Tuesday 22 December 2009

Gum tree stand-off continues

as posted here



Gosnells MLA Chris Tallentire has called for the stand-off to be resolved between the Gosnells council and a resident over a gum tree in Hume Road.
Mr Tallentire told Comment News last Wednesday that the two remaining gum trees on Hume Road should be retained unless specific expert evidence can show they were in imminent danger.
Twenty other gum trees along Hume Road were cut down because of their potential to drop heavy limbs.
Hume Road resident Richard Pennicuik and a team of supporters have protected two trees by literally living in them for the past fortnight.
Gosnells council has refused to talk to Mr Pennicuik while he remains in the tree and Mr Pennicuik has refused to come down unless the council talks to him face-to-face and promises the tree outside his home would be retained.
Mr Tallentire said the bizarre stand-off could have been avoided if the council had conducted better, more extensive consultation with residents about the removal of trees on verges. He said consultation was a challenge for all levels of government.
“Local government has got to do a better job of consulting about what people really want,’’ Mr Tallentire said.
“There needs to be good community consultation on what streetscaping should take place... jacarandas may look good in November, but aside from their flowering the benefits are limited.”
City of Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said the City believed the Eucalyptus Melliodora trees in Hume Road were dangerous to pedestrians and motorists following limb drops by trees of the same species and age. “In light of its concern about public safety, the City informed residents that the trees would need to be removed,” Mr Cowie said.
“Four residents provided comment to the City when they received this information, including one who specifically objected, who was then given further advice.
“As it has been said since the beginning of this process, the City will discuss the issue further with the resident when he leaves the tree and the tree will not be touched while discussions take place.”
Mr Cowie urged Mr Pennicuik to leave the tree and end what he said was a massive inconvenience to the other residents of Hume Road.

What Do You Think?



as posted here

Thornlie Skate Park on track for completion by Christmas

as posted here



The first stage of the City of Gosnells Thornlie Civic Precinct Revitalisation Project is due to be completed by Christmas.
Mayor Olwen Searle said the precinct was being redesigned to encourage positive behaviour and give better access to the Skate Park, Leisure World and the Thornlie Library.
“The installation of the skate park’s lighting, additional CCTV cameras, limestone walls and pathways is almost complete – with the shade shelter currently under construction,” Mayor Searle said.
“Renovation of the existing grassed area is also being carried out.”
Mayor Searle said funding was provided by the Commonwealth Attorney General’s department under the ‘Safer Suburbs Plan’.
“Upcoming events at the upgraded Thornlie Skate Park include skateboard and BMX coaching clinics with professional instructors – with skating from 10am to noon on 9 January 2010, and BMX from noon to 2pm on the same day,” she said.
“These clinics are suitable for all ages and skill levels, from seven-years-old and upwards, with participants only needing a helmet, enclosed shoes and a skateboard or BMX bike”.
“There will also be a free skateboard and BMX competition on 16 January 2010 from 11am to 4pm – with helmets, food, drinks and music supplied and great prizes from Folklore Skateboards and Jet Cycles.”
For more information call City of Gosnells Youth Services on 9452 9913.



as posted here

Maddington Woolworths Petrol Station Tanker Fire

as posted here




as posted here

Saturday 19 December 2009

Treeman committed to continue vigil

as posted here


Thornlie man, Richard Pennicuick said he is only getting stronger and fitter as his one man protest to save a gum tree outside his house entered its 12th day today.

Speaking to thewest.com.au, Mr Pennicuick, 57, said there was no end in sight to his protest and he will continue camping in the tree until the Gosnells Council gave him a commitment in writing that the tree would be saved.

"I am feeling great. I am doing more exercise here on the tree than I would normally do in the house. I can definitely keep on going but for how long I don't know. But it does look like I am going to be spending Christmas in the tree," he said.
Mr Pennicuick took up residency in the tree two Monday's ago in a last ditch effort save the tree outside his house - just one of the last two of 22 Gum trees that once stood on Hume Road.

He said that his protest was gaining momentum and in the past few days has been visited by scores of people who have shown their support.

"A couple flew all the way in from Sydney to hello and in the last few days I have had visitors from India and South Africa who video taped me. There is a huge groundswell of support," he said.

as posted here

Thursday 17 December 2009

Thornlie Trees to get the chop

as posted here


Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes 15 December 2009
9
∗ Ms. Hilda Potschick of 17 Ravensden Street, Thornlie asked the following
questions:
Q 1 Can the Council provide me with the street names and proposed dates
where Council intends to remove more trees?
Q 2 Can Council provide me with copies and the compilers names of all
surveys made/being made by tree specialists commissioned by Council
to recommend all tree removals in the City?
Response: The Mayor advised that the City was not removing all of the
trees, only specifying which ones the City has been advised to take
down. The Mayor further advised that all of Ms.Potshick questions
would be taken on notice and responded to in writing.

as posted here

Limb fall underlines City stance

as posted here


Limb fall underlines City stance

A 12 metre long limb which fell yesterday from a Eucalyptus Melliadora in Gosnells will be removed tomorrow by City staff.

The tree is the same species as one being occupied by a resident in Hume Road, Thornlie. The safety of Eucalyptus Melliadora was reviewed last year after a limb weighing over a tonne dropped into Hume Road, narrowly missing a car.

This led the City to commence a replacement program which will see 22 trees replaced with 35 new ones in Hume Road as part of a five year process across the City.

City Chief Executive Officer Ian Cowie said the latest limb drop was an example of why the trees were being replaced.

“As the City keeps saying, Eucalyptus Melliadora is unsuitable for street verges because they are dangerous. We are relieved no serious damage was done when this latest limb drop occurred – it is estimated the latest limb weighed in excess of a tonne.”

The City has consistently offered to meet the resident who is occupying the tree once he comes down. The City has also repeatedly said that the tree will not be removed before those discussions are held. The City’s position has been confirmed in writing to the resident but he has not left the tree.

Work in Hume Road has now concluded until the issue of the two occupied trees is resolved.



as posted here

Boy partially disembowelled in accident

as posted here


ALEISHA PREEDY
December 16, 2009 - 4:49PM
AAP

A four-year-old West Australian boy is recovering after being partially disembowelled when he sat on a swimming pool skimmer box.

The boy was in the pool at his home in Gosnells, in Perth's southeast, when the accident happened on December 5, the WA Department of Consumer Protection division says.

He sat on the skimmer box, a filtering device on the edge of the pool which removes leaves and dirt from the water, and the suction of the pool's filter pump damaged a portion of his small and large intestine.

He spent a week receiving treatment at Perth's Princess Margaret Hospital and is now recovering at home, but will require the use of a colostomy bag for several months while his injuries heal.

The consumer protection department issued a warning about the danger of pool equipment on Wednesday, following an inquiry into the incident.

Consumer Protection Commissioner Anne Driscoll warned owners of older-style swimming pools, installed prior to 1988, to check skimmer boxes cannot be accessed by children.

"In older-style pools these skimmer boxes look like a seat or potty that a child can easily sit in unless there is a physical barrier or the lid is permanently secured down," Ms Driscoll said.

"If children sit in a skimmer box it can cause horrific injuries and even death.

"It's important that skimmer boxes have a safety skirt or lid installed which is a vertical barrier preventing children from sitting on the box and that the lid is securely fixed and can only be removed with tools and not by hand."

as posted here

Bushfire flares up in Martin

as posted here


UPDATE: Fire crews are on the scene of a bushfire in Martin, that started on the eastern side of Tonkin Highway.

The fire, reported at 3.30pm this afternoon, is burning between Rushton Road and Quarry Road

The fire has now been contained but motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and reduce speed, drive carefully and be mindful of emergency services crews working in the area.

FESA has issued a bushfire warning for residents in the area.

No homes or lives are currently threatened by the fire.

People living in the area should close all doors and windows, turn off evaporative air-conditioners (but keep water running through the system) and watch for signs of fire.

as posted here

Police probe Gosnells party brawl

as posted here

Police are investigating a brawl involving about 30 people at a party in Gosnells on the weekend in which a 20-year-old suffered severe facial injuries.

A police spokesman said that officers had been called to a fight between party goers and gate crashers at the party on Nullagine Way near Swingler Way in Gosnells.

When police arrived they had found about 30 drunken revellers spilling out of the party on to the street. A 20 year-old Gosnells man, an invited guest at the party, was injured when he wrestled with another man and was hit on the head with a solid object, possibly a cricket bat.
He was taken to Armadale Hospital and then transferred to Royal Perth Hospital.

He suffered fractures above and below his left eye, a fracture to the right side of his forehead causing bleeding and swelling to his brain, a broken nose and a broken finger.

Anyone with information on the assault is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


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...