Kaya!

I hope that you’re well, and finding joy and connection around you. As we’re seeing in other places, taking the time to build community is important when things get tough, as well as in good times.

Council is now back after the January break, and I’m slowly digging my way through my emails and to do lists.

I’ve been particularly grateful lately for shady pathways during the Bunuru heat - I get to travel this lovely section often when I go visit my Yiayia.

This newsletter includes:

• Getting involved;

• Coming up in February: the community group and club development plan; response to the State’s plan for higher-density precincts around train stations; and a request to defer the report on unapproved tree removals at Elizabeth Baillie Park.

• Decisions made in December: a skateboarding partnership; short-term rental accommodation policy; accessible pathways for Kensington Bushland; and the Rutland Ave shared path project.

• Inspiration from elsewhere: a compost computer, a tiny workshop, renewable Uruguay, and social media for the people.

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Get involved

• Your Thoughts currently has two important consultations open: the budget consultation and consultation on the revised draft of the Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation and Residential Building policy. Please let us know what you think!

• The Burswood Park Alliance will be holding a protest this Saturday 14th February from 2 to 4pm.

• On February 27th, Connect Vic Park will be screening Breathing Life into Boodja.

• Help with the great bike count on March 3rd for Super Tuesday! More volunteers means we get better data on where people are riding - or not feeling safe enough to ride.

• Join the Australian Conservation Foundation in imagining a gas-free future for WA at the Vic Park Community Centre on February 18th.

• Learn about environmental DNA at Jirdarup in March.

• Want to stay in touch with what’s happening around town without relying on social media algorithms? Subscribe to the Town newsletters, or newsletter for the Library and Community Centre.

Coming up in February

As always, this is a summary of a few key items: I encourage you to read the full agenda online, and you can also watch the recording of the Agenda Briefing Forum (where we asked questions about items ahead of the Ordinary Council Meeting).

12.1 Community Group and Club Development Plan Adoption

This recommends adoption the first plan of its type, which has drawn on research and consultation. As well as setting out overall objectives, there are specific short-, medium-, and long-term objectives listed.

12.2 Response to WAPC Station Precincts Improvement Plans

Last year the State government announced that they would be fast-track higher-density homes around ten train stations, including Carlisle and Oats Street, though the Station Precincts Improvements Plans.

This item provides council with a draft response to the Western Australian Planning Commission's request for comment, with a recommendation that we do not support or object to the current plan given the lack of information; and that we note our general support for higher-density development around stations.

The recommendation also suggests that we call on the State government to assess the existing draft Oats Street Station Precinct Structure Plan that staff have sent to the WAPC; accelerate strategic planning for Burswood Station West as identified in the WAPC’s 2015 Burswood Peninsula District Structure Plan; and provide further detail on the extent to which the Town will be engaged and/or participate in the development of the Station Precincts Improvement Scheme.

13.1 Request for Deferral on Elizabeth Baillie Park investigation

This notes that the investigation into why trees marked to be retained were removed is ongoing, and requests a deferral of the presentation of the report to Council until March 17 this year.

14.7 Post year end budget review

This includes a summary of projects not completed in the previous financial year to be carried over, movement of money to reserves, and the revised Statement of Financial Activity.

Decisions made in December

As always, this is just a summary highlighting some items that might be of interest. I encourage you to read the meeting minutes or watch the recording for full details.

Item 11.3 The Rumble Skateboard Olympic Pro Tour 2026 – Partnership Proposal and Funding

I successfully moved a small amendment to this item (page 55 or 1hr 25min), adding a provision for the Town to work with, “Pacific Action Sports to support an inclusive approach, including promoting gender equity.” The item was unanimously passed, endorsing a $40,000 one-year sponsorship of the BMD Rumble Skateboard Pro Tour 2026 at McCallum Park Active Zone, with the possibility of a four-year extension.

Item 12.1 Adoption of revised Local Planning Policy 31 'Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation and Residential Buildings'

Cr Minson unsuccessfully put forward a significant amendment to this policy (p. 67 or 2hr 56min), excluding a number of the proposed areas from being able to host Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRAs). Mayor Vernon then successfully moved a different version of this amendment, sending the changes proposed by Cr Minson out for public comment before adoption.

12.2 Extension of the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

This extension allows the Town to continue working towards the goals set out in the plan.

Item 13.1 Feasibility Report to Resurface the Kensington Bushland Pathways

Cr Anderson moved an amendment to this item to include “for consideration in the 2025/26 mid year budget a nominal amount of $150,000 to undertake remediation of the limestone path within Kensington Bushland” (p. 100).

Item 13.2 Rutland Avenue Advocacy & Project Update - December 2025

I, and others, asked quite a few questions about this item at the Agenda Briefing Forum leading up to the Ordinary Council Meeting (see p. 34 on), as well as quite a few questions by email in the following fortnight.

One option that I wanted to learn more about was the possibility of adding a temporary protected on-road bike lane until we get the funding necessary for the version of the project previously endorsed by council (for some background to this see my previous newsletter, Item 13.1), along with considering some of the traffic calming on nearby streets previously suggested by then-Cr Devereux.

After substantial feedback from members of the community (including public questions and statements, see 19min on), I successfully put forward an amendment calling for a Concept Forum (a workshop with staff and elected members) where we could explore approaches to building a temporary, protected bike lane on Rutland Ave in combination with an integrated approach to traffic flow and safety across nearby streets (p. 40).

Item 13.4 Lathlain Park Grandstand Redevelopment - Update on Negotiations with State Government

Council noted ongoing negotiations with the State Government about the redevelopment plan, and affirmed “Council’s commitment to full transparency by requiring that the terms of any negotiations or subsequent lease will be made publicly available at future Council meetings”.

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Inspiration from elsewhere

• Uruguay is showing the way with a rapid transition to 98% renewable energy!

• What might it look like if we controlled social media?

• A building guide for the smallest workshop, for those of you with more free time (and building skills) than I have.

• Do you want a compost computer? I want a compost computer.

We are all connected

Around the world we see people organising against racism and violence. People are speaking up and putting their bodies on the line to protect their neighbours and show solidarity.

Sometimes, this all feels very far away from Vic Park. But there are so many people here who have connections, and we’re also not immune to global political forces.

We know that around the world, many people are desperately seeking support and the kindness of strangers. If you have money to spare, consider donating, supporting advocacy efforts for those facing violence in Sudan, Palestine, or elsewhere, or help defend our right to protest.

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Boordawan!

Thanks for reading! As always, if you have questions, ideas, or concerns, please do feel free to get in touch. And if you’ve read this far and found it useful, please consider sharing with friends!

best wishes,

sky.