Latest news with #KarenWheatland
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Perth couple's ‘forever' home knocked back to save one tree
A council in Perth's south refused an elderly couple's application to build their 'forever home' to save one tree — despite a promise from the homeowners to plant two additional mature trees. The City of Melville council voted to protect the single Queensland Box tree at a recent meeting to 'send a message' to the community. But it means the couple, whose house plans for the corner block site in Alfred Cove have already been approved by the city but were dependent on a new driveway location, can't go through with their rebuild. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'The community's been very loud on tree removal ... our residents certainly don't support removals of trees driven purely by design choices,' Melville deputy mayor Karen Wheatland said. 'We're not anti-development but we are certainly pro-urban canopy and listening to the community.' The homeowner planned to build a single-storey home to retire in with his wife on the corner site, where eight mature trees line the verge. Plans for a 'forever home' have been knocked back to save one tree. Credit: Caitlin Vinci The pair were asking for council approval to remove one of the trees to facilitate a new driveway. They were 'devastated' by the council decision to decline their request since they promised to plant two additional mature trees to compensate for the loss of one. 'We have completely lost faith in the council's decision-making,' the man, who asked not to be identified, told PerthNow. 'It just doesn't make sense; we have got more trees than you can poke a stick at and we were going to add more. 'The councillors speaking against the tree weren't even informed, they were focused on the tree removal not the total project or that this was going to be our forever home to retire and age in.' As a result of what they described as the council's 'irrational' decision, the homeowners have put a stop to their renovation even though they have already spent nearly $80,000 in preparation. It's not often I support the removal of a tree but in this case I think it is for the best. 'What they are forcing us to do is go to two-storey, so we have stopped the project because we can't get our heads around it,' he said. 'We did everything we could to avoid taking the tree down but at the end of the day it's a half-block and it's on the corner where there are eight existing verge trees that surround the block. 'The only place to put the driveway to maximise the design was through the design we did.' Cr Tomas Fitzgerald was among the elected members who spoke to keep the tree. 'If there is an opportunity to not have a tree removed, we should avoid having that tree removed,' he said. 'It is difficult for me to justify removing a good and healthy and vigorous tree because this is the preferred design solution.' Crs Jane Edinger and Glynis Barber voted the other way, calling the homeowner's plan a 'win-win' situation for the community. 'These people want to support our environment by planting more trees, so the removal of this one tree will result in more trees being planted than are there at the moment,' Cr Edinger said. 'So yes, it's not often I support the removal of a tree but in this case I think it is for the best.' Cr Barber said a street survey showed 12 out of 13 neighbours asked the council to support allowing the tree to be removed. 'They're keeping seven of the eight trees, they want this one tree removed and they're going to add two trees ... the community want us to increase our canopy and I see that we are increasing our canopy in this situation,' she said. The couple do not plan to fight the council decision.
West Australian
01-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Federal election: Labor's Karen Wheatland the Durack ‘underdog', looking to step up for region she grew up in
The Geraldton Guardian asked the Liberal and Labor candidates questions on various topics ahead of Saturday's Federal election. Labor's Karen Wheatland concedes she's the underdog, but says her focus is on showing up and being there. Q. What is your coffee order? Piccolo. Q. What is your favourite cafe in Geraldton? Quiet Life. Q. What was last thing you binge-watched? Designated Survivor. Q. How many kilometres have you covered during this campaign? Easily upwards of 40,000km — I've travelled right across Durack: from the Central Wheatbelt to the Kimberley, through the Pilbara, the Gascoyne, and the Mid West. It's been a huge undertaking — but worth every kilometre. Q. What is the funniest thing that's happening to you campaigning this time? I think one of the most real times was meeting locals/supporters at the Gassy in Carnarvon at the same time as the Old Bastards Club was on. Started yarning with them and I think they didn't believe me when I said I used to fish and work on boats. Wasn't until I name-dropped the names of a couple of old salties I use to work with did they realise I was speaking the truth! Loved meeting them. Q. What do you think of your party leader and his performance during this campaign? I think Albo's shown what real leadership looks like — steady, honest and focused on people, not politics. He doesn't shout the loudest but he listens, and he leads with empathy. He knows what it's like to do it tough. That kind of lived experience shapes the way he leads — and I respect that deeply. Q. Will you move to Geraldton if you win? Gero is always home to me and since Dad has passed, I have been looking at real estate in the area. It's expensive but when I find the right place, I will invest in something. Q. Can you draw much from the State election result, in particular the anti-Labor swing in the regions? For me, the key has been — and still is — showing up, listening and getting around. That's how you build trust. I'm focused on connecting with as many people as I can right up until the last vote is cast. Q. What are the biggest issues affecting Durack and in particular Geraldton and the Mid West? Cost of living is the largest issue by far, followed by housing. Q. Would you agree neither party has promised much exclusively for the Durack electorate this election campaign? A re-elected Albanese Labor government will open an Urgent Care Clinic in Geraldton. The Geraldton Urgent Care Clinic will be the second one in Durack with one already operating in Broome. The Midwest Multicultural Association will get $50,000 for their Festival of Lights Celebration if the Albanese Labor Government gets in. Q. How would you rate your chances and your party's chances on Saturday? I think Federal Labor is going well. Albo is focused and will continue to work hard, but it's not time to contemplate the result. There is still a lot of work to do and it's not over until the polls close. My chances? I am the underdog here, but never say never! Q. One word to best describe your main competition? Honestly, I've been so focused on showing up for the people of Durack, I haven't seen them around. Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? That's a tough question and it makes me emotional but it's got to be another one from the old man. Don't compromise yourself. Draw a line in the sand and step over it for no one. Like both of my parents had to, I have rebuilt my life from struggle. This has helped me throughout my life. Q. How much has Donald Trump and US politics affected this Federal election campaign? Here in Durack, most people are focused on getting by. It's the cost of living, paying the bills, keeping food on the table — that's what's front of mind. That said, trade does matter. The Albanese Government's been getting on with it — like the work behind the scenes that saw the rock lobster ban to China lifted last year. That trade's back up and running, and our commercial fishers are finally seeing better prices again. Q. How is your party best placed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis? We're best placed because we're already doing the work. The Albanese Labor Government has delivered real cost-of-living relief — cheaper childcare, expanded bulk billing under Medicare — and there's more in the works, with additional tax cuts, and energy bill relief for households and small businesses.
West Australian
29-04-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
More than 6500 vote early in Geraldton for Federal election
More than 6500 people have already had their say on the Federal election in Geraldton in a show of support for early voting. Nine candidates are battling to win the seat of Durack. In Geraldton, 6554 people have taken the opportunity to vote early across the first five days of pre-polling, with an average of 1311 people casting their vote every day. Across Durack, 12,719 people have cast their ballots early to date. There are 119,992 eligible voters in the Durack electorate. For the State election, more than 14,000 people took the opportunity to vote early in Geraldton. Several politicians have been in the Mid West during the election season. On day one of pre-polling, Liberal MP Melissa Price, Labor candidate Karen Wheatland, Nationals candidate Bailey Kempton, and Greens candidate Brendan Sturcke were on hand to win over undecided voters. Ms Price is regarded as the favourite for the seat, as she looks to claim a fifth term in Federal Parliament. According to Sportsbet, the Coalition ($1.03) was a short-priced favourite to claim Durack, with Labor at $13. Any other candidate ($11) was the only other option for the seat. A survey conducted by the Geraldton Guardian on day one showed the Liberals had strong support in Geraldton, with 44 per cent of the primary vote. Labor was next with 26 per cent, followed by the Nationals with 12 per cent.
West Australian
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Federal Labor promises $50,000 for Midwest Multicultural Association's Festival of Lights event in Geraldton
Federal Labor will commit to funding a multicultural festival in the Mid West if it is re-elected at next month's election. The party has promised $50,000 to the Midwest Multicultural Association for its Festival of Lights event. The event is a cultural celebration of the region's vibrant community, and the diversity within the area. More than 3000 people attended the festival last year, providing a platform for individuals and groups to share parts of their heritage with the community. Labor candidate for Durack Karen Wheatland said backing the event was important for the community. 'The Festival of Lights is a joyful celebration of everything that makes Durack and the City of Greater Geraldton special — our diversity, our connection and our shared pride in this incredible region,' she said. 'This funding means families from all walks of life can come together and celebrate culture through music, food and dance. 'Whether it's backing local events, investing in roads, or strengthening health services, the Albanese Labor Government has shown up for Durack and delivered.' The funding is the second Geraldton-specific commitment made by Labor ahead of the Federal election, with the party promising to build a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic here if elected.
