Latest news with #AlisonXamon
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Stinky Perth sewage spills prompt calls for better drainage
Recent sewage spills in Spearwood, Beaconsfield and Caversham have raised alarm bells on the state of pipes in inner-city Perth. Burst pipes caused wastewater to encroach on parks, residential homes and into the Swan River. The State Government is responsible for upgrading sewerage, water and main drainage assets. City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon wants it to work with inner-city local governments on addressing ageing pipes. Water Corporation, plumbers and earthmovers were at Westonia Park in Spearwood after sewerage flooded the park. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian 'We need to ensure essential infrastructure is able to accommodate increased density. 'It was concerning to see the significant health and amenity impacts that these spills had on residents and the Swan River and I am sure the State Government does not want to see a repeat. 'Together with other inner-city councils, we want to work with the State Government to create a forum to co-ordinate key State infrastructure delivery such as water, drainage and sewerage infrastructure works. 'Local government needs to understand the State Government's plan when it comes to infrastructure so we can better prepare for the servicing of our community needs and infrastructure.' There are 8000 drains and 122km of underground pipes in the City of Vincent. Some are more than 120 years old. Ms Xamon said while Vincent had continued to maintain its existing infrastructure, it needed to be upgraded to meet housing and population targets. City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon. Credit: Iain Gillespie / The West Australian 'The State Government has set an infill target for Vincent of 11,500 dwellings by 2050, in addition to a population growth of an additional 25,000 people,' she said. 'We also continue to approve housing applications and the State-appointed Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel is giving the green light to medium to high-density developments. 'Unfortunately, the current state of pipes and drains does not support the predicted increase in homes and residents across our suburbs. 'The impact of climate change places further pressure on infrastructure to withstand major unprecedented events like we have experienced in recent years. 'So I encourage the State Government to look at redirecting funds earned by agencies such as the Water Corporation into upgrading critical infrastructure to ensure communities are prepared and resilient for years to come.' Water Minister Don Punch said due to significant challenges posed by climate change and rapid population growth, the State Government was ensuring it had 'strong investment' in existing water and wastewater infrastructures, with the addition of $35m in last month's State Budget. A massive sewerage spill affected a number of suburbs in Perth's south. Credit: AAP 'This is in addition to nearly $80m extra over two years allocated under the 2023-24 State Budget for network renewals,' he said. 'This funding supports a rolling program of work to replace or renew ageing water and wastewater infrastructure across Perth, with $39.5m to be spent relining wastewater pipes and $40.4m to replace ageing water mains.' A Water Corporation spokesperson said while isolated issues can occur, it invested significantly in both maintenance and renewal. 'We have an ongoing inspection program that helps us monitor the condition of our network and prioritise work,' the spokesperson said. 'From 2014 to 2024, Water Corporation invested more than $270 million renewing ageing wastewater infrastructure across Perth. 'This year alone, we expect to spend around $100 million on water and wastewater renewals in the metropolitan area — one of our largest ever annual investments. 'Although some sections of our network are older, it is the condition of a pipe, not its age, that best indicates its performance. 'Older pipes can remain in service for decades with appropriate inspection and maintenance, while newer pipes may be susceptible to early failure under certain environmental conditions.' The spokesperson said the Water Corporation worked closely with local governments during the planning and delivery of projects and would continue to collaborate with them to deliver critical infrastructure upgrades and renewals.
Perth Now
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Lower speed limit to stay despite failed national bid
A national assembly of local governments has rejected a proposal from the City of Vincent for the default speed limit on residential roads to be cut from 50km/h to 40km/h. But Perth councils will continue to implement the lower speed limit on their streets. Vincent mayor Alison Xamon presented a motion for the lower limit at the National General Assembly for Local Government in Canberra last month. Her argument included the number of road crash deaths in Australia and that 45 per cent of crashes were in urban areas. Ms Xamon said there was only a brief discussion which lasted about only five minutes. 'From what we could observe, there seemed to be a difference in views between regional and metropolitan councils, with some regional councils voting against the motion,' she said. 'While it was disappointing to see our motion not being widely supported by other councils who attended the conference, we think the case to drop speeds in residential areas is stronger than ever.' Vincent mayor Alison Xamon's call for a lower speed limit nationwide has been unsuccessful. Credit: Daniel Wilkins / The West Australian Ms Xamon said the assembly's decision would not affect the existing permanent 40km/h speed limit in Vincent. 'We'll continue to advocate for safer and slower streets in metropolitan residential areas across the country,' she said. The City of Vincent received an honourable mention in the National Awards for Local Government in the same week as the NGA in Canberra for the initiative. Ms Xamon said Town of Victoria Park mayor Karen Vernon, who also attended the NGA, supported the motion. Victoria Park is also looking at implementing a 40km/h speed limit on its local roads. It is scheduled to be discussed at this month's council meeting. 'Although it is disappointing that the motion was not carried at the NGA, the town is not deterred from its commitment to pursuing a 40km/h speed limit on local roads,' Ms Vernon said. Ms Vernon said lowering the speed limit to 40km/h was an evidence-based, outcomes-driven solution to improving road safety for all road users, saving lives, reducing injury, encouraging active transport and creating more inclusive communities. 'It is simple, effective and can be applied to all local roads across the country,' she said. 'Implementing changes to long-established speed limits in local areas can be challenging, as evidenced by the NGA decision.'
Perth Now
20-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Grim news for owners of vacant land in one Perth suburb
City of Vincent vacant land owners will feel the push to develop from a 25 per cent increase in rates. The rates increase is part of the city's 2025-26 budget that was adopted unanimously at the council's June 17 meeting. In a media statement, the city said the budget focused on essential services and projects that mattered most to the community. Your local paper, whenever you want it. It said while residents were feeling the pressure of a challenging economic climate, the city was also continuing to face rising costs. Residents in the city will have a 4.5 per cent increase in rates, which equates to $1.41 per week or $73.25 per year. Rates for vacant residential properties will increase by 25 per cent. Mayor Alison Xamon said they knew people were 'doing it tough' so the budget aimed to balance the pressure of the city's rising costs while ensuring it delivered core services and continued working on main projects. 'This is why we have worked hard to form a responsible budget that goes back to basics and ensures our roads, drainage, footpaths, playgrounds and facilities are accessible and kept to a high standard.' she said. 'We were recently named the second largest metropolitan council by the Office of the Auditor General for best practice in financial reporting and one of the top 20 councils in WA. 'This achievement is a testament to how seriously we take transparency and accountability in our financial management for our community.' The budget includes funding for infrastructure upgrades, playground renewals, tree planting and community programs such as events like Rainbow Picnic, Festival of Culture, Perth Festival and Jazz Picnic in the Park. 'Our parks and sporting facilities are well-used by both locals and visitors to Vincent so we continue to invest in the maintenance and upgrade of these spaces,' Ms Xamon said. 'New playgrounds are planned for Brigatti Gardens, Britannia Reserve South and Hyde Park West, ensuring our parks continue to provide safe and enjoyable spaces for local families. 'One of our top priorities is to increase the tree canopy in Vincent, and this year we will be planting more trees and continuing to respond to the polyphagous shot-hole borer infestation.' Vincent was ranked the eighth-lowest residential rating councils in metropolitan Perth in 2024-25.
West Australian
04-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
At least 300 trees to be cleared from Hyde Park as part of shot-hole borer blitz
At least 300 trees are set to be cleared from the Hyde Park islands as part of a blitz to eradicate the polyphagous shot-hole borer. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on Wednesday said it was working with the City of Vincent to remove up to 300 host plants — including native and non-WA native trees — from the lake's two islands over the next four to six weeks. DPIRD would not confirm how many infected trees had been removed since works began on May 19. 'The only WA native species on the Hyde Park islands are Melaleuca rhaphiophylla and Eucalyptus rudis,' a spokesperson told The West. 'Other species being removed include eastern states Casuarina spp. Melaleuca spp. and Eucalyptus spp. and non-native woody weeds including Erythrina x sykesii and Ficus sp.' The PSHB — which is native to southeast Asia — is a small beetle which burrows into trees and infects them with a fungus that slowly kills them from the inside. The only way to eradicate the beetle is to remove the infected trees. 'DPIRD is continuing to work in close collaboration with the City of Vincent to manage PSHB in Hyde Park, as part of the nationally funded and coordinated emergency bio-security response,' the spokesperson said. 'PSHB surveillance and management will continue in Hyde Park to protect the high value fig and London plane trees.' Thirteen infested trees at Hyde Park have already been removed, with another 33 pruned to their limit. A further 45 have been treated with insecticides as part of an ongoing chemical trial. City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon said she was 'deeply saddened' to hear the beetle had burrowed its way onto the lake's islands. She said the city would plant up to 4000 new plants and mature trees on the lake's islands. 'Losing the tree is the last thing anyone wants to see, but DPIRD have determined this precaution is necessary to stop the borer spreading to other healthy trees at the park,' Ms Xamon told The West. 'Following DPIRD's works, we will be acting quickly on our three-year restoration program which has been formed in partnership with industry experts. 'About 4000 new plants, that will be resilient to the borer and climate change, will be planted on the islands this winter including mature trees. 'We previously restored the eastern island in 2012, which gives us confidence that our program will see the islands flourish again.' It comes just days after the State Government announced local councils could apply for the first round of its WA Tree Recovery Local Government Grant Program. Councils can receive up to $1140 in funding for each tree that is removed as a result of PSHB, but the City of Vincent is yet to apply for funding. PSHB has been confirmed in more than 80 suburbs across Perth since it was first detected in August 2021.
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
More mature trees to be removed from beloved Perth park
More trees are set to be planted on City of Vincent streets as work continues to remove trees infected with the polyphagous shot-hole borer from the Hyde Park islands. Some surrounding trees will also be pruned during the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's work to remove bore-infested trees. 'Losing trees is the last thing anyone wants to see, but this precaution is being taken to stop the borer spreading to healthy trees in Hyde Park,' the City of Vincent said on its website. Your local paper, whenever you want it. It said the focus was now on rehabilitating the islands as quickly as possible, ensuring the 'long-term beauty and health of the park'. More trees are set to be planted on City of Vincent streets as work continues to remove trees infected with the polyphagous shot-hole borer from the Hyde Park islands. Credit: Sophie Gannon A three-year restoration program for the islands includes planting 4000 plants, including mature trees, throughout winter to help the canopy recover as soon as possible. The city plans to replace trees lost from the islands. The removals started last week, during which the city also announced the start of its annual planting season. About 450 trees will be planted across streetscapes and verges, 165 more than last year with help from a State Government Urban Greening Grant. City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon and acting senior technical officer Ben Bevan from the parks team. Credit: Luke Riley A range of native and climate-friendly species from eucalyptus to melaleuca will be planted from May to September. Mayor Alison Xamon said they would help increase the city's urban canopy. 'Trees provide many benefits to the community, such as essential habitat for local wildlife, biodiversity, shade, mitigating the impact of climate change, better amenity and walkability in residential areas,' she said. Ms Xamon said the new plants were not preferred or reproductive hosts of the polyphagous shot-hole borer. City of Vincent residents who would like to request a new or additional verge tree for next year's planting season can fill in an online form before September 30 on the city's website.
