Tuesday 26 May 2009

How does your council rate?

as posted here

Council rates takes per resident 2007-08:

City of Albany $532

City of Armadale $388

Shire of Ashburton $771

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River $947

Town of Bassendean $489

City of Bayswater $405

City of Belmont $722

Shire of Beverley $1024

Shire of Boddington $884

Shire of Boyup Brook $1000

Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes $567

Shire of Brookton $998

Shire of Broome $681

Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup $1250

Shire of Bruce Rock $872

City of Bunbury $607

Shire of Busselton $781

Town of Cambridge $499

City of Canning $386

Shire of Capel $371

Shire of Carnamah $1314

Shire of Carnarvon $438

Shire of Chapman Valley $1236

Shire of Chittering $757

Town of Claremont $663

City of Cockburn $338

Shire of Collie $364

Shire of Coolgardie $890

Shire of Coorow $1520

Shire of Corrigin $1032

Town of Cottesloe $711

Shire of Cranbrook $1058

Shire of Cuballing $726

Shire of Cue $2905

Shire of Cunderdin $915

Shire of Dalwallinu $1362

Shire of Dandaragan $1139

Shire of Dardanup $403

Shire of Denmark $627

Shire of Derby-West Kimberley $446

Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup $444

Shire of Dowerin $917

Shire of Dumbleyung $1421

Shire of Dundas $1084

Town of East Fremantle $572

Shire of East Pilbara $594

Shire of Esperance $607

Shire of Exmouth $781

City of Fremantle $800

City of Geraldton-Greenough $519

Shire of Gingin $802

Shire of Gnowangerup $1525

City of Gosnells $348

Shire of Halls Creek $346

Shire of Harvey $463

Shire of Irwin $726

Shire of Jerramungup $1741

City of Joondalup $354

Shire of Kalamunda $301

City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder $470

Shire of Katanning $455

Shire of Kellerberrin $739

Shire of Kent $2245

Shire of Kojonup $1119

Shire of Kondinin $1577

Shire of Koorda $1300

Shire of Kulin $1286

Town of Kwinana $539

Shire of Lake Grace $1801

Shire of Laverton $2149

Shire of Leonora $1832

City of Mandurah $625

Shire of Manjimup $607

Shire of Meekatharra $1399

City of Melville $369

Shire of Menzies $4666

Shire of Merredin $625

Shire of Mingenew $1854

Shire of Moora $1031

Shire of Morawa $998

Town of Mosman Park $599

Shire of Mount Magnet $1220

Shire of Mount Marshall $1361

Shire of Mukinbudin $1145

Shire of Mullewa $1530

Shire of Mundaring $404

Shire of Murchison $1000

Shire of Murray $497

Shire of Nannup $637

Shire of Narembeen $1257

Shire of Narrogin $594

Town of Narrogin $474

City of Nedlands $577

Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku $138

Shire of Northam $406

Shire of Northampton $690

Shire of Nungarin $1281


as posted here

First home least affordable in WA

as posted here

26th May 2009, 7:15 WST

WA is the most unaffordable place for first-homebuyers in Australia, with the State’s young couples taking more than four years to save a deposit, according to BankWest research.

Though the property boom is over, the research shows it is still a struggle to get into the first-home market, which has been buoyed by Government grants worth $14,000 to $21,000.

The boost grant will return to normal levels by the end of the year, potentially making it even more difficult for first-homebuyers to get on the property ladder.

The research to be released today shows it takes 4.3 years for couples to save a conservative deposit worth a fifth of the cost of a WA home, which is more than $90,000.

This is based on savings worth 20 per cent of the average pre-tax income for a WA couple aged between 25 to 34, as well as the Government grant.

It compares with a national average saving period of 3.7 years for a home and about three years for a unit.

The Perth area, excluding the regions, is only slightly more affordable than the State as a whole, with couples taking 4.2 years to save a deposit for a home and 3.3 years for a unit.

This is slightly less time than needed to save for deposits for homes in the cities of Sydney (5.2 years) and Melbourne (4.6 years).

BankWest retail head of strategy and products Selina Duncalf said the survey showed homes were now less affordable than they were five years ago.

“Even with the higher level of the first-homeowner grant, it is taking first-time buyers in Western Australia longer to save a home deposit than five years ago,” Ms Duncalf said.

“The fact remains that many young people face years of renting before they can climb on to the property ladder.”

Single first-homebuyers in Perth have an even harder task getting their foot on the property ladder. The research showed it would take 6 1 /2 years for a single person to save a deposit for a unit on their own.

Regional areas were more affordable than the metropolitan area, with 42 per cent of the local government areas in regional WA included in the survey requiring less than two years savings time for a home.

The research showed that couples would have to save the least amount of time to buy a unit in Kwinana (1.4 years), followed by Armadale (1.9 years), Rockingham (2.1 years), Gosnells (2.2 years), Swan (2.5 years), Cambridge (2.5 years) and Wanneroo (2.7 years). The longest savings schedule was needed for units in Cottesloe (9.2 years), Claremont (7 years), Nedlands (5.8 years), East Fremantle (5 years), Subiaco (4.8 years), South Perth (4.4 years) and Melville (4.3 years).

KIM MACDONALD


as posted here

Sunday 24 May 2009

More than 1000 homes still without power after storms

as posted here

23rd May 2009, 16:15 WST

Western Power crews have restored power to more than 1000 homes today as part of their efforts to repair powerlines damaged by the recent storms.
But more than 1000 homes across the metropolitan area remain without power this afternoon.

The power outages are widespread across Perth but some suburbs including Leederville, Rockingham, Tuart Hill and Shoalwater have fared worse than others.

A spokeswoman said most of the 1110 homes would have power restored later today.

An estimated 50 homes, where power outages have been affected by damage to a single electricity line, are expected to remain without power tonight.

Meanwhile, State Emergency Service crews attended to homes with leaking roofs in Gosnells, Melville, Stirling and Belmont overnight and this morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast showers will ease this afternoon with possible early showers Sunday morning followed by fine weather conditions.

PERTH
LISA CALAUTTI


as posted here

Friday 22 May 2009

40 per cent spike in house sales

as posted here

Chalpat Sonti
May 22, 2009 - 2:19PM
WA's residential property market has experienced its best sales period in more than 18 months, with the average price for Perth houses jumping $10,000.

Real Estate Institute of WA figures show the number of sales in the state surged 40 per cent in the three months to March 31, driving up house prices everywhere.

The average house price in Perth is now $430,000, while unit prices in the city rose 2 per cent, to $348,500.

Residential land blocks also rose $10,000, to $230,000, driven by builders of first homes.

The average house price in regional areas rose 2.9 per cent, to $350,000, while unit prices jumped 7 per cent to $310,000 and land prices rose $2000 to $155,000.

There were 15,000 properties for sale during the period, with an average selling time of 76 days, similar to the previous three months.

"However, it is a patchy market and some areas such as Armadale, Gosnells and Wanneroo South have seen selling days come down quite a bit," REIWA president Rob Druitt said.

Much of the house price rise in Perth occurred in the "middle ring" and coastal areas.

Wanneroo South prices rose 7.6 per cent, while other healthy gains were posted in Waneroo North West (5 per cent), Stirling West (4 per cent), Gosnells (3.6 per cent), Cockburn (3.3 per cent), Bayswater-Bassendean (1.9 per cent).

However, western suburbs prices were down 12.5 per cent, Vincent fell 3.1 per cent and Armadale-Serpentine dropped 2.1 per cent.

The number of homes for sale in Perth stood at 14,300 at the end of April, down 3200 in about a year.

Meanwhile, the rental vacancy rate in the city was up slightly, at 2.9 per cent, with the average rent of $360 a week also showing little movement on the previous three months.

as posted here

Evicted Perth chef plans to keep on cooking

as posted here

Masterchef evictee Josh Catalano has accepted his demise from the Network Ten reality television show in the trademark laidback manner he became renowned, and often criticised for, during his stint on the show.
The Thornlie resident and fishmonger told thewest.com.au while he was obviously disappointed to leave the show, he was looking forward to the future.

His family have welcomed him back with open arms to the family business Catalano’s Seafood in Bassendean where Catalano will help set-up the company’s four new stores at Karrinyup Shopping Centre, Centro Galleria, Garden City and Joondalup IGA’s store.

He also plans to host cooking demonstrations at the Bassendean store and is open to whatever career opportunities come his way.

“Anything is possible …but for now I will definitely stay in Perth and see what happens,” Catalano said.

He has his housemate to thank for his time in the spotlight, who convinced him to audition for the show after seeing the advert on television.

“I never thought from 7500 (people) I would get into the top 20,” he said.

In his Masterchef biogrpahy, Catalano stated he did not want to be a single man for much longer and it seems he may have got his wish.

During his time on the show, Catalano became close with fellow Masterchef contestant Kate Rodrigues, who also hails from WA.

However, he remained coy when questioned about what the future held for him and Kate.

“We are really good friends at this stage…we are pretty close,” he said.

“You’ve got no one else there (in the competition), if you are feeling down it’s a good feeling (to have) someone close to you.”

A highlight for Catalano was being told by judge and renowned food critic Matt Preston that he would pay money for his food.

He said it was an amazing compliment and confirmed to him he could actually cook.

However, he said he criticism from the judges that he was too laidback for the competition did not affect him.

“That’s just me …I’m not going to run around the kitchen in a panic,” he said.

With a big Italian family, Catalano said he wasn’t really into cooking Italian food and was instead “all about the seafood”.

“Seafood is a huge part …obviously (I’ve) got that fresh produce,” he said.

“With me it’s about stripping back the flavours and letting the natural flavours of seafood come out – that’s what I am about.”

Catalano tipped Victorian resident Sam to take out the Masterchef title because of his passion for food.

PERTH
LISA CALAUTTI

as posted here

Two lucky to escape after heavy seas swamp boat in storm

as posted here


Two people were lucky to escape after their dinghy overturned in heavy seas off Rockingham during last night’s storm.
The couple, a 20 year-old man and a 23 year-old woman were on their way to check on their yacht in Mangles Bay when their dinghy was swamped in the rough conditions about 6.30pm.

The pair managed to swim to their yacht and clamber aboard but were unable to return to the shore.

Water Police and the Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue Group later rescued the pair after friends, concerned for their welfare, raised the alarm just after 9.30pm.

Water police said the rescue served as a timely reminder for people to have safety equipment such as life jackets, flares and EPIRB’s on board when out on the water.

“It is also important to have some form of communication equipment, such as a marine radio or a mobile phone, to alert authorities to emergency situations quickly,” a police spokesperson said.

The historic pylon at Cottesloe Beach was knocked down overnight, with onlookers today describing conditions at the popular beach as fierce. High seas mean water is lapping at the surf club, and the beach has disappeared under the water.

Meanwhile more than 4000 homes are still without electricity today as Western Power battles to repair powerlines damaged by the storm.

The worst affected areas are in Canning Vale and Huntingdale where 2500 homes are without power.

Western Power spokeswoman Marisa Chapman said engineers were also facing issues at Mt Helena and Parkerville where trees knocked over powerlines.

“We still got a lot of work to do and there is a potential that people maybe without power for the rest of the day. It all depends on the weather and the amount of work. By lunch time we should have an idea on what the situation would be,” she said.

Since yesterday, SES volunteers have dealt with about 260 call outs and this morning are still dealing with hazards in Cockburn, Gosnells, Kalamunda and Swan.

Perth Metro SES operations manager Glenn Hall said most of the call outs related to localised flooding and trees falling over roads.

“We don’t expect the storm to be as bad as yesterday but people should still take precautions,” Mr Hall said.

Most of the hazards have been in Perth where 35 calls for help were made followed by Rockingham, 32, and Stirling, 28.

The Weather Bureau has this morning issued yet another alert, warning of possible widespread damaging winds, destructive gusts and abnormally high tides.

Wind speeds are expected to reach 125kmh while there is also a possibility of hail with the chance of a thunderstorm.

Rain is expected to continue for much of the day with temperatures reaching a maximum of 17C.

The State Emergency Service advises people to put away or weigh down loose objects, move vehicles under cover then stay inside away from windows when strong winds develop.

Boat owners should ensure boats are securely moored.

If caught outside find shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams.

If driving through heavy rain slow down and turn your lights on or if visibility becomes low, pull over and park.

For SES assistance call 132 500.

PERTH
LEE RONDGAGER
as posted here

REIWA claims Perth property market comeback

as posted here

DESPITE slumping house prices across the country, the Real Estate Institute of WA claims the Perth market has made a strong comeback in the March quarter.

According to REIWA, Perth’s median house price jumped by $10,000 since December last year, lifting the current median price to $430,000, with sales volumes returning to a 15 year average.

REIWA President Rob Druitt said WA’s property market experienced its strongest turnover since September 2007 with the number of sales increasing by more than 40 per cent since December.

“While the Federal Government’s first homebuyer boost has been a major reason behind this renewed activity, there is also evidence that trade-up buyers are returning to the market,” Mr Druitt said.

Perth also recorded an increase in unit prices, lifting by just under two per cent to a median of $348,500.

Blocks of residential land also saw growth in the March quarter, increasing by 4.5 per cent, or $10,000, to a median of $230,000, largely driven by first home builders.

Mr Druitt said there was a turnaround in house sales during the quarter, with evidence suggesting the number of sales for the month of March were 85 per cent above December last year.

“This increase in sales was experienced across all market sectors, particularly the coastal region from Scarborough to Butler and in the South East corridor in the Canning and Gosnells local government areas.

“Much of the increase in the overall median was driven by price growth in the middle ring and coastal markets such as Wanneroo North West (5 per cent), Wanneroo South (7.6 per cent), Stirling West (4 per cent), Bayswater-Bassendean (1.9 per cent), Gosnells (3.6 per cent), and Cockburn (3.3 per cent).”

“In contrast, some inner markets saw a fall in prices, including the Western Suburbs (-12.5 per cent) and Vincent (-3.1 per cent), while Armadale-Serpentine on Perth’s outer fringe also fell by 2.1 per cent,” Mr Druitt said.

The number of homes for sale in Perth had been progressively falling from the over-supply of March 2008. The figure had dropped from 17,500 dwellings in March last year to 14,300 at the end of April this year.

“This slide in the number of listings suggests that the excess stock built by speculators during the boom is likely to evaporate by the middle of this year, and probably triggering fresh construction,” Mr Druitt said.

Perth’s rental vacancy rate had eased to 2.9 percent, a figure that was historically normal for the city.

This had reduced the pressure on rents which had remained stable for the last six months, resting at a median price of $360 per week spread across both units and houses.

Mr Druitt said it was a similar positive story in regional WA, where house prices had also jumped by $10,000, or 2.9 per cent, in the quarter.

“A typical house in regional WA will now cost you $350,000, while units in the regions have jumped by almost 7 per
cent, or $20,000, to a new median of $310,000.

“However, unlike the city, land prices have remained quite stable, lifting by around $2,000 to a median block price of
$155,000,” Mr Druitt said.

According to REIWA there were about 15,000 properties on the market during the March quarter, down from around
16,000 in December.

“The number of selling days is steady at 76, meaning it’s taking about two and half months to sell a property in the
current climate. This is 5 days more than the same time last year.

“However, it is a patchy market and some areas such as Armadale, Gosnells and Wanneroo South have seen selling days come down quite a bit,” Mr Druitt said.

Mr Druitt said it was very hard to predict how the June quarter might fare, as the winter months were traditionally very quiet for the sector.

“The Rudd Government’s extension of the first homebuyer boost through to 30 September will have an impact, as will rates of unemployment and general overall consumer sentiment.

“Although it must be said that currently the market is looking pretty robust with keen buyers finding lots of opportunities to keep them motivated,” Mr Druitt said.

as posted here

Thornlie cook deemed weakest link

as posted here

Helen Ganska, tv editor
May 22, 2009 05:27am

THORNLIE fishmonger Joshua Catalano has been evicted from Channel 10's reality series MasterChef, but today he's cooking up a storm on Perth radio.

This morning he will be taking up a challenge from Nova radio station personalities Nathan and Nat to whip up a meal from the contents of the radio station's fridge.

From 8.30am Catalano will be on-air talking about his shock elimination from the highly-rating reality show last night and thinking what to do with Nova's employees lunches and leftovers.

The three judges, chefs and restaurateurs Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris and food critic Matt Wilson, often felt that Catalano was too laid back in his approach in the fiercely competitive competition, but his dish rated highly with the judges.

However the red team lost and he was deemed by his fellow contestants to be the weakest link.

"We had a team challenge and I was pretty much tactically chosen by the red team to break up the so-called 'kiddie mafia' group with Kate and Sam and I," he said.

"It is really strange as my dish in that challenge was the highest scored dish out of our team and yet Chris serves up raw chicken and stays in the competition."

He was voted off by the red team but was lost for words as to why they eliminated him from the competition.

"They cited my food knowledge as the reason for voting me off - it had nothing to do with my cooking abilities," he said.

"When the red team went to vote I don't think I was the weakest link, but I was still voted off.

"I have come to terms with their decision now - it is a competition and these things happen in reality TV and maybe people vote tactically too."

The "kiddie mafia" group, named by outed competitor Brent, and discussed in the media is dismissed by Catalano who said the three of them are just close friends.

"We never sat there and plotted anything - we are just close friends," he explained.

"In the house we spent a lot of time together together.

"In fact Sam and I became really close and talked about things that we probably haven't shared with anybody else.

"You become really close to people when you spend every day cooking with them and sharing a house with them too."

Catalano was stoked to have made it into the top 50 competitors let alone into the final 20 - and has no regrets.

"Those Masterclasses with George and Gary were invaluable - I had to think what you would pay to listen to their advice," he said.

"This competition has really focused me - especially fuelled when Matt Preston said that he would pay money in a restaurant for my dish.

"I know I have a talent and I have to pursue it.

"I still dream of opening a seafood restaurant - but I had to put everything on hold while I went into the competition and now I have come back to bills that need to be paid and I still have a job to do.

"We have just opened out fourth retail store in Karrinyup and so as a start plan to do cooking demonstrations.

"The other retails stores are Garden City, Morley Galleria and in IGA in Joondalup - and I will also look at some cooking demonstrations at the Catalano operation in Collier Road on Saturday mornings."

Catalano thought that Nedlands-born Julia, who beat celebrity chef Peter Evans in the head-to-head challenge on Tuesday, will be in the final up against Sam and Chris - but said that Chris will take out the first Australian MasterChef title.


as posted here

Damaging storm hits WA

as posted here

Strong winds and heavy rain have lashed the Perth metropolitan area causing widespread damage and power cuts.

A storm which hit Perth early this afternoon carried winds up to 110 kilometres an hour.

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) says fallen trees are blocking roads in Rockingham to the south of Perth, Canning and Hilton and about 60,000 homes are without power, including 3000 in the South West.

Allen Gale from FESA says the storm has also damaged properties.

"That's resulted in iron being lifted off some roofs, quite a few trees down," he said.

We're also aware of garden sheds, pergolas that have been flipped as well and in the city there's problems alongside the freeway because of unusually high tides and the wind action is causing water spray to come up over the freeway."

The Weather Bureau says more heavy rain is expected .

Grant Pipe from the State Emergency Service says calls for help are coming from all over the metropolitan area.

"It's widespread so it all the way from Wanneroo in the north and right down to Rockingham in the south and eastern suburbs as well both Armadale and Gosnells," he said.

Passenger train services on a number of lines in Perth were also disrupted due to electrical problems related to the storm.

Replacement buses were brought in to service the Fremantle line from 1.00pm.

Services on all Perth train lines have since returned to normal.


- ABC


as posted here

Thursday 21 May 2009

Cold front zaps 52,000 homes in metro area

as posted here

More than 50,000 homes in the Perth metropolitan area are now without power following the strong cold front that crossed the coast earlier today.

In the largest single interruption, power has been cut to a major transformer in the Riverton substation, affecting about 10,000 customers.

Western Power says the main cause of faults today was related to the storm. Debris, including household material, had blown into powerlines causing damage and in some cases bringing down the powerlines.

The other major power interruptions currently affecting the metro area includes Wanneroo (9000 properties), Amhurst (6000), Southern River (7000), Gosnells (3500), Padfields (2500), Arkana (2500), Yangebup (2500), Myaree (2500), Landsdale (2000), Parkwood (1700), Wilson, Forrestfield, Middle Swan and High Wycombe (all 1000) and Kalamunda (800).

There are a number of reports of powerlines down. Western Power has urged people to take care and stay clear of any downed or damaged powerlines.

Western Power said crews would attend to hazards in the first instance to ensure the safety of the general public and would then attend to faults and restore power. More than 120 hazards have been reported to Western Power so far today.

At 1pm, the Perth radar showed a strong cold front to the east of the city and is expected near Geraldton to Albany mid-afternoon before reaching Esperance this evening.

Widespread damaging winds up to 110kmh are expected to extend throughout the warning area during the day as the front moves east.

In isolated areas locally destructive gusts in excess of 125kmh may cause significant damage or destruction of property.

Today, Rottnest Island recorded a wind gust of 115kmh at 11.31am and Perth Airport 107kmh at 12.31pm.

Brunswick Junction has recorded 96.2mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am.

Meanwhile, a second front is expected near the south west corner on Friday and severe winds are likely to continue in southern areas.

Heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms may result in flash flooding mainly about the south-west district and adjacent lower-west and south-coastal districts today.

The State Emergency Service is advising people to put away or weigh down loose objects, move vehicles under cover and stay inside away from windows and boat owners should ensure boats are securely moored.


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...