Calls for traffic calming after baby's death

as posted on ABCNews


Residents on a street in the Perth suburb of Thornlie, where a baby was killed on Friday, will sign a petition calling for the road to be made safer.

The 11-month-old girl was being pushed in a stroller by her mother when they were hit by a car which careered out of control after clipping another vehicle at high speed.

The baby girl died at the scene from head injuries.

The 24-year-old driver will appear in court next week on charges of dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Resident Ray Lapham says people are constantly speeding on the street and he will be collecting signatures and calling on Gosnells Council to improve safety.

"[We need] another roundabout or the odd speed bump, more police presence, or even a radar up on one of these poles, or a permanent radar," he said.

"Maybe something might get done eventually."

Gosnells Mayor Olwen Searle says council will consider any petition it receives, but denies there is a problem with hoons in the area.

"No more than other municipality anywhere in the metropolitan area," she said.

"I would think there is just as much, no more no less, than what everyone else has to endure."



as posted on ABCNews

D'Orazio's rail plan for Perth

as posted on WABusinessNews


Newly rejoined Labor backbencher John D'Orazio has put forward a plan for a new passenger rail line in Perth's northern and eastern suburbs, which would link up with the existing train network.

In a letter to the City of Stirling, the member for Ballajura outlined his plan for a circle route running from the intersection of Reid Highway and Mitchell Freeway along Reid and Tonkin highways, to Gosnells Station on the Armadale line.

At its Tuesday night council meeting, the city voted to further investigate Mr D'Orazio's plan, although it said the new line should terminate at Stirling Station instead of a proposed site near Warwick.

The city is halfway through drafting its own 25-year transport strategy, which includes a similar circle route linking all five existing train lines, through Reid and Tonkin highways and the Fremantle to Forrestfield freight line.

Mr D'Orazio is a former WA police minister. He was forced to quit the Labor party after corruption allegations aired by the Corruption and Crime Commission but has claimed vindication since the Parliamentary Inspector of the CCC said the CCC should not have made its original findings.

He was readmitted to the Labor party despite the objection of premier Alan Carpenter. Mr D'Orazio's seat disappers in an electoral redistribution and he is known to want the new seat of Morley.




as posted on WABusinessNews