Southern River Business Park now in business

 Southern River Business Park now in business | City of Gosnells

🏗️ Southern River Business Park officially open

• Lots in the 21‑hectare commercial and light industrial subdivision are now available for development.

• This is the largest commercial project ever undertaken by the City of Gosnells.

💬 Mayor Terresa Lynes’ key messages

• The project is the culmination of years of planning.

• It will deliver a major economic boost and create local employment opportunities.

• The business park is expected to generate significant profits that will directly fund community infrastructure.

• Releasing a commercial park of this scale is unusual for a local government.

📦 Subdivision details

• 51 lots ranging from 1,211 m² to 6,456 m².

• Land buyers are eager to begin construction quickly.

📈 Population growth context

• Southern River’s population is currently ~17,000.

• Forecast to more than double to ~36,500 by 2046.

• Growing population will increase demand for commercial infrastructure, making the business park strategically important.

🌿 Environmental features

• Includes three large public open spaces.

• These areas act as buffers for nearby wetlands and preserve high‑value natural vegetation.

Maddington residents urged to stay in as burnt battery product may react with forecast rain

 Maddington residents urged to stay in as burnt battery product may react with forecast rain - ABC News

🔥 What happened

• A major fire broke out on April 12 at the Li-ion Energy battery recycling facility in Maddington, containing up to 100 tonnes of lithium-ion, lithium metal, and lead-acid batteries.

• It has become Western Australia’s largest battery fire on record.

⚠️ Current public warning

• Residents are urged to stay indoors or avoid the facility because burnt battery material can react with water, and rain is forecast.

• DFES says some burnt battery product is difficult to access due to the collapsed structure.

• Nine containers of burnt material have been removed and covered with sand to prevent off‑gassing.

🧪 Hazard management

• Hazardous materials have been contained and are expected to be moved offsite.

• Air quality monitoring is ongoing within the HAZMAT warning area.

• Swab samples are being analysed by ChemCentre for the Department of Health.

• Six nearby public schools were cleaned as a precaution.

📊 Why this incident matters

• Lithium battery fires are increasing globally, especially in recycling and waste facilities.

• The complexity comes from multiple battery chemistries being present, making firefighting tactics harder.

• DFES and national agencies will review the incident to improve future responses.

• Experts expect this event to influence future regulations and standards for battery waste processing.

🌏 Wider context

• Another recycling facility fire occurred in Brisbane just four days later.

• EV FireSafe notes that battery processing is a growing global challenge.

Garden’s new name to honour Anzacs

 Garden’s new name to honour Anzacs | City of Gosnells

🌿 Key Points: Garden’s New Name to Honour Anzacs

1. Part of the Civic Centre Gardens is now officially named Anzac Gardens

• The renamed area surrounds the Gosnells War Memorial.

• The change coincides with the upcoming Anzac Day Dawn Service hosted by the Gosnells RSL.

2. Purpose of the renaming

• Mayor Terresa Lynes says the name strengthens recognition of the Anzac legacy.

• Emphasises values associated with the Anzac spirit: mateship, service, hard work, humour.

3. Supported by Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh

• Notes that the word Anzac is protected by legislation due to its significance.

• Says the new name honours local service members whose names are on the Gosnells cenotaph.

4. Expanded Anzac Day commemorations

The City of Gosnells has introduced a three‑day program including:

• 21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of Vyner Brooke (stage production)

• Talk by historian Neville Browning

• Screening of Gallipoli

• Art With a Glass session

• Performance: Unforgotten – Songs of Australians at War by Fred Smith

• Veteran discounts and ticket info available on the City’s website.

5. Gosnells RSL events

• March

• Dawn Service

• Gunfire Breakfast (Details available via the RSL link on the page.)