Latest news with #landmark
ABC News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Removal of mature trees on properties may be impacted by WA State Administrative Tribunal ruling
A "landmark" court decision could make it harder for West Australian property owners to remove mature trees on their land, and see them risk hefty fines, a legal expert and environmental advocates say. The decision, handed down in the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) this week, relates to the right of a property owner in the western Perth suburb of City Beach to remove a mature tuart tree from her backyard as part of a new home build. The local council, the Town of Cambridge, issued an approval for the development to go ahead late last year, but then a few months later adopted a policy of protecting large trees in order to maintain the area's green canopy. Following community protest, the council then told the resident that she could not cut the tree down, which she challenged in the SAT. The tribunal this week ruled in the landowner's favour. But it also determined that removal of a single tree on private property may be classed as "development", something planning law expert Alex McGlue said was not previously part of the state's planning rules and that could have ramifications for homeowners. "Historically, the concept of development was more associated with physical work, such as constructing a building, or using premises for a particular business purpose," he said. "What the SAT has reasoned is that the works associated with removing this tree would have had a significant visual impact and an impact on the amenity of the surrounds, and therefore constituted development." Mr McGlue, a partner in the WA legal firm Lavan Planning, Environment and Land Compensation team, said this meant homeowners would need to approach their local government before they removed large trees from their land, or risk prosecution. "Breaching a planning requirement it is a criminal offence," he said. He said in the wake of this decision, local governments would need to formally organise their rules for landowners. "I would recommend that every local government in the state be immediately adopting local planning policies too, because local planning policies can set out exemptions from what requires development approval," he said. Mr McGlue said councils could, for example, provide automatic exemptions for approval of the removal of trees under a certain height. The property owner at the centre of the SAT decision, Lisa Zorzi, said she bought the land to build a home for her family. She wanted to remove the tree because she felt it was not able to be maintained, and was worried it posed safety risks to her and her neighbours. She also had trouble getting insurance given the breadth of the canopy. Ms Zorzi is worried the legal implications that may flow from her taking her case to the SAT, despite it ruling in her favour, could impact other property owners negatively. "They're going to have to put up with that for the rest of their life, or the time they own that property, which is really scary for someone who's invested a lot of their livelihood into [a] property in WA." The WA Local Government Association welcomed the SAT's decision, saying it supported its view that the removal of a single tree should require approval. "WALGA has for many years been calling for stronger protections of trees on private land," WALGA president Karen Chappel said in a statement. WALGA's policy, so far adopted by six councils across Perth including the Town of Cambridge, sets out rules for which trees should be preserved. These include: The West Australian Tree Canopy Advocates (WATCA) group also lauded the SAT's ruling as a "landmark" precedent. WATCA chair Sarah Allchurch said it gave local planning policies "real teeth". "It means no one can bust out the chainsaws and clear-fell trees over 8 metres, because the trees are deemed to be a community asset, even on private land," Ms Allchurch said.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Geelong CBD freehold offers multiple income options
Geelong's emerging laneways could become the key to unlocking the value of a CBD landmark formerly home to Duffs Jewellers. The two-storey freehold is up for grabs with a new expressions of interest campaign to test the market for city centre real estate. Colliers, Geelong agents Jonathon Lumsden, Ned Tansey and Jackson Carrick are handling the sale for 134 Moorabool St, Geelong, with offers closing August 14. Mr Lumsden said price expectations were $2m-plus. The 180sq m ground floor comprises retail and office space, along with amenities and the original strongroom. The first floor has been converted to a luxury four bedroom, three-bathroom apartment, flooded with natural light from an atrium. The property is opposite Geelong's Bright & Hitchcocks building where developer Hamilton Group has started a multimillion dollar redevelopment. 'The owners ran their own business from there – they've closed that office down and are using it for storage themselves while they were running upstairs as their Airbnb,' Mr Lumsden said. 'Since they've got other interests, now is the time to divest.' The building offers the potential for a new owner to create dual income streams, and activate frontages to Moorabool St and Shorts Place at the rear, Mr Lumsden said. 'It also gives someone the potential to reconfigure the ground floor so they could activate a space with direct access of Moorabool St, and then activate a space that's accessed off Shorts Place,' Mr Lumsden said. Geelong developer Bill Votsaris has already unlocked Shorts Place for neighbouring projects, including a 24-hour Anytime Fitness gym. 'I think there's some appeal to that, to create those dual access points. Does that mean someone looks to do something more retail on the Moorabool St frontage and then more hospitality from Shorts Place? 'There's a few different things you can those around and meanwhile you can maintain that Airbnb, whether it's leased out through Airbnb or you put a long-term tenant in there.' Mr Lumsden said one potential buyer had flagged reconfiguring the first floor into commercial office space and then look to activate the retail space on the ground floor. 'You could easily give the ground floor a facelift. That's a pretty simple process.' Interest has been from parties in Geelong and Melbourne, Mr Lumsden said. 'I must say the interest that's coming through are generally parties that we've seen look at other options in the CBD. 'I think people can still see the CBD is going through a bit of adjustment and they can see the investment that other landowners are investing in the CBD. 'Opposite with Cam Hamilton's development and with what Bill Votsaris is doing in Little Malop St, there's good stories to tell within that precinct. 'We got through property cycles, Moorabool St is the main thoroughfare running north-south to Belmont and attracts an enormous amount of traffic and with the property cycle we're going through at the moment where you're not buying at the peak of the market, I believe there's long-term growth to get out of it.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reporter descends tower landmark on live TV
A BBC reporter has become the 50,000th person to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. John Maguire undertook the challenge live on BBC Breakfast earlier, descending 100m (330ft) down the 170m (560ft) landmark. The tower, which marks its 20th anniversary in October, has had more than five million visitors since it opened. As he descended, Maguire told viewers and presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty: "You get the most extraordinary view... I must say it is rather disconcerting." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. More on this story Watch: 90-year-old woman abseils down 100m tower Watch: Unique drone footage shows tower dive Exercise simulating tower disaster gets underway Related internet links Spinnaker Tower
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Reporter descends Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on live TV
A BBC reporter has become the 50,000th person to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Maguire undertook the challenge live on BBC Breakfast earlier, descending 100m (330ft) down the 170m (560ft) tower, which marks its 20th anniversary in October, has had more than five million visitors since it he descended, Maguire told viewers and presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty: "You get the most extraordinary view... I must say it is rather disconcerting." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
UAE Moments
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
AI-Driven Fountain & Glowing Sphere Is Coming To Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is about to welcome a dazzling new landmark and it's shaping up to be one of the most exciting spots in the city. Mubadala has officially broken ground on the Al Maryah Waterfront enhancement project, a bold transformation of the island's coastline into a chic leisure destination for residents and visitors alike. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! And yes, it comes with a glowing 30-metre sphere, over 1,000 AI-powered water jets, and a musical score by none other than Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi. What's Coming To Al Maryah Waterfront? At the centre of the action will be the luminous sphere, a giant orb that glows dramatically in the bay, surrounded by choreographed fountains shooting up to 75 metres high. Designed by WET, the creative geniuses behind the Dubai Fountain and the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, these AI-driven water jets will dance to light and music, creating a show that's set to wow. But that's not all. The revamped waterfront will also feature: A sea-level boardwalk perfect for sunset strolls. Shaded cooling zones to beat the summer heat. New foodie zones serving up delicious bites. Flexible spaces for public events and gatherings. With cool sea breezes, mesmerising water displays, and plenty of spots to relax and refuel, this project promises to deliver next-level vibes. Why It Matters Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, CEO of UAE Investments at Mubadala, calls the project 'a strategic investment in the future of Al Maryah Island.' He adds: 'This project will deliver iconic elements that elevate the quality of life and offer a diverse experience for visitors, while reinforcing the island's position as a premier lifestyle destination.' When Can You Visit? Construction is already underway, but no official opening date has been announced yet. When it's complete, though, expect Al Maryah Waterfront to be one of Abu Dhabi's most vibrant places to unwind, dine, and enjoy world-class water shows under the stars. Until then, stay tuned... This glowing orb and its AI fountains are worth the wait.
