Town of East Fremantle News DECEMBER 2015
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Town of East Fremantle News DECEMBER 2015 Mayor, Jim O’Neill, said the Town is KEY FEATURES eager and committed to working with Leeuwin the Department of Defence and the Western Australian Government. This Message From working collaboration will aim to ensure a Barracks successful outcome, both in terms of sale The Mayor – p.2 and return on investment, and to ensure that the site optimises the amenity of the Update Town. East Fremantle Festival “It is a chance to create something 2015 – p.3 relevant and irreplaceable, not only Since the announcement for the immediate community of East that the Australian Fremantle to enjoy, but for the region and the city. Its proximity to the river makes it New Councillors – p.4 Government intends important that the site is developed with an eye on the past and the future. to sell Leeuwin Perth Freight Link – p.5 “Although we have had no formal Barracks, the Town commitment from the Minister at this of East Fremantle has stage, the Town is eager and committed to working with the Department of matter for the Western Australian State been liaising with the Defence to create opportunities for Planning Commission and the Town of Department of Defence community members to have a say in the East Fremantle, as the planning authority, vision for the Leeuwin Barracks site,” he along with the purchaser. and Assistant Minister said. Defence representatives held information for Defence, Darren “Council has long recognised that the sessions in early November about the Leeuwin Barracks is a significant site process involved in selling Leeuwin Chester. within the Town and it is identified in the Barracks. The sessions attracted 2015-2025 Strategic Community Plan as approximately 60 people who were told Council sees this as a ‘once in a having the potential to achieve economic that marketing for the property would generation’ opportunity for stakeholders prosperity and community amenity in the commence early 2016. to collectively map out and shape the town,” said the Mayor. future development of this unique Issues about land use and what could riverside site. be developed on the site will be a MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Jim O’Neill Our Community Strategic Plan has been Council is liaising closely with the As the year comes updated, with a four year budget and Department of Defence and the to a close I look back long term financial plan; our focus is on State Government to ensure future on what has been an the development of a comprehensive development of the Leeuwin Barracks extremely busy and revenue strategy, recognising that the site provides the best outcomes for significant year for Town cannot rely on rate revenue alone; stakeholders. Council, the staff, and we are undertaking the Recreation and the community in Community Facilities Plan that aims to Importantly, this year’s local government general. guide the decision making process for elections resulted in four new Councillors. sustainable recreation and community I warmly welcome Councillors Andrew This time last year, we development; and the Foreshore Master McPhail, Dean Nardi, Luke Nicholson, had commenced working with the City Plan is nearing completion. and Andrew White on board, while Cr of Fremantle in regards to the impending Cliff Collinson is also back representing local government amalgamations, we Council continues to advocate on Plympton Ward. were prioritising infrastructure projects behalf of the community in relation to in preparation for this, the Perth Freight the Perth Freight Link. Sincere thanks A fond farewell and sincere thanks to Link issue was heating up, and our go to the Rethink the Link Alliance for outgoing Councillors Sian Martin, Maria Community Perceptions Survey had just their commitment to organising rallies, Rico and Julie Amor. I appreciate your been completed. meetings, forums, and media coverage to support, commitment, and contribution ensure this issue retains a high profile. during your time as Councillors. Fast forward to February 2015; ours and other eligible local government The most impactful news of late came A huge thank you to the remaining communities exercised their democratic from the Australian Government’s members of Council, Cr Jenny Harrington, privilege and voted ‘NO’ to the proposed announcement of the proposed sale Cr Michael McPhail, and Cr Tony Watkins. amalgamation, leaving the government of Leeuwin Barracks. Council sees the I look forward to working with you again with no choice but to abandon the local Barracks as a significant strategic site over the next two years. government reform process altogether - within the Town, as identified in the 2015- Finally for 2015, I wish all residents for the foreseeable future at least. 2025 Strategic Community Plan, with its and community members a very Merry potential to achieve economic prosperity Since February this year, Council has been Christmas and a safe and happy New and community amenities. working with our sights firmly fixed to the Year. The future for East Fremantle looks future. bright and exciting for 2016. Recreation and Community Facilities Plan The Town of East Fremantle have recently appointed SGL Consulting, in conjunction with Creating Communities, to undertake the Recreation and Community Facilities Plan. The plan aims to provide a strategic framework for addressing the current and future recreation and community facility needs in the Town. The project will guide future investment and management of recreation and community assets. This is the first time that all facilities have been considered as a whole rather than individually. Once complete, Council will consider options that align the principles of equity and sustainability with community needs, expectations and capital funding availability. Over the next few months, Phillip Gray and his team from SGL Consulting, along with Alan Tranter and his team at Creating Communities, will be working to engage with the Council, the community, stakeholders, clubs and community associations to identify key issues relating to service provision within the Town. A community engagement and consultation strategy will get underway and aims to include as many people in the community as possible. If you are interested in being involved in this project, and would like to participate in any of the engagement strategies that will be undertaken over the coming weeks and months, please do not hesitate to contact the Town via our email [email protected] or phone (08) 9339 9339 and leave your details. Information about the progress of the project will be posted on the Town of East Fremantle website and Facebook page over the next few months. East Fremantle Festival 2015 Once again, George Street The festival’s main stage featured Men Asian dumplings, French crepes, Japanese and Their Sheds, James Wilson, Ari pastries, and Australian Roo Rolls. Davis, and The Charisma Brothers. The opened its doors - carnival Families with children were well catered two busking platforms featured a range style - and visitors from for with a host of free activities in Glasson of gifted individuals who were eager Park. There was face painting, an open to share their talents with the crowd of far and wide came to community mural with an Australian festival goers. savour all it had to offer. outback theme, reptiles and baby animals, The annual East Fremantle The George Street Artisan Market, and a bouncy castle and PonyCycle toy – renowned for its quality local arts and the kids’ smiles were utterly infectious. craft stalls, brought together a wealth Festival on George The Council would like to thank and of creative talent from West Australian Street proudly presented congratulate everyone involved, especially artisans, while street food was again event manager Cynthia, for another hugely by the Town of East popular with the crowds. Tastes from successful year. Fremantle and supported around the world included Spanish paella, Italian pizza, Malaysian satays, by Lotterywest, was a Moroccan shak shuka and tagines, tremendous success. EAST FREMANTLE ELECTION NEWS 2015 New Councillors Cr Luke Cr Andrew Cr Dean Nardi I have lived in East Fremantle for most Nicholson McPhail of my life. Prior to teaching in the public school system I have been a scientist Having lived in East Fremantle for most I have lived in East Fremantle for the last and an environmental campaigner of my life, and having true connections 20 years and am the Managing Director for Greenpeace and was involved in a with many residents, I saw running of a long established CPA accounting campaign to eliminate the use of Dildrin for Council as an opportunity to not practice and serve on the Board of in Western Australia. only gain experience that most 22year Directors of several private and not- olds wouldn’t, but to represent the for-profit companies. I have previously Having been a Councillor in the past, community members around me. I am a served as treasurer of the East Fremantle I have the skills to be a strong Council sales specialist for a national electronics Junior Football Club and was Director representative and will advocate company and have a good understanding (and Treasurer) of Youth Hostels Australia on behalf of the community about of the importance of communicating WA for 15 years. I live with my family in the concerns they have. I believe a and engaging with people using a range a heritage listed home and I have a keen representative of our community needs of communication tools. I have a strong interest in preserving and improving the to be available to listen to these concerns commitment to ensuring that Council Town’s heritage, amenity, and lifestyle. I and, as such, I am available as often as continue to develop IT systems which am also a strong advocate for engaging required. Within our community I have keep pace with the digital age - I am and consulting with the community about had a part in seeing the development of pleased we are currently updating our issues and decisions that directly affect a community garden behind Nine Seeds website which will bring with it more them.