Bayswater train station upgrade and Maylands Waterland head motions at City of Bayswater’s annual general meeting

RELIEVING disruptions during the Bayswater train station upgrade, the environmental impact of Maylands Waterland and utilising unwanted furniture were among the key topics raised at City of Bayswater’s annual general meeting of electors last night.

The meeting started with the majority of 58 electors not supporting the 2017-18 annual report.

Members from community groups including Future Bayswater, Baysie Rollers, Bayswater Historical Society and the Bayswater Urban Tree Network were in attendance.

Future Bayswater chair Paul Shanahan’s motion requesting the City to start implementing its Building Bayswater report recommendations, specifically the recommendation to plan for density and height of R100 and 10 storeys in the station precinct and a R60 and four-storey height limit within the 800m walkable catchment was passed.

Electors also supported Mr Shanahan’s motion for the council to allocate a budget increase of at least $300,000 to enable urgent place activation in the Bayswater town centre, install three-phase electricity supply to Bert Wright Park to support community events, identify locations for shopper parking and paint parking bay lines on King William Street from the shops for 500m towards Guildford Road.

Fellow Future Bayswater member Linda Slater’s motion calling on the council to determine, in consultation with stakeholders, the timeline for actions to implement recommendations from Metronet and preparing a pre-budget report be prepared on the costs of establishing new infrastructure around the station in areas that fell outside Metronet’s commitment.

An issue which left the gallery and Mayor Dan Bull surprised was when Bayswater Historical Society president Lynn Deering’s revealed that there had been no environmental impact assessment of the Waterland since 2007 despite back wash from the pools flowing into the wetlands area.

Community and development director Des Abel said the City was aware of back wash flowing into the Swan River and confirmed there had not been any environmental assessments undertaken.

Ms Deering’s motion for the City to undertake an environmental impact assessment on the Waterland, focusing on the impact of back wash, chlorine and chemicals and the financial and environmental costs was supported by the majority of electors.

Morley resident Steven Ostaszewskyj’s motion for the City’s arborist to plant more Australian trees at two City-owned vacant public open spaces – 59A Grey Street, Bayswater and 45 Ivanhoe Street, Morley – was passed unanimously.

His second motion which requested the City undertake a comprehensive stocktake of assets held at the storage facility connected to the ranger and security building on the corner of King and Raymond Streets before the next financial year and make the old furniture publically available upon request was also passed.

All motions passed will be considered by the council at the January ordinary council meeting.