Mayor’s Message

www.armadale.wa.gov.au

VOLUME 18OctObEr 2008

City Views

FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE:

city’s community grants on a roll Highland Gathering and cycle classic

Deadly diebackcity a Green Awards finalist

thank a Volunteer Day

Baby chickens a hit at Seville Grove Library

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NEWS FrOM tHE c ItY OF ArMADALE

Students tour new estatesArmadale Deputy Mayor Jeff Munn joined a group of Year 8 students from Cecil Andrews Senior High School on a tour of two of City’s newest residential communities recently.

Cr Munn talked about the exciting developments taking place in the City of Armadale while the school group toured Stockland’s Vertu Private Estate and Newhaven residential estate.

Roleystone residents joined the City of Armadale to celebrate the official re-opening of the refurbished Roleystone Hall on Saturday 13 September.

Armadale Deputy Mayor Jeff Munn led the speeches and formal proceedings, along with Councillors Laurie Scidone and Pat Hart, while the former Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Alannah MacTiernan, was on hand to cut the ribbon.

The hall renovation was part of the $1.1 million Roleystone Revitalisation Project, funded by the City of Armadale ($850,000 including $138,000 in grants and contributions) and the State Government ($250,000). The project has been conducted in partnership with the community-based Roleystone Revitalisation Steering Group.

During the hall re-opening, members of the Cross family unveiled a memorial naming plaque in honour of Henry (Harry) Cross, who was instrumental in developing the tract of land which later became Cross Park.

The Roleystone Combined Schools P&C staged a sausage sizzle and children’s activities, the primary school choir gave a short performance and a jazz band and DJ kept the music going throughout the afternoon.

The transformed Roleystone Hall now boasts an accessible toilet and change area, access ramps, lighting, a retaining wall, paved alfresco area and an improved car park, plus new exterior render and paint.

A community art project has provided decorative mosaics, hand-painted tile panels and decorative steel balustrades for the Jarrah Road side of the building. A local species garden is also underway, in partnership with Roley Bushcare Group.

Other completed elements of the Roleystone Revitalisation Project include improvements to traffic management and on-street parking, a new public toilet block at Cross Park, installation of sports and security lighting and an upgraded playground.

Improved accessA new roundabout being built by the City of Armadale at the junction of Wungong and Seventh Roads is another step towards greatly improved access to the Armadale town centre, railway station and major arterial roads in the region.

The roundabout will improve the safety and efficiency of the intersection and allow the opening up of the previously closed northern section of Wungong Road and ultimately link with Green Avenue, which will be will be realigned at Forrest Road to link directly with Abbey Road.

The Wungong Road roundabout is currently under construction and should be open in November 2008, weather permitting.

The Armadale Redevelopment Authority is beginning an upgrade of Green Avenue in October, with works expected to take approximately five months to complete.

Green Avenue will then be opened to through traffic, allowing for safe and easy access to the fast-growing City centre.

In the medium term, Abbey Road will also be realigned at the junction of Armadale Road to link with Railway Avenue and provide convenient north/south access to Armadale.

Roleystone Hall re-opening

Cr Jeff Munn (left), a representative from Stockland and students from Cecil Andrews Senior High School toured some of the City’s newest residential estates

Despite a stock market in turmoil and property prices falling elsewhere, I’m pleased to say that Armadale is continuing to grow. In August we experienced the greatest demand for new home building approvals ever – we approved 135 house or town house applications in that one month alone.This demand is ensuring our property prices remain steady here in Armadale. Of course such development brings its own challenges, especially in relation to the environment. And I’m pleased to say the City has been recognised for several different initiatives aimed at ensuring the future of our natural world.The innovative switch your thinking! project, which the City supports along with the City of Gosnells and Shire of Serpentine, has won the Local Greenhouse Action category of the 2008 National Awards for Local Government.Under the project we and our partners have invested more than $1 million helping to reduce greenhouse emissions by an equivalent of more than 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The new suburb of Piara Waters has won Stockland and the City recognition for Environmental Excellence, and the City of Armadale has also received national recognition for its commitment to the environment after being named as a finalist in the NEWS.com.au Green Awards.We were recognised in the Green Town category, for local government authorities that have taken measures to substantially reduce the environmental impact of people in their area.By continuing this mix of sustainable development we can continue to enjoy growth, while also protecting our beautiful natural environment.

Cr Linton Reynolds, AM JP City of Armadale Mayor

NEWS FrOM tHE c ItY OF ArMADALE

community

Mayor’s Message

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City’s community grants on a rollThe Armadale Redbacks Roller Skating Club, Challis Early Childhood Education Centre and Cranksters Hot Rod Club are all proud recipients of a City of Armadale community grant.

These and other local not-for-profit groups were successful in round 1 of the City’s 2008-09 Community Grants Program, which assists organisations in our region with special projects designed to benefit residents.

From equipment purchases, information brochures, workshops, special events and community programs, the funding supports a wide range of initiatives.

The Redbacks Roller Skating Club needed new children’s skates, while Challis Early Education Centre has put its grant towards the breakfast club it runs for hungry youngsters.

The Cranksters Hot Rod Club will use the City’s community grant to help stage an open day and hot rod show in Gilham Drive, Kelmscott, on Sunday 30 November.

The City of Armadale’s annual Community Grants Program continues with round 2 applications to be advertised in February 2009. For more information visit the City’s website www.armadale.wa.gov.au and go to the Your Community page.

Sustainable StreetlightingA Sustainable Streetlighting trial has begun in the City of Armadale in a bid to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Part of the award-winning switch your thinking! program, the two-year trial will assess the performance of two new sustainable technologies – 42W compact fluorescent light globes and 50W twin-arc high pressure sodium lamps – on four streets in Armadale and Kelmscott.

Streetlighting currently accounts for up to 50 per cent of WA local governments’ annual energy bill and corporate greenhouse gas emissions.

The technologies being trialled are expected to use up to 33 per cent less energy and last up to twice as long as the old and inefficient 80W mercury vapour street lights, which pose a potential environmental risk due to their mercury content.

Light levels of the new streetlights will be professionally monitored and residents living on the trial streets are being surveyed to help collect information and feedback.

These residents, in Little John and Owtram Streets in Armadale and Fancote Street and Page Road in Kelmscott, are also being asked to report any faults or outages to the City of Armadale’s Environmental Officer directly on 9399 0111, rather than following the normal procedure for reporting to Western Power.

The Sustainable Streetlighting trial is being conducted by the City of Armadale in partnership with Western Power, Synergy and Sylvania Lighting.

The Redbacks Roller Skating Club received a community grant

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NEWS FrOM tHE c ItY OF ArMADALE

Seniors Safety TalkSeniors can learn about consumer scams, protecting their homes and themselves at an informative City of Armadale Seniors Safety Talk on Friday 24 October.

Held from 10am to 1pm in the Level 1 function room at the City’s Administration Centre, 7 Orchard Avenue, Armadale, the Seniors Safety Talk is free for local residents.

There will be presentations on consumer protection, Burglar Beware and personal safety, plus morning tea and a light lunch will be provided. Bookings are essential so please RSVP by Wednesday 22 October on 9399 0642.

Ucanhatchus Baby ChickensThe young and the young at heart were ooh-ing and aah-ing over cute fluffy chicks at Seville Grove Library recently.

Ucanhatchus Baby Chickens provided the library with a living display of chicks enabling kids to monitor their progress over a 10-day period. Children saw the chicks change and grow from eggs, to new-born, to scratching, feeding, drinking and growing feathers. Families from throughout the City of Armadale visited the chickens daily and thoroughly enjoyed the mini-farm experience.

City of Armadale libraries host a wide range of fun learning and book-based activities throughout the year. For more details go to www.armadale.wa.gov.au

Armadale Water Walkers will celebrate Seniors Week and the launch of the 2008 pool walking season with a special breakfast at the City’s Armadale Aquatic Centre on Monday 27 October.

The Water Walkers will announce their official Club Patron - former WA Labor Minister Kay Hallahan – and unveil a new display cabinet and notice board at the function.

The Water Walkers were established in 2003 as part of a Seniors Program coordinated by the City.

The 90-member group is made up of local residents aged over-55, who meet at the Aquatic Centre two mornings a week for low-impact, water walking exercise and to chat afterwards over tea, coffee and biscuits.

All current Water Walker members and those wishing to join the enthusiastic group are welcome to attend the muffin and toast breakfast at Armadale Aquatic Centre at 7.15am on 27 October. For more information phone the group’s coordinator Ian Sutherland on 9399 8562.

Water Walkers The Armadale Water Walkers took an early

morning stroll

Did you know that over 20,000 people visit one of the City’s three libraries every month? In addition to the thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and magazines on offer, the libraries also boast a jam-packed Calendar of Events. Check out these exciting activities for starters!

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Your Local Libraries

Armadale Library 7 Orchard Avenue, Armadale Tel: 9399 0125

Kelmscott Library 2800 Albany Highway, Kelmscott Tel: 9390 5506

Seville Grove Library 78 Champion Drive, Seville Grove Tel: 9497 2622

E Session: Additive Alert 10.30am, Monday 3 November Armadale Library Find out which additives are linked to health and behaviour problems, plus the additives to avoid and why, with Ann Harrison from Additive Alert. Bookings required.

Kids Craft Club 3.45pm – 4.45pm, Monday 3 November Kelmscott Library The prehistoric world will come alive as children create a model dinosaur using craft materials.

Better Beginnings Parent Workshops 10am – 11.30am, Friday 7 November Seville Grove Library The topic is nutrition for 0 to 2-year-olds, including the transition to solid foods, healthy eating and intolerances. Bookings essential.

Christmas Craft 3.45pm – 4.45pm, Monday 1 December Kelmscott Library The Kids Craft Club has a festive theme and primary-aged children can make a ‘Six White Boomers’ window decoration.

Highland Gathering and Cycle Classic10am - 6pm, Saturday 15 November 2008There will be kilts, bagpipes and sporrans galore at the Highland Gathering, but you don’t need Scots ancestry to enjoy this popular City of Armadale event at Minnawarra Park.

Community members and visitors of all ages can soak up the Celtic atmosphere with music from Heel and Toe, the Armadale City Concert Band and street performer The Bad Piper.

Watch the thrilling Armadale Cycle Classic through the CBD streets; take in the festival of highland and country dancing, pipe band competitions and traditional sports including the tossing of the caber.

There will be Scottish sweets and a celebratory ale to sample – after all no Scottish gathering would be complete without a toast to the haggis. For more information visit www.armadale.wa.gov.au or phone 9399 0187.

Carols in Minnawarra4pm - 8pm, Sunday 7 December 2008Don a silly Santa hat, warm up those vocal chords and get ready for the City of Armadale’s much-loved annual Christmas Carols in Minnawarra Park.

Sing along to traditional favourites and modern carols or listen to the angelic voices of local school choirs and the Armadale City Concert Band.

The whole community is invited to join in the free family fun and games – there will even be a visit from the grand old man himself, Father Christmas!

Be sure to bring a picnic basket and rug for this festive celebration in Minnawarra. For more information visit www.armadale.wa.gov.au or phone 9399 0187.

COMING EVEntS

� cItY V IEWS NEWS FrOM tHE c ItY OF ArMADALE

EnVironmEnt

Councillor Pat Hart picks up a bargain from the Drop ‘n’ Shop

The innovative switch your thinking! program has won the Local Greenhouse Action category of the 2008 National Awards for Local Government.

A program of the South East Regional Energy Group (SEREG) – comprising the Cities of Armadale and Gosnells and Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale – switch your thinking! helps educate the community and deliver sustainability initiatives.

Switch your thinking! projects aim to promote energy and resource efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction across the region. Successful community projects include the Green Light Schools Fundraiser, switch your thinking! Rebate Scheme and the 5-Star Display Village located at Stockland’s Newhaven Estate in North Forrestdale.

Since syt! began six years ago, SEREG and its project partners have invested more than $1 million in regional actions, helping reduce greenhouse emissions by an equivalent of more than 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide – akin to taking 50,000 cars off the road for a year.

Visit www.switchyourthinking.com for more information about the switch your thinking! program.

The City of Armadale has received national recognition for its commitment to the environment after being named as a finalist in the NEWS.com.au Green Awards.

Armadale was honoured in the Green Town category, for local government authorities that have taken measures to substantially reduce the environmental impact of people in their area.

Initiatives the City highlighted in its Green Awards nomination were:

n Working towards greenhouse gas reduction goals as a participant in the Cities for Climate Protection Program, conducted by the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives.

n Member of the South East Regional Energy Group, which delivers sustainability and community education initiatives such as the award-winning switch your thinking! program.

Deadly diebackAs the fine weather approaches and local residents head out to enjoy our wonderful bushland, it is important to be aware of deadly dieback disease. Dieback is spread by soil movement. Once infected by the disease, plants and trees’ roots blacken and then rot and their ability to absorb nutrients and water is severely limited. Ultimately, the plants die.

The City of Armadale is helping protect its native bushland by installing 23 Dieback Hygiene Stations in major local reserves. The stations, located in Bungendore Park, Armadale Settlers Common and Lloyd Hughes Park, include prominent dieback signage and heavy bristled brushes so walkers can clean their shoes.

All campers, four-wheel drivers, bush walkers and cyclists can help fight dieback by preventing the spread of soil and mud in the bush.

City a Green Awards finalistn Streamcare Program.

n Implementation of local planning policies such as ‘managing Phytophthora Dieback’, ‘tree preservation’, ‘erosion prevention and sediment control’ and ‘water sensitive design’.

n Involvement with 18 ‘Friends of’ environmental groups and 16 reserve custodians.

n Dieback mapping in all bushland reserves and implementation of dieback signage and cleaning stations.

n Partnership with Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group working on river and bushland management projects.

The City’s Senior Environmental Planner, Ron Van Delft, was recently interviewed by 720 ABC Perth radio afternoons host, Geraldine Mellet, about the Green Awards.

Award-winning syt!

Melissa Gaikhorst and syt! Project Officer Julie McMinn are knee deep in the thousands of Green Light Showbags distributed through this year’s fundraiser

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Councillor contact List Heron Ward

Cr Linton Reynolds AM JP, Mayor tel: 9390 7433

Cr Jim Stewart tel: 9497 9524

Jarrah Ward Cr Pat Harttel: 9496 1634

Cr Laurie Scidonetel: 9496 0445 Fax: 9496 3445

Lake WardCr Jeff Munn JP CMC Deputy Mayor tel: 9397 1247

Cr June MacDonaldtel/Fax: 9399 1738

Minnawarra WardCr Keith Lethbridgetel: 9399 5270

Cr John Knezevichtel/Fax: 9497 1638

Neerigen WardCr Guenter Besttel: 9399 4371 Fax: 9497 3985

Cr Bob Tizardtel/Fax: 9497 3469

Palomino WardCr Jim Evertstel: 9399 6327 Fax: 9399 6833

Cr Wayne Maugertel: 9399 4798

River WardCr Ruth Butterfieldtel: 9390 1459

Cr Henry Zelones JPtel: 9495 4073 Fax: 9495 4838

City of Armadale 7 Orchard Ave, Armadale Tel: 9399 0111 Fax: 9399 0184 www.armadale.wa.gov.au

COMMuNItY nEWS

City of Armadale Administration Centre Tel: 9399 0111 Fax: 9399 0184Email: info@armadale.wa.gov.au Address: 7 Orchard Avenue,

Armadale WA 6112Opening hours: Monday to Friday

8.15am to 4.45pm

Useful Council Numbers

City of Armadale newsletterThe City Views provides residents with information about Council policies, services, activities and community events. We welcome your articles and suggestions.

Next deadline: 5 November 2008 Email: Catherine Halsall at chalsall@armadale.wa.gov.au

Tel: 9399 0634 Fax: 9399 0184

Published by the Armadale City Council, Locked Bag 2, Armadale WA 6992

This newsletter is printed on environmentally friendly paper

A 15-minute Disability Awareness CD-ROM now available from City of Armadale libraries can help local businesses become more accessible to the whole community.

The CD-ROM identifies some of the common barriers that people with disabilities or access issues face in their day-to-day lives and contains practical

Thank a Volunteer DayTo celebrate 2008 Thank a Volunteer Day, the City of Armadale and Grand Cinemas are hosting a special movie screening for community volunteers.

All volunteers who live in the City of Armadale, or whose volunteering benefits residents in our region, can attend the screening of Pay it Forward for free on Friday 5 December at 9.45am.

Armadale Mayor Linton Reynolds will open the event and thank volunteers for their tireless work in the community. Bookings are essential and seats are limited. RSVP on 9399 0629 or volunteering@armadale.wa.gov.au

strategies to improve community access to information, services and facilities.

The suggested access and inclusion strategies are easy to implement, like providing a pen and paper for people with hearing problems or creating a path to the toilets wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or gopher.

To borrow a copy of the Disability Awareness CD-ROM, contact Armadale Library 9399 0125, Kelmscott Library 9390 5506 or Seville Grove Library 9497 2622.

Disability awareness for business

Armadale Librarian Rita Lennon and the City’s Seniors and Disability Community Development Officer Daniel Cain test drive the new CD-ROM

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YOuR counciL

did you knoW?

Armadale is bucking the falling property prices trend with building rates continuing to soar and house prices remaining steady. The City approved 84 house and 51 town house building licences in August – a monthly record – bringing the overall number of dwelling units to 209 in the first two months of this financial year.

City of Armadale Council and Committee MeetingsOctober, November and December meeting cycles are displayed below. All meetings are held in the city of Armadale’s Administration centre, 7 Orchard Avenue, Armadale and are open to the public.

October 2008

Mon 27 Oct 7pm council

November 2008

Mon 3 Nov 7pm technical Services committee

tues 4 Nov 7pm community Services committee

Mon 10 Nov 7pm council

Mon 17 Nov 7pm city Strategy committee

tues 18 Nov 7pm Development Services committee

Mon 24 Nov 7pm council

December 2008

Mon 8 Dec 7pm city Strategy committee and technical Services committee

tues 9 Dec 7pm Development Services committee and community Services committee

Mon 15 Dec 7pm council

HAROLD KING COMMUNITY

CENTRE Grovelands,

Westfield

ARMADALE HALL

Jull Street, Armadale

EV GRIBBLE COMMUNITY

CENTRE Ninth Road, Brookdale

KELMSCOTT HALL

River Road, Kelmscott

Wed 5 November Wed 3 December

Wed 12 November Wed 10 December

Wed 19 November Wed 17 December

Wed 26 November

Can you help?The City of Armadale is seeking a photograph of the old railway line which ran from Armadale to Fremantle until it was closed in the early 1960s. Anyone with a photo or information can contact Hilary Phillips-Ryley on 9399 0175 or hryley@armadale.wa.gov.au

2008 Immunisation ClinicsClinics are free and commence at 9am and close at 10am sharp. Community Nurses are in attendance to carry out vaccinations. Scheduled vaccinations are due for children aged 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months, and 4 years old. To assist the Health Insurance Commission National Register please bring your Medicare Card. For more information contact the City’s Health Department on 9399 0111.

Saving water and moneySmall plastic devices recently fitted to taps at City of Armadale facilities will conserve an estimated 17 million litres of water per year and save on Council power costs.

Around 150 innovative flow reducers have been installed throughout the City’s Administration Centre and depot, all City of Armadale Libraries, the Champion Centre, Armadale Arena and other indoor facilities such as clubrooms at Council sporting reserves.

The devices, which cost only $9 each, deliver a water flow rate of 3.5 litres per minute – far less than the 20 to 25 litres per minute from ordinary taps.

The City of Armadale is committed to environmental sustainability through its participation in the South East Regional Energy Group and the switch your thinking! program.

Tap flow reducers are a simple water-wise and energy-efficiency measure that members of the community could also adopt.

The City will also install adapters for showers throughout the organisation that will reduce water flow from 20 litres per minute to 9 litres.

syt! Project Officer Julie McMinn with a tap flow reducer