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2M views 10K replies 295 participants last post by  Damijanic91 
#1 · (Edited)
#41 ·
#44 ·
Yes, the YMCA had the contract to run it, but they pretty much just ran it down. It was a handy, cheap hall though, that was used for everything from old people's bridge, gay badminton, karate, and lesbian laughing groups. All new recreation centres' fees are nearly as expensive as a Fitness First club.
 
#47 ·
Yes, you saw through my attempt at humour. But on a serious side - what is the problem in finding a new venue? Cost or do the various venues get a bit worried about the local ******** complaining about it?
 
#51 ·
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/liberals-foundation-promise-in-tatters-20090717-do0b.html?page=-1

Liberals' foundation promise in tatters
Chalpat Sonti
July 20, 2009 - 6:54AM

It was the promise that changed governments. But it is now set to be broken.

The removal of a controversial restriction in the Swan Valley suburb of Ellenbrook is no closer to happening, despite political pressure and expressions of confidence by Government MPs.

Established in 2002, as part of the development of the suburb's main shopping centre, named "The Shops", the restrictive covenant bans about 60 types of retail premises from opening up in Ellenbrook.

It has been enforced by The Shops' owner, the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. While parts of the covenant expire in the next few years, it will remain in some form until 2018.

Owners of commercial properties in Ellenbrook have been fighting to get rid of the covenant for some years, and about a year ago enlisted the help of City of Swan councillor Frank Alban.

Mr Alban won Liberal preselection for the state seat of Swan Hills, and narrowly won the seat in an upset result on the back of a massive swing in Ellenbrook, as residents angry with having to travel to Morley or Midland to buy basic items expressed their annoyance at the ballot box.

While most media attention on the area has focused on the promise by both sides of politics to build a railway line to the suburb, both Mr Alban and Labor acknowledge the victory was because the Liberals promised to overturn the covenant.

Had Labor retained the seat, it would have held power. In desperation, with polling showing it that it was losing its grip on Swan Hills, it asked ICWA if there was any way the covenant could be removed, and was told there was not.

Mr Alban, Mr Barnett and other Liberal figures have tried since the election to find a way to remove the covenant, but their efforts have come to nothing.

Mr Barnett met ICWA managing director Vic Evans last week and asked him to ask the board of the state insurer whether they could find a way to at least bring the expiry date of the covenant forward.

But Mr Evans told WAtoday.com.au that while he would put Mr Barnett's request to the board, it was unlikely to be granted.

"There's grave doubts about whether we could remove it if we wanted to," Mr Evans said.

"If there are some people who object to us doing it (such as existing tenants at The Shops) we couldn't do it. We'd be open to litigation. We're just trying to get on with what we're trying to do. After that if (people are) still disgruntled, I don't know what else we can do."

Mr Barnett had not tried to direct the ICWA board to do anything, Mr Evans said.

That leaves the Government with just one way to remove the covenant, through an Act of Parliament. However, it is unlikely to open itself up to accusations of interfering with the decisions of an independently-appointed board.

"If the Parliament decided to legislate or whatever, I don't know what they can do or even (the City of Swan) can do," Mr Evans said.

He was disappointed in comments from Mr Alban, who told WAtoday.com.au that Mr Evans "had no heart" by refusing to budge.

"I've tried to think of ways to give him a way out of this, but until (the covenant) comes to a conclusion this isn't as easy as he thinks it is."

Mr Evans also hit back at critics of the covenant, saying it was the only way retailing in the suburb would continue to be developed.

Construction of the second stage of The Shops is going out to tender. It was envisaged there would be about 60 specialty shops, while Woolworths-owned Big W and either Coles or IGA would also be included. Woolworths is the major tenant of The Shops at present.

"All the feedback I've been getting is no one else would be building the second stage now. With the number of speciality shops it's also high risk, and the returns are not going to be too crash hot for the next two years or so.

"But we don't have to service debt either."

He was also prepared to meet with anyone with concerns about the covenant, and had toyed with holding some sort of public forums at The Shops.

Several landowners have been angered at receiving letters from ICWA's lawyers advising them the proposed use of their land could breach the covenant, but Mr Evans said ICWA was prepared to negotiate solutions.

Two recent examples were for development on prominent property developer Joe Passione's Main Street project. A Dome coffee shop and toy shop, which both appeared to breach the covenant in their original form, were allowed to proceed once plans were modified.

"Those letters are more an awareness thing. What happens after that is basically up to us, whether we take out an injunction or whatever. But we're not a prosecutor. That's why our preference is to try to work through with these people."
 
#53 ·
Perth Police Complex

Perth Police Complex

July 13


This demolition site is the beginning of works on the $113 million Perth Police Complex in Northbridge.

The 15,600sqm, five-storey building with car park basement will be located on the corner of Roe, Fitzgerald and James streets. When complete, it will accommodate about 500 police officers and staff.

The Project Manager for the Department of Treasury and Finance’s Building Management and Works business, Brian Smyth, said the facility would consist of the Perth Watch House, Magistrate’s Court and Perth Police Centre, which is comprised of the Perth Police Station and Central Metropolitan District Office.

“The new complex will co-locate previously fragmented units into a state of the art building, which also addresses the shortcomings of the existing Perth Watch House,” Brian said.

“It will support frontline best practice policing to meet the current and future needs of the Perth Central Business District and Northbridge community and has been designed to accommodate approximately 500 police officers and police staff.”

Construction of the Perth Police Complex is expected to begin mid 2010, with completion scheduled for mid 2012.
 
#66 ·
that's is true however in the scheme of things, large areas of the city particularly the inner north from cambridge to bayswater have not really changed at all. Old industrial lands will always be the first areas to be redeveloped as land is easy to acquire among other reasons.
 
#75 ·
OMG that design is hideous - so mid-late 90's. A horrific combination of the Tuscan-style project home and glassy suburban office park.

Get with the program City of Bayswater; Australia has moved on to contemporary, environmentally conscious architecture for new public buildings (for the moment at least). If that thing is green-star rated (which I thought was now a requirement of new government funded buildings?) I'd be shocked.
 
#74 ·
Sorry Skyline Art, I was a bit excitable in that post. Though the only quality project i have seen for maylands is the Match building on 8th ave.

speaking of that building, $365k seems quite reasonable for a one bedroom apartment of that quality and in that location?? The train station is 50m away.
 
#76 ·
This week's Stirling Times:

p5 said:
Tunnel vision doubted
By CHRIS ROBINSON

A 2.5KM tunnel joining Mitchell Freeway with Jon Sanders Drive is part of the long-term transport plan for the Stirling City Centre project, according to a new report.

A Metropolitan Scheme Amendment report, which was released last month, outlines the Stirling City Centre Alliance's preferred long-term transport solution for the area, encompassing the suburbs of Stirling, In-naloo, Osborne Park, Woodlands, and Churchlands.

Stirling Mayor David Boothman said he had doubts over the viability of a tunnel for the area.

"I don't think it would ever be needed," he said.

"I think people who live in that area would be against it, and I would hope we could come up with solutions that would preclude having to do anything of that nature."

The transport plan was drafted collaboratively by a number of bodies including the City of Stirling, Main Roads, WA Planning Commission (WAPC), and community and industry stakeholders.

In the short-term, the amendment proposes the rezoning of Stephenson Reserve to City Centre zone, which would allow for the construction of a four-lane road along the Stephenson Highway route.

The amendment will be subject to community feedback and all levels of government.

Stirling Alliance project director Nanette Pitts said the plan was designed to cater for long-term regional transport flow while also addressing traffic concerns in the local area.

"The Long-Term Transport Solution will form part of the final structure plan for the area,
which will be released later in the year," she said.

"The plan includes provision for a tunnel under the City, which could connect the future Stephenson Highway south of the City to the Mitchell Freeway.

"The public will have an opportunity to comment on the structure plan when it is released."

Ms Pitts said while the plan reflected the views of the Alliance, it had not been endorsed by the City of Stirling.
p6 said:
City unites on vision for centre

THE City of Stirling's Festival of Ideas community forum began last week, with the public having their say on the new Stirling City Centre project.

The forum involved a series of workshops and discussion sessions aimed at stimulating community and local business feedback on all aspects of the project.

German landscape architect Herbert Dreiseitl was a special guest at the festival, sharing his knowledge of innovative water management approaches for the new centre.

Mr Dreiseitl said he was pleased to have a chance to help shape the future of the area.

"It is a great opportunity for a city to create its future with local and international experts, but even more by integrating the public and stakeholders to create a common vision for the future," he said.

He said one of the main focuses of the forum was integrating the environment into the city's design.

"The city centre needs to reconnect with the environment, by better water management, attractive open space integrated with water systems, and pedestrian and bike connections," he said.
p6 said:
Frustration at red tape

STIRLING Mayor David Booth-man has expressed his frustration at restrictions preventing local governments from taking action on businesses of community concern.

Speaking about the recent examples of the Bikini Girls massage parlour in Innaloo and Scarborough's derelict Surfside building, Cr Boothman said the City's authority was limited.

"We do get hampered by the processes of legislation and regulations that we have to comply with," he said.

"There are rules and regulations to control activities that happen in communities, and you would like to be able to deal with them quickly and efficiently.

"It concerns you sometimes when people start criticising the council for not taking action, but we are subject to laws of the State and have got to make sure what we do is justified and gets the proper result.

"We're not an enforcement agency like the police, where we can forcibly close places."

His comments come in the wake of the closure of the Bikini Girls parlour, which was able to operate for two months without council approval before ceasing operations a fortnight ago .

Cr Boothman admitted the drawn-out situation was "not good for local residents" and Council was looking at ways to be able to deal with similar situations more effectively.

"I'll speak with our compliance officers and look at local governments across Australia and see if there is a better way we can resolve issues and sort things out more efficiently," he said.
 
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