Town of Bassendean: Agenda

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TOWN OF BASSENDEAN

NOTICE OF AN ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

Dear Council Member

An Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the Town of Bassendean will be held on Tuesday, 13 October 2009, in the Council Chamber, 48 Old Perth Road, Bassendean, commencing at 7.00pm.

MR BOB JARVIS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

9 October 2009

A G E N D A

1.0                                DECLARATION OF OPENING/ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS

2.0                                PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Members of the public who wish to do so may ask questions at this point in the agenda. A further opportunity is also provided later in the meeting.

3.0                                ATTENDANCES, APOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

4.0                                DEPUTATIONS

5.0                                CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

5.1            Ordinary Council Meeting held on 22 September 2009

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 5.1(a)

That the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 22 September, be received.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 5.1(b)

That the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 22 September 2009, be confirmed as a true record.

6.0                                ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDING PERSON WITHOUT DISCUSSION

7.0                                PETITIONS

8.0                                DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

9.0                                BUSINESS DEFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

10.0                              REPORTS

10.1          Proposed Home Business (Perth Coffee Express Franchise; Van Depot and Office) Lot 43; 90 Hamilton Street, Bassendean, Owner: Grant Wheeler (Ref: 2009-126 – Michael Whitbread, Senior Planning Officer)

APPLICATION

The proprietor of Perth Coffee Express has made application for a Home Business in order to operate three mobile coffee vans from the subject residential site.

The applicant has provided the following information in support of the submission:

• No sales (of coffee) will be conducted at 90 Hamilton Street.
• Deliveries of milk to 2-3 times per week.
• No increase in traffic expected.
• Stock in an outbuilding.
• Activities limited to re-stocking vehicles each day.
• Vehicles are parked on the existing driveway, the majority of which are not visible from the road-no additional development of the land for the operation of the business.
• 3 employees are working for the business at any one time.
• Waste generated by the business will be handled in a way that creates no net increase in waste disposal requirements for the address. The majority of the businesses waste will be recycled using a third party.
• Perth Coffee Express will require no advertising at the address. The vehicles are sign written but no additional signage will be erected at the address. The main forms of advertising to be employed are vehicle signage, business cards/fridge magnets and a website.

BACKGROUND

In response to complaints from residents in the area the landowner was advised that a home based business requires Council approval where employees or excessive vehicle movements are involved.

Subsequently, a planning application was lodged for the proposed additional land use of ‘Home Business’ at 90 Hamilton Street, Bassendean.

The application involves the delivery of relatively large amounts of fresh milk to the site. The Town Environmental Health Officer has advised that as the milk will be used for commercial purposes it cannot be stored at residential premises in any event.

COMMENT

Local Planning Scheme No. 10 clearly defines the levels of commercial activity in the form of a `home office’ `home occupation’ or ‘home business’ that may be conducted from a residential premises.

The highest intensity commercial activity that can be conducted from a residential property is a `Home Business’ which is defined as:

“home business” means a business, service or profession carried out in a dwelling or on land around a dwelling by an occupier of the dwelling which -

(a)       does not employ more than 2 people not members of the occupier’s household;

(b)         will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood;

(c)         does not occupy an area greater than 50 square metres;

(d)         does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature;

(e)         in relation to vehicles and parking, does not result in traffic difficulties as a result of the inadequacy of parking or an increase in traffic volumes in the neighbourhood, and does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle more than 3.5 tonnes tare weight; and

(f)          does not involve the use of an essential service of greater capacity than normally required in the zone;

Although the above criteria is designed to set a standard on which to allow a specified and restricted level of commercial activity in a residential area, it is clearly not intended to set aside the residential zoning of the land. This is expressed under Clause 4.2.1 of the Local Planning Schemes which states that one of the objectives of the Residential Zone is to:

(e)        limit non-residential activities to those of which the predominant function is to service the local residential neighbourhood and for self-employment or creative activities, provided such activities have no detrimental effect on the residential amenity.

Public Consultation:

In the case of a proposed Home Business application Local Planning Scheme No. 10 requires that adjoining and affected landowners are consulted for a 14 day period.

The Town received three written responses from affected landowners in the locality. Each letter indicated a significant level of objection to the proposal. The grounds on which the of objections are made have been summarised below.

• There has been an unacceptable increase in traffic with eight vehicles being parked on or near the site in the road causing traffic hazards.
• The additional traffic plus deliveries of milk on truck greater than 3.5 tonnes.
• The front garden has been partially removed and road base laid for parking which is not in keeping with the residential character of the area.
• The public open space adjoining the site is being used for employee parking.
• The coffee vans are being cleaned and serviced in the front yard.
• The large delivery trucks visiting the site are in excess of the 3.5 tonnes permitted by the Town.
• Crates of empty milk containers are being left for collection at the front of dwellings, which may create health concerns.
• The business is operating on the weekends, which reduces the amenity of the area which has always been relatively quiet.
• The type of business using the site and the scale it is being operated at is not suitable for a residential property and should be located in a commercial/industrial area.

An assessment against the provisions of the Scheme reveals that the Home Business proposed would not comply due to the number of employees. While it is possible for Council to consider a home business employing up to two employees the current proposal for three employees cannot be supported. This is based simply on the premise that the residential use of the site should remain the predominant land-use.

In circumstances where a proposed home business is of a scale that it rather than the residential land use becomes the predominant land-use the business should be located within a commercial or industrial zone.

Several site inspections conducted on four occasions during August and September 2009 (during the morning and early afternoon), confirmed the issues raised by neighbours associated with this business. This included several (3-4) vehicles which were parked on the adjoining open space. At various times, two or three of the coffee vans were parked on the front area of the property and were flushing out the coffee machines. A large milk truck, in excess of 3.5 tonnes, was parked on the street, whilst making a delivery to the site.

It has been demonstrated that it would detract to a significant extent from the residential amenity of the area, due to the intensity and scale of the business which generates a marked increase in traffic and is clearly contrary to clause 4.2.1 (e) of the Scheme.

On this basis, and the fact that the business proposed in the application does not conform to the provisions of Local Planning Scheme No. 10, refusal of the application for a Home Business is recommended.

In addition, due to this mobile coffee van business currently operating without approval from the site, it is also recommended that legal action commences without further notice, if the operation does not cease from the site within 21 days of Council determination.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.1

That:

1.         Council advises the landowner applicant that the application for a Home Business (Mobile Coffee Van Depot) at Lot 43; 90 Hamilton Street, Bassendean is refused on the following grounds:

a)        The proposed `Home Business’ (mobile coffee vans) is contrary to Local Planning Scheme No.10 by virtue of the employment of three staff who are not residents of the dwelling;

b)        The proposed Home Business (mobile coffee vans) is contrary to Clause 4.2.1 of the Scheme as the operation of the business detracts from the residential amenity of the locality;

c)        The operation of the Home Business (mobile coffee vans) involves the calling of delivery vehicles in excess of the 3.5 tonnes prescribed under the definitions of Schedule 1 of Local Planning Scheme No. 10.

2.         Advises the landowner at Lot 43; 90 Hamilton Street, Bassendean, that:

a)        the current unauthorised use of the site is to cease within 21 days of the date of notification or legal action will commence for a breach of the Scheme without further notice; and

b)        The operation of the home business (mobile coffee vans) does comply with the Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations 1993 Regulation 57 for the storage of food in a residential premises.

Voting Requirement – Simple majority

10.2          Summer Movies on BIC Reserve - Expression of Interest (Ref: RECC/EVMNGT/3 – Travis Moore, Acting Manager Recreation & Cultural Services)

APPLICATION

The purpose of this report is to present information to Council on the recent expression of interest calling for community and not for profit groups to facilitate the Outdoor Summer Movies Series on behalf of the Town.

BACKGROUND

In January 2009, Council requested a report be provided on the feasibility and costing associated with the provision of an outdoor summer movies series to be staged at BIC Reserve.

In April 2009, Council subsequently resolved to support the facilitation an outdoor summer movies series to be held on BIC Reserve. Council further resolved to call for expressions of interest for community and not for profit groups to facilitate the outdoor movies series.

In August/September 2009, the Town called for expressions of interest from community groups to facilitate the outdoor summer movies series. This was an in-depth process which involved promotion via a range of marketing mediums.

The Town did not receive a response from the Towns Call for Expressions of Interest to facilitate the outdoor summer movies series.

COMMENT

In an effort to engage a community group or not for profit group to facilitate the outdoor movies series, the Town undertook an in depth marketing process including newspaper advertisement, website and direct mail-out to clubs/community groups.

Whilst the Town did not receive any formal responses from the expression of interest, one informal response was received from the Ashfield Soccer Club. The Club advised that the scope of works is too large for them to undertake and sought feedback on why Ashfield Reserve Grandstand was not considered as a location for the movies to occur.

In light of the Town not receiving any formal responses to the EOI, Council has 3 main options available, in particular, for the movies to not occur in the 2009/10 Summer period, for the movies to be facilitated internally or engage a commercial contractor to facilitate the outdoor movies.

The Director Corporate Services has reported to Council that the closing deficit for the 08/09 financial year will show approximately $427,000. This will reflect on the opening surplus for the 09/10 financial year which will in turn affect the projects included in the 09/10 budget.

Since that report, the Director Corporate Services has verbally advised Council that this figure is likely to increase following the completion of the Annual Audit for the 08/09 financial year.

If Council decides to cancel the proposed outdoor movies it is recommended that the $15,000 included in the 2009/10 budget be reallocated to assist in covering the 2008/09 budget deficit.

Council may decide to coordinate the movies series internally, however this option is not recommended as the proposed timeframe for the movies to occur is in close proximity to two of the Towns other summer events i.e. Australia Day Fireworks Event and Sculpture Park Exhibition. Thus the Town does not have the capacity internally to undertake additional events during this period.

Several commercial movie operators which facilitate the provision of outdoor movies exist within Western Australia. These operators are able to provide much of the necessary infrastructure required to facilitate the outdoor movies i.e. inflatable screen, projector/player, sound system etc.

If outdoor movies were facilitated by a commercial operator, besides some staffing costs in liaising with the operator, the costs incurred by the Town should be minimal.

In terms of scheduling, the Town holds the Australia Day fireworks in January and the Sculpture Park exhibition in March. As such to not only provide a flow of community public events throughout the Summer period but to avoid clashing with the Towns other public events, it is recommended that the Outdoor Movies be staged in the first two weeks in February.

In summary, Acting Manager Recreation & Cultural Services recommends that the Town engage a commercial contractor to undertake the Outdoor Summer Movies Program in conjunction with the Town. Furthermore, that the movies be staged over a 2 week period at BIC Reserve in February 2010.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Local Government Act 1995

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

In the 2009/10 Budget Council allocated $15,000 for the provision of the outdoor summer movies series.

New technology is now available that involves the use of large inflatable movie screens and there are several companies around Australia that have the inflatable screens for hire. A WA based proprietor called “Way Out West Cinema” has screens available measuring 8m x 4m (hire cost of $2,200) or 12m x 6m ($2,750). The Town has also recently received a second quotation from WA Staging Productions for a 8m x 4m (hire cost of $1,200).

Various other local government authorities use these screens for their outdoor movies, including City of Belmont and Town of Cambridge.

Other costs associated with the provision of outdoor movies include the movie royalty payments, marketing, security, staffing, APRA Licence fee, parking coordination and other infrastructure (i.e. lighting towers, additional toilets, marquees, rubbish bins etc).

The total cost of each outdoor summer movies session is estimated at $6,000. As such it is recommended that the 2010 Outdoor Summer movies series consist of two movie sessions to be held over two concurrent weekends in February 2010.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.2

That Council:

• Endorses the Outdoor Summer Movies Series to be held on 6th and 13th February 2010 at BIC Reserve;
• In accordance with the Town’s purchasing policy, engages a commercial outdoor movies contractor to undertake the provision of the Town’s outdoor summer movies program; and
• Receives the report on the responses from the Town’s expression of interest for community and not for profit groups to facilitate the Towns summer outdoor movies program.

Voting Requirement: Simple majority

10.3          Town Of Bassendean Physical Activity Plan (Ref:GRSU/APPS-D/3) – Travis Moore, Acting Manager Recreation & Cultural Services

APPLICATION

The purpose of this report is to present Council with the public comment received on the Town’s endorsed Physical Activity Plan and to seek Council adopt the Plan with minor amendments.

BACKGROUND

In September 2007, Council resolved to adopt a Public Open Space (POS) Strategy for the Town. The POS Strategy provides a classification for all parks, reserves and open space in the Town at a regional, district, neighbourhood or local level.

Council also adopted a Facilities Plan in 2007. One of the key recommendations of the Plan was for the development of a Physical Activity Plan for the Town, in recognition of the changing nature of people’s participation in sport and recreation.

In August 2008, the Town was successful in obtaining $7,750 in funding to develop a Physical Activity Plan and subsequently engaged sport & recreation consultants Melissa Stoneham & Associates to assist in the development of the Plan.

In July 2009, Council endorsed the Draft Physical Activity Plan for the purposes of community consultation.

The Town has since received one submission during the community consultation period. The community feedback received on the draft plan and the corresponding Officer comments appear as an attachment to this report.

COMMENT

The Physical Activity Plan aims to provide a clear framework and objectives to assist the Town in planning, developing, implementing, evaluating and sustaining physical activity programs/facilities into the future.

The community was invited to provide feedback on the draft Plan between August and September 2009. This process involved direct mail-out to local sporting/recreation clubs, website and copies of the Plan located at the Library. One submission was received during the community consultation period (see attached to this report).

The small amount of community comment may be as a result of the in-depth consultation process which was undertaken during the development of the Plan. Furthermore, it may also indicate that the community is satisfied with the outcomes provided in the Plan.

The one submission received identifies several issues i.e. maintenance of playing surfaces/grounds, communication with Clubs, Clubs/Community facilities funding, culturally and linguistically diverse & Indigenous funding opportunities. However, several recommendations have already been clearly articulated within the existing Physical Activity Plan to address these issues.

In summary, the Acting Manager Recreation & Cultural Services recommends that Council receives the community feedback and corresponding Officer comments on the endorsed Plan. It is also recommended that Council adopts the Physical Activity Plan that, as attached to the Ordinary Council Meeting Agenda 13 October 2009.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Local Government Act 1995

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

In May 2009, Council resolved to seek the approval of the Minister for Planning to expend cash in lieu funds of $150,000 on the construction of an outdoor gym facility and path network at Jubilee Reserve. This project was an outcome of both the Town’s Facilities Plan and Jubilee Reserve Master Plan. Since that time, Officers have made application to the Minister and as such the Town is now awaiting feedback on the application.

The financial implications of the Plan are anticipated to be minimal, as several of the projects only require in-kind support, may be eligible for external funding or have already been budgeted for.

Whilst the overall cost of implementing the Plan is estimated at $240,000 over the course of 3 years, this figure includes the $150,000 for outdoor gym equipment already allocated in the 09/10 capital budget.

In addition, during the development of the Plan, various external funding options were identified to assist the Town in the Plans implementation i.e. Department of Sport & Recreation, Healthway, Lotterywest and National Heart Foundation.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.3

That Council:

• Receives the community feedback and corresponding Officer comments on the endorsed Physical Activity Plan; and
• Adopts the Physical Activity Plan as attached to the Ordinary Council Agenda of 13 October 2009;

Voting requirements: simple majority

10.4          Collection of Electronic Waste at Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days (Ref WSTMNGT/SVPROV - Christine Devereux, Manager Environment and Ranger Services)

APPLICATION

The purpose of this report is to determine if Council wishes to offer an Electronic waste (e-waste) collection at the Town’s scheduled Metropolitan wide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day on Saturday 5 December 2009 and should Council resolve to collect e-waste, consider that a fee of $4.55 per unit (ex GST) be charged.

BACKGROUND

In 2007, Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and WALGA formed an agreement to establish a metropolitan-wide programme of HHW collections. The programme would fund four collections per regional council per year and would fund the disposal costs and advertising costs. The agreement provided for the collection and disposal of household chemicals, herbicides, fluorescent lights, solvents, acids and poisons, but not computer equipment and motor oil, two of the most common items brought to member Council collections.

In November 2008, WALGA advised that funded metropolitan HHW collections will be open to any member of the public.

Approximately 120 units of e-waste was collected at Bassendean HHW in December 2008, however, televisions were not collected on this day. 6 pallet loads were collected at Bassendean HHW in June 2009, however individual units were not recorded as the HHW coincided with the Apple© e-waste collection day and all collected e-waste was transported directly to Swan City Council’s collection point.

In July 2009 (OCM2 – 33/07/09) Council resolved that the Town of Bassendean writes to the EMRC requesting the re-inclusion of E-waste & used oils at HHW collection days and that if costs need to be considered, that a similar costing basis be adopted as currently operates at Red Hill for the E Waste.

On 27 August 2009, the EMRC resolved:

• The EMRC arrange a service for the collection of computers, computer monitors or televisions at HHW Collection Days upon request by the hosting member Council.
• The member council hosting a HHW collection day that includes the collection of computers, computer monitors or televisions be charged the cost of the bin to receive electronic waste and $4.55 (ex GST) per unit of electronic waste received.
• The collection of electronic waste at HHW collection days be reviewed early 2010, with a report presented to EMRC Council at its meeting in February 2010.

In September 2009 (OCM1 – 20/09/09), Council resolved that the Town of Bassendean writes to the:

1.       Metropolitan Waste Board/Waste Authority (cc to Metropolitan Waste Advisory Council) and the Minister to ask for interim funding assistance for HHW collection days for Councils in the Region to include E Waste and Used Oil in the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection days in the interim period to early 2010, to enable the said Councils to include:

• E Waste and Used Oil in the remaining HHW collection days without undue financial burden; and
• The total suggested amount of funding being $6000 (ie $2000 for each of the three affected Councils; and

2.       Shire of Mundaring and the City of Bayswater to invite them to consult with and join in with this funding request and assist in which ever way they may consider suitable.

In accordance to the OCM1 – 20/09/09 Council resolution letters have been drafted to the Waste Authority, Department of Environment and Conservation Waste Management Branch, the Honourable Donna Faragher MLC Minister for Environment and Youth, the Shire of Mundaring and the City of Bayswater.

COMMENT

The Town’s HHW collection day is scheduled for Saturday 5 December 2009 and is funded through the WALGA and DEC agreement and as such is a metropolitan wide HHW collection.

It is possible that the Town will be collecting waste from all over the Perth Metropolitan area, therefore it is probable that even if e-waste and waste oil is advertised only to EMRC residents, that other people may return with other items.

The cost to recycle various e-waste items is - DVD's, VCRs or similar are charged at $0.50/kg + gst and anything containing glass (monitors and televisions) are charged at a higher $0.70/kg rate + gst.

The Town will be required to contribute to the cost of recycling the e-waste and EMRC have advised that the Town will be charged $4.55 (ex GST) for each computer, computer monitor and television collected and the EMRC will subsides the additional cost required to recycle these items. A large part of e-waste includes home entertainment equipment such as VCR’s and DVD players and the Town may wish to also include the recycling of home entertainment equipment and pay $0.50/kg for these items.

The cost proposed by EMRC has not been included in the 2009/10 budget, however EMRC have suggested that the Town can possibly pass this cost on to the people wishing to dispose of their e-waste. The Town may wish to raise a charge under the Local Government Act 1994 and give at least 14 days notice of the proposed charge.

The June 2009 HHW collection was extremely busy with a car being serviced every minute. Currently the Town provides two staff members to assist in co-ordinating and running of the event. One staff member is required to operate the forklift and decanter the waste oil collected and the other Officer completes the administration duties associated with the day, eg. greets each vehicle, records suburb of the person in attendance and completes an inventory of items proposed to be disposed of etc. It is time consuming and very taxing to continue this for 4 hours and on occasion disputes have arisen or questions have been asked that takes a little longer than the 1 minute allocated and this can affect the flow of cars to be serviced.

The collection of waste oil was scheduled to continue at the Town of Bassendean’s HHW Day, as the Town is fortunate enough to be a waste oil collection point and as such has the required infrastructure to cater for any waste oil. The overall cost to remove the oil is minimal and has been included in the 2009/10 budget. The waste oil advertising has already been included in the Town’s Waste & Recycling Guide 2009/10.

Council should also be aware that the State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Information Industry Association (“AIIA”) to introduce an e-waste collection and recycling service across Perth from January 2010. Assuming this service proceeds, any solution introduced now would be in place until January 2010 at which time the entire service may change.

The Town’s annual kerbside bulk rubbish collection is proposed to begin in November and concludes on 2 December 2009 and it is expected that televisions and computer monitors will feature predominately during the collection. The collection and disposal of e-waste is included as part of the kerbside bulk rubbish collection, however it is acknowledged that the items collected are disposed of at landfill and not recycled. Once the MOU has been signed by State Government and AIIA, it is expected that the kerbside bulk rubbish collection currently in place will be reviewed and residents will be advised of the proposed expected recycling options available for e-waste in 2010.

Should a charge be levied for the disposal of e-waste, it is difficult to predict if residents will take up this offer. Generally people attending have approximately 4 items and it is not an incentive for people to pay $20 to “do the right thing” and recycle the products, when only a few weeks previously the e-waste would have been picked up free of charge during the bulk rubbish collection.

OPTIONS

• Continue with the standard EMRC collection of material and not include e-waste collection at the HHW Collection Day. No additional budget funds required.
• Offer e-waste collection for computers, computer monitors and televisions and Council bears the cost of $4.55 per unit (ex-GST). Cost of approximately $1200.
• Offer e-waste collection for computers, computer monitors and televisions and Council bears the cost of $4.55 per unit (ex-GST) to EMRC and also collects home entertainment equipment (eg. VCR’s, DVD’s, Computer consults etc) and bears the cost of $0.50/kg + gst for recycling of these items. Cost of approximately $1400.
• Offer e-waste collection for computers, computer monitors and televisions and raise a fee of $4.55 per unit (ex-GST) payable by people attending. Cost of approximately $400.
• Offer e-waste collection for computers, computer monitors, televisions and home entertainment equipment (eg. VCR’s, DVD’s, Computer consults etc) and raise a fee of $4.55 per unit (ex-GST) payable by people attending. Cost of approximately $877.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Local Government Act 1994 Section 6.19 – raising fees and charges

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Expenses:

• Transport and hire of 20 foot sea container - $200 (tbc)
• Promotion of e-waste inclusion into the HHW - $100
• Recycling cost of E-waste (computers, computer monitors, televisions, scanners, printers and home entertainment) collected – approximately 100 television, computer monitors, computers and 50 other e-waste - 2,100 kg’s - $1470.
• Total Cost $1,670.00

Income:

• Payment of $4.55 per unit (ex GST) - approximately 150 units $690 (ex GST)
• EMRC contribution of $3.00 per computer, computer monitor and televisions – approximately 100 units $2.73 (ex GST) $273 (ex GST)
• Total Income $793

Additional funding of $877 required if charge raised or $1400 if no charge raised.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.4

That:

1.        Council acknowledges and supports the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between State Government and the Australian Information Industry Association;

2.        Council promotes the service provided by the Memorandum of Understanding once it has been finalised;

3.        Council offers e-waste recycling at the Town’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on 5 December 2009, if either of its State Government funding requests becomes available;

4.        Should State Government funding not be available, Council does not proceed with e-waste recycling at the Town’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on 5 December 2009;

5.        Council continues to offer waste oil recycling at the Town’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days; and

6.        Council acknowledges that electronic waste will be collection during the Town’s kerbside bulk rubbish collection during November and December 2009 and the collection of electronic waste in future will be reviewed.

Voting requirements: Simple majority

10.5          Council’s Position on Genetically Modified Crops (REF ENVM/POLCY/1 – Steven McCabe, Environmental Officer)

APPLICATION

The purpose of this report is to present Council with a report regarding the review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003.

BACKGROUND

The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) is currently preparing a report to Parliament regarding the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 (the Act), which is expected to be released for comment in December 2009. The Act prohibits the cultivation of certain genetically modified crops in designated areas of the State and provides for their destruction in certain cases. Previously approved genetically Modified (GM) canola trials (total 869ha) will soon be harvested and it is expected that the processed crop will be transported through Fremantle (a declared GM-free Council) for export.

Council has been approached by the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) and Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren regarding its position on the matter.

COMMENT

The Town currently does not have a declared position or policy on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), however in a similar vein to other issues (eg. Nuclear) the Town may choose to publicly take a political stance on this controversial issue even if technically, the growing of crops does not directly affect the Town.

In the past the Council resolved to adopt Policy 1.4.1 - Nuclear Free Zone. The Council can again resolve to make a policy or take an official stance on GMOs. For information Policy 1.4.1 states:

OBJECTIVE

To establish a strict policy in relation to the use, transport and storage of radioactive material in the Town.

POLICY

Within its municipality:

a)      Council will enforce all legislative powers at its disposal to refuse permits so that no nuclear weapons or devices may be stored, transported or used;

b)      Council will refuse planning permits so that no nuclear power stations or enrichment plants may be built or operated;

c)      Council will not allow any uranium or other material connected with the nuclear power industry to be mined, stored or transported on its streets.

Notwithstanding the above, Council is not opposed to the responsible use, transport and storage of radioactive substances for medical and research purposes.

The Act refers to areas where GMO crops can be grown. Effectively the whole State is a GMO free area unless the State Minister for Agriculture permits trials of GMO crops in certain locations. Therefore, Local Governments do not have any jurisdiction over the Act or this issue and a Council declaration of a district as GMO free has no legal status. Authority rests with the Commonwealth Office of Gene Technology to determine if it considers the GMO safe to use and the State Minister for Agriculture to determine if it can be applied in Western Australia.

Therefore, Council could declare the Town as a GMO Free Zone and notify DAFWA, however, if that agency did not want to honour the declaration, the declaration becomes meaningless. Currently, approvals granted for trial crops are located in the far eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia.

Council does not have the expertise to be making scientific decision and judgements on GMO issues. There are many points put forward as to why an area should be declared GMO free, and without canvassing any prospective benefits of GMO the full picture is not known.

Should the Town take the stance to be GMO free, it is unrealistic to ensure the Town remains GMO free as there are some products already on the supermarket shelves that may contain GMOs but as the labelling laws do not require a precise breakdown of what percentage of product is from a GM ingredient it is impossible to know exactly what is contained in some products. There is no labelling requirement on meat and eggs that would tell you whether the livestock was being fed GM grains or food stocks. The labelling issue alone makes it unrealistic to accurately define an area as a GMO Free Zone.

Given the issues associated with jurisdiction and science any declaration or position that Council may choose to take would simply send a political message and be a statement of Council’s view on the issue.

WALGA

WALGA's policy position on GMOs is currently out-of-date and under review. WALGA is preparing a discussion paper that will address the following issues in relation to GMOs:

• Legislation (the Act is currently under review) GMOs currently approved in Australia (insulin, canola, cotton, carnations and rose);
• Risks - cross pollination of canola weediness or 'volunteer' species escaping into the environment (implications for Local Government weed management), contamination, segregation difficulty; and
• Local Government and GMOs – the views of WA Local Government and the legal status of GM-Free declaration.

WALGA’s Environment Policy Officer, recently approached the Town asking if the Town had:

(a)      ever discussed the GMO issue or;

(b)      adopted an official position.

WALGA was advised that the Town currently does not have a position on Genetically Engineered Organisms.

WALGA has since made a submission to the Review of the Act which upholds the intentions of Local Government to either declare themselves GM Free or to support GMOs. WALGA is encouraging local governments to become involved in the decision making process by debating the issue and deciding on a position.

Attached to the agenda is the current database of LG positions.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren

The Town has also received correspondence from Lynn MacLaren MLC (ILET-2145209) asserting that the current State Government is pushing for the development of GM crops and inviting Councillors to a Public forum to raise awareness about growing Genetically Modified Organisms which was held 1 October 2009. Lynn MacLaren MLC urges Council to debate the issue and to support the mainstream opposition to GM crops in Western Australia by declaring the Town GM free.

Implications for Local Government

Council has a number of options that they may wish to take on this matter:

• Declares that the Town of Bassendean is in favour of the use of Genetically Modified crops.
• Declares that the Town of Bassendean takes a neutral position on the use of Genetically Modified crops.
• Declares that the Town of Bassendean is opposed to the use of Genetically Modified crops.

It is difficult to make an informed resolution in relation to GMOs as it is a highly debated subject. The WALGA current position is outdated and the new discussion paper has not yet been released. It maybe prudent to acquire WALGA’s discussion paper to assist Council in forming a clear position regarding all the issues associated with GMOs. The Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has stated that control of herbicide resistant GM Canola on roadside verges will be the responsibility of individual councils (see attached Media release from Shadow Minister).

The Department of Agriculture and Food is holding an insight into GM Technology discussion forum for Monday 12 October 2009 to assist in debating this issue (attached).

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Nil.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Nil.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.5

That Council:

1.         Receives the report; and

2.      Revisits the Town’s position on Genetically Modified Organisms once WALGA discussion paper has been released.

Voting Requirement – Simple majority

10.6          RFT CC072/2009-10 – Supply & Application of Dense Graded Hotmix Asphalt Surfacing (Ref: ROAD/TENDNG/10 – Ken Cardy Contracts & Support Services Coordinator - Asset Services)

APPLICATION

The purpose of this report is:

• To present to Council a summary of tenders received against RFT CC072/2009-10 The supply & application of dense graded hot-mix asphalt surfacing:.
• To seek Council approval to appoint Downer Edi Works as the contractor to undertake the above works as specified in RFT CC072/2009-10 for a three (3) year period.

.

BACKGROUND

Contractors were invited to tender for the provision of the above service “supply & application of dense graded Hot-mix asphalt surfacing” to the Town via an advertisement in the West Australian Newspaper on Saturday 29th August 2009.

Tenders closed 10am Wednesday 23rd September 2009 with two offers received (Asphaltech Pty Ltd and Downer Edi Works) A letter from Boral Asphalt advising that they would not be submitting a tender on this occasion was also received.

COMMENT

Previously, each year, the Town tendered for this service after receiving approval advice from Federal Funding Bodies and Council approval for the Town’s Works Program Budget. Due to the high increase of construction costs each year it was identified that by contracting a contractor for a longer period (3 years) these yearly cost increases may reduce and additional work programs (resurfacing of roads) within the Town may occur.

Three Council officers have evaluated both tenders and have rated each tender offer against the Request for Tender Selection Criteria.

The tender offer from Downer Edi Works was rated the highest by all panel members. The following table indicates the rating of each tenderer against the selection criteria:

Selection Criteria Rating

Tenderers Name	Project Appreciation	Experience	Fee	Total
Rating %	20%	20%	60%	100%
Asphaltech Pty Ltd	12%	12%	24%	48%
Downer Edi Works	13%	13%	36%	62%

 

The following table indicates a satisfactory or unsatisfactory rating for each tenderer against the Town’s OH&S requirements. If a tenderer is rated unsatisfactory, then their tender may be eliminated from consideration.

 

	OH&S Rating
Name	Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory
Asphaltech	Satisfactory
Downer Edi Works	Satisfactory

 

The following table indicates each Tenderer’s per square metre offer for the supply and application of dense graded hotmix throughout the contract. (GST EX)

 

	Asphaltech Pty Ltd	Downer Edi Works
Period	Cost per Sq Metre $	Cost per Sq Metre $
Year 1 (1.11.09 – 31.10.10)	$17.50 (GST Ex)	$13.95 (GST Ex)
Year 2 (1.11.10 – 31.10.11)	$19.25 (GST Ex)	$14.35 (GST Ex)
Year 3 (1.11.11 – 31.10.12)	$21.50 (GST Ex)	$14.95 (GST Ex)

 

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Australian Standard Code of Tendering AS 2124-1992

Local Government Act 1995,

Local Government (Functions and General) Regulations 2007,

Financial Considerations

The total dollar value for the provision of this service for the 2009-10 financial years is estimated at $341,000.

Identification of Work Programs, Budget allocation and Federal funding for financial years 2010–11 and 2011-12 are yet to be finalised.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.6

Council appoints Downer Edi, for a three year period, as the Contractor for RFT CC072/2009-10 - Supply & Application of Dense graded hot-mix asphalt surfacing within the Town of Bassendean in accordance with the specifications and terms and conditions of the Tender.

Voting Requirement – Simple majority

10.7          Traffic Management: Reid/Kenny and Reid/Haig/Fisher (Ref: TRAF/PLANNG/3 – Ian McDowell, Manager Asset Services)

APPLICATION

The purpose of this report is to present to Council the results of an assessment of the need, or otherwise, to install traffic calming measures at the following intersections in Ashfield:

1.         The intersection of Reid and Kenny Streets; and

2.         The intersection (bend) of Reid, Haig and Fisher Streets.

BACKGROUND

OCM1-17/09/09 – Moved Cr Pule, Seconded Cr Piantadosi, that the Town of Bassendean investigates and makes recommendations and strategies for:

1.         The corner of Reid St with Kenny St; and

2.         The bend from Reid St into Haig St.

The considerations to include:

• Traffic statistics and use profile;
• Speed counts and accidents at the sites, including the demolition of the electric light pole just around the corner into Haig Street;
• Speed zone reduction along the corner of Reid and Kenny and the entire length in front of Cyril Jackson into Haig Street;
• Visibility obstruction by the Colorbond fence and the bend of Haig and Reid Streets;
• Use of a convex mirror at Haig and Reid to assist visibility;
• Use of speed humps; and
• Additional policing of the location.

Complaint received by resident, Mr Ziino of 69 Haig St.

COMMENT

Officers have conducted traffic counts in both Haig and Reid Streets (between Haig and Kenny Streets) in August and September 2008. Summaries of those traffic counts are as follows:

 

Traffic Classifier Location	Outside 56 Reid Street
Date of Count	12-25 Sep 2008
Average Daily Traffic (7 days)	1227 vehicles per day
Average Daily Traffic (5 days)	1280 vehicles per day
Mean Speed	45.9 km/h
85th Percentile Speed	54.7 km/h
Class 3 or Higher (truck) Traffic	2.2%
AM Peak Hours	8am to 9am
PM Peak Hours	4pm to 6pm
Weekend Peak Hours	10am to 11am, 3pm to 5pm

 

Traffic Classifier Location	Outside 80 Reid Street
Date of Count	01-19 Aug 2008
Average Daily Traffic (7 days)	1420 vehicles per day
Average Daily Traffic (5 days)	1514 vehicles per day
Mean Speed	45.1 km/h
85th Percentile Speed	52.9 km/h
Class 3 or Higher (truck) Traffic	2.1%
AM Peak Hours	8am to 9am
PM Peak Hours	4pm to 6pm
Weekend Peak Hours	10am to 12pm, 5pm to 7pm

 

Traffic Classifier Location	Outside 51 Haig Street
Date of Count	22 Aug to 8 Sep 2008
Average Daily Traffic (7 days)	1503 vehicles per day
Average Daily Traffic (5 days)	1555 vehicles per day
Mean Speed	52.8 km/h
85th Percentile Speed	60.8 km/h
Class 3 or Higher (truck) Traffic	2.6%
AM Peak Hours	8am to 9am
PM Peak Hours	4pm to 5pm
Weekend Peak Hours	11am to 12pm, 5pm to 6pm

 

Traffic Volumes

Under the Town’s Functional Road Hierarchy Plan, Reid Street is classified as a Local Distributor Road capable of carrying traffic volumes of up to 6,000 vehicles per day. All traffic counts taken in Reid Street indicate that traffic volumes are well below 6,000 vehicles per day, and therefore not a problem in relation to traffic management.

Under the Town’s Functional Road Hierarchy Plan, Haig Street is classified as an Access Road capable of carrying traffic volumes of up to 3,000 vehicles per day. The statistics provided in the latest traffic count indicate that traffic volumes are approximately half of the road’s capacity and therefore not a problem in relation to traffic management.

During the OCM on 8 September 2009, it was suggested that Reid Street was being used as a “rat run” and that there may have been an increase in traffic volumes since 2003. Officers have collated the following statistics from traffic counts taken in Reid Street since April 2003 (there are no statistics available from before this time). The following shows traffic volumes in Reid Street from 2003 to 2008:

 

Location	Date	Traffic Volumes 5 Days	Traffic Volumes 7 Days
15 Reid	April 2003	1659 vpd	1509 vpd
15 Reid	May 2004	1736 vpd	1654 vpd
25 Reid	May 2004	1776 vpd	1698 vpd
80 Reid	June 2005	1745 vpd	1520 vpd
15 Reid	July 2007	1704 vpd	1624 vpd
25 Reid	July 2007	1748 vpd	1663 vpd

 

These figures indicate only a marginal increase in traffic volumes during the weekend and a constant flow during the week. Again, traffic volumes for Reid Street, a Local Distributor Road, are well within the 6,000 vehicles per day the road is designed to carry.

Traffic Speeds

The posted speed limit in Reid and Haig Streets is 50 km/h.

Speed is not an issue in Reid Street between Haig and Kenny Streets. The 85th percentile speeds (85% of motorists travel at that speed or lower) were 54.7 km/h outside 56 Reid Street; and 52.9 km/h outside 80 Reid Street.

Under Council’s Traffic Management Policy, the Town will not consider the installation of traffic calming in a street where the 85th percentile speed is less than 60 km/h in a 50 km/h speed zone.

The 85th percentile speed in Haig Street (outside 51 Haig) is 60.8 km/h and is considered a concern for the Town. In the past the Town has written to the WA Police Service to advise them of the high 85th percentile speed. In addition to this we have placed the speed display trailers in the street in an effort to educate motorists and to modify their behaviour.

Assessment Against Traffic Management Criteria

Council’s Traffic Management Policy and Guidelines contains a set of criteria used to assess whether or not further consideration should be given to the installation of traffic calming measures within our streets. The criteria are as follows:

• The road is considered as an access road or local distributor road within the Town of Bassendean Functional Road Hierarchy Plan.
• The prominent (at least 80%) land use served by the subject road is residential.
• Traffic volumes within the subject road exceed 750 vpd for access roads and 2000 vpd for local distributor roads.
• The length of the subject road exceeds 300 metres between controlled intersections (eg. Stop, Give Way or traffic signals).
• The 85th percentile speed is 60 km/h or greater in 50 km/h zones, or exceeds the posted speed limit by more than 10% in other speed zones.
• Through traffic exceeds 30% on access roads and 60% on local distributor roads – except those streets providing access/egress to school sites.

The area of Reid Street between Haig and Kenny Streets does not satisfy these criteria based on the following:

• Only 50% of land use in the area is residential, the remaining land use is for the Cyril Jackson Campus.
• Traffic volumes for Reid Street (a local distributor road) are less than 2,000 vpd.
• The 85th percentile speed does not exceed 60 km/h.
• Through traffic does not exceed 60% on the basis that Reid Street provides access/egress to Cyril Jackson Campus.

Haig Street does not satisfy the traffic management criteria based on the following:

• Only 50% of land use in the area is residential, the remaining land use is for the Ashfield Reserve.
• Through traffic does not exceed 30% on the basis that Haig Street provides access/egress to Cyril Jackson Campus.

In addition to this, the 85th percentile speed in Haig Street is only marginally above the 60 km/h tolerance allowed in a 50 km/h speed zone.

Accident Statistics

To qualify for State Black Spot Funding, there needs to have been at least five reported accidents in the previous five year period. To qualify for National Black Spot Funding, there needs to have been a minimum of three casualty crashes in the same five year period.

There have only been three reported accidents at the intersection of Reid and Kenny Streets in the five year period 2004 to 2008. Two of those accidents occurred in 2004 (and will drop off the next MRWA listing), and one in 2007. One of the accidents required medical treatment; the other two were property damage only.

The accident statistics indicate that the control (Stop Sign) at the intersection of Reid and Kenny Streets appears to be working quite well.

During the same five year period, there has been only one accident at the corner of Haig Street and Fisher Street West (three way intersection with Reid). This occurred in 2005 and required medical treatment. There has been one other mid block accident in Haig Street during the period in 2006 that resulted in property damage only.

The accident statistics in Haig Street are not a major concern at this stage. It appears that even although traffic may speed in the area, there is a relatively low number of accidents with no definitive pattern obvious.

Officers cannot comment specifically on the accident that resulted in damage to the power pole (as mentioned in the Notice of Motion). If this occurred in the period 2004 to 2008, it will be included in the statistics provided. If it occurred in 2009, it will not appear in the MRWA crash statistics until next year. This assumes the accident was reported to the police.

Use of Convex Mirrors

MRWA is not aware of any areas within the Perth metropolitan area where convex mirrors are used on public roads. The following information has been sourced from the Queensland Department of Main Roads:

“Convex mirrors are commonly used in shops, factories, warehouses, and hospitals for internal security and safety. Their use is also widely accepted in low speed vehicle and pedestrian conflict areas (such as the entrance/exit to the Bassendean Library under croft parking area).

Convex mirrors are also requested by individuals to provide safer access to public roads from sight restricted private properties. However, very little use of convex mirrors has been made on private roads to date.

The purpose of the convex mirror is simply to indicate to the road user, the presence or absence of a moving or stationary vehicle and/or pedestrian.”

On the basis of this information, officers do not advocate the use of a convex mirror, as suggested in the Notice of Motion.

An additional concern to officers is that road users, potentially travelling at speeds between 25 and 40 km/h, in the vicinity of the bend at Reid and Haig Streets, would need to take their eyes off the road momentarily to make use of the mirror. It is unlikely they would be conditioned to quickly and accurately translate the information gained from such a device and it may then become a contributory factor to an accident. It may also place at risk any pedestrians in the area in the event the motorist lacks the necessary attention to pedestrian traffic.

Use of Speed Humps

Austroads Guidelines for Local Area Traffic Management state that speed humps should only be used in series as a mid block treatment, they should not be used close to intersections.

Assessment of the traffic statistics against Council’s Traffic Management Treatment Policy and Guidelines does not support the need to install any type of traffic calming in the areas covered by this report.

Visibility Obstruction – Colorbond Fence

There are no local area traffic management guidelines relating to sight distances in relation to the Colorbond fence located at the corner of Reid and Haig Streets. The only guide available relates to Major Urban Roads which typically carry high volumes of through traffic and links to major urban activity areas.

The corner itself has a truncation of approximately 6m x 6m. Liveable Neighbourhoods advocates small truncations (ie. 3m x 3m) or no truncations on local roads to keep traffic speeds low.

It should also be noted that the resident who has raised the issue of traffic management subject of this report owns the property on the corner of Reid and Haig Streets. If he considers the fence presents a sight problem for him as he exits his property, he would be a liberty to make changes so that the fence is permeable.

Existing Measures in Place

There are already a number of measures in place to calm traffic at the Reid/Haig corner, and in Reid Street from Haig to Kenny Street, and at the intersection of Reid and Kenny Streets.

They are:

• The two approaches to the corner of Reid and Haig Streets have MRWA advisory signs warning of the corners and a suggested safe speed of 25 km/h.
• The approach from Haig Street, the corner itself, and Reid Street from Haig to Kenny Street have MRWA line marking in place. Officers have requested that MRWA refresh this line marking to make it more visible to road users.
• There is a traffic island at the intersection of Reid and Kathleen Streets that slows traffic in the area.
• The Town places its speed display trailers in Reid and Haig Streets on a cyclic basis (with other identified areas within the Town).
• The Town has “Slow Down – Consider Our Kids” bin stickers that are available to residents on request or from the Customer Service Centre at 35 Old Perth Road.

On the basis of the information provided in this report, including traffic data and crash statistics, the installation of traffic calming measures at the corner of Reid and Kenny Streets, and in Reid Street from Haig to Kenny Streets, is not warranted.

Traffic speed in Haig Street is a concern however, the WA Police have been advised of this in the past and have been asked to attend. Officers will arrange for the traffic classifiers to be placed in Haig Street again in October 2009, if speed is still a problem, make further contact with the police and ask that they attend during peak periods.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

There is no allocation in the 2009/10 budget for the conduct of any traffic management/calming works in the areas subject of this report.

In addition to this, none of the areas qualify for any type of Black Spot funding. Should Council decide they wish to install traffic calming measures, they will need to provide a budget allocation with which to carry out the works.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.7

That Council:

1.         Receives this report providing information on traffic data and crash statistics for the corner of Reid and Haig Streets, Ashfield; Reid Street between Haig and Kenny Street, Ashfield; and the intersection of Reid and Kenny Streets, Ashfield;

2.         Notes that the installation of traffic calming measures in these areas is not warranted following and assessment of the traffic data against Council’s Traffic Management Treatment Policy and Guidelines; and

3.         Notes that the Town will carry out another traffic count in Haig Street in October 2009 to determine if speed is still a problem; and if it is contact the WA Police and ask that they attend Haig Street during peak periods.

Voting Requirement – Simple majority

10.8          Green Wave Day Project (REF ENVM/POLCY/1 – Steven McCabe, Environmental Officer)

APPLICATION

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with a practical way to promote the Green Wave Day Project within the Town of Bassendean.

BACKGROUND

OCM - 41/6/09 - Notice of Motion – Cr Pule, Seconded Cr Yates that a report be provided to Council on the proposal that the Town of Bassendean joins with the Green Wave Day Project, established by the Convention on Biological Diversity, a United Nations Treaty on Biodiversity:

a)        To declare and promote on 22 May each year – “Bassendean Green Wave Day”;

b)        To raise awareness amongst young people, tomorrow’s decision makers, on the importance of Biodiversity;

c)        To plant local trees and flora at 10.00am local time, uniting in a global message of a “Green Wave across the Planet”; and

d)        The Town of Bassendean to promote and provide some suitable resources.

Green Wave is an initiative of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Office of Environmental Response and Coordination (OERC) of the Republic of Palau. Green Wave is coordinated by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity with the support of BfN and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

The Green Wave project supports the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity to strengthen awareness and education on biodiversity and 22 May is the International Day for Biological Diversity. The Green Wave project was launched by the German Minister of Environment in Bonn in May 2008 and by over 60 groups of children.

COMMENT

The Green Wave website has been researched in preparing this report and the following information is provided:

• In participating schools, students plant a locally important tree species in or near their schoolyard. Ideally, the tree species would also be locally indigenous.
• On 22 May, students around the world will count down to 10:00 local time, when they will water their tree in their respective schoolyards, thereby creating a figurative “green wave” starting in the far east and travelling west around the world.
• Participants upload photos and text to The Green Wave website to share their tree-planting stories with others. An interactive map goes live in the evening at 20:10 local time, creating a second “green wave”

Green Wave is a symbolic gesture aimed at creating something similar to a “Mexican Wave” across the globe when a child within the different time zones waters a plant at 10am local time.

The project began on 22 May 2008 and in 2009 one school in Australia and New Zealand participated and it was the German International School Sydney and a students of year 9 and students of year 11 planted a tree on its premises. The year 9 students were chosen as they are members of the schools weekly workshop “science”, the year 11 students are participants of the biology class of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at the school and the day held some significance for the students as it was included in their curriculum.

Promoting the project

The target group for Green Wave is children and the Green Wave Project suggest that if Local Governments are interested in supporting the project, then the Local Government should aim at encouraging the participation of students within the local government area. The 22 May falls within term 2 of the school year and it is expected that at 10.00am students would be at school and generally for this project to be successful a local school would have had to agree to participate in the Green Wave project.

Therefore, if the Council was to successfully promote this event it is felt that a local school would need to be supportive and willing to participate. In this regard the Town can organise to inform local schools about the Green Wave Project and provide the schools with a list of local native trees and nurseries from which the appropriate tree might be purchased or donated from. The event only requires the planting and watering of one tree on the school grounds.

Timing

22 May is the significant date for Green Wave as it promotes International Day for Biological Diversity and there is some flexibility in the actual timing of planting to avoid local weather conditions that might be detrimental to the successful establishment of the tree. The Bureau of Meteorology was consulted and have advised that in 2009, Perth had no rain until the 21 May, the day before the ‘Green Wave’ event. Green Wave suggest that if weather conditions make it difficult to plant, then planting can occur in another month however the school should hold a special ceremony on 22 May to mark the importance of Biological Diversity.

However, holding a special ceremony may be difficult as 22 May falls on a weekend in both 2010 and 2011 and it is felt that the significance of the day and the reasoning behind the project would be lost if a special ceremony didn’t take place on International Day for Biological Diversity. However, the Green Wave Project is flexible and if a school was interested in participating and in line with their curriculum, the school can make the decision whether or not to support the event.

Education

Through the Town’s recently endorsed Collective Local Biodiversity Strategy, the Town will continue to promote Biodiversity throughout the Town. The Town also offers local schools the opportunity to participate in the school waste education program which is designed to educate students on waste minimisation. As part of the program, a school has the option of attending a tour of the Red Hill Waste Management Site to assist in re-enforcing the waste minimisation message.

Schools are also provided with excellent resources related to sustainability and biodiversity through the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI).

AuSSI provides support for schools and their communities to become sustainable and is a whole-of-school approach, to explore through real-life learning experiences, improvements in a school’s management of resources and facilities including energy, waste, water, biodiversity, landscape design, products and materials. AuSSI vision is for all Australian schools and their communities to be sustainable and it is unlikely that the Town could provide an improvement on the resources that are offered to the schools by the Federal Government.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Nil.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Nil.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.8

That Council:

1.        Provides ‘Green Wave’ information coupled with information on local native trees and where they can be purchased to all schools within the Town of Bassendean.

2.        Utilises the Bassendean Briefings to report the involvement of any local school that decide to participate in the Green Wave event and promote that the event as part of the International Day for Biological Diversity.

Voting Requirement – Simple majority

10.9          Proposed Stormwater Disposal Policy (Ref:WATR/MAINT/2) – Michael Whitbread, Senior Planning Officer)

APPLICATION

Council is requested to consider advertising for public comment a draft planning policy dealing with both on site and off site stormwater disposal within the Town.

The proposed policy sets out the criteria on which the various methods of stormwater disposal can be assessed. The Policy is also intended to encourage more sustainable methods of on-site stormwater management, such as the harvesting and recycling of rainwater for limited domestic use.

The policy would align with Town Planning Scheme No. 10, and the Residential Design Codes regarding stormwater disposal.

The proposed policy is intended to reflect best practice in environmental planning, while taking into consideration the site opportunities and constraints dictated by soil composition and site topography.

The proposed policy represents a change in direction for the Town in relation to stormwater disposal by emphasising on-site disposal. This will not only greatly reduce the Town’s unsustainable practice of subsidizing land development, but will also minimise the Town’s liability in the event of property damage resulting from inundation.

This report has been endorsed by the Town’s Engineering Technical Officer and Environment Officer.

BACKGROUND

Bassendean’s residential areas were traditionally characterized by large lots often in excess of 1012m2 which were developed with modest houses of approximately 100m2. When paving and some outbuildings are included the overall site cover was approximately 20%. The remaining 80% of the land was either lawns and/or gardens which were available for on site drainage of stormwater run-off, almost regardless of soil type.

The preferred method of stormwater disposal is of course on–site retention in soak-wells as required under the Building Code of Australia and the 2008 Residential Design Codes. However, the previous 2002 Codes did include a provision for connection to a street drainage system. This provision has since been deleted due to the obligation it placed on Local Government and the resulting enormous cost impost to upgrade the stormwater system to cope with private stormwater.

Nevertheless, urban consolidation policies together with increasing housing aspirations have resulted in the situation of the ratio of open space to building becoming reversed. Buildings and paving are covering up to 80% of a site, particularly in the case of two unit single storey developments on a subdivided 1012m2 lot. It is anticipated that an additional 250-300 new dwellings along with possibly several hundred large replacement dwellings (plus additions to existing houses) will be built in those portions of the Town affected by clay soils during the next 20 year periods.

In addition to the impact of infill development there is also a noticeable trend towards larger dwellings (to the maximum site coverage allowed in the Residential Design Codes) which increases yet again the generation of stormwater run-off to be disposed of in the Town.

The majority of land affected by clay (reactive) soils is located between Guildford Road and the Swan River, with some smaller areas in and around Nurstead Avenue and Anzac Terrace.

COMMENT

The current working practice in the Town regarding stormwater disposal is reliant upon the builders’ civil engineer providing the design for stormwater disposal methods for each individual. The engineer’s assessment is based purely on soil type and its ability to allow stormwater the leach away. This is in addition to any requirements for additional structural reinforced footings and slab due to soil type.

At present it is more cost effective for developers to dispose of stormwater on–site in soak wells providing the soil type is suitable for this method. The alternative means of stormwater disposal is via connection to the Towns system is considerably more, but there is often no choice given the following issues associated with reactive soils.

• The land remaining waterlogged resulting in associated health issues.

ii)        Structural issues where the footings and foundations of building can become undermined through the expansion and contraction of clay.

iii)       Stormwater run off to adjoining properties creating the above two issues.

iv)       Where houses are retained following the subdivision of land available for on site disposal/dispersion is substantially reduced.

There is unfortunately a general presumption by landowners that stormwater is not either a development or subdivision issue. This is particularly the case where an existing house simply drains from downpipes onto the ground. The prevailing ‘wisdom’ is that this is an acceptable means of containing stormwater onsite, particularly in the case of modest house on substantial lots predominately sandy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain,

A review of the current Council policy for stormwater disposal given the future prospects for the increased development in the locality has been identified in order to address the following procedural and process related matters;

1.        The vast majority of those subdividing and developing land in the Town are inexperienced investors or local landowners with no limited expertise in the area of land development let alone standard engineering practices. There is a naive expectation that all sites will be treated the same and not assessed on the individual constraints applicable to the circumstances of each lot, such as topography

2.        There is also the issue of liability. The Town, in accepting stormwater run-off from private properties, is accepting responsibility to ensure that this private land does not become inundated.

3.        There is no appreciation, in many instances, of the impacts that clay soils have in respect of stormwater drainage issues and of course the associated effects on the structural integrity of buildings.

4.        Industrial lots to be drained and stormwater disposed of on-site using best practice methods of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) to prevent contaminates reach the ground water or soil.

5.        The long terms costs to subsequent landowners are ignored as many developers operate in short timeframes dictated by carrying costs and the desire for quick turnover at minimal cost.

6.        While it is ‘common sense’ to address stormwater disposal (either on-site or off-site) at development and subdivision stages, the issue it is largely ignored as it does not add ‘visible value’ to development. Hidden costs arise as a result, which are passed onto subsequent land owners.

7.        If an existing house allows water to run out anywhere on the lot it is falsely assumed that this situation can be continued at subdivision stage despite the land area for disposal being reduced by 400-500m2.

8.        This proposed policy is thought necessary to provide a consistent approach to the assessment of applications, as well as providing a succinct written guide for land developers as to the Town’s expectations in this issue.

9.        The criteria to be met to enable stormwater run-off to be connected to the Town’s road system should be varied so that it is a matter of last and not first resort. The Town in permitting stormwater disposal through its road drainage system is vicariously accepting responsibility for any damage to private property resulting from inundation.

10.      On those lots where on-site stormwater disposal is not feasible due to the soil type, alternatives in the form of on-site rainwater storage for domestic use in gardens, toilets and laundry should be encouraged.

The Engineers at the City of Belmont and City of Bayswater were contacted regarding their Council’s approach in dealing with stormwater disposal in flood prone areas with reactive soils. Advice was provided that both of these Local Authorities will not permit connection to their street drainage system except in extreme circumstances, such as where land is below the crown of the road.

In all other circumstances (and regardless of the economic cost to landowners) substantial excavation works of clay are undertaken and clean sand fill introduced to the site to permit on site retention. This removes the liability to the City and also prevents what is effectively a subsidy to private landowners for the development of lots. The natural filtering that occurs when stormwater is retained on-site prevents pollutants from entering the Swan River.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

The Residential Design Codes 2008, prescribe that all stormwater should be;

‘…directed to garden areas, sumps or rainwater tanks within the development site where climatic and soil conditions allow for the effective retention of stormwater on-site.’

In addition is should be noted that Local Planning Scheme No.10 contains the following clauses related to stormwater.

5.7.4   Connection to Local Drainage System

5.7.4.1          The local government may require developments in areas that experience flooding problems or where soils are not suitable for storm water disposal to connect to the local drainage system.

5.7.4.2          Where the local drainage system is required to be upgraded or extended to provide for connections required under sub clause 5.7.4.1, the local government shall require contributions towards the cost of such upgrading or extension.

Further, Clause 2.4.1 of the Scheme sets out the procedure for the making and adoption of a Local Planning Policy. A Two week advertising period in a local newspaper is initially required.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

It has been anticipated that in some sections of the Town that over the next 20 year period there will be a considerable number of new and replacement houses constructed throughout the Town.

In those sections of the Town where on site disposal of stormwater is not possible, and connection to the road system would have occurred any spare capacity in the system would eventually be taken up. In extreme weather the potential for overloading the drainage systems is obvious and any resulting flooding and damage to private properties would make the Town liable for compensation if it were demonstrated that the Town has allowed connection to an inadequate drainage system.

is essential, there are longer terms cost accumulating to the Town for stormwater disposal. This would occur as the system needs replacement would logically require upgrading to provide the necessary capacity to drain not only roads, but an increasing number of private dwellings.

The current `private stormwater connections’ guidance notes set out briefly the process to connect to the Town’s street system. It includes a connection fee of $500.00 which has not been reviewed since 2001 and was intended to be a contribution towards the upgrading of the drainage system.

The current practice of allowing stormwater runoff from private land to be diverted into the Town road drainage system could only be continued following a study into the capacity of the current system. At the same time given the almost certain future growth in the river side localities the costs for any upgrading works to deal with any under capacity revealed. This however, is a costly process and in terms of equity the question arises as to whether ratepayer’s in the Town should further subsidise the stormwater disposal of other landowners.

The current policy is not seen as sustainable in terms of the probable capacity of the system, the likelihood of future liability and the likely subsidising of private land development.

The draft policy proposes to restrict access to the Town drainage system, reduced pollutant runoff to the river, and reduced the longer term financial liability of the Town in terms of both capacity and damage claims.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.9

That Council resolves that the draft planning policy Stormwater Disposal Policy be advertised in accordance with Clause 3.2.1 of Local Planning Scheme No. 10.

Voting Requirement: Simple majority

10.10        Acceptance of Lotterywest Grant (Ref: Ayden Mackenzie, Youth Development Officer)

APPLICATION

Council is requested to accept funding from Lotterywest for the amount of $6,198.70 (inc GST) for the purchase of a trailer to support the Youth Services’ Go-Kart Program.

BACKGROUND

Youth Services has been operating the Karting Program since 1994.

The program aims to provide a positive recreational alternative to harmful behaviours for young people as well as addressing the issue of social isolation and the development of team building skills.

The Karting Program works towards engaging young people in recreational activities based around; team work and co-operation, positive social networks, skills development, trust relationships and guaranteed levels of personal success.

COMMENT

Youth Services’ Kart Trailer has difficulty transporting karts and equipment to the track in Henderson because of its size. The provision of a new custom built trailer will allow the Karts to be kept in the trailer at the Town’s Depot. The Manager Asset Services confirms the trailer can be accommodated in the Depot.

Currently Officers and participants need to move the karts to and from a storeroom each time they need to be used, adding up to an hour at each end of the process.

The Karts are currently used one to two times every school holidays allowing 10 young people to participate every session. Last year the Youth Service has invited other organisation such as Midland PCYC and Caversham Technology and Enterprise Centre to participate in the Karting sessions.

As a result, an enclosed Kart Trailer was designed to specifications and costed. An application for funding was submitted to Lotterywest to meet the cost of acquiring the trailer at no cost to the Town’s ratepayers.

Advice has since been received that the application has been successful.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Local Government Act 1995 Clause 6.8(1)(b) states that a local government is not to incur expenditure from its municipal fund for an additional purpose except where the expenditure is authorised in advance by resolution and as the grant was not considered within the adopted budget, Council is requested to approve receipt and expenditure of the funds.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The grant approved by Lotterywest fully meets the cost of the Go-Kart Trailer and no ratepayer funds are required.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.10

That Council receives the Lotterywest grant totalling $6,189.70 (inc GST) and approves the funds being expended for the purchase of a trailer to transport the Bassendean Youth Service’s Go-Karts.

Voting requirements: Absolute majority

10.11        Ashfield Station Precinct Plan Report (Ref: LUAP/PLANNG/3 – Brian Reed, Manager Development Services)

APPLICATION

The Town of Bassendean is asked to adopt the Ashfield Precinct Plan as a visionary document and use it as a basis for further planning and decision making.

The City of Bayswater and the Western Australian Planning Commission are also requested to adopt the plan in a similar way

BACKGROUND

As part of the Western Australian Planning Commission’s Maylands to Guildford Transport Orientated Development Study, a detailed study has been undertaken in Ashfield by GHD looking at intensification of the Ashfield Precinct.

The study has been funded under the State Governments Local Government Planning Assistance Program, and represents a collaborative approach to the future planning of Ashfield by the Town, the City of Bayswater and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

The matter was considered by Council at it February 2009 meeting when it was resolved that that Council endorses a 42 day advertising period for the Ashfield Station Precinct Plan Report, and the methodology for the proposed community consultation as included in the Standing Committee Agenda of 17 February 2009.

Subsequently, on request of the Town, DoP extended the draft Ashfield Precinct Plan public comment period until 25 May to facilitate comment from residents living in Bassendean adjacent to Cyril Jackson Senior Campus who were not a part of the original letter- box drop.

Council hosted a Special General Electors Meeting on 12 May in response to a petition of residents for the same to consider the Precinct Plan and implications to near residents in Bassendean.

The principal issue raised was in relation to loss of amenity from increased housing and traffic through loss of open space with the land use plan for Cyril Jackson Senior Campus.

The final version of the report indicates that the Cyril Jackson Senior Campus, will be retained for a future high school site. (Refer to Report for Ashfield Precinct Plan – Precinct Plan September 2009 forwarded to Council under separate cover.)

The Actual consultation period ran for the period from 23 March - 25 May 2009 and resulted in a total of 176 submissions being received. (Refer to Report for Ashfield Precinct Plan – Public Submissions Report 2009 forwarded to Councillors previously under separate cover.)

The linkages between the final version of the Precinct Plan and all previous consultation and development is shown in the Report for Ashfield Precinct Plan - Background Report and Appendices - August 2009 forwarded to Councillors under separate Cover.

The features of the concept plan, together with a comment on implementation are included in the comment section of this report.

COMMENT

The following section contains a description of the key components of the plan, taken from the Precinct Plan together with comments on implementation by the Manager Development Services.

Ashfield Reserve South East

The high proportion of State housing in the precinct presents opportunities for small scale redevelopment of the residential housing stock, possibly as State Government demonstration projects showcasing the intent of the precinct's future. The State Government owned land indicates that there is some opportunity for redevelopment of State housing sites on the south eastern side of Ashfield Reserve.

The street block, bounded by Haig, Fisher, Margaret Streets and Colstoun Road, has been allocated a density of R80 as it is within 400m of the Ashfield Train station and has frontages onto both Ashfield Reserve and Ashfield Primary School. Increasing the density and allowing 3-4 storey buildings will increase the residential population in close proximity to three key assets in the area and will also increase passive and active surveillance on the open space, primary school and the recreation centre on the Cyril Jackson Campus.

Manager Development Services’ Comments

The report recognizes that this land could be developed under the following three scenarios:

1.         Guided "improvement plan" under the Planning & Development Act;

2.         Demonstration projects on land already in Government ownership; and

3.         Collaborative Development Scheme involving a partnership between land owners and Government.

The proposal could also be delivered through placing appropriate land use controls and design guidelines under the Planning Scheme.

Colstoun Road Village East

Given that Ashfield Reserve is listed as a contaminated site, due to its previous use as a landfill site, this precludes any major residential development due to anticipated high remediation costs. The reserve is also extensively used by up to 9 sporting clubs and for local festivals. However, in the short term the opportunity exists for the revitalisation and expansion of the small commercial/shop area on the corner of Colstoun Road and Maidos Street to serve the planned increase in residential population and to create a more vibrant local centre adjacent to the existing train station

Ashfield Reserve presents an opportunity for the State Government to encourage the revitalisation of Ashfield by redeveloping the western frontage on Colstoun Road. Development of mixed use retail/commercial/residential buildings along this frontage will provide increased activity and population to provide incentive for the growth of the precinct and the creation of a 'village' centre.

The integration of the existing community centre and soccer club into the redevelopment will provide a community focus for the area and provide increased activation of the street. Given the location adjacent to the existing train station and the desire to encourage growth and activity in the precinct, a residential density of R100 has been designated to the area.

Manager Development Services’ Comments

For this particular proposal to succeed the following actions would be necessary.

• The land would need to be excised from the recreation reserve and a suitable zoning and tenure given to the land to allow development.
• The portion of the site to be developed would need to be proven to be free of contaminated material or alternatively remediated to a condition that would allow development.
• The agreement of the Town as landlord would be required in terms of the impact on the existing Ashfield Community Centre and possibly from the Ashfield Soccer Club in term of any impact

Colstoun Road Village West

The commercial centre on Colstoun Road should increase its capacity and diversity to cater for the planned increase in population within the surrounding area. The centre needs to be enhanced and expanded to create more of a 'village' feel for the area and to create a vibrant focus point adjacent to the train station and Ashfield Reserve. The expansion of retail and commercial uses along Colstoun Road towards Haig Street will complement the mixed use development proposed for Ashfield Reserve and also the redevelopment of the land on the southern portion of the reserve. Figure 3 outlines an indicative Concept Plan for this 'village'.

The creation of a village square and the removal of parking to the rear of the buildings will require some land tenure restructuring, however, it will aid in the creation of more intimate, pedestrian friendly spaces that will contribute to a local village feel for the area. Residential development above the new retail and commercial uses of 2-3 storeys will add to the activity within the centre and also increase the surveillance of the street.

The configuration of the existing footbridge to the train station directs pedestrians directly into Colstoun Road, reinforcing the area's importance and strategic location. It also provides pedestrian traffic along the street to and from the train station.

Manager Development Services’ Comments

For this particular proposal to succeed the following actions would be necessary.

• The right of way /drainage reserve at the rear of Guildford Road would need to upgraded to a public street similar.
• The area would need to be provided with appropriate zonings under the Scheme and design guidelines would be required to control the proposed development
• Land currently in private ownership would need to be acquired to facilitate the proposed access roads and village square.

CSBP Site & Railway Parade

The CSBP industrial site represents a significant short term opportunity for development within the study area. The site, adjacent to Tonkin Highway and Railway Parade, is approximately 37 ha in size and is currently being remediated for soil contamination. Whilst the main intention is for the redevelopment of the site as a light industrial precinct, CSBP have indicated their intention to develop 2-3 storey commercial uses along Railway Parade as a frontage to Guildford Road, increasing the opportunity for improved exposure and interaction with Guildford Road.

Wesfarmers (CSBP's parent company) also currently owns a 4 ha site opposite the CSBP site abutting the Vincent Road reserve. Wesfarmers has indicated that if Vincent Road was to be constructed through to Railway Parade, then there is a strong likelihood that the portion of the site along Vincent Road could be developed for commercial use rather than industrial, subject to required approvals.

The proposed development of both the CSBP site and the Wesfarmers site can be considered as catalysts to initiate the commercial development of the area, resulting in an increase in the activity levels and workforce numbers in proximity to the train station. Under the current ODP for the CSBP site, it is anticipated that 2900 (conservatively) jobs will be created by the redevelopment of the site.

The early development of this area will assist in creating the critical mass required to relocate the main street function to Pearson Street (if the railway station is relocated). In the short term, the south eastern corner of the CSBP site is still within 800m of the existing train station and presents a viable commercial development opportunity in the short term.

The CSBP site can also play a significant supporting role to the developing business park at the Perth Airport in respect to land uses. Future land use synergies between the two areas could be developed and would encourage growth in both areas. These synergies would promote the flow of people, information and knowledge between the two areas, with the potential to increase the activity in and around both sites. Ashfield in general also has the potential to offer attractive, convenient and quality residential opportunities to the future workforces of both the CSBP site and the Perth Airport business park.

Whilst it is CSBP's intention to continue to pursue a direct left in-left out Tonkin Highway access and egress proposal with Main Roads WA, CSBP supports the proposed road network concept of the Ashfield Precinct Plan and CSBP has adjusted their ODP accordingly.

The principle concept of the proposed road network for the CSBP site is the new road connection over Tonkin Highway to Collier Road and ultimately to the Morley Regional Centre. The plan also provides for the possibility of reconnecting Bassendean Road west of the Tonkin Highway to the site. This would serve to re-establish the connection between the industrial areas on either side of Tonkin Highway and increase the possible land use synergies between the two areas.

If implemented, these connections (especially in conjunction with a realigned Guildford Road) could eliminate the need for the direct access to Tonkin Highway from the CSBP site, which is not supported by Main Roads WA.

The development of commercial uses along Railway Parade between the CSBP site and Wood Street is also encouraged. This would take advantage of the frontage onto Railway Parade and the railway, and also provide an active link between the CSBP site and the existing train station.

Manager Development Services’ Comments

Whilst the majority of this precinct is with thin the City of Bayswater, the Town will need to amend its Local Planning Scheme to apply a “commercial” zoning to the land in the Town, and to provide a light industrial buffer between the commercial land and the land zoned for General Industry.

It will also be necessary to construct the unconstructed portion of Vincent Street.

Guildford Road, Pearson Street & Bayswater Industrial Area

If the train station is relocated westwards along the rail line, there is an opportunity to develop Pearson Street into a retail and commercial node. Mixed use retail & residential land uses along Pearson St would contribute to the creation of a new commercial centre adjacent to a relocated Ashfield railway station. In the long term, it may still be desirable to relocate the current education uses at Cyril Jackson to Pearson Street which could assist in creating this precinct and provide pedestrian activity along Pearson Street between the relocated train station and potential new education facility.

This could be complimented by mixed use commercial/residential development along Guildford Road to provide a link between Colstoun Road and Pearson Street, and also take advantage of the high exposure provided by Guildford Road. The existing rear laneways should be utilised for vehicular access to these properties.

The relocation of the railway station and retail/commercial core to Pearson Street provides an opportunity to:

• Increase commercial and residential densities in the existing industrial area around the new station without impacting on the existing residential community; and
• Encourage larger scale commercial developments on the existing large land parcels in the Bayswater industrial area.

This location fulfils the important principles in establishing the commercial precinct around the station, these being:

• all future commercial development to emanate from a core retail hub;
• a commercial precinct unencumbered by the railway line - failure to achieve this will fragment the precinct which will likely result in two different commercial nodes, one of which will thrive while the other struggles;
• commercial activity (especially retail) will gravitate to the higher volumes of traffic along Guildford Road; and
• any main street environment to have direct exposure or access from Guildford Road.

The Bayswater industrial area provides an opportunity for catalysing the redevelopment along Pearson Street and supplementary high density residential uses. Rezoning this industrial area south of the railway would provide favourable land tenure (large lots) for redevelopment, providing opportunities for mixed use developments along the western side of Pearson Street. The building stock in the area is seen to be nearing the end of its economic life and these industrial land uses may have the opportunity to locate to new industrial areas such as the CSBP site and the Tonkin Business Park.

Pearson Street is proposed to link with Vincent Street on the northern side of the railway and ultimately the area for future commercial development. In time this would provide a greater linkage across the railway and the continuation of the 'Main Street'. The land use along this northern segment of 'Main Street' within the CSBP site should be a continuation of the commercial function and a proposed roundabout provides a well defined end to the precinct. A tavern could be considered on the northern side of the roundabout as a way of closing the 'Main Street' vista. The workforce of the area would be attracted to this land use and it would also have the added advantage of increasing passing traffic along the street.

Similarly, Gary Blanch Park is located at the southern end of the Pearson Street commercial 'Main Street' and provides a well defined precinct end. Gary Blanch Park is another asset that will attract people and increase the through traffic and activity along the street. This park is close to the river with a direct link and has a Water Corporation main drainage located under the reserve with the water outfall into the Swan River. It has been identified via a separate study, that the quality from water from the Water Corporation drainage network can be significantly improved by creating a 'living stream' within Gary Blanch Park. The proposal would not only improve the quality of water entering the Swan River but would further enhance the attractiveness of the park as a destination at the end of the 'Main Street' precinct.

Manager Development Services’ Comments

This part of the proposal will rely on the following actions:

• A commitment from both the Town of Bassendean and City of Bayswater to implement the proposals through a Memorandum of Understanding.
• A commitment from the PTA to relocate the train station based on increased patronage for the rail service based on its new location.
• A commitment from Main Roads WA to realign Guildford Road to allow a grade separated link between the Pearson Street and Vincent Street “Main Street” areas.
• A commercial/mixed use zoning bring applied to the properties facing Guildford Road, linking the new Main Street back to the Colstoun Road Village.
• The Department of Planning, Water Corporation & Town of Bassendean investigate as part of the detailed Ashfield redevelopment planning process, the creation a "living Stream" within Gary Blanch Park to improve water quality entering the Swan River.

General Increase in Residential Densities in Ashfield

The Precinct Plan is advocating a substantial increase in densities for the suburb of Ashfield. The Plan advocates densities ranging from R100 on Guildford Road graduating down to R40 at Hardy Road.

The suggested densities need to be considered in connection with the Directions 2031 - Draft Spatial Framework for Perth and Peel, and on the Draft Activity Centre Policy.

If the density codes for Ashfield are to be increased, consideration will need to be given to:

• The impact of advocated minimum densities for development and whether there would be a market need for the type of development proposed.
• The need for design guidelines to control and advocate a certain form of development.
• Whether or not the increased density should be performance based with split density coding as in other areas of the Town.

Transport and Access Issues

Some of the transport and access issue have already been discussed under the sub precincts above. the following section outlines areas of the plan that will impact on the Town of Bassendean.

Pearson Street Rail Crossing

A second option was required for the link between Pearson Street and Vincent Street should the Ashfield Train Station be relocated without the re-alignment of Guildford Road and without sinking the railway line. A horseshoe bridge, similar to that located in the Perth CBD connecting William Street, is proposed to link Pearson Street, the relocated train station and Vincent Street.

A preliminary investigation of the horseshoe bridge option indicated that further investigation would be required in relation to operation and geometry including ramp lengths to confirm the feasibility, considering vertical and horizontal clearances from the rail line, integrated with the other proposals including, Colstoun Road intersection and the Park 'n' Ride area. The four way intersections would need to be signalised and Main Roads WA and PTA input should be sought.

Colstoun Road/Guildford Road Intersection

Currently, it is difficult and sometimes dangerous to turn into and out of Colstoun Road from Guildford Road, taking into account the current volumes, speed and nature of traffic on Guildford Road. The intersection is a low-priority (1003rd in the state for funding) black spot location with 26 accidents over the past five years.

It is recommended that in the short term, the intersection of Guildford Road and Colstoun Road is to be modified to accommodate for the future growth and land use change proposed in this plan. Options such as medians, channelization, or even a signalised intersection would improve conditions and safety for Colstoun Road traffic, considering future growth in the area will only contribute to the difficulty and safety issues associated with these turning movements.

Local Connection to Bassendean

Emphasis has been maintained throughout the planning process on maintaining a key local road link from between Ashfield and the Bassendean Town Centre, supplementary to Guildford Road. The proposed movement network places specific emphasis on Hardy Road (from the termination of the proposed 'Main Street' precinct on Pearson Street) near Gary Blanch Park through to Reid Street, then along Elder Parade and Wilson Street to connect with Old Perth Road in the centre of the Bassendean Town site. Emphasis has also been placed on Margaret Street, past both schools to Reid Street and then along the previously mentioned alignment.

The Plan also advocates the potential opening up of the Margaret Street and Reid Street intersection. The Plan also shows a through road on Fisher Street linking Guildford Road to Hardy Road.

The Implementation Action Framework does however does however suggest a traffic impact assessment be carried out to investigate the impact of the total proposals on regional, district and local traffic movements.

CONCLUSION

Full implementation of the plan will depend on a fair degree of commitment from a number of state agencies, and a fair amount of funding for infrastructure projects. This commitment and funding will need to compete with other areas of the State.

There will need to be a fair degree of cooperation between the Town of Bassendean and the City of Bayswater in terms of the planning and streetscape treatment of the boundary along Pearson Street and Vincent Street.

The implementation of the plan would need to be carried out on a staged basis with some proposals enabled to be implemented within the first 5 years, whilst others may well have a 20 year time arisen.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

The statutory requirements are highlighted under section 3.3 of the report.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The costs to the Town of Bassendean in implementing the Plan are unknown at this stage.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.11

That Council adopts the Report for Ashfield Precinct Plan Precinct Plan - September 2009, as a visionary document and uses it as a basis for further planning and decision making, subject to the following conditions:

1.        The Town of Bassendean considers that the Bassendean Town Centre should be the primary retail and service centre for the Town and the development of Ashfield should not compromise this position;

2.        Concern is expressed that the potential development of the Pearson Street Main Street will act as a disincentive to the development of the Colstoun Road Village; and

3.        The potential relocation of the Train Station, whilst subject to further assessment by the Public Transport Authority, should only be pursued if the relocation of the Station will cause an increase in rail patronage as a result of the implementation of other proposals in this plan.

Voting requirement: Simple majority

10.12        Ashfield Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting held on 9 September 2009 (Ref: GOVN/CCLMEET/4 - Graeme Haggart, Director Community Development)

APPLICATION

The purpose of the report is for Council to receive the report of the Ashfield Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting held on 9 September 2009.

COMMENT

In all, 6 Committee Members, 2 staff, 6 members of the public and in attendance at the Meeting.

The main items of discussion in the meeting included:

1.       Progress in the Ashfield Precinct Plan.

2.       That this is the last meeting of Committee as the Ashfield Community Action Network (Ashfield CAN) is now in place and is the vehicle established to implement the Ashfield Community Action Plan, the main work program of Committee set to address resident’s articulated aspirations.

3.       Progress in the works on the Ashfield Parade Reserve Development Project.

4.        Committee member items relating to Town or Agency operational issues in the suburb were then taken.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.12

That the report on the Ashfield Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting held on 9 September 2009, be received.

Voting requirement: Simple majority

10.13        Seniors’ Week Coordinating Committee Meeting held on 10 September 2009 (Ref: GOV/CCLMEET/2 – Travis Moore, Acting Manager Recreation & Cultural Services)

APPLICATION

The purpose of the report is for Council to receive the report on a meeting of the Seniors’ Week Coordinating Committee held on 10 September 2009.

COMMENT

Discussion at this meeting focussed on the following topics:

Committee Deferment - the Committee received a report advising that Council had resolved that membership of community representatives on the Seniors’ Week Committee be extended to expire at the meeting of 12 November 2009.

Shopping Centre Involvement – the Committee received a progress report on the Shopping Centre involvement, in particular that the Manager of the Centre Mr Mark Deacon-Evans had been transferred to another Centre. It was agreed that the Town would liaise with the Shopping Centre with the view to maintaining the Centres’ involvement during the Seniors’ Week Celebrations.

Event Planning – the Committee members provided a progress report on the planning for this year’s events. It was agreed that the planning was advancing in an effective manner.

Budget – the Committee received a report the budget allocations for each event in the 2009 Seniors’ Week Program.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.13

That Council receives the report on a meeting of the Seniors’ Week Coordinating Committee held on 10 September 2009.

Voting requirement: Simple majority

10.14        Old Perth Road Markets Committee Meeting held 24 September 2009 (Ref: COMDEV/MEET/3 – William Barry, Economic Development Officer)

APPLICATION

Council is requested to receive the report on the inaugural meeting of the Old Perth Road Markets Committee held on 24 September 2009

COMMENT

The Committee discussed the following issues:

• Election of Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member

The CEO called for nominations for Presiding Member, Cr Cr Gangell was elected Presiding Member.

The Presiding Member called for nominations for Deputy Presiding Member. No nominations were received, so this position remains vacant.

• Code of Conduct - Disclosures of Interest

The Committee was provided with the Code of Conduct document which includes requirements of the Local Government Act in relation to disclosures of interest.

It was suggested that the CEO writes to the Minister requesting an exemption of conflicts of interest by Committee Members.

• Establishment of Working Groups to create Business Model

The need for the establishment of working groups and the responsibilities of each was discussed. It was added that Members can nominate for more than one group.

It was proposed working groups are set up to fully examine the five main factors of the business model, outlined below. Committee members could decide their preferences for which they are best suited and nominate where to be involved.

• Designing, Marketing & Publicity;
• Distribution, logistics & liaison with Old Perth Road Traders;
• Research of other markets;
• Public Relations; and
• Preparing Operation Rules, Terms and Conditions & Managing Stall Holders.

The Presiding Member suggested that a workshop be held with Committee members to discuss ideas for the markets, skills that people have and outline what the markets will entail.

• Schedule of Meeting Dates for 2009

The Committee considered the 2009 meeting dates and commencement time.

It was agreed to hold meetings after business hours to enable all members who have businesses to be able to attend meetings. It was further agreed of a 7pm commencement time for these meetings at a frequency of every two weeks.

The Committee discussed the timeframe to hold the markets and it was agreed a tentative date for the first market will be end of February beginning of March 2010.

• Re-endorsement of Committee Members for 2009/10

Members on this Committee will cease at the Local Government Elections to be held on 17 October 2009.

However, since the Committee has only been established in the last few weeks, it is recommended that all community members be re-endorsed to the Committee by Council to avoid the necessity to advertise and request fresh nominations. It should be noted that nominations for Council members to fill the two Council delegate positions will called for at the Ordinary Council meeting on 27 October 2009.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 10.14

That:

1.         The CEO writes to the Minister for Local Government to request an exemption of conflicts of interest by members of the Old Perth Road Markets Committee;

2.         The forming of working groups be deferred until a workshop has been held;

3.         The Old Perth Road Markets Committee meetings for 2009 be held at on the following dates, commencing at 7.00pm:

26 October

9 November

23 November

7 December

4.         Those current community members of the Old Perth Road Markets Committee be re-endorsed as members of the Committee for the next 12 months.

Voting requirement: Simple majority – Pts 1 to 3

                                                   Absolute majority Pt 4

11.0                              PUBLIC QUESTIONS & RIGHT OF REPLY

Members of the public who did not ask questions in Part One of Public Question Time will be heard first.

12.0                              MOTIONS OF WHICH PREVIOUS NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN

13.0                              ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NOTICES OF MOTION FOR THE NEXT MEETING

14.0                              CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS

15.0                              CLOSURE

The next Ordinary Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 27 October 2009.

 

 

 

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