We are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful team of volunteers that help provide lots of vital City services to the community. Whether it’s delivering Meals on Wheels, transporting residents to medical appointments or supporting Books on Wheels members, each and every one of our dedicated volunteers does a brilliant job. Earlier this year, we were due to present a Volunteer of the Year Award to a deserving recipient for their efforts in 2019, but unfortunately the COVID-19 situation delayed those plans.
With Volunteer of the Year winner Tom Christensen
Thankfully we were able to present longstanding Books on Wheels volunteer Tom Christensen with the honour earlier this month. Tom has kept the popular service rolling for Dianella and Osborne libraries for more than a decade and is renowned for his efficient and friendly nature. Tom was initially inspired to become a volunteer as a way of following in the footsteps of earlier volunteers who had delivered books to his mother. Congratulations on your award Tom.
The Mount Lawley Town Centre on Beaufort Street remains a cherished local destination with its unique mix of heritage, culture and entertainment options. To continue investing in the precinct, Council recently adopted the Mount Lawley Streetscape Study and $275,000 will be allocated this financial year to deliver short-term actions to enhance the area. The study represents extensive consultation with the community and local stakeholders over many years.
Cr Suzanne Migdale and Cr Joe Ferrante with the Spotted Gums on Beaufort Street
Lawley Ward Councillors Suzanne Migdale and Joe Ferrante have strongly advocated for investment in the area to attract more visitors and support local businesses. With prior community feedback calling for more greenery, a series of tree plantings went ahead last year including 11 new Spotted Gum trees along the median strip of Beaufort Street (between Walcott Street and Queen’s Crescent). Upcoming short-term improvements to boost the precinct include the addition of new murals and planter boxes.
In just six weeks, the community can exchange eligible cans and bottles for cash at our two new Containers for Change refund points. Part of the State Government’s Containers for Change scheme, the refund points in Balcatta will offer a 10-cent refund for each eligible container from Thursday 1 October 2020. A new facility opening at 257 Balcatta Road will offer a drive-through location to handover containers and receive on the spot cash refunds.
Project Officer for Containers for Change Vanja Marjanovic with Deputy Mayor Bianca Sandri outside the new facility
The City’s Recycling Centre Balcatta at 238 Balcatta Road will offer an express bag drop-off facility for electronic refunds. This bulk service should prove a good fit for businesses, schools, charities and community groups wanting to cash in their eligible containers. Items accepted for 10-cent refunds include most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3 litres purchased in WA. Our dedicated webpage has all the latest information about the Containers for Change program.
Next time you take a stroll along the coastal path in Trigg, make sure to look for the newly-upgraded set of stairs leading down to the Bennion Dog Beach. The former concrete steps have been replaced with a set of 30 stairs with six landings that feature an innovative mix of concrete and composite materials. Coastal Ward Councillors Karen Caddy and Felicity Farrelly recently visited the beach to try out the finished product.
Cr Karen Caddy and Cr Felicity Farrelly on the new stairs at Bennion Dog Beach
A small section of timber steps remain in place at the very end of the new stairs leading onto the Bennion Dog Beach. The timber steps will be replaced at the end of their serviceable life. Along with the new stairs, we recently upgraded part of the nearby shared path on West Coast Drive – not far from Bailey Street – that connects to the Bennion Dog Beach car park. A new dog wash and dog drinking fountain is also in place just off the North Trigg Beach car park.
It was brilliant to welcome face-to-face citizenship ceremonies back to the City’s reception hall late last month. To make up for lost time, we have added more ceremonies to the calendar in August. Previously, the City’s citizenship ceremonies have accommodated about 120 people who took the pledge and their guests. To allow for physical distancing, these smaller sessions will cater for about 50 new citizens plus guests. Residents interested in becoming a citizen should visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.
If you’re looking to save some time, the City has a range of services and payment facilities that can be accessed online, around the clock from the comfort of home. Amongst the online services now available are pet renewals and registrations, lodgement of planning and building applications, rates payments and access to our vast digital library. Visit our website to discover all the online services that are just a click away.
Social Media Share this articleLinks below open in a new window