Latest news with #EasternMetropolitanRegionalCouncil
Perth Now
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Celebrate the thrill of the Avon Descent
Each year, the Lotterywest Avon Descent Festival brings the banks of the rivers to life with a series of vibrant, family-friendly events. These community celebrations shine a spotlight on local culture, creativity, and the simple joy of being outdoors with friends, family, and neighbours. The Avon and Swan Rivers come alive with the energy and excitement of the Avon Descent — Western Australia's iconic white-water race that brings together participants from across the country. Spanning two action-packed days, the race sees kayakers, surf skiers and powerboats take on the winding waterways in a true test of skill, endurance and grit. But it's not just about the race. Held in partnership with the Shire of Northam, City of Swan, City of Bayswater, Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) and Lotterywest, the festivals offer something for everyone — whether you're there to support a competitor, soak up the atmosphere, or simply enjoy a great day out. To celebrate the race and provide opportunities for local engagement, each of the participating local governments hosts a festival in their respective region. These events are designed to bring communities together and highlight local culture, businesses and recreation. The festivals will include features such as: Live music and entertainment Food trucks and market stalls Children's activities and family-friendly areas Displays showcasing local arts, crafts and culture Browse handmade goods by WA artisans, experience the Winter Wonderland at the City of Swan Avon Descent Festival, and enjoy roving performances at the City of Bayswater Finish Line Festival, and dive into rich cultural diversity at the Northam Bilya Festival alongside all things Carnival. The events aim to encourage outdoor participation, support small businesses and foster a thriving community in the areas. Each festival is free to attend and welcomes both residents and visitors. These festivals are supported by Lotterywest, which provides funding to assist local governments in delivering accessible, inclusive community events. Northam Bilya Festival Friday, 8 August | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Bernard Park, Minson Avenue, Northam City of Swan Avon Descent Festival Sunday, 10 August | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Lilac Hill Park, Caversham City of Bayswater Finish Line Festival Sunday, 10 August | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Riverside Gardens, Milne Street, Bayswater Lotterywest celebrated record-breaking returns to the Western Australian community in 2023-24, with more than $1 billion provided in grants and lottery prizes. As the only State Government owned and operated lottery in Australia where all the profits are returned to the community, Lotterywest is committed to supporting Western Australian community groups. For more details and updates, visit the website.
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Why locals may have to pay more for rubbish collection
Eastern suburbs residents have been warned they could have to pay more to have their rubbish collected if a publicly-funded waste facility is sold to a private operator. The future of the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council's Red Hill waste management facility has been thrown into doubt as its member councils leave or contemplate leaving. Red Hill accepts a wide range of waste from the general public, commercial operators and local, regional, State and Federal government organisations. But a former EMRC chairman has warned a spate of councils deciding to 'take the money and run' could lead to Red Hill being sold to a private operator and prices for waste disposal increasing. The City of Belmont was a founding member of the EMRC but withdrew in 2021, leaving the cities of Swan, Kalamunda and Bayswater, the Shire of Mundaring and Town of Bassendean as the remaining members. The City of Kalamunda withdrew its membership in 2023 and the Shire of Mundaring announced in April it would withdraw its membership effective from July 1. The Town of Bassendean and City of Bayswater each held meetings behind closed doors during July about the EMRC, with their resolutions kept confidential. Although Bassendean's meeting on June 10 was behind closed doors, former town councillor and past EMRC chairman Jai Wilson used public statement time to speak against the town leaving the EMRC, warning it could lead to the sale of Red Hill. Jai Wilson (centre) with past Bassendean mayor Renee McLennan and past Bayswater mayor Dan Bull. Credit: EMRC Mr Wilson said he was elected to the council in 2017 on a ticket of the town remaining an active member of the EMRC. Its member councils then raised $100 million to develop a large-scale FOGO plant. 'What happened when that $100 million got saved is that some greedy local governments — Belmont, Kalamunda and Swan — formed a view that they would like to do a smash and grab on that $100m and divert it away from the purpose for which it was raised, to take it as money they could spend on vanity projects,' Mr Wilson said. 'They formed a view they would leave the EMRC, take that money that had been saved for that project and send their ratepayers' waste to a privately owned incinerator. A ridiculous and disappointing outcome but that's how democracy works. 'We now find ourselves in a situation where more councils are looking to leave and take the money and run. 'That means this goes one of two ways: we either keep Red Hill and the facilities we built up through shared investment in public hands, or we allow it to get sold for cents in the dollar in a fire sale to some foreign multinational corporation that will do certainly two things — jack up prices to recoup money they invest in buying the plant at all of our expense and two, cut corners which will risk the health and safety of the workers that are there and the environment.' The EMRC released a prospectus in May encouraging investment from waste recovery and waste-to-energy related operators. Mr Wilson said the State Government had 'sat on its hands' and needed to keep Red Hill in public ownership. 'It is open to the State Government to support whichever councils ultimately decide to stay in the EMRC, to pay out the greedy councils who want to take the money and run, and to have a borrowing facility to allow the remaining councils to continue to operate the plant,' he said. 'Make sure that the greed of those councils who have misappropriated these funds is not rewarded in any way.' Mr Wilson also asked why the discussion would be behind closed doors. Acting CEO Paul White said it was partly because it involved a contract the council had entered into or could enter into. 'Secondly, the urgency and haste with which circumstances have developed require the ability for the council to be fully briefed and have an open, frank discussion which in this case is best held behind closed doors,' he said. 'There will be information that is publicly made available in due course.' Kalamunda mayor Margaret Thomas said the city withdrew its membership after a decision at its November 2022 meeting. That decision was also made behind closed doors. Belmont CEO John Christie said the city withdrew its membership because 'after careful consideration, (it) didn't see enough value for our community to continue'. The City of Swan was contacted for comment.
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Janet Powell obituary: Civic-minded sports fan rallied for causes
With table tennis bat in hand, Janet Powell was a fighter for points. When a different sort of battle loomed in connection with the more serene sport of lawn bowls, she was up for it. As a city councillor in Belmont, she backed the bowlers who were in danger of losing their green and clubhouse after 60 years of activity. Her appeal went wider than winning scores. 'With health and mental health more important than ever, our seniors need our support to help save their club,' she wrote in her community message. She had organised a petition and moved a council motion seeking legal opinion on the lease between Belmont's sports centre and its bowlers. Her eventual victory was sweet. As for table tennis, her friend and partner with the bat, Steve Sampson, recalls another reason for Janet to feel triumphant. 'We won our competition in the first year we played together undefeated, and entered the State championships. We tried to train hard, with regular runs, but quite often a pub would be in the way of our regime . . . that is where the training would come to a sudden halt. Janet always laughed about that. That was her fun for life attitude.' Much of Janet's contribution to the City of Belmont related to more serious matters. She was keenly across agendas, meetings and resolutions — a councillor from 2001 to 2021 and re-elected during an extraordinary election for south ward in June 2024. The city's formal statement said it was 'deeply saddened' by her death. 'Councillor Powell represented our community as a proactive and hardworking member. She was on many committees, including time as presiding member of the community vision standing committee, and member of the age-friendly and cultural diversity working groups.' She also represented the City of Belmont on the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council for 16 years and the WA Local Government Association East Metropolitan Zone for 10 years. In a more glamorous vein, she was proud to have put on finery to meet Prince Charles (now King Charles III) at a ball in Perth in 1979. The Prince was on a royal tour as the State marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Swan River Colony. Surely this brush with royalty, almost a decade after emigrating from England with her family, would have impressed former classmates in her birthplace, Stockport, just south of Manchester. Janet Houston was the only child of Enid (nee Holdsworth) and Andrew Houston. The journey to Fremantle on the cruise ship Achille Lauro was made extra memorable by their daughter's winning a table tennis tournament on board. In 1973 Janet married Mario Pietracatella, whose family were prominent in Perth's restaurant scene. Janet, as well as working with her husband, operated several small businesses over the years, including flower arranging and lingerie party planning. Civic-minded jobs in sales and management covered links with the Red Cross and Salvation Army. She had the lioness' share of looking after their daughters, Rachel and Naomi. Rachel remembers that Janet's concern for people in need in her community led to practical benefit in such ways as fostering an Aboriginal girl, Carmel, from Sister Kate's children's home in Queens Park. In the 70s this was a more courageous cultural reach than it would be today. The marriage ended in 1986. In the same year Janet married David Powell. They divorced in 2008. Her consistent kindness and compassion were among qualities treasured by family and friends. Phil Marks, an admirer of her work as well as council ally and Belmont's mayor for 12 years, also respected her bravery. 'Janet had a great belief in truth,' he says, 'doing the right thing and never taking a backward step. In 2001, with her on council for only a few months, an important vote was needed to pass a development on the corner of Great Eastern Highway and Graham Farmer Freeway. The landowners wanted to make money and didn't want it to go ahead. They rang Janet the night before the vote and 15 minutes before she went into the chamber and warned her of legal action if this passed. Janet was upset but still voted in the development. It took great courage to face down a large group of landowners.' A cancer diagnosis was a major setback, but Janet's spirits kept their shape. Sepsis, which affects the immune system, proved fatal. Janet Powell died on April 18, survived by her partner, Arthur Koulis, her two daughters, Rachel and Naomi, two grandchildren, and her mother, Enid Houston. Naomi points to her 'mum's deep reservoir of integrity'. Rachel relished being 'Mum's plus one at official events and conferences. Our lives were melded in work and play.' Landmarks also survive Belmont's tireless champion, who cherished the past as well as upheld priorities in the present. The old brickworks next to Ascot Racecourse is believed to be Australia's largest collection of beehive-style kilns. Loud voices recommended demolition. Janet, who always regretted the destruction of buildings in her home town of Stockport, was an early supporter of retaining Ascot's kilns. Protests made newspaper headlines. Janet could count the kilns, heritage-listed in 2020, as a triumph to share. Town councillor and community stalwart Born: Stockport, England Died: Subiaco, April 2025
