the High Street, which runs from Kent Street through the middle of the shopping centre to Walaanna Drive.

The High Street will open up the centre as a late-night cafe and restaurant precinct which will include alfresco dining and a new tavern.

The current building program will also include a tailored IGA which will have a special focus on produce from Margaret River as well as Asian food.

"Demand from tenants has been strong, with most being secured well ahead of the planned completion of the development," Mr Tsagalis said.

The centre is now 80 per cent leased and the High Street is due to be completed by the end of next year. A new upper deck carpark with space for an additional 247 cars and travelator directly to and from the middle of the High Street is also under construction.

p20 yesterday's West Property liftout


Huge interest shown in refurbished GPO
BRIDGET LACY

Links to CBD landmarks such as one40wUliam and an award-winning refurbishment of the heritage building is attracting huge interest from retailers to be the GPO's new tenants.

Colliers International has reported negotiations are under way on three of the nine available tenancies less than a month after the leasing campaign was launched.

The Forrest Place icon adjoining the one40william development has undergone a major refurbishment to deliver about ISOOsqm of prime retail space on the ground floor.

The 96-year-old home of Perth's General Post Office was awarded a four-star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, the first refurbished WA building to receive the rating.

Colliers International associate director of retail leasing Peter Millard said the level of interest, particularly from upmarket and unique retailers, had been strong from the outset of the leasing campaign.

"The GPO building is an iconic address and blends classic heritage aspects with the best of interior fit-out and facilities," Mr Millard said.

"The inquiries we have fielded so far have included everything from food and beverage retailers to leading jewellers."

Mr Millard said retailer interest hi the GPO would be further boosted with the opening of the pedestrian link to one40william.

He said only a handful of tenancies remained available in the $400 million Cbus development and the opening of the pedestrian link would further define the buildings as a striking retail destination.

"When you look at the fact that there's also 35,000sqm of new office space at one40william, a further 46,000sqm being created at Raine Square and the underground train station at the corner of Murray Street Mall and William Street, the potential for retailers to capture that market is huge," he said.

Mr Millard also said retailers were realising the benefits of the Forrest Place Masterplan.
The GPO's retail tenancies range from 42sqm to 106sqm.

p18 yesterday's West Property liftout


Pricey Perth office lags
MARISSA LAGUE

Perth has held on to its ranking as Australia's most expensive office rental market but remains a long way behind the world's most expensive office markets — London and Hong Kong, according to CB Richard Ellis' semi-annual global office survey.

At $US59.63 per square foot ($US554 per square metre), Perth was ranked 35th in the survey and is now the most expensive city in the Pacific region.

Sydney was the only other Australian city to make the top-50 list, moving up to 39th from its previous ranking of 42 with rents at $US57.12 per square foot.

CBRE executive director for global research Kevin Stanley said the survey recorded the movement in the rankings between the March and September quarters.

During this time, the Australian dollar rose 5.4 per cent against the US dollar, while the New Zealand dollar rose 3.8 per cent against the US dollar.

According to CBRE, the apprecia-.t-jon helped push markets from the Pacific Region up the rankings, even when local rents had fallen.

"While rents in Perth have fallen about 4 per cent through the middle of the year, the rise in the value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar has held the market steady in the rankings," Mr Stanley said.

Brisbane recorded the biggest gain for an Australian in the survey, going from number 74 in May to number 60 in November, while Adelaide came in at number 94.

Melbourne also climbed up the rankings, going from 85 to 77.

"A rental increase of just 2.8 per cent coupled with the rise in the value of the Australian dollar was enough to see this solid result," Mr Stanley said.

London's West End is the world's most expensive office location with rents at $US193.69 per square foot while an office in Hong Kong's bustling Central district costs $US184.21 per square foot.

Central also recorded the fastest year-on-year occupancy cost rise with a 34.2 per cent increase.

Inner central Tokyo was the third most expensive office market at $US158.08 per square. The most expensive office in the US was Midtown, New York where rents were $US66.59.



Plaza links Alluvion to city centre
MARISSA LAGUE

Another building officially joined Perth's cluster of high-rise towers with the opening of the Alluvion office building on Mounts Bay Road last week.

A joint venture between Cape Bouvard Investments and Charter Hall Group, the 22,400 square metres of office space in the A-grade building was fully leased before it was finished.

The 21-storey building offers panoramic views of the Swan River and Kings Park, has good public transport connections and is joined to Westralia Square and through to St George's Terrace by its plaza.

Charter Hall sold its 50 per cent stake in the building to the Commonwealth Property Office Fund before the building was finished in June. Tenants include Cape Bouvard Investments, Clough, Sumitomo Corporation, Euroz Securities, North West Shelf Shipping Service Company and Perdaman Industries.

p17 yesterday's West Property liftout


Hotels in favour with investors
MARISSA LAGUE

The number of hotels changing hands in Australia climbed 80 per
cent in the year to June 30 as investor attention switched to growth and development potential in the hotel sector, with a special focus on Sydney as the favourite investment destination.

The figures were contained in the latest research from Colliers International, which found the strong rebound in transactions was worth $1.4 billion, and that buyers from Asia were among the most active.

The research also included Collier's annual hotel industry survey, which canvassed key industry players, including asset managers, private and wholesale fund investors, developers and consultants.

More than a third of the survey group control a hotel portfolio valued between $100 million and $500 million.

With business and investor confidence on the rise, 51 per cent of respondents indicated their investment strategy for the next 12 months would be focused on growth and more specifically, on development opportunities.

"We have seen confidence returning to the industry on the back of improved occupancy and average room rates," said Colliers International research analyst Tammy Smith. "Nationally, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth have emerged as the prime targets for hotel development."

Ms Smith said the report also revealed the surge in investment activity had been driven overwhelmingly by Asian investors seeking a stable home for funds and opportunities for expansion.

"Australia does present a very attractive option for overseas investors, and if we look at the transactions over that 12 month period, it's clear that Asian investors have dominated the market," Ms Smith said.

She said a prime example was Singaporean investment group CDL Hospitality Trust, which snapped up a portfolio of five hotel properties in Brisbane and Perth for a total of $175 million.

"One of the key attractions for these investors is the transparency in our market, and the resilience of our economy — which was highlighted by our ability to ride out the global financial crisis, and positions the Australian market as both a safe haven for investment and a good base for further expansion," Ms Smith said.

"On top of that, the overseas investors we're seeing in the market generally aren't being restricted by the debt issues that are impacting local buyers."

The survey also revealed that more than a third of the respondents believed Australian hotel values had declined by between 11 and 20 per cent since 2007, mainly because of falling occupancy and average room rates, which in turn had decreased hotel profitability.

However, industry players also reported a feeling of optimism had returned to the market, with more than 70 per cent of those surveyed describing it as being in an upswing.

Looking at the next 12 months, 78 per cent of respondents believed Sydney would show the strongest growth in average room rates, and 62 per cent believed Sydney would also show the best occupancy growth.

Despite a shortage in hotel rooms, Perth recorded the steepest drop in occupancy rates for the year to June 30, with a 2.7 per cent fall to 78.2 per cent, the research found.

Perth also had the biggest fall in revenue per average room, record-inga 5.8 per centfallfrom $132.41 in June 2009 to $124.69 in June this year.

Perth's hotel market was hit by a slowdown in the resources sector in the past financial year, which saw occupancy and room rates fall away," Colliers International's Nick Di Lello said.

"However, Perth also suffers from a shortage of hotel accommodation in the CBD, and we can expect to see that begin to bite over the coming years."

Mr Di Lello said Colliers International was currently working with three international hotel groups on discussions with site owners to build or incorporate hotel facilities within a number of current CBD projects.

"The discussions have been very positive and the brands that are waiting to establish new sites in Perth are some of the best in the world," he said.

"It is obvious to these major global hotel names that Perth in the short-to-medium term will become the resource sector hub for Australia, and as a result will require the hotel facilities to cater for international corporate clients."



EMCO to transform old print-works site
MARISSA LAGUE

The East Perth Lamh print-works site will be transformed into the new headquarters for the non-profit organisation Youth With A Mission (YWAM) by WA commercial building company and property developer EMCO Building.

Demolition work has started on the landmark site, with the old warehouse set for a major renovation and extension.

EMCO's general manager Ron Keogh said the $6.5 million building would be used as the main centre for YWAM.

"This is a very important project for YWAM and we're excited to be able to deliver an extensive fit-out which will transform the warehouse into virtually a new buildings," he said.

YWAM has more than 300 volunteers serving throughout the city and internationally and it is hoped the new building will raise the organisation's profile.

Mr Keough said EMCO had worked together with YWAM to ensure the organisation would receive a quality project within budget.

YWAM provides aid and education to communities in many countries.

I finish work at 6am, give or take. When I get on the freeway to drive home (from Shenton Ave in Joondalup), it is absolutely fucking jam packed by 6.30am. If I don't get on the freeway by 6.10am, 90% of my drive home is pretty much a fucking ridiculous crawl.

I think it has more to do with WA drivers inability to merge though. The freeway is just a series of bottlenecks. Lots of fucktards speed down the emergency lanes.

Also I've seen heaps of dudes just waiting along the sides of the freeways under overpasses in their work uniforms, waiting for someone to pull over and give them a lift I assume.

WA Drivers.

Yep.

Finish work at 6am - what do you do? If it is producing your art, why work through the night?

Also I've seen heaps of dudes just waiting along the sides of the freeways under overpasses in their work uniforms, waiting for someone to pull over and give them a lift I assume.

lolwhut?

Hilarious

Chinese workers?

Peak hour is an absolute joke, something needs to be done immediately to reduce congestion.

What have you got in mind, apart from nuking everything south of Leach Highway and north of Vincent Street? (that would do the trick though)

I think i said it recently in another thread
-Tolls during peak hour
-MOAR PT FFS
-No more land releases, i don't care how many people want a house in burbs, too fucking bad.
-Congestion fees during peak hours (say from 6:30-9:30 and 3:30-7:30)

and as someone else suggested, increasing parking costs in the city (only weekdays IMO to start off)

Sure people would fume at this sort of stuff, and it's probably enough to get a government voted out, but they'd make a difference..

A lot of people want to live in suburbs, and if I'm not mistaken your family lives in a suburb. (I am assuming)

We just have to be smart about it. regional CBDs and plenty of medium/high density around PT nodes and CBDs for people who want it.

Plus Perth people just have to harden up. Peak hour happens in New York, too, but about 24 hours a day.

Tomorrow's Voice:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1104_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1101_001.jpg

Crap. Is that really difficult to read?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1102_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1103_001.jpg

Max Hipkins seems like a bit of a douche. Is he the same guy behind the Mt Hawthron covernents?

All this press coverage must be getting up MacTiernans nose. There is a reason she's not respond to all these media calls.

I was at that presentation by Alannah.

Hipkins made a regular ass of himself.

streetscape policy is dreadful in inner city suburbs...

green up morons...

Yes Hipkins, you are a cunt.

He's part of CityVision and PADD (People against density Dalkieth).

i would have loved to have seen his explanation of how it is better for the environment for people to stay in big houses Vs smaller houses

streetscape policy is dreadful in inner city suburbs...
...


ploise exploin?

ploise exploin?

you know instead of sparatic tree planting and nature strip lawn agriculture... here's some examples below...

i understand tha story above may be relating to certain design schemes for areas with specific heritage significance etc... but in general streetscape designs in perth is very lacking and reflective of poor attitudes to peoples surrounds... here's some examples below of wonderful ways can adopt for a greener streetscape policy that doesn't involve grass... turning them from just a road and sidestreet to something inviting...


http://hpigreen.com/category/urban-planning-design/streetscape/
http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?a=123776&c=45386

http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/lasn/2009/10/img/Abe/Abe-10.jpg http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/lasn/2009/10/img/Abe/Abe-9.jpghttp://www.landscapeonline.com/research/lasn/2009/10/img/Abe/Abe-8.jpg

http://images.enhancements.org/1-Ped-Bike-Facilities/A-Green-Street92nd-AvePortland/IMG1486/186688672_MiToX-M.jpghttp://images.enhancements.org/1-Ped-Bike-Facilities/A-Green-Street92nd-AvePortland/IMG1489/186688835_GC63R-M.jpghttp://images.enhancements.org/1-Ped-Bike-Facilities/A-Green-Street92nd-AvePortland/IMG1490/186688894_UUUJd-M.jpghttp://images.enhancements.org/1-Ped-Bike-Facilities/A-Green-Street92nd-AvePortland/IMG1497/186689399_ftZt3-M.jpghttp://www.sarajacoby.com/img/Light_Rail_6.jpg

I think i said it recently in another thread
-Tolls during peak hour
-MOAR PT FFS
-No more land releases, i don't care how many people want a house in burbs, too fucking bad.
-Congestion fees during peak hours (say from 6:30-9:30 and 3:30-7:30)

and as someone else suggested, increasing parking costs in the city (only weekdays IMO to start off)

Sure people would fume at this sort of stuff, and it's probably enough to get a government voted out, but they'd make a difference..

Problem with that idea is that housing shortage will occur causing stress in the market, pushing prices up.

Problem with that idea is that housing shortage will occur causing stress in the market, pushing prices up.

no shit, perfyis already complaining prices are inflated and he proposes something that will lead to higher prices? completely stopping all land releases would be a fucking disaster

Problem with that idea is that housing shortage will occur causing stress in the market, pushing prices up.

There is no reason why dwelling output can not stay the same while stopping further land releases.

There is no reason why dwelling output can not stay the same while stopping further land releases.

Hypothetically, yes through increases in density etc. Is that what you're referring to? The reality is completely different.

^ Correct. We can hypothesise about the reality but we don't have an Australian example to look to as a case study.

The only international case study that I'm aware of is Portland - anyone aware of data and details on other cases around the world?

The logic, economics, enviro. benefits etc are pretty much indisputable, and as an intellegent but self serving culture we kinda already know this, but we kinda don't really want it to change either (speaking generally)

There is no reason why dwelling output can not stay the same while stopping further land releases.

The problem with that is that the value of property is in the land. So as population grows you can densify but you still have the same amount of actual land to develop.

I can't see any way around that unless you stop or significantly slow population growth or you have a declining population.

The problem with that is that the value of property is in the land. So as population grows you can densify but you still have the same amount of actual land to develop.

I can't see any way around that unless you stop or significantly slow population growth or you have a declining population.

If I interpret what you are saying correctly then the value of the land on block X is, instead of being vested in one owner, is vested in - for example - 20 owners.

I feel like I'm missing something though.

If I interpret what you are saying correctly then the value of the land on block X is, instead of being vested in one owner, is vested in - for example - 20 owners.

I feel like I'm missing something though.

Lets say we stop releasing land starting today.

And, for an easy examples sake, there is 50sqm per person.

Now population increases, land doesn't, soon it will be 40sqm per person.

It kicks off the supply/demand effect - more people/demand for the same finite good (land).

So while we can supply more homes within the same land mass by increasing density, you are still putting pressure on supply of land.

Thats how I see it anyway, happy to be proven wrong.

^ Yes but to increase dwelling numbers you don't need additional land, only dwellings. So the supply of land being finite is irrelevant as long as the number of dwellings continues to increase (assuming population also increases).

^ Yes but to increase dwelling numbers you don't need additional land, only dwellings. So the supply of land being finite is irrelevant as long as the number of dwellings continues to increase (assuming population also increases).

Hmm yeah but I believe value is in the land not the dwelling.

Perhaps if you put say 20 people on the same block you had 1 then the value of land would increase but not by the same rate. ie the land wouldn't be worth 20 times more.

Hmmmm yeah I'm going to have to go ahead and rethink my orginal statement.

But its more than just a numbers game, people have to be willing to adjust their lifestyle for it to work - of which there are many who would (I for one would if affordable).

Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8400272/anger-as-resorts-chain-rejected/)

Anger as resorts chain rejected
Beatrice Thomas, The West Australian November 27, 2010, 2:35 am

The head of an international resorts chain has hit out at a lack of support in WA for foreign operators.

His criticism comes after the Foreign Investment Review Board decided against approval for a Margaret River venture.

In an email sent to TourismWA board members and obtained by _The West Weekend, _Karma Resorts boss John Spence questioned the level of action by the State Government and its agencies to back rhetoric on the need for new hotels and resorts.

The Ernst & Young Australian Entrepreneur of the Year, who won the award in recognition for his resort developments, said he was also confused and frustrated at a lack of feedback on why his proposal for a hotel at Rottnest was overlooked by the Rottnest Island Authority in favour of plans by Marilynne Paspaley's Pinctada Hotels and Resorts.

"It is clear that for whatever reason the Karma Group, and presumably myself, is not welcome to do business and develop hotels and resorts in this State," he said in the email.

"Given that TourismWA and the Government publicly claim they are aware of the need for new hotel rooms and resorts and want to encourage the development of them, this understandably baffles us.

"… without sounding paranoid, we are coming to the firm view Western Australia does not want foreign successful international resort developers and operators and only supports local companies."

British-born Mr Spence, a former TourismWA director whose company is based in Singapore, said yesterday that although the Canberra-based review board's decision had nothing to do with local agencies, he had had "absolutely zero feedback or support".

"I genuinely believe that the State of Western Australia, it does not recognise the importance of tourism," he said.

The company's plans for Karma Margaret River, including 29 luxury villas, vineyard and private landing strip were put on hold during the global downturn. Mr Spence has not decided whether to fight the board's decision.

Tourism Minister Liz Constable rejected claims that WA did not support foreign investment. Ms Constable pointed to the decision for Aman resorts to develop a six-star resort at the Old Treasury building and a recent delegation to a property conference in Hong Kong as recent examples of its commitment.

TourismWA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said it would welcome a new Karma Resort and would provide "any appropriate assistance", if asked. She said she understood Mr Spence had been offered a detailed briefing on the Rottnest decision.

"I genuinely believe that the State of Western Australia, it does not recognise the importance of tourism."" *John Spence *

There is no reason why dwelling output can not stay the same while stopping further land releases.

this

Anger As Resorts Chain Rejected (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8400272/anger-as-resorts-chain-rejected/)

I wonder if their proposal got lost in bureaucratic red tape or if the guy proposed something dodgy and is now king of spin. No one has commented on his hotel proposals for Rotto and Margaret River directly, so I assume it's the first.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/wa-government-approves-12b-childrens-hospital-budget/comments-e6frg2ru-1225962869687

read the comments. oh the humanity!

http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/wa-government-approves-12b-childrens-hospital-budget/comments-e6frg2ru-1225962869687

read the comments. oh the humanity!

"WA - Where you'll never be please with anything"

fucking ridiculous. even when they build hospitals people arent happy, this will mean $3bn worth of hospitals under construction

i do think it is shortsighted to only build one with 274 beds but that doesnt surprise me. why not bite the bullet and build a bigger one?

fucking ridiculous. even when they build hospitals people arent happy, this will mean $3bn worth of hospitals under construction

i do think it is shortsighted to only build one with 274 beds but that doesnt surprise me. why not bite the bullet and build a bigger one?

A Childrens Hospital is a bit different to regular hospital wards. I doubt the need for childrens hospital beds is something that grows in-line with population growth.

I'd hazard a guess to say they'll probably look at creating children specific health care facilities as FSH, Joondalup HC and any new Swan Health Campus. The long term health strategy is to create 4 major health campuses across the metropolitan area servicing each region. QEII just seems to be first in line.

A Childrens Hospital is a bit different to regular hospital wards. I doubt the need for childrens hospital beds is something that grows in-line with population growth.

I'd hazard a guess to say they'll probably look at creating children specific health care facilities as FSH, Joondalup HC and any new Swan Health Campus.

it is something built every 30 years or so at the very minimum, it stinks of the usual build what is needed now attitude that has always shat me off about perth. besides, we all know that probably looking to create = at least another 10 years

how does a growing pop not = growing need for childrens hospital beds?

how does a growing pop not = growing need for childrens hospital beds?

Children can be treated at a regular hospital...

I've always understood PMH to be exclusively for children for the purpose of pairing research facilities with specific children based medical issues.

Barnett spoke at a CCIWA event yesterday. Here's some of he spoke about viaGareth Parker on Twitter (@G_Parker)


Perth itself is changing, for the better. Walk down the streets and you can see it.
Taking it's rightful place as west coast capital.

I know there's great skepticism about waterfront project, but as soon as chogm is completed, construction will start.

Says EntCent redevelopment will happen thanks to Kerry Stokes and talks up physical connection between Parliament, city and Kings Park.

Concedes the govt has work to do on congestion. Roads around airports are an embarrassment and a disgrace. Wishes it could be fixed by chogm

Pays tribute to southern railway but says northern rail and freeway are chockers. Says serious planning is underway for light rail line.

^Oh thanks, that is where it was from. I heard a snippet about it on the radio, but couldn't find any info anywhere, a transcript would be interesting.

Barnett spoke at a CCIWA event yesterday. Here's some of he spoke about viaGareth Parker on Twitter (@G_Parker)

nice one... this post has inspired my first fb status whinge for tha day... thanx dilaz xox.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/mp/8426680/luxury-apartment-market-feeling-pinch/
Luxury apartment market feeling pinch
MARISSA LAGUE, The West Australian December 1, 2010, 6:11 am

Falling values and pre-sale contracts signed in more prosperous times are sending jitters through WA's luxury apartment market, according to Herron Todd White commercial director and valuer Enzo Evangelista.

With an increasing number of buyers unwilling to settle on apartments that have fallen in value, Mr Evangelista says lawyers are increasingly being called in, even though there are few options to get out of a sales contract.

"If there's nothing to invalidate the sale contract, there's very little relief for the buyer, apart from being asked to specifically perform (settle) or face the prospect of paying damages to the developer," Mr Evangelista said.

The disputes were mostly over luxury apartments of 250-500sqm because demand in that price range was so thin, he said.

With some luxury apartments losing of up to 40 per cent since purchase agreements were signed, some buyers were struggling to raise additional equity for their purchase, forcing them to sell other assets to finalise the settlement.

"Generally, the only reason people litigate is because there has been a fall in value," Mr Evangelista said. "You wouldn't have this situation if property values had been maintained from when the contracts were entered into.

"People assume the vendor will come to the party and agree that the value has gone down and drop the price. But if the reverse had happened and the value had gone up, the vendor doesn't get to go to the purchaser and say, 'we need more from you'. It's a two-way street."

Mr Evangelista said developers were also committed to proceeding with contracts because they had obtained finance based on sales. "Technically, if the developer breaches their lending covenants the bank can start stepping in," he said.

Mr Evangelista joined Herron Todd White, a home and commercial property valuer, after stints as a senior development manager at Mirvac and property risk manager at Westpac, and has worked in trying to secure settlements with buyers seeking to withdraw from property purchases.

He says both sides are increasingly resorting to legal action to resolve disputes, though the courts will usually insist on mediation between parties. "If you bought an apartment for $2 million and default and the vendor terminates your contract because of your failure to settle and subsequently resells it for $1.5 million, you are going to lose your deposit (usually 10 per cent of the purchase price) and the developer will probably go to court seeking the remaining $300,000 difference," he said.

"Some people will say they can't afford to pay the difference and will argue just to lose their deposit, but other people can't even afford that because the deposit was a bank guarantee or deposit bond."

Mr Evangelista said a number of disgruntled buyers had taken their own legal action against developers, trying to exploit any point that might allow them to escape the contract. Legal arguments raised were connected to the Strata Titles Act, but that was a risky and costly exercise with legal fees to take a matter through to trial costing $250,000 to $400,000.

Mr Evangelista said banks were more mindful of developments that were due to be completed in the next year. He said closer scrutiny was also likely on new residential projects that were due to start.

In October, Port Bouvard put the final 26 apartments at the Oceanique development on the market at up to 40 per cent off their original asking prices.

Port Bouvard chief executive John Wroth said the market was vastly different from 2007 and developers needed to offer value to ensure the remaining apartments sold promptly.

"The company has taken a view that prices need to attract and meet the market and be financeable by banks," he said. "The marketing campaign will continue for three more weeks and we expect strong interest to continue."

At the Leighton Beach apartment complex in North Fremantle, buyers of about 16 apartments put their homes in the yet-to-be-finished complex on the market, hoping to sell before the remaining 90 per cent payment fell due.
Mr Evangelista said it could be several years before new developments with bigger apartments were built. "These types of developments are only going to be undertaken by major developers with their own funding arrangements outside of the bank model," he said.

burst that bubble... too expensif bitchez...

City News - December:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1112_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1109_001.jpg

State Parliament passes Bill to abolish boards
http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=134597&


Four State Government licensing boards will be abolished following the passing of legislation in Parliament, resulting in savings for the West Australian taxpayer and improvements to consumer protection in WA.

The Acts Amendment (Fair Trading) Bill 2010 simplifies occupational licensing and the regulation of the property and motor vehicle industries in WA. It involves the abolition of the following boards:

* Land Valuers Licensing Board
* Motor Vehicle Industry Board
* Real Estate and Business Agents Supervisory Board
* Settlement Agents Supervisory Board.

Commerce Minister Bill Marmion welcomed the passing of the legislation, which was introduced into State Parliament in September to establish a more efficient and effective licensing and compliance system.

The new, streamlined system meets one of the recommendations of the State Government’s Red Tape Reduction Group.

“Licensing powers will now be vested in a single authority - the Commissioner for Consumer Protection. The necessary safeguards will be in place to ensure consumer rights are protected,” Mr Marmion said.

“The director-general of the Department of Commerce will take over the employment and financial control responsibilities from the boards.

“The fragmented functions of four separate boards can now be streamlined through one regulatory body. The move is part of the State Government’s commitment to reduce the number of licensing boards and therefore lessen the financial burden on the taxpayer.

“The development of these laws was conducted in consultation with industry groups, which have expressed support for the changes.”

The abolition of the licensing boards will make administration and licensing more effective but will not change the requirement for people operating in the affected industries to remain licensed and there will be no reduction in consumer protections.

Two new advisory committees will be established to ensure that the industries affected are able to discuss issues and raise any concerns with either the Commissioner or Minister.

The Motor Vehicle Industry Advisory and Property Industry Advisory committees will comprise key industry representatives, giving them an effective voice in the new process.

City signs up for underground power

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=134537&

Energy Minister Peter Collier joined the City of Canning in a signing ceremony today to mark the start of the Bentley East Underground Power Project.

This is the latest project to be launched through Round Four of the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) and is expected to be finished by January 2012.

Mr Collier said it would deliver underground power to almost 760 homes in the project area at a cost of $8.13million.

“Bentley East is the third underground power project delivered in the City of Canning, adding to the completed project in Rossmoyne and the nearly completed project in Wilson (West),” he said.

The Minister said the SUPP was a partnership between the State Government, Western Power and participating local governments, with more than 51 per cent of homes in the Perth metropolitan area serviced by underground power.

“The Government target of having 50 per cent of houses in the Perth metropolitan area connected to underground power by 2010 was achieved in January,” he said.

“Through the program, $265million has been spent on the undergrounding of power lines and about 74,000 properties have been connected.”

Mr Collier said having reached that initial target, it was an appropriate time to review the program, which was introduced almost 15 years ago.

“The Office of Energy is carrying out the review, which will be open to public consultation,” he said.

“It will address issues such as equity and affordability, identifying priorities for undergrounding power lines with respect to extreme weather, and the effectiveness of the current design of the program.”

Western Power managing director Doug Aberle said the corporation was proud to be part of this successful program, which has consistently been delivered on budget and on time.


"Underground power brings many benefits, such as improved reliability and security of power supply, enhanced streetscapes, lower maintenance costs and increased safety,” Mr Aberle said.

For more information about the SUPP review, including the opportunity to provide input, visit the Office of Energy website at http://www.energy.wa.gov.au or contact 9420 5600.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1109_001.jpg

I'm as sad for this theatre's closure as Ryan was about the Entertainment Centre. So many great plays I've seen here. Thanks for posting the article, mince.

I'm excited about the shade for the Piazza. At least and can get used throughout the summer now!

I'm as sad for this theatre's closure as Ryan was about the Entertainment Centre. So many great plays I've seen here. Thanks for posting the article, mince.

Another piece of history lost for Perth.

I've never been to this place so don't really appreciate its significance but I can relate.

City signs up for underground power

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=134537&

Energy Minister Peter Collier joined the City of Canning in a signing ceremony today to mark the start of the Bentley East Underground Power Project.

This is the latest project to be launched through Round Four of the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) and is expected to be finished by January 2012.

Mr Collier said it would deliver underground power to almost 760 homes in the project area at a cost of $8.13million.

“Bentley East is the third underground power project delivered in the City of Canning, adding to the completed project in Rossmoyne and the nearly completed project in Wilson (West),” he said.

The Minister said the SUPP was a partnership between the State Government, Western Power and participating local governments, with more than 51 per cent of homes in the Perth metropolitan area serviced by underground power.

“The Government target of having 50 per cent of houses in the Perth metropolitan area connected to underground power by 2010 was achieved in January,” he said.

“Through the program, $265million has been spent on the undergrounding of power lines and about 74,000 properties have been connected.”

Mr Collier said having reached that initial target, it was an appropriate time to review the program, which was introduced almost 15 years ago.

“The Office of Energy is carrying out the review, which will be open to public consultation,” he said.

“It will address issues such as equity and affordability, identifying priorities for undergrounding power lines with respect to extreme weather, and the effectiveness of the current design of the program.”

Western Power managing director Doug Aberle said the corporation was proud to be part of this successful program, which has consistently been delivered on budget and on time.


"Underground power brings many benefits, such as improved reliability and security of power supply, enhanced streetscapes, lower maintenance costs and increased safety,” Mr Aberle said.

For more information about the SUPP review, including the opportunity to provide input, visit the Office of Energy website at http://www.energy.wa.gov.au or contact 9420 5600.

The city of Belmont were supposed to sign up to this, but Western Power dropped a surprise 1.5m in extra costs on them. So they pulled out. Shame, because the city's new TPS was based on sinking the powerlines, so they could increase heights and density in some areas (Kooyong and Belvidere commercial strips). Now that is all on hold!

At least and can get used throughout the summer now!

What you trying to say here, accy-acc?

It seems they're really trying to make an effort with the Piazza - a new thing is Family Day every first Sunday of the month starting from this month.


Thanks for posting the article, mince.

Welcome :)

Another piece of history lost for Perth.

I've never been to this place so don't really appreciate its significance but I can relate.

Basically, its a fucking travesty that this is being knocked down.

However, it comes as no surprise.



http://perthsbest.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/103670pd.jpg?w=307&h=435

The Church's own fondness for history doesn't translate to anything else - it's always about the money for them. I'm sure a theatre company or two could have taken over this space. The acoustics inside are fantastic.

The Church's own fondness for history doesn't translate to anything else - it's always about the money for them. I'm sure a theatre company or two could have taken over this space. The acoustics inside are fantastic.

hang on, i think youre being a bit harsh on them here. how often would this have been used once the new theatre is opened? i assume blue room will still be operating as well

Yeah, I must admit I don't really know. I know the PCC supports a number of theatre companies in Perth, and not all will be using the new State Theatre. Was thinking it could house one of those. I was loosely thinking along those lines. Could do some research but I have to fly to Brisbane in a couple of hours. My comment was made a little bitterly lol.

the more theaters the better... especially if Perth is to have a Cultural awakening that everyone keeps talking about!!

Totally agree with the acoustics, totally RAD!! I have been to the play house twice, Mark Watson and my best buddies barbershop production... yes I said barbershop! :lol:

I think we should start a SSC Nimby group!! But a valid worth while one!! :)

Only went to the playhouse once which was a few weeks ago. The interior is tiny and unflashy. Has a cosy vibe though and I hope they can put it to go use atleast until they have concrete redevelopment plan.

the more theaters the better... especially if Perth is to have a Cultural awakening that everyone keeps talking about!!

Agree - it should not be all glitz and glam of new theatre and His Maj.

What you trying to say here, accy-acc?

It seems they're really trying to make an effort with the Piazza - a new thing is Family Day every first Sunday of the month starting from this month.

Welcome :)

I was impressed by the Piazza, especially when I was in NB at 11pm on a Monday and there were people just chilling there and the vibe was good. I also saw a gig there during the NB festival on Sunday. Just saying that being anywhere outdoors when it's 40 and the sun is pulsating is difficult. The shadecloth will really encourage people to continue to use the area even on the really hot days. In Madrid during the summer they put shadecloth in between buildings in along entire small streets and laneways. It was great.

I saw a good production of The Crucible at The Playhouse a few years back. It's a cool little building. If its replaced by something with significant merit than I will be happy, but I doubt it will be.

^^ I saw that production, which was one of my favourite things I saw at the Playhouse. The other was 'Red Dog', which is about to be released as a movie.

Tomorrow's Voice:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1117_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1119_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1118_001.jpg

"something to do over the holidays"
"monthly events"

How long are these holidays if something once a month keeps them busy!?!? :lol:

Still its a good idea to get families into the area and make them see it is less like Mogadishu / Kabul than the Media / Karl O'Callaghan would like you to shink

Oh My. Alannah as Mayor of Vincent. Now there is something I would love. Scaffidi and MacTiernan - Power Couple.

I wouldn't mind if she ran for a Councillor position in my Ward. It would give me someone I'd want to vote for. It won't happen though.

Sorry if this is duplicate. not sure if this has been posted before.
Found this on Realestate.com.au when i was looking at some new highrises...

Australia's most expensive postcode
by CurtisCooper | posted 7 days ago

http://s3.amazonaws.com/cms.streetadvisor.com/articleimages/InVFiwSc1UiHM5aF9Vhdjw_Mosman_Park.jpg
By Nicholas Perpitch and Tony Barass.

A TWO-kilometre stretch of Perth's Swan riverfront has become the most expensive real estate precinct in the country.

Sausage sizzles won't be on the menu when fertiliser billionaires and militant vegetarians Pankaj and Radhika Oswal move in to their Bollywood palace in Peppermint Grove, according to a report from The Australian.

But theirs is not the only residence under construction.

Last year's record sale of the sprawling 7564sqm Mosman Park residence of reclusive mining heiress Angela Bennett, the daughter of Lang Hancock's business partner Peter Wright, has sparked a flurry of renovations, building and buying across Perth's two most sought-after suburbs.

Chris Ellison, a mining tycoon who shares his name, but not his billions, with a former Howard government minister, paid a cool $57.5 million for the Bennett home, within walking distance of developer Luke Saraceni's $16m pad and property magnate Peter Laurance's $20m-plus mansion.

So it was no surprise when the Australian Bureau of Statistics crunched the numbers and announced that Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park had the highest average value of private sector houses in 2008-09, at $2.469m and $1.579m respectively.

The two suburbs were well ahead of Mosman, in Sydney, with the highest average value houses in New South Wales at $1.373m.

Prominent Perth car dealer John Hughes spent a lazy $6.7m for a temporary roof in exclusive Saunders Street while he and his wife, Margarita, fight Mosman Park Council over plans to bowl over his current home just down the road and rebuild.

Hughes has lived in a relatively older house at the end of the cul-de-sac for 31 years, and loves it.

``I'd be very happy to live there forever,'' he said.

``But it's what my wife wants . . . and who in their right mind would argue with their wife?''

Hughes, a Sandgroper known for his charity work, said Saunders Street was constantly changing.

``There always seems to be a crane or a couple of cranes on the skyline there,'' he said. ``It's a street on the move.''

A few doors away at No.31 is one of Cape Bouvard billionaire Ralph Sarich's many investment properties, while Tim Goyder, who made his fortune in resources, like so many ratepayers in the area, and is the cousin of Wesfarmers CEO Richard Goyder, bought No 23 for $6.3m in 2007 so he could protect the views of his home at No 24 just across the road.

Source (http://experts.realestate.com.au/buying/buying-news-australias-most-expensive-postcode?pid=hpadv_2911)

there was a 3/4 page newspaper spread about angela bennett's $20m yatch bought from a qld maker, court case is between tha two suppliers... went on about how she might be called to provide statements... i just thought too much money!

underneath this article was a about twiggy forester being punched in tha chest when he stepped in to break up a fight between two bogans on tha terrace...

^_^

Received a letter and booklet about the new street parking in East Perth - some of you might be interested:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1120_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1122_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1121_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1123_001.jpg

Residents are getting screwed in the CoP. Was looking at this a few weeks back for my bro in-law cos he is living in East Perth/Riverside area. t

An update or new news or just old news for us on SSC? This was posted earlier today (Tuesday 7th Dec).

Entertainment centre land swap deal
GARETH PARKER, The West Australian
December 7, 2010, 12:27 pm

http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/101207/a_160206gencityeyesore03_16frhrs-16frhru.jpg

Demolition work will begin on the Perth Entertainment Centre next month after a land swap deal between the building's owner, Seven Group, and the State Government.

The Entertainment Centre, disused and a growing eyesore since it was closed in August 2002, will be demolished to make way for a new mixed use development likely to include office space and apartments.

Seven Group chief executive Peter Gammell said the company was yet to finalise its plans but at this stage there was no intention to move Channel 7 Perth's operations from their studios in Dianella.

Such a move has been long speculated as part of any redevelopment.

Mr Gammell said Seven would develop the 2ha site in conjunction with a partner. Development plans are yet to be lodged with the East Perth Redevelopment Authority.

The land swap, which will see Seven give the Government a small parcel of land north of the Entertainment Centre and adjacent to the Fremantle railway line in return for a roughly equivalent parcel on the eastern side of the building, will help facilitate the sinking of the railway line.

Planning Minister John Day said work would commence on the sinking of the rail next year with the whole project, including the undergrounding of the Wellington Street bus station, expected to take six years.

The Government has shortlisted two consortiums for the rail works component of the project, headed by Brookfield Multiplex and John Holland.

A contract is expected to be awarded in March.

Demolition on the Entertainment Centre will begin in January and the intention is to have the site cleared and ready for development by the time the adjacent Perth Arena opens in late 2012.

The Seven Holdings land will be the first development site off the rank in the Perth City link project area, which runs from the Mitchell Freeway to the Horseshoe Bridge between Wellington and Roe Streets.

Mr Gammell said Seven expects to develop the site in stages over three to five years.

Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/8466846/entertainment-centre-land-swap-deal/)

:banana:

Perth construction outlook brightensMARISSA LAGUE, The West Australian December 8, 2010, 6:10 am Buzz up! Send

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A turnaround is forecast for Perth's construction market after 2010 was marred by the proposed mining tax, rising borrowing costs and restrictive credit conditions but the outlook for other cities is less upbeat.

In its Tender Level Index survey for 2010, a baseline gauge of tender prices, international building and construction industry consultants Davis Langdon said a patchy picture of the Australian construction industry had emerged. Managing director Mark Beattie said a feature of the research was the inconsistency evident across the country.

"In recent times, the Australian economy has been strengthened by towering terms of trade which are expected to have an ongoing stimulatory effect on the broader economy throughout 2011," he said.

"Combined with strong underlying fundamentals for housing and, in some regions for office construction, the industry is positioned for risk to the upside, particularly with a tighter labour market."

Davis Langdon's Tender Level Index is pointing to a rise of 2-3 per cent in tender prices for WA during the next 12 months, with most increases occurring in the second half of the year.

After a lacklustre 2010, Mr Beattie said the outlook for the Perth market and construction sector was better. Davis Langdon Australia and New Zealand research manager Michael Skelton said there were signs Perth was on the cusp of an upswing.

"The effects of the proposed mining tax are still being assessed, although this has not deterred larger resource projects with $86 billion worth of mining and energy projects currently in advanced development in Western Australia," Mr Skelton said.

Because there had been fewer tenders in the past 18 months, Davis Langdon said WA's construction market had become more competitive and prices were lower. Mr Skelton said sharper falls in tender prices were also recorded in WA because of the materials and energy boom.

"Because WA, unlike anywhere else in the country, was coming off such large builder and subcontractor margins, when it came to becoming a more competitive market, there was a lot more of a percentage change in terms of contracting prices in WA than elsewhere," he said.

In their response to the global financial crisis, Mr Skelton said construction companies cut prices to fill in 2-3 years of work but the beginning of a recovery in construction prices was now evident as workbooks started to fill up and some of the larger scale projects moved through to construction phase.

Davis Langdon's research found that Sydney's commercial sector continued to struggle through slow economic growth while signs of a recovery were evident in Brisbane. Melbourne's construction sector outlook was bright with office, residential and mixed-use projects about to start and tender prices likely to rise from 3-5 per cent.

From the west online

what do you guys think of the new daily perthnow newspaper? its called itself perthnow. 'your FREE 36 page CBD afternoon newspaper'

theyre handing them out in the city and train stations, the funny thing is they have just as much reading material as the west but prob more interesting reading, with news sport, gossip crap,letters, entertainment, tech reviews etc. its like the free one that goes out daily in sydney. good to grab and read on the train or bus.

it's a good way to brain-wash people... :p

I wonder if it's the beginning of a new daily, that would be a pretty big deal in a one-paper town. Perthnow is the Sunday Times?

^^ yeah could be heading that way maybe. perthnow is the sunday times yep.

Free toilet paper?

Tomorrow's Voice:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1134_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1130_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1132_001.jpg

I always thought the whole area was a graveyard.

Buswell to make comeback to WA frontbench

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/10/3090702.htm

Former West Australian treasurer Troy Buswell is expected to be returned to State Cabinet next week.

The ABC understands Mr Buswell will be given the Housing and Transport portfolios.

Mr Buswell was dumped from Cabinet earlier this year after he admitted to misusing public funds during an affair with the former Greens MP, Adele Carles.

He later retracted that admission and was cleared by the public sector commissioner of wrongdoing.

It is still unclear who will take on the role of treasurer but there is speculation it is likely to be Attorney-General Christian Porter.

Two years ago, Mr Buswell had to publicly apologise after sniffing the chair of a female Liberal staff member and snapping the bra strap of a Labor party staffer.

It is understood the current Housing Minister, Bill Marmion, will take on another portfolio, possibly Local Government.

Very interesting ^^ news article... (the graves site one)...

I always thought the whole area was a graveyard.

Why have you like seen ghosts come out at night in that area? Or does it just look like a place where graves would sit in the grass etc?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1130_001.jpg

so the park will stay as a park regardless, and any future development must be in line with the "cultural values" of the site... hope that doesn't imply that future highrises fronting along the grass can't be scaled back due to "shading of the grass" :nuts:

Very interesting ^^ news article... (the graves site one)...



Why have you like seen ghosts come out at night in that area? Or does it just look like a place where graves would sit in the grass etc?

I vaguely remember seeing a map where the whole hill (or a decent part of it) was a cemetary - not just the part that is fenced off now. I just assumed that the bodies in the now developed bits were moved. But by the sounds of it - maybe not.

So they've simply heritage-listed for the sake of preventing building development. I don't mind it being used recreationally, but the lawn's still gotta go.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/a-tale-of-two-booms-as-city-blooms/story-e6frg6nf-1225969190847

Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8490814/boutique-tavern-proposal-rejected/)


Boutique tavern proposal rejected
Ben Harvey, The West Australian December 11, 2010, 2:15 am

http://l.yimg.com/fv/xp/wan/20101211/02/3502931035.jpg
The West Australian ©

Nic Trimboli, a pioneer of WA's restaurant and bar scene for the past 25 years and the man behind celebrated restaurants Balthazar, Il Lido and Duende, has become the latest victim of the Barnett Government's crackdown on the liquor industry, with his application to open a high-end restaurant and wine bar in Northbridge rejected last week.

The decision has outraged the industry and sparked accusations that Director of Liquor Licensing Barry Sargeant had lost touch with community expectations.

The business, which was to be called The Latin, was designed to cater for a 30-plus demographic and would have incorporated a bakery, provedore, restaurant and a bar.

Mr Trimboli, who is also a director of Fremantle's Little Creatures, intended to open for breakfast and trade until midnight.

The application included a raft of self-imposed "harm-minimisation provisions", including a lockout 45 minutes before close and a ban on the sale of shooters, tap beer and pre-mixed drinks.

Mr Trimboli would have owned the business with Daniel Goodsell, who currently manages Mr Trimboli's three restaurants, and chef Graham Arthur.

Mr Sargeant ruled that Mr Trimboli had failed to produce evidence to back claims made in his application, including whether there was a public need for the business.

It is understood that Mr Trimboli, who was reluctant to comment, spent up to $100,000 on developing the plan for the property on the corner of James and William streets.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi criticised the decision.

"This is a question that demonstrates how out of touch a licensing authority can be," she said.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/a-tale-of-two-booms-as-city-blooms/story-e6frg6nf-1225969190847

Some of the figures cited are old, such as the antenna and the height of BHP. The article says outright that BHP will make Perth its Australian HQs, but with nothing solid to back it up. Also, are Shell and Chevron really headquartered in Perth?

Oh really? FFS!!!!!!!!!! People running this city can be such cuntz!!

Someone tries to set up a sensible business in NB and get shut down for the weakest of weak reasons that should not even allowed to be a reason!

whether there was a public need for the business

Fucking morons.

Why should ANY business, anywhere, have to demonstrate a "public need". What an absolute joke.

Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8490814/boutique-tavern-proposal-rejected/)


I cannot cannot cannot believe this shit. Who gives RGL the right to control business development like this?

Barry Sargent is a cunt of the highest degree. Lawyers talk very poorly of him.

The Latin will be a restaurant, bar, bakery and fromagerie. I hope it still happens.

I <3 Rob B

Bad decision for Northbridge
Rob Broadfield Comment, The West Australian December 11, 2010, 2:10 am

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8490821

Some days you've just got to shake your head in disbelief.

When WA Director of Liquor Licensing Barry Sargeant last week denied restaurateur Nic Trimboli a licence for his new Northbridge restaurant, he effectively said "no" to bringing an end to the area's reputation as ground zero for trashed and aggressive trouble makers.

Mr Trimboli's stylish restaurant, while not a panacea to Northbridge's social ills, might well have been a game changer, attracting a cashed-up, more sophisticated crowd to the area.

If a government or local authority wants to clean up and make safe a nightclub/restaurant precinct, it must first use its planning powers to changes the streetscape. This the East Perth Redevelopment Authority has done spectacularly well, with the refurbishment of William Street, north of the Horseshoe Bridge.

Mr Trimboli's restaurant was to have been a tenant in one of the newly-minted buildings.

Secondly, government must allow, promote even, the inclusion of high-end restaurant and entertainment businesses. Diverse dining and entertainment options will make the streets safer as the balance of patrons reflects a wider cross section of the community.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi's scathing appraisal of Mr Sargeant as being out of touch and, presumably, out to lunch is spot on.

Northbridge needs Mr Trimboli.

Mr Sargeant is an ass

:D

It looks like it would offer a clear point of difference to other venues in Northbridge.

Where was the proposed location?

The reflection in the image looks like the Brass Monkey and the rendered brick/wooden doors look like the renovation EPRA properties on the crn of William and James. Awesome location.

he effectively said "no" to bringing an end to the area's reputation as ground zero for trashed and aggressive trouble makers.

whilst i agree with the article, this is pretty sensationalist

that is retarded, ive been really looking forward to it since i heard about their plans.

not only would it have brought something really needed to the area but it would also have brought the older people who wouldve realised that northbridge really isnt that bad.

recently my folks went to dinner with some mates on william st on a friday night and then had a drink in 399 after they all commented on how nice it was and how it certainly didnt seem to be as bad as the papers make it out to be. the latin wouldve had the same effect but on a much bigger scale. that little stretch between roe and james wouldve had the bird, ezra pound urbanistar, jus burgers and the latin. compare that to a few years ago!

Fucking idiots.

I know of one bar application up near where I work, and I have been hearing rumours about a hamburger joint with roof-top bar.

If either of those two get rejected, seriously, might as well just ban alcohol.

Soon, it will be illegal to *look* drunk.

I vaguely remember seeing a map where the whole hill (or a decent part of it) was a cemetary - not just the part that is fenced off now. I just assumed that the bodies in the now developed bits were moved. But by the sounds of it - maybe not.

I see, I just did a google, apparently more than 10,000 bodies are buried across 7 sites in East Perth, but only 800 have been identified... That's according to Wiki though...

Here is part of the text from Wiki... more can be found at the below link.

East Perth Cemeteries is a now disused complex of seven independently administered cemeteries in East Perth, Western Australia. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 people were buried there between 1830 and 1919; however, only around 800 gravesites have been identified. A large section of the original site has since been built over, leaving about 5 hectares (12.5 acres) remaining and commonly referred to as the East Perth Cemetery.

....

Much of the Chinese, Hebrew and Presbyterian cemeteries were originally located west of Plain Street, and an unused Anglican section was located south of Bronte Street.

In the late 1940s, these sections were excised and headstones bulldozed and removed with the land west of Bronte Street made available as tennis courts for the nearby Perth Girl's School.

Fences separating the individual cemeteries were removed. Those areas have now been redeveloped and have become roadways, carparks and commercial and residential buildings.
An access road called Forrest Avenue (previously Cemetery Road) crossed diagonally over the block which now houses the multi-storey Main Roads Department office building. Extensions of Wickham and Horatio Streets have been incorporated into the grounds.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Perth_Cemeteries

MAP of burial ground 1899:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/graves/map-1899.gif

More Original MAPS of the layout of each burial ground can be found here, scroll down to the list of dates (maps per year) (http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/graves/layout.htm)
Here's a list of names of burials at the EP Cemetry (http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/graves/regista1.htm)

There's so much inconsistency here and the Minister ought to do something about it. Might be worth emailing him

Honourable Terry Waldron MLA
Minister for Sport and Recreation; Racing and Gaming; Minister Assisting the Minister for Health

Address: 9th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005
Telephone: (08) 9213 7200
Fax: (08) 9213 7201
e-Mail: Minister.Waldron@dpc.wa.gov.au

^^ What's that for Dilaz????

Are you referring to the minister for this????

I <3 Rob B

Bad decision for Northbridge
Rob Broadfield Comment, The West Australian December 11, 2010, 2:10 am

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8490821

Some days you've just got to shake your head in disbelief.

When WA Director of Liquor Licensing Barry Sargeant last week denied restaurateur Nic Trimboli a licence for his new Northbridge restaurant, he effectively said "no" to bringing an end to the area's reputation as ground zero for trashed and aggressive trouble makers.

Mr Trimboli's stylish restaurant, while not a panacea to Northbridge's social ills, might well have been a game changer, attracting a cashed-up, more sophisticated crowd to the area.

If a government or local authority wants to clean up and make safe a nightclub/restaurant precinct, it must first use its planning powers to changes the streetscape. This the East Perth Redevelopment Authority has done spectacularly well, with the refurbishment of William Street, north of the Horseshoe Bridge.

Mr Trimboli's restaurant was to have been a tenant in one of the newly-minted buildings.

Secondly, government must allow, promote even, the inclusion of high-end restaurant and entertainment businesses. Diverse dining and entertainment options will make the streets safer as the balance of patrons reflects a wider cross section of the community.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi's scathing appraisal of Mr Sargeant as being out of touch and, presumably, out to lunch is spot on.

Northbridge needs Mr Trimboli.

Mr Sargeant is an ass

:D

There's so much inconsistency here and the Minister ought to do something about it. Might be worth emailing him

Honourable Terry Waldron MLA
Minister for Sport and Recreation; Racing and Gaming; Minister Assisting the Minister for Health

Address: 9th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005
Telephone: (08) 9213 7200
Fax: (08) 9213 7201
e-Mail: Minister.Waldron@dpc.wa.gov.au

If someone can draft up a decent form letter and start a facebook page for this, it would be awesome.

Dilaz doesn't do Facebook or letters for that matter.

Blowjobs then?

Source (http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/barnett-presses-case-for-night-shopping/story-e6frg2qc-1225969977203)


Barnett presses case for night shopping
Amanda O'Brien From: The Australian December 13, 2010 5:29AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2010/12/02/1225964/773430-barnett.jpg
SHOPPING VISION: Colin Barnett says having Perth deserted outside office hours was out of step with a city increasingly on the world stage. Picture: Frances Andrijich Source: The Australian

WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett wants to radically change trading hours in Perth to transform the city into a global hub.

He wants shops to open late in the morning and keep trading at night.

Mr Barnett said having Perth deserted outside office hours was out of step with a city increasingly on the world stage.

"Shops open later and trade later in many cities around the world," he said. "If Perth shops opened and closed later, I think we would see a real lift to the vibrancy of the city."

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said it was a great idea.

"Take Singapore, because it's close to us; the stores tend to open at 10am or 11am each day and then stay open until 8pm or 9pm," she said.

"To remain globally competitive in a world where we are increasingly on the global stage, we need to be a bit more creative.

"I like an ambitious agenda because that is going to have the greatest impact. We really need to embrace these sort of changes."

Ms Scaffidi said shop-owners could employ foreign students part-time if they didn't want to work evenings.

"It's a win-win. It helps the students speak English, learn it, and it helps the storekeeper by having someone who can speak a much-needed language in their store," she said. Although the Premier recently passed laws allowing shops to trade until 9pm, most continue to shut at 5pm. He believes a staggered opening to avoid working long hours could smooth the way.

Mr Barnett said the transformation of the city centre through massive redevelopment would be "the second phenomenon of this decade", coinciding with the boom.

With planning in progress to shift the city rail line and bus station underground and develop 1650 new city apartments, office towers, hotels and retail outlets, as well as reshaping the waterfront, he said changing the pattern of shopping was next.

Ms Scaffidi said people she spoke to overseas were often surprised when they visited Perth.

"They think the shops are going to be open into the evening and there's going to be a lot more diversity. There's a lot more than there was previously, but compared to what they have each and every day of the year, no, we've still got a long way to go," she said.

This stuff about the Latin has made me so mad!

Northbridge is changing - slowly - for the better. Small bars and cafes, restraunts, botique shops etc on William Street. But it still needs more - esp on the upped end restraunt and bar scene.

I spend so much time trying to convince people I work with that Northbridge isn't really as dangerous as a bad day in Kabul! Having places like this the Latin would help to show that. It sounded a really exciting project. I live in Northbridge and wouldn't live anywhere else in Perth - but things like this decision do make me really consider if I want to stay here long term - of if I just come back in 10 years. I am likely to be formally offered two jobs in the new year - one here and one in Melbourne. Whilst I do love Perth, especially its potential to be a truly great city, the frustration with this kind of thing is getting too much and I may have to move on. It may sound "sensationalist" to say that but eating and drinking out is a big part of my life, and if the place isn't allowed to diversify and grow organically then it will stagnate and I will get bored of going to the same places all the time.

Perth / WA needs to drop its obsession with controlling everything (licensing requirements / shopping hours / police suggestions to stop and search etc), relax the rules and let things happen - and concentrate on the real problems this state is facing (how to deal with the boom - labour shortages / transportation / accommodation, aborigional health issues and integration into the population, dwindling water supplies....)

Perth / WA needs to drop its obsession with controlling everything (licensing requirements / shopping hours / police suggestions to stop and search etc), relax the rules and let things happen - and concentrate on the real problems this state is facing (how to deal with the boom - labour shortages / transportation / accommodation, aborigional health issues and integration into the population, dwindling water supplies....)

well said.

start a facebook page

The gold standard in petitions!

(I don't do facebook either)

eugenius I completely agree with what you said.
Hmmm not sure if I'm happy about this or not...

After months of speculation, Qantas has confirmed it has taken over regional airline Network Aviation to move into the fly-in-fly-out air charter market in a deal believed to be valued at more than $30 million.

In a move first mooted in October, Qantas chief executive officer Alan Joyce confirmed the acquisition and said it would provide a strong growth opportunity, new revenue stream and further diversification for the Qantas Group.

Mr Joyce said that Qantas already has a very strong presence in WA through its regular passenger services.

"Mining company demand for FIFO air services to transport employees to and from remote sites within the state, however, cannot be met solely by Regular Passenger Transport services.

"This is an important market, and a growth market, and Qantas will now become a key player in meeting the needs of the resources sector.

"This will significantly enhance the scope of what Qantas can offer the mining sector, bringing new competition to the marketplace.

"We have reached agreement with the owners of Network Aviation to purchase the business."

"It presents strong growth opportunities and we will immediately look at significantly growing its fleet and its operations."

A Qantas spokesman said the terms of the acquisition were confidential and it was a complex transaction making it difficult to put a cash figure on the deal.

Network Aviation operates a fleet of two 100-seat Fokker 100 aircraft and six 30-seat Embraer Brasilia EMB-120ER aircraft.

Subject to finalisation of the acquisition, Network Aviation will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group.

Qantas said Network Aviation will retain its current management, employees and operating structure, with the business to be aligned with Qantas' operations in terms of safety, regulatory, people, financial and commercial governance oversight, standards and processes.

"This is very much a strategic acquisition and an exciting growth opportunity for Qantas," Mr Joyce said.

http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story/1/85679/Qantas-takeover-of-Network-Aviation

Oh also just above that article was one stating that a new rail operator for the grain network has been announced by CBH to take over the contract currently held by ARG :)

that proposal by barney, am i tha only one that hasn't heard a politician put this suggestion forward?

Tue 14 December, 2010

New frontbench announced
Portfolio: Premier

Premier Colin Barnett today announced a new Cabinet for the Liberal-National Government.

The changes to the Ministry include a new Minister, a new Treasurer and broader changes to portfolio responsibilities.

Attorney General Christian Porter will add the role of Treasurer to his portfolio while Upper House MLC Helen Morton, who is currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, will become Minister for Mental Health and Disability Services.

“I am very pleased to be announcing these changes today as they will bolster the strength of our team and allow us to continue to deliver on our agenda for Western Australia,” Mr Barnett said.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to Christian Porter in his new position as Treasurer where I am sure he will continue the strong economic management of the State’s finances.

“I am also very happy to welcome Helen Morton to her first Cabinet role as Minister for Mental Health and Disability Services.

“Helen’s background as an occupational therapist and a senior health executive will be highly valued in these important and challenging portfolios.”

Troy Buswell will return to Cabinet as Minister for Transport and Housing, and Donna Faragher will take on the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

“I’d like to particularly thank Donna Faragher and Graham Jacobs for their dedication and effort in their respective portfolios,” the Premier said.

“They have both made a lasting and positive contribution to the Government and to the State.”

Mr Barnett said the new Ministry would be sworn in by the Governor later today.

Premier's office - 9222 9475





BARNETT MINISTRY



Honourable Colin Barnett MLA

Premier; Minister for State Development



Honourable Dr Kim Hames MLA

Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Tourism



Honourable Norman Moore MLC

Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Fisheries; Electoral Affairs



Honourable Brendon Grylls MLA

Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development



Honourable Christian Porter MLA

Treasurer; Attorney General



Honourable Dr Elizabeth Constable MLA

Minister for Education



Honourable Simon O’Brien MLC

Minister for Finance; Commerce; Small Business



Honourable Rob Johnson MLA

Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Road Safety



Honourable Terry Waldron MLA

Minister for Sport and Recreation; Racing and Gaming



Honourable John Day MLA

Minister for Planning; Culture and the Arts; Science and Innovation



Honourable Peter Collier MLC

Minister for Energy; Training and Workforce Development; Indigenous Affairs



Honourable Troy Buswell MLA

Minister for Transport; Housing



Honourable Robyn McSweeney MLC

Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering;

Women’s Interests; Youth



Honourable John Castrilli MLA

Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests



Honourable Terry Redman MLA

Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Corrective Services



Honourable Bill Marmion MLA

Minister for Environment; Water



Honourable Helen Morton MLC

Minister for Mental Health; Disability Services




Murray John Cowper MLA

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Energy; Training and Workforce Development; Indigenous Affairs (with respect to Training and Workforce Development and Indigenous Affairs only)



Honourable Wendy Maxine Duncan MLC

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development; Lands;

Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development (with respect to Regional Development; Lands only)



Honourable Donna Evelyn Mary Faragher MLC

Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for State Development (with respect to the Premier only)



Liza Mary Harvey MLA

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance; Commerce; Small Business (with respect to Small Business only)



Honourable Michael Mischin MLC

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer; Attorney General (with respect to Attorney General only)



Anthony James Simpson MLA

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests; Youth (with respect to Youth only)

Sauce (http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=134763&)

Welcome back 'Sniffy' Buswell.

Simon O'Brien never came across as being particularly PT savvy, always seemed quite car-biased.

Have no idea what Buswell's attitude is to transport. Especially with the transport masterplan yet to be released.

I thought O-Brien was really coming around to the more sustainable aspects of transport to be honest. I was being pleasantly surprised.

In terms of public transport Buswell can be relied on to sniff out the best route I guess.

From Twitter:

NearMap NearMap
Decided to take the aeroplane for a spin...Started flying #Perth PhotoMap #WA #Australia #fb
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Perth / WA needs to drop its obsession with controlling everything (licensing requirements / shopping hours / police suggestions to stop and search etc), relax the rules and let things happen - and concentrate on the real problems this state is facing (how to deal with the boom - labour shortages / transportation / accommodation, aborigional health issues and integration into the population, dwindling water supplies....)



I'm just quoting you again because I think you're exactly right!

Quite a bit of a reshuffle...

New frontbench announced

Premier Colin Barnett today announced a new Cabinet for the Liberal-National Government.

The changes to the Ministry include a new Minister, a new Treasurer and broader changes to portfolio responsibilities.

Attorney General Christian Porter will add the role of Treasurer to his portfolio while Upper House MLC Helen Morton, who is currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, will become Minister for Mental Health and Disability Services.

"I am very pleased to be announcing these changes today as they will bolster the strength of our team and allow us to continue to deliver on our agenda for Western Australia," Mr Barnett said.

"I'd like to offer my congratulations to Christian Porter in his new position as Treasurer where I am sure he will continue the strong economic management of the State's finances.

"I am also very happy to welcome Helen Morton to her first Cabinet role as Minister for Mental Health and Disability Services.

"Helen's background as an occupational therapist and a senior health executive will be highly valued in these important and challenging portfolios

" Troy Buswell will return to Cabinet as Minister for Transport and Housing, and Donna Faragher will take on the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

"I'd like to particularly thank Donna Faragher and Graham Jacobs for their dedication and effort in their respective portfolios," the Premier said.

"They have both made a lasting and positive contribution to the Government and to the State."

Mr Barnett said the new Ministry would be sworn in by the Governor later today.


BARNETT MINISTRY
Honourable Colin Barnett MLA
Premier; Minister for State Development

Honourable Dr Kim Hames MLA
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Tourism

Honourable Norman Moore MLC
Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Fisheries; Electoral Affairs

Honourable Brendon Grylls MLA
Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development

Honourable Christian Porter MLA
Treasurer; Attorney General

Honourable Dr Elizabeth Constable MLA
Minister for Education

Honourable Simon O'Brien MLC
Minister for Finance; Commerce; Small Business

Honourable Rob Johnson MLA
Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Road Safety

Honourable Terry Waldron MLA
Minister for Sport and Recreation; Racing and Gaming

Honourable John Day MLA
Minister for Planning; Culture and the Arts; Science and Innovation

Honourable Peter Collier MLC
Minister for Energy; Training and Workforce Development; Indigenous Affairs

Honourable Troy Buswell MLA
Minister for Transport; Housing

Honourable Robyn McSweeney MLC
Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women's Interests; Youth

Honourable John Castrilli MLA
Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

Honourable Terry Redman MLA
Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Corrective Services

Honourable Bill Marmion MLA
Minister for Environment; Water

Honourable Helen Morton MLC
Minister for Mental Health; Disability Services

Murray John Cowper MLA
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Energy; Training and Workforce Development; Indigenous Affairs (with respect to Training and Workforce Development and Indigenous Affairs only)

Honourable Wendy Maxine Duncan MLC
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development (with respect to Regional Development; Lands only)

Honourable Donna Evelyn Mary Faragher MLC
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for State Development (with respect to the Premier only)

Liza Mary Harvey MLA
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance; Commerce; Small Business (with respect to Small Business only)

Honourable Michael Mischin MLC
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer; Attorney General (with respect to Attorney General only)

Anthony James Simpson MLA
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women's Interests; Youth (with respect to Youth only)

liberal.org.au (http://www.wa.liberal.org.au/libmail/frontbench/index.html)

Christian Porter in his new position as Treasurer - hmmmm! :)

Rob Johnson still Police Minister. :(

^^ I take it, that's a bad idea, is it?? :lol:

Population Minister Tony Burke considers measures to reduce fly-in, fly-out workers

* By Malcolm Farr, National Political Editor
* From: news.com.au
* December 16, 2010 5:00PM

A UNION leader wants tax concessions for giant miners to end the damaging practice of flying workers in and out of projects rather than setting them up in local housing.

Australian Workers' Union national secretary Paul Howes believes a lower regional rate in the fringe benefits tax (FBT) would encourage mining companies to provide accommodation for workers and their families.

The FBT is paid on employer-provided housing.

Reducing the use of fly-in, fly-out rosters would create regional centres, keep more of the income from mining in the local region, and be an incentive to sign on to work in labour starved projects, Mr Howes told news.com.au.

Thousands of workers operating Australia's biggest mining projects in Queensland and Western Australia fly in for shifts of up to, for example, 10 days straight, and then fly out to return home for a week before repeating the travel.

But Mr Howes said the system wasn't popular because it took workers away from their families for long periods.

There also are complaints that while the miners earn big salaries, they spend the money at home in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth and not locally where they work.

Population Minister Tony Burke has called fly-in, fly-out "possibly the best example of how the distribution of our population in Australia has become so far out of kilter".

"When fly-in, fly-out has effectively become the only option for many people wanting to work in those regions, it means we haven't planned the distribution of people across Australia well enough," Mr Burke said today, launching independent reports on population growth.

The Government will consider the problems with fly-in, fly-out operations as it prepares a response to the reports, scheduled for April.

Mr Burke said he also would be looking at the impact of a higher population growth on the liveability of cities which already have congestion problems.

There are fears that a fast-growing population would worsen problems in cities caused by congestion and lack of public facilities such as hospitals.

Mr Burke today acknowledged there were many city dwellers "who discovered they no longer had half an hour of daylight at the end of the day after a long commute home".

He called for improved urban design which moved people closer to their jobs, and upgraded transport systems.

The Minister said he wanted to "avoid the continued creation of dormitory suburbs", which would of itself "have a massive impact on congestion".

"But let's not forget: When you have good urban planning, every local job is a car off the road," said Mr Burke.

"As long as you have situations where we have a long distance between where the jobs are and where the homes are, you necessarily put more pressure on people with traffic."

Mr Burke said there would be increasing development of "master planned communities" which would have affordable housing, parklands and "availability of local jobs".

"We always talk about it in terms of the time you spend in traffic. That's actually not the worst of it. The worst of it is the time you don't spend at home," he said.

The report of one panel, headed by Heather Ridout, CEO of the employer organisation the Australian Industry Group, said an increased population would provide the funding and the incentive to make cities more livable.

However, another panel, headed by former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr, said a growing population would put greater demands on transport systems and worsening congestion which was "lengthening working hours and unfavourably tilting the work/life balance".

The Government will not set immigration targets and the annual intake would be set with the Budget, said Mr Burke.


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/population-minister-tony-burke-considers-measures-to-reduce-fly-in-fly-out-workers/story-e6frfm1i-1225972281647#ixzz18GCngTOc

Agree both with growing reqional centres to support mining rather than fifo (both for environmental, social and development reasons) and improved urban design in cities.

i concur

Tuesday's Guardian:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1149_001.jpg

Tomorrow's Voice:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1142_001.jpg

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that article re cory bernardi really annoys me, people like him are what gives conservative leaning people a bad rep. now i know how moderate labor voters feel when dumb c**ts like some of the union monkey run their mouths

HAHAHAHAHAHA

$200k/yr = not scrooging on christmas lights

way to aim big perth

Seriously, I hope Evangel gets the gag in her claiming people vote Greens because they are young and stupid. If ever there was a pollie that must rely on stupid voters...

that article re cory bernardi really annoys me, people like him are what gives conservative leaning people a bad rep. now i know how moderate labor voters feel when dumb c**ts like some of the union monkey run their mouths

Absolutely! Glad to see Sutherland confirming he is out on the fringes.

that article re cory bernardi really annoys me, people like him are what gives conservative leaning people a bad rep. now i know how moderate labor voters feel when dumb c**ts like some of the union monkey run their mouths

he's a total moron.

massive hypocrisy in people who try to counter "extremism" from the other side of politics by being extreme themselves.

btw, did David Bell just admit to being a raging conservative in that article?

^^ WTF
Conservatives = _________ fill in the blank!

Conservatives = selfish, greedy, old fashioned, out of touch, wasteful, ruthless, superiority complex etc. etc.


[/ jokes][/ stir]

nailed it!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Miensie/SSC%20-%20Articles/SCAN1150_001.jpg

Imagine travelling to the other end of the world only to end up in Perth...

they seriously need to upgrade the tree in Forrest Place! I took my eldest in the other night and I must admit the christmas lights are underwhelming.

Nevermind the tree, get rid of the bloody tinsel on some of the street lights.

Cheap, outdated and tacky.

speaking of fly in and out workers... i would hope the government encourage establishment of cities so there is no need to fly back to perth...

it is time WA and Australia stop being so capital city centric

Still got those completly stupid christmas "cards" in Murray Street Mall?

speaking of fly in and out workers... i would hope the government encourage establishment of cities so there is no need to fly back to perth...

it is time WA and Australia stop being so capital city centric

Problem is that mining, by its very nature, is usually a remote operation that's difficult to access. FIFO will always be the prefered option in WA, either back to Perth or regional centres such as G'ton, because people generally want to live in temperate/ tropical climes or by the ocean, rather than inland, arid areas.

the job theyve done on the Sheraton (now Pan Pacific) is a HUGE improvement!

better color and better signage.

p26 today's West


Booze-busting police chief has got us all over a barrel
Ben Harvey

On the face of it, Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan comes across as the Grinch who wants to pour cold water on your Christmas. And new year celebrations. And Australia Day. And after-work drinks. And Sunday sessions.

He, along with director of liquor licensing Barry Sargeant and executive director of public health Tarun Weeramanthri, is a driving force behind the blizzard of new restrictions on how and where the people of WA take a drink.

Mr O'Callaghan has served the State well in his time as our top cop. He is a reasonable, intelligent man who is well qualified to be custodian of the breathtaking powers that come with being Police Commissioner. But I can't help thinking that with his relentless crackdown on how we drink, he might be a wowser.

Imagine being invited to Mr O'Callaghan's Chrissie lunch.

"Hi, welcome to the O'Callaghans. There is some leftover Swan Special Light in the esky out the back, and if you want a softie there is some decaf Coke as well. Can't have energy drinks.

"After all, you might get full of festiveness and become robustly boisterous, which is hardly in the public interest.

"Anyway, lunch will be served at 1pm, we will be tasering the turkey shortly. Oh, and don't forget the Christmas pud. Although, I am having a bugger of a time getting this non-alcoholic brandy to light...

"We would anticipate festivities will conclude with'a game of charades around 8pm, at which point I will ask you to decamp to the lounge. But if you leave the house for any reason up to an hour before then, I am afraid we won't be let back in due to our lockout policy.

"Oh, and I hope you don't mind but while you are inside I will probably have an alcohol interlocutory device fitted to your car which you will have to blow into before you can drive. There's obviously not a lot of booze here but that pavlova has been in the sun for a couple of hours and the kiwi fruit on it may have fermented. Lord knows, you can't be too careful."

The State Theatre in Northbridge was the latest target of this anti-booze blitz. Mr O'Callaghan doesn't think the building should have a bar. Mercifully, his objection was ignored.

I cannot believe WA Police wanted-the good people of this State to watch a contemporary dance performance sober. That is a cruel and unusual punishment.

The State Theatre's fight for the right to operate a bar is just one of many examples of businesses hitting brick walls if they intend to ply the godless trade of serving an alcoholic drink.

It emerged recently that the cops opposed Nic Trimboli opening a wine bar and restaurant in Northbridge. Officers cited a bureaucratic oversight in the veteran restaurateur's application papers as reason for their objection but it is no secret that the police don't want any more bars in Northbridge, for fear people will imbibe aggressively.

The business, to be called The Latin, would never have added to the area's booze culture because, as anyone who has been left with the bill after an evening at Balthazar or Duende knows, you run out of money before you are able to get really drunk at Nic's restaurants.

The puritanical booze jihad began years ago with the death of the shooter. All of a sudden it was illegal to let a punter catch up to his mates if he was late getting to the pub on Friday after work.

The crackdown on choice at the bar soon gathered pace. No vodka Red Bulls. No pre-mixed drinks. No getting back in the pub an hour before it shuts. No walking across the pavement between a bar and an alfresco area with a drink in your hand. No pints after midnight. No more than four drinks in a round after 11pm.

Ted Danson's barkeeper in the sit-com Cheers, Sam Malone, would be serving time in Casuarina if he traded in Perth.

And the poor old barfly Norm would have been carted away by the executive director of public health long ago.

Under the Liquor Control Act, a pub-goer should be denied service if: "Their speech, balance, co-ordination or behaviour appears to be noticeably impaired; and it is reasonable in the circumstances to believe that their impairment results from the consumption of liquor."

I think you should be denied service if you are not glass-eyed, stumbling over your words and fumbling for change at lam. Because, if you aren't, then you are clearly on ecstasy or crystal meth and should be an immediate target for the constabulary. Show me a sober person in Subiaco after 1am and I will show you someone with a snout full of cocaine.

The issue of determining a person's intoxication level is one of the great bugbears for hoteliers.

And it is not just numbskull part-time uni student bartenders who struggle with the law.

In November, 2009, the High Court grappled with the issue when it deliberated on a very serious case.

Seven years earlier, a drinker asked the bartender at Tasmania's Tandara Motor Inn to take his keys, lest he was tempted to ride his motorcycle home. Three hours later his resolve evaporated and he demanded, and got, the keys.

Shane Scott crashed seven kilometres down the highway, killing himself. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.253.

Mr Scott's grieving widow believed the hotel failed in its duty of care by giving the keys back to a drunk man and the case eventually ended up in Canberra, where the High Court, which found in favour of the publican, thrashed out the issue of how to know when someone's demeanour indicates they are drunk.

"Some show the signs of intoxication earlier than others," the court ruled. "In some, the signs of intoxication are not readily apparent. With some there is the risk of confusing excitement, liveliness and high spirits with inebriation. With others, silence conceals an almost complete incapacity to speak or move."

Mr O'Callaghan, Mr Sargeant and Mr Weeramanthri don't want us to get raucously drunk because a small minority cause havoc for others. The vast majority cause havoc only for themselves.

Restricting when, and how, we buy our booze is a matter of social policy and that is not for Mr O'Callaghan, Mr Sargeant or Mr Weeramanthri to dictate.

Mr O'Callaghan, in particular, can be understood for wanting to clamp down on how much we drink — he is the one left holding the baby when it all goes to pot at 3am and has the unenviable task of enforcing the Liquor Control Act.

If this trio want to help frame public policy they are welcome to — the State would benefit from their experience and intelligence as members of Parliament.

But until they stand for office their job is to enforce the law, not to write it.

I don't think the State Theatre or The Latin would have been serving the footy team on a Pub Crawl , bucks night pub crawl etc.
police need to target the stop-offs for bogan rites of passage (irresponsible drinking)

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=134900&
Missing link to be built on Perth-Fremantle principal shared path
Portfolio: Transport

The construction of a missing section of the Perth to Fremantle principal shared path (PSP), adjacent to the railway line in Claremont, will start in February 2011.


“This project will address safety and accessibility concerns by providing a continuous PSP between Perth and Fremantle for commuter cyclists, reducing the potential for conflicts with road traffic,” Transport Minister Troy Buswell said.

“Planning for this project, which involves building more than 520m of PSP, has been undertaken in consultation over a number of years with Bikewest and the community.

“This area has a relatively high incident rate so improving access to and from the railway station is critical.

“It will also improve pedestrian access to the Claremont Railway Station.”

Other work includes the installation of lighting, which will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists using this section of the PSP at night.

Traffic management will be in place to ensure the area is safe for pedestrians, cyclists and road users and to maintain access throughout the construction period.

Advanteering Civil Engineers has been awarded a $500,000 contract to carry out the construction works.

The project is being funded under the State Government's Infrastructure for Community Access (Pedestrians & Cyclists) Program.

Building should be completed by mid-2011

Read:

http://mattcowgill.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/the-wire-and-horizontal-fiscal-equalisation/

http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-propose-100-gst-free-threshold-online-shopping

Greens Leader Bob Brown today proposed a GST-free threshold of $100 for online shopping to remove the exemption which gives overseas retailers an unfair advantage over Australian shops.


"We need to protect a revenue stream that would otherwise continue to elude the government," Senator Brown said in Hobart today.


"The tax-free threshold of $1,000 was established before the growth of overseas online shopping, and needs to be reviewed."


"The current threshold robs the government of revenue that could be used for schools and hospitals and creates jobs overseas at the expense of jobs here," he said.

:bash:

Hahaha awesome

Bob brown > anna coren

:bash:

To be fair if all you've got is a hammer smash emoticon you don;t seem to have an argument against the policy.

^^On TRS-80's behalf


Reasons to tax items bought online:
i. Effectively bypasses a tax that targets consumption of all goods and services (they rightfully should be paying it)
ii. Unfairly slugs retailers who employ staff and pay leases/bills/expenses

Reasons not to tax
i. Retailers should lift their game, change their business model to suite changing consumer patterns.

Difficulties with taxing online purchases
i. Cost of implementation...which is why the $1000 threshold exists.
ii. Anti-competitive/Protectionist (for all you free-market hipsters out there).

Potential Responses
i. Apply GST to overseas items regardless of the cost of implementation, merely to make a point about market fairness.
ii. Scrap (or reduce) the GST in favour of a performance based tax on business output (similar to the RSPT) so that profitability is directly targeted rather than indirectly taxing consumption.
iii. Scrap GST and raise other (ie. business) tax.

To be fair if all you've got is a hammer smash emoticon you don;t seem to have an argument against the policy.

To be fair, a hammer smash icon shows more intelligence than Bob Brown on this issue.

Bob Brown = Harvey Norman

...

i'd say browns reasons are really are more secretly a hate for globalisation and wanting to reduce trade etc. etc.

I usually agree with him, but not on this front, if retailers did the right thing by the consumer we wouldn't have to buy online...

^^On TRS-80's behalf


Reasons to tax items bought online:
i. Effectively bypasses a tax that targets consumption of all goods and services (they rightfully should be paying it)
ii. Unfairly slugs retailers who employ staff and pay leases/bills/expenses

Reasons not to tax
i. Retailers should lift their game, change their business model to suite changing consumer patterns.

Difficulties with taxing online purchases
i. Cost of implementation...which is why the $1000 threshold exists.
ii. Anti-competitive/Protectionist (for all you free-market hipsters out there).

Potential Responses
i. Apply GST to overseas items regardless of the cost of implementation, merely to make a point about market fairness.
ii. Scrap (or reduce) the GST in favour of a performance based tax on business output (similar to the RSPT) so that profitability is directly targeted rather than indirectly taxing consumption.
iii. Scrap GST and raise other (ie. business) tax.

that was a monolithic comment not in keeping with the general demeanour around here and so should be banned [/mattb]

Bravo aaronaugi1. But lets compare apples with apples. Noting the issue is with items bought online from international stores, not online for the sake of online.

I give you Australian online bicycle shop Cell Bikes. www.cellbikes.com.au I use them and the service and website is of the highest quality and they give me what I need relative to a high street bike shop that is generally way more expensive and often the service is not as good as you need to justify the price difference.

I give you exhibit b - British online bike store Wiggle. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/.
They give me all that Cell bikes do, but I get it VAT and GST exempt. They are also generally cheaper due to other market reasons I guess like operating form the European market where demand is higher, so higher turnover etc.

My question is - what is it that Cell Bikes can change so they are "doing the right thing" or treat customers better. Like for like service and product they are 10% less competitive from the get go.

^^On TRS-80's behalf


Reasons to tax items bought online:
i. Effectively bypasses a tax that targets consumption of all goods and services (they rightfully should be paying it)
ii. Unfairly slugs retailers who employ staff and pay leases/bills/expenses

Reasons not to tax
i. Retailers should lift their game, change their business model to suite changing consumer patterns.

Difficulties with taxing online purchases
i. Cost of implementation...which is why the $1000 threshold exists.
ii. Anti-competitive/Protectionist (for all you free-market hipsters out there).

Potential Responses
i. Apply GST to overseas items regardless of the cost of implementation, merely to make a point about market fairness.
ii. Scrap (or reduce) the GST in favour of a performance based tax on business output (similar to the RSPT) so that profitability is directly targeted rather than indirectly taxing consumption.
iii. Scrap GST and raise other (ie. business) tax.

1) unfairly slugging retailers who have actual stores is a crock and should not come into it as that is an issue of the business model. as matt said above it is a matter of creating a level playing field which is hard to argue with although i havent made up my mind on this issue yet


2)Retailers needing to lift their game has NOTHING to do with the govt and those c**ts should stay out of it if that even has 1% to do with them eventually bringing the tax in. they have no business whatsover telling local businesses how they should improve their service, it is up to us to tellt he businesses or simply let them fail

3) i) possibly, like i said i havent made up my mind yet
ii) crazy lefty ranting

iii) crazy lefty ranting
Bravo aaronaugi1. But lets compare apples with apples. Noting the issue is with items bought online from international stores, not online for the sake of online.

I give you Australian online bicycle shop Cell Bikes. www.cellbikes.com.au I use them and the service and website is of the highest quality and they give me what I need relative to a high street bike shop that is generally way more expensive and often the service is not as good as you need to justify the price difference.

I give you exhibit b - British online bike store Wiggle. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/.
They give me all that Cell bikes do, but I get it VAT and GST exempt. They are also generally cheaper due to other market reasons I guess like operating form the European market where demand is higher, so higher turnover etc.

My question is - what is it that Cell Bikes can change so they are "doing the right thing" or treat customers better. Like for like service and product they are 10% less competitive from the get go.

i can see where youre coming from

i love not paying VAT on items from the UK, too bad chemical records where i buy all my vinyl decided to up postage charges to 6 pounds! they were 2.50 when i first started buying :(

Places like Harvey Norman can suck a fat one anyway, went with a friend of mine as he was buying a tv from there a little while ago, while they guy was getting it from out the back i went to trial some 3D TV, came back and the guy had gotten him a HDMI cable worth $250 odd, he was almost going to buy it before i told him that they do the same job as a $15 one and the guy should get fucked, places like these expect the consumer to be uninformed and get sucked in, then they get angry because people suddenly "know better"... i consider myself an informed consumer so i buy what's the best price/product/service etc.

Bravo aaronaugi1. But lets compare apples with apples. Noting the issue is with items bought online from international stores, not online for the sake of online.

I give you Australian online bicycle shop Cell Bikes. www.cellbikes.com.au I use them and the service and website is of the highest quality and they give me what I need relative to a high street bike shop that is generally way more expensive and often the service is not as good as you need to justify the price difference.

I give you exhibit b - British online bike store Wiggle. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/.
They give me all that Cell bikes do, but I get it VAT and GST exempt. They are also generally cheaper due to other market reasons I guess like operating form the European market where demand is higher, so higher turnover etc.

My question is - what is it that Cell Bikes can change so they are "doing the right thing" or treat customers better. Like for like service and product they are 10% less competitive from the get go.

* Cell Bikes could charge a similar amount to what Wiggle Bikes does (including shipping).

* Cell Bikes could base themselves in Europe, if they think it offers competitive advantages.

* Cell Bikes, rather than targeting the Australian market, should be targeting the worldwide market. Online is online. Country of origin/location of stock/location of staff is irrelevant in the online world.

* Cell Bikes could reduce overheads by moving to a country such as India, or at least engaging cheaper labor for order processing etc.

* Cell Bikes could engage in a marketing plan which see's them expand their business rapidly, thus enabling the economies of scale that online e-tailing demands.

CHAIN REACTION CYCLES - one of the largest supplier of cycle related gear IN THE WORLD are based in Northern Ireland (I think they may actaully be the largest supplier now, not sure). My brother lived down the street for a year or so, last year. They employ hundreds of people, and now ship and supply bike parts around the entire planet. Why? Service and price.

Like ALL retailing, it comes down to service, and price.

10% GST, which will cost more than 10% to collect, is just a protectionist lunatic fringe idea from the Greens and Harvey Norman. It will do ZERO to help Australians. In fact, it will make things worse for Australian's, economically and culturally.


EDIT: PS, I MAKE MY LIVING IN RETAIL.

Bravo aaronaugi1. But lets compare apples with apples. Noting the issue is with items bought online from international stores, not online for the sake of online.

I give you Australian online bicycle shop Cell Bikes. www.cellbikes.com.au I use them and the service and website is of the highest quality and they give me what I need relative to a high street bike shop that is generally way more expensive and often the service is not as good as you need to justify the price difference.

I give you exhibit b - British online bike store Wiggle. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/.
They give me all that Cell bikes do, but I get it VAT and GST exempt. They are also generally cheaper due to other market reasons I guess like operating form the European market where demand is higher, so higher turnover etc.

My question is - what is it that Cell Bikes can change so they are "doing the right thing" or treat customers better. Like for like service and product they are 10% less competitive from the get go.

For the record I was talking about international online purchases. Online purchases within Australia (regardless of their price) attract the GST like any other item.

1) unfairly slugging retailers who have actual stores is a crock and should not come into it as that is an issue of the business model. as matt said above it is a matter of creating a level playing field which is hard to argue with although i havent made up my mind on this issue yet

2)Retailers needing to lift their game has NOTHING to do with the govt and those c**ts should stay out of it if that even has 1% to do with them eventually bringing the tax in. they have no business whatsover telling local businesses how they should improve their service, it is up to us to tellt he businesses or simply let them fail

3) i) possibly, like i said i havent made up my mind yet
ii) crazy lefty ranting

iii) crazy lefty ranting


i can see where youre coming from

None of my original post is my opinion, just a snapshot of the key arguments floating around.

Ultimately, Australian retailers mark-up their prices an incredible amount. They do this (rightly), because they can and the market continues to pay these prices. Fair enough.

Increasing online/overseas competition will force businesses to change their business model and ultimately price more competitively.

Australia is an expensive place to shop. However, most of our retail goods are imported. The high cost of goods in Australia is result of large mark-ups on products, not by the cost of producing said products.

I agree that the 10% advantage online traders have is unfair and should be rectified in some way or another. There is no easy/cheap solution.

Following some kind of resolution there is absolutely nothing Australian retailers could complain about re: international online competition.

The whole thing is overblown. Shops from Harvey Norman to independent local clothing outlets will always be around.

If the government is going to do something, the should crack down on the $1000 threshold. Apparently it's easy to rort. They'd be stupid to take yet another contentious issue on at the moment though. If I was in power i'd just let this blow over and worry about it another time.

The whole thing is overblown. Shops from Harvey Norman to independent local clothing outlets will always be around.

If the government is going to do something, the should crack down on the $1000 threshold. Apparently it's easy to rort. They'd be stupid to take yet another contentious issue on at the moment though. If I was in power i'd just let this blow over and worry about it another time.

Bill Shorten ran with the "it's at committee" line and that some recommendations are expected in 9 months. Probably doesn't gel well with the chorus of criticism that hit Rudd after the mountains of reviews at the beginning of his term but non-the-less (as you point out) the best political option.

Business (particularly big business) will always complain about something. Even if they won this battle I'm sure the would just be another debate around the corner.

* Cell Bikes could charge a similar amount to what Wiggle Bikes does (including shipping).

* Cell Bikes could base themselves in Europe, if they think it offers competitive advantages.

* Cell Bikes, rather than targeting the Australian market, should be targeting the worldwide market. Online is online. Country of origin/location of stock/location of staff is irrelevant in the online world.

* Cell Bikes could reduce overheads by moving to a country such as India, or at least engaging cheaper labor for order processing etc.

* Cell Bikes could engage in a marketing plan which see's them expand their business rapidly, thus enabling the economies of scale that online e-tailing demands.

CHAIN REACTION CYCLES - one of the largest supplier of cycle related gear IN THE WORLD are based in Northern Ireland (I think they may actaully be the largest supplier now, not sure). My brother lived down the street for a year or so, last year. They employ hundreds of people, and now ship and supply bike parts around the entire planet. Why? Service and price.

Like ALL retailing, it comes down to service, and price.

10% GST, which will cost more than 10% to collect, is just a protectionist lunatic fringe idea from the Greens and Harvey Norman. It will do ZERO to help Australians. In fact, it will make things worse for Australian's, economically and culturally.


EDIT: PS, I MAKE MY LIVING IN RETAIL.

:lol: I think I'm in love. Everything you say is 100% spot on.

The message these days is if you can't compete then do what you can to being the competition down to your level. HN is a good example of this. Gerry should shut the fuck up more and concentrate on his business.



Tip of the day. Offer a ridiculous low price for ANYTHING at Harvey Norman and you will more than likely get it. They are desperate to sell their shit and will do anything to shift it.

Never buy accessories from them. Like p4l example. $250 for a HDMI cable - they aren't worth fuck all. Same as power surge protectors - not worth more than $30 not the $150 they sell them for.

The major retailers had a full page ad in todays West campainging on this issue. I can't believe they expect public sympathy.

Just as a large chain store like Harvey Norman has pressured many smaller independent stores over the years, I expect online retailers to do the same to HN. Gerry Harvey can get fucked.

Incidentally ryan, I actually had a HN salesman try to sell me a $100+ surge protector board a couple weeks ago. :lol:

EDIT: PS, I MAKE MY LIVING IN RETAIL.

Great lets base all retail policy on the opinion of a bloke who has been selling art for a few months;)

There are reasons Chain Reaction (another great online bike shop) are based where they are based. Is it in australia's best interests to encourage businesses to base themselves overseas?

Regardless, all my entry to the discussion was intended was to flesh out the head-banging zero detail opposition. Glad we've fleshed out some more context.

You guys are happy enough to lap Harvey Norman up when it comes to deregulated trading I note.

For the record I was talking about international online purchases. Online purchases within Australia (regardless of their price) attract the GST like any other item.


I'm not arguing, I thought your post was great:)

You guys are happy enough to lap Harvey Norman up when it comes to deregulated trading I note.

:lol:

You guys are happy enough to lap Harvey Norman up when it comes to deregulated trading I note.

It is possible for someone to have both good and bad opinions, even when they are all made in the interest of self preservations.

Okay, so I have recently been on an urbanoutfitters binge.

I've bought:
2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of pants
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of shoes
2 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 jacket
1 pair of sunglasses
1 belt
2 faggoty bracelets
1 melodian
2 steins

That's 17 items, all of which I haven't seen in local retailers.

Total price for all this shit in AU would probably top $1000. From the US, the total's been a bit over $500.

Not sure how asking the government to tax me $50 on my purchases is intended to make me rush in to Myer. Anyone know what the profit margins on those corporate entities were over the last few years? Guessing they're not in too much of a bind.

I heart Urban Outfitters.

...and don't you love how the ''sales'' in shops like Myer consist of putting the same crappy stuff that was on ''sale'' a year ago onto a rack and charging more than what you'd pay at retail overseas for a current fashion equivalent.

Okay, so I have recently been on an urbanoutfitters binge.

I've bought:
2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of pants
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of shoes
2 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 jacket
1 pair of sunglasses
1 belt
2 faggoty bracelets
1 melodian
2 steins

That's 17 items, all of which I haven't seen in local retailers.

Total price for all this shit in AU would probably top $1000. From the US, the total's been a bit over $500.

Not sure how asking the government to tax me $50 on my purchases is intended to make me rush in to Myer. Anyone know what the profit margins on those corporate entities were over the last few years? Guessing they're not in too much of a bind.

I'm not really worried about the competitiveness of our retailers when there is a level playing field. If they can't compete they can't compete. I just prefer a level playing field.

The major retailers had a full page ad in todays West campainging on this issue. I can't believe they expect public sympathy.

Just as a large chain store like Harvey Norman has pressured many smaller independent stores over the years, I expect online retailers to do the same to HN. Gerry Harvey can get fucked.

Incidentally ryan, I actually had a HN salesman try to sell me a $100+ surge protector board a couple weeks ago. :lol:

Thats right. You didn't hear Gerry crying when he was buying up/forcing smaller retailers out.

Not surprised. The amount those fuckers make on commission is ridiculous. Seriously what do they do? Pick up a package, read off the side of the box and then tell you to take it to the counter to pay for it.

Great lets base all retail policy on the opinion of a bloke who has been selling art for a few months;)

There are reasons Chain Reaction (another great online bike shop) are based where they are based. Is it in australia's best interests to encourage businesses to base themselves overseas?

Regardless, all my entry to the discussion was intended was to flesh out the head-banging zero detail opposition. Glad we've fleshed out some more context.

You guys are happy enough to lap Harvey Norman up when it comes to deregulated trading I note.

Is it in Australia's best interest to continue to pay inflated prices for goods to protect an uncompetitive market?

Even though Gezza was only looking out for number one it was an issue I agreed with him on.

Okay, so I have recently been on an urbanoutfitters binge.

I've bought:
2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of pants
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of shoes
2 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 jacket
1 pair of sunglasses
1 belt
2 faggoty bracelets
1 melodian
2 steins

That's 17 items, all of which I haven't seen in local retailers.

Total price for all this shit in AU would probably top $1000. From the US, the total's been a bit over $500.

Not sure how asking the government to tax me $50 on my purchases is intended to make me rush in to Myer. Anyone know what the profit margins on those corporate entities were over the last few years? Guessing they're not in too much of a bind.

I heart Urban Outfitters.

...and don't you love how the ''sales'' in shops like Myer consist of putting the same crappy stuff that was on ''sale'' a year ago onto a rack and charging more than what you'd pay at retail overseas for a current fashion equivalent.

The above two posts are exactly why we need the competition from online retailers. GST or not.

Whenever I go to buy something it’s a constant assault to my intelligence, traipsing through hundreds of stores selling the same half dozen varieties of mediocrity and hideosity. Like Eddie says, ‘I don’t want more choice, I want better things!’ Generally, there is no initiative here, it’s a constant frustration. There is plenty of opportunity for local retailers to find a niche that would make them attractive to locals, especially when no one seems to be exploiting the niche at all. Actually, occasionally someone does exploit the niche, then when all the mediocre people see that it is successful, they jump on the bandwagon and ruin the initially good idea with their mediocrity.

Anyway, rant over, but I also have no sympathy whatsoever if people are turning to online shopping.

On the other hand, hospitals and schools aren't interesting ways to spend taxpayer money until you need them. Someone somewhere does have to exert considerable effort to make hard decisions on behalf of the rest of us, for things we take for granted. Rant really over.

Actually, occasionally someone does exploit the niche, then when all the mediocre people see that it is successful, they jump on the bandwagon and ruin the initially good idea with their mediocrity.

so true!

same goes for music

There is no such thing as a level playing field, Matt.

If you wanted a level playing field, you would want Solar Power to NOT be subsidised? You would want Australian farmers to not be subsidised? You would want churches to pay tax? etc etc etc

Just like the retailers, the greens will lose support over this one.

Retailers, lift your game, lower your prices. Simple.

There is no such thing as a level playing field, Matt.

If you wanted a level playing field, you would want Solar Power to not be subsidised? You would want Australian farmers to not be subsidised? etc etc etc

Just like the retailers, the greens will lose support over this one.

Retailers, lift your game, lower your prices. Simple.

Says the cunt defending $50 band aid pictures.

Says the cunt defending $50 band aid pictures.

I just sold a book with a small, framed, print, for $850.

^^ Geez - someone must like bandaids then.

I just sold a book with a small, framed, print, for $850.

And you sleep at night?

edit: such a smiley doesn't exist :(

If you wanted a level playing field, you would want Solar Power to NOT be subsidised? You would want Australian farmers to not be subsidised? You would want churches to pay tax? etc etc etc.

If Coal wasn't subsidised to the hilt then sure I'm more than happy for solar to lose subsidies. Don't forget I'm Matt "Duke Nukem" Buckels at TWOP. From what I understand Aussie farmers are not subsidised much on a global scale. Sure I'd like churches to pay tax at least where they are essentially operating businesses in a competitive market. For example Weetbix is made by Sanitarium which is owned by the 7th Day Adventists http://www.youngandgrumpy.com/2009/05/tax-sanitarium-health-foods-religion.html and personally should be taxed just the same as a regular breakfast making company.

Who is it round here who says "If not all playing fields are level then we can have no level playing fields."

And you sleep at night?

In nothing less than thousand thread count sheets..

In nothing less than thousand thread count sheets..

...the cotton was spun by egyptian 19 year old virgins...

So Matt, you do agree with un-level playing fields. Then your original argument is now null and void.

...the cotton was spun by egyptian 19 year old virgins...

And will be cut up in to 5cmx5cm squares, framed, and flogged at $80 a pop.

So Matt, you do agree with un-level playing fields. Then your original argument is now null and void.

Eh? I accept they exist, and you level them where easy/necessary.

No mention of the WA ALP happenings? Are they really that irrelevant, even to us?

Yes :P

You lazy bum Dilaz!

VICTORIA Park MLA Ben Wyatt says he will challenge Opposition Leader Eric Ripper for the Labor leadership in the coming days at a special Caucus meeting.

Mr Wyatt made the announcement at a press conference this afternoon outside Parliament House, where he told a throng of reporters he would ask Mr Ripper to hold a special Caucus meeting in the next two days to determine the leadership.

But the besieged Labor leader hit back, saying Mr Wyatt had made a mistake in acting against the advice of senior Caucus members and that he didn't have the numbers for a successful challenge.

"I think he he has made a mistake ... there is strong support for me to continue as leader," Mr Ripper said.

Mr Wyatt said he was the best candidate for the leadership and represented a new face for the party.

He called Mr Ripper this afternoon and asked him to convene a special meeting within the next 48 hours "so that Caucus can resolve the issue".

But Mr Ripper urged his combatant to read the Labor party rules, which show a special Caucus meeting cannot be held until six days after it was officially called.

This means the special meeting could be held on Tuesday at the earliest.

Mr Wyatt said he believed he represented "the new face of the Labor party" and said he was the best candidate for the job.

He refused to say how many colleagues had agreed to support him but said he was confident and that he wouldn't be standing if he didn't believe he had a chance.

"What I believe is that there is a sufficient appetite for change," he said.

If successful in his bid to take over the leadership, Mr Wyatt said there would be "dramatic change ... a whole suite of changes".

He said Mr Ripper was disappointed with the phone call but described him as a "professional".

Mr Ripper said this week had been "amateur hour" from the people who had set off an unnecessary series of events.

"I do not believe it will be close .. that is why Mr Wyatt is making a mistake," he said.

"The result in my view is already known."

But he did have kind words for his adversary, and predicted big things for him in the future.

"He's got plenty of time to exercise his leadership ambitions in the future,'' Mr Ripper said of Mr Wyatt.

"I do think he's a potential future leader of the party.''


Support garnered

Mr Wyatt had earlier this morning emerged from a meeting with key MPs of the old right, saying he had positive discussions with his colleagues.

His decision comes after former Labor minister Mark McGowan today said he would not challenge Mr Ripper for the leadership, preferring to hold off at this stage and keep the embattled party united.

"I didn’t know about the move (to get rid of Mr Ripper) and don’t think the process has been well handled,’’ Mr McGowan said.

"And accordingly, I will not be a candidate.

"I think Colin Barnett runs a harsh and uncaring government and I think he is deceitful – but we have to be unified.’’

Asked if Mr Ripper would lead Labor to the next election, Mr McGowan said: "Eric is doing a good job in difficult circumstances and Ben is a fine, brilliant member of Parliament."

As first revealed on PerthNow, Pilbara MLA Tom Stephens is pushing for a vote on the leadership when Labor MPs gather in Cervantes for a strategy meeting on February 10.

Mr McGowan would not say whether he would support Mr Wyatt for the leadership - if a vote was taken.

"I am not going to speculate who I would support if there was a spill,’’ he said.

"You’d have to ask Ben what his intentions are.’’

- with David Prestipino and Joe Spagnolo

source (http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/mark-mcgowan-wont-challenge-eric-ripper-for-alp-leadership/story-e6frg14c-1225982530230)

It's too soon after The Disappointment, if its not Alannah, it's not very interesting.

i dont know much about Ben Wyatt except that he sided with the nimnys for the red castle redevelopment and the proposed towers next to burswood traino.

meh

Source (http://watoday.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/units-not-crucial-for-good-public-transport-study-finds-20110105-19feq.html)


Units not crucial for good public transport, study finds Andrew West
January 5, 2011

Residents of Australia's outer suburbs do not have to wait for higher housing densities before getting better public transport, according to new research, which could defuse one of urban planning's biggest controversies.

In a paper for the journal Australian Planner, Dr John Stone of the University of Melbourne and Dr Paul Mees of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology say many city dwellers have been presented with a false choice: live in apartments and enjoy good public transport or retain the house and land and rely on cars.

''Many planners, and other commentators on urban issues, appear to believe that getting significantly more people on public transport will not be possible until massive changes in suburban densities are achieved,'' they write. ''The evidence challenges this view.''

Their study, part of a collection being prepared for the Council of Australian Governments on the dangers of relying on diminishing oil supplies, finds that cities with densities comparable to those of Sydney and Melbourne, such as Toronto and Ottawa in Canada, and greater New York, have better public transport than Australia's two biggest cities.

While greater New York, not just the skyscraper-dominated Manhattan, has 20.5 people to the hectare, Sydney has 20.4 people. Melbourne, with 15.7 people, has only slightly lower density than Ottawa, with 17.2 people.

Their research compares public transport in similar North American cities, and some European cities, such as suburban Zurich in Switzerland, and not in the extremely dense cities of Asia, such as Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Dr Mees told the Herald that higher densities did not always mean better mass transit. He cited the relatively low rail and bus patronage in Los Angeles, even though it is the most densely populated city in the US.

''There is no doubt that a compact and connected urban form enhances the potential for oil-free mobility through walking, cycling, and greater public transport use,'' the authors write.

''Therefore, some localised intensification of residential development - achieved through an inclusive democratic process and with appropriate controls on the quality of design and construction - and, perhaps more important, concentration of employment and other trip destinations, are necessary objectives for urban planners responding to oil vulnerability.

''However, we … argue that it is not necessary to intensify land-use across the whole city before significant improvement in both patronage and economic efficiency of public transport becomes possible.''

The keys to increasing public transport use in outer suburbs are: more frequent buses, running at least every 10-15 minutes, and not just in peak hours; better co-ordination with rail services; more convenient transfers; and fares that allow free transfers between modes.

The authors say most residents of Australian cities ''will continue to live in houses and suburban subdivisions that are already built. Alternatives to the car will need to be effective at existing urban residential densities.''

They continue: ''The proven effectiveness of modern approaches to public transport service design in low-density suburbs offers a way to break the politicised stand-off between supporters of urban consolidation and residents who choose to live in a detached house on a suburban block.''

a friend of mine's dad is a labour MP.. i will attempt to get some kind of scoop.

from wikipedia

"Early life and education

Wyatt is the son of Cedric Wyatt, a former public servant and political aspirant who was a member of the Stolen Generations. He is a cousin of Ken Wyatt, a Liberal member of the House of Representatives.[1]

Like his father he attended Aquinas College, Perth.[2] Wyatt graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1996 with a Bachelor of Laws. While studying he briefly worked in a liquor store.

He later attended the London School of Economics where he completed a Masters Degree in Comparative Politics."

Seems more conservative than left.. his cousin is a lib.. hmm

To be fair if all you've got is a hammer smash emoticon you don;t seem to have an argument against the policy.

Serious argument on SSC? Why bother ;) ? The hammer was for the bolded bit, the old standby of schools and hospitals.

More seriously, compliance costs > tax income makes it a no brainer. I feel for Brits, they have to pay VAT on anything more than £40.

The hammer was for the bolded bit, the old standby of schools and hospitals.


I guess Bob has just realised the buzz words that make voters tick in this country! "Well I never considered voting greens before, but then I heard Bob Brown say Schools and Hospitals..."

Serious argument on SSC? Why bother ;) ? The hammer was for the bolded bit, the old standby of schools and hospitals.

More seriously, compliance costs > tax income makes it a no brainer. I feel for Brits, they have to pay VAT on anything more than £40.

pretty sure they pay VAT on everything, i buy vinyl from a UK record store, and all include VAT (accept me of course because i'm not in the UK)

Source (http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/m-kings-park-makeover-for-chogm/story-e6frg13u-1225983049360)


FRASER'S complex in Kings Park will have a $9 million overhaul to cater for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/01/06/1225983/101220-kings-park.jpg

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/01/06/1225983/099374-kings-park.jpg

As revealed on PerthNow in November, the venue will be used to host CHOGM discussions, which will be held from October 28 -30 and involves 3000 delegates from 53 nations.

Fraser's will be used for the Leaders’ Retreat, which will be chaired by Ms Gillard and provides Government leaders with the chance to talk frankly among themselves.

Once completed, the overhauled Fraser’s will be able to cater for up to 750 people at a cocktail function and more than 500 seated for a meal.

A new outdoor seating area would be built in front of the adjacent Botanical Cafe, providing alfresco dining and BYO service and the historic floral clock would be updated and relocated closer to the State’s botanic garden.

The expansion of the facility for the Leaders’ Retreat would involve replacing the temporary marquee, which had been sitting on top of the complex for the last 10 years, with a permanent high-quality facility able to host big receptions and dinners suitable for government, corporate and community events, including weddings.

Premier Colin Barnett joined Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Kings Park this morning to announce the retreat location.

Mr Barnett called the Leaders’ Retreat the centrepiece for CHOGM .

The expansion of the facility for the Leaders’ Retreat would involve replacing the temporary marquee, which had been sitting on top of the complex for the last 10 years, with a permanent high-quality facility able to host big receptions and dinners suitable for government, corporate and community events, including weddings.

“This expansion of Government-owned facilities in Kings Park will create a lasting legacy of this historic event and will become a long-term asset for the community of Perth and the people of Western Australia,” Mr Barnett said.

“It’s in this location that the bulk of discussions between the 53 heads of Government take place,” Mr Barnett said.

“The leaders of the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia and Canada will be among those invited to come to Perth.

“The Western Australian Government has been working closely with the Federal Government’s CHOGM 2011 Taskforce to identify a venue that offers a retreat atmosphere and truly showcases Perth and Western Australia.”

The retreat venue must satisfy a strict set of criteria, in particular space requirements, and proximity to accommodation and the main meeting venue at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.

“With leaders from more than 50 nations visiting Perth, including some of our major trading partners, it is important we offer them a truly memorable meeting experience,” Mr Barnett said.

The facility will be built well in advance of the October meeting and the budget for all the Kings Park works is expected to be less than $9million.

Mr Barnett also announced today public transport would be free for all travellers on the Transperth network on Friday, October 28, 2011 to enable interested people to participate in celebrations.

The State Government was planning a number of artistic, cultural and sporting events to coincide with CHOGM 2011, which would be the biggest international event to be held in Perth for many years.

The Premier announced previously the date of the Queen's Birthday Holiday would move from October 3 to October 28 to minimise any potential disruption caused by hosting CHOGM 2011.

“There will be a number of activities happening in the Perth CBD on this day, in particular the Perth Cultural Centre, in which the public can get involved, and shopping malls in the Perth CBD will be open for people to enjoy public holiday trading,” he said.

“We hope the community will take up this opportunity to participate in a celebration of the Commonwealth because CHOGM is about much more than simply a meeting of leaders.”

CHOGM 2011 will be held from October 28-30, 2011. It will attract more than 4,000 people to Western Australia, resulting in an estimated direct economic impact of $42.5million additional expenditure in the State from visitor spending and spending by the Federal Government on venues, accommodation, security, dinners and receptions.

For more information visit the CHOGM 2011 website: http://www.chogm2011.org


Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8604767/kings-park-gets-9m-overhaul/)

Kings Park gets $9m overhaul
BEATRICE THOMAS, The West Australian January 6, 2011, 11:40 am

The Fraser's Restaurant complex and surrounding area at Kings Park will be upgraded at a cost of $9m to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth later this year.

The complex will be transformed into a leaders' retreat under changes announced today by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Premier Colin Barnett.

But the Premier also revealed concerns about the ability of Perth airport and the city's hotels to cope with the event.

The Kings Park overhaul includes replacing the "temporary" marquee that has been on top of the Fraser's complex for the past 10 years with a permanent, high-quality facility able to host big receptions and dinners.

The upgrade also includes an outdoor seating area to be built in front of the botanical cafe.

The floral clock will be updated and relocated to an area closer to the botanical gardens.

Mr Barnett said he did not know how long the upgrade would take. It was expected to start in March or April. He confirmed it would affect "a relatively small number of weddings and corporate bookings".

He said Fraser's management was talking to people who had bookings and offering alternative venues.

The new upper deck would be built off-site and transported to Fraser's to reduce disruption.

Mr Barnett also revealed that several of the leaders' planes will have to be parked at other airports, including north of Perth and Adelaide and Darwin because Perth airport was not big enough to handle the number of aircraft expected.

The Government is looking at providing a contingency of 300 rooms over and above the number of rooms we know will be required for CHOGM delegates.

He said the leaders' retreat was the centrepiece of CHOGM. It would be the location for most discussions between the 53 heads of Government.

"The retreat is chaired by the leader of the host nation and provides leaders with the opportunity for frank or informal discussions," he said.

“The leaders of the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia and Canada will be among those invited to come to Perth."

Once completed, the new premises will cater for up to 750 people at a cocktail function and more than 500 seated for a meal.

Mr Barnett also announced today public transport would be free for all travellers on the Transperth network on Friday, October 28, 2011 to enable interested people to participate in celebrations.

The State Government was planning a number of artistic, cultural and sporting events to coincide with CHOGM 2011, which would be the biggest international event to be held in Perth for many years.

The Premier announced previously the date of the Queen's Birthday Holiday would move from October 3 to October 28 to minimise any potential disruption caused by hosting CHOGM 2011.

The Kings Park upgrade is the latest revamp for Perth in the lead up to CHOGM from October 28 to 30.

Last month it emerged Government House is set for a $2.2 million spruce-up in case the Queen attends the meeting in her first trip to Perth since her Silver Jubilee in 1977.

The 147-year-old vice-regal residence is expected to host a series of prominent CHOGM events, including an official royal banquet and a garden party for the leaders of the 54 Commonwealth nations.

While Buckingham Palace has made no announcements about a royal visit, the Queen has customarily attended past CHOGM meetings including 2009’s in Trinidad and Tobago and the 2007 event in Uganda.

What a load of wank, but the good thing to come out of it is projects like these.

We don't pay VAT on everything Perthy, but there aren't as many VAT exempt items as in Aus.

who are the architects for tha fraser's upgrade?

pretty sure they pay VAT on everything, i buy vinyl from a UK record store, and all include VAT (accept me of course because i'm not in the UK)

Oops, I meant when importing from outside the EU.

We don't pay VAT on everything Perthy, but there aren't as many VAT exempt items as in Aus.

ah ok, well considering most vinyl i buy are 5-15 pounds, and even the 5 pound ones have VAT for UK residents, it must be on most things?

Ben Wyatt withdraws his leadership candidacy.

I'm not to sure whether I'm happy or disappointed about the whole situation. I'm more supportive of Wyatt than but I'm unsure whether this was the right time to change leaders.

Funny old Mr Harvey on the TV just now explaining that he wants GST on imports because it is the right thing to do, not because it would help his business. He just sells beds and wardrobes, he reckons, and it doesn't make any difference to him. Hmm I must have just dreamed about all those cameras and other small electrical items.

Funny old Mr Harvey on the TV just now explaining that he wants GST on imports because it is the right thing to do, not because it would help his business. He just sells beds and wardrobes, he reckons, and it doesn't make any difference to him. Hmm I must have just dreamed about all those cameras and other small electrical items.

His is claiming it's about helping Australian's and Australia retailers (smaller retailers).

Yet he has spent decades swallowing up smaller retail chains and driving them out of business and has (along with most major retail chains) snubbed Australian manufacturers and headed overseas to buy cheaper products to on-sell in Australia.

Sounds incredibly hypocritical to me.

His is claiming it's about helping Australian's and Australia retailers (smaller retailers).

Yet he has spent decades swallowing up smaller retail chains and driving them out of business and has (along with most major retail chains) snubbed Australian manufacturers and headed overseas to buy cheaper products to on-sell in Australia.

Sounds incredibly hypocritical to me.

Its unbelievable hey. I have no idea how people like him can say what he does with a straight face and sleep at night.

Him and Nate should be hanging out together. :)

Their argument of protecting Australian retail jobs is complete trash. If they were serious about Australian jobs they'd be supporting Australian producers and manufacturers by buying their products.

Well it's not that simple. I know people love to have a go at the old man but business reality is somewhat different. If he just sold products from Aus manufacturers he'd be non competitive and out of business in no time. And he is employing a LOT of Australians.
I'm not defending him as I really have no basis for knowing whether online purchases are 'hurting' Aus jobs but his argument is not totally hypocritical.

Well it's not that simple. I know people love to have a go at the old man but business reality is somewhat different. If he just sold products from Aus manufacturers he'd be non competitive and out of business in no time. And he is employing a LOT of Australians.
I'm not defending him as I really have no basis for knowing whether online purchases are 'hurting' Aus jobs but he's argument is not totally hypocritical.

I agree, I just find it funny that he seems to think that HN don't sell stuff that people buy online.

haha yeah they sell $200 cables which I buy online for $4.95. GST is not even remotely a factor.

haha yeah they sell $200 cables which I buy online for $4.95. GST is not even remotely a factor.

Classic example (which I think someone mentioned the other day)... HDMI cables, common (if not soon to be) in most households retailing for $60-150 at Harvey Norman, JB Hifi, Myer etc.

Can be purchased online for $6-$20 + postage.

I'm a bit sceptical as to why this has become such an issues now that we've seen a few more major online retailers pop-up. I mean, Amazon has been selling books online for the better part of the decade. Granted, when you consider shipping, individual books aren't that much cheaper online than they are to buy at a book store.

HN always wank on about the aussie job angle,I didnt even know they were part of an international conglomerate until I heard one of their in your face annoying radio adverts on a bus in Ireland. sounded exactly the same as the ads they use in perth! dont know how that brashness fares with the irish consumer

I've a friend that was a sales representative for Sony for years. I remember her saying repeatedly that the markup on electronics in retail was tiny, because of the competition. I suppose they have a massive markup on incidentals to try and recoup. It's neither here nor there, but Gerry Harvey was the only person in the industry she had anything nice to say about.

Classic example (which I think someone mentioned the other day)... HDMI cables, common (if not soon to be) in most households retailing for $60-150 at Harvey Norman, JB Hifi, Myer etc.

Can be purchased online for $6-$20 + postage.

I'm a bit sceptical as to why this has become such an issues now that we've seen a few more major online retailers pop-up. I mean, Amazon has been selling books online for the better part of the decade. Granted, when you consider shipping, individual books aren't that much cheaper online than they are to buy at a book store.

And thats the key - the book stores had to start competing with the Internet = win for consumers.

I've a friend that was a sales representative for Sony for years. I remember her saying repeatedly that the markup on electronics in retail was tiny, because of the competition. I suppose they have a massive markup on incidentals to try and recoup. It's neither here nor there, but Gerry Harvey was the only person in the industry she had anything nice to say about.

Sorry but you've been had Kelli. The mark up on most electronic items is astronomical. We're talking 30% on average ABOVE total cost of the item (including shipping and stuff). You can very easily knock 20% of a TV and the sales staff won't bat an eyelid.

The only electronic consumer item that doesn't make much money is computers and game consoles. A lot more competition in the computer market and game consoles have been a rip off for retailers for years.
Thats hy they try to sell that $200 HDMI cable for your PS3 or that extended warranty for $150 (which is actually worth about $20 to them).

Trying to recoup THEIR low margin/loss by ripping YOU off.

Yeah I know, I sound like an ad for Today Tonight. But it is all true. Gotta be smart with your electronics buying or you'll get ripped off an prop up the franchisees of Harvey Norman who take home 200k+ a year - yeah seriously, for running a retail store that has all the hard work taken care of for you. And the different sections are franchised - like computers is one franchisee and electronics is another.

I could go on...............:)

Congrats ryan, that is the most ignorant post ive read in quite a while and well worthy of perfy.

Firstly 30% mark up is not astronomical, have you considered the high wages and rents that have to come out of that 30% too?

All the hard work done for you? Really? Why dont you run one then since it is so easy? You have to stump up a fair bit of cash as well as personal guarantees, ie if the store fails you could go bankrupt, lose your house etc. Not all stores make a lot of money and it sure as hell isnt as easy as you make it out to be. You dont think that pressure and risk should be rewarded?

Im quite mixed on the whole gst debate for imports but some oF the vitriol has been oustanding, especially from some posters who would scoff at others doing the very same thing on another subject. I do agree that some priced for things like hdmi cables are completely ridiculous btw but your post was too nonsensical in parts to ignore.

By all means disagree with his POV, just be reasonable

Classic example (which I think someone mentioned the other day)... HDMI cables, common (if not soon to be) in most households retailing for $60-150 at Harvey Norman, JB Hifi, Myer etc.

Can be purchased online for $6-$20 + postage.

I'm a bit sceptical as to why this has become such an issues now that we've seen a few more major online retailers pop-up. I mean, Amazon has been selling books online for the better part of the decade. Granted, when you consider shipping, individual books aren't that much cheaper online than they are to buy at a book store.

Just to be clear... the HDMI rort is a different issue entirely. In ye olden days, things like gold plated connectors, high quality copper connections etc actually made some difference in picture quality. These cost more so people associated higher price = better picture.

In the digital age, it doesn't matter in what condition the signal gets to the device as long as it gets there. So cheap-ass cables can be used instead.

I'm thinking you weren't looking at the same manufacturers online as in HN, JBs etc. because that's what really makes the difference in price. You can get cheap cables in Perth too, I'd recommend computer shops, they generally have the cheap (no name)brands.

Sorry but you've been had Kelli. The mark up on most electronic items is astronomical. We're talking 30% on average ABOVE total cost of the item (including shipping and stuff). You can very easily knock 20% of a TV and the sales staff won't bat an eyelid.

The only electronic consumer item that doesn't make much money is computers and game consoles. A lot more competition in the computer market and game consoles have been a rip off for retailers for years.
Thats hy they try to sell that $200 HDMI cable for your PS3 or that extended warranty for $150 (which is actually worth about $20 to them).

Trying to recoup THEIR low margin/loss by ripping YOU off.

Yeah I know, I sound like an ad for Today Tonight. But it is all true. Gotta be smart with your electronics buying or you'll get ripped off an prop up the franchisees of Harvey Norman who take home 200k+ a year - yeah seriously, for running a retail store that has all the hard work taken care of for you. And the different sections are franchised - like computers is one franchisee and electronics is another.

I could go on...............:)


:). You looking for a fight biatch!? Cables = incidentals in my post. I'm not silly when it comes to shopping, I've too much scotch-woman in me for my own good as it is, don't encourage!

30% is actually not much (take a 'theoretical' situation of someone in consulting being paid $40 per hour but being charged out at $170 per hour). Two and a half times mark up is a standard indicative margin for a business when you are hiring people and leasing premises, not sure if it's different for sales though as opposed to services. They'd have to move an awful lot of stock at 30% to survive though.

Just to be clear... the HDMI rort is a different issue entirely. In ye olden days, things like gold plated connectors, high quality copper connections etc actually made some difference in picture quality. These cost more so people associated higher price = better picture.


I have one to connect my computer to the TV. Other people I known own one because they own a Blue-Ray/DVD player that only comes with a cable that allows you to play at DVD quality, not 1080pi, or any blue-ray disks for that matter. The fact the player didn't come with the appropriate cables is a bit of a scam in itself, let alone the massive mark up when purchasing at the larger department stores.

Many types of retail work on a 100% markup at least (clothing etc).

Fashion accessories, well, the sky is the limit 1000% or more.

Speaking to a retailer (no not me!) about importing some fashion goods sourced from SE Asia, and selling them in Northbridge, she has calculated that she needs a 500% (five times the cost price) to break even, when all expenses are taken into account.

It really depends on the item and industry. The fact is, if you want to sell a book, a video game, a TV, or an item that is available at THOUSANDS of other retailers, your margins will be smaller. Supply and demand.

Also, I agree with everybody, Harvey Norman is a cunt.

Congrats ryan, that is the most ignorant post ive read in quite a while and well worthy of perfy.

Firstly 30% mark up is not astronomical, have you considered the high wages and rents that have to come out of that 30% too?

All the hard work done for you? Really? Why dont you run one then since it is so easy? You have to stump up a fair bit of cash as well as personal guarantees, ie if the store fails you could go bankrupt, lose your house etc. Not all stores make a lot of money and it sure as hell isnt as easy as you make it out to be. You dont think that pressure and risk should be rewarded?

Im quite mixed on the whole gst debate for imports but some oF the vitriol has been oustanding, especially from some posters who would scoff at others doing the very same thing on another subject. I do agree that some priced for things like hdmi cables are completely ridiculous btw but your post was too nonsensical in parts to ignore.

By all means disagree with his POV, just be reasonable

Sanj, I know you think you always know everything about these subjects but I happen to have a lot of knowledge about how Harvey Norman work. 30% is above ALL costs pertaining to that good. On a TV worth 4k (including all costs) thats $1200 pure profit for them. They work out a cost price for items where they will break even and then add 30%. Thats ridiculous to me, especially if your trying to be competitive.

As an example in the computer industry profit margins are razor thin, mostly less than 10% often less than 5%. Yet those companies can survive.

Secondly, all the customers, advertising, logistics is all taken care of. Its just really being a manager of a shop. Yes there is pressure/risk but not as bad as you make it out. And no, they don't stump up any cash whatsoever. Harvey Norman choses their franchisees and GIVES them the franchise. Thats how they work. I understand some franchise structures are different and require upfront investment.

So sanj, I'm basically calling you a cunt. No offense mate but your not always right and some other opinions/knowledge may actually count.

edit - sorry that probably comes across as really harsh but your trying to make it sound like I have no idea and I do - at least Harvey Norman anyway. Theres reasons I loathe them and love them.

:). You looking for a fight biatch!? Cables = incidentals in my post. I'm not silly when it comes to shopping, I've too much scotch-woman in me for my own good as it is, don't encourage!

30% is actually not much (take a 'theoretical' situation of someone in consulting being paid $40 per hour but being charged out at $170 per hour). Two and a half times mark up is a standard indicative margin for a business when you are hiring people and leasing premises, not sure if it's different for sales though as opposed to services. They'd have to move an awful lot of stock at 30% to survive though.

I'm always looking for a fight :)

Again its on top of costs as I said before. A consultant at $40 an hour is most likely costing $120 an hour. If you can charge them out for $170 you'd be doing really well.

In IT its more likely a $40 an hour resource will be charge at $140, cost $120 (not including ongoing training costs).

Many types of retail work on a 100% markup at least (clothing etc).

Fashion accessories, well, the sky is the limit 1000% or more.

Speaking to a retailer (no not me!) about importing some fashion goods sourced from SE Asia, and selling them in Northbridge, she has calculated that she needs a 500% (five times the cost price) to break even, when all expenses are taken into account.

It really depends on the item and industry. The fact is, if you want to sell a book, a video game, a TV, or an item that is available at THOUSANDS of other retailers, your margins will be smaller. Supply and demand.

Also, I agree with everybody, Harvey Norman is a cunt.

Fashion and art are two of the exceptions to the usual retail rules. Art especially. A piece of canvas, some wood and some paint can be worth several thousand times its actualy cost if its painted by a well marketed person.

:lol: Look who I'm telling this too.

Ryan 30% gross margins are not excessive. Even costco which is reknowned for being cheap make a flat 25% gross. It would be impossible for them to survive if they only made 10% maz like computer stores, the business model is entirely different.

Btw i probably could have been less dimissive in my post, c**t comment is a fair one here

Also agree wth everyone that it is high time a lot of our retailers lifted their gamei

Ryan 30% gross margins are not excessive. Even costco which is reknowned for being cheap make a flat 25% gross. It would be impossible for them to survive if they only made 10% maz like computer stores, the business model is entirely different.

Btw i probably could have been less dimissive in my post, c**t comment is a fair one here

Also agree wth everyone that it is high time a lot of our retailers lifted their gamei

Maybe it doesn't seem excessive but it is when your competitors are selling the same goods 20%+ cheaper.

Still, plenty of dumbshit bogans to pay full price out there - Gerry should have shut his mouth. The bogans might learn to use the internet now. More cash for piss and ciggies.

Still, plenty of dumbshit bogans to pay full price out there - Gerry should have shut his mouth. The bogans might learn to use the internet now. More cash for piss and ciggies.

It seems all this campaign has done is draw more attention to online shopping. These big retailers have effectively come out and said online shopping is so cheap we're struggling to compete. Let the rabbit out of the hat a bit. Massive fail IMO. They should have taken a completely different angle.

It seems all this campaign has done is draw more attention to online shopping. These big retailers have effectively come out and said online shopping is so cheap we're struggling to compete. Let the rabbit out of the hat a bit. Massive fail IMO. They should have taken a completely different angle.

Agreed. Probably don't deserve to be in business with major fail tactics like that.

On the topic of bad service, has anybody here ever purchased (or at least tried to purchase) a pair of shoes from the Myer Perth City store?

So sanj, I'm basically calling you a cunt. No offense mate but your not always right and some other opinions/knowledge may actually count.



oh ryan :cheers:

On the topic of bad service, has anybody here ever purchased (or at least tried to purchase) a pair of shoes from the Myer Perth City store?

Myers in general are just apalling. I did get great service one day from a guy who looked like Dilaz. But I was lining up to buy something and as soon as I got to the counter the bitch behind the counter said to the other bitch behind the counter "I'm going for lunch now". Didn't say a word to me and just stormed off.

It would take her 2 minutes to serve me. I was the last customer in line and the other chick was busy with Indians who couldn't speak English complaining about something so it took ages.

Thats just the tip of the iceberg though. The amount of times I have bought something from Myers or others like it and they treat you like you the biggest incovenience for them. Like its so hard to type a few numbers, put an item in a bag and give me my reciept. Takes a matter of 5 minutes if that. Its shameful these people even get paid.

oh ryan :cheers:

:lol: It sounds really harsh in isolation and it wasn't meant to be that harsh.

i've never shopped at harvey normans... and will continue to do my part to stop others getting jobs there...