Volume 13 December 2007 (PDF 1.03 MB) - City of Armadale

City Views
VOLUME 13
December 2007
www.armadale.wa.gov.au
FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE:
52nd Army Cadets’ celebration march
State Cabinet visits Armadale
Christmas opening hours
Join fight against vandalism
Star-studded Armadale Cycle Classic

COUNCIL NEWS
Armadale lobbies Government on local issues
The City of Armadale met with State
Government Ministers to discuss
important local issues including education,
sport and recreation and libraries at a
Regional Cabinet Meeting on 19
November.
Led by Mayor Linton Reynolds, Council
representatives presented information
relating to the rapid growth of the region
to Premier Alan Carpenter and 15 Cabinet
Ministers at the City of Armadale offices.
The Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale also
attended the meeting.
Cr Reynolds offered sincere thanks to
local MLA, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan,
for her strong support of projects already
undertaken by the City and the Armadale
Redevelopment Authority.
However, Cr Reynolds noted there was still
much work to be done as the Armadale
community grew and developed.
The City argued for a significant increase
in State Government funding for
community and sporting facilities, with the
construction of a heated pool at the
Armadale Aquatic Centre and the
rejuvenation of Frye Park in Kelmscott the
main priorities.
Major infrastructure costs associated with
the relocation and refurbishment of the
Armadale and Kelmscott libraries were
discussed with the Minister for Culture
and the Arts, the Hon Sheila McHale.
Armadale’s CEO Ray Tame (left) with Premier Alan Carpenter (centre) and Mayor Linton Reynolds
(right).
Key education issues, such as year 12
retention rates, TAFE and university
attendance, youth unemployment,
education for pre-school children and
literacy, were raised with the Minister for
Education and Training, The Hon Mark
McGowan.
Cr Reynolds, who conducted the main
presentation on behalf of the City, said he
was pleased with the outcome of all
meetings with Cabinet Ministers.
“I felt we had particular success in the
areas of sport and education and we
certainly look forward to progressing
further with our request for greater State
Government assistance on libraries,” Cr
Reynolds said.
Other matters raised by the City at the
Armadale Regional Cabinet Meeting
included the construction of Ranford Road
Stage 2B, Wungong Urban Water Project,
the Keane Road Strategic Link and the
future expansion or relocation of the
Armadale Police Station and Court House.
Christmas business hours
The City of Armadale will remain open for much of the holiday
season, but residents should note that there are changed waste
collection dates in place for Christmas and New Year.
There will be no waste or recycling collections on 25 December
or 1 January, so bins will be picked up the following day. Bins
usually collected on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will also
be emptied the next day during this two-week period. For further
information call Waste Services on 9399 0124.
The Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility and Roleystone
Greenwaste Site will operate as normal and will be closed only
on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Armadale Aquatic Centre is open every day except Christmas
Day.
The Armadale, Kelmscott and Westfield libraries will be open
until 5pm on Monday 24 December, before closing on
Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The libraries are also open until
5pm on Monday 31 December and are closed on New Year’s
Day.
The City’s administration centre will close at 12 noon on Friday
21 December and will re-open on Thursday 27 December for
normal trading hours of 8.15am to 4.45pm.
It will also be closed on Monday 31 December and New Year’s
Day before resuming business at 8.15am on Wednesday
2 January, 2008.
The after-hours and emergency phone number 1300 886 885
will operate as normal throughout Christmas and New Year.
CITY VIEWS
NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ARMADALE

Latest
observations
from
Champion
Lakes
Did you know official weather data is now
recorded at Champion Lakes
An automatic weather station has been
installed by the Armadale Redevelopment
Authority, to help attract internationalstandard
rowing regattas to the new,
purpose-built City of Armadale facility.
“Precise wind data over a period of
12 months or longer is required when a
submission to host an event is lodged
with the International Rowing Federation,”
City of Armadale Mayor Linton Reynolds
said.
“The weather station at Champion Lakes
does this and more. It can also be
programmed to provide minute-by-minute
information to regatta officials, to assist
their management of events. This meets
international regatta requirements.
“It is exciting to think that in coming years
a world-class rowing event could be held
in the City of Armadale at the wonderful
Champion Lakes facility.”
The weather station comprises an
anemometer (measuring wind speed and
direction) mounted on a 10m mast, a
Stevenson’s Screen (measuring
temperature and humidity), a rain gauge
and barometer (atmospheric pressure).
The information is collected hourly by the
Perth Bureau of Meteorology and
displayed on its website www.bom.gov.au
– go to the WA page, click on “All Latest
Western Australia Weather Observations”
and then “Perth Area Latest Observations”
to see the Champion Lakes listing.
The Champion Lakes station, which has
been officially operating since 3 August,
will be serviced by Bureau technicians
every six months. “A spin-off for local
residents is that they will now have hourly
weather updates available thanks to the
initiative of the ARA,” Cr Reynolds said.
Mayor’s Message
COMMUNITY NEWS
With both Council and Federal elections now out of
the way, we can settle down to delivering as much of
our 07/08 works programme as possible. Like others
in the construction industry, we are suffering delays
as contractors and our own work teams experience
difficulty maintaining full work crews. Delays to the reopening of the 50m
pool is an example.
Council has already initiated contact with the new Federal government,
and we recently also took the opportunity to brief State Cabinet on some
of the problems being faced by outer metropolitan growth councils.
One project that avoided delays was the ‘soft’ opening of Armadale
Shopping City’s expansion in early December. Although considerable shop
fitting is yet to occur, the entrance onto the Jull Street Mall is one that we
can all be very happy with. The complex is a vast improvement on its
earlier version and we now look forward to the Woolworths centre
progressing during 2008. In particular I am looking forward to seeing their
treatment of the large wall facing Armadale Road.
With the festive season now upon us, on behalf of my fellow Councillors
and staff at the City of Armadale, I send best wishes to all for a happy and
peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Cr Linton Reynolds, AM JP
City of Armadale Mayor
Join fight against vandalism
The fight against unsightly graffiti has begun, with the launch of the first People
Against Vandalism (PAV) group based within the City of Armadale.
About 20 group members, including Councillors Ruth Butterfield, June MacDonald
and Laurie Scidone, took part in a graffiti removal training course recently.
PAV, a non-profit community initiative to be run with the City’s support, not only aims
to quickly remove graffiti, but to report incidences to police and educate young
people about the damage caused by vandalism.
The program will initially focus on the Kelmscott CBD area.
Armadale Mayor Linton called on local residents to join the new PAV group and help
stamp out anti-social behaviour.
“Sadly vandalism and graffiti has been increasing throughout the Armadale region in
recent years,” Cr Reynolds said. “The City supports the PAV initiative because it
encourages the community to take responsibility for the elimination of graffiti.”
To join PAV or for further information, please contact Cr Ruth Butterfield on 9390 1459
or cr.rbutterfield@armadale.wa.gov.au
NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ARMADALE
CITY VIEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS
photos courtesy Roleystone Courier
Armadale
Cycle Classic
A 10,000-strong crowd flocked to the City
of Armadale’s annual Highland Gathering
on 17 November, with the star-studded
Armadale Cycle Classic a major highlight
of the Scottish-themed entertainment
spectacle at Minnawarra Park.
This year’s Cycle Classic, incorporating
the State Criterium Championship,
featured a top-class field of riders from
WA and was boosted by six members of
the current World Champion and 2004
Olympic silver medallist British pursuit
team. Spectators were treated to a fast
and exciting race around a challenging
street layout, with the outcome in doubt
until the final seconds.
Britain’s Steve Cummings, a 2006
Commonwealth Games team pursuit gold
medallist, took line honours, followed by
his countryman Paul Manning. WA’s Peter
Dawson – the 2004 Olympic team pursuit
gold medallist – was named State
Criterium Champion as the first local rider
over the line.
In a race field regarded by officials as one
of the best ever, other top cyclists were
local Roleystone champion Henk Vogels
Jnr, world masters pursuit champion
Hilton McMurdo, former Cycle Classic
champion Eddie Hollands and up-and-
Father and son cycling identies,
Henk Vogels Snr and Jnr.
comer Ben King. WA’s talented teenager
Josie Tomac, the 2007 world junior
champion and world recordholder in the
individual pursuit, took out the women’s
title.
Vying for the crowd’s attention were a host
of other colourful Gathering attractions,
including the annual Highland Dancing
competition – won by “Dancer of the Day”
Belinda Lush – and the traditional heavy
events. Armadale fireman Jay Waller won
four out of the five heavy events including
Tossing the Caber.
Children flocked to the Medieval Fair to
see the dramatic sword-fighting at the
Knight School Demonstration and mock
Gaelic battles.
Christmas
Carols
The Christmas spirit was alive and
well at the City of Armadale’s popular
community event Carols in
Minnawarra Park on Sunday 9
December.
Enthusiastic carollers joined with local
children’s choirs from John Wollaston
Anglican Community School and
Roleystone Primary School, the Let’s
Sing Community Choir and Armadale
City Concert Band to sing hearty
renditions of Christmas favourites.
Traditional carols including Joy to the
World, Silent Night and Away in
Manger were enjoyed by all, along
with contemporary numbers like Six
White Boomers, Aussie Jingle Bells
and Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer.
Excited children took part in games,
face-painting and visited Santa in his
Grotto, while families relaxed on
picnic blankets and soaked up the
warm community atmosphere.
CITY VIEWS NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ARMADALE

COMING EVENTS
Your Local
Libraries
Australia
Day
fireworks
5.30pm to 9.45pm,
Saturday 26 January
2008
Watch the night sky explode with colour
as the City of Armadale’s largest
community event once again lights up
Minnawarra Park. Australia Day
celebrations on January 26 start at
5.30pm with musical entertainment from
Beatles tribute band Fab4 and the Calling
of Levi, carnival rides and lots of family
fun, before culminating in a spectacular
display of pyrotechnics. Bring a rug, a
picnic and prepare to be dazzled! This
is a FREE event.
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.
Jewellery Making
10.30am - 11.30am
Wednesday 9 January 2008
Armadale Library
Enjoy learning about African trading
beads while making your own funky
jewellery!
Magical Masks
10.30am - 11.30am
Thursday 17 January 2008
Kelmscott Library
Create an original African mask to
disguise yourself as a traditional
African villager.
Monkey Madness
2pm - 3pm
Tuesday 22 January 2008
Westfield Library
Come along and get creative making a
marvellous, merry, monkey puppet to
play with.
Concerts in the Park
6pm, 3 and 17 February, 16 March,
4pm, 5 April 2008
There is no better way to relax outdoors on a balmy summer evening than listening to
music at one of the City’s fabulous Concerts in the Park. Held among the picturesque
surrounds of Minnawarra Park in Armadale and Rushton Park on the banks of the Canning
River in Kelmscott, the 2008 concerts promise a feast of musical talent to suit all tastes.
Pack a rug and a picnic, or purchase food and drinks there.
For more information visit www.armadale.wa.gov.au or phone 9399 0187.
Armadale Library
7 Orchard Avenue, Armadale
Tel: 9399 0125
Kelmscott Library
2800 Albany Highway, Kelmscott
Tel: 9390 5506
Westfield Library
76 Champion Drive, Seville Grove
Tel: 9497 2622
NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ARMADALE
CITY VIEWS

COMMUNITY
Honour for 52nd Army Cadet Unit
The locally-based 52nd Australian Army Cadet Unit was honoured
for 50 years of community service at a special City of Armadale
ceremony on 24 November.
The unit and its Officer Commanding Captain (AAC), Lisa Baker,
were presented with a commemorative certificate by Mayor Linton
Reynolds before taking part in a 50th anniversary celebration
march through the streets of Armadale.
The unique award expressed the City of Armadale’s official
appreciation and thanks to the unit for its 50 years serving the
community, state and nation.
“I want to congratulate the 52nd Army Cadet Unit for its work
providing training and teaching self-discipline to more than 2,000
young people in our district,” Cr Reynolds said.
“While many cadets have gone on to
serve with the armed forces in conflicts
from Vietnam to Afghanistan, many
more have simply used the skills they
learned to make valuable contributions
in civilian life.
“At a time when vandalism and graffiti
has become commonplace, all
organisations that provide a focus
and outlet for the energy of young
people deserve our whole- hearted
support.”
Founded in 1957, the 52nd
Australian Army Cadet Unit
began with recruits from
Armadale Senior High
School and later attracted
participants aged under 18
from all secondary schools
in the Armadale district.
The unit has trained thousands of local youths in skills such as
bush survival, first aid, navigation, orienteering, leadership,
teamwork and ceremonial drills.
City’s new Building
Services Manager a
trailblazer
Susan Hillel, the City of Armadale’s new Building Services Manager,
has a unique place in Western Australian local government as the
only woman to fill this vital role within the metropolitan area.
Ms Hillel is used to being a trailblazer, having established herself as
a building surveyor in the early 1990s when there were only “a
handful” of women in the profession throughout the state.
“Initially the (male) contractors on-site were rather surprised to see
a female building surveyor, but they seem to have come around,”
Ms Hillel said. “Things have changed now – all the City’s current
trainees are women – but it is still a male-dominated area.”
After an early career in the architectural field and time spent with a
private construction company, Ms Hillel has worked as a building
surveyor at the City of Armadale for 15 years and was appointed
manager of Building Services in August.
But the modest and unassuming Ms Hillel has had little time to
reflect on her ground-breaking move.
A shortage of building surveyors in WA – the only Australian state in
which local government authorities are the sole issuers of building
Sue Hillel and her building team.
licences – has Ms Hillel and her small, dedicated team working to
“full capacity” on Armadale’s burgeoning developments.
Ms Hillel has overseen some of the City’s most high profile
construction projects in recent times, including the Armadale
cinema complex, the redevelopment of Armadale Shopping City
and stage 2 of Armadale Central Shopping Centre in Orchard
Avenue.
“The main reason I have stayed at the City of Armadale is that it’s a
great place to work, with terrific management; I have a great team
of people to work with,” Ms Hillel said.
“The other reason is Armadale itself. There is diversity of work and
diversity within the region, with the CBD taking off, the bush and
the rural properties. It is a beautiful place.”
CITY VIEWS NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ARMADALE

council NEWS
Ensure your property
is ready for
summer
bushfires
Councillor
Contact List
Heron Ward
Cr Linton Reynolds AM JP, Mayor
Tel: 9390 7433
Cr Jim Stewart
Tel: 9497 9524
With hot weather and little rain during
summer, this is an important time for City
of Armadale residents to be bushfire safe.
The official bushfire season, which runs
from 1 October to 31 May, is now in full
swing, with the lighting of fires in the open
air totally prohibited between 1 December
and 31 March.
Householders can help protect their
homes from the threat of bushfire by
following this advice:
n Don’t have thick vegetation right up to
the walls of your home,
n Clear all flammable material from
around houses, sheds and fences,
n Store firewood, timber, petrol and
kerosene well away from the house,
n Don’t have highly flammable trees
such as conifers near buildings,
n Clear dead leaves out of gutters
regularly,
n Remove dead trees and branches
which, when burning, could drop on
your roof,
n Remove rubbish regularly,
n Rake up leaves, twigs and dead
material regularly,
n Burn off dry grass and vegetation at
approved times and in the approved
manner.
Further advice about how to protect your
home, when to burn off and how to do it,
is available from your local Volunteer Bush
Fire Brigade or the City of Armadale
Ranger Services on 9399 0111.
Useful
Council Numbers
City of Armadale
Administration Centre
Tel: 9399 0111
Fax: 9399 0184
Email: info@armadale.wa.gov.au
Address: 7 Orchard Avenue,
Armadale WA 6112
Opening hours: Monday to Friday
8.15am to 4.45pm
City of Armadale newsletter
The City Views provides residents with
information about Council policies, services,
activities and community events. We
welcome your articles and suggestions.
Next deadline: 11 January 2008
Email: Kylie Richardson at
krichardson@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
Jarrah Ward
Cr Pat Hart
Tel: 9496 1634
Cr Laurie Scidone
Tel: 9496 0445 Fax: 9496 3445
Lake Ward
Cr Jeff Munn JP CMC
Deputy Mayor Tel: 9390 6018
Cr June MacDonald
Tel/Fax: 9399 1738
Minnawarra Ward
Cr Keith Lethbridge
Tel: 9399 5270
Cr John Knezevich
Tel/Fax: 9497 1638
Neerigen Ward
Cr Guenter Best
Tel: 9399 4371 Fax: 9497 3985
Cr Bob Tizard
Tel/Fax: 9497 3469
Palomino Ward
Cr Jim Everts
Tel: 9399 6327 Fax: 9399 6833
Cr Wayne Mauger
Tel: 9399 4798
River Ward
Cr Ruth Butterfield
Tel/Fax: 9390 1459
Cr Henry Zelones JP
Tel: 9495 4073 Fax: 9495 4838
City of Armadale
7 Orchard Ave, Armadale
Tel: 9399 0111 Fax: 9399 0184
www.armadale.wa.gov.au
NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ARMADALE
CITY VIEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS
Calling for dragon boat volunteers
Colourful dragon boat racing is coming to
Champion Lakes and YOU can be a part of
the action! Volunteers are needed to assist
at the Australian National Dragon Boat
Championships, being held at Champion
Lakes from 9-12 April, 2008. Around
1,000 paddlers will compete at this exciting
event.
Dragon Boating WA, which is hosting the
championships, is calling for volunteers to
fill a range of roles including time keeping,
recording, looking after VIPs, assisting
with boats, parking, beach marshals,
runners, assembling site fencing etc.
For a fantastic opportunity to meet
people, represent the Armadale
community and be involved with a fun,
fast-growing water sport, register your
interest with the City of Armadale’s
Volunteer Resource Service.
All volunteers at the 2008 Australian
National Dragon Boat Championships
receive a tee-shirt, hat and refreshments
throughout the day.
Phone 9399 0629 or email volunteering@
armadale.wa.gov.au
Researchers can help
discover your family’s past
A new service to assist people researching their family history has been successfully
launched at the City of Armadale Birtwistle Local Studies Library.
Two experienced family history researchers now attend the Birtwistle Library on the first
Thursday of each month from 9am to 3.30pm offering advice and help for anyone
beginning the research process.
The library boasts an excellent collection of genealogy materials including books,
microfiche, CD-ROMs and online databases for those interested in tracing past
generations of their family.
“I have a long standing personal interest in researching family myself, and have been very
impressed with the resources available at the Birtwistle Library,” City of Armadale Mayor
Linton Reynolds said.
“An encouraging number of people came along to the opening of the Family History
Research service on October 4 and I hope that many more City of Armadale residents can
make use of it in the coming months.”
A brochure on the research resources available has been produced and can be collected
from the Birtwistle Local Studies Library or any of the City’s three public libraries in
Armadale, Kelmscott or Westfield. Family history Starter Kits are available too, to help
people get their research underway.
You don’t have to be a beginner, though, to benefit from the materials available at the
Birtwistle Library as anyone is welcome to use the facilities.
Newsletters with up-to-date information about what is available to help with family history
research can be sent to you via an electronic mailing list.
A number of talks and workshops by experienced genealogists are being planned for 2008.
For enquiries please contact the Historian/Local Studies Librarian on 9399 0641.
City of Armadale
Council and
Committee Meetings
January and February 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.
January 2008
Mon 21 Jan 5.30pm City Strategy
Committee
Mon 21 Jan 7pm Technical Services
Committee
Tues 22 Jan 5.30pm Development Services
Committee
Tues 22 Jan 7pm Community Services
Committee
Tues 29 Jan 7pm Council Meeting
February 2008
Mon 4 Feb 7pm Technical Services
Committee
Tues 5 Feb 7pm Community Services
Committee
Mon 11 Feb 7pm Council Meeting
Mon 18 Feb 7pm City Strategy
Committee
Tues 19 Feb 7pm Development Services
Committee
Mon 25 Feb 7pm Council Meeting
CITY VIEWS NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ARMADALE