Latest news with #KathrynHamilton
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Critical upgrade to oval after concerns for player safety
A lighting upgrade at Bassendean Oval is expected to open up new opportunities at the ground. Major lighting upgrades are now complete at the oval and BIC reserve to enhance safety, boost energy efficiency, and allow greater access. The oval's outdated lighting infrastructure has been transformed to a modern 200 Lux LED system, with a capacity for future upgrades to 500 Lux. With four new floodlight towers in place, the oval will now be able to cater for a broader range of uses while dramatically reducing maintenance and operating costs. The Swan Districts Football Club has long called for better lighting, saying in 2021 the then-lighting was worse than a junior football club's and medical staff had raised concerns about it. The $1.4 million project was jointly funded by the Federal Government, State Government, Swan Districts Football Club, Town of Bassendean and WA football. Bassendean mayor Kathryn Hamilton said the project was a win for both local sport and for the wider Bassendean community. 'Better lighting means more people can enjoy using the oval safely after dark. It also opens the door to a greater range of community activities, events and gatherings in our town centre,' she said. In addition to the lighting, stage one of the BIC Reserve Masterplan is also now complete. This includes the installation of two new energy-efficient towers, new public toilets, bench seating, exercise equipment, and the planting of mature native trees to provide additional shade. The new LED lighting are designed to 50 Lux, ensuring lighting for both evening and morning use. The lights will operate between 5.30am to 7am and again from 5.30pm to 9pm to support the summer Bassendean markets, social sports, dog walking and general use of the area. Newly installed fitness equipment include 12 stations that target different muscle groups, with senior-friendly options such a shoulder mobility wheel, body twist and dexterity builder. Cr Hamilton said BIC Reserve holds a special place in the heart of the community. 'These works create an inclusive space that encourages an active lifestyle for all ages, with affordable and accessible facilities that support physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection,' she said. Future improvements include a unified path network and a potential for a sound stage and performance area, which are subject to further funding. Hasluck MHR Tania Lawrence said the community will now able to enjoy and reap the benefits of the increased lighting at Steel Blue Oval. 'I'm happy to see this delivered, so local teams can benefit from improvements to safety during evening practice,' she said. The State Government also provided the Town of Bassendean with $55,394 for upgraded lighting at Ashfield Reserve and $570,000 for Jubilee Reserve.
Perth Now
12-06-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Town of Bassendean adds frangipanis, palm trees to list of ‘unwanted species'
Town of Bassendean residents will now be allowed to carry out works on trees that are on an 'unwanted tree species' list without first seeking approval. Palm trees, broad leaf and Brazilian pepper trees, coral trees, box elder maples, frangipanis and robinias are on the list adopted by the council last month. Residents with any of these trees on their property will not have to remove them. If they do decide to remove them, they will not need to seek development approval. PerthNow Digital Edition . Your local paper, whenever you want it. Read now A council report said palm trees offered minimal canopy and attracted pests such as the rainbow lorikeet or rats and the broad leaf and Brazilian leaf trees were introduced, weed-like species that could smother native vegetation. 'This tree species has been, and continues to be, a management issue within the town's reserves.' the report said. The coral tree species is an introduced species that is 'extremely susceptible to infestation and are reproductive hosts of the polyphagous shot-hole borer, increasing the infestation risk to surrounding trees'. The box elder was also identified as an introduced species which was also susceptible to infestation of PSHB and could increase infestation of surrounding trees. Frangipani trees offered minimal canopy cover or environmental value, and robinias were identified as a risk for PSHB infestation. Bassendean mayor Kathryn Hamilton said the town's decision to allow works on unwanted species was supported by arborists. '(Reasons for the) removal of a regulated tree include the tree is in poor health and poses a risk to nearby structures, the tree is an unsuitable species that provides little or no canopy cover, for example palm trees, or the species is a weed specimen species and presents an environmental concern,' she said. 'If the tree obstructs infield development and cannot be retained without compromising its integrity in such cases where multiple trees are present on a site, the town has sought to retain the largest and most appropriate species.' As part of its tree planting goals, the town will plant 500 street trees from June to September.
