as posted here
Portions of Royal Street will be closed to all vehicles from the end of September for approximately three months to enable vital refurbishment and strengthening work on the Royal Street Bridge.
Cyclists and pedestrians will have access over the bridge throughout the refurbishment.
The works will include the replacement of the existing concrete bridge deck overlay and adjacent road slabs, an upgrade of guardrails and footpath widening.
Routine timber treatment and structural repairs will also be carried out as well as preventative maintenance and fungicide re-treatments.
Impact on motorists
It is proposed to close Royal Street between Kenwick Link and the intersection of Thornlie Avenue and Spring Road to all vehicle traffic for the duration of works. Signed detours for road users will be in place.
Please plan alternative routes and allow the necessary extra time for your journey.
Maps showing alternative routes will be available in advance of the closure.
Pedestrian and cyclist access
Pedestrians and cyclists will be provided with a temporary crossing over the Canning River at Royal Street Bridge.
Local resident access
Residents on either side of the bridge will have access to their properties at all times.
Why the bridge is being completely closed
A stronger bridge structure will be achieved if the work is done at one time rather than in two halves.
Main Roads WA have also advised that work will be completed more quickly and traffic disruption shortened by closing the bridge.
For more information call 1800 420 421.
as posted here
Friday 31 July 2009
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Experts pick best suburbs
as posted here
REAL estate experts give their top picks for Perth suburbs that first homebuyers should invest in.
Alan Hancock, chairman, Ausnet Real Estate Group
Greenfields
ONE of the more affordable suburbs in Mandurah where you can still buy older homes for under
$300,000. The suburb is near the Mandurah District Hospital. Rents in the area are also high, which means that at a later stage you can rent out the home if you
decide to upgrade to another property.
Medina
One of the cheapest places in Perth to buy a house. There is a growing selection of established threebedroom, onebathroom and twobedroom, onebathroom houses in the suburb for about
$250,000. Over the long term, property values in Medina will benefit from the major investment
planned for the Kwinana town centre.
Thornlie
An undervalued suburb next to the more expensive Canning Vale. It has a railway station providing easy access to the city centre and a high level of social infrastructure, such as schools and shops. You can buy a three-by-one house in Thornlie for under $350,000, and a four-by-one house for
under $400,000.
Midland
An established area that has a high level of social infrastructure, including a railway station. It is
undergoing a major transformation, which will make it a more attractive property market over the
coming decade. You can purchase a well-located villa or duplex in Midland for under $300,000.
Ellenbrook
A ‘‘lifestyle’’ suburb in the Swan Valley, which is growing in popularity. It also has improving social
infrastructure. Newer family homes can be bought in Ellenbrook for under $400,000. When you add up the total costs of building a new home, buying a near-new, established property in a well-designed suburb such as Ellenbrook can prove a more attractive option.
Jay Wood, director, pfr.com.au
Victoria Park/East Victoria Park
INNER-CITY areas that will soon rival Subiaco for social infrastructure, such as restaurants and cafes. Older apartments and villas can be bought for under $450,000. The suburbs have
historically delivered high rates of capital growth and can be an important stepping stone for first-home buyers wanting to climb the property ladder.
Cloverdale
An affordable near-city suburb where the median house price is just $400,000. In the past decade, the median price of a house in Cloverdale has increased on average by 13.8 per cent. The suburb has a good selection of older homes that offer redevelopment opportunities. It has a high level of social infrastructure, such as shopping, schools and good transport links to the CBD.
St James
A near-city Perth suburb where older houses on large blocks can still be bought at prices near their land value. The median price of a home in St James is just $420,000. Over the past decade, the annual price of a home in St James has increased on average by 12 per cent. It has a good level of social infrastructure, such as shops and schools, and access to the city centre.
Wembley
One of the most affordable areas in which to buy a property in the near-city area. First-home buyers on a limited budget can still purchase older-style apartments in Wembley for under
$300,000. This suburb can offer a useful stepping stone for first-home buyers into neighbouring
Subiaco. Property owners in Wembley have enjoyed annual capital growth rates of more than 12 per cent on average each year in the last decade.
Palymra
An undervalued suburb in the Fremantle area with property available for under $500,000. The
suburb is near Fremantle and has easy access to the CBD. Many first home buyers have bought in Palymra and later upgraded to neighbouring Bicton and East Fremantle. Over the past 10
years, the annual capital growth for properties in Palymra has been an impressive 12.4 per
cent.
Travis Coleman, valuations manager, Propell National Valuers
Safety Bay
YOU can still buy established houses in this coastal suburb for less than $400,000. Block sizes can be more than 800sq m. The area is undergoing urban renewal, with a major redevelopment
planned for the nearby Waikiki Hotel.
Warnbro
Another Rockingham coastal suburb that has a large selection of affordable properties for sale.
The suburb has the attraction of having a railway station nearby. Older-style homes that are not
yet renovated can be bought for near their land value. The spread of urban development in
areas farther inland, such as Baldivis, should make coastal homes in areas such as Warnbro more valuable over the longer term.
South Perth/Como
A prime inner-city location where you can still buy older townhouses and apartments for under $500,000. Historically, property owners in this area of Perth have enjoyed high levels of capital
growth. Astute investors should target older-style rental properties that appear ‘‘tired’’. These properties can be transformed by some minor improvements, such as paint and carpets.
The suburb has easy access to the city centre and a high level of social infrastructure, including schools and parks.
Greenwood
A well-established suburb in the northern coastal area where the median house price is $440,000. House prices in the area are very affordable relative to its distance to the city centre. The suburb also has the attraction of having a railway station. Block sizes are large and land values
should continue to increase as a result of urban developments to the north and east of
Greenwood.
Beldon/Heathridge
Another very affordable coastal area of Perth where the median house price is under $400,000.
Properties in these nearby suburbs have recorded high levels of capital growth over the last decade, with an annual price growth rate of over 13.1 per cent. The homes are generally on big blocks and first-home buyers should benefit from rising land values because of the scarcity of building blocks in this area of Perth.
James Limnios, chief executive, Limnios Property Group
East Perth
ASTUTE first-home buyers can buy onebedroom apartments in East Perth for under $400,000. After significant private and government investment, East Perth is now becoming a very desirable area in which to live. Social infrastructure, such as shopping, is also improving. The median price of a house in East Perth has increased 16.6 per cent on average each year over the past 10 years.
Northbridge
An inner-city area of Perth that will directly benefit from the massive new investment planned after the sinking of the railway line, which is now finally a reality after more than 40 years in the planning. There is still a large selection of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments in Northbridge for couples looking for larger, inner-city homes.
Tuart Hill
One of the more affordable near-city suburbs, which offers easy access to the city centre.
There is a good selection of established villas and townhouses in Tuart Hill for under $500,000. You can even secure a smaller villa for about $300,000. The suburb has good public transport links to the city centre and a high level of social infrastructure, such as schools and shopping. The
demand for homes in Tuart Hill is underlined by the fact that the Limnios Property Group is now achieving record prices for homes in the area.
Mt Lawley
One of the premier suburbs in Perth, which still has very affordable options for first-home buyers. Older-style two-bedroom, onebathroom apartments can be bought for about $300,000. With
cosmetic renovations, the value of these olderstyle apartments can be substantially enhanced. The median price of a house in Mt Lawley has increased by about 12 per cent on average each year over the last decade.
Maylands
A near-city suburb that also has the benefits of a pubic railway system, which residents can use to access the city centre. Maylands is also growing in popularity because of its riverside location and the growing focus on ‘‘lifestyle’’. There is a big selection of apartments and villas in Maylands
for under $500,000.
as posted here
REAL estate experts give their top picks for Perth suburbs that first homebuyers should invest in.
Alan Hancock, chairman, Ausnet Real Estate Group
Greenfields
ONE of the more affordable suburbs in Mandurah where you can still buy older homes for under
$300,000. The suburb is near the Mandurah District Hospital. Rents in the area are also high, which means that at a later stage you can rent out the home if you
decide to upgrade to another property.
Medina
One of the cheapest places in Perth to buy a house. There is a growing selection of established threebedroom, onebathroom and twobedroom, onebathroom houses in the suburb for about
$250,000. Over the long term, property values in Medina will benefit from the major investment
planned for the Kwinana town centre.
Thornlie
An undervalued suburb next to the more expensive Canning Vale. It has a railway station providing easy access to the city centre and a high level of social infrastructure, such as schools and shops. You can buy a three-by-one house in Thornlie for under $350,000, and a four-by-one house for
under $400,000.
Midland
An established area that has a high level of social infrastructure, including a railway station. It is
undergoing a major transformation, which will make it a more attractive property market over the
coming decade. You can purchase a well-located villa or duplex in Midland for under $300,000.
Ellenbrook
A ‘‘lifestyle’’ suburb in the Swan Valley, which is growing in popularity. It also has improving social
infrastructure. Newer family homes can be bought in Ellenbrook for under $400,000. When you add up the total costs of building a new home, buying a near-new, established property in a well-designed suburb such as Ellenbrook can prove a more attractive option.
Jay Wood, director, pfr.com.au
Victoria Park/East Victoria Park
INNER-CITY areas that will soon rival Subiaco for social infrastructure, such as restaurants and cafes. Older apartments and villas can be bought for under $450,000. The suburbs have
historically delivered high rates of capital growth and can be an important stepping stone for first-home buyers wanting to climb the property ladder.
Cloverdale
An affordable near-city suburb where the median house price is just $400,000. In the past decade, the median price of a house in Cloverdale has increased on average by 13.8 per cent. The suburb has a good selection of older homes that offer redevelopment opportunities. It has a high level of social infrastructure, such as shopping, schools and good transport links to the CBD.
St James
A near-city Perth suburb where older houses on large blocks can still be bought at prices near their land value. The median price of a home in St James is just $420,000. Over the past decade, the annual price of a home in St James has increased on average by 12 per cent. It has a good level of social infrastructure, such as shops and schools, and access to the city centre.
Wembley
One of the most affordable areas in which to buy a property in the near-city area. First-home buyers on a limited budget can still purchase older-style apartments in Wembley for under
$300,000. This suburb can offer a useful stepping stone for first-home buyers into neighbouring
Subiaco. Property owners in Wembley have enjoyed annual capital growth rates of more than 12 per cent on average each year in the last decade.
Palymra
An undervalued suburb in the Fremantle area with property available for under $500,000. The
suburb is near Fremantle and has easy access to the CBD. Many first home buyers have bought in Palymra and later upgraded to neighbouring Bicton and East Fremantle. Over the past 10
years, the annual capital growth for properties in Palymra has been an impressive 12.4 per
cent.
Travis Coleman, valuations manager, Propell National Valuers
Safety Bay
YOU can still buy established houses in this coastal suburb for less than $400,000. Block sizes can be more than 800sq m. The area is undergoing urban renewal, with a major redevelopment
planned for the nearby Waikiki Hotel.
Warnbro
Another Rockingham coastal suburb that has a large selection of affordable properties for sale.
The suburb has the attraction of having a railway station nearby. Older-style homes that are not
yet renovated can be bought for near their land value. The spread of urban development in
areas farther inland, such as Baldivis, should make coastal homes in areas such as Warnbro more valuable over the longer term.
South Perth/Como
A prime inner-city location where you can still buy older townhouses and apartments for under $500,000. Historically, property owners in this area of Perth have enjoyed high levels of capital
growth. Astute investors should target older-style rental properties that appear ‘‘tired’’. These properties can be transformed by some minor improvements, such as paint and carpets.
The suburb has easy access to the city centre and a high level of social infrastructure, including schools and parks.
Greenwood
A well-established suburb in the northern coastal area where the median house price is $440,000. House prices in the area are very affordable relative to its distance to the city centre. The suburb also has the attraction of having a railway station. Block sizes are large and land values
should continue to increase as a result of urban developments to the north and east of
Greenwood.
Beldon/Heathridge
Another very affordable coastal area of Perth where the median house price is under $400,000.
Properties in these nearby suburbs have recorded high levels of capital growth over the last decade, with an annual price growth rate of over 13.1 per cent. The homes are generally on big blocks and first-home buyers should benefit from rising land values because of the scarcity of building blocks in this area of Perth.
James Limnios, chief executive, Limnios Property Group
East Perth
ASTUTE first-home buyers can buy onebedroom apartments in East Perth for under $400,000. After significant private and government investment, East Perth is now becoming a very desirable area in which to live. Social infrastructure, such as shopping, is also improving. The median price of a house in East Perth has increased 16.6 per cent on average each year over the past 10 years.
Northbridge
An inner-city area of Perth that will directly benefit from the massive new investment planned after the sinking of the railway line, which is now finally a reality after more than 40 years in the planning. There is still a large selection of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments in Northbridge for couples looking for larger, inner-city homes.
Tuart Hill
One of the more affordable near-city suburbs, which offers easy access to the city centre.
There is a good selection of established villas and townhouses in Tuart Hill for under $500,000. You can even secure a smaller villa for about $300,000. The suburb has good public transport links to the city centre and a high level of social infrastructure, such as schools and shopping. The
demand for homes in Tuart Hill is underlined by the fact that the Limnios Property Group is now achieving record prices for homes in the area.
Mt Lawley
One of the premier suburbs in Perth, which still has very affordable options for first-home buyers. Older-style two-bedroom, onebathroom apartments can be bought for about $300,000. With
cosmetic renovations, the value of these olderstyle apartments can be substantially enhanced. The median price of a house in Mt Lawley has increased by about 12 per cent on average each year over the last decade.
Maylands
A near-city suburb that also has the benefits of a pubic railway system, which residents can use to access the city centre. Maylands is also growing in popularity because of its riverside location and the growing focus on ‘‘lifestyle’’. There is a big selection of apartments and villas in Maylands
for under $500,000.
as posted here
City scores top marks
as posted here
The City of Gosnells has scored top marks in an assessment carried out as part of the State Government’s Local Government Amalgamations process.
“This is great achievement for the City,” said Mayor Olwen Searle.
“The City has been assessed as falling within Category One, the highest possible under the process.
The assessment highlights a number of key strengths in the way the City is run. These included:
• Best practice approach to strategic planning
• Best practice asset and infrastructure planning
• Long term financial management planning
• A strategic approach to community engagement and consultation
• Partnerships with other levels of government
• Partnerships with other local governments to address regional issues
The City was also praised for its efforts in areas that included environmental management, attracting investment, retaining staff and planning for growth.
“This was a wide ranging assessment and to be identified as delivering to such a high level in so many areas is an excellent effort. This reflects extremely well on the efforts of Councillors and staff to deliver top class local government to our community and make our City a great place.
“This is an incredibly diverse task, ranging from services such as Meals on Wheels to major infrastructure projects and the more traditional role of making sure bins are collected.
“With some 96,000 residents to look after it is huge task for around 374 full time employees. To be recognised for undertaking it so professionally something of which we can all be proud.
as posted here
The City of Gosnells has scored top marks in an assessment carried out as part of the State Government’s Local Government Amalgamations process.
“This is great achievement for the City,” said Mayor Olwen Searle.
“The City has been assessed as falling within Category One, the highest possible under the process.
The assessment highlights a number of key strengths in the way the City is run. These included:
• Best practice approach to strategic planning
• Best practice asset and infrastructure planning
• Long term financial management planning
• A strategic approach to community engagement and consultation
• Partnerships with other levels of government
• Partnerships with other local governments to address regional issues
The City was also praised for its efforts in areas that included environmental management, attracting investment, retaining staff and planning for growth.
“This was a wide ranging assessment and to be identified as delivering to such a high level in so many areas is an excellent effort. This reflects extremely well on the efforts of Councillors and staff to deliver top class local government to our community and make our City a great place.
“This is an incredibly diverse task, ranging from services such as Meals on Wheels to major infrastructure projects and the more traditional role of making sure bins are collected.
“With some 96,000 residents to look after it is huge task for around 374 full time employees. To be recognised for undertaking it so professionally something of which we can all be proud.
as posted here
Animal Pound
as posted here
POUND
The City Pound is situated in Canning Park Avenue, Maddington. Streetsmart Directory Page number 436. Ref: A3
Pound Opening times:
· 4:00pm to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday
· 9:00am to 9:30 am Weekends and Public Holidays. (other than Christmas day and Good Friday)
Impounded Dogs
Dogs delivered to the City Pound or animals impounded by Rangers are held at the City Pound in Canning Park Avenue, Maddington for a minimum period of (5) five days, after which time unclaimed dogs will be humanely destroyed or made available for purchase.
Owners of dogs impounded that are carrying a current registration tag or have an identification tag will be notified in writing (notice of seizure). A photograph board is situated adjacent to the Pound entrance off Canning Park Avenue displaying the photographs of all dogs impounded. This board is accessible for public viewing 24 hrs a day. Should you identify your dog please contact Ranger Services on 9391 3222 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Schedule of Fees
Claiming an impounded dog = $50.00 + $11.00 per day or part of a day impounded.
Purchasing a dog = $200.00 (inclusive of vaccination and annual registration).
as posted here
POUND
The City Pound is situated in Canning Park Avenue, Maddington. Streetsmart Directory Page number 436. Ref: A3
Pound Opening times:
· 4:00pm to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday
· 9:00am to 9:30 am Weekends and Public Holidays. (other than Christmas day and Good Friday)
Impounded Dogs
Dogs delivered to the City Pound or animals impounded by Rangers are held at the City Pound in Canning Park Avenue, Maddington for a minimum period of (5) five days, after which time unclaimed dogs will be humanely destroyed or made available for purchase.
Owners of dogs impounded that are carrying a current registration tag or have an identification tag will be notified in writing (notice of seizure). A photograph board is situated adjacent to the Pound entrance off Canning Park Avenue displaying the photographs of all dogs impounded. This board is accessible for public viewing 24 hrs a day. Should you identify your dog please contact Ranger Services on 9391 3222 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Schedule of Fees
Claiming an impounded dog = $50.00 + $11.00 per day or part of a day impounded.
Purchasing a dog = $200.00 (inclusive of vaccination and annual registration).
as posted here
Monday 27 July 2009
Key workers priced out of capital cities
as posted here
Emergency workers and teachers are unable to afford homes in seven out of eight Australian capital cities according to a new report.
Bankwest's second annual Key Workers Housing Affordability survey reveals that despite slight improvements in housing affordability in the past year, both segments of the population face an uphill battle in pursuing their property dreams.
"Our research shows that key workers are still doing it tough across Australia with most being locked out of the property market in the city they serve," said Bankwest Retail Chief Executive Ian Corfield.
"These are the essential workers Australians rely on everyday to provide important services and most continue to be priced out of the housing in the communities in which they serve."
Key workers include nurses, teachers, police officers, fire-fighters and ambulance officers. Of Australia's 480,000 key workers, 244,000 are teachers, 172,000 are nurses, 44,000 are police officers, 11,000 are fire and emergency employees and 9,000 are ambulance officers.
Bankwest released its first Key Workers Housing Affordability report in June last year, highlighting how house prices were rising faster than key worker earnings. Despite house prices in 2009 falling 2% nationally, median house prices remain more than five times a key workers annual earnings.
All capital cities, apart from Darwin, experienced modest improvements in affordability for key workers during the past year - affordability improved the most in Perth with the median house price to earnings ratio for key workers dropping 1.2 years to 6.3 years.
Seven capital city local government areas (LGAs) moved from being unaffordable for all key workers in 2008 to being affordable for some - Clarence City and Kingborough in Hobart, Blacktown and the Blue Mountains in Sydney and surrounds, Logan in Brisbane, Yarra Ranges in Melbourne and Gosnells in Perth.
Average salaries used in the Report were $51,553 for nurses, $55,029 for teachers, $73,237 for police officers, $50,471 for fire-fighters and $63,414 for ambulance officers.
as posted here
Emergency workers and teachers are unable to afford homes in seven out of eight Australian capital cities according to a new report.
Bankwest's second annual Key Workers Housing Affordability survey reveals that despite slight improvements in housing affordability in the past year, both segments of the population face an uphill battle in pursuing their property dreams.
"Our research shows that key workers are still doing it tough across Australia with most being locked out of the property market in the city they serve," said Bankwest Retail Chief Executive Ian Corfield.
"These are the essential workers Australians rely on everyday to provide important services and most continue to be priced out of the housing in the communities in which they serve."
Key workers include nurses, teachers, police officers, fire-fighters and ambulance officers. Of Australia's 480,000 key workers, 244,000 are teachers, 172,000 are nurses, 44,000 are police officers, 11,000 are fire and emergency employees and 9,000 are ambulance officers.
Bankwest released its first Key Workers Housing Affordability report in June last year, highlighting how house prices were rising faster than key worker earnings. Despite house prices in 2009 falling 2% nationally, median house prices remain more than five times a key workers annual earnings.
All capital cities, apart from Darwin, experienced modest improvements in affordability for key workers during the past year - affordability improved the most in Perth with the median house price to earnings ratio for key workers dropping 1.2 years to 6.3 years.
Seven capital city local government areas (LGAs) moved from being unaffordable for all key workers in 2008 to being affordable for some - Clarence City and Kingborough in Hobart, Blacktown and the Blue Mountains in Sydney and surrounds, Logan in Brisbane, Yarra Ranges in Melbourne and Gosnells in Perth.
Average salaries used in the Report were $51,553 for nurses, $55,029 for teachers, $73,237 for police officers, $50,471 for fire-fighters and $63,414 for ambulance officers.
as posted here
Sunday 26 July 2009
Teenager charged over stash of magic mushrooms and cannabis
as posted here
A TEENAGER has been charged after police allegedly uncovered a stash of "magic mushrooms" and cannabis during a routine traffic stop in Gosnells.
Officers made the alleged discovery after pulling over a Ford Falcon at the intersection of Albany and Tonkin highways at 2pm on Friday
Police will allege that during a search of the vehicle and the 19-year-old driver, they discovered cannabis and four bags of ``magic mushrooms'', an hallucinogenic drug.
More cannabis and ``magic mushrooms'' were later found by police during a search of an Armadale house.
A 19-year-old man, from Armadale, has been charged with possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply, possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply and possessing a smoking utensil.
He is due to appear in Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday.
as posted here
A TEENAGER has been charged after police allegedly uncovered a stash of "magic mushrooms" and cannabis during a routine traffic stop in Gosnells.
Officers made the alleged discovery after pulling over a Ford Falcon at the intersection of Albany and Tonkin highways at 2pm on Friday
Police will allege that during a search of the vehicle and the 19-year-old driver, they discovered cannabis and four bags of ``magic mushrooms'', an hallucinogenic drug.
More cannabis and ``magic mushrooms'' were later found by police during a search of an Armadale house.
A 19-year-old man, from Armadale, has been charged with possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply, possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply and possessing a smoking utensil.
He is due to appear in Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday.
as posted here
Friday 24 July 2009
Maddington house fire 'deliberate'
as posted here
The Arson Squad is investigating a fire that caused more than $50,000 to a house in the Perth suburb of Maddington.
Authorities say the fire started in the Rimmer Lane property about 9:30pm.
Fire crews managed to contain the blaze to the lounge room but say there is extensive smoke damage to the rest of the house.
It is believed the fire was deliberately lit.
as posted here
The Arson Squad is investigating a fire that caused more than $50,000 to a house in the Perth suburb of Maddington.
Authorities say the fire started in the Rimmer Lane property about 9:30pm.
Fire crews managed to contain the blaze to the lounge room but say there is extensive smoke damage to the rest of the house.
It is believed the fire was deliberately lit.
as posted here
Cockatoo planning decision made
as posted here
The City of Gosnells has continued its long-running work to assist the Black Cockatoo Preservation Society by giving retrospective planning approval for six outbuildings at a private residence in Martin.
At the same time it has imposed conditions to ensure noise levels from the private property meet legal requirements.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Adelle Cochran said Council had worked with the Society for months to assist it in getting a new operations centre up and running and it had been disappointing to see so much misinformation distributed by the Society about the City's position, especially on the internet.
"Inaccurate and misleading information has been distributed and accepted as fact and published online and in the media with no effort to check the real situation," she said.
"I want to state categorically that there has at no stage been any threat from Council to close the centre. To the contrary we have worked long and hard to assist the Society to carry out its work within the relevant legal framework.
"We have provided the Society a bigger, better, facility at a peppercorn rent at the former Cohunu Wildlife Park."
"On 14 July Council passed a resolution that grants conditional retrospective planning permission to six unlawful outbuildings at the private residence in Martin, while at the same time addressing the noise issues identified in a report by a Society appointed noise expert. This study found noise levels of between 46 and 53 decibels at the property boundary, which exceeded the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 legal level of 35."
"The City would now urge the Society to relocate its main operations as soon as possible to avoid further issues and to make sure planning conditions applying to the private residence in Martin are adhered to."
Full information on the resolution passed by Council can be found at www.gosnells.wa.gov.au
as posted here
The City of Gosnells has continued its long-running work to assist the Black Cockatoo Preservation Society by giving retrospective planning approval for six outbuildings at a private residence in Martin.
At the same time it has imposed conditions to ensure noise levels from the private property meet legal requirements.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Adelle Cochran said Council had worked with the Society for months to assist it in getting a new operations centre up and running and it had been disappointing to see so much misinformation distributed by the Society about the City's position, especially on the internet.
"Inaccurate and misleading information has been distributed and accepted as fact and published online and in the media with no effort to check the real situation," she said.
"I want to state categorically that there has at no stage been any threat from Council to close the centre. To the contrary we have worked long and hard to assist the Society to carry out its work within the relevant legal framework.
"We have provided the Society a bigger, better, facility at a peppercorn rent at the former Cohunu Wildlife Park."
"On 14 July Council passed a resolution that grants conditional retrospective planning permission to six unlawful outbuildings at the private residence in Martin, while at the same time addressing the noise issues identified in a report by a Society appointed noise expert. This study found noise levels of between 46 and 53 decibels at the property boundary, which exceeded the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 legal level of 35."
"The City would now urge the Society to relocate its main operations as soon as possible to avoid further issues and to make sure planning conditions applying to the private residence in Martin are adhered to."
Full information on the resolution passed by Council can be found at www.gosnells.wa.gov.au
as posted here
Thursday 23 July 2009
On to Stage 2
as posted here
Well we have received an acceptable offer for Unit 1 so we won't be opening it any longer except by appointment only and only if you are interested in stage 2. If you are keeping an eye on the blog to see what's happening, we are planning to put 2 single storey homes on lots 5 & 6 that will compliment what we have already done. We are looking at single storey because we can bring it to market quicker and cheaper, having a quicker build time and cheaper cost to build. But it will result in a smaller courtyard so if you are interested in a 2 storey townhouse then let us know quick as the opportunity is closing fast.
We'd also love to have a partner in the building, so if you are interested in a house & land package then get in touch. We could assist you with building your own home, choosing your own colours and materials and we will finish off the lot next door. If you are a first home buyer, be very quick as your time is running out to enjoy KRudds $21,000 offer.
We are very proud of what we have accomplished with lots 1-4 and we look forward to completing the last 2 homes at Eudoria Rise. Stay tuned for details.
as posted here
Well we have received an acceptable offer for Unit 1 so we won't be opening it any longer except by appointment only and only if you are interested in stage 2. If you are keeping an eye on the blog to see what's happening, we are planning to put 2 single storey homes on lots 5 & 6 that will compliment what we have already done. We are looking at single storey because we can bring it to market quicker and cheaper, having a quicker build time and cheaper cost to build. But it will result in a smaller courtyard so if you are interested in a 2 storey townhouse then let us know quick as the opportunity is closing fast.
We'd also love to have a partner in the building, so if you are interested in a house & land package then get in touch. We could assist you with building your own home, choosing your own colours and materials and we will finish off the lot next door. If you are a first home buyer, be very quick as your time is running out to enjoy KRudds $21,000 offer.
We are very proud of what we have accomplished with lots 1-4 and we look forward to completing the last 2 homes at Eudoria Rise. Stay tuned for details.
as posted here
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Meet Vietnam War veteran and author Don Tate
as posted here
THE City of Gosnells is inviting the public to ‘Meet Don Tate’ at the Gosnells Knowledge Centre next month.
The author of ‘The War Within’, Don will talk candidly about his life before and after the Vietnam War and show rare film footage of his infantry experiences in Vietnam during 1969.
Don’s book is an inspirational memoir about his life – from his humble beginnings growing up in Brisbane to his time as an infantryman during the Vietnam War and subsequent life as a veteran with a disability.
“Not just a war story, The War Within is also a tale of enduring love as Don describes his wife Carole whose dazzling decency and unconditional love kept him sane in the face of incredible adversity,” said Mayor Olwen Searle.
Meet Don Tate is at the Knowledge Centre in the Agonis Building at 2232D Albany Highway, Gosnells on Tuesday 11 August from 2pm to 4pm.
Refreshments will be provided and bookings are essential – call 9398 2551 to book.
as posted here
THE City of Gosnells is inviting the public to ‘Meet Don Tate’ at the Gosnells Knowledge Centre next month.
The author of ‘The War Within’, Don will talk candidly about his life before and after the Vietnam War and show rare film footage of his infantry experiences in Vietnam during 1969.
Don’s book is an inspirational memoir about his life – from his humble beginnings growing up in Brisbane to his time as an infantryman during the Vietnam War and subsequent life as a veteran with a disability.
“Not just a war story, The War Within is also a tale of enduring love as Don describes his wife Carole whose dazzling decency and unconditional love kept him sane in the face of incredible adversity,” said Mayor Olwen Searle.
Meet Don Tate is at the Knowledge Centre in the Agonis Building at 2232D Albany Highway, Gosnells on Tuesday 11 August from 2pm to 4pm.
Refreshments will be provided and bookings are essential – call 9398 2551 to book.
as posted here
Saturday 18 July 2009
Easier Reading ...
I have decided to move to large type on these posts, allowing for easier reading ...
Monday 13 July 2009
Poultry Farm Action Plan
as posted here
At a recent meeting of the Association, where the poultry farm odour problems was discussed, the proposed action plan was put forward.
1) That affected residents start collecting information on the impacts that the poultry farms or any other activity that is causing an impact on your quality of life or amenity. This information needs to be collected systematically and recorded. We have produced a logsheet that will assist in the recording of any events.
2) That residents sign a letter to the City of Gosnells that requests they investigate the poultry farms to ensure that they are operating to best practice, and that the impacts are not dangerous, offensive, or injurious to health. The letter also calls for the establishment of a community reference group that will establish the framework for the investigation.
3) That residents sign a petition to the City of Gosnells that calls for the same action as the letter.
as posted here
At a recent meeting of the Association, where the poultry farm odour problems was discussed, the proposed action plan was put forward.
1) That affected residents start collecting information on the impacts that the poultry farms or any other activity that is causing an impact on your quality of life or amenity. This information needs to be collected systematically and recorded. We have produced a logsheet that will assist in the recording of any events.
2) That residents sign a letter to the City of Gosnells that requests they investigate the poultry farms to ensure that they are operating to best practice, and that the impacts are not dangerous, offensive, or injurious to health. The letter also calls for the establishment of a community reference group that will establish the framework for the investigation.
3) That residents sign a petition to the City of Gosnells that calls for the same action as the letter.
as posted here
Yet more problems for persecuted cockatoos - West Australia
as posted here
Fini Developer & City of Gosnells West Oz hard on near-extinct Black Cockatoos in Rehab
Glenn Dewhurst, of the Black Cockatoo Conservation Team in West Australia feels harassed and almost despairs in the face of complaints from a developer who lives next door to the 12 Acre Black Cockatoo Rehab facility in Martin, W.A., which Glenn has dedicated years of his life to constructing.
West Australian Black Cockatoos in Rehab enjoying nuts
The developer, David Fini, of David Fini Developments, has complained about noise from nesting birds, Glenn says. Glenn cannot understand why since, he says, only two birds have been born in the rehab facility. "They were accidents. It is not meant to be a breeding facility; it is for rehab. We free the birds when they are well, we don't breed them."
Mr Dewhurst says that Mr Fini has also complained about workers there picking native nuts to feed the birds.
Glenn says, "The collection of nuts is wide and varied, usually covering up to 100kms at a time. We never pick in the same spot and only 20% of any nuts. We have permits. Some weekends we have travelled over 350kms to get food for these birds. It is very important to have the native food and critical for their rehabilitation."
"Mr Fini has complained about the volunteers visiting the rehab centre, too", says Glenn Dewhurst, "Although there are only four volunteer workers at any one time."
In addition, Mr Fini has complained about the noise from the cockatoos that are being rehabilitated.
Glenn Dewhurst says that he does not believe that noise levels greater than those from wild birds in the area can be shown to be coming from the birds his team are rehabilitating.
He says that there are many more wild birds than the few black cockatoos in rehab.
More Noise from wild birds in Perth caused by birds displaced by developers
He explains that the numbers of wild birds moving in and out of the Perth area are constantly increasing because they are being displaced by developers like Mr Fini. "The wild birds don't have enough to eat and so more and more of them are trying to find food in the same place, wherever there are a few trees."
Despite Mr Dewhurst's impression that the Black Cockatoo Rehab Facility is being targeted unfairly, the Black Cockatoo Conservation Team find the local Council seems reluctant to stand up for the Cockatoos.
Council Inflexibility and unhelpfulness could kill these rare rescued birds
The Black Cockatoo Conservation Team say that they have asked the council and Mr Fini to allow them to adopt mitigation strategies which Mr Dewhurst believes have not even been stated in the report to council for the Tuesday meeting. "I have been told that the planner Andrew Bratley has only nominated 3 strategies and recommended that the strategies are refused."
"Ninety-five per cent of the birds will be moved to the other center, when it is ready. The other center is also in Martin and is called Kaarakin, and is located at 1.5km from the 'clone' facility which is the facility that is the source of Mr Fini's complaints."
"If the new facility isn’t ready these endangered cockatoos will be at critical risk. The Shire and the Developer seem to intend not to give the facility any time," says Glenn.
The Team are therefore desperately trying to move the cockatoos at the Martin facility to their other Kaarakin facility, which the Council made available to them some time ago for a pepper-corn rent. Ironically, however, the Council is inexplicably delaying a survey that is necessary before the cockatoos can be moved in.
Glenn writes, "We have fought hard to do what we do; I have personally given all my energy and strength to bring the plight of these birds to every Australian and beyond. I at times have put the birds before my beautiful family and they have been very patient with me, allowing me to follow my passion in saving these endangered birds.
In the five years of her life, my five-year-old has only been on two very short holidays down south. My three and one-year-old have only been on holiday once. Andrea and I spend every spare cent on these birds and she even agreed for us to cancel a holiday to visit her parents overseas, so that we could deal with issues relating to the endangered Black Cockatoos.
We now need your help to help us save the facility that has saved so many endangered Black Cockatoos, Please help any way you can."
These people may have some power to change this situation:
DEADLINE TUESDAY 14TH JULY -
Ian COWIE CEO City of Gosnells, icowie[AT]gosnells.wa.gov.au
Donna Faragher, Minister for the Environment Youth, Minister.Faragher[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Premier Colin BARNETT, wa-government[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Honourable Brendon GRYLLS MLA, Minister.Grylls[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
So many contradictions in government behaviour
Glenn says the contradictions are a source of stress in themselves. He describes how, in April 2008, the City of Gosnells gave him a letter of support for the BCCT facility that they now want removed - at the request of the West Australian Department of Environment and Conservation. Only a few months ago, the same government's Minister for Environment had congratulated the BCCT on getting Land for Wildlife for these endangered cockatoos.
"We have all worked so hard for the sake of these special endangered Birds. We cannot lose this fight to the City of Gosnells and Mr Fini, as it is a fight for the survival of these birds. If we lose our 'clone' (secondary) facility then the City of Gosnells may be implicated for the demise of the endangered Black Cockatoo."
“Yes”, says Dewhurst, “The City of Gosnells has given us another facility on a pepper corn rental, for which we are thankful. We are not, however, allowed to build there unless we meet the normal conditions of building approvals. Although we should have no problem in meeting these, we are still awaiting the carrying out of the survey necessary before we can make our application.
"The City of Gosnells is responsible for the survey and for the delay. Because of these delays, we cannot even move the birds in the near future."
"We have also encountered personal hardship over this matter and have felt that we are being persecuted. For instance, Andrea and I believe that we have been subject to allegations of financial impropriety from a councilor at the City of Gosnells and from FINI Developments. To defend our good name we engaged an auditor at the cost $3.500, which we put on our personal credit cards. The complete audit showed no financial mismanagement. We are now in debt and it will take us about four months to pay this off. We estimate that the councilor in question has cost our organization $46,000 because of his allegations which have all been proven false.
Scale of the Conservation Facilities
This rescue attempt of an endangered species is no small affair. Glenn and his team are managing a wildlife rescue of international significance which has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars and many volunteer hours to run. The stakes are enormous for the birds, for their carers, for Australia and the world. At least two large facilities are required. Because of the amount of land and building involved simply to keep these birds, alive, safe and then to prepare them for release, closing down one facility before the other is opened would almost certainly have appalling consequences. Some of those consequences would be financial, of course, but the worst ones would be irreversible species decline, not to mention the extreme discouragement of the workers involved and the message this sends to children, Australians and the world. How sad if we were to lose these amazing, long-lived wise and funny creatures because a council had difficulty understanding the significance of the conservation program. This is not like a development that gets held up and costs some investors money; it is like destroying a part of Eden, never to recover.
Why the Black Cockatoos require two facilities
Mr Dewhurst says that the Black Cockatoo organisation requires 2 facilities in Perth (another is 450km away) for the following reasons:
• some of the injured and young birds require round the clock care. The Martin facilities can accommodate 24 hour volunteer care; and
• some of the research requires round the clock observation for the same reason. The Martin facility can accommodate this; and
• some of the birds housed at the Martin facilities are utilised for community educational purposes and are tame enough for people to interact with. These birds are also utilised by DEC for educational purposes. As these birds are valuable to the open market, for this reason they require secure facility; and
• having two facilities ensures protection from total disaster such as natural events like bushfires; and
• lastly, the Cohuna (Kaarakin) site requires major repairs. These are ongoing and have so far taken more than 7000 volunteer hours, which equates to a minimum of $200,000 in labour. The site is far from being the primary care facility. Currently it can only house around 30 birds.
Please consider emailing the following people who might help if they realise the significance of the problem
Ian COWIE CEO City of Gosnells, icowie[AT]gosnells.wa.gov.au
Donna Faragher, Minister for the Environment Youth, Minister.Faragher[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Premier Colin BARNETT, wa-government[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Honourable Brendon GRYLLS MLA, Minister.Grylls[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
as posted here
Fini Developer & City of Gosnells West Oz hard on near-extinct Black Cockatoos in Rehab
Glenn Dewhurst, of the Black Cockatoo Conservation Team in West Australia feels harassed and almost despairs in the face of complaints from a developer who lives next door to the 12 Acre Black Cockatoo Rehab facility in Martin, W.A., which Glenn has dedicated years of his life to constructing.
West Australian Black Cockatoos in Rehab enjoying nuts
The developer, David Fini, of David Fini Developments, has complained about noise from nesting birds, Glenn says. Glenn cannot understand why since, he says, only two birds have been born in the rehab facility. "They were accidents. It is not meant to be a breeding facility; it is for rehab. We free the birds when they are well, we don't breed them."
Mr Dewhurst says that Mr Fini has also complained about workers there picking native nuts to feed the birds.
Glenn says, "The collection of nuts is wide and varied, usually covering up to 100kms at a time. We never pick in the same spot and only 20% of any nuts. We have permits. Some weekends we have travelled over 350kms to get food for these birds. It is very important to have the native food and critical for their rehabilitation."
"Mr Fini has complained about the volunteers visiting the rehab centre, too", says Glenn Dewhurst, "Although there are only four volunteer workers at any one time."
In addition, Mr Fini has complained about the noise from the cockatoos that are being rehabilitated.
Glenn Dewhurst says that he does not believe that noise levels greater than those from wild birds in the area can be shown to be coming from the birds his team are rehabilitating.
He says that there are many more wild birds than the few black cockatoos in rehab.
More Noise from wild birds in Perth caused by birds displaced by developers
He explains that the numbers of wild birds moving in and out of the Perth area are constantly increasing because they are being displaced by developers like Mr Fini. "The wild birds don't have enough to eat and so more and more of them are trying to find food in the same place, wherever there are a few trees."
Despite Mr Dewhurst's impression that the Black Cockatoo Rehab Facility is being targeted unfairly, the Black Cockatoo Conservation Team find the local Council seems reluctant to stand up for the Cockatoos.
Council Inflexibility and unhelpfulness could kill these rare rescued birds
The Black Cockatoo Conservation Team say that they have asked the council and Mr Fini to allow them to adopt mitigation strategies which Mr Dewhurst believes have not even been stated in the report to council for the Tuesday meeting. "I have been told that the planner Andrew Bratley has only nominated 3 strategies and recommended that the strategies are refused."
"Ninety-five per cent of the birds will be moved to the other center, when it is ready. The other center is also in Martin and is called Kaarakin, and is located at 1.5km from the 'clone' facility which is the facility that is the source of Mr Fini's complaints."
"If the new facility isn’t ready these endangered cockatoos will be at critical risk. The Shire and the Developer seem to intend not to give the facility any time," says Glenn.
The Team are therefore desperately trying to move the cockatoos at the Martin facility to their other Kaarakin facility, which the Council made available to them some time ago for a pepper-corn rent. Ironically, however, the Council is inexplicably delaying a survey that is necessary before the cockatoos can be moved in.
Glenn writes, "We have fought hard to do what we do; I have personally given all my energy and strength to bring the plight of these birds to every Australian and beyond. I at times have put the birds before my beautiful family and they have been very patient with me, allowing me to follow my passion in saving these endangered birds.
In the five years of her life, my five-year-old has only been on two very short holidays down south. My three and one-year-old have only been on holiday once. Andrea and I spend every spare cent on these birds and she even agreed for us to cancel a holiday to visit her parents overseas, so that we could deal with issues relating to the endangered Black Cockatoos.
We now need your help to help us save the facility that has saved so many endangered Black Cockatoos, Please help any way you can."
These people may have some power to change this situation:
DEADLINE TUESDAY 14TH JULY -
Ian COWIE CEO City of Gosnells, icowie[AT]gosnells.wa.gov.au
Donna Faragher, Minister for the Environment Youth, Minister.Faragher[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Premier Colin BARNETT, wa-government[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Honourable Brendon GRYLLS MLA, Minister.Grylls[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
So many contradictions in government behaviour
Glenn says the contradictions are a source of stress in themselves. He describes how, in April 2008, the City of Gosnells gave him a letter of support for the BCCT facility that they now want removed - at the request of the West Australian Department of Environment and Conservation. Only a few months ago, the same government's Minister for Environment had congratulated the BCCT on getting Land for Wildlife for these endangered cockatoos.
"We have all worked so hard for the sake of these special endangered Birds. We cannot lose this fight to the City of Gosnells and Mr Fini, as it is a fight for the survival of these birds. If we lose our 'clone' (secondary) facility then the City of Gosnells may be implicated for the demise of the endangered Black Cockatoo."
“Yes”, says Dewhurst, “The City of Gosnells has given us another facility on a pepper corn rental, for which we are thankful. We are not, however, allowed to build there unless we meet the normal conditions of building approvals. Although we should have no problem in meeting these, we are still awaiting the carrying out of the survey necessary before we can make our application.
"The City of Gosnells is responsible for the survey and for the delay. Because of these delays, we cannot even move the birds in the near future."
"We have also encountered personal hardship over this matter and have felt that we are being persecuted. For instance, Andrea and I believe that we have been subject to allegations of financial impropriety from a councilor at the City of Gosnells and from FINI Developments. To defend our good name we engaged an auditor at the cost $3.500, which we put on our personal credit cards. The complete audit showed no financial mismanagement. We are now in debt and it will take us about four months to pay this off. We estimate that the councilor in question has cost our organization $46,000 because of his allegations which have all been proven false.
Scale of the Conservation Facilities
This rescue attempt of an endangered species is no small affair. Glenn and his team are managing a wildlife rescue of international significance which has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars and many volunteer hours to run. The stakes are enormous for the birds, for their carers, for Australia and the world. At least two large facilities are required. Because of the amount of land and building involved simply to keep these birds, alive, safe and then to prepare them for release, closing down one facility before the other is opened would almost certainly have appalling consequences. Some of those consequences would be financial, of course, but the worst ones would be irreversible species decline, not to mention the extreme discouragement of the workers involved and the message this sends to children, Australians and the world. How sad if we were to lose these amazing, long-lived wise and funny creatures because a council had difficulty understanding the significance of the conservation program. This is not like a development that gets held up and costs some investors money; it is like destroying a part of Eden, never to recover.
Why the Black Cockatoos require two facilities
Mr Dewhurst says that the Black Cockatoo organisation requires 2 facilities in Perth (another is 450km away) for the following reasons:
• some of the injured and young birds require round the clock care. The Martin facilities can accommodate 24 hour volunteer care; and
• some of the research requires round the clock observation for the same reason. The Martin facility can accommodate this; and
• some of the birds housed at the Martin facilities are utilised for community educational purposes and are tame enough for people to interact with. These birds are also utilised by DEC for educational purposes. As these birds are valuable to the open market, for this reason they require secure facility; and
• having two facilities ensures protection from total disaster such as natural events like bushfires; and
• lastly, the Cohuna (Kaarakin) site requires major repairs. These are ongoing and have so far taken more than 7000 volunteer hours, which equates to a minimum of $200,000 in labour. The site is far from being the primary care facility. Currently it can only house around 30 birds.
Please consider emailing the following people who might help if they realise the significance of the problem
Ian COWIE CEO City of Gosnells, icowie[AT]gosnells.wa.gov.au
Donna Faragher, Minister for the Environment Youth, Minister.Faragher[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Premier Colin BARNETT, wa-government[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
Honourable Brendon GRYLLS MLA, Minister.Grylls[AT]dpc.wa.gov.au
as posted here
House price rises exceed forecasts
as posted here
The Perth property market exceeded expectations in the past three months with prices rising 3.5 per cent as buyers trading up moved on more expensive homes, the Real Estate Institute of WA said yesterday.
The median price for the last quarter of the financial year rose $15,000 to $445,000.
The market recovered the losses of the past year and returned to a similar position as at June 30 last year when the median price was $448,000.
Prices in the western suburbs soared 12 per cent, which virtually erased a 12.5 per cent fall in the March quarter. The median price grew $155,000 to $1.205 million.
The institute’s figures for the June quarter show the Perth median house price was only $25,000 lower than the peak of $470,000 in December 2007.
A key catalyst in the second consecutive quarter of price rises was the return of buyers trading up.
REIWA president Rob Druitt said the figures should be treated cautiously. Perth would not be headed back to a boom period any time soon despite encouraging growth. He said the first-homebuyers’ domination of the market was lessening.
“It’s a result of more higher-priced sales. We’re starting to see more trade-up buyers in the $500,000 to $1 million market,” Mr Druitt said. “I think we should be mindful we’ve had a boom, we’ve had a bust and it does take a while for markets to recover. Modest rises and a stable market is a better environment anyway.”
Sales rose a further 8 per cent in the June quarter on top of a 38 per cent rise in the March quarter. Listings had reduced to 12,800 properties, including 2100 blocks of land, compared with more than 18,000 at the peak of the market in 2007.
It took seven fewer days on average to sell a home in Perth during the June quarter, with the norm being 70 days.
Weekly rents for houses fell by $10 a week to $360 and unit rents were stable at $350 a week. The Perth rental vacancy rate was now higher than usual, having risen by 0.7 per cent to 3.6 per cent in the June quarter.
The western suburbs had the biggest quarterly rise of any Perth region, though Joondalup North, Melville and Armadale-Serpentine posted increases of 4 to 6 per cent. Firsthomebuyer hotspots of Gosnells, Cockburn, Rockingham, Kwinana and parts of Wanneroo recorded slight falls or zero growth.
A special Westpac survey showed confidence about housing prices was returning to boom-like levels — almost one in 10 West Australians expected prices to grow more than 10 per cent over the coming year and a further 38 per cent believed prices would climb by up to 10 per cent.
KATE CAMPBELL, SANDI LOVATT and SHANE WRIGHT
as posted here
The Perth property market exceeded expectations in the past three months with prices rising 3.5 per cent as buyers trading up moved on more expensive homes, the Real Estate Institute of WA said yesterday.
The median price for the last quarter of the financial year rose $15,000 to $445,000.
The market recovered the losses of the past year and returned to a similar position as at June 30 last year when the median price was $448,000.
Prices in the western suburbs soared 12 per cent, which virtually erased a 12.5 per cent fall in the March quarter. The median price grew $155,000 to $1.205 million.
The institute’s figures for the June quarter show the Perth median house price was only $25,000 lower than the peak of $470,000 in December 2007.
A key catalyst in the second consecutive quarter of price rises was the return of buyers trading up.
REIWA president Rob Druitt said the figures should be treated cautiously. Perth would not be headed back to a boom period any time soon despite encouraging growth. He said the first-homebuyers’ domination of the market was lessening.
“It’s a result of more higher-priced sales. We’re starting to see more trade-up buyers in the $500,000 to $1 million market,” Mr Druitt said. “I think we should be mindful we’ve had a boom, we’ve had a bust and it does take a while for markets to recover. Modest rises and a stable market is a better environment anyway.”
Sales rose a further 8 per cent in the June quarter on top of a 38 per cent rise in the March quarter. Listings had reduced to 12,800 properties, including 2100 blocks of land, compared with more than 18,000 at the peak of the market in 2007.
It took seven fewer days on average to sell a home in Perth during the June quarter, with the norm being 70 days.
Weekly rents for houses fell by $10 a week to $360 and unit rents were stable at $350 a week. The Perth rental vacancy rate was now higher than usual, having risen by 0.7 per cent to 3.6 per cent in the June quarter.
The western suburbs had the biggest quarterly rise of any Perth region, though Joondalup North, Melville and Armadale-Serpentine posted increases of 4 to 6 per cent. Firsthomebuyer hotspots of Gosnells, Cockburn, Rockingham, Kwinana and parts of Wanneroo recorded slight falls or zero growth.
A special Westpac survey showed confidence about housing prices was returning to boom-like levels — almost one in 10 West Australians expected prices to grow more than 10 per cent over the coming year and a further 38 per cent believed prices would climb by up to 10 per cent.
KATE CAMPBELL, SANDI LOVATT and SHANE WRIGHT
as posted here
Sunday 5 July 2009
Bitumen Plant appeal upheld. Plant to be referred back to the EPA.
as posted here
The Bickley Ward Progress and Ratepayers Association (Inc) is pleased to announce that the Minister for the Environment and Youth, Ms Donna Faragher, has upheld the Associations Appeal on the level of assessment on the Bitumen Emulsion Plant proposed for 5 Marion Rd, Maddington. In a letter to the Association, the Minister stated that: “I have, therefore, decided to uphold the Association’s appeal to the extent that I have remitted the proposal to the EPA for the making of a fresh decision as to whether or not the proposal should be assessed. In remitting the proposal to the EPA, it is expected that the proponent will need to demonstrate whether the 80 metre separation distance between the proposed bitumen emulsion plant and nearby residential areas is sufficient to meet noise, dust, and air quality standards, particularly odour. It is also reasonable to expect that the proponent will consult with the local community during this process.”
Bickley Ward Progress and Ratepayers Association President, Mrs Sandra Baraiolo, said that “This is good news for the residents that surround the proposed bitumen emulsion plant. It established that their concerns about the proposed facility were valid, and that it had not been established that the proposed facility was able to operate without potentially affecting the health, welfare, convenience, comfort or amenity of the people that live nearby.”
“There were a number of community members that put in a huge effort in this campaign. They should congratulate themselves on a job well done. It is not often that a small community can obtain a positive result when the odds are stacked against them” she said.
“The Association would like to thank all the members of the community that collected signatures on petitions and letters of objections from residents that live close to the proposed plant. We would also like to thank Mr Andrew Waddell (MLA for Forrestfield) who presented our petitions in State Parliament and provided us with valuable advice, and Cr Terry Brown (Bickley Ward) who presented our petitions in Council” she said.
“We would also like to stress that this proposal was not the only concern that the Association has with regards to our air quality or impacts from activities that occur within the suburbs of Maddington and Kenwick. We are currently undertaking a process that will allow the community to develop a log of air quality in their areas, so that we can demonstrate our concerns to Council and the various Government Departments. Please go to the Associations website / blog (http://bickleyward.blogspot.com/ ) to get more information” she added.
as posted here
The Bickley Ward Progress and Ratepayers Association (Inc) is pleased to announce that the Minister for the Environment and Youth, Ms Donna Faragher, has upheld the Associations Appeal on the level of assessment on the Bitumen Emulsion Plant proposed for 5 Marion Rd, Maddington. In a letter to the Association, the Minister stated that: “I have, therefore, decided to uphold the Association’s appeal to the extent that I have remitted the proposal to the EPA for the making of a fresh decision as to whether or not the proposal should be assessed. In remitting the proposal to the EPA, it is expected that the proponent will need to demonstrate whether the 80 metre separation distance between the proposed bitumen emulsion plant and nearby residential areas is sufficient to meet noise, dust, and air quality standards, particularly odour. It is also reasonable to expect that the proponent will consult with the local community during this process.”
Bickley Ward Progress and Ratepayers Association President, Mrs Sandra Baraiolo, said that “This is good news for the residents that surround the proposed bitumen emulsion plant. It established that their concerns about the proposed facility were valid, and that it had not been established that the proposed facility was able to operate without potentially affecting the health, welfare, convenience, comfort or amenity of the people that live nearby.”
“There were a number of community members that put in a huge effort in this campaign. They should congratulate themselves on a job well done. It is not often that a small community can obtain a positive result when the odds are stacked against them” she said.
“The Association would like to thank all the members of the community that collected signatures on petitions and letters of objections from residents that live close to the proposed plant. We would also like to thank Mr Andrew Waddell (MLA for Forrestfield) who presented our petitions in State Parliament and provided us with valuable advice, and Cr Terry Brown (Bickley Ward) who presented our petitions in Council” she said.
“We would also like to stress that this proposal was not the only concern that the Association has with regards to our air quality or impacts from activities that occur within the suburbs of Maddington and Kenwick. We are currently undertaking a process that will allow the community to develop a log of air quality in their areas, so that we can demonstrate our concerns to Council and the various Government Departments. Please go to the Associations website / blog (http://bickleyward.blogspot.com/ ) to get more information” she added.
as posted here
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