Friday 15 May 2009

Rehab for centre to aid addicts

as posted here


A Gosnells drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre run by the Salvation Army is to be expanded to accommodate a rapidly growing queue of desperate addicts.

The Harry Hunter centre is supposed to be able to cater for 45 clients at a time, but its capacity has been reduced because a house neighbouring the main accommodation block is in such a poor state of disrepair.

An agreement struck between the Salvos and builder Dale Alcock Homes has paved the way for the old house to be demolished and replaced with three units at a discounted rate. The centre will then accommodate 52 people and have separate sections for men and women for the first time.

Service manager Ken Smith said there were currently around 70 people waiting to be assessed and they faced a wait of up to two months to get into the centre.

“The longer the wait, the greater the risk of relapse and of moving back to their old environment and circle of influences,” he said.

The announcement of the project comes as the Salvation Army prepares for the start of its annual Red Shield doorknock appeal on May 18, for which Dale Alcock will be the major partner in WA.

To register as a volunteer or make a donation, phone 13 72 58 (13Salvos) or go online at www.salvation army.org.au

Donations can also be made at any Westpac or Bendigo Bank branch.

DAWN GIBSON

as posted here

Thursday 14 May 2009

Thank you to fire and SES volunteers

as posted here

Volunteers with the City of Gosnells Bush Fire Brigade and State Emergency Service (SES) were treated to a night off last Saturday night with a special thank you event.

Hosted by the City, the family sundowner at Orange Grove Oval acknowledged their great work.

It was also an opportunity for City of Gosnells Mayor Olwen Searle to honour some of the region’s longest-serving volunteers.

SES volunteer Joe Taylor was presented with the Clasp to the National Medal for his 25 years service while Gerry McCourt (SES) received the National Medal for 15 years’ service.

Recipients of the 10-year service medals were SES volunteers Shannon Taylor, Sonia Fixter and Mark Geary.

The Bush Fire Brigade’s Wayne Wendt was also awarded a 10-year service medal and Michael Battrick, Janet Battrick, and Allan Webster each received medals for five years of service.

Among the guests were Mayor Searle and several Councillors, the SES District Manager, Assistant Chief Operations Officer Metropolitan, Fire Services District Manager and Regional Director.

“It was very pleasing to see so many volunteers honoured for their years of dedicated service – it is vital that they know how much our community values their efforts,” the Mayor said.

For information about volunteering in fire or emergency services, contact the City’s
Risk and Emergency Management Coordinator and Chief Bush Fire Control Officer on 9391 3353 or email rwallington@gosnells.wa.gov.au.

Ends








as posted here

Road construction projects – May 2009

as posted here


Road construction and rehabilitation, drainage works and path construction are among the main works in the City of Gosnells during May. Specific jobs include:

Canning Vale
Ranford Road – road and drainage works
Comrie Road Basin – installation of drainage

Gosnells
Gerald Street (from Astley Street to Albany Highway) – path construction
Hotham Way ( Fortescue Bend to existing) – path construction

Kenwick
Victoria Road and Bickley Road intersection – road rehabilitation

Maddington
Alcock Street and Flax Street – roundabout construction
Rayne Street (Westfield Street to Hilton Crescent) – path construction and kerb replacement
Burslem Drive (Albany Highway to Olga Road) – road rehabilitation on hold

Southern River
Warton Road – Stage 1 of dual carriageway between Nolan Way and Ranford
Road

Thornlie
Walter Padbury parking – landscaping and paths
Tom Bateman Reserve – landscaping and paths
Lakeside Drive – drainage installation by contractors
Hunt Street (Thornlie Avenue to Berehaven Avenue) – road rehabilitation
Ovens Road and Murdoch Drive intersection – road rehabilitation

Miscellaneous works by contractors
Garden Street – minor works and streetlighting
Amherst Road and Daniel Drive – linemarking
Spencer Road (service road) – minor works and linemarking

Ends

as posted here

Monday 11 May 2009

Wards set to go

as posted here

Wards in the City of Gosnells are set to be abolished - bringing an end to the old system where voters elected councillors in a particular ward - Bickley, Canning Vale or Gosnells.

If the Local Government Advisory Board accepts a Council proposal, voters will now select candidates on a City-wide basis at the next election.

Under the old system, candidates stood for available seats in one of the three wards, with two councillors in each area up for re-election every two years. The two winners in each ward were elected to Council.

Under the new system, half-a-dozen seats will be contested City-wide every two years and the top six in the poll will be elected, regardless of which area they come from within the City.

The decision to abolish wards was based on recommendations from independent consultants engaged by the City to assist with a mandatory review of wards and councillor numbers.

Chief Executive Officer Ian Cowie said that if adopted, the new system would help avoid costly by-elections and would avoid the need for ongoing ward boundary reviews, as the City grows rapidly.

“The City has had three extraordinary elections since 2001 under the ward system and this is a costly exercise. Under the new system, an extraordinary election will not be required so long as 80 per cent of positions on Council remain filled,” Mr Cowie said.

“There is also a complete misconception at times that councillors represent their wards, when in fact they work extremely hard for all ratepayers in the City. The removal of ward boundaries helps to reinforce that their efforts are on behalf of all residents.

“It gives people access to a dozen hard working local representatives working for the betterment of the City as a whole.”

Elected Members voted to retain 12 positions on Council.


as posted here

Day one ..

the following reply was given ...

Thankyou for your enquiry. Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a co...