THE National Hotel is up for a state heritage award. The Nash was bought back to life by current owner Karl Bullers last year following an arson attack by a couple of young miscreants back in 2007. Other locals on the finalists’ list are the City of Fremantle and its heritage coordinator Alan Kelsall, Ken McKay of Bull Creek, Fremantle Prison for its backpackers hostel and the Shipwreck Galleries for its work on the Commissariat Buildings.
FREMANTLE council has deferred the next stage of its small homes strategy to make sure there aren’t any hidden surprises. The council wants to allow up to three houses on 750sqm blocks and four on bigger blocks in areas with low heritage values and close to bus or train routes. It’s identified five areas zoned R35 or less as potential sites where small houses with a footprint up to 120sqm could be clustered together. They would need to leave 60 per cent of the site clear for garden, of which 15 per cent must be for big trees. Mayor Brad Pettitt said there were so many amendments flying around, it made sense to take a bit more time to contemplate the ramifications.
POLICE have charged a 21-year-old Middle Swan man over the alleged theft of a handbag from a 75-year-old woman at the Booragoon shopping centre last week. Police will allege the man, who faces charges over other incidents around Perth, took the bag from woman’s shopping trolley and when she chased after him, threatened her with a knife.
COCKBURN council says WA government cost-shifting is going to mean 720 fewer books in its libraries this year. Complaining about budget cuts to library services, mayor Logan Howlett says bookworms will also be inconvenienced, because the service that used to bring in books held in other libraries is also being axed. Mr Howlett said early literacy programs relied on the same courier service. “For libraries in the City of Cockburn, the cuts mean the loss of $18,000 in 2016/17.”
POLICE are seeking witnesses to a hit and run involving a scooter rider and a small red car in East Fremantle last Friday. Just before 11pm the pair collided head-on on Preston Point Road, with the rider of the black V Moto thrown onto the road, receiving serious injuries that required several days in hospital. The driver of the car did not stop. Witnesses are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.