Sky's Vic Park Newsletter #18: WA election, electors' meeting, and safer streets
This covers how to get involved; what's happening behind the scenes at council; WA elections scorecards; what’s coming up in March, including the potential for safer local streets; and decisions made in April, including opposition to the Burswood Park motorplex at Joorolup.
Kaya!
We’re now getting into the full swing of a year of elections, beginning with the WA state elections and moving through to federal and local elections. Given the state of the world, I’m a bit anxious about the elections and I understand if you are, too.
I hope that you’re taking care of yourself and the people around you. I hope that you’re finding ways to build community, even though it often comes with friction as well as joy.
For now, on with the work, and this newsletter is another long one!
It covers:
How to get involved: the elector’s meeting and more!
Behind the scenes at council;
WA elections scorecards;
What’s coming up in March, including the potential for safer local streets;
Decisions made in April, including opposition to the Burswood Park motorplex at Joorolup.
Get involved
The Annual Electors' Meeting is on Monday 10th March at 6pm at 99 Shepperton Rd, with a community mingle beforehand. Members of the community can ask questions about the annual report and put forward motions for the Town to consider.
Showing up makes a huge difference. I've now attended two electors' meetings, and the contrast was stark. One was dominated by a small group that voted down several lovely ideas. Another had much broader community participation, and ended up with votes in support of a peace pole, water-sensitive design, and the establishment of a new Integrated Transport Working Group. If you can make it I'd love to see you there!
Would you like to help shape the future of arts and culture in Vic Park? Join a workshop on 6th or 11th March!
Not a fan of a motorplex in Burswood Park? Let the State government know.
Saturday 29th March is Vic Park Open Streets, come along for free bike checks, trishaw rides, and family fun!
Behind the scenes
We’re starting the budgeting process, during which we have a series of workshops that start with the overall financial landscape and a review of community feedback. Next we’ll move on to looking at different aspects of the budget in more detail. (I wrote a bit about last year’s budget process here.)
We’ve also had a concept forum about managing the impact of domestic cats on local wildlife, and investigating approaches to play equipment on local verges.
I’ve been talking to staff about putting together a concept forum on our approach to extreme heat (which requires a bit of homework from me). I’ve also been trying to learn more about our options for hosting council livestreams and recordings, given the way US tech companies (including Alphabet, parent company of Youtube) are lining up behind Trump.
WA Elections
With the WA State elections voting now open and ending on 8th March, a number of organisations have brought out voter scorecards, trackers, or priority reports.
These include:
Climate Council WA; and
Of course, it’s also useful to contact your local candidates and ask them about issues you care about.
Although They Vote For You only covers federal MPs, it’s a useful resource for looking at party policy positions. Humanity Bites has made a great speadsheet summarising how party leaders vote.
Coming up in March
As usual, we’ll have an Agenda Briefing Forum (on 4th March) where we can ask questions about items, followed by the Ordinary Council Meeting (on 18th March) where decisions are made. I’ve summarised a few items here, but as I encourage you to look at the agenda in full.
Item 11.1 Council Resolutions Status Report - February 2025
As always, the meeting notes includes a list of outstanding council resolutions, and completed resolutions.
Item 12.1 40kmh on Local Streets - Request to proceed to community engagement phase
Lower speed limits make a significant difference to road safety. There are many reasons to prioritise this, including that road deaths are a leading cause of death in Australian children. This is one of the reasons that five inner-city councils are working together to reduce speeds on local roads, starting with a community consultation phase. More detail is provided in the attached report.
Item 12.2 Draft Oats Street Station Precinct Plan and Scheme Amendment - Request to proceed to public advertising
The Draft Oats Street Station plan aims to manage urban ecology; higher density development near the train and bus station; community infrastructure; the public realm; mixed developments; and transport. If passed, this draft will go out for public consultation.
Item 12.3 Proposed naming changes in the Edward Millen Precinct
Staff recommend, “that the Town proceed with renaming Edward Millen House to Elizabeth Baillie House and that the new playground in Edward Millen Park be named Mildred Creak Playground. The name of Edward Millen Park is recommended to remain until the Town’s approach to cultural mapping, and dual naming has been determined in consultation with the Mindeera Advisory Group.”
Item 13.3 Feasibility Report to Resurface the Kensington Bushland Pathways - Request for Extension
Staff note that, “Upgrading the pathways in Kensington Bushland is crucial for enhancing access and inclusion for all community members.” However, a report on this will benefit from more information about paths used in the Kent St Sand Pit Restoration Project – Stage One, and there has been some difficulty in getting a contractor for this project.
Item 14.3 Mid Year Budget Review 2024-2025
This includes a list of budget variations and budget requests, some related to unexpected maintenance requirements, others related to projects coming in under their projected cost. Basically, this item allows staff to request any significant changes to the budget that we previously approved.
What did we decide in February?
As always, these notes are a summary that skips over several items. This is just my perspective and I encourage you to read the full minutes or watch the meeting recording.
There were a number of items that were passed by unanimous exception resolution (which means we didn’t debate them or vote on them individually), including:
Item 1.2 2025 Ordinary Local Government Elections: this set the date of the next elections as 18 October 2025, with postal voting. Half of the currently-sitting councillors will have their terms end.
Item 2.1 Application for Development Approval - Proposed Carpark - Nos. 318, 320 & 322 Shepperton Road, East Victoria Park: this allows a development application for a carpark attached to the Coptic Church.
Item 12.2 Application for Development Approval for a Change of Use from Grouped Dwelling to Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation at 63 Mackie Street Victoria Park: this refuses the application for 63 Mackie Street to be classes as a short-term rental accommodation property.
Item 12.3 Community Funding Program, Art, Community, Sport Equipment and Urban Forest Grants: arts, community, sports equipment, and urban forest grants were awarded.
Item 13.1 Strategic Waste Management Plan
The Strategic Waste Management Plan was deferrred to allow further work before being adopted.
Item 13.2 Western Australian Local Government Association Sustainable Energy Project
This was passed unanimously, allowing us to join other councils in buying green energy at a discount from Synergy.
Item 17.1 Mayor Karen Vernon - Opposition to motorsport street circuit at Burswood Park
This motion notes that Council does not support the construction of a motorsport street circuit (motorplex) at Burswood Park, and that the town will undertake advocacy with the State government in opposition to the motorplex.
For: Mayor Vernon, Cr Anderson, Cr Croeser, Cr Devereux, Deputy Mayor Ife, Cr Melrosa and Cr Miles
Against: Cr Jesse Hamer
We are all connected
The world is large and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’re struggling, remember that it’s okay to rest when you can and take time for recovery. If you have money to spare, please consider donating to help others through an organisation like the UNRWA or WFP. You might also support climate justice through Seed Mob. If you have time to spare, take action for human rights through an organisation like APAN.
That's all folks!
Thanks for reading! As always, I encourage you to get in touch if there's anything you want to ask about or discuss.
best wishes,
sky.
Want to stay in touch?
Subscribe to this newsletter: https://buttondown.email/CrSky (Why not tell your friends!)
Email: scroeser@vicpark.wa.gov.au
You can follow me on Mastodon, Bluesky, Facebook, or Instagram.
Read old newsletters here: https://buttondown.email/CrSky/archive/
Had enough? Unsubscribe here: