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STAFF REPORTER

Police are seeking witnesses to a chaotic car crash that left a 71-year-old man with serious head injuries this morning.

Police spokeswoman Ros Weatherall said that about 10.30am today an 81-year-old woman was driving a Hyundai Getz in the forecourt of the Caltex Woolworths service station at Grand Promenade in Dianella.

Ms Weatherall said the man walked from the service station shopfront toward his parked car when he was allegedly hit by the woman’s car.

Ms Weatherall said the woman allegedly continued driving over kerbing, and onto the southeast-bound lanes of Grand Promenade.

Her car then careered over the raised centre island before hitting a steel bollard and entering the northwest-bound lanes of Grand Promenade.

The Hyundai came to rest after colliding with the back of a Transperth bus.

The woman received minor injuries.

The man received serious head injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.

Anyone who saw the crashes should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

STAFF REPORTER

Liquor enforcement officers shut down the Sovereign Arms Tavern in Joondalup last night after a 19-year-old man was slashed in the neck with a middy glass.

Police spokesman Samuel Dinnison said that about 10:45pm the young man and a second person bumped into each other while entering the main bar area.

Mr Dinnison said that the pair exchanged words and the 19-year-old was struck to the neck with the half-pint glass.

The glass smashed causing several cuts, and the teen was struck a second time with the smashed glass.

Mr Dinnison said the man was also punched several times in the face, which caused a tooth to be dislodged.

Bouncers intervened and the man was taken to Joondalup Hospital by St John Ambulance.

His assailant was a tanned, slim male between 20 and 30 years old and 165 to 175cm tall.

Liquor enforcement officers closed the faux English pub while order was regained.

Half an hour later the bar was allowed to reopen. However, the area where the attack took place remained closed to the public.

Anyone who witnessed the violence should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

STAFF REPORTER

Local Government Minister John Castrilli today directed the Department of Local Government to probe governance at the City of Canning.

Mr Castrilli says the inquiry follows a request from Canning mayor Joe Delle Donne to initiate a review of matters associated with staffing and administration.

“The information I received since that request led me to the view an authorised inquiry is necessary,” Mr Castrilli said.

Issues to be probed include:

• governance by the elected council and relationship with executive staff;
• human  resources recruitment processes;
• procurement of goods and services, including tender processes and contract management; and
• general performance.

“The authorised inquiry under Part 8 Division 1 of the Local Government Act 1995 will thoroughly examine matters related to these issues and any other matters the investigative team discovers during its inquiry,” Mr Castrilli said.

“I have initiated this inquiry to ensure the City of Canning is operating in the best interests of its community

“It is anticipated the inquiry will require about six months – essential if this task is thoroughly undertaken.”

STAFF REPORTER

There is nothing wrong with a sea lion seen on the beach at Mindarie Keys marina over the past few days, the Department of Environment and Conservation has assured.

The sea lion (similar in bulk to the one pictured) was first spotted and reported to DEC on Saturday and has since been monitored daily by wildlife officers.

DEC’s Wildcare Helpline has been inundated with calls from people concerned about the health of the aquatic mammal.

Senior wildlife officer Rick Dawson said the beast was in good health and simply resting.

“People should not approach this animal as they can be aggressive and they are able to move surprisingly quickly,” Mr Dawson said.

“Male sea lions grow to about two metres long, can weigh up to 300 kilograms, and are very strong.”

The Australian sea lion is a threatened species and is one of the rarest sea lions in the world.

Mr Dawson said it was natural for sea lions to laze around on sandy beaches, occasionally taking a dip in the water and repeatedly waving their flippers in the air.

“This behaviour may appear as though the animal is in distress but it is how they regulate their body temperature,” he said.

“This sea lion has hauled up at the marina for a rest.

“It does not require any assistance.”

STAFF REPORTER

A neighbour who allegedly tried to break up a party last night by pulling a gun has been charged with several offences.

Police spokeswoman Naomi Smith said that at 10.50pm her colleagues were called to a home in Birdland Lane, Ballajura, where a soiree was in full swing.

Acting Sergeant Smith said the 28-year-old neighbour allegedly became involved in a fight with the home’s occupants and guests over noise from the party.

The man allegedly threatened the occupants with a gun before returning to his home.

Police searched the man’s home where they allegedly found the gun and several cannabis plants.

The man was charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear, aggravated possession of a firearm, possessing an unlicensed firearm, possessing unlicensed ammunition and possessing prohibited drugs.

He will appear in Midland Magistrates Court on February 10.

CHRIS THOMSON

The golden arches’ reputation for consistently edible food is under siege with revelations of a seventh health offence – this time at the Wanneroo McDonald’s.

A conviction notice published this week by the Department of Health confirms the McDonald’s on Wanneroo Road sold unsuitable food on May 1 last year.

For that offence, McDonald’s Australia was fined $8000 and ordered to pay $1654.45 in court costs.

This latest case – brought to court by the City of Wanneroo – is the fast food chain’s seventh known health conviction in five years.

Four of the convictions have come in the past six months.

News of the latest conviction comes hot on the heels of Rockingham McDonald’s being convicted and fined $17,500 earlier this month.

In November last year the City of Rockingham had claimed another legal victory against McDonald’s Australia. At that time, the chain’s Warnbro outlet was fined $22,500 after standing accused of serving a raw chicken wrap.

In July 2009, Rockingham council achieved yet another conviction – when the Warnbro McDonald’s was fined $9000 for failing to maintain its premises and equipment in a clean and sanitary condition, among other indiscretions.

In June last year, McDonald’s Australia was fined $20,000 after pleading guilty to supplying undercooked chicken nuggets from its Midland outlet.

That eatery is also a double offender – having been fined $500 for a breach of health laws in February 2008.

Those convictions followed a $1250 health fine slapped on the Landsdale McDonald’s in September 2007.

CHRIS THOMSON

6.45PM UPDATE: A house fire at Doubleview this afternoon occupied 20 firefighters and caused $250,000 damage before being tamed.

The blaze burnt in a house in Wilding Street, near Sackville Terrace, but is now under control.

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority says crews are now mopping up.

However, FESA advised people in the area to remain inside with doors and windows closed.

Although the smoke has now subsided, local residents are also being advised to switch off their air conditioners.

Locals had been advised to stay away but are now safe to return home.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

CHRIS THOMSON

The state government has refused an application by the City of Wanneroo to approve its non-conforming and controversial aluminium boardwalk at Yanchep.

A meeting of the WA Planning Commission’s powerful Statutory Planning Committee yesterday rejected the city’s bid to keep its sprawling seaside structure.

WAPC chairman Gary Prattley said the application was refused because the existing structure visually intruded on the coastal landscape.

“The committee also considered that the development was inconsistent with the amenity of the surrounding area and approving the existing structure would have set an undesirable precedent for similar structures within foreshore reserves,” Mr Prattley said.

“While the existing Yanchep boardwalk was not deemed worthy of retrospective approval, in making this determination the committee provided an advice note indicating they may be prepared to consider a new application which seeks to modify the structure.”

In April 2008, the city received WAPC approval to build a boardwalk in the Yanchep coastal foreshore reserve to link Compass Circle and Foreshore Vista.

However, the alignment of the walkway as built differed from that approved by the WAPC.

The boardwalk has been subject to vociferous protests by members of the Yanchep and wider Wanneroo communities.

The City of Wanneroo has estimated the boardwalk will cost $300,000 to $400,000 to remove.

CHRIS THOMSON

Police were marshalled in full force overnight to disperse wild gatherings in Perth’s north and south.

Inspector Neil Blair said that just before 2am his colleagues attended a disturbance at a Scarborough Beach car park.

There, a male had received a minor stab wound to the back.

A man was arrested by police and broke free.

OFFICER SPRAYED

Inspector Blair said that someone in the 50 to 60 person crowd sprayed a police officer with what was believed to be capsicum spray.

Police dispersed the crowd and the officer who was sprayed did not require medical attention.

The stab victim was taken to hospital where he was in a satisfactory condition.

SINGLETON GATE CRASHERS

Inspector Blair said that earlier, about 1am, a group was reported to have crashed a house party at Federation Drive in the Rockingham suburb of Singleton.

Inspector Blair said the gate crashers were armed with bottles and planks of wood.

Several people received minor injuries. Two people were taken to Rockingham Hospital after being hit with chairs and other items.

Inspector Blair said a number of house windows were smashed.

MUNSTER MASH

The third major disturbance overnight was at Dryden Streen in Munster where 100 youths had gathered in the street.

Police attended about 11.30pm.

A small number of beer cans were thrown at officers whose ranks had been bolstered by mounted police and police dogs.

Inspector Blair said that four people were arrested and charged with “various offences”.

CHRIS THOMSON

Government planners have recommended the state planning watchdog refuse an application by the City of Wanneroo to approve its non-conforming and controversial aluminium boardwalk at Yanchep.

In a report to the WA Planning Commission’s powerful Statutory Planning Committee, the planners conclude the boardwalk – which has been the subject of local protests – is “visually intrusive”.

In April 2008, the city received WAPC approval to build a boardwalk in the Yanchep coastal foreshore reserve to link Compass Circle and Foreshore Vista.

However, the alignment of the walkway as built differed from that approved by the WAPC.

The state planners advise that if the structure were retrospectively approved it would establish an undesirable precedent for similar boardwalks at other foreshore parks.

The committee will consider the planners’ recommendation of refusal on Tuesday morning.

The City of Wanneroo has estimated its boardwalk would cost $300,000 to $400,000 to remove.