Open Data

We have gone to sleep. Not even dead dolphins have caused us to blink. A few press reports of events, the odd official voice about a study somewhere. This should be a smack in the head for us all- wake up!

The world needs our care. We have the ability to preserve, or destroy this patch of paradise. To care for our country we need to make decisions, daily. To make good decisions we need good data and access to that data. Decisions without facts are probably bad decisions. What gets measured, gets managed. However, it is difficult to get to the facts around our lives.

Things are changing. I believe that it is important that we measure these changes so we know what is happening and how to respond. Today we read that the past decade was the warmest on record. If we are to respond usefully we really need to know about what else is happening, in detail

We talk about open government. We congratulate ourselves when we fill our web sites with annual reports, budgets and attractive graphics. Here in Western Australia we are just not good enough at collecting data and making it available. If I want to see how much dieldrin, or petrol, or copper is in the Swan River water, and what that level has been each year, I just can’t get it. The best I find is some PDFs or departmental reports.

However, pictures of information are not actually data. To get a time series of say the water use of my city over twenty years I have to find and open up twenty separate documents and collate the data. This is not good enough.

The USA has developed a web site called data.gov where vast amounts of data are totally open for public access. Even our national databases are available at data.australia . Here in the West we have nothing like it.

Some things we might like to know about could include:

• traffic on the freeway
• energy use hour by hour for each year
• number of staff employed by the City
• number of single- parent households
• pollution indicators in the Swan River, e.g. chromium, phosphate, pesticides

The data is important and the time series of data sets is vital. Innovative people can use this sort of data to suggest useful ways to adapt to the changes we see and measure. By constructing ‘mash- ups’ of data sets, new insights can appear.

Let’s really live the values of open government. Let’s have the facts, out there, so we don’t have to guess what is happening!

Light Rail and Canning Bridge Forum, 12 August

Community members from both sides of the river and anyone interested is invited to attend a community forum on Light Rail and new developments in the Canning Bridge Precinct. We’ll meet at 7 p.m. on 12 August 2010. The venue:  64 Kishorn Rd Mt Pleasant 6153m, an easy and pleasant walk from the train or bus stations. Click the map to see more.

The event is organised by the WA Greens Party. Guest speakers will be Greens Senator Scott Ludlam and myself, Peter Best, Greens candidate for Tangney. Both of us will arrive fresh with the latest updates after a Green Transport workshop at Curtin Uni. We will also have some information from briefings about recent planning sessions between the Melville and South Perth Councils and GHD consultants.

Perth ranks bottom of the list of sustainable cities in Australia. We use our cars to drive everywhere, mainly because the city is designed that way. Our roads and parking are becoming more congested, we use more energy, we lose more time, we pollute the air. The Greens have a comprehensive policy on Sustainable Transport here.

Perth can be so much better when we keep our cars for special occasions. We will be able to do this when we live close to good, safe public transport. By changing the way we live and the way we travel we can make a difference to our lives and our planet. Light Rail is the modern version of a tram. These systems are coming into popular use around the world.

Perhaps this change is not for you personally but it certainly will suit the next generation. It is time to begin planning for these changes now. Recent Visioning programs by the Councils have made it clear what we’d like our city to be like. Now it is time to begin turning that vision into reality. Scott and I will be here to listen to your thoughts, to provide some updates and to answer your questions.

We have had quite a number of public meetings in this area. Previous meetings have been hosted by the Councils; this one is hosted by the Greens. Here’s an opportunity to keep up to date and to make sure you have your say. If you can’t make it just click on “Comments” below and log in as Name (preferred) or Anonymous, or email me and I’ll post your comments for you. What you think does matter.

Climate Adaptation

Last week I attended the Climate Change Adaptation conference in Queensland. A thousand people were there, from all over the planet- Fiji, Korea, China, Bangladesh, UK, Holland, Finland, Senegal, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Canada and many other places. There were high- powered people from the IPCC, United Nations officials, researchers, doctors, field workers and community representatives. For three days we discussed some science, many reports from many places, of a changing world, and much about how people respond to this change.

A Japanese team showed the advance northward, year- by-year of a species of a mosquito that carries dengue, as Japan becomes warmer. A Canadian woman spoke of increasing deaths through cold of homeless people in cities, as increasing daily variability makes it more difficult for social services to predict temperatures. A Tunisian field officer told us about the advance of desert sands. Tim Flannery spoke eloquently, as always, of the progressive disappearance of a small, white possum, from hilltops in North Queensland. This creature has a high sensitivity to temperature changes.

A key theme was one of understanding that times are changing, of a sense sometimes that it is caused by someone else far away, sometimes of a fatalistic feeling and of a common sense of powerlessness. A further emotion was that Copenhagen had failed to unite people and nations in a course of action, that it was now up to communities to take things into their own hands. That perhaps they couldn’t change the world but that they could certainly make a difference locally. A wide range of people spoke of responses such as adapting cropping practices, changing building methods, policy development, education and most of all about community engagement.

The oft- repeated theme was that it didn’t matter how good the science was until the community connected with the issues, identified the problems and then developed and committed to solutions. By identifying a specific threat and working on a solution, communities become better connected, healthier and more resilient.

Bringing the community together through climate change adaptation addresses our policies and philosophies of Social Justice, Participatory Democracy, Peace and Sustainability. Our objectives around Climate Change, caring for people and managing water can be very much part of the way we adapt our societies to the pressures of climate change.

We can add to the focus of a low Carbon footprint, influencing lifestyle and technology choices. We can promote WA’s bountiful wind and solar assets. By introducing Adaptability we can bring on board another part of our society, those who so far have not engaged with Climate Change values.

A feature of humanity is that we are adaptable. The original inhabitants of Australia have been adapting to change for a thousand generations before us, since the last ice age allowed them to migrate overland to Australia and to all that has happened since that time.

I believe that the community can harness our ‘can do’ attitude, with focus on Adapting to Climate, to bring change to society. By focussing on opportunity we can build on the optimistic nature of Western Australians.

We can encourage people to live mindfully, to be conscious of the implications of daily decisions, as individuals and as community leaders, to join together and to make a better society.

In my own work, over many years, in school, Uni, at work, in the community, in Africa and Australia, I have always been able to bring change by motivating people in shared spirit, to think in terms of ‘we’ and of opportunity and optimism. At a Citizenship ceremony on Monday night this week such spirit was very plain among the thirty- nine new citizens; they spoke of this spirit as what attracted them to Australia.

Conscious care for the world around us is as much a part of working with community residents on the Ranford wetlands, as it is with cleaning up the Swan river banks or evaluating major development projects. Thinking about how we adapt our community to the changes we see happening takes away the politics of Climate Change and lets us make decisions in a time of uncertainty.

I hope we can invite as many people as possible to join in, to participate, in caring for all who live on this planet.

Spring Time Composting

With Spring only a few months away we can begin planning our own personal land- care projects. Composting can reduce water use, raise productivity, increase soil carbon and improve the structure of soils. We can reduce reliance on purchased products, reduce waste, reduce our energy footprint and enjoy the process. Home gardening reduces food miles too.

Last week I attended a Climate Adaptation conference which reminded me of some ways that we can take personal responsibility for our own patch of the planet. (More on this coming soon)

In Perth about sixty percent of our household waste is organic. The metropolitan area generates about 1.2 million tonnes of organic waste each year, and much of this waste goes to landfill. Organic waste is a valuable resource that can be used to help improve soil quality. Organic waste can be recycled by using it as mulch, as compost, or in a worm farm.

The Dept of Environment has a web site of useful composting tips. Another really good blog site for compost tips can be found here. For even more information there is a composting course to be held soon; click here for details. There is a WA State commitment to stop burying our waste in our water supply. We can do our bit for this responsible initiative and enjoy the process too.

By the way, just about everything can be recycled in some way. Visit the RecycleIT to find out how and where to recycle specific materials.

Recycling and composting can be a family project. Feeling good about the way we live is important.

Time to Abandon Neighbourhood Watch?

Time to abandon Neighbourhood Watch?

Time to let out the secret that this is one of the safest cities on Earth?

Time to tell older people it's ok to walk to the park? That it's fun for kids to go and play cricket at the oval?

If our mission is to enhance the quality of life of residents then do we achieve the opposite by scaring them with crime stories?

If there is no one in the park then why not just sell it? If we see kids on the street for only fifteen minutes after school then where are they?

If our crime figures have gone down every year since 1987 then why do we not trust our neighbours? If the only figure remaining high is domestic violence what are our social stresses?

Perhaps if we abandoned Neighbourhood Watch then we'd have a barbecue in the park, let the kids swim in the river, invite the widow down the road around for a cuppa.

Perhaps we might find that a social community beats atomised solitude any day. Getting muddy with your friends really can compete with the collective identity of Facebook.

What if we just did the Aussie thing and looked after the place next door when they went to the beach?

Starting right now I'm going to work on a Next Door Day, October 24, when we invite the neighbours over for food, drink and conversation.

Party at my place! and yours too, all over Perth, I hope.

Please feel free to have your say- it makes a difference. Just click on “Comments” below and log in as Name (preferred) or Anonymous, or email me and I’ll post your comments for you.

Bush Forever

Here’s some news good enough that it puts a bounce in my day.

After public consultation the State Government has published the new Bush Forever amendment today. As soon as the amendment is no longer subject to disallowance (after 12 sitting days) it becomes legally effective in the Metropolitan Region Scheme.

The purpose of this major amendment is to reserve and create special controls over Bush Forever sites in the Metropolitan area.

I’ll provide more detail and comment later. A map of the Perth South areas proclaimed can be viewed here.

Areas included in South Perth are along the Canning River shores beside the Freeway near Mount Henry, at Mount Henry and the wetlands of Manning and Waterford around Bodkin Park.

This makes formal declaration of residents’ passionate belief that this bush should be given special preservation in a time of change.

Electronic Waste Recycling

Here's a chance to feel good about our rubbish! Instead of landfill your techie bits can be broken down and re- used.

This weekend it's time to drop off the old computer, monitor, mobile phone, TV, Nintendo, fax machine, etc. Sat 12 & Sun 13 June 2010 - 9am-4pm

For locations to drop off your stuff click here.

If you missed this event then  click here for alternative disposal opportunities.

Swan River Care

This blog is not about Climate Change, which is complex, long- term, important and in the future. It is about weather, which is simpler, short- term, urgent and happening now.

The Swan and Canning Rivers are loved by this community and are key attractions of Perth. Riverside infrastructure of the freeway and rail line is a vital part of WA’s economy.

Most riverside infrastructure was built in the 1950's to 70's through the Public Works Dept, which no longer exists. The state of our infrastructure is aging, under- capacity and not up to current standards. Basic maintenance costs are increasing with age. The walls are already under stress during high tides, strong winds and storm surges.

Winter storms have long been recognised as a major hazard in WA. The Noongar people moved inland during the cooler months, partly to avoid the weather.

In June 1801, the French explorer Nicholas Baudin felt the full force of a winter gale as he rounded Cape Leeuwin en route to Rottnest Island.

Early settlers were quickly made aware of the dangers of winter gales. The loss of a ship and damage to others during a gale in 1830 threatened the existence of the colony.

In 1934, the Swan River rose almost 6 metres in less than 8 hours at Guildford in response to heavy rain upstream.

In 1955 storms caused massive coastal erosion on Perth's beaches. At Cottesloe not a bit of sand was left anywhere along the seaward side of the main promenade.

In 1963 a strong front caused wind gusts of 150 km/h in Perth.

In 1981 a storm with heavy rain produced widespread damage, Perth being littered with fallen trees, power lines and debris from damaged buildings.

In 1994 one of the most destructive weather events to affect Perth brought a damage bill of $37 million

In 2003 Fremantle recorded a storm surge of 0.8 m, causing the highest tide ever recorded there.

Storms with severe winds can cause heavy rain, but cold fronts with slow- moving cloud bands cause the heaviest total rainfall.

A worst case scenario is to have a peak in gale-force winds coinciding with a high tide, causing a storm surge, pushing East against floodwaters coming down the Swan River.

Our last major floods occurred in 1963 and 1964. In recent decades this has not occurred, thank goodness, because Perth's infrastructure is just not designed to cope with it.

This plot, from the Bureau of Meteorology, shows the frequency of heavy rain in Perth since 1883, in 15- year blocks. It highlights the sudden decrease in heavy rainfall events in the 1960s. It was in this peaceful era that we built our riverside infrastructure. In hindsight, we built in all the wrong places.

Our rainfall pattern is trending towards that of the period when we experienced our worst storms, floods and damage. Our built and natural environments and our economic links are under threat.

These matters affect all 21 Councils on the river banks. Management requires a combined approach of all members. It is not appropriate that it be handled by each Council separately. It is a big issue, it affects the economy of the whole State and we require support from both State and Federal Governments.

WALGA has recognised this and has formed the "C21" group of Councils, chaired by James Best, our Mayor. The Perth Natural Resources Management Group, with which I serve, also acts to coordinate the actions of individual local councils.

These two groups have prepared a business case for combined and effective management of our rivers.

The Swan River Trust budget allocated by State is just way too small for the task ahead.

City of South Perth has presented an Infrastructure Australia submission on behalf of the 21 councils for $83M, based on priorities set by Swan River Trust. We need support of State Cabinet for this.

A further approach will be made for Commonwealth funding later today. An additional submission is being made for $3.5M for repair of seriously deteriorated river walls.

We are calling for support for our combined submission to manage these rivers that we love, that are part of our economy and part of our social fabric.

I hope that when the Commonwealth Heads of Government visit our city next year, 2011, we can demonstrate with pride the management of our rivers.

Please feel free to have your say; it makes a difference. Just click on “Comments” below and log in as Name (preferred) or Anonymous, or email me and I’ll post your comments for you.

“Legislation- Ready” Cat

This is Ranger- not only is he super-cute, but he is also micro-chipped (and registered), de-sexed and kept indoors. The owner got him from the RSPCA, who arranged the microchip and de-sexing before making him available for adoption. While he was there, he was also vet-checked and given worm and flea treatments. Tori, the owner, recommends all residents check out the RSPCA when looking for a new pet, as they send out all of their animals "Legislation Ready"

WA State Government is taking steps to require these measures to manage domestic cats. A recent PhD at Murdoch Uni studied the effect of cats on bio- diversity in suburban environments. One interesting fact to arise from the student’s thesis was that owners are generally supportive, being motivated mainly by concerns for safety of their cat, rather than for preservation of native wildlife.

Many Councils already have cat laws. In Darwin, for example, by-laws require cats to be properly contained in the owners’ property, under effective control by the owner, and on a lead or enclosed in a suitable container when away from their home. Stiff fines apply if a cat is captured while ‘at large’.

Swan Council in WA allows residents to trap cats found on their property, and the cat owners don’t have to be told. The City of Swan houses the trapped cats for collection or re-homing; owners have to pay a $100 fine to get their pet back. The Perth Cat Haven – which receives more than ten thousand stray cats each year – believes the laws should make micro-chipping of all cats compulsory.

Increasing numbers of local governments around the country are imposing night-time curfews to minimise neighbourhood nuisance issues and protect native wildlife.

Is your feline friend "Legislation Ready"?

Mosquitoes

At a public forum around mosquito issues about fifty residents came to express their concerns about being bitten and about environmental protection. We heard strongly- worded views about the need for personal safety, about concern for native species and about how Council responds to these concerns.

Resident after resident told their story about cycles of mosquitoes in the evenings. Very many people demanded that the City fog the Canning River wetlands regularly. Many felt that the City was not responding to their needs.

After an hour of clearly- expressed views of residents the City’s Manager, Environmental Health outlined the very extensive work carried out over five years. Sebastian’s team, all with Environmental Science qualifications, had trapped, mapped and measured mosquito issues in the area. Sebastian presented a summary of work done and conclusions reached. He also presented a background of control measures already taken and plans for the future.

The second speaker, Department of Health medical entomologist Sue Harrington, provided some scientific background on the 210 species of mosquito in Australia and their breeding, biting and bothering habits. She pointed out that fogging over marine wetlands was illegal and likely to cause widespread fish deaths. Fogging also kills all types of insects- bees, spiders, moths and mosquitoes.

Ms Harrington compared local mosquito levels with those in Capel and the Kimberley, where truly massive concentrations occur. She also suggested that residents live near the river because they value the environment, with its trees, fish and other fauna. In order to sustain these things we value she suggested that we treat the mosquito issue with respect for the whole environment.

One particular control measure Ms Harrington suggested was a naturally- occurring bacteria, widely used throughout WA. Capel has been hugely successful with this measure. They spread this biological agent twice a year, never fog and hardly see a mosquito. Their mosquito management strategy is on their web site. A good thing about this method is that the biological agent does not affect other species.

A third speaker, from Swan River Trust, provided information on wider issues of environmental management. An outcome of the meeting was to set up a residents’ committee to meet with the City and  communicate more about management of mosquitoes.

How Can You Assist? (Quoted from Capel)

Mosquitoes breed in STANDING WATER. Standing water can be found in old tyres and other water holding containers, pot plant drip trays, septic and water tanks, roof gutters, domestic ponds, etc. By eliminating these breeding sites you can help to reduce mosquito numbers in your backyard.

You can help eliminate breeding in your backyard:

• Dispose of all containers which hold water.

• Keep ornamental ponds stocked with mosquito-eating fish, e.g. goldfish.

• Empty self- watering pot plant trays once a week or fill them with sand.

• Empty and clean animal and pet drinking water once a week.

• Keep swimming pools well chlorinated and filtered and free of dead leaves.

• Fill or drain depressions in the ground that hold water.

• Prevent leaking taps which can maintain semi-permanent pools.

• Avoid over watering lawns. This can lead to high water tables or run off to storm water drains and create permanent pools.

• Vent pipes on septic tank systems must be fitted with mosquito- proof cowls. Seal all gaps in the lid, and ensure leach drains are completely covered.

• Screen rainwater tanks and/or add paraffin oil to cover surface.

• Ensure roof guttering does not hold water.

• Some plants (especially bromeliads) hold water in their leaf axils. These should be emptied of water once a week.

I look forward to hearing that a collaborative approach has this matter under control to everyone’s satisfaction.

What is a Good Mayor?

The City of South Perth is developing measures to assess our CEO. In the process of doing this there has been discussion about assessing our Mayor and Councillors too. While thinking about this I’ve put together some thoughts about what makes a good Mayor. In the spirit of getting everybody involved, here’s a list that you might like to comment on or add to.

• The Mayor leads community participation in local decision- making, encouraging a spirit of inclusion
• The Mayor effectively manages both long and short term strategy and involves Councillors in Strategic Leadership
• The Mayor encourages contributions by Council members and gets the best out of them
• The Mayor develops the Leadership Team (Councillors and Executives) with energy, motivation and optimism
• The Mayor encourages all elected members to take on a leadership role
• The Mayor clearly takes charge of the evaluation and coaching of members
• The Mayor is effective in managing the technical and emotional components of leadership

• The Mayor demonstrates a sound understanding of the legislative, policy, planning and values frameworks of our City
• The Mayor makes sure that the Council meetings are well run
• The Mayor represents Council effectively at official functions and ceremonies
• The Mayor helps promote a positive image of Council
• The Mayor handles conflict within the leadership team fairly and impartially, to bring prompt resolution or return to a working relationship
• The Mayor chairs meetings impartially and effectively
• The Mayor demonstrates effective influence when dealing with internal and external parties
• The Mayor deals effectively with the media
• The Mayor keeps up to date with political, technical and management issues
• The Mayor is an effective negotiator
• The Mayor promotes ethical and accountable behaviour

What do you think we should expect of a Mayor? I believe that to be useful this list should not refer to any individual, but rather to the post itself.

Next will be a similar question in reference to our Councillors.

Please feel free to have your say; it makes a difference. Just click on “Comments” and log in as Name or Anonymous, or email me and I’ll post your comments for you.

Changes in Perth- Living and Travelling

Perth region is growing fast. Change is happening; sometimes we notice, sometimes not. Since 2003 car ownership has grown 39%. Freeways and roads are often crowded. Public transport use has grown 40%, car use per capita has declined 7%. At peak times the rail system carries the equivalent of 8 lanes of traffic. Last year we made 55 million train trips.

The growing success of our rail system is told around the world. Peter Newman and Jan Scheurer of Curtin Uni have released a report on our transport, where we are and what we can do next.

Some of the development background for thinking includes:

• Doubling of Curtin University (including six 20 storey residential towers)
• Rapidly growing health and education precinct at Fiona Stanley/ Murdoch Uni
• Doubling of Bentley Technology Park;
• Large increase in residential and commercial development in Victoria Park
• Riverside Development adjacent to the WACA and
  Trinity, including extensive high rise and medium rise residences and commercial premises
  
• The eastern end of Central Perth where most of the new high rise has been happening and more is expected
• Northbridge Link: the largest urban regeneration in Central Perth, directly above the Central rail station and the new underground bus terminal
• Redevelopment of the PMH site on Thomas Street
• The largest health complex in Perth with the new PMH and Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital
• UWA complex set to double in size

A light- rail arc is proposed, linking these developments. The authors speak of the knowledge economy as the basis of all new developed- economy jobs and of this rail  link connecting the knowledge centres of our city.

A motivation for light rail is that all of these developments are severely limited by transport and parking issues. It is already often difficult to park anywhere near these centres and traffic is slow; transport is a limiting factor for our future.

The report is relevant also to our local conversation about Canning Bridge. We have a vision for Transit Oriented Development here. The report cites evidence from around the world that people living in a TOD have 50% less car use and save $20,000 a year through needing one less car per household.

I find it interesting that nearly everyone agrees with the benefits of a good rail system and TOD- style development but that there is controversy around such things happening anywhere near us.

While leading a bushwalking group around Mundaring Weir yesterday I was talking over these issues with others. The concern was with how we fit in more people and preserve our bush and maintain the lifestyle we love, in an attractive community and do it all sustainably.

The way in which we put all this together is what will make the difference.

Your thoughts? Click on ‘Comments’ below. Log in with Name or Anonymous.

Canning Bridge Action

Canning Bridge traffic is a mess, no doubt about that. Cars, buses, pedestrians, bicycles and trains find their way through as best they can. The bridge sees more use every day. Coordinated planning is sorely needed.

Following recent attention by Lynn MacLaren of the Greens, Friday saw a thorough walking inspection by a very high- level group. Simon O’Brien- Minister for Transport, John McGrath- State Member for South Perth, James Best- Mayor of South Perth, Cliff Frewing- CEO, City of South Perth, top executives and engineers from Public Transport Authority, Main Roads and Department of Transport plus senior staff from City of South Perth, a Disability Access specialist, and myself.

This is very probably the first time such a group had seen our local chaos together, for themselves. Having everyone on site together produced good, effective communication around the issues and what can be done. Minister Simon O’Brien promised “consolidated action, across departments.”

I had always thought that lack of pedestrian access was an oversight but the engineers said that the bridge was meant to be just a bus and train interchange. Now that we see thousands of people from South Perth and Melville walking to the station it is clear that some imaginative design work is needed. People jumping fences, dodging traffic and dropping friends and family in three un- official kiss- and- ride points have made it clear that more is required.

Ease of use and safety are vital. Every person using Public Transport is one less car on the freeway and one less car parking in the City.

Now, let’s see some action.

Have your say by clicking on “Comments” below.

South Perth: What a Place to Be

Wow, wasn’t Red Bull the place to be on the weekend. The crowd enjoyed a spectacular time, the pilots showed how good they are, pushing the limits of aerodynamics, the organisers made it look so easy and even the police didn’t raise a sweat.

You can click on the photos to enjoy them in full screen. For a YouTube video of Matt Hall, RAAF jet pilot, finishing in his best- ever, second place, position just click here (turn the sound up).

Click here for a longer video from Perth Red Bull 2008, with extra adrenaline.

The new beaches on the foreshore were really popular. With the addition of cabanas to lounge on they showed the way we might do things every day of the summer. Just imagine something like this, perhaps with a van selling ice creams, sun screen, coffee and postcards. Be there early to bag a spot.

Hospitality was really professional. Could we maybe do more of this around the Boatshed, so it becomes The Place to Be? Nothing grand, just some sheltering hedges, plenty of shade, views to snap and send home, a place to chill and enjoy being alive and in South Perth.

Night time views across the water aren’t too shabby either. Just imagine the new promenade running along the water’s edge from the Bellhouse cafe at Mends Street, after a restaurant dinner, walking arm- in- arm on a summer evening- idyllic. Could we even take a ride on the Ferris wheel and watch moonrise over the hills?

We are undergoing so much change and what amazes me is how well it is happening. People are using imagination, their experience from other lands and so many spirited conversations. With twenty one Councils along the river shores we seem to be managing pretty good co- ordination.

I really have lost count of how many public meetings, conversations and forums I’ve attended, around the topic of our way forward. People of South Perth are beginning to shape the future the way they see it, imagining possibilities, other realities and looking for opportunities.

For years we have been wary of change, sometimes doing nothing, at no cost, every day and never risking criticism. What a spirited experience this is, being part of making the future of our city.

Our community is thinking as a whole City, not just as local neighbourhoods. Exciting things are happening, from Mill Point to Manning, Canning Bridge to Kensington. Our city is developing for the benefit of all, including the million visitors every year. One more challenge is to find new ways to offer services to these visitors so the City benefits from the economic activity.

We have so many opportunities available. There is a general feeling that doing nothing has been comfortable for years but it means opportunities lost

By doing the things that continue to make South Perth a vibrant, exciting and safe place to be we are attracting more bright and alive minds who will go on to imagine and create new futures right here.

I love this place.

Canning Bridge Communication

Here is a cutting from today’s West. To open the article you can click on it twice to view in full size.

The West on-line is at http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest

The future of our community is very much in focus now. Over the past three years we have had many public meetings, workshops, forums, meetings, seminars and barbecues around this topic. The way that we communicate is what keeps us together and moves us on.

What is clear is that there are many different opinions around the way that Como develops. Some opinions are certainly very strong. What has been outstanding is the way that people speak of their case, with respect and clarity. Similarly, people listen and respond to arguments. There has been little or no demand that this or that point of view must be accepted by all. That is not to say that there haven’t been moments of high emotion :-)

My belief is that it is how effectively we communicate that will most influence our future.